Taliaq January 2006 - Native Council of Nova Scotia

A Quarterly Newsletter of the Native Council of Nova Scotia
Volume 25, Issue No. 1
January 2006
“Going Forward To A Better Future”
“The Self-Governing Authority for the large
Community of Mi’kmaq / Aboriginal Peoples
who continue to reside off-reserve on our
forfathers ancestral traditional homelands
throughout Nova Scotia.”
Inside This Issue
Message from the
Chief & President
CHIP Update
Education Update
YOUTH Update
SARSET Advertisement
The Healing Power of Foods
Resolutions Of AGA 2005
Some Food For Thought
Micmac Benevolent Society
NCNS Zone Community News
Nova Scotia House Of
Assembly First Session
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E’pit Nuji Ilmuet Advertisement
Birthdays & Announcements
Staff Directory of the NCNS
NCNS Board of Directors
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2
January 2006
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
elcome to 2006. I hope everyone had a
great holiday and I wish you all a Happy
W
New Year. It has been a while since we have
sent a newsletter out to you, so I hope that
everyone enjoys this issue.
To begin, I would like to thank everyone who
voted in the election for Chief and President
and of course thank each of you who voted for
me.
As I begin this term as Chief and
President, I plan on working even more closely
with the Zone Executive and members to
ensure that the needs of the large population
of
urban
and
rural
off-reserve
Mi’kmaq/Aboriginal Peoples of Nova Scotia are
met. As I have said on numerous occasions, I
have an open door policy and am willing at any
time to meet with you the members, either in
your community or here at our office’s in Truro.
You will notice that the Resolutions of the
Annual General Assembly are included in this
newsletter and I assure you that these
resolutions are being made a priority for this
fiscal year. Anyone wishing information on the
status of the resolutions can contact either
their Board of Director or myself at the Truro
office.
I have spent the last several months
attending Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)
Board of Directors meetings, the First Ministers
Meeting in British Columbia, Maritime
Aboriginal Peoples Council (MAPC) meetings,
working with staff towards development of
programs and services, and working with
government representatives to assist the
process of continued services.
We have
Citizenship
have held
Citizenship
been working diligently on the
Identification Process (CIO) and
two training sessions with the
Process Zone Facilitators (CPZF).
These meetings were held in Truro and have
been well received.
Additional training
sessions are being scheduled and the CPZF’s
will be notified as soon as the dates are set.
There still remains a lot of work to be
completed on the processes and procedures,
but we continue to further the development of
this work.
During the 31st Annual General Assembly we
discussed the plans for an Affordable Housing
Project with the Province of Nova Scotia. This
continues with meetings scheduled, but to date
the project has not been undertaken.
It is
hoped that a more positive report can be
supplied to the Board of Directors at the next
meeting.
Work continues on our website and as you
will see, we add more and more to the site. I
wish to continue to encourage all Zones and
members to submit photo’s and information for
use on the website or in our newsletter. As a
reminder the site is www.ncns.ca.
A warm welcome to new staff and best
wishes to those staff who have left us. For a
complete staff listing see the inside back page
of the newsletter or visit our website.
I want to take a moment and thank all of our
Board of Directors, Zone Executive, members,
volunteers and staff for their hard work and
dedication to the Native Council of Nova Scotia.
With their strong support and help, we are
going forward to a better future.
Wela’lin
Grace Conrad
Chief and President
T A L I A Q
CHIP Parent Groups
The parent groups meet monthly in each of the
Parent Group Areas and plan activities for the
parents and children.
The parent groups will be planning
programming for the upcoming months.
Programming will include such programs as
Mother Goose, cooking courses, 1-2-3 Magic,
Nobody’s Perfect Jump Start, and Story sacks
and many more.
The parent groups also plan outings and
activities for the children. Such activities
include: Christmas parties, skating parties,
sledding parties, etc.
There are parent groups in the following areas:
Truro
Bridgewater
Stewiacke/Shubenacadie
Valley
Sydney
Digby
East Bay
Shelburne
Arichat
Yarmouth
Liverpool
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
January 2006
3
The CHIP Bus is now in storage for the winter
months. Look for the new CHIP Bus Schedule
in the new year. It will begin its journey in early
May 2006.
For more information on the CHIP Program or
if you would like to be a part of a parent group,
please do not hesitate to contact one of the
CHIP Facilitators at the following numbers:
Tracey Johnson, NCNS Truro Provincial Office
Toll Free: 1-800-565-4373
Phone: (902) 895-1738
Northern Mainland NS Region
email: [email protected]
Diane Warner, NCNS Liverpool Regional Office
Phone: (902) 354-2751
South Shore and Valley Region
email: [email protected]
Melissa Burns, NCNS Sydney Regional Office
Phone: (902) 567-1240
Cape Breton Region
email: [email protected]
CHIP Bus
The CHIP Mobile Resource Bus is a travelling
Resource Centre which provides the parents
and children with:
A Resource Library with resources on topics
such as Parenting, Safety, Culture, Nutrition
etc; A Toy Lending Library with age appropriate
toys; A Video Lending Library;Information
brochures;TV/VCR and a viewing area; craft
supplies and games, Programming and/or
workshops while in a Parent Group Area.
