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, Miso'o (June) we are happy to feature the language of the Nisga'a Nation. Enjoy this amaa-lax̱ha (good weather)! Hlaa gamgimks (The weather is warm now).
We would like you to know that we as First Nations Access Coordinators (FNACs), are here to provide you with support if you need our assistance with personal, financial or academic issues. Please feel free to reach out to us by email at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca
Enjoy, take care and stay safe!
We are very pleased to welcome Veronica Waechter and Lori Blumhagen as First Nations Access Coordinators at our Terrace Campus. They will be working with Jillian Swank (in Wednesdays only). Veronica is full-time and Lori will be part-time. Their office is on the first floor of Waap Galts'ap Community Building (Longhouse), room 109.
'Connection is Indigenous' Indigenous Student Handbook
We hope you do well with your studies and enjoy your time here CMTN. We created an Indigenous Student Handbook to provide you with information on 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.
Graduates of 2025
We wish to congratulate all of the graduates of 2025! We are incredibly proud of all that you have achieved. This graduation marks the end of one important chapter and the beginning of another. Your hard work, perseverance and dedication have brought you to this moment and you should be very proud of everything you have accomplished. We wish you the very best in your future endeavors. Here's to all the amazing things that lie ahead for you!
Lukwil aam dzabsm! Well done, everyone! Lukwil adziksa goodu wil ga̱lksa axłgn. So proud of you when you make it through. [Ts'msyen]
Lukw’il aam wil galksi akhlsim wil hagwil’ooksim ahl ganwilaakkiis. With your hard work you were able to complete your education. Aam k’oomakask niiy as nisim ahl aguhl dim wilsim. Best wishes to you all with what you choose to do. [Nisga'a]
Luu amamhl gagoodim wil hoogagam galxsi ahl aakhlwx sim. We are happy you have successfully graduated. [Gitxsan]
Tsiyiwh’ dzondiyh’ cudïliyh’ lhadinc’a. We are happy you finished school. Honzu ‘enc’a! Good job! [Witsuwit'en]
Highlights of Past Events
Drop in Block Printing
The 'Red Dress' wood blocks were made by Shawn Aster, Kitkatla artist.
CMTN community tried their hands at wood block printing, making their own t-shirt and adding to our collage.
It was part of welcoming Jaime Black-Morsette and Tears to Hope. This event was held on May 21 at Waap Galts'ap Community House (Longhouse) Terrace.
REDress Book Launch with Author Jaime Black-Morsette
The Tears to Hope Society collaborated with FNACs and Misty River Books to book launch REDress - Art, Action and the Power of Presence edited by Jaime Black-Morsette, a Métis artist and author on May 21, 2025 at the Waap Galts'ap Community (Longhouse) building at the Terrace Campus.
Indigenous Peoples' Day - June 21, 2025
What to do on Indigenous Peoples' Day
1. Learn a greeting in your traditional language! Share how to say it with a friend!
2. Make and enjoy a traditional dish!
3. Attend an Indigenous Peoples' Day event in your community!
4. Go for a walk and connect with nature. Be safe!
5. Have a picnic with family and friends!
6. Learn a traditional song & dance!
Send us a pic of you doing any of the suggested Indigenous Peoples' Day activities to FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca. We would love to see them. Have fun and enjoy your day! Thank you.
Devil's Club Gathering
Learn how to traditionally gather Devil's Club with Ross McRae, Fire Squirrel Chaser, a member of the Gitxsan Nation. He shares the traditional protocols to follow and the best time and way to gather devil's club. Part 1 & 2.
Devil's Club: Tlingit Traditions of Helen Watkins.
Learn how to prepare the Devil's club, and how to make the salve. Enjoy watching and learning from Helen. Thank you.
Beading & Bannock Workshop
CANCELLED due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused
Date: June 18, 2024
Location: Gathering Space, Smithers
For information, please 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
Chat with a FNAC Drop In
Do you want to talk about your education goals? Come chat with a FNAC to find out where to start.
Date: Thursday, July 10th, 2025
Location: Drop by any FNAC office or join via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/92825512316
Time: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Please feel free to drop by for a visit! We would love to meet you. Enjoy some tea and a snack. Please contact with the FNACs at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca for more information.
‘Xbisuunt Dancers Practice
- Date: Every Monday
- Time: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Waap Galts'ap (Longhouse), Terrace Campus.
Join the 'Xbisuunt Dancers group from the Ts'msyen Nation at Waap Galts'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 call Jill at 250.635.6511 Ext. 5222 or email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca.
Gitlax̱dax Sayt-K'il̓im G̱oothl Nisg̱a'a Practice
- Date: Every Tuesday
- Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Where: Waap Galts'ap (Longhouse), Terrace Campus
Join the Gitlax̱dax Sayt-K'il̓im G̱oothl Nisg̱a'a Dancers from the Nisga'a Nation at Waap Galts'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.
