Boo Maga December 2021
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<strong>Boo</strong> <strong>Maga</strong><br />
Puméke7<br />
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - #8
Contents<br />
Remember<br />
4<br />
6<br />
8<br />
10<br />
12<br />
A poem written by<br />
WLFN Intern Jia Zhang<br />
Secwepemc Christmas Songs<br />
Some translations of all<br />
your favorite Christmas<br />
carols.<br />
WLFN Education Update<br />
Take a look at what our<br />
Education Department<br />
has been up to recently<br />
Remembrance Day <strong>2021</strong><br />
Photos from WLFN’s<br />
Remembrance Day<br />
ceremony on Nov 11th<br />
Staff Member Highlight<br />
Check in with Nina<br />
Soloman our Lands<br />
Assistant<br />
Council Meeting Highlights<br />
14<br />
Take a look at what<br />
your Council have been<br />
discussing over the past<br />
month!<br />
Welcome to<br />
the <strong>Boo</strong> <strong>Maga</strong><br />
(puméke7), which<br />
translates to<br />
“drum stick”.<br />
Got an idea or story<br />
for future editions?<br />
Contact us:<br />
shannon.skeels@wlfn.ca<br />
250-296-3507 ext.185<br />
General Inquiries:<br />
lisa.camille@wlfn.ca<br />
250-296-3507 ext.103<br />
Facebook:<br />
Williams Lake First<br />
Nation<br />
www.wlfn.ca<br />
WLFN Leadership<br />
Christmas Message<br />
Weyt-kp xwexweytep,<br />
As another year draws to a close,<br />
all of us would like to wish you<br />
a very Merry Christmas and a<br />
Happy New Year.<br />
We know that <strong>2021</strong> has not<br />
been an easy year for any of us.<br />
COVID restrictions have forced<br />
us to cancel plans and isolate<br />
from our loved ones – when in<br />
these uncertain times, we have<br />
needed our family the most. We<br />
are immensely proud of each and<br />
every one of you for putting your<br />
community first and staying at<br />
home when possible. We can only<br />
hope that 2022 will offer a light at<br />
the end of the tunnel and we can<br />
all return to a sense of normality<br />
once again.<br />
We are thrilled to be able to host<br />
our Annual Community Christmas<br />
Dinner on <strong>December</strong> 12th, after<br />
having to postpone last year. We<br />
have had to adapt slightly, and<br />
so our Christmas Dinner will be<br />
served “Drive-thru style”! We are<br />
disappointed that we will not be<br />
able to sit down with you all, share<br />
stories and enjoy that sense of<br />
community we have become so<br />
accustomed to in previous years,<br />
we are still excited to be able to<br />
share some Christmas joy – even<br />
if it is through a car window!<br />
Rumour has it that Santa has<br />
already RSVP’d for this event, so<br />
make sure to keep an eye out for<br />
him!<br />
We know for many of you, Christmas<br />
can feel like a lot of work, between<br />
shopping, cooking, and decorating our<br />
homes. However, when you sit down<br />
and reminisce on previous years,<br />
the pressure is all but forgotten, and<br />
instead it’s the family traditions and<br />
lasting memories that we remember<br />
fondly. We hope you take this time<br />
during the festive season to relax<br />
and create more treasured moments,<br />
whilst reflecting upon the past year.<br />
We hope your homes will be filled<br />
with warmth, laughter and light and<br />
that you are able to share this special<br />
time with family members, friends,<br />
and your beloved pets.<br />
On behalf of Chief, Council, and all<br />
the staff at Williams Lake First Nation,<br />
We would like to wish everyone a very<br />
Merry Christmas. We look forward<br />
to working diligently on your behalf<br />
throughout 2022.<br />
Yeri7 skukwstsetetsemc!<br />
Williams Lake First Nation Leadership:<br />
Chief Willie Sellars<br />
Councillor JoAnne Moiese<br />
Councillor Shae Chelsea<br />