The Native Council of Nova Scotia’s
Executive, Board and Staff wish to
extend condolences to the family and
friends of Mr. Barry Logan who
recently passed away, and to Keptin
Frank Nevin, his family and friends for
the sudden passing away of his
nephew Mr. William Nevin.
4
January 2006
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
NOTICE to post-secondary
Mi’kmaq/Aboriginal students who
are registered and attending full
time studies at a recognized postsecondary institution, and if you
are a FULL Member of the Native
Council of Nova Scotia:
The NCNS Education Fund offers
scholarships each January. For
applications, please contact the
N.C.N.S Truro Provincial office ASAP.
If you have any questions, please call Spencer
Wilmot at 902-895-1523, toll free at 1-800-5654372 or e-mail your inquires to
[email protected].
The Stephen Hamilton Award
Congratulations goes out to Mr. Larry Woodsworth,
N.C.N.S Zone #10 Board of Director. Larry was
awarded the Stephen Hamilton Award during the
Native Council of Nova Scotia’s 31st Annual General
Assembly in September 2005. This Award goes out
annually to worthy people that dedicate their lives
for the benefit of Mi’kmaq/Aboriginal people in the
areas of education, helping to preserve the Mi’kmaq
language, and culture.
On a sad note, Mr. Barry Logan, N.C.N.S Zone #3
Board of Director was nominated for the Stephen
Hamilton Award, but unfortunately Barry passed
away in August 2005. In appreciation of his life’s
work in promoting education, and helping the
children at the Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre in
Halifax, Barry was given recognition for his
dedication. A cheque in the amount of $100.00 will
be given to the Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre
in his memory.
The Native Council of Nova Scotia
Education Fund Senior High / Junior
High School Honor Awards
CONGRATULATIONS goes out to these
students that graduated with honors in
2004/2005.
In July/August, five Junior High Honor
Certificates along with a $50.00 cash Award
were given to the following students:
Brendan Molloy, grade 7, (NCNS Zone #1)
Marcella Rankin, grade 7, (NCNS Zone #1)
Matthew Thorbourne, grade 8, ( NCNS Zone #9)
Staci Whynot, grade 7, (NCNS Zone #9)
Brittany Rhyno, grade 7, (NCNS Zone #9)
In July/August seven Senior High Honor
Certificates along with a $100.00 cash Award
were given to the following students:
Adelia Rankin, grade 10, (NCNS Zone #1)
Rebecca Rankin, grade 11, (NCNS Zone #1)
David Johns, grade 11, (NCNS Zone #4)
Michael Bungay, grade 12, (NCNS Zone #6)
Jason Power, grade 10, (NCNS Zone #10)
Thomas Lynch, grade 12, (NCNS Zone #12)
Melissa Lynch, grade 10, (NCNS Zone #12)
(To be eligible, the student must have
graduated with honors and they and or their
parent(s) must be Full Members of the Native
Council of Nova Scotia.)
Respectfully Submitted By:
Spencer Wilmot
Director of Education & Student Services
T A L I A Q
Are you an Aboriginal person between the
ages of 15 and 30, living in Nova Scotia? If
you are, then you are an Aboriginal Youth and
a member of a fast growing group of people
that is very important to Canada’s future!
Aboriginal Youth will play a very important
part in filling many, many jobs left vacant
when our Elders and other people retire from
their jobs. To fill these jobs, Aboriginal Youth
need education and skills!
The Aboriginal Human Resources Strategy
(AHRDS) has programs and assistance to
assist the Aboriginal Youth achieve
educational and job development skills. These
programs are available through Aboriginal
Human Resources Development Agreement
(AHRDA) delivery agencies. In Nova Scotia ,
these delivery agencies are: the N.C.N.S.
Aboriginal Peoples Training & Employment
Commission (APTEC) or the Mi’kmaq
Employment Training Secretariat (METS).
To find out more about Aboriginal Youth
programs under the AHRDS, please visit the
AHRDA website at http://www.hrdcdrhc.gc.ca/AHRDSInternet/general/public,
or contact the N.C.N.S. APTEC at 1-800-5654372 or email: [email protected] or visit the
N.C.N.S website: www.ncns.ca.
The Government of Canada also has other
programs and services for youth work
experience, knowledge and skills available at
www.youth.gc.ca. The First Nations and Inuit
Youth Employment Strategy has programs for
First Nations and Inuit youth living on
reserves or in recognized communities.
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
January 2006
5
If there are any off reserve Aboriginal Youth
out there that haven’t been contacted by
NCNS, please call Theresa Hare at (902)
895-1523 Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30,
or myself, Alana Kesick at (902) 893-4378,
any day of the week, after 3:00 p.m, or email
me at [email protected] and we’ll be glad
to add you to our mailing list!
Going forward to a better future!
Alana Kesick
President
Native Council of Nova Scotia
Aboriginal Youth Council
Animal Welfare/Treatment Incidents
or Allegations Affecting N.C.N.S.
