Prophet River First Nation News - November 2022

Prophet River NEWS
November 2022 | ProphetRiverFirstNation.com
NENAs Gala Photos
Page 2
PRFN Thanksgiving
Dinner
Page 2
Health Department
Reminders
Page 3
How to Reach Us
Page 4
From the CAO
Page 5
Community Forum
Prize Winners
Page 5
Christmas Food
Program Applications
Page 6
From the Archives
Page 8
PRFN signs MOU with Fort St. John
Prophet River First Nation has formally signed
a memorandum of understanding with the
City of Fort St. John. The 10-page document
allows PRFN to acquire addition-to-reserve
(ATR) lands within the city’s boundaries.
“For our community and for our members
who reside in Fort St. John, this a huge deal,”
said PRFN Chief Valerie Askoty following the
signing. “I am excited about our economic
future for our members that already live here
but also the ones that will be moving here.”
Congrats to Renee Loman!
A big congratulations to Renee Loman who has been appointed to
the Board of Director position for the northeast region of the First
Nations Health Directors Association.
Congratulations Renee! We know you will do a wonderful job in this
new role!
PRFN Students Recognized at NENAs Gala
Another big congratulations are in order for two incredible
PRFN students!
Prophet River First Nation
Dene Tsaa Tse K’Nai First Nation
P.O. Box 3250
Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0
George Reno was named Outstanding Student and Jacob
Askoty won an award for Student Leadership. We are very
proud of both of you!
See more photos from the gala on Page 2.
ProphetRiverFirstNation.com
1.844.323.0324 (Toll Free)

NENAs Gala 2022
PRFN Thanksgiving Dinner
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November 2022 | ProphetRiverFirstNation.com

Important Health Dept. Reminders
Please note there have been positive cases of COVID reported in the
community. This is a reminder for all to ensure good hand-washing, wear an
appropriate mask and monitor cold-like symptoms (sore throat, runny nose,
cough, and temperature).
If you have questions, need a mask, or feel you need to be tested please contact the
Health Department.
Additionally, there was a recent Toxic Drug Alert Issued for Fort St. John.
There has been an increase in overdose events in the
community of Fort St John. Reported overdoses have been
associated with a white pill that is circulating and substances
sold as Meth. Overdoses occurring when substances are
smoked and injected.
Substances move throughout our region and may present
in your community so please share this alert widely and use
with caution following the harm reduction messages below.
• Get overdose prevention, recognition, and response
training; carry naloxone
• Don’t use alone. Make a plan and tell a buddy who can call
for help if needed
• If you plan to use alone, use the Lifeguard or BeSafe app
available free on the app store or on Toward the Heart
website (https://towardtheheart.com)
• Know your tolerance. If you are sick or had a time of
abstinence or reduced use, use much less
• When possible, avoid mixing drugs or mixing drugs with
alcohol
• Test a small amount first and go slow
• Use in an OPS if possible (see Fort St John locations listed
below)
• Access fentanyl drug checking where available (OPS sites)
• Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if
someone overdoses
Don't Forget! We Need Your Input!
We need your input for the 2022 Prophet River Health and Wellness Survey! This survey will be used to support the
development of Prophet River's health and wellness services. Your truthful responses to the following questions will help us
develop services that best meet the needs of our community.
If you are uncomfortable responding to any question, please leave it blank and move on to the next question. To help
preserve your anonymity, please do not write your name on this survey or provide any identifiable information. Your
responses will be kept strictly confidential.
If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact Renee Lomen at renee.lomen@prophetriverfn.ca
November 2022 | ProphetRiverFirstNation.com
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How To Reach Us
We are always looking for ways to reach out to our members and help
you stay connected with our community. We have started several
initiatives that will help us stay connected.
Are you online?
Website:
We have moved several functions online including community notices, job
postings, access to council minutes, and community news. Be sure to go to
www.prophetriverfirstnation.com for regular updates and sign in to the Members Only section to view
communications that are private for our members only. This includes access to the AGM, Members Forum, Council
Minutes, Updates to the Trust and more.
Newsletter:
Don't forget to subscribe to updates so we can send you this newsletter by email as well as other PRFN updates. If you
want a printed copy we are happy to mail one or drop it off for you.
Social Media:
We are regularly posting to our Official PRFN Facebook page. Please follow our page and share it with other members so
we can all stay connected.
Member Forums:
We’ve been hosting regular online member forums every month for members to connect with each other and talk
to the Chief and Council. These forums will be recorded so you can view them online if you are unable to attend. If
you have a question for the Chief and Council and it will be answered in the monthly forum.
Please send it to: communications@prophetriverfirstnation.com.
Email:
Chief and Council, CAO and all department managers review their
email regularly. Please see list of emails and extensions here.
Phone:
We encourage you to call us anytime at 1.844.323.0324 and leave
a message with the department manager you wish to speak to.
Your message will be automatically sent as an email to the person
you have called.
Text:
We’ve upgraded our communications to include texting. If you can
receive text messages on your phone we encourage you to text us
at 1.888.710.2318 and let us know your name and your phone
number. We will keep you updated by text message. We will also
send out member surveys this way to make it easier for you to
participate.
Mail:
Printed copies of newsletters and announcements will be put in
community members' mailboxes. If you are an urban member and
would like us to mail you monthly updates and newsletters we are
happy to do that.
1.844.323.0324 (Toll Free)
Chief Valerie Askoty
valerie.askoty@prophetriverfn.ca
Councillor Beverly Stager
beverly.stager@prophetriverfn.ca
Councillor Deshanna Tsakoza
deshanna.tsakoza@prophetriverfn.ca
250.500.1285
x108
x107
Communications Department
x106
communications@prophetriverfirstnation.com
CAO Devin Bellerose
devin.bellerose@prophetriverfn.ca
Lands Department
Dene Tsaa School
Finance Department
Health Department
Housing Department
x109
x101
x102
x105
x104
x103
Prophet River Trust 1.833.396.1895
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November 2022 | ProphetRiverFirstNation.com

