July 2016 - Leq`á:mel First Nation

Leq'á:mel First Nation
43101 Leq'á:mel Way
July 2016
Deroche, BC, V0M 1G0
Summer Days
Éy swáyel everyone!
We are always looking for new ideas and articles for our newsletters. If you
have anything you would like to see or share, please contact Bonnie at:
[email protected]
Or
604.826.7976
LANDS DEPARTMENT
Zoning Law
Development Procedures
Subdivision and Servicing Law
Building Capacity
Nicomen Slough Restoration Update
TLU/TEK workshops
GAS STATION - EXCITING NEWS!
We are happy to announce that the re-design of the gas station is complete and site prep will begin shortly. Tim
Hortons submitted a letter of intent and will be the franchise providing goods to our members, the Deroche
community, and all visitors passing through our very own Esso Gas Station!
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
LFN ZONING LAW/DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURE
Leq'á:mel adopted the Zoning Law and Development Procedures Manual and these documents will be accessible on
the re-vamped LFN website. All future structures built on Leq’á:mel land (both Band land and CP land), will need to
meet the requirements of both the Zoning Law and the Development Procedures, regardless of the developer. These
documents have been put in place to protect Leq'á:mel members and S’ólh Téméxw (Our World, Our Land).
SUBDIVISION AND SERVICING LAW
We are in the process of creating our Subdivision & Servicing Law, which will ensure that all future development
includes necessary infrastructure and services for our community. Without these in place, a community is
unsuccessful in generating self-sustaining revenues to meet educational, health and recreational needs.
REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE
A fee schedule has been developed with assistance from the Lands Advisory Board Resource Centre (LABRC).
The registration of instruments such as Lease Agreements and Residential Lease Agreements are required for these
agreements to hold up in a court of law. Developers, tenants and property owners require proof of such registration
when they enter into an agreement. These documents will protect against individuals who decide not to follow
through with such agreements. If no agreement exists within the registry, the lease will be considered void. When an
agreement is made, ensure that it is registered. A small fee will be required, but the security this fee provides
can mean a world of difference with regards to protection of an individuals interest.
Lands and Environment
BUILDING CAPACITY
TULO APPLIED ECONOMICS COURSE
The Residential and Commercial Development Course provided insight for Land Code First Nations, who are developing laws
to promote economic growth. Economic growth is required to generate revenues to meet the education, health and
recreational needs of a community. Economic growth will create job opportunities and promote businesses that provide
services and goods within a community, so we may abolish transportation barriers as well as build our economy.
The funding provided by the Government for services currently rendered is minimal, as it is for all First Nations. To provide
more services for our LFN Members, we must focus on and support our Economic Development, as it is how source revenue
is generated. LFN Members can show their support by attending Membership Meetings, participating in LFN events and voting
on laws that promote such endeavours. The less participation and support we have from our community, will result in less
opportunity to receive services, and will impact the community. With the encouragement we receive from our Members for
Economic Development, we can move forward and start generating the revenues required to meet our peoples needs and
requests. Let’s join forces to grow our community by attending community meetings and promoting economic growth!
Success does not happen overnight, but working together will result in a world of success for our peoples future.
Our job is to create laws that protect our lands and inform developers and property owners, be it Leq'á:mel First Nation
(LFN), Leq'á:mel First Nation Development Corporation (LFNDC) individual CP holders and lessors (individuals who lease
our land) of what our expectations are. Without such laws the risk is too high to put money into business and or property
improvements within our lands. The laws also act as guidelines for administration. This is crucial when organizations
encounter a change in employees and/or Chief and Council. Without laws in place, consistency in providing equality to
individuals, Members and even administration is difficult.
LANDS ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) – THINK TANK SESSION
The LAB is the body that brought us the opportunity to govern our own lands through Land Code. The Land Code gave us the
ability to create laws and manage our lands so we can both protect and use them to our benefit. The Land Code, in
conjunction with community support, provides the ability for First Nations to generate land based revenues. It protects our
people from the shackles of the Indian Act when it comes to property rights and the lack of legal framework that came with it.
The LAB provides us with answers as to what laws and agreements are necessary for the protection and care of our lands
and how to create them. It is also the centre that laws, policies and procedures created by Land Code First Nations are
vetted through in order to provide to other First Nations seeking such resources.
BUILDING CAPACITY CONT...
The Lands Advisory Board (LAB) created a “Land Governance Manual” to assist First Nations developing a Land Code
and those who are operational under Land Code. Think Tank sessions have taken place to share and gather information
from developmental and operational First Nations. The information collected at these sessions will be incorporated into
the “Land Governance Manual”, and will continually be updated.
The LAB Resource Centre requests that delegates from First Nations currently working in lands to attend sessions
where information is sought to build the knowledge and framework required to manage our lands.
NICOMEN RESTORATION PROJECT
The funding has been approved by DFO to conduct the hydrology study for the Nicomen Slough Restoration Project. This study will help
determine the method of increasing water flows suitable for restoring the fish habitat, protecting current native species and preserving the
dike system. The hydrologic study is set to complete by January 1st 2017 and will get underway sometime July. The geographical makeup of
this study will take place where the Fraser feeds into the dike up near Bell Dam and conclude where the slough feeds back into the Fraser at
Dewdney. All reports will be provided to the key stakeholders in this project which includes Leq'á:mel First Nation, Species At Risk Biologists
and the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition.