Community Members
Do you know anyone within our
Community that is finding themselves
in conflict with authorities regarding
animal welfare/
treatment incidents or allegations?
Please contact the
N.C.N.S. Netukulimkewe’l Commission Office
at 1-902-895-7050 or toll free 1-877-565-1752 we
may be able to provide you with a contact person
that may assist you.
6
January 2006
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
SARSET
Social Assistance Support for
Employment & Training
If you are a rural or urban off reserve
Aboriginal person and receiving income
assistance through the Department of
Community Services or are currently on a
low fixed income, SARSET can help you
achieve your goals for employment, training
or upgrading.
SARSET has secured funding for this fiscal
year and plan to be more successful than
ever. Our success has been made possible
through the hard work and dedication of the
NCNS SARSET staff.
NCNS 2005 Staff Award Recipients
Under two years service:
Jason Dorey & Shirley Denny
Over two years service:
Bev Ryan & Charmaine Jesty
Management services:
Lee Paul & Tim Martin
For more information on the N.C.N.S
SARSET program, please contact:
Tina MacLellan or Bev Ryan at the N.C.N.S.
Truro Provincial Office
Toll Free 1-800-565-4372
or (902) 895-1523, or
Jill Wolfe at the N.C.N.S. Liverpool Regional
Office (902) 354-2751, or
Gordie Marsh at the N.C.N.S. Sydney
Regional Office
(902) 567-1240
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
January 2006
7
The Healing Power of Foods - Submited by Lisa Durling
Following Our Ancestors
In my studies, the first thing that I was taught was to
respect the ways of our ancestors. If you are
looking to obtain better health, whether physically or
spiritually, you must link the past to your present to
give you a better future.
Our ancestors worked very hard for their food. They
hunted, fished, gathered wild fruit and vegetables
while moving from place to place. They spent hours
preparing their food and each member of the family
had a responsibility to sustain the well-being of the
community.
Our Aboriginal ancestors have a rich history of
knowing how to prepare foods that are both
satisfying to our hunger and healing for our spirit.
And unfortunately, we have lost a lot of this skill.
Many of us rely on foods that are easily prepared;
and though convenient, most do little to heal our
bodies and spirit. These foods tend to be cheaper
and easily accessible.
When you are searching for the appropriate foods to
eat you must consider balance.
Live in harmony
with your traditions. If your ancestors ate a lot of
fish, then you should consider adding more fish to
your diet. The same holds true for wild meat, fresh
berries, vegetables and wild grains. You have an
inherited ability to absorb the qualities of these
foods without distressing your body.
Another thing to consider is seasonal harmony. If
it is winter, it is important to eat foods that would be
harvested in the fall and easily kept in the winter.
And example of this is squash. By living in harmony
of your traditions and seasons you will live in
accordance to the traditional medicine wheel.
Healing Food for Winter
Let’s now look at a few examples of foods that are
healing and very well suited for the winter months.
First, since it is winter, you want to avoid eating a lot
of raw food such as vegetables. You should steam
them so they are slightly warm to avoid creating
phlegm and dampness in the body. When you are
eating berries, heat them up in a nice pie, cobbler or
other dessert. You can still eat berries and fruit that
are not cooked in moderation.
Have garlic around at all times. I have severe
motion sickness and I eat a clove of garlic prior to
traveling. It is effective for morning sickness and
anxiety. It prevents infection and helps to eliminate
dangerous bacteria in your digestive system. It can
also help to restore the body to its natural balance
after being sick or consumption of antibiotics.
You should have an intake of various peppers during
the winter. When you add cayenne pepper to your
food, it increases the vitamin C content and helps to
speed up your metabolism. It is used to prevent
ulcers, headaches and reduce high sugar levels in
some people (West Indian Medical Journal 31:19497). However, if you are hypoglycaemic, you should
avoid consuming a lot of peppers.
Rosemary is a delicious addition to any food. Put
some on your chicken or potatoes. It helps to
remove toxins from food and water. In fact, some
countries have a tradition of putting rosemary in
their water to filter out toxins and bad taste. I boil
my water with one or two leaves, strain it and cool
it. It is very tasty. Rosemary is good to help clear
your sinuses and take the heaviest off your body
that we often feel over the winter.
Sage has a very important role in our traditions. It
also has some very powerful healing properties as a
spice. Sage is very soothing for sore throats, bowel
cramping, and PMS. Do not consume a lot of sage
if you are nursing for it can stop milk flow. I add a
little sage to many meals. Add it to chicken, bread
(combine with garlic butter) and potatoes.
Kelp is harvested and dried for the winter months. It
is an important part of your winter medicine chest.
It balances your thyroid and helps to control your
weight. It also takes the heavy feeling from your
body by reducing bloating. If you are on a sodium
reduced intake diet, as you would for kidney
disease, you should limit your use of kelp.
Dill is another herb that provides powerful protection
against some cancers such as Breast and Colon
cancer. Keep in mind that I have been taught this
by healers from around the world and is only now
being studied by physicians. It will also increase the
milk flow of nursing mothers. Add a half a teaspoon
of dill to one cup of warm water and rinse your
mouth with it. It helps to prevent bacteria and
freshens your breath.
