Welcome to another issue of Hagwil Yaan!
Welcome back to another Hagwil Yaan issue! If this is your first time here, volume three of this student newsletter has the name: Hagwil Yaan which means "walk softly, walk slowly" in Sm'algyax!
In each issue, we focus on an Indigenous language in our region. This month, we are featuring the beautiful language of the Witsuwit'en Nation. It is C’olilh (Spring)!
Enjoy, take care, and stay connected!
Meet the FNACs
'Connection is Indigenous' Indigenous Student Handbook
Please check out our Indigenous Student Handbook. It will provide you with valuable information on student supports and resources available to you while attending classes at CMTN!
The online version can be viewed here on our website at https://issuu.com/coastmountaincollege/docs/indigenous-student-handbook_digital?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ. or with this QR code.
Highlight from Past Events
Our FNAC team, Sharon Oskey, Jillian Swank, Kasha Morris, Kellie Nyce, and Katie Humphrey were in Prince Rupert from Feb. 17 - 20, 2026 to set up an information booth at the Annual All Native Basketball tournament. It was great to see so many people from all across the northwest who came to cheer on their teams or play ball and/or visit friends and family. The calibre of basketball is outstanding and phenomenal. We congratulate the winning teams. Until next year ....
We would like to congratulate Ali McDougall on her new role as Director of Indigenization. She has been working with the Coast Mountain College for many years as the Indigenous Relations and Executive Adviser to the President. She has been working behind the scenes advancing indigenous initiatives, guiding CMTN with the reconciliation process, working closely with the First Nations Council to develop policy recommendations to increase student success rates in the northwest region, and to strengthen our community relations and provide workshops that bring indigenous awareness for our faculty, staff and learners. We are so lucky to have her leading our team.
Our First Nations Team would like to bid farewell to Kāshā Morris, who has been an invaluable part of our Indigenization team since 2020. The work she has done will have a huge impact on the employees, learners, and community here at Coast Mountain College. We enjoyed working with her and wish her well in the next chapter of her life. Kāshā, we will miss you very much and hope you keep in touch. In her own words, Kāshā has summed up her 27+ years of work at CMTN: My name is Kāshā (Julie Morris), and after many years of supporting teaching, learning, and Reconciliation at Coast Mountain College, I am stepping into retirement. Since joining the Indigenization Department in 2020, I have walked alongside faculty and staff as we worked to weave Indigenous Ancestral Knowledge into curriculum and pedagogy with care, courage, and relational integrity. During my time at CMTN, I am grateful to have created resources such as Following the Salmon: A Guide for Indigenizing Learning and Braiding Pathways Through Relational Practice: Engaging Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Curriculum and Program Transformation, along with the Brightspace course Braiding Pathways Through Self Awareness: Uncovering Truths, Deepening Awareness, and Engaging in Reconciliation. I also developed the Indigenization Hub (First Peoples Information and Resources), the monthly Top Harvest reflections, and gatherings like ChatReconciliACTION and Tea Time with Auntie Big Foot and Friends. These offerings became places for story, connection, and gentle truth telling, and I am thankful for everyone who joined me in them. Before my work in the Indigenization Department, I spent more than two decades teaching in Career and College Preparation. The learners I met during those years shaped me in many ways, and I continue to carry their stories, humour, and resilience with me. As a proud Tahltan and Gitxsan woman and an Indigenous Scholar on Education Council, I have tried to honour community, land, and responsibility in every learning space I touched. The Five R’s—respect, reciprocity, relevance, relationships, and responsibility—guided my work and continue to guide me. As I move into my next chapter, my heart is full of gratitude for the colleagues, learners, Elders, and communities who walked with me. The work we shared together will continue to ripple through the College, and I will hold these relationships and teachings close as I begin this new season of life. ‘Soga edēnt’īn! Kāshā
Upcoming Events
Cedar Headband Weaving Workshop
Date: March 3, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
Locations:
- Terrace - Waap Galts'ap
- Smithers - Gathering Space
- Prince Rupert - Wil Lu Sagaytwan
- Hazelton - Classroom 2
Registration required as limited kits are available per campus To sign up, or for more information, email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca
Lunch with FNACs & Elders Social
March 12, 2026 Prince Rupert Campus - Wil Lu Sagaytwan Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
March 12, 2026 Hazelton Campus - Classroom 2 Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
March 19, 2026 Terrace Campus - Waap Galts'ap Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
March 26, 2026 Smithers Campus - Gathering Space Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Come and join us for lunch and share a meal with our wonderful Elders. We hope you can join us.