Funding has been pursued to support guided tours for youth ages 7-12, to provide knowledge and generate interest and participation around
the Nicomen Slough Restoration Project. Information regarding the project’s benefits, history around the slough and Halq’eméylem language
used by our ancestors to describe the slough and the species within it will be incorporated into these tours.
We have three biologists ready to conduct some public talks around the species that currently live within the slough and species that once did.
They will talk about ways we can protect the species that remain and work towards restoring fish habitats as they once were for our
ancestors. Fish Biologist Mike Pearson has offered to set some traps so we can examine the species that remain both native and invasive.
We will receive word of this funding piece by the beginning of July so stay tuned!
HEALTH
Patient Travel:
Patient Travel can be submitted any day. Anyone who calls or leaves a message with appointment details gets
put into Roza’s notebook with a date stamp. Roza works on patient travel Monday, Tuesday, and Friday
afternoon. She requires at least 2 days processing any patient travel claims. Any patient travel claims
submitted with an invoice of service or note signed by a Doctor or Medical Office Assistant confirming
attendance of appointment will be completed swiftly. Contacting medical clinics to confirm an appointment or
walk-in does take some time, so please keep in mind that Roza will assist those who called or faxed her first.
Roza will need 10-14 days’ notice for any overnight stays or treatment travel claims.
Roza Roberts
Sto:lo Receptionist: 604-824-3200
Toll Free Number: 1-877-411-3200
Fax Number: 604-824-0276
Email: [email protected]
EDUCATION
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate our grads on behalf of Chief and Council as well as from Norma George.
This year there are a few that have completed their Grade 12 and a Post-Secondary Grad!
Grade 12 Grads: Sheri Seymour, Alyssa Thompson, Mieke Stobbart, Teagan Johnstone, Kathryn Baxter, and Rico Galt.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and hope that you have plans to continue on with your dreams, goals and
aspirations whether it is with more education or finding employment. I truly am pleased to be writing this and hope to see you
all at our ceremony in August so you all can be formally recognized for your efforts.
I would also like to congratulate Dawn Styran on completing her Bachelors of Social Work at UFV and express how great of an
accomplishment it is after all the hard work and dedication it is truly an honor to be able to see the success and wish you all
the best in your future endeavours as you enter into the next part of your journey. Please join us in August for the ceremony
and invite family and enjoy the success together and celebrate.
I will also take the time to mention our continuing students that are still embarked on their journey to stay strong and
committed to your dreams and may your hard work pay off in the end, it will be all worth the effort. One of our members in
the USA is also starting a new journey having being accepted to Arizona State University through the W.P Carey school of
business starting this fall, Congratulations to Sean Lawrence on your continued success and being accepted at Arizona!
Sincerely,
Councillor Justin Laslo
[email protected]
604.615.3710
COMMUNITY WELLNESS ACTIVITIES
REFERRALS COORDINATOR
TLU/TEK Study
Elders Interviews
“With knowledge gained from
Q:
Are you an Elder that has information on Leq'á:mel’s Traditional Land Use and/or have
Traditional Ecological Knowledge that you would like to share?
our past history, Leq'á:mel
Do you want to help preserve your heritage and culture for generations to come?
strive to work in unity to
Q:
If so, please contact me so we can set up an interview date & time.
Please note that any information shared will be at your discretion, whether it be with
Membership or the Lands Department for Land Use purposes (i.e., Land Claims or
Referrals).
This is a great opportunity for you to help preserve your family history & close the
gaps around culture & heritage we as First Nations are experiencing.
First Nation Members will
create a healthy, safe, selfsustaining community where
we will continue in our efforts
to create a better future for
our current and future
generations” LFN Mission
Statement July 22, 2014
Youth Opportunity!
Due to lack of applications, the deadline has changed for Youth to apply to
participate in the Elders interviews. It will now be open all summer for youth to
apply.
Youth will have to opportunity to assist the referrals coordinator with
interviewing Elders. This may include operating a video camera, voice
recorder, scanner/printer, and the use of most Microsoft Office programs.
Flexibility with hours will be necessary as we will need to travel to Elders
homes and host Elders gatherings to exchange valuable Traditional Land Use
information & Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
This is a great opportunity for youth to meet their Elders and learn the history
of our people and our land.
TLU/TEK Membership
Meeting
I would like to thank
everyone that attended the
meeting on May 31st, 2016.
Hands up to you! Your
support for our community
is greatly appreciated!
Elders Info Sessions
Where would you like to see an Elders Information session take
place? Or do you have somewhere else in mind? Please share
your thoughts on what the most viable locations you think
would be.
Leq'á:mel First Nations Office?
There are several locations we are looking
at to have 2-3 information sessions where
we can gather and share information on
Traditional Land Use and Traditional
Ecological Knowledge. The locations we are
currently looking at hosting a info session
are at the Leq'á:mel office, Kamloops,
Vancouver, and Bellingham (locations have
not been finalized).