Councillor Chris Wycotte<br />
Councillor Rick Gilbert<br />
Councillor Shawna Philbrick<br />
2 BOO MAGA<br />
BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong><br />
3
Remember<br />
By Jia Zhang (WLFN Intern)<br />
In this morning mist, twelve-thousands of<br />
poppies blow<br />
My name is on the Cross, row on row<br />
What is the special about this Remembrance<br />
Day?<br />
The special is to carry my honor in your way<br />
FireSmart available<br />
for WLFN Members<br />
Love! Do not stand at my grave and cry<br />
Think about my courage and service done<br />
with pride<br />
How do you make it your own<br />
Remembrance Day?<br />
Start to count your blessing day by day<br />
I am the one of the soldier boys and fought<br />
for all<br />
you and your family are here to listen to my<br />
story, to recall<br />
Earthy fall with crackling wind<br />
you closed your eyes and I embrace your<br />
heart; reflect the spiritual legend<br />
This season of whirling, brightly colored in a<br />
monumental way<br />
Deciduous falls on your shoulder that may<br />
carry my weight<br />
Remember the way,<br />
Remember the weight.<br />
FireSmart is living with and<br />
managing potential wildfire<br />
hazards in your area and on<br />
your property. Becoming wildfire<br />
resilient is a shared responsibility<br />
across BC extending from<br />
individuals living in their homes, up<br />
to a landscape land management<br />
level. WLFN currently has two<br />
FireSmart Coordinators working<br />
to develop a plan which will<br />
better prepare the community in<br />
the event of a wildfire. They are<br />
focusing on building long term<br />
plans for reducing the possible<br />
impact of wildfire to both critical<br />
infrastructure and homes within<br />
the community.<br />
The FireSmart program provides<br />
people living in wildfire prone<br />
areas with the knowledge<br />
and organizational means<br />
to significantly reduce their<br />
neighbourhood’s vulnerability<br />
planning and working together –<br />
with the support of a local wildfire<br />
professional. If you are concerned<br />
about the wildfire hazard in your<br />
area - there’s a good chance<br />
your neighbours feel the same<br />
way. The goal is to assist you and<br />
your neighbours to develop an<br />
action plan to reduce your wildfire<br />
hazard simply and effectively.<br />
The program relies heavily on<br />
community involvement in order<br />
to be successful! If you or someone<br />
you know is interested in better<br />
preparing your community to<br />
withstand the effects of a wildfire,<br />
please reach out to either of our<br />
local FireSmart coordinators.<br />
Willem Faasse:<br />
Willem.Faasse@wlfn.ca<br />
Dave Altrows:<br />
David.Altrows@wlfn.ca<br />
Or phone: 778-417-0192<br />
to wildfire. This is achieved by<br />
4<br />
BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> 5
Secwepemc Translations<br />
of Chrismas Songs<br />
A big thank you to Jean William and Judy Alphonse<br />
for providing copies of these translations.<br />
Tsxwéntiye xwexéytep<br />
(Oh Come All Ye<br />
Faithful)<br />
This translation of Adeste Fideles or “Oh Come All Ye<br />
Faithful” was made in about 1890 by Father LeJeune, OMI,<br />
who was a missionary among the Secwepemc for almost<br />
40 years. Secwepemc people probably helped him with<br />
it. It was originally published in Chinook Shorthand in his<br />
booklet Studies on Shuswap. Ida Williams from Chu Chua<br />
taught it to Marianne Ignace in 1987, who recorded the<br />
words in Secwepemctsin. It is still remembered by many<br />
elders throughout Secwepemc country.<br />
Tsxwéntiye xwexwéytep<br />
Xwéxwistem re qe7tse-kt<br />
Tsxwéntiye, tsxwéntiye ne Bethlehem<br />
Yi7éne tek skw’imém’elt<br />
Re senkúkwpi7s re lesós<br />
Tsxwéntiye tsecwmíntem<br />
Tsxwéntiye tsecwmíntem<br />