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 cook and enjoy on the weekends.
Connect with one of our FNAC Team members to gain access to this amazing project with your campus location (Prince Rupert, Terrace, Hazelton, or Smithers) FNAC@coastmountaincolleg.ca
What would Niye'e(Grandfather) say?
There will come a time when you will have to introduce yourself in your language at a gathering or a feast. Your Ni'ye'e would want you to learn how to and to stand proud of who you are and where you come from. Gilo ji ts'inx-t'aan, adigwil kw'ihl hukwsgwin. (Don’t sit back, attend, participate (in feasts, community functions and meetings, etc.) Here are sentences in Nisga'a to learn how to introduce yourself. Practice with your Ni'ye'e! Record him and listen to the recording everyday when you have a chance to.
Simgigat (Chiefs)
Sigidim Haanak’ (Matriarchs)
Kuba Wilksihlkw (Prince and Princesses)
Ganhl txaa n̓itkwahl k'ubatk'ihlkw (and all the children)
Ksg̱ooḵ ni dim t’ooyakshl Sim’oogit Laxha wilt gin̓amhl amaa sa tgum loom̓. (I thank our Creator for this day).
Luu'aamhl g̱oodiy̓ ni wil huxw g̱aks ga'an. (I am happy to finally see you again.)
(English Name) _____________hl way̓. (My English name is ________________.)
(Traditional name) _________ wam Nisga’iy. (My Nisga’a name is________________.)
Wilps ________________wil w̓itgwiy̓. (I come from the House of_______________.)
Ii ____________ wil jogay̓. (I live in ________________(town)
Eats with Ji'its (Grandmother)
Dm si łaada̱xłm ts'a̱'a̱x! Clam Fritters Recipe by Ida May Russ (nee Stewart)
Recipe and photo credits by Sharon Oskey, FNAC.
Ha'liwilgyisiyaask also means Dm si łaada̱xłm ts'a̱'a̱x (We're going to make clam fritters)! This recipe is straight from the late Ji'its Ida May Russ (nee Stewart)! This recipe is based on harvested/preserved sa’max (Butter clams). FNAC Sharon's No’o (mother) used two cups ts’a’ax (clams) & 1–1.5 cups aks (water) to preserve ts’a’ax (clams).
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen butter clams
- 1-1.5 cup clam juice
- 1 cup all purpose ksa'anaay flour
- 1/2 tsp. mo'on salt (optional)
- 1 large łgümat egg
- 1 small onyens onion (finely chopped)
- 1 stick p'iins celery (finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Fresh herbs or spices to taste (optional)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Directions:
Add cut clams, clam juice, egg, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil to a large mixing bowl. Add finely chopped vegetables and fresh herbs to liquid mixture. Combine flour, salt, baking powder & spices in a small bowl. Mix well. Then add dry ingredients to the clam mixture.
Cooking Option #1: Deepfry - If you have a deep fryer and deep fried makes you happy
Cooking Option #2: Panfry - Heat pan over medium-high heat and add approximately 1 tbsp oil. Drop 1/4 cup clam mixture and let cook for approximately 3 minutes on each side. If the batter spreads too thin, add a tbsp flour; if it's too thick, add a tsp water til it is the consistency of a thick pancake batter. Add oil to the pan as needed.
Note: It’s easier to cut a partially frozen block of clams than it is to cut them individually after they’re thawed. If you don’t have fresh or frozen clams, this recipe will work with store bought canned clams, but you will have to adjust the amounts of flour to clam juice to get the proper consistency.
Your monthly meme!
Indigenous Reads
Nisga'a People of the Nass River
by Alex Rose, Editor, Gary Fiegehen, Photographer, Nisg'a Tribal Council
Created under the direction of the Nisga’a Tribal Council, this extraordinary book portrays a rich and vibrant culture. An extended essay illustrated with archival photos sets the scene. Eighty full-colour images document everything from the oolichan harvest and the coming of winter to commemorating the raising of the first new totem pole of the century. Most importantly, this book records the determination, vitality, humour and implacable patience of a people who have never given up and have steadfastly refused to be assimilated.
The book is available in the CMTN library! Check it out today! Thank you.
Indigenous in the Media
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.
2025 Spring Session
Please be cognizant of the CMSU Health & Dental Plan that you are auto-enrolled into when you register for courses. This is a $285 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.
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 - https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/AdvisingAppointments@coastmountaincollege.ca/bookings/
Financial Aid
CMTN Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships!
Be sure to apply for any of the awards, bursaries, and scholarships when available to registered CMTN students. Contact the FNACs if you would like an application form or if you need assistance completing the application. Don't miss out on these great opportunities!
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, Allison Conway, 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: