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Volume 5 Issue 18, Sept 9, 2011

Snuneymuxw News is published bi-weekly. We welcome your submissions: send to

news@snuneymuxw.ca or telephone (250) 740.2300.

Annual Children Health Fair is a Huge Success

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Snuneymuxw News Snuneymuxw News Snuneymuxw News

Snuneymuxw Members ~ we are updating our membership contact infor-

mation for the upcoming Election. Please confirm your address and e-mail

so we can keep you up to date and informed.

Hay ch q’a

Please contact Sandy Atkinson directly

@ 250-740-2306 or by e-mail - sandraa@snuneymuxw.ca

Upcoming Election December 3, 2011

Please look for upcoming election information in the next community

newsletter

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The Annual Children's Health Fair was held on Thursday August 25th. 50 families attended and

57 children participated in the Fair. During the event the children had their passport stamped as

they went through the stations;

Vision checks—Dr. Eng’s office

Free Haircuts—Bryon & Sherry White & Naomi Good

Dental Screening—SFN-

Ages 4-6 Immunizations—SFN

Crafts—Marg Thomas

Environmental Health—Karen Larson

Talking to Kids About Sex—Lesley Stedmon

Nutrition—Princess Royal

Audio—VIHA

Door Prizes—Galaxy Cinema, Jumping Jiminy’s, Splitsville Entertainment & Romper

Room

A big community thank you to Sandra Good, Health Director, Alice Padgham, Community Health

Nurse and all of the volunteers & participants who made this event possible.

Annual Children's Health Fair

Marg Thomas and Presley & Bryon White

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SFN Men’s Group

Men are welcome to attend when they can and join any program at anytime. No registration

needed.

Come join Rick August SFN Addiction counsellor and Alan Caplan, a Nanaimo community counsellor

with Snuneymuxw for a program especially for men. The group will focus on creating a safe place for

men to:

explore their concerns and challenges

learn about themselves

gain a greater understanding of healthy relationships

understand anger

When: Monday evenings

Time: 6:00 to 8:00

Where: SFN Health Centre Kitchen

For Information call Rick

August

SFN Addiction Counselor

Phone: 250-740-2351

Aboriginal Legal Aid Outreach Intake Worker

Introducing a new Aboriginal Legal Aid Outreach Intake Worker, Fran Bob. Fran works on Wednes-

days and Thursdays and will be on site in our community.

Fran can assist clients if needed. Fran will also help people find legal information, other services

and resources. Below is when Fran will be in your area:

2nd Thursday @ Penelakut; Mid island Legal Aid office (1pm—3pm)

2nd Wednesday @ Lake Cowichan (10am—11am) @ Malahat (1pm—3pm)

2nd Thursday @ Snuneymuxw (9:30am—11:30am) @ Stz’uminus (1:30pm—3:30pm)

]4th Wednesday @ Mid Island Legal Aid office

4th Thursday @ Snuneymuxw (9:30am—11:30); @ Stz’uminus (1:30pm—3:30pm)

Call or Text Fran Bob @ 250-667-8893 or Mid Island Legal Aid 250-753-4396

You can also call to apply for legal aid @ 1-866-577-2525

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An Open House and Back to School BBQ was held on September 1st at Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh

School. The Snuneymuxw Dance Group performed a couple of beautiful song and dances.

A community BBQ was enjoyed by all. William Yoachim ,SNF Council Member and Chair of the Edu-

cation Committee, was on hand to welcome our new interim Principal Penny Monsell and her staff.