Tsxwéntiye tsecwmíntem,<br />
Tqelt kukwpi7kt.<br />
Tigw, Tigw, Tigw<br />
(Jingle Bells)<br />
This translation of Jingle Bells<br />
is known by many Secwepemc<br />
children throughout Secwepemc<br />
country. Bridget Dan from Alkali<br />
Lake (Esk’et) first recorded it on<br />
tape and also translated it.<br />
Togw, tigw, tigw<br />
tigw, tigw, tigw<br />
Tigw, tigw wel re m-yews<br />
qílqeltwilc te7s c7emut<br />
nek’ts’nsqéxe7 te leslí<br />
Cuy’!<br />
Tigw, tigw, tigw<br />
tigw, tigw, tigw<br />
Tigw, tigw wel re m-yews<br />
qílqeltwilc te7s c7emut<br />
nek’ts’nsqéxe7 te leslí<br />
Tekwtukwt te sr7al<br />
(Silent Night)<br />
Antoinette Archie from Canim Lake wrote out<br />
the Secwepemc translation of this song for<br />
the Secwepemc language class in 1996. The<br />
Secwepemc language curriculum committee<br />
practiced it in <strong>December</strong> 1997 and recorded it.<br />
Tekwtúkwt te sr7al, le7 te sr7al<br />
Tet’ílt re stem, tsektsík’t re tmicw<br />
qelentém re skúyes re kí7ce<br />
Kúkwpi7stem te kw’oyí7se te skúye<br />
C7itc ne tqeltks re tmicw<br />
C7itc ne tqeltks re tmicw.<br />
Tekwtúkwt te sr7al, le7 te sr7al<br />
Kupkúkwpi 7 t’llep te swíkems te skuye<br />
Tsetsé7kw’ re stem ne tqeltks re tmicw<br />
Setsínem re lesós, “Alleluyah”<br />
Tskitsc re skw’imém’elt ne tmicw<br />
Tskitsc re skw’imém’elt ne tmicw.<br />
6<br />
BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> 7
WLFN Post-<br />
Secondary Student<br />
Highlight:<br />
WLFN Education Updates<br />
WLFN is proud to announce the <strong>2021</strong>-2022 postsecondary<br />
education (PSE) sponsorship for the following<br />
successful applicants:<br />
Part-time students:<br />
Lori Billyboy – Bachelor of Business – Okanagan College<br />
Geraldine Bob – Master of Education/Counselling –<br />
Thompson Rivers University<br />
Jacqueline Mattice – UCEPP in Master of Social Work –<br />
Thompson Rivers University<br />
Cody William – Language Proficiency Certificate – Simon<br />
Fraser University<br />
Full-time students:<br />
Rhandi Prystae – Master of Arts in Counselling<br />
Psychology – Yorkville University<br />
Davee Palmantier – Master of Arts in Environment and<br />
Management – Royal Roads University<br />
Roderick Sandy – Bachelor of Arts Psychology –<br />
University of BC<br />
Savanna Sandy – Bachelor of Social Work – NVIT –<br />
Vancouver<br />
Trinity Sure – Bachelor of Commerce Human Resource<br />
Management – Thompson Rivers University<br />
Michaela Gilbert – Bachelor of Fine Arts – University of<br />
Victoria<br />
Courtney Sandy – Social Services Worker – Vancouver<br />
Career College<br />
WLFN Education Building<br />
Opened its doors November 15, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Location: the old education office, 2672 Indian Drive<br />
The building will include the following programs:<br />
• LCPS Language and Culture program<br />
• Video Production program<br />
• Tutoring<br />
Merry Christmas<br />
from the Education<br />
Department to the<br />
K-12 students of WLFN!<br />
K-8: WLFN Logo Telus /School supplies<br />
back packs<br />
K-6: Stockings<br />
9-12: $100.00 Gift Cards to Caribou Ski<br />
9-12: $75 Gift Card to Sport Chek<br />
Alexis Alphonse – Cannabis Retail Specialist –<br />
College of the Rockies<br />
Cambria McGregor – Bachelor of Science –<br />
Thompson Rivers University<br />
Kaela Stobie – Water and Wastewater Technology<br />
Certificate – Thompson Rivers University<br />
Colby Cady – Heavy Duty Mechanic Apprentice<br />
Program – Thompson Rivers University<br />
Dannika Murphy - Language Proficiency Certificate<br />
– Simon Fraser University<br />
Corey Lee Philbrick - Language Proficiency<br />
Certificate – Simon Fraser University<br />
• Education resource material library<br />
• Additional LCPS teaching space<br />
Trinity Sure<br />
