TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SECTION HEADINGS
To the Malsgm Sa'winsk
Greetings Subscribers!
Welcome to the Summer 2021 Edition of Malsgm Sa'winsk (Newspaper).
We hope you enjoyed the spring edition of our newsletter. We are now thrilled to bring you more news and happenings from our communities. The summer newsletter highlights youth and community activities that took place throughout spring, provides updates about Lighthouse construction, offers inspiring insights from the people, shares mouth-watering recipes, fun activities with prizes, and offers the latest news on the easing of COVID restrictions in the province, among other things.
We would love to hear any ideas for stories, community events and other newsworthy activities that you may wish to share.
Please click HERE to send us your stories, suggestions and feedback.
Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Community Spotlight
VOICES OF OUR YOUTH
Algya̱ga K’üülm G̱oot
November 2020 to April 2021
On the last Sunday of April 2021, Youth Leaders of Algya̱ga K’üülm G̱oot closed their 10-week experience with a traditional cold water cleanse in Kitsumkalum Lake. This was lead by Sigidum hanank’ X’aam’aal’ niiy’ bagwit - Sherry McDames, Apwatk Gita Goot* - Susan Clayton, Litaalaxdau Gibaau - Sharon Bryant and Dm Syl Haaytk Gibaau - Emily Bryant and co-organized by Britt McDougall.
Algyaga K’üülm Goot means ‘to speak from one heart’
Youth Interests & Hobbies
In this new section, we explore noteworthy activities our youth are passionately engaged in. Activities that require time, effort, imagination and skills to achieve their vision!
In this edition we visit eleven-year-old Eric Roberts who lives in Kitsumkalum. His matrilineal line comes from Gitwangak, Gitxsan Nation. Eric has been a wrestling fan since a very early age. He has taken to handmaking action figure accessories and is learning to create stop-motion videos depicting wrestling matches. It was inspiring to sense Eric’s excitement in wanting to share his story with NIFCS Newsletter audience. There was absolutely no hesitation to interview!
In a time of much change in the world with Covid-19, Eric spent some of his time learning, creating and developing his interest in wrestling, action figures and videography. It was heartening to see a youth actively engaged in a creative endeavor and working to improve his skills. We hope you enjoy this video interview.
COMMUNITY GEMS
Gitxaala Men's Group Share Knowledge about Harvesting Medicine with Youth
The gathering was a collaboration of the community's Adult Drop-in program and Youth Services. This was an idea that the Men’s Group had come up with during one of their planning sessions. The Adult Drop-in program decided to welcome youth to join in and attend their sessions. It started off when the Adult Drop-in coordinator, Ursula Nelson, invited an Elder to share about traditional medicine. The elder shared stories about their life, and how medicine was harvested and utilized for the well-being of the community.
After the gathering with the elder, the group planned an outing to harvest some traditional medicine. We utilized three local boats to ferry eight individuals out to harvest Devil's Clubs (Wooms). We found a nice spot for a good harvest of this medicinal plant. The youth got to experience the entire process from harvesting to making the actual medicine. Not only did the youth, adults and workers enjoy the harvesting, the boat ride and outing was relaxing as well. Below are some pictures from our trip.
Elders sharing knowledge about Gitxaala Traditional medicine with local youth.
Departing from our dock in Gitxaala. We made sure that all those traveling had life jackets on!
We arrived at our destination and started our adventure to search for Devil's Club (Wooms)
The excitement from everyone, especially the youth when we found the Devil's Club. An important piece of knowledge shared by the Elder was to get the plant from an area where there is no contamination to the medicine. It is for this reason that we had to come out to this remote location to harvest.
As we started harvesting the Devil's Club, the Elder taught us the importance of giving thanks and how we should take only what we needed and not to over harvest. This will help preserve the growth for continued use of the medicine.
There were a couple options to remove the thorns. One is the modern way, utilizing a knife, and the other was the traditional method by using stones. The youth found using the stones to be more effective and well-suited for this purpose.
A cold-brewed Devil's Club medicine! We cleaned off the outer bark and left the inner bark which was then stripped to be used to make the medicine. The removal of the outer bark allows for a less bitter taste. Next, we hope to explore and practice additional methods of making medicine with the Devil's Club in the near future.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Family Fishing Derby in Lax Kw'alaams
Lax Kw’alaams Family Fishing derby was sponsored by NIFCS and organized by our Youth Empowerment Worker, Katherine Cooper, Debra Kelly from Brighter Futures and Jocelyn Morrison.
It was an amazing week of family fun, laughs and excitement! Sure, the prizes gave incentive to leave the house, but this week was about bonding and quality family time. So many parents were happy and expressed their appreciation for the event. We were thankful for the turn out and look forward to hosting another derby next year. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all who participated!
1st Place - Adults
First place for the adults is Ted White. Photos taken by his wife Naomi White. Ted's giant winning fish weighed in at 22.4 lb!