Welcome Back to School BBQ

From Left to Right: Mariah Michaud (baby Cameron); Lisa Rodgers; Michelle Sokoloski; Mona Dorman; Penny

Monsell; Monica Raso; Jennifer Wyse; Terena Ross

Missing from picture: School Custodian, Earl Manson; Bus Driver, Dave White; School Counsellor, Kyla

Atkinson; Preschool Teacher, Becky Manson; Preschool Aide, Bridgette White

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SFN Health Centre invites you to be a part of

Community Wellness & Promoting Culture

Community Wellness Workshop

Culture is the key. This workshop supports the community, to recognize

the power of their cultural values, draw upon community strengths, to under-

stand current problems in terms of ongoing colonization and identify the next

steps that will lead to community wellness. (2 Days)

When: Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, 29 2011 - 10:00 am –

4:00 pm each day

Who: community members that are interested in being a part of commu-

nity wellness

Where: Chief and Council Chambers

This respectful and interactive approach encourages the participants to share their culture, values,

experiences and skills with one another while building on their own strengths.

For further information and to register call Leslee at the Health Centre- 250-740-2337. Limited

space is available.

(This training is a requirement to all of the other ASCIRT “Community is the Medicine” workshops.)

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This photo appeared in the Na-tional Geographic magazine 34 years ago, at the time it remind-ed me so much of the wonderful old women we saw, during the 1950’s, when we were young. Actually very young! This short article is meant to bring together some of the classic teachings of the old people and to frame some of the purposes for prayer, ritual and ceremony. Hopefully, some of these you will have heard already, know something

about it – otherwise if it is new, to think about it some more.

The women photographed be-long to the Shaker Church and are from the Colville Indian Res-ervation in Washington State. The image might be described as ‘Sacred” in that they have been captured either singing and or in prayer. Many of you already know that preparing to learn about sacred/ritual activities al-ways began with being able to sit quietly and or to reflect on teach-ings called Sinyews.

Grandma White wore a kerchief on her head as did many older women in Duncan when we visit-ed with our mom, Katherine White (when married to Willie White). We were always told when seeing older people we had to always say hello. If it was one of moms’ sisters we had not only to say hello, but had to say, “I love you!” It was her way of teaching us the value of older people.

Many of you would have your own memories of how either grandparents or parents, espe-cially if from traditional families, reinforced the value of old peo-ple. After all of this time, this is still a favourite photo. Today, I don’t know if all older women wear kerchiefs like that. Cer-tainly, women who attend Win-ter Dance Ceremonies continue

to cover their heads. The next time you are attending a Big-house ceremony you might check this out?

During the sixties and seventies old people/Sul’eluhw and speak-ers/KweKwal used to say, “Remember to always listen to what your parents and grandpar-ents are saying – it is their gift to you.” At the time young people were also trained especially in the presence of adults to sit qui-etly and to listen. Learning to be quiet was an essential first step to learning about our ways and traditions. Of quietness, Dan

George (1974) said, “ When a man sits down in quietness to listen to the teachings of his spirit many things will come to him in knowledge and understanding.” During those same community meetings, families were told if you learned to listen intently you benefit because in their view when they spoke and we listened intently, then, their teachings were passed along to us. These teachings in Halkomelem are identified as Sinyews and ac-cording the Sul’seluhw “have always been in our families, your family”. Rituals, ceremonies, re-inforced by prayers, talk from the old people and or KweKwal rein-forced the values associated with ‘belonging’ and ‘helping one an-other.” These values and teach-ings are as old as time itself and pre-date the arrival of the xwula-nitum to our territory.

One of the earliest references regarding our Ancestors’ use of songs to celebrate and our mourn passages was recorded by the Wesleyan Methodist Min-ister, Thomas Crosby. He ar-rived in our territory in 1863 where Noble families had estab-lished villages and resource sites. Within a short time of his arrival he learned the Snuney-muxw had many different kinds of songs. Of these he said, “they had a great variety war songs, marriage songs, songs for feasts and public gatherings, mourning songs for the dead, songs when

National Geographic Magazine

The Old People/Sul’seluhw:

Used Prayers, Ritual and Ceremony to Maintain Balance within our Communities

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the fish came, dancing songs, canoe songs and many others.” Before he began to preach against the use of shamans and our ceremonial life he asked where songs came from? He was told by “an old song maker we get our songs from the wind in the trees, waves on the seashore, a rip-pling stream, from the mountain side, from the birds, and from wild animals.” It is for these rea-sons that the land that surrounded our immediate village sites also represented ‘places of power’ where young people went to bathe and cleanse themselves. It is for this reason that our people have always believed that the land too was sa-cred. Given Minister Crosbys’ evidence it would also seem very clear that if songs came from the-se sites then it would have been essential for our Ancestors and through them ourselves to have continued access to ritual, resource and sacred sites. Our Ancestors used more than village sites later assigned to them.

Our Ancestors travelled throughout the territory to hunt, fish, gather berries, cedar and of course to cleanse themselves at puberty, ritual training or prior to a ceremonial event. In 1889 the Anthro-pologist Franz Boas said our territory extended from Five Finger Island, to Dodd’s Narrows in-cluding the area from Dodd’s Narrows to Yellow Point, Nanaimo River basin and Gabriola Island. The people also went to the mountains we now

know as Benson to help with ritual quests and to hunt. When Thomas Crosby arrived in Nanaimo he described it “as a small town,.. almost entirely built of logs, situated on a hillside facing the har-bor, with a large Indian village a mile away along the shore.”

Thomas Crosby recorded what is likely the earliest im-ages of a Shaman providing healing services inside one of the Snuneymuxw long-houses as well as a close-up of Shaman with his head-gear. During his time amongst our people Crosby actively worked to stop the people from winter dance

activities, and calling for help from Shamans. When he finally left Snuneymuxw he took with him many ritual and ceremonial objects. The federal government would outlaw potlatch activi-ties for 67 years from 1884 -1952. Chief Dan George referred to this period as “Our Sad Win-ter.”

From the old people we learned that songs, pray-ers, rituals and ceremonies were passed down from one generation to the next in order to pre-pare ‘places of safety’ for the young, the family and of our communities. Today, members of the Shaker Church provide ‘healing and brushing’ services, as do specialists who feed the Ances-tors, transfer food and clothing for families for the Ancestors.

Mountains and streams away from village sites were

used to reinforce traditional training. Photo Dan

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They are called Yokwals. Their training is as old as time itself and predates the arrival of the xwula-nitum to our homelands. The Coast Salish of British Columbia have been described “as the most con-servative of any Indians on the north west coast” especially in terms keeping our traditional activities alive. Our grandparents, great grandparents worked very hard to make sure these gifts were passed down for a new time and a new place. Of this practice, Chief Dan George said, “for thousands of years I have spoken the language of the land and listened to its many voices.” I yas eye un Suli!

William A White – Article

Rita George-Greene – Graphics Aug 2011

1. A single elder is Sul’eluhw. More than one elder is Sul’seluhw

2. An earlier version of this paper “Some Thoughts About Prayers” W. White was prepared for a recent Snuneymuxw

community workshop to help with identifying community cultural strengths. Organizer Joan Brown. Hay ch q”a Siem!

3. With many thanks to our youngest sister Rita who took an ordinary document and made it look fantastic!

4. Chief Dan George and Helmut Hirnschall My Heart Soars Hancock House Publishers, 1974:54

5. 1851 Xwulanitum Miners sank a mine shaft right across from the village of Skwacuma. 12 more arrived in 1852

6. Thomas Crosby. Among the An-ko-me-nums 1907: 102 -103

7. Thomas Crosby. Among the An-Ko-me-nums 1907:103

8. Franz Boas, “Notes on the Snanimuq”. 1880

9. Thomas Crosby. Among the An-Ko-Me-Nums 1907:42 Including the two archival photographs

10. Norman Feder. “Incised Relief Carving of the Halkomelem and Straits Salish” in American Indian Art Magazine.

Spring 1983: 52

11. Barbara Lane. “A Comparative and Analytic Study of Some Aspects of Northwest Coast Religion” Unpublished PhD

Dissertation. University of Washington. 1953:1. She was speaking about our relatives from Cowichan although earlier

ethnographic studies grouped us with the Cowichan.