Kamloops, BC?
Vancouver, BC?
Families will have an opportunity to
volunteer at these info sessions and take
part in the knowledge transfer.
If you would like your child(ren) under
the age of 15 to participate at the elders
information sessions, then please contact
the Referrals coordinator.
Bellingham, Washington?
All children that are under the legal age
to work must have a family member over
the age 19 to volunteer with them and
supervise the child closely at all times.
When dates have been finalized we will keep you posted on
when and where these information sessions will be taking
place.
1) Do you have any
information on our
traditional territory
that you’d like to share?
2) Do you know of
anywhere in our
territory where any
cultural modifications
have been made?
Leq'á:mel: “visiting one another” “level place”
Leq'á:mel First Nations very own Place
Names Tour
EXCITING NEWS!
We have started on creating a Place Names Tour with Dr.
Sonny McHalsie, Naxaxalhts’I on Leq'á:mel’s traditional territory.
Once more Elders interviews are complete, there may be additional
information that can be added to the tour.
Please feel free to contact me
regarding any information you
would like to share about our
history and cultural. This could
include any research you may
have done or perhaps a story,
legend, place name & cultural
modifications.
Cultural modifications could be
pictographs, petroglyphs, pit
house impressions or culturally
modified trees.
This tour will take place in the spring of 2017. Please contact
the Referrals Coordinator to sign up and save your seat!
The tour will consist of Place Names (some on site & some
from a distance) all within our traditional territory, along with some
historical facts about our area.
Petroglyph example
Different variations of how the old
Indian Reserve on Norrish creek was
spelled are: Klat-Waas, Tlat-Waas,
Tlat-Whaas & possibly Klatawars or
Klatanars.
Norrish Creek which runs through what was
Klat-Waas (Qelaxwtxwelh)
Interesting facts
Did you know that the Long House that was located on Klat-Waas
was one of the largest in the territory?
Klat-Waas, or Qelaxwtxwelh as properly known in Halq’eméylem,
was located at the mouth of Norrish Creek aka Suicide Creek.
This was once a reserve belonging to our ancestors but was
“surrendered” around 1880.
It is unknown what happened to the many people that once
resided here, but quite possibly an epidemic could have been
the cruel fate that these ancestors encountered. It is known
that two women relocated from Klat-Waas I.R. to Skweahm and
Lakahahmen.
If you have any information on the old Klat-Waas Indian Reserve,
please share your information with the Referrals Coordinator.
Membership TLU/TEK Information Mail out
I hope everyone received the information that was sent out last week and have
taken a moment to review the pamphlet on Elders interviews, the Traditional
Land Use (TLU) & the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Study that is now
underway.
If you have not received your copy, please provide current mailing info to the
Lands Department/LFN offices and a copy will then be provided.
If you have access to the internet, please make sure we have your correct
email contact information and we can send it to you that way. Help be green, go
paperless!
Contact Us
Feel free to give us a call for
any information about the
Traditional Land Use/
Traditional Ecological
Knowledge study or if you
would like to share your
knowledge.
Alicia Giesbrecht
Leq'á:mel First Nations
43101 Leq'á:mel Way Deroche,
BC V0M 1G0
604-826-7976 ext. 231
[email protected]
ELDERS
There will be an Elders meeting coming up this summer.
When the date is set, Terry-Ann Stowell will contact the Elders with details of the meeting.
Kw’as Hoy
Tsetsel ey té s’yoyes!
(Thank you for your great work)
Our Elder’s Dinner Cooks: Muriel Shepherd, Karen Ruddick, Terry-Ann Stowell and
Barb Leggat.
Thank you ladies for all of your hard work!
LIBRARY EVENTS
Mission Library Events for July 2016:
Stories in the Park
Wednesday, Jul 6th-Aug 31st; 10:30-11:30am. Join us for stories,
rhymes, and fun at the Mission Leisure Centre
LEGO Club
Tuesdays, Jul 5th-Aug 30th; 10:30-11:30am. We provide the LEGO, you
bring your imagination!
Ice Cream Social
Thursday, Jul 7th; 2:30-4pm. Make your own sundae, play Apples to
Apples and maybe even win a prize!
FVRL EVENTS
Some upcoming fun and
exciting events located at
Mission Library! Come
join the fun!
The Great Gordini
Friday, Jul 8th; 2-2:45pm. The Great Gordini, has fantastic magic tricks
up his sleeve. See if you can unravel the magical mysteries!
Manga Village
Saturdays, Jul 9, Aug 13th; 2:30-4:30pm. Make new friends, play crazy
games and eat Pocky. Ages 12-18.
Make It and Take It
Wednesdays, Jul 13th, Aug 10th; 3:30-4:30pm. Come create something
cool while learning something new!
Beat the Heat
Thursdays, Jul 14th-Aug 25th; 10am-9pm. Drop by for some classic and
new games in our open game room.
Vancouver Aquarium Aqua Zone
Monday, Jul 18th; 11-11:45am. Examine and explore a variety of artifacts
and some of the most hardy, live intertidal animals found in BC waters.