Black pepper helps to regulate your body
temperature during the winter months. It must be
used in moderation and can be added to almost any
meat or potato dish. It is good to minimize the pain
of a toothache (too strong for young children) and
can bring down an adult’s fever quite successfully.
Horseradish is another traditional herb. It warms
the body after a cold chill or phlegm. It will increase
ones appetite. Did you know that horseradish is the
secret ingredient in a lot of foods like donair sauce?
Makes you want to eat more.
It also helps with
post-nasal drip and exhaustion.
The Basics for Winter
You will want to eat winter squash, roots, nuts,
beans, corn, cabbage, onion, fowl, wild meat, beef,
carrots, potatoes and grains.
You should
compliment this diet with other vegetables that are
green, such as peas, beans and broccoli.
In
addition, you should eat berries and fruit. These
foods are known to warm the body and provide it
with the physical endurance it needs to exist in
winter. The broccoli and berries are essential to
provide you with the antitoxins.
8
January 2006
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
Resolution #1
WHEREAS the Native Council of Nova Scotia
devoted effort, time and thought to present the
Government of Nova Scotia with issues and solutions
to include in a report to Canada for an “Aboriginal
Peoples Health Blueprint” that must be for all the
Aboriginal Peoples of Canada;
AND WHEREAS the draft “Aboriginal Peoples Health
Blueprint” Report prepared by Nova Scotia failed to
include the NCNS issues and recommendations which
the Nova Scotia Government undertook to so do;
AND THEREFORE if the report is not amended to
include our issues as presented and discussed;
BE IT RESOLVED the Native Council of Nova Scotia
produce and publish its own Aboriginal “Health
Blueprint Report” to present to Canada reflecting the
issues and key approaches developed and presented
by the NCNS Health Working Committee and adopted
by the NCNS Board of Directors to the Nova Scotia
working group developing an “Aboriginal Peoples
Health Care Blueprint” for all Aboriginal Peoples of
Nova Scotia.
integrity of our Community’s Natural Life management
regimes which we the N.C.N.S Community of offreserve Mi’kmaq/Aboriginal Peoples who continue to
reside on our forefather’s traditional ancestral
homeland territories in Nova Scotia will not tolerate to
continue;
BE IT RESOLVED that this 31st Annual General
Assembly directs our Community’s Natural Life
management authority- the Netukulimkewe’l
Commission, to investigate, hear and impose severe
sanctions onto any of our Community’s ATRA Passport
Holders, where their negative harvesting practices
demonstrates a disregard for, a disrespect of or
violates our Community’s integrity, or our Community’s
Natural Life harvesting ethics and principles, our
Community’s Natural Life Harvesting Guidelines or our
Community’s institution for Natural Life management,
and that these severe sanctions shall include, and not
be limited to include, long term suspensions or life term
expulsions from our Community’s harvest management
regimes, with immediate revocation of the individuals
NCNS ATRA Passport and the printing of the
individuals name in our Community’s Taliaq Mi’kma’ki
Newsletter.
MOVED BY:
MOVED BY:
Kirk Arsenault NCNS Zone #3
Kirk Arsenault NCNS ZONE #3
SECONDED BY:
SECONDED BY:
Clyde Hyslop NCNS Zone #3
Clyde Hyslop NCNS ZONE #3
Resolution #2 Carried unanimously
Resolution #1 Carried unanimously
Resolution #3
Resolution # 2
WHEREAS the Courts have declared that Aboriginal
and or Treaty Rights are the rights of the Aboriginal
Community and not the rights of the individual;
AND WHEREAS the Chief and President’s report to
this Annual General Assembly demonstrates that a
handful of our Community’s ATRA Passport Holders
harvesting practices are violating our Community’s
Natural Life harvesting ethics and principles, our
Community’s Natural Life Harvesting Guidelines, and
our Community’s Netukulimkewe’l Commission
institution for Natural Life management;
WHEREAS Anna Decorsey has consistently from the
very beginning been involved with the Native Council of
Nova Scotia and many times raised hundreds of dollars
in fund-raising activities for the Education Fund, and
always attends information session and served as a
Board of Director and Alternate for several years.
BE IT RESOLVED for this and many more reasons
the Community Members of Zone #8 call on this 31st
Annual General Assembly to confirm on Anna
Decoursey the position in the Native Council of Nova
Scotia as an honorary member.
MOVED BY:
AND WHEREAS these negative harvesting
practices, by a handful of our Community member
harvesters, demonstrate a complete disrespect for,
harms and creates monumental hardships onto the rest
of our Community members, and questions the
Lavern Doucette NCNS Zone #8
SECONDED BY:
Jennifer Daurie NCNS Zone #8
Resolution #3 Carried unanimously
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
Resolution #4
January 2006
9
Resolution #8
WHEREAS Zone 4 would like to give thanks to
Agnes Potter for her steadfast belief in the Native
Council of Nova Scotia.
MOVED BY: Virginia Hurlburt NCNS Zone #4
SECONDED BY: Shari Johns NCNS Zone #4
WHEREAS one of the founding meetings was
held in Yarmouth;
BE IT RESOLVED that the 35th Annual General
Assembly be organized and held in Yarmouth.
The planning and organization should begin now
with the Native Council of Nova Scotia and all
Zones.
Resolution #4 Carried unanimously
MOVED BY: Shari Johns NCNS Zone #4
Resolution #5
SECONDED BY: Lavern Doucette NCNS Zone#8
WHEREAS the Native Council of Nova Scotia’s
mandate is to represent and serve all off-reserve
Mi’kmaq/Aboriginal Peoples; and to attract new
members into the NCNS;
Resolution #8 Carried
(1 Against and 2 Abstentions)
Resolution #9
AND WHEREAS NCNS Programs, Committees
and Agencies exist to support rural and urban offreserve Mi’kmaq / Aboriginal Peoples throughout
Nova Scotia it is realized that resources are
limited and that due to these limitations support
and educational services are not equally provided
leaving many off-reserve Mi’kmaq/Aboriginal
Peoples not aware of them and/or not able to
take advantage of them.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Native Council of
Nova Scotia try to significantly increase funding
to these Programs, Committees and Agencies to
allow for more staff to help urban and rural
Mi’kmaq/Aboriginal Peoples in need of their
services with the aim to “go forward to a better
future” in solidarity.
MOVED BY:
Mike Fournier NCNS Zone #12
SECONDED BY: Gerry Jewers NCNS Zone#12
Resolution #5 Carried
(1 Abstention)
Resolution #6
Withdrawn
Resolution #7
Withdrawn
Withdrawn
Resolution #10
WHEREAS there was usually a social gathering
held on the Saturday night of the N.C.N.S Annual
General Assembly;
BE IT RESOLVED that these social gatherings
should be held again.
MOVED BY: Henry Dorey NCNS Zone #10
SECONDED BY: John Dorey NCNS Zone #10
Resolution #10 Carried unanimously
Resolution #11
Withdrawn
10
January 2006
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
Some Food For Thought
The Following is an address by Mr. Roy
Sesana of the First People of the Kalahari in
Botswana, during his acceptance of the
Right Livelihood Award on December 9, 2005
in Stockholm. Does his speach sound
familiar? Can you relate this situation to our
own?
y name is Roy Sesana; I am a Gana
Bushman from the Kalahari in what is now
called Botswana. In my language, my name is
'Tobee' and our land is 'T//amm'. We have been
there longer than any people has been anywhere.
When I was young, I went to work in a mine. I
put off my skins and wore clothes. But I went
home after a while. Does that make me less
Bushman? I don't think so.
I am a leader. When I was a boy we did not
need leaders and we lived well. Now we need
them because our land is being stolen and we
must struggle to survive. It doesn't mean I tell
people what to do, it's the other way around:
they tell me what I have to do to help them.
I cannot read. You wanted me to write this
speech, so my friends helped, but I cannot read
words -- I'm sorry! But I do know how to read the
land and the animals. All our children could. If
they didn't, they would have all died long ago.
I know many who can read words and many,
like me, who can only read the land. Both are
important. We are not backward or less
intelligent: we live in exactly the same up-to-date
year as you. I was going to say we all live under
the same stars, but no, they're different, and
there are many more in the Kalahari. The sun and
moon are the same.
I grew up a hunter. All our boys and men were
hunters. Hunting is going and talking to the
animals. You don't steal. You go and ask. You set
a trap or go with bow or spear. It can take days.
You track the antelope. He knows you are there,
he knows he has to give you his strength. But he
runs and you have to run. As you run, you
become like him. It can last hours and exhaust
you both. You talk to him and look into his eyes.
And then he knows he must give you his strength
so your children can live.
When I first hunted, I was not allowed to eat.
Pieces of the steenbok were burnt with some
roots and spread on my body. This is how I
learned. It's not the same way you learn, but it
works well.
The farmer says he is more advanced than the
backward hunter, but I don't believe him. His
herds give no more food than ours. The antelope
are not our slaves, they do not wear bells on their
necks and they can run faster than the lazy cow
or the herder. We run through life together.
When I wear the antelope horns, it helps me
talk to my ancestors and they help me. The
ancestors are so important: we would not be
alive without them. Everyone knows this in their
heart, but some haveforgotten. Would any of us
be here without our ancestors? I don't think so.
M
I was trained as a healer. You have to read the
plants and the sand. You have to dig the roots
and become fit. You put some of the root back
for tomorrow, so one day your grandchildren can
find it and eat. You learn what the land tells you.
When the old die, we bury them and they
become ancestors. When there is sickness, we
dance and we talk to them; they speak through
my blood. I touch the sick person and can find
the illness and heal it.
We are the ancestors of our grandchildren's
children. We look after them, just as our
ancestors look after us. We aren't here for
ourselves. We are here for each other and for the
children of our grandchildren. Why am I here?
Because my people love their land, and without it
we are dying. Many years ago, the president of
Botswana said we could live on our ancestral
land forever. We never needed anyone to tell us
that. Of course we can live where God created
us! But the next president said we must move
and began forcing us away.
