Welcome to the fifth issue of Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin.
Each week we focus on an Indigenous language in our region. This week we will focus on more of the Tsimshian Sm’algyax language.
We continue to provide support by sending you the latest news at CMTN, sharing ideas to keep a healthy balance of mind, body and spirit and learning tips, recipes, and much more.
Please share with us. How are you keeping up with your studies through remote delivery? How are you keeping active? How are you are entertaining your kids?
If you can take a moment to complete this activity poll, that would be great!
We would love share information on sites you may have found to offer free e-books, online music concerts and more in our next issue.
Enjoy, take care, and stay safe.
Jillian Stephens, Terrace jstephens@coastmountaincollege.ca
Veronica Waechter, Terrace vwaechter@coastmountaincollege.ca
Sharon Oskey, Prince Rupert soskey@coastmountaincollege.ca
Kellie Nyce, Hazelton knyce@coastmountaincollege.ca
Katie Humphrey, Smithers khumphrey@coastmountaincollege.ca
What would Nits’iits’ do?
Nits’iits’ would want you to awis (take a break) from boox (fast flowing) diduuls (life). She would remind you to check in on your da̱xsmt'aa (mind) txa'moo (body) and oots’n (soul).
Nits’iits’ would want you to think about your gitwaap (neighbours) and host nations.
Nits’iits’ would remind you its goyim (spring time) now and to prepare for change.
More Smalgyax Resources
Check out Dr. Mique’l Dangeli’s Youtube Channel: Heelda La Da Doo Sm'algya̱x
Sm’algyax Living Legacy Talking Dictionary has provided the tools to learn and share these words. Check out their website to learn some words in the Tsimshian dialect!
FirstVoices is a suite of web-based tools and services designed to support Indigenous people engaged in language archiving, language teaching and culture revitalization.
Learn a new song with a loved one, and/or give your Nits’iits’ a call and sing it to them! We are sure it will make them feel loved. Here is a great website with language and songs in Sm’algyax. You can also check out the Git Hayetsk Dancers online. Their playlist can be viewed on YouTube.
When we can get together again the Xbisuunt Dance Group also meets weekly in Waap Galts'ap. Stay tuned for when practices will resume! Sigidimhanaak Xbisuunt and Litamlaxdau Gibau (Vera Dudoward and Sharon Bryant) are the territory holders of Waap Wahdi waay. Our Terrace campus sits on this traditional territory.
Bake and then chill
For those out there who might not eat bread or gluten, or anyone looking for a healthy snack, apple chips are a great any time of the day. They have the added benefits of vitamins and natural sweetness to satisfy those sugar cravings and keep your body feeling good.
Oven-baked apple chips
- 2 or more apples
- about a teaspoon of cinnamon
Preheat oven to 225 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Wash and core apples, then slice apples as thin as possible (about 1/8 inch) leaving apple skins on. Place apples on the baking sheet in a single layer, and sprinkle cinnamon over the slices. Bake approximately 1 hour, then turn over and bake another hour. The longer they are in, the crispier they will get. Best eaten fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for a few days. Enjoy!
While you wait for your apple chips to bake check out activities online like:
Learn about the territory and traditional title holders of the lands we occupy! Coast Mountain College proudly serves 27 Indigenous communities in the region and acknowledges the traditional territories of the Haida, Tsimshian, Gitxsan, Nisga'a, Wet'suwet'en, Haisla and Tahltan Nations. Take some time to Google and research the host nation of your campus!
FREE documentaries. While the community of Gitaus and the Kitselas Canyon National Historic site is currently closed to visitors you can learn more about this beautiful natural landmark with significant cultural resources, such as petroglyphs, totem poles, culturally modified trees, and archaeological remains. Watch films one and two on the Kitselas Canyon produced by the Bill Reid Centre at SFU.
Check out some Indigenous reads! People of the Robin by James Andrew McDonald is available through the CMTN Library here. The contemporary community of Kitsumkalum draws on its ancient Tsimshian culture for values, a vibrant culture of traditions and customs. This book emphasizes the connection between the community's heritage and the territory which nurtures it. The anthropology underlying the book promotes a Tsimshian sociology as understood by the people in Kitsumkalum. The connection between the culture and the land is the central principle that has sustained the Kitsumkalum people since time immemorial. The purpose of this book is to give the reader an understanding of this important aspect of Tsimshian life, enriching the lives of all Canadians with a fuller understanding of a heritage that is an integral part of the national cultural fabric.
“An essential read for anyone living on the Northwest Coast! The oral history that is shared in this book is beyond measurable, it is wealth itself.” Veronica Waechter, First Nation Access Coordinator.
Wellness BINGO!
Verginia Johnson, CCP student at Smithers campus, enjoyed the Wellness BINGO challenge and shared her photos below.
She says, "It was fun to do and made me appreciate the little things and stop worrying about the big things."
Did you take up the challenge? FNACs encourage you to keep going with the Wellness BINGO to see how many activities you can complete while physically distancing. Snap your photos and share them on social media using #CMTNconnected!
Your weekly meme
Financial Assistance
Are you facing challenges with lack of equipment or support? Contact your local FNAC and ask about the Indigenous Wellness Assistance Fund.
Did you receive emergency financial aid from a FNAC this year? We would love to hear from you! Letters of support help us with our annual funding applications to continue to provide financial aid. If you can share a letter that includes your name, program/course and how the funding made a difference for you as a student it is so appreciated. Contact your local FNAC with any questions.
Mental Health Check-in
Foundry BC is now offering virtual drop-in counselling for young people ages 12-24 and their families. To access this service, call 1-833-FØUNDRY (yes, that’s FØUNDRY with a zero! or 1-833-308-6379) to book an appointment. Sessions available through chat, voice-only calls or video calls.
Here2Talk connects students with mental health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a B.C. post-secondary institution have access to FREE, confidential counselling and community referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.
The Keep Me Safe program is available 24/7 through multiple formats (call, chat, email and videoconference) for you! Go to coastmountaincollege.ca/counselling for more info.
Other resources you can reach out to:
Youth Online Chat at crisis-centre.ca or text 250.564.8336 or call 1.888.564.8336. A confidential, anonymous peer support service operated by trained youth answering calls from other youth. Available 24/7.
Northern BC Crisis Line A safe, confidential and non-judgmental crisis line to discuss anything troubling you available 24/7. Call 1.888.562.1214.
BC Suicide Line 1.800.SUICIDE or 1.800.784.2433. If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may, please call! Available 24/7.
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience. Call 1.866.925.4419.
COVID-19 updates & FAQs
At Coast Mountain College we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation very closely and are guided by the Provincial Health Officer as we work with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. For updates and FAQs please visit our website here.
Have something you want to contribute for next month's issue?
Feedback, story ideas or pictures to share? Contact us:
jstephens@coastmountaincollege.ca
vwaechter@coastmountaincollege.ca
