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Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin Student newsletter | June 21, 2021

Welcome to another very special issue of Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin: Virtual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration!

Each week, we create a special newsletter for you and your family to stay connected with, because Connection is Indigenous.

We want to start off with saying that it is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we acknowledge the recent news of the discovery of the remains of the 215 children at the former Indian Residential School in Kamloops. We hold the people of Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation, the Indian Residential School Survivors, and all the families that are impacted by this tragic news in our thoughts and prayers. We stand together with them as we all grieve this tremendous loss. We pray that these beautiful souls can now return home and rest in peace.

In honour of the beautiful children, we will continue to wear our orange shirts. We encourage you to wear yours as well. If you or any of your loved ones are in need of support, please reach out to the National Residential School Crisis Line at 1–866-925-4419. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Take care and be kind to yourself today, tomorrow and always. Hagwil huwilin (Take your time, walk carefully).

This month has been a real challenge for many people. It has demanded space for reflection and addressing blatant systemic racism that is apparent across the globe. It is more important than ever to be informed, uphold accountability, and amplify the voices of those often unheard. People all over the world are taking a stand and asking for change. With challenges come growth and with growth, there is hope. Dax̱gadim-g̱oot (Be brave).

With challenges, also comes strength and resiliency. It’s important to be proud of your connection to your culture, and respect the differences that exist between people. This month, we reflect on Indigenous history and celebrate our collective resiliency. First Nations Access Coordinators (FNACs) have connected with local elders and knowledge keepers to bring you videos that may inspire you to continue learning and practicing different aspects of culture and wellness.

We hope you find something to connect with and that you do things this month that make you feel balanced in your mind, body, spirit and soul.

The FNACs wish you well in your studies and personally. Please feel free to call on any of us by email or phone to let us know if you are having any issues or concerns with your distance learning. We are here to provide you support in any we can. Work hard and don’t forget to take time to enjoy the outdoors! Continue to physically distance and stay safe.

Happy Indigenous Peoples Day! All the best in 2021.

Jillian Stephens, Terrace — jstephens@coastmountaincollege.ca

Sharon Oskey, Prince Rupert — soskey@coastmountaincollege.ca

Kellie Nyce, Hazelton — knyce@coastmountaincollege.ca

Katie Humphrey, Smithers — khumphrey@coastmountaincollege.ca

Left to right: Jillian Stephens, Kellie Nyce, Katie Humphrey & Sharon Oskey
One last thing...
Sending our well wishes to Veronica Waechter as she continues her studies. Returning to school and saying farewell to her time as First Nations Access Coordinator in Terrace. On behalf of the FNAC Team, we wish you well in your studies and look forward to seeing your art and work in the future! Your FNAC family and students will miss you dearly! Simgit wilin, V! (Be steadfast!)

Yakking with Ye'e

First Nations Access Coordinator, Sharon Oskey, had a physically distant visit with Galdmalgax Algmxaa - Murray Smith and his wife Louisa. They have a special message to share with you below:

Practice your language at home and with loved ones. Below are some of the phrases that Algmxaa used in his video.

For more Sm'algyax words to practice at home, check out the Sm'algyax Talking Dictionary!

Ewh Hiyah Hozdli share a few songs for IPD 2021

Dolly's Language Lessons

Dolly Alfred from the Wit'suwit'en Nation shares her language in our next language spotlight:

Yink’atdanee ho..ndiyh’ habadzeen Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!

Missiyh', Dolly for sharing these special words with us! We challenge you to practice these words at home. Find more of her language lessons here.

You can find more Sm'algyax, Nisga'a, Wit'suwit'en, and many more languages to practice at firstvoices.com.

Seasoned with Love: Ts'iits' Recipes

Did you submit a video to the CMTN Bannock Bake-Off? Do you think your bannock/fried bread is better than Sherry's?

T'ooyaḵsiy̓ n̓iin, Sherry for sharing your video and the golden frybread recipe! (Shh! It's a secret one). Watch the video and try it out for yourself at home! Find the recipe below.