12. Chief Dan George and H. Hirnschall My Heart Soars Hancock House Publishers, 1974:64

13. When we worked with the Sul’seluhw/Q’Puthet Unwinus (Centre for Coming Together) in the seventies they provided

this phrase which meant “May you be happy and in good Spirits!” Hystapka Sul’seluhw!

May you be happy and

in good Spirits! Huy Tseep qu

Sul’seluhw “Remember to always listen to

what your parents and grand-

parents are saying – it is their

gift to you.”

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Top Left to Right: Coach—Tara, Riley, Memphis, Jemma, Julienne,

Bottom: Kiesha, Kaylee , Jayden, Allen, and Patrick.

Congratulations to the Under-7 Team! They were undefeated in the 14th Annual Coast

Salish Summer Games of 2011. This was hosted on August 15-18 in Tsartlip. The sev-

en and under division consisted of seven teams. Our Snuneymuxw Youth have devel-

oped great soccer skills at such a young age and hope to see them excel in the future.

From: Anna Wyse

U N D E R 7 S O C C E R T E A M U N D E F E A T E D

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

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Darren Good among BC’s fastest paddlers Snuneymuxw News

Storm Water Discharges

Attention: If any Snuneymuxw member notices abnormal storm water dis-charges coming from the outlet pipes that drain into the estuary along Shore-

line Drive – please contact any of the following persons immediately:

Doug Muir: SFN Community Infrastructure & Housing Coordinator

@ 250-740-2331

John Elliot: City of Nanaimo Manager of Utilities

@ 250-758-5222

Or

Rick Morgan: City of Nanaimo General Foreman of Wastewater

@ 250-756-5306

Examples – abnormal storm water discharges:

Continuous bubbles – (soap suds)

Thicker, muddy looking water; sludge or toiletries.

Any other discharge besides normal rain water.

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SFN Pest Control

Last month you may have noticed the PCO pest control rep-resentative (Jeff Kitchen) working around homes on all the re-serves. We are becoming more aggressive in our campaign against unwanted rodents (rats) so we increased the amount of bait stations (poison boxes).

The boxes are locked and secured into the ground so they are safe for children and / or pets. The poison boxes will be continually monitored by PCO along with regular summary re-ports submitted to SFN administration

If you have any further questions or concerns, you can con-

tact Doug Muir at 250-740-2331

Snuneymuxw First Nation

668 Centre Street

Nanaimo, BC, V9R 4Z4

Telephone: 250-740-2300

Fax: 250-753-3492

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Greetings from the Pastors of NNVC.

"Start calling yourself healed, happy, whole,and prosperous.

Stop talking to God about how big your mountains are----

Just start now by talking to your mountains how big God is".

I Praise the Lord for your life.

INVITATION

For the convenience of our Community and everyone as well as for functions etc,

we endeavoured to have our Church Basement area upgraded so that we can move away

from continuous mopping and cleaning when its flooded during Winter Seasons every year.

We need your support and assisatance.

There will be a 'DINNER FOR A CAUSE' on SATURDAY 17/TH SEPTEMBER 2011

commencing at 6pm and the Venue will be at St Paul's Anglican Church Hall on

29 Church Street,Nanaimo BC, V9R 5H2.

Collections will be at the door(entrance) to the Hall which will be

$40/Double, $25/single

and $10 for children under 12 yrs.

Music and few items will be performed by the Nanaimo Native Victory Church Praise

and Worship Team.

Come and enjoy with us the Island Style of Food ranging from Lovo(underground Oven)

Seafood and other dishes as well.ALL WELCOME.

Acts 20:35..The Lord Jesus said...More Blessings come from giving than from receiving.

May Gods providential care and blessings be with you all and all your loved ones.

Blessings

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Youth Centre Break In and Van Vandalized

There was a break in at the Snuneymuxw

Youth Centre on the Nanaimo Reserve, Au-

gust 29th, 2011.

Taken from the Youth Centre were 20 back-

packs and a WII. The Youth Centre van was

also severely damaged during the break in.

From the pictures we can see 5 windows were

smashed and broken glass inside the van.

If you have any information about who may be responsible for this damage or if you

heard or saw anything please contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477

All information will remain confidential- please come forward if you know anything-

your community needs you!

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Acupuncture Clinic

With: Bibi Bennekou R.Ac

When: Mondays from 2:30 to 4:30

Where: Health Centre Kitchen

Bibi is a registered acupuncturist in Nanaimo who offers clinics throughout the

city and also works at Chinawest-Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre.

TREATMENT

The treatment will use the acupuncture points of the ear. This will allow people to receive their treatment in a group setting Each treatment takes 30 to 45 minutes

APPOINTMENT

No appointments are needed Please arrive sometime between 2:30 and 4:00 The last appoint will be at 4:00

COST

The cost of the treatment is $25.00

If you have extended health benefits it will be covered through most plans

It is covered through SFN extended health benefits

If you receive Social Assistance or Disability benefits it will be covered through

your Medical Service Plan by using your Care Card. Please bring your Care

Card with you

If you have a low income, you might qualify for treatments through the Medical

Service Plan. Please bring your Care Card and Bibi will check for you.

Rides are not provided

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OPEN TO ALL SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

When: Monday—Friday

Starting: Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Time: 7:45—8:40 am

Place: Health Centre Kitchen

It’s Back to

School

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You are invited to join us in the

Celebration of Life To honor those we love

In recognition of

World Suicide Prevention Day

Thursday

September 15, 2011

Where: Snuneymuxw Health Centre

Time: 4:00pm – 7:00pm What:

Dinner Children’s activities

Drum group & honor ceremony for those we have lost to suicide

Supportive resources and information table

Talking Circle

Call the health centre for more information 250-740-2337

Snuneymuxw Health Centre working with Inter Tribal Health Authority - ASCIRT (Aboriginal Suicide and Critical

Incidence Response Team Training) to provide awareness and healing. .

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HEALTH ALERT UDATE - HEPATITIS A

Vaccine Shortage

Hepatitis A is an infectious disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus (this is a different disease than Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C). The virus or germ is in the bowel of the infected person and is spread by poor hand washing after using the toilet. If the infected person still has the virus on their hands and are preparing food the germ goes into the food and people eating this food can catch Hepatitis A. One of the best strategies for preventing the spread of Hepatitis A is frequent and thorough hand washing especial-ly after using the toilet and before handling food. People (especially children) with Hepatitis A may have no signs or symptoms. Other symptoms of the disease are:

Fatigue

Fever

Stomach pain

Nausea

Appetite loss

Yellowing the skin or eyes

Dark urine

Light coloured bowel movements

The above symptoms can happen anywhere from 2 – 6 weeks after the person is exposed to the Hepati-tis A virus. The symptoms may come back in the following 2 – 6 months.

Most people who have Hepatitis A get over the disease and then are immune to it for the rest of their lives. People with other chronic diseases can have more serious outcomes from Hepatitis A. Fortunately we have a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis A. Many travellers to Mexico and other parts of the world may have already gotten their Hepatitis A vaccine.

The Hepatitis outbreak on Vancouver Island is still active with new cases being reported. The most recent total count of cases is 75. Vaccination for Hepatitis A is strongly recommended for all children 6 months to18 years old who are members of First Nations Communities on Vancouver Island. The shot will protect children and youth from becoming ill and prevent spread to their families and com-munities. Fortunately our community has not been affected in any significant way and many of our community members have already had their first Hepatitis A vaccination. One vaccination of Hepati-tis A vaccine will protect people from Hepatitis for a few years. A second dose of vaccine given 6 months later will protect people from Hepatitis for their entire lives. Many people who had their first vaccination for Hepatitis A are now coming due for the second vaccine Unfortunately because of the amount of vaccine needed for the outbreak on Vancouver Island we are unable to provide the second dose of vaccine at this time. The good news is that the second dose can be delayed for months and once given will still provide life long immunity to Hepatitis A. Children from 6 months to 18 years who have not had their first Hepatitis A shot can still have the vaccine. The vaccine is available at Snun-eymuxw Health Centre - please phone ahead for an appointment – 250-740-2337. Hepatitis A shots are also available at Nanaimo Health Unit – please call 250-755 – 3345 for an appointment.

