Boo Maga January 2022

spent two whole days laughing,
learning and harvesting good
medicines from the lands. At the
end of the month, we hosted
our annual Orange Shirt Day.
This was an incredible turn out.
People from many nations and
our Non-First Nations allies
were in attendance. We stood
in solidarity and held each other
up that day. We offered prayers,
songs, drumming and, we were
together. Thank you to everyone
that attended the event, we were
truly honored. During October,
we traveled for our annual Chief
and Council Strategy Session in
Osoyoos, BC. Leadership worked
tirelessly every day in our strategy
sessions for the benefits of our
community and, future decision’s
we made for the upcoming year.
Williams Lake First Nation also
hosted a 2-night premier, to
honor two of our
members who starred in the film
“Portraits from a Fire”. This event
went spectacular, everyone in this
film did an incredible job, I really
enjoyed it. If you haven’t seen this
film yet, I highly recommend you
see it because it is a masterpiece.
November was a busy time for
everyone, I brought my family to
the Remembrance Day ceremony.
We honored my grandfathers,
Bill Sellars, Douglas Tait and
others who served in the wars
they were in. It gave us a chance
to reflect on the future they
gifted to us with their bravery
and the sacrifices they made
to provide us with the lives we
have now. I also had the pleasure
of attending the Motherhood/
Fatherhood is Sacred training in
Phoenix, Arizona. Through this
training I was educated in using
traditional methods to reconnect
families, assisting them in healing
from their traumas, and bringing
families closer together. I will be
able to offer this program to our
members, as well as members
from Xatsull First Nation and
Canim Lake Indian Band. I am very
excited to have the opportunity
to assist others in finding a
healthy, happy and safe path for
their families within a safe space.
I was happy to see the turnout for
the Membership vote happening
that happened on November
25, 2021. This is where we bring
members home, and vote for the
new WLFN life being born. As I
went to vote, I have considered
how I am voting and why I voted
for those individuals. I have made
sure the votes I made are for
people who have ties within our
community. As our community
is moving forward, we want all
our members to benefit and
thrive. Our community continues
to grow with members moving
home and members having
babies. We have to be vigilant in
our work and decisions so that
they will have a bright and strong
future.
As we move past the holidays, I will
continue to volunteer within the
community. Unfortunately, due
to the Covid restrictions, we could
not have a community Christmas
dinner which I find sad. I was not
able to see everyone laughing,
smiling, and visiting with one
another. We were able, however,
to host a drive thru Christmas
dinner for all the members to be
able to enjoy a Christmas dinner
and the kids got some joy. I am
hopeful in this New Year the
restrictions will change and we
can embrace one another again
soon. For those that are struggling
or just needing company, reach
out to me and one another, so
we can help where we can. For
our people to succeed, we need
one another and we need to help
one another. We must remember
this time is not about giving back,
it’s about time with loved ones
and teaching one another. Let’s
continue to hold each other up
and continue to be grateful for
everything we have.
I look forward to seeing you all
in the New Year, once Covid
restrictions ease.
May good times and treasures
of the present, become the
golden memories of tomorrow.
Wishing you lots of love, joy, and
happiness. Happy New Year to
all!!
Yeri7 skukwstsetetsemc!!
Shae Chelsea
4 BOO MAGA - JANUARY 2022
Boo Maga January 2022.indd 4
2021-12-14 11:01:10 AM