The Secret Fried Bread Recipe

  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • about 2 tbsp oil
  • Big splash of lime or lemon juice
  • Big splash of lime or lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp yeast
  • About 4 cups flour
  1. Pre-heat bowl with super hot water for a few minutes before we begin. (This step is very important)
  2. Place water, salt, sugar, oil and juice into water. Give light stir and let sit for 2 minutes.
  3. Add yeast to water for about 4 minutes (Do not stir at this point, watch for it to bubble up, this will tell you it is live yeast)
  4. Stir two cups flour to make paste-like mix.
  5. Add two flour stir until the dough is formed into a ball of dough . (If you must add more flour, add 1/2 cup at time until it forms into a ball. At this point, DO NOT handle dough with hand if using wooden spoon).
  6. Kneed dough about 10 to 20 times ONLY (less handling = softer the dough)
  7. Let rise about 1.5 to 2 hours, then kneed and shape place into pans. Let it rise for another 45 minutes or a little longer.
  8. Pre-heat oil for quick or deep fry.
  9. Shape dough and cook on both sides. Now you can finally enjoy it!
  10. Suggestion: Prepare it before school (letting it rise until classes are done would be fine. Or kneed it late at night so it will be ready for breakfast). Use traditional yeast for long rising dough.

Send us pictures to fnac@coastmountaincollege.ca if you try the secret recipe and let us know how it goes so we can feature it in our next newsletter edition!

Activities for the soul

Join our NIPD 2021 Inspo hunt and you could win a brand new FITBIT INSPIRE 2! All you have to do is follow the instructions and check off the items on the checklist below. Get your completed checklist and pictures as proof to the FNACs by June 25th to be entered into the draw.

Look forward to seeing your Hunt!

ICYMI: Virtual Braid Circle with Emily Bryant

T'ooyaḵsiy̓ n̓iin to Emily Bryant for sharing her techniques and knowledge of both braiding and the sacredness of hair. Take your time with these teachings and practice on your own hair.

Medicinal Harvest

Harvest and process arnica flowers like Katie Humphrey, First Nations Access Coordinator, and herbalist facilitator Lori Knorr.

Learn how to make Arnica Salve

Register by: June 18, 2021

Live Session Date: June 25, 2021

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join this special workshop to learn about the healing properties of Arnica through preparation and making salve.

Sign up with FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca with your student number & campus location to pickup kit/supplies (at a safe, physical distance) needed for the workshop.

Katie Humphrey has been out and about these past couple of weeks picking the medicinal plant arnica cordifolia or simply known as arnica.

Arnica is used topically for a wide range of conditions, including bruising, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing and more. T'ooyaḵsiy̓ n̓iin, FNAC Katie and Lori Knorr for sharing your knowledge.

How to Make a Healing Salve

The skin is one of the ways through which the body can receive the healing action of plants. Here are the materials and equipment you will need:

  • 1 cup of oil (organic coconut, almond, grapeseed, or olive)
  • Equal part wilted or dried herbs
  • 1-2 oz (1/4 cup) beeswax (this measurement will be adjusted to suit how solid you like your salve)
  • Cheesecloth for straining
  • 1 tbsp vitamin E (optional)
  • 50 ml jars to store salve in (preferably dark glass)
  • 10 to 30 drops Essential Oils (optional)
  • Double boiler or crock pot (never use aluminum)
  • Large measuring cup for pouring hot salve; small one for beeswax
  • Measuring spoon
  • Strainer or large funnel
  • Sharp knife to cut beeswax
  • Cutting board
  • Toothpicks or skewer to mix in essential oil
  • Wooden stirring spoon
  1. After collecting the flowers in a paper bag, allow them to wilt overnight. This will take out some of the moisture that can cause the salve to go rancid.
  2. The next day, before the flowers have turned into bits of fluff, put them into a glass jar, leaving 5 cm from the top of the jar to allow for expansion. Do not tightly pack.
  3. Pour the organic olive oil over the flowers. The oil can cover the flowers by 5 cms but they tend to float.
  4. Ideally the infusion should sit in a warm place for the course of a moon cycle (full moon to full moon) but it is not always possible to get that timing. Allow to infuse for at least two weeks.
  5. Stir the infusion every day. If mold begins to form stain immediately. I use a chopstick to poke the flowers around as I like to avoid the use of metal with my infusions. (If using the crock pot method, heat on low for a few hours. No boiling!)

