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Hagwil Yaan

Student Newsletter | May 2026

Welcome to another issue of Hagwil Yaan!

Welcome back to another Hagwil Yaan issue! If this is your first time here, Hagwil Yaan 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 Gitxsanimx̱ language of the Gitx̱san Nation. Am k'i'y dim ga'an (focus, focus on one thing). Students, you are in the home stretch, keep on going. Ama ḵ'oo'max̱sxwhl hlag̱ooḵsi'm (best wishes to you all going forward)!

Enjoy, take care, and stay connected!

Meet the FNACs

Top Left to Bottom Right- Katie Humphrey (Smithers Campus), Veronica Waechter (Terrace Campus), Laura Blumhagen (Terrace Campus), Jillian Swank (Terrace Campus), Kellie Nyce (Hazelton Campus) & Sharon Oskey (Prince Rupert Campus)

April Highlights

K'oomak'askwgum Lil̓git (Wishful/Hopeful Feast)

On April 8 FNACs hosted the K'oomak'askwgum Lil̓git (Wishful/Hopeful Feast) in Waap Galts'ap. The Head Table gave speeches, we all shared feast soup made by Gitlax̱dax Sayt-K'il̓im G̱oothl Nisg̱a'a Dancers, and participants received gift bags prepared by FNACs. Thank you to all who were in attendance.

Upcoming Events

Moose Hide Campaign Day

  • Date: May 14, 2026
  • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00pm
  • Where: Cedar Cafe (Terrace campus)

Visit one of the pop-up kiosks around campus to learn about the Moose Hide Campaign.

Email FNAC@coastmountaincolleg.ca for more information, or visit www.moosehidecampaign.ca.

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. Apply to graduate at Coast Mountain College

Please note that the dates for Prince Rupert and Terrace convocations have changed.

  • Terrace: June 4th
  • Smithers: June 5th
  • Prince Rupert: June 2nd

Gitlax̱dax Sayt-K'il̓im G̱oothl Nisg̱a'a Practice

  • Date: Every Friday
  • 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 Friday 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.

FNAC Support Programs & Initiatives

What Would Niyaa Say?

Amg̱oodin 'nii'yaa? Do you remember me? Amg̱oogit 'niin You are beautiful. Dasim wansi'm Settle down, sit quietly (you all)! Dim siwilaaksini'yhl 'wahlin algax̱ I will learn the old language Dax̱gathl bahasxw The wind is strong Dim luuyuhusi'mhl sise'ehl g̱aniye'etxwsi'm Follow the footsteps of your grandfathers Please check out First Voices to learn more Gitxsanimx̱ phrases and words. Phrases | Gitsenimx | FirstVoices or Phrases | Gigeenix Gitxsanimx̱ | FirstVoices

Eat With Ts'iits

Gitxan Fry Bread

Ingredients

  • 6 cups flour
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups lukewarm water
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp yeast
  • 1 egg
  • 2 more cups lukewarm water

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, salt)
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk wet ingredients together (2 cups water, oil, yeast, egg)
  3. Pour and mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients
  4. Add 2 more cups of lukewarm water
  5. Add a bit more flour, mix with your hands, squeeze, add more flour, mix until its a sticky dough
  6. Flour a work surface, take the dough out of the bowl and lightly knead it for one minute.
  7. Lightly oil a clean bowl, place dough in the bowl
  8. Cover bowl with a towel and let it rise for 30 minutes
  9. Adjust the thickness of the dough for your use. For instance, when making tacos, start with a very thin dough (less than 1/4 inch).
  10. Press a deep indentation into the center to prevent it from turning into a ball.
  11. The bread must immediately begin to fry and gradually turn golden. The correct temperature is perhaps the most important point of the entire process. If the oil is too hot, the food will cook very quickly on the outside and the inside will remain uncooked.
  12. Careful not to overcrowd the pan when placing the dough into the oil.
  13. Flip the bread when the bottom gets golden.
  14. Cool the fry bread in a basket and let the grease drop from the bread (don't forget to get paper towels!)

Ha'miyaa to Fry Bread Recipe for sharing their fry bread processes through a nice video.

Your monthly meme!

Indigenous Reads

Returning the Feathers: Five Gitxsan Stories by M. Jane Smith and Ken N. Mowatt
We witness the struggles of the first Gitxsan. We discover the dark origins of the noisy jay. We applaud the cleverness of Youngest Son as he tricks the Long-Nosed Monster. Porcupine's crankiness makes us laugh in disbelief. And we see how legends are born when Smith turns the visit of an egret to her smokehouse into a luminous journey of transformation.

Summary from Yukon Books. This book is available at the Terrace CMTN Library.

Indigenous in the Media

Kokum Scarves Bring Two Cultures Together

Link here. The link directs you to a very neat CBC clip showcasing a collaboration between a Ukrainian and Indigenous artist.

Student Support Contacts

Education Advisors Help with education planning, course selection, admission requirements, degree partnerships & pathways, transfer credits. advising@coastmountaincollege.ca Learning Assistance Specialists Help with Brightspace, assessments, study strategies, free student success workshops, tutoring, one-on-one support. las@coastmountaincollege.ca Accessibility Coordinators Arrange individual accommodations and support, exam and classroom modification, physical accessibility, Here2Talk. ksinkewics@coastmountaincollege.ca First Nations Access Coordinators Cultural events & workshops, education & personal support, application support, community resources & referrals. fnac@coastmountaincollege.ca Financial Aid CMTN awards, bursaries, & scholarships, emergency financial aid, adult upgrading grant, student loans, budgeting. financialaid@coastmountaincollege.ca (250) 635-6511 Ext. 5204 Coast Mountain Students' Union Support students with events, services, and advocacy. Help you to understand your rights as a student, navigating through school procedures and policies, & engaging in campus life. outreach@mycmsu.ca Student Wellness Counsellor Available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and half-day Fridays. In-person or virtually. mentalhealth@coastmountaincollege.ca

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. 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!

On behalf of the First Nations Access Coordinators, we welcome you to reach out anytime!
Thank you for enjoying this issue of Hagwil yaan!

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:

FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca

@coastmountaincollege

#coastmountaincollege