Bachelor of Commerce<br />
Human Resourse<br />
Management at Thompson<br />
Rivers University<br />
I grew up in the Williams Lake<br />
area, in a rodeo family. I lived on<br />
a ranch where we rode horses,<br />
competed, and managed a herd<br />
of around 150 cattle. At the age<br />
of 17 I took up motocross and<br />
raced provincially for 6 years until<br />
I suffered an ACL injury. Between<br />
ages 22 and 27 I became very<br />
interested in fitness, became a<br />
regular at the gym and competed<br />
in bikini fitness shows.<br />
I have an amazing husband<br />
and we had our beautiful son in<br />
2018. He is almost 4 now. We<br />
are living in the Quesnel area. I<br />
own horses again and hope to be<br />
out competing again in the near<br />
future.<br />
I am currently studying full-time<br />
at Thompson Rivers University<br />
through the online department,<br />
completing a Diploma in Business<br />
with a focus in Human Resources.<br />
I will then transfer into a Bachelor<br />
of Business Administration with a<br />
major in Human Resources.<br />
I chose business as the field felt<br />
natural to me and all my first parttime<br />
employment opportunities<br />
were within an office<br />
environment. I chose to major<br />
in human resources because I<br />
am passionate about policy and<br />
regulations, whilst providing the<br />
best working environment for<br />
employees. I want to ensure a<br />
healthy and happy atmosphere<br />
that’s balanced and fair.<br />
In five years, I would like to<br />
have graduated from a Master’s<br />
program and be starting my<br />
career.<br />
My dream career is to work<br />
within an Indigenous organization<br />
and help build innovation and<br />
autonomy as we work towards<br />
Treaty. Once Treaty is successful,<br />
Human Resources are essential<br />
in maintaining an unbiased<br />
working environment as we work<br />
towards and develop our ownsource<br />
revenue and maintain and<br />
develop external partnerships.<br />
I would like to thank the Williams<br />
Lake First Nations Chief and<br />
Councill for the opportunity to<br />
follow my education path and for<br />
supporting their people in career<br />
advancement. The Williams Lake<br />
First Nation Education Department<br />
for their work, support, and duties<br />
year after year in the application<br />
process. They are wonderful at<br />
assisting students with concerns<br />
and confusion throughout the<br />
application progress and beyond.<br />
I feel grateful to be able to develop<br />
my skills and knowledge with help<br />
from Williams Lake First Nation.<br />
8<br />
BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> 9
Remembrance Day<br />
<strong>2021</strong><br />
The Remembrance Day Ceremony<br />
for <strong>2021</strong> blessed us with decidedly<br />
better weather than the previous<br />
year. Instead of snow fall, guests<br />
were greeted with warm sunshine<br />
and surrounded by fall colours.<br />
The ceremony was opened with<br />
a prayer from Elder Jean William,<br />
followed by a drumming circle.<br />
Chief Willie Sellars addressed<br />
the crowd and described the<br />
ceremony as “the vision of former<br />
Chief and Council Member Rick<br />
Gilbert.” Rick was away and unable<br />
to attend the ceremony this year.<br />
“We have all come together<br />
to honour our ancestors, our<br />
soldiers and our loved ones that<br />
fought for our freedom,” said<br />
Chief Sellars.<br />
“I take great pride in standing<br />
here underneath these flags<br />
and seeing how each year the<br />
ceremony gets bigger and bigger.”<br />
RCMP Officer Adam Hildebrandt<br />
was in attendance along with<br />
Aubrey Jackson who played the<br />
bagpipes for all in attendance.<br />
Soldier Boy was sung by Cecil<br />
Sheena whilst members drummed<br />
along. Captain (R) CAF Reserves<br />