They said we had to go because of diamonds.
Then they said we were killing too many animals:
but that's not true. They say many things which
aren't true. They said we had to move so the
government could develop us. The president
says unless we change we will perish like the
dodo. I didn't know what a dodo was. But I found
out: it was a bird which was wiped out by
settlers. The president was right. They are killing
us by forcing us off our land. We have been
tortured and shot at. They arrested me and beat
me.
Thank you for the Right Livelihood Award. It is
global recognition of our struggle and will raise
our voice throughout the world. When I heard I
had won I had just been let out of prison. They
say I am a criminal, as I stand here today.
I say what kind of development is it when the
people live shorter lives than before? They catch
HIV/AIDS. Our children are beaten in school and
won't go there. Some become prostitutes. They
are not allowed to hunt. They fight because they
are bored and get drunk.
They are starting to commit suicide. We never
saw that before. It hurts to say this. Is this
'development'?
We are not primitive. We live differently to you,
but we do not live exactly like our grandparents
did, nor do you. Were your ancestors 'primitive'?
I don't think so. We respect our ancestors. We
love our children. This is the same for all people.
We now have to stop the government stealing
our land: without it we will die.
If anyone has read a lot of books and thinks I
am primitive because I have not read even one,
then he should throw away those books and get
one which says we are all brothers and sisters
under God and we too have a right to live.
That is all. Thank you.
Roy Sesana
First People of the Kalahari, Botswana
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
he annual Superstore Food Drive,
which took place at the Atlantic
Superstore on Elm Street in Truro, on
November 26th, 2005, was a great
success. It was the most food ever
collected at this event, with over 2600
pounds of food collected for the
Colchester Food Bank and the Micmac
Benevolent Society Food Bank. As well,
about $140.00 in cash donations were
collected. All food and cash donations
were split 50/50 between the two food
banks.
T
On behalf of the Micmac Benevolent
Society Board of Directors, I would like to
personally thank all N.C.N.S staff and
volunteers who made this important
function a complete success.
Gratitude is also extended to the staff and
volunteers of the Colchester Food Bank.
This event shows how caring and
cooperation benefits all those who are in
need.
January 2006
11
our membership’s children who are in
need at Christmas.
As always, donations of food or especially
Charitable donations of money (tax
receipts will be issued) to the Society are
most appreciated and gravely needed for
all three N.C.N.S. food bank outlets
located at N.C.N.S Office locations in
Truro, Liverpool and Sydney.
Thank you again,
Jonathan Toole
Co-ordinator, MBS Food Bank
PS: The day to day volunteers of the food
bank would like to thank Jonathan for his
enthusiastic and unending support, his
hard work, time volunteered and for his
wonderful leadership.
Thank you Jonathan!
This year also marks the beginning of a
new tradition within the Native Council of
Nova Scotia. The Secret Santa in which all
N.C.N.S staff members participated by
buying each other gifts at Christmas in the
past, has been replaced by buying toys for
Print Plus has now REOPENED on a
part time basis.
Contact Justin Martin @
902-843-7000 or Toll Free 1-877-565-1753
or by email:
[email protected]
12
January 2006
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
NCNS Zone # 12 Christmas Party
This past December 17th, 2005 NCNS
Zone # 12 held its final meeting of the year and
took the opportunity to also celebrate the
coming Christmas Holiday with a small lunch
buffet. Before the meeting began Zone 12’s
Elder, Tomorrow Gaetz, performed a smudging
ceremony for all members and guests. The
meeting was then opened with a prayer by
Indian Brook Elder Joe Michael in Mi’kmaq and
English. He also closed the meeting with a
prayer of thanks in both languages.
After the meeting, everyone shared in the food
the members and guests had brought in and
were invited to visit the various craft table
displays set up by Elders Tomorrow Gaetz,
Gladys Jordan and Gerry Jewers. This
presented an excellent opportunity for all
members to learn a bit more about the
Mi’kmaq culture. Peter Mancini, the federal
NDP candidate for the Dartmouth/Cole
Harbour riding, was particularly interested to
learn more about how the Native Council
worked and served the Urban Native
community and stated he hadn’t realized the
actual size of the off-reserve Native population
in Nova Scotia. Darrel Dexter, leader of the
Nova Scotia NDP, was equally interested in the
NCNS and took time to examine the Native
Council’s Zone membership and population
distribution maps we had been given at the
September NCNS AGA. After the buffet Mike
Fournier, President of Zone # 12, presented
Peter Mancini and Darrell Dexter with dream
catchers made and graciously donated by
Gerry Jewers, our Board of Director.
We, at Zone 12, look forward to 2006 with the
aim of doing our part to further enlighten our
non-Native neighbours in our cultural ways, as
well as attract other urban First Nations
Peoples, who live in our zone, to come and join
the Native Council of Nova Scotia.
Mike Fournier stands between Peter Mancini (left) and
Darrell Dexter (right), at the NCNS Zone #12 Christmas
buffet. Not pictured are Jerry Pye, Dartmouth North MLA
and Indian Brook Elder Joe Michael.