From the CAO
It's been another whirlwind month for our executive team with many projects on the go.
We’re proud to have signed our first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of
Fort St. John outlining plans for an urban reserve for members of the nation living in the
city. The MOU signals movement forwards on the land that Prophet River First Nation
already owns in Fort St. John and plans to develop. This is a first for PRFN. I believe it's
important to make more initiatives like this on behalf of our community and take the lead to
ensure that PRFN needs are being addressed. Congratulations to the Chief and Council and
all of those involved in making this happen.
We recently returned from the FNHA meetings in Vancouver. Our Health Director, Renee
Loman has been appointed to the Board of Director Position for the northeast region of the
First Nations Health Directors Association. Congratulations to Renee!
Devin Bellerose, CAO
The community has been buzzing this month with work at the sawmill and the burn crew working in the community.
We’re planning a recognition dinner for all the workers involved.
In addition, Dustin Twin, the Director, Lands, and Resources, has been busy filling new positions in the Lands dept and
is making great inroads on land issues and agreements. Finally, Leah Asher and her team are doing a wonderful job at
the Dene Tsaa School.
Finally, a reminder to all that COVID and flu season is here. We have had some outbreaks in the community in October
and need to remember that everyone should be taking precautions as we return to indoor activities.
For more updates, please attend our community forum will be Monday, November 7th at 5:00pm and stay updated online.
Community Forum Prize Winners!
A big congratulations to all of our prize winners from the October Community Forum! Make sure to join us on Monday,
November 7th for our next meeting and more chances to win!
OCTOBER PRIZE WINNERS!
Leon - Neck Massager
Laurette - Movie Pack
Sicily - Blush Poeny Silverware
Andy - Tools & Mug
Stella - Mobile Phone Stand & Humidifier
November 2022 | ProphetRiverFirstNation.com
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​
Get Your Christmas Food Program
Application in Now!
Christmas Dinner is just around the corner! Don't forget that each household of PRFN member(s)
is eligible for ham, roast beef, or turkey for Christmas dinner.
Overall Process
1. Fill out the Christmas food application completely indicating your food choice.
2. All applications will be reviewed and are subject to available funds to cover the costs.
3. You will be contacted by PRFN on whether to pick up your food or if it will be delivered to you.
Eligible Expenditures
Note that you cannot purchase your own food and seek reimbursement, PRFN will purchase it for
you. Apply online or reach out to Lynette in the office.
Need help with your member login? Are you unsure how to access the trust portal? Book an appointment today. If you don't
have online access, call us and we will go over the programs and options with you. Call or text 1.833.396.1895 or
email Lynette Tsakoza at L.tsakoza@prophetriverfn.ca.
Check for updates on Trust Programs
Many of the PRFN Trust programs have been updated. You can visit our Member’s Section to view the most
current programs available and to apply to the programs you qualify for. You can keep track of your application
and past applications here as well.
What do I do if I’m having trouble logging in to my member portal?
If you require any assistance with your login, we can set up an appointment to help. Call/text 1.833.396.1895 or
email trust@prophetriverfirstnation.com.
How do I request a new password?
You can visit the member’s login page and click on ‘Forgot
your password?’ you will then be requested to enter your
email address, click on ‘Request reset link’, and then proceed
to the instructions in your email address inbox.
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November 2022 | ProphetRiverFirstNation.com

New Homes in Community
The new homes in the community have been completed.
Shown in the photo is the back view of Lot #19-Residential-
Elder Maurice (Sandy) Wolf’s new home.
Truth & Reconciliation Day
in Fort St. John
NLC 1st Intercollegiate
Rodeo for Students
November 2022 | ProphetRiverFirstNation.com
7

From the Archives
Ridington Dane-zaa Archives
The Ridington Dane-zaa Archives contain
hundreds of hours of historical audio
recordings and thousands of photographs.
Tonia and Liza Wolfe scraping moose hide.
Courtesy of Ridington Dane-zaa Archives, OSPRG63.
Sam, Jean, Katie St. Pierre and Antonia Mills.
Courtesy of Ridington Dane-zaa Archives, OSPRS23.
Prophet River Tonia, Sam St. Pierre, Jumbie, Sahweh having Thanksgiving dinner.
Courtesy of Ridington Dane-zaa Archives, P14F10.
Prophet River News is published monthly.
For past issues, visit: ProphetRiverFirstNation.com/newsletter
November 2022 | ProphetRiverFirstNation.com