Carla Berkelaar performed a<br />
reading of In Flanders Fields whilst<br />
onlookers stood and silently took<br />
in the words.<br />
Thank you to all who attended<br />
the Williams Lake First Nation<br />
Remembrance Day Ceremony,<br />
whether online or in person,<br />
and took time out of their day to<br />
reflect upon those who gave the<br />
ultimate sacrifice.<br />
10 BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> 11
Staff<br />
Member<br />
Highlight:<br />
Nina Soloman<br />
Staff<br />
Birthdays and<br />
Anniversaries<br />
Amy Schroeter<br />
2nd Anniversary<br />
Q: What is your role at WLFN?<br />
A: I am the Lands Assistant. My main duties are<br />
to provide the Lands Manager and department<br />
with various administrative support like<br />
processing and tracking department payments,<br />
organize and coordinate law development<br />
meetings and lands projects, department related<br />
training, and assisting the Lands Manager where<br />
needed. I have also been assisting with the<br />
reconciliation of some of the flooding projects<br />
for reimbursement from EMBC/DFA.<br />
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions,<br />
the lands department has not held any inperson<br />
meeting with the community. In the<br />
summer months the lands dept hosted a<br />
Land Survey Training as part of the Survey<br />
Capacity Development Program through the<br />
Natural Resource Canada/Survey General (see<br />
September <strong>2021</strong> issue) which entailed hosting<br />
in-person field training.<br />
This is my third time working for WLFN. I worked<br />
in the Social Development department from<br />
2007 to 2014, and then as the Lands and<br />
Natural Resource Technician from March 2016<br />
to March 2017.<br />
Q: What is the best part of your job?<br />
A: The best part of my job is learning the<br />
different facets of Lands Management, putting<br />
my office administration skills to good use, and<br />
working closer to home.<br />
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your<br />
job?<br />
A: I am still learning the ropes of Land<br />
Management which can be a challenge. To<br />
further my learning, I am starting Applied Land<br />
Management program in January 2022 with TULO<br />
Centre of Indigenous Economics which will pose a<br />
challenge juggling home, work, and school.<br />
Q: Do you have any memorable stories?<br />
A: The lands department applied for and received<br />
funding from Trees Canada. We had the invasive<br />
crew plant fruit trees and berry shrubs for the<br />
elders. It always feels good to help and provide for<br />
our elders!<br />
Q: Where is your favorite place that you have visited?<br />
A: I have two favorite places I have visited, Nemiah<br />
Valley (or Xeni Gwetin) and Haida Gwaii! My husband<br />
is from Xeni Gwetin, so I’ve had the privilege of<br />
visiting and living there over the years. I absolutely<br />
love how peaceful and beautiful it is out there!<br />
Haida Gwaii, my late granny (Cecilia Michel), mom<br />
(Lisa Michel) and I went there to visit some family<br />
friends many years ago. The memories that stick<br />
with me is the very long drive and ferry ride, the<br />
distinctive beauty, and the mile long beach that you<br />
can see the Alaska coast from on a clear day.<br />
Q: Do you have a message for the community?<br />
A: Enjoy life as much as possible! Create all the<br />
memories you can with as many experiences as you<br />
can. Do your best to not let the stress, anxiety, and<br />
depression of life situations keep you down.<br />
Education is very important as not having your grade<br />
12 or higher (post secondary) is a huge barrier to<br />
employment which in turn provides a means to<br />
support you and your family. Strive for the best!<br />
Also, always let your family and friends know how<br />