Material Workshop
Date: March 10, 24 & 31, 2026 Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Prince Rupert starts at 12 p.m.) Where: Terrace Campus - Waap G̱alts'ap (Longhouse) Smithers Campus - Gathering Space Prince Rupert Campus - Wil Lu Sagaytwan Hazelton Campus - Classroom 1
Come and join us to make a traditional vest. All materials will be provided. Register by email at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca
K'oomak'askwgum Lilgit (Wishful/Hopeful Feast)
Date: April 8, 2026
Time: 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Where: Waap Galts'ap Longhouse, Terrace Campus
We hope you will join us to celebrate the end of another academic year in a good way! At this feast, we will also hear from local elders and knowledge holders about Northwest Feasting systems. Feast soup and bannock will be served. If you would like more information, please email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca.
Weekend Warrior Program
Did you know as a registered CMTN student you can access our Weekend Warrior backpack program?
The FNAC team has non-perishable food items that students can take home with provided backpacks.
Just make sure to bring the backpack back to be refilled twice a month.
Connect with one of our FNAC team members to gain access to this amazing project.
Email FNAC@coastmountaincolleg.ca with your campus location to sign up!
‘Xbisuunt Dancers Practice
- Date: Every Monday
- Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Waap G̱alts'ap (Longhouse), Terrace Campus.
Join the 'Xbisuunt Dancers group from the Ts'msyen Nation at Waap G̱alts'ap on Monday evenings for singing and drumming. Light snacks and tea/coffee available.
Practices are not held during final exams and statutory holidays.
For more information email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca.
Gitlax̱dax Sayt-K'il̓im G̱oothl Nisg̱a'a Practice
- Date: Every Wednesday
- Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Where: Waap G̱alts'ap (Longhouse), Terrace Campus
Join the Gitlax̱dax Sayt-K'il̓im G̱oothl Nisg̱a'a Dancers from the Nisga'a Nation at Waap G̱alts'ap on Tuesday evenings for singing and drumming. Light snacks and tea/coffee available.
Practices are not held during final exams and statutory holidays.
For more information call Jill at 250.635.6511 Ext. 5222 or email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca.
Bee Kind Initiative
Have you noticed someone Bee'ng Kind at CMTN?
Student, Staff or Faculty? We want to hear about it!
Connect with our team so the person can 'bee' acknowledged for promoting a positive atmosphere on our campuses.
Email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca to let us know about lateral kindness on campus!
Bee artwork by Frances Campbell, Gitxsan artist and Freda Diesing alumna.
Community Events
Drop-In Spin Classes
A spin class, also known as a spinning class, involves joining a group of people, jumping on a stationary bike, and cycling indoors.
Mondays | 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Terrace Campus, Fitness Center
No sign-up needed - just show up ready to ride! Free for CMTN students and employees.
What would Tsets yu (Grandfather) say?
Hadï So’endzin - Hello. How are you? Hadi"h Helen so’endzinlic? Hello Helen, how are you? Anïh. Come here Ndu ’elh’ah? What are you doing? Nts’ë tah tëzïnye? Where are you going? Nk’ësiy’! I love you! Nenyust’en’. I will see you again. Nents’iyut’en’. We''ll see you again.
Go to First Voices to find more words, phrases and stories of the Witsuwit'en Language. Search | Witsuwit’en | FirstVoices
Eats with Tso' (Grandmother)
Moose Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground moose
- ½ cup day-old frybread (diced and soaked in water for 10 min)
- 1 onion (minced)
- 5 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 Tbsp dried parsley
- 1 egg, salt & pepper
Method:
- Mix all ingredients together by hand.
- Form into bite-sized balls.
- Cover with a damp cloth and let them rest in the fridge for several hours.
- Sauté in 3 tbsp of olive oil until cooked.
- Serve with wild rice
Misiyh to Thunderbird Partnership Foundation for sharing this delicious recipe!
Your monthly meme!