In Naomi’s words, “We just pulled up to Shawn to see how he was doing, and he told us he had just lost a big one, so Ted thought he would try one last spot before he called it a night…… Minutes later Ted caught a fish, I swear it’s the big one Shawn had just lost. I have never in my whole life seen a spring salmon as big as the one Ted had caught”
2nd Place - Adults
Shawn White came in second place with a 13 lb spring salmon. Shawn was very generous with each fish he caught. As Shawn continued to catch, he also continued to share his fish with family and friends and on Facebook. Picture taken by his wife Estella White
3rd Place - Adults
Traci Reece came in third place with a 12.8 lb spring salmon.
Traci also caught more than one and shared her fish with family. Picture with the prize was sent in by Traci. Picture with the fish taken by Katherine.
1st Place - Kids
First place for the children's category at the Lax Kw’Alaams Family Fishing Derby was won by Taylor Sankey with a 12.8 lbs Halibut. The prize was too big for her family’s little house, so Taylor plans on sharing her winnings with her little cousins.
2nd Place - Kids
Kaleb Sampson won the second prize with a 11.4lbs lingcod. Kaleb was very happy to win his rowboat. Pictures taken by his auntie Marcedies Spencer
Third Place - Kids
Huukusta White winning third place with an 8.13 lbs Spring. Huukusta was extremely happy with all the fish. She was so excited to eat it, she didn’t want to wait to weigh in. Pictures taken by Estella White
Participation Gifts
A very big thank you to GRD Construction LTD. for the $200 donation. This donation was broken down and presented to all children who came out to participate in the Lax Kw’alaams Family Fishing Derby. Here are just a few of the pictures of the happy children with their cash prizes!
NIFCS Staff Spotlight
Emily Wilson
Please introduce yourself, traditional or non, you pick:
Hello, my name is Emily Wilson and I am currently a Generalist Social worker here at Northwest Inter Nation Family and Community Services Society in the Prince Rupert NIFCS office. I am of Nisga’a and Tsimshian descent. In my younger years, I was not exposed much to my cultural roots but when I started working for NIFCS, I’ve learned so much and am still learning.
What is your role at NIFCS?
When I first started with NIFCS on October 1st, 2007, I was a Roots worker. I worked with families to put together their family genealogy and connect children with their biological families. From there, I became a Guardianship Social Worker and then transitioned into a Generalist Social worker when NIFCS received full child protection delegation in November 2017.
What was your very first job (In general)?
One of my first jobs was babysitting.
Describe how and when you came to NIFCS?
A friend of mine had seen the job posting and forwarded to me the information and I immediately applied. I went through the process and was hired shortly after applying. I started with NIFCS on October 1st, 2007 and will continue to try my best to help children and families.
What is your favorite Dinosaur?
I don’t have a favorite dinosaur.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
I would say that my biggest pet peeve is having to repeat myself.
Most memorable moment from 2020?
I can’t think of anything at this time.
What is your favorite chocolate bar?
I have a couple of favorite chocolate bars which include Twix, Caramilk and Turtles.
Do you have a favorite song?
Country music in general is my preference of music. I have many favorite songs that I can not just chose one.
If you had an extra $200 to spend on anything, what would you buy?
I would probably buy minky blankets off the internet. It’s been my past time since COVID 19 pandemic started.
Do you have any words of wisdom to offer youth who may be considering your profession?
I have been telling the youth that education is very important and to stay in school. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Believe in yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to.
Are you a cat, dog, or bird person?
I would say that I am a bird person. Plus my crest is an eagle.
If you could pick your birthday dinner, what would you chose?
I would say a steak cooked well done with a twice baked potato, carrots and a lemon meringue pie for dessert.
Tricia Ferguson
Please introduce yourself, traditional or non, you pick.
My name is "Kuulat". My English name is Tricia Ferguson. I am Haida from the Kyaanuuslii Ravens. My late nonnie was Mae Toms, and my late chinnie was Phillip Parnell.
What is your role at NIFCS?
Team Leader for Terrace.
What was your very first job (In general)?
Home maker. I cleaned elder homes.
Describe how and when you came to NIFCS?
I saw a job posting and one of my friends told me about NIFCS. I applied for the job as a Team Leader and I turned out to be a successful candidate. I started here in May 2017
What is your favorite Dinosaur?
Tyrannosaurus Rex!
What is your biggest pet peeve?
I don't think I have one.
Most memorable moment from 2020?
Being pregnant with my twins!
What is your favorite chocolate bar?
Coffee Crisp!
Do you have a favorite song?
Dancing in the sky by Dani and Lizzy.
If you had an extra $200 to spend on anything, what would you buy?
Baby clothes as I have twins and can't stop shopping for them!
Do you have any words of wisdom to offer youth who may be considering your profession?
Have compassion and believe that people can change even if they don't believe it. Also, you have to believe that our families have the answers on how to support their family member in crisis.
Are you a cat, dog, or bird person?
None of the above.
If you could pick your birthday dinner, what would you chose?
Steak, mashed potato from Mr. Mikes!