much they mean to you.<br />
Merry Christmas to everyone!<br />
Jennifer Pantanetti<br />
Happy Birthday<br />
Lisa McAlpine<br />
Happy Birthday!<br />
Whitney Spearing<br />
Happy Birthday!<br />
Fernando John<br />
Happy Birthday<br />
Shayla Alphonse<br />
Happy Birthday!<br />
Madison Douglas<br />
Happy Birthday!<br />
Willie Hardeman<br />
Happy Birthday<br />
Jordan Davis<br />
Happy Birthday<br />
Ira Nelson<br />
Happy Birthday<br />
12 BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> 13
Council Meeting Highlights<br />
<strong>December</strong><br />
St. Joseph Mission<br />
Investigation Updates<br />
Council got a sneak peek at the video “T’exelcemc: Who<br />
We Are” and is excited to see the finished product.<br />
On Wednesday, November<br />
24th, WLFN issued a Press<br />
Release announcing that in<br />
of <strong>December</strong> 10th, <strong>2021</strong> and<br />
will provide the Chiefs with an<br />
opportunity to ask questions of<br />
start time for this session is 1:00<br />
pm on <strong>December</strong> 10th, at 2561<br />
Quigli Drive. Anyone planning to<br />
early <strong>December</strong>, WLFN will be<br />
the technical experts involved in<br />
attend the session must make<br />
receiving preliminary geophysical<br />
the first phase of the investigation.<br />
arrangements in advance with<br />
results from the first phase of the<br />
This session is closed to the media<br />
Dominique Melanson (Dominique.<br />
Council agreed to extend the time for the Membership Vote<br />
to four hours.<br />
investigation at the St. Joseph’s<br />
Mission Residential School (SJM).<br />
and to the public, and attendance<br />
is by invitation only.<br />
Melanson@wlfn.ca), as COVID<br />
protocols are in place and seating<br />
Immediately after receiving the<br />
In the afternoon of <strong>December</strong><br />
is limited.<br />
geophysical results, WLFN will be<br />
10th, a formal press conference<br />
“We know that everyone is eager<br />
hosting an all Chiefs meeting with<br />
will be held to announce the<br />
to receive these results,” states<br />
Chiefs of communities directly<br />
preliminary results of the<br />
Chief Sellars. “But we’re asking<br />
Three more homes are being built in the Coyote Rock Development.<br />
affected by the operations at St.<br />
Joseph’s Mission. This meeting<br />
geophysical investigation. This will<br />
be followed by a brief question and<br />
that everyone be patient and<br />
respectful of the process. Our<br />
will take place on the morning<br />
answer session. The anticipated<br />
key concern is the mental health<br />
and welfare of the survivors of St.<br />
Joseph’s, and that of their families.<br />
We’re trying to conduct this<br />
Council is excited to have Rylan Kerber joining the WLFN team as Manager of Public<br />
Safety and Law Enforcement on <strong>December</strong> 6, <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
process in as orderly a fashion as<br />
possible.”<br />
WLFN will be arranging for on-site<br />
health and wellness supports for<br />
the duration of the events and<br />
will be reaching out to affected<br />
communities to help arrange<br />
Council attended the WLFN Remembrance Day ceremony on<br />
November 11th, which drew a sizeable crowd.<br />
supports in those communities.<br />
14 BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong><br />
BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> 15
DECEMBER<br />
<strong>2021</strong><br />
Christmas Bazzar<br />
Council Meeting<br />
Community<br />
Christmas Dinner<br />
Council Meeting<br />
Christmas Eve<br />
Christmas Day<br />
New Years Eve<br />
Stay up to date on all of our events by following our<br />
Facebook page: Williams Lake First Nation<br />
16 BOO MAGA - DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong>