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Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin Student newsletter | May 13, 2020

Welcome to another 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 Witsuwiten language with help from Delores (Dolly) Alfred.

Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin means "it's good for you to stay home" in Nisga'a. In the Witsuwit’en language we say TSIYÏH’ YIKH OH’ DÏZIWLHTSIY: Stay home everybody!

We know this is a tough time right now and can take a toll on your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. We hope you find fun stuff in this newsletter that might be able to add a bit of love and light into your life at home.

Please feel free to share some of your strategies with us! We would love to hear from you.

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

Left to right: Veronica Waechter, Jillian Stephens, Kellie Nyce, Katie Humphrey & Sharon Oskey

Cedar Weaving with Val Morgan

June 2 - 4, 2020 | online

Join us for a virtual series of cedar harvesting and preparation! Val Morgan will be facilitating this series where we will learn the sacred teachings of cedar, how to harvest and how to make a cedar basket. Cedar kits will be made available. You must register to participate and space is limited.

Contact your local FNAC to sign up!

Visiting with Cha’ or Tso’ (Grandmother)

Imagine visiting with Cha' / Tso'. She would welcome you in and put on the tea and offer some refreshing berries on a hot day. Here are the words and phrases she would use.

Nk’ësiy’ I love you

Sa’newenyïst’e I haven’t seen you for a long time

‘Ats deondzin? How is it outside?

Dzïn honzu It’s a nice day

Lidï net’odziz Let’s drink tea

Nit'ay bilah ha'wenïnzin? Do you want some berries?

Nidïzisge Picking berries

Nec'iwhlhyïs Everyone take a rest (plural)

Neniwhost'en’ I will see you all again.

So' co ghenec'owhdlï’ Take good care of yourselves.

Witsuwit’en language with Dolly

Dolly Alfred from Wit'suwit'en Wednesdays shares language videos for Coast Mountain College students. Now is a great time to practice and learn your Indigenous language. Videos can be found on our YouTube channel with a curated playlist so you can continue to check back. You can also LIKE Dolly's Facebook page for more language content!

Hadih Hello

So’ endzin? How are you?

Siy sozeeh’ Dolly My name is Dolly

Nenyust’en I’ll see you again

Nen/na/howst/t’en I’ll see all again

Suhne’ or sne’ boozih’ _________ My mother’s name is___________

Suhbep or sbep boozih’________ My father’s name is ____________

Do you have an elder or other fluent speaker you can call or video chat with during this time of physical distancing? We're sure they would love to hear from you and share.

Wellness BINGO

Let's do another round of Wellness BINGO! We have another card for you with more fun activities to do by yourself or with your family. Share your pictures with the hashtag #CMTNConnected. If you get a BINGO, send the card back (screen shot or save) to your local FNAC along with the photos that create the line and you will be entered into a draw for a $50 Campus Store credit. We encourage you to mail-order your textbooks/supplies from the Campus Store right now OR you can wait to use the credit for when we return for cool CMTN swag! Deadline to submit is May 22.

Please remember physical distancing!

Fry-bread and chill

This is fry-bread Witsuwit’en Style. In this version, the bread is a little flatter and crisper than usual.

Habe Sta (Fry-bread)

  • 3 cups (750 ml) All-purposed Flour
  • 4 tsp (20 ml) Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp (2 ml) Sugar
  • ½ tsp (2 ml) Salt
  • 1 ½ cup (375 ml) Water
  • 2 tbsp (25 ml) Bacon grease or vegetable oil

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Stir in water to make a very light dough, almost like a batter. In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, melt bacon fat or vegetable oil (lard works much better than the oil, it's not as greasy). You can add raisins – if you like. Using a tablespoon, drop dough into hot fat. When bottom is golden brown, turn and fry other side. Drain on paper towels and serve. Delicious with jam or butter!

Have you tried any newsletter recipe's yet? Our Smithers FNAC, Katie and her son tried the banana bread recipe and did an amazing job. Nice work and look at that smile!

Hunter approved!

With your delicious snack in hand chill with a short film or book.

FREE documentary. Indigenous Plant Diva by Kamala Todd (2008). Kamala Todd's short film is a lyrical portrait of Cease Wyss, of the Squamish Nation. Wyss is a woman who understands the remarkable healing powers of the plants growing all over downtown Vancouver. Whether it's the secret curl of a fiddlehead, or the gentleness of comfrey, plants carry ageless wisdom with them, communicated through colour, texture, and form. Wyss has been listening to this unspoken language and is now passing this ancient and intimate connection down to her own daughter, Senaqwila. Watch it here.

Check out Indigenous reads! Read, Listen, Tell: Indigenous Stories from Turtle Island by Various Authors available as an e-book through the CMTN library. Enjoy an incredibly diverse collection of Indigenous stories and explore strategies for reading the stories in multiple ways. Stories are followed by a critical essay that helps contextualize some of the questions and issues the stories raise.

Read, Listen, Tell: Indigenous Stories from Turtle Island

Your weekly meme

Source: Arnell Tailfeathers on Facebook

Student support

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 for your FNACs are due in the next couple of weeks. The letters of support help us access funding to keep the FNACs here for you and supports our cultural events. Thank you to those who have submitted already! Contact your local FNAC with any questions.

Bursaries & scholarships!

Be sure to check our website regularly for upcoming bursaries and scholarships.

Terrace Women’s Resource Centre Scholarship one scholarship of $1,750 is available annually to a woman taking steps toward furthering her education. Deadline is May 31!

Fritz Pfeiffer Adult Learning Award for adults planning post-secondary education. Applicants chosen based on achievements, volunteer work, community and leadership activities. Areas of study related to forestry, banking and trades are preferred, however all areas of study will be considered. Visit Bulkley Valley Community Foundation for more on other grant opportunities.

Visit chiefjoemathias.ca to view the eligibility requirements and to download the 2020 application. Questions, email chiefjoemathias@gmail.com. Deadline is Friday June 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

Mental Health Check-in

Listen to drumming and singing to help ground you back to Earth. Here is one by Harvey Dunstan called "The Heart Beat Song". A song for those going through a tough time, shared for everyone to enjoy.

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.

Visit canada.ca/coronavirus for more information.

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

knyce@coastmountaincollege.ca

khumphrey@coastmountaincollege.ca

soskey@coastmountaincollege.ca

Connect with us!

@coastmountaincollege

#coastmountaincollege