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the

Ts'its'uw'atul'

Organization of

William Head Institution

Saturday September 17, 2011

11:00 am to 5:00 pm

at

William Head Institution

Gate Clearance is required. Forms available at your Band Office.

For more information contact:

Aboriginal Liaison Officer Wayne Seward 391-7013

Forms must be submitted no later than FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9th, 2011.

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GREAT DEALS FOR

SALE

2004 Honda 150 dirt bike

that was just tuned up!

asking $2000. Must see

KLR 250 Dirt Bike also re-

cently tuned up to run per-

fect $1800.

Kawasaki 100 Racing bike

– excellent condition-

spent $900. To run great

again!

Grand Oak Headboard!!!

Worth $2200 brand new!

Gently used asking $500.

Or best offer!

Call 722-4694 or 739-1888

and ask for Rick or Julie to

try bikes or view! 1168

Raines Rd.

Unsecured Dogs

Affect Newsletter

Delivery

Please remember to chain and

secure you dogs. The newsletter

can not be delivered to houses

where the dog may pose a risk.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

The Housing Department will be running a series of “Energy related info bites” to assist with energy sav-ing techniques and ener-gy information in general – please watch for them.

Changing old habits are challenging but it can be done!

Simple things can make the difference!

Another Energy Tid-Bit from the Housing De-

partment:

Most people’s hydro bills break down like

this:

Hot water heating – 22% (showering,

washing clothes)

Space heating – 60% (forced air heat, baseboard

heat)

Lighting – 5%

Appliances – 13%

Have you got Mould in

your Home?

Any mould can be reported

to the housing department.

Housing will contact Health

Canada (Karen Larson) to

come into the home to do

a health Canada Assess-

ment of the home.

Please call Anna Wyse or

Jackie Good for more in-

formation on Health As-

sessments.

250-740-2300

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Red Road to Recovery

N.A. Meeting

When: Saturdays 7:30 pm

Where: 668 Centre St. in

Chambers

Who: Open to all

Narcotics Anonymous

The message is that an addict,

any addict, can stop using, lose

the desire to use, and find a

new way of life.

Our message is hope and the

promise of freedom.

Prayer Group

With Brother Mark

Mondays 7 pm

614 Centre Street

Firearms Courses 250-740-2300

Cedar Creek Caskets

Please call in your time of need.

Business (778) 424-2222

Cell (250) 228-2804

Email simpsontg@gmail.com For more information please

visit online at www.ccreek.ca.

Stay connected wherever you are: We can send you an email copy of the Snuneymuxw News, published every second Friday. Email news@snuneymuxw.ca or phone 250-740-2300.

Send us your postal address for a mailed issue.

.

Nanaimo Fire Hazard

Rating ‘Extreme’

We would like to remind all SFN members that the Nanai-mo Fire Hazard Rating is 'Extreme'

Remember, if you spot a fire call 911.

Looking for Work?

Do you have your Class 4 Driver’s License? Level 1 First Aid?

If so, contact Gary Simp-son @ 250 753-551 for further details.

Firewood

Lot closed due to fire hazard

Snuneymuxw News

Legal Aide Intake Services

for all Membership

This new service is made pos-

sible under a partnership ar-

rangement between Kw’umut

Lelum Child & Family Services

and BC Legal Aide. Contact Danielle Wilson or

George Deigh 250-591-0933

Community Garden

Calling all gardeners! Our

community gardens need

you! If you have the time to

weed please contact Karen

Ahenakew @ 250-740-2300

School Zone

There is a school zone in front of the SFN Administra-tion building.

The speed is 30 kph

Just a reminder to slow down and watch for children play-ing.