On behalf of all Zone 12 members, and
members-in-waiting, I would like to wish all my
brothers and sisters of the Native Council of
Nova Scotia the best for 2006 and ask the
Creator to watch over Chief Conrad, the NCNS
staff and the Board of Directors as they work
hard to address the issues that will affect the
NCNS and all its members.
Welálin
Sincerely,
Mike Fournier CPSM CD RPC (cand)
President
NCNS Zone #12
902-463-7492
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
January 2006
13
Nova Scotia House of Assembly Fifty-Ninth General Assembly
First Session
DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS
Speaker: Honourable Murray Scott
Published by Order of the legislature by Hansard Reporting Services
Thursday, October 27, 2005
RESOLUTION NO.4921
Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the first Mi’kmaq cultural gathering took place in Shelburne County in late June; and Whereas Zone 13 of the
Native Council of Nova Scotia hosted the event at the Shelburne Civic Centre; and Whereas the event featured
everything from a large wigwam setup in the parking lot to a colorful medicine wheel along with traditional
craftspeople;Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Zone 13 of the Native Council of nova
Scotia for their organization of Shelburne County’s first Mi’kmaq cultural event.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye.
Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
With the Compliments of Cecil O’Donnell, MLA Shelburne County
E’pit Nuji Ilmuet
Canada Prenatal Nutritional Program
The Prenatal Program offers a comfortable, cultural atmosphere for the
participants. Priority is directed to first time pregnant, low income single
parents and those expectant and nursing mothers who have the greatest need
and whose social and economic conditions cause the highest risk for prenatal
nutrition deficiency.
An Aboriginal E’pit Nuji Ilmuet Facilitator will deliver the program through home
visits and workshops. She will promote good pre and post natal care, the
importance of nutrition, breastfeeding and economical food preparation.
A Nutritional Consultant (Dietician) will be available to offer nutritional
counselling and/or nutritional information sessions.
Food Supplements of milk and juice will be made available for those mothers
who are in the greatest need for up to a twenty-eight week period.
If you are or know of an Aboriginal/Mi’kmaq women who is pregnant and would
like more information about the Prenatal Program, please get in touch with one
of the Prenatal Facilitators.
Shirley Denny, N.C.N.S. Truro Provincial Office
1-800-565-4372, E-mail: [email protected]
Melissa Burns, N.C.N.S. Sydney Regional Office
(902) 567-1240, E-mail: [email protected]
Donations of diapers and other baby needs are always welcomed.
14
January 2006
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
Marriage Announcement
Belated Birthday wishes are
extended to:
Tim Hainer- August 19 (MAARS)
Dianne Warner- September 6
Rhonda Claes-October 1
Jason Dorey-October 11
Lynn Johnston- October 13
Tina MacLellan- October 13
Larry Whynot- October 20
Mary Rose Watts- November 3 (MAARS)
Nelson MacLean- November 10
Jonathan Toole- November 16
Kim Wamboldt- November 16
Jill Wolfe- December 2
Frank Jesty- December 5
Debra Robson- December 7
Shirley Denny- December 8
Angela Titus- December 9 (MAARS)
Birthday wishes are extended to:
Spencer Wilmot- January 27
Tracey Johnson- Febuary 1
Melissa Burns- Febuary 19
Valerie Whynot- Febuary 25
Adria Gloade- March 15
Claudia Sylliboy- March 15
Shannon Newcombe- March 23
Best wishes from the
Executive, Staff and Board of
the Native Council of Nova
Scotia.
Rhonda Claes is most pleased to announce the marriage of her
daughter, Jaime Hackett, to David Curry Jr. on July 30, 2005, in
Halifax. Proud parents of the groom are Marlene and David
Curry Sr. of Mount Uniacke. Happy Grandparents are Charlotte
and Robert Hazle, who also gave away the bride. This event
brought together two familes and made one. Malik Curry and
Isaiah Hackett Bray are now brothers who share a sister, Mia
Curry. Representatives of fourteen reserves were present at the
multi cultural ceremony featuring customs of the Mi’kmaq, Cree
and Afro- Canadians, conducted by Danny Paul. The couple would
like to extend thanks to all those who contributed to their speacial
day.
Information Bulletin
If you would like to submit an article, photo, announcement,
etc. to the Taliaq Mi’kma’ki Newsletter please call us at 902843-7000 or toll free 1-877-565-1752 or drop us a line via
email at [email protected] or by snail mail P.O. Box
1320, Truro Nova Scotia, B2N 5N2.
Any article which has been previously printed in any other
publication has to have written consent from that publisher
submitted with the article, before we can run the story.
Photo submissions may be sent via email as .jpeg, .tiff or .eps
or the actual photos can be sent in with a self addressed return
envelope. No faxes please!
The next deadline for submissions to the Taliaq will be
February 15, 2006.
If you have any upcoming events, special occasions or points of
interest please feel free to submit them.