Learn the next steps in our salve making workshop on June 25th. Registration required to receive kit/supplies register with FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca

Arnica Flowers and Katie's sweet son, Hunter

Simg̱an (Cedar) Harvesting

Val Morgan is returning for another wonderful cedar workshop! Stay tuned for this great opportunity to learn how to strip, harvest, and prepare cedar into strips.

In the meantime, check out these great videos that Val gave us permission to share. Part one of the video includes what you will need to harvest the cedar from the tree and how to do so appropriately (on the land and to not injure the tree).

Hami'yaa, Val, for sharing your traditional knowledge and time. We look forward to having you back at CMTN to teach us more about cedar in July, September, and October! Keep a close eye to sign up as soon as registration is open.

Hu'ums (Devil's Club) Harvesting

Hu'ums Series

Upcoming Events

Join us and guest Mel Bazil for this special virtual event to honour the special father figure you have in your life. Sign up today to get your kit!

Honour your Fathers/Grandfathers

Indigenous reads

Meduh to Julie Morris / Kāshā for providing us with an Indigenous reads highlight for June as she reviews The Journey Forward, a novel on reconciliation.

Photos taken from CMTN Library

The Journey Forward, Novellas on Reconciliation by First Peoples authors, Richard Van Camp and Monique Gray Smith. Available through the CMTN Library HERE!

"Two unforgettable novellas on reconciliation When We Play Our Drums, They Sing! and Lucy & Lola are bound together in one book. Both titles will surely appeal to all readers. Van Camp and Smith help readers to better understand the challenges of reconciliation but also the resilience of youth to successfully confront challenges and overcome setbacks. The theme of Indigenous language reclamation is at the heart of each story."

Watch Indigenous

T'ooyaḵsiy̓ n̓iin, Doug Swank, CMTN's International Marketing Officer, for providing a review of this intense take on the undead by Indigenous writers, directors, and actors. This is "Blood Quantum" by Jeff Barnaby.

Pictured captured from IMDb.com
"This film is not like any other zombie film. "Blood Quantum" lets viewers experience the zombie apocalypse through the lens of Indigenous survivors. The non-Indigenous people are finally experiencing some of the struggles that Indigenous peoples have faced since contact. Abandoned by the government and nearby communities, our protagonists fight for their life to keep their culture and their people alive. Extremely gory and off-putting at times, this film keeps you on your toes and tugs on your heartstrings until the very end."

Watch "Blood Quantum" on Google Play, YouTube, or Amazon Prime!

Your weekly memes

TikTok: @umshiwah.uncle.slayer

Self-care is essential

We acknowledge the pain and heaviness that many of us are carrying right now for our loved ones and those who have perished. With consideration to the discovery of the 215, remember to take time to rest in between the good fight.

COVID stress has a lot of us already burnt out, and adding trauma responses and collective grief can increase the effects of stress whether we know it or not. So, take time to rest, just like bannock.

Photo captured from Facebook

If you are needing support while you grieve, please connect with Sandra Harris. Sandra is offering grief webinars via Zoom. Sandra has provided information sessions for CMTN in the last year and each time has been incredibly grounding and safe.

Student support

Are you facing challenges with lack of equipment or support? Contact your local FNAC and ask about the Indigenous Wellness Assistance Fund and the Lending Library.

Mental Health Check-in

In response to the discovery of the 215, we have included information in this newsletter to support people in grieving and to connect with the elder support in the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

Reach out today! Sessions are covered by the IRSSS
Feel free to text Murray at this number as well!

Foundry BC is now offering virtual drop-in counselling for young people ages 12 to 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.

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 is 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 are monitoring 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 our team anytime at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca

jstephens@coastmountaincollege.ca

knyce@coastmountaincollege.ca

khumphrey@coastmountaincollege.ca

soskey@coastmountaincollege.ca

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