Indigenous Reads
A mother bear shares with her cubs how to be grateful for all they have in the natural world. The Bear's Medicine shows the interconnectedness of all things in the world they live in and how each season brings changes and blessings for the bears. It is a story of a mother's love for her children as she teaches them how to survive. Clayton Gauthier has apprenticed under the artist Peter George, a Wet'suwet'en master carver. He has also completed murals and carvings for the community of Prince George, British Columbia. Clayton works with youth in the school district and in his home community to share art and storytelling. He is a multimedia artist whose skills include drawing, painting, carving, drum and rattle making, logos, mirror etching, tattoos, graphic art and murals. Sus Yoo / The Bear's Medicine : Gauthier, Clayton, Alexis, Danny, Austin, Theresa: Amazon.ca: Books
Indigenous in the Media
Misiyh (thanks) to Trevor Jang for sharing his Witsuwit'en cultural knowledge through this video.
Student Support
Coast Mountain Students' Union
The CMSU organiser for the Coast Mountain Students’ Union, is here to support students with events, services, and advocacy. If you’re having trouble understanding your rights as a student, navigating through school procedures and policies, or engaging in campus life, then the Students’ Union is here to support you. Download the CMSU app for virtual community boards, services and support systems in your region.
To learn more about what the student union does, email the student union organiser at organiser@mycmsu.ca or the student union outreach worker at outreach@mycmsu.ca.
2026 Winter Semester Opt-Out Deadlines
Please be aware of the CMSU Health & Dental Plan that you are auto-enrolled into when you register for courses. This has a $295 annual fee that students can choose to opt-out of if you already have coverage. You have 30 days to opt-out from your program start. Connect with CMSU for more details.
Information on the CMSU Health & Dental Plan can be found here: https://cmsu.studenthealthbc.ca/Optout. Here is the link to the opt out form here. Please feel free to contact a FNAC if you need assistance with the form. Thank you.
Student Wellness Counsellor
New Student Wellness Counsellor available for CMTN Students
Available Tuesday, Wednesdays & half-day Fridays
Location Health and Wellness Centre in Waap Amgam
In person & virtually
for more information reach out to mentalhealth@coastmountaincollege.ca
Learner Services
LAS & Advising Help
Having a difficult time academically? We can connect you with the Learner Services Team to make sure you have even more tools to complete your studies successfully.
One on one Brightspace help - if navigating and using Brightspace is making your course more difficult to manage, let us help!
Our Learning Assistance Specialists (LAS) are available to walk you through the finer points of Brightspace so you can focus on your coursework.
To contact the Learner Support team & Accessibility Services, email them at las@coastmountaincollege.ca.
Education Advising
For Education Advising, to book an appointment, please call 1.877.277.2288 or email advising@coastmountaincollege.ca. Follow this link to book an appointment online -
Convocation 2026
If you are in your last term of study and about to graduate, you will have to apply to graduate and apply to attend convocation. Go to the Coast Mountain College website for more information. Apply to graduate at Coast Mountain College
Financial Aid
CMTN Awards, Bursaries & Scholarship
Next awards deadline is May 1, 2026
Coast Mountain College offers an emergency funding program available to eligible students experiencing unexpected financial hardship during the course of their studies at CMTN. Find more information about emergency financial assistance https://www.coastmountaincollege.ca/student-services/financial-aid/student-emergency-financial-assistance#:~:text=The%20Ministry%20of%20Post-Secondary%20Education%20and%20Future%20Skills%20provides%20grant!
Have any financial aid questions or would like to know more about general awards, bursaries, and scholarships? Please contact the Financial Aid Officer, Monica Barro, at 250.635.6511 ext. 5204 or by email at financialaid@coastmountaincollege.ca or visit the Financial Aid webpage!
Mental Health Check-in
Are you looking for support? Here at CMTN, we can help you explore and find what support works best for you. Follow this LINK to find resources like regional counsellors, mobile apps, and crisis lines.
Need Support right now?
Suicide Crises Helpline Call or text 9-8-8 for a safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If you are considering suicide, or are concerned about someone who may, please call!
Stay connected and check out our FNAC Facebook group to keep your finger on the pulse!
Have something you want to contribute for next month's issue?
If you have any feedback, story ideas or pictures to share, please contact us:
Credits:
Created with images by Africa Studio - "Tasty breakfast with fried eggs, pancakes and bacon on plate" • javiindy - "Couple in a spinning class wearing sportswear." • Berit Kessler - "Holding a head with a happy smiling face in the hands, mental health concept, positive thinking, support and evaluation"