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
NCNS Truro Provincial Office
P.O. Box 1320, Truro, N.S., B2N 5N2
Phone: 902-895-1523
Toll Free 1-800-565-4372
Fax: 902-895-0024
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ncns.ca
Grace Conrad ................................Chief & President
Theresa Hare ..............................Executive Assistant
Bev Ryan ............ Public Relations & Job Developer
Spencer Wilmot.Education Director-Student Services
Lee Paul ..........................................APTEC Manager
Natalie Gehrken ..................APTEC Contacts Officer
Lynn Johnston ........................APTEC Case Manager
Claudia Sylliboy ......................APTEC Case Manager
Melanie Raymond ............APTEC Youth Coordinator
Shannon Newcombe.............................APTEC Clerk
Adria Gloade.................... APTEC Project Facilitator
Tracey Johnson ................................CHIP Facilitator
Tina MacLellan ...........................SARSET Facilitator
Shirley Denny ............................Prenatal Facilitator
Paula Edwards............Prenatal Consulting Dietician
Rhonda Claes ..........Community Support Counsellor
&
Rural and Native Housing Group
Jonathan Toole - Housing Officer ........902-890-8216
Mike Martin - Housing Officer ..............902-890-8217
NCNS Sydney Regional Office
150 Bentnick St., Sydney, NS, B1P 1G6
Phone: 902-567-1240 Fax: 902-564-1123
Kim Milley..................APTEC Marketing Coordinator
Charmaine Jesty ..........Acting APTEC Case Manger
Gordie Marsh............................. SARSET Facilitator
Melissa Burns..................................CHIP Facilitator
January 2006
15
29 Market St., Liverpool, N.S., B0T 1K0
Phone: 902-354-2751 Fax: 902-354-2757
Jason Dorey ............................APTEC Case Manager
Kim Wamboldt....................APTEC Project Facilitator
Jill Wolfe ....................................SARSET Facilitator
Diane Warner ....................................CHIP Facilitator
Valerie Whynot Public Relations and Job Developer
NCNS Netukulimkewe’l Commission
172 Truro Heights Road,
P.O. Box 1320,Truro, N.S. B2N 5N2
Phone: 902-895-7050, Toll Free 1-877-565-1752
Fax: 902-895-8182
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ncnsnetcomm.ns.ca
&
Mime’j Seafoods Limited
Phone: 902-895-3600, Fax: 902-895-8182
Email: [email protected]
&
CPPS / Print Plus
Phone: 902-843-7000, Fax: 902-895-8182
Email: [email protected]
Tim Martin......................Commissioner and President
Pat Dean...............................Administrative Assistant
Frank Jesty...................................Netukulimk Prefect
Cory Francis.................................Netukulimk Prefect
Doug McLeod........................ ACCF Contract Manager
Larry Whynot.............................Marine Fleet Manager
Matthew Whynot............ Asst. Marine Fleet Manager
Nelson MacLean.................... Transport Administrator
Justin Martin...............CPPS/ Print Plus Administrator
NCNS Liverpool Regional Office
ARE YOU MOVING? LET US KNOW!
The TALIAQ MI’KMA’KI would like to ensure that you continue to
receive your Newsletter.
So if your address changes, please contact us with your new address,
toll free at:
1-800-565-4372
16
January 2006
T A L I A Q
M I ’ K M A ’ K I
The following is a listing of the Native Council of Nova Scotia’s Community Board of Directors. This list is provided
for the purpose of N.C.N.S Zone or Local contact, meeting dates or membership inquiries for the Native Council of
Nova Scotia. This list is in effect as of January 1, 2006.
N.C.N.S
Zone #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Community Area
Board of Director
Colchester, Cumberland & Pictou Counties
Tim Martin
Hants County
Ellen Robinson
Halifax
Kirk Arsenault
Annapolis & Digby Counties
Shari Johns
Lunenburg County
Mike Hull (Alternate)
Cape Breton Island
Amelia Jesty
Antigonish & Guysborough Counties
Donna Sangster
Yarmouth County
Debbie Hope
Queens County
James Parnell
Kings County
Larry Woodsworth
Sheet Harbour
Donna Logan
Dartmouth
Gerald Jewers
Shelburne County
Diann Langley
N.C.N.S. Aboriginal Youth Council
Alana Kesick
Taliaq Mi’kma’ki is available free of charge to all
Community member households and the general
public who are interested in the role, work and
activities of the Native Council of Nova Scotia. To
add your name to the Taliaq Mi’kma’ki mailing list, call
Toll Free 1-800-565-4372 or fax to 902-895-0024 or
write the Native Council of Nova Scotia at P.O. Box
1320, Truro, N.S., B2N 5N2.
Taliaq Mi’kma’ki is also available on the NCNS Web
Site at www.ncns.ca.
Telephone
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
(902)
895-7050
758-1910
447-1956
532-7079
543-9324
794-3208
387-2142
761-3349
356-2209
678-8975
885-2552
464-4702
875-1258
893-4378
Taliaq Mi’kma’ki is a quarterly Community information
newsletter of the Native Council of Nova Scotia
produced through its desktop publishing facilities.
The publication contents are the property of Native
Council of Nova Scotia.
Reproduction, in whole or in part, is prohibited
without the expressed written consent of the Native
Council of Nova Scotia.
If not deliverable return to
40025353
TRURO, NS