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 happy to feature the beautiful Gitxsanimx̱ language of the Gitxsan Nation. Time has gone by so fast, we are already in the month of Lasa Gwineeḵxw (November). Ama ḵ'oo'max̱sxwhl hlag̱ooḵsi'm (best wishes to you all going forward)!
Check out below the CMTN Student Success Checklist. If you answered no to any of them, please don't hesitate to reach out to us as soon as possible. We are here to provide you with support if you need our assistance with personal, financial, or academic issues. We can be reached by email at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca
Enjoy, take care, and stay connected!
Meet the FNACs
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 is part-time. Their office is on the first floor of Waap G̱alts'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 at 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.
Highlight from Past Events
Harvesting Devil's Club & Making Wooms Salve
Beaded Poppy Pin Workshop
Chat with a FNAC Drop-In
Drop in to hear about "Taking Care of You & Local Resources". It is so important to take care of yourself. Learn about the many resources available for you in each campus area.
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Location: Drop by any FNAC office or join via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/92825512316
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Please feel free to drop by for a visit, we would love to meet you. Enjoy some tea and a snack. Please connect with the FNACs at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca for more information.
Cricut-OPIA - Indigenize Your Coast Mountain Swag
Dates: November 12, 19, & 26, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 p.m. each day
Locations:
- Waap Galts'ap Community Building (Longhouse)
- Wil Lu Sagaytwan Gathering Space (Prince Rupert Campus) dates will have sessions on November 4, 18, & 25, 2025 . Start at 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Classroom 4 (Hazelton Campus)
- Gathering Space (Smithers Campus)
Please join FNACs to create a shirt with a design of your choice. Limited spots available. Register by email at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca
Food Thursdays
Come enjoy some food with the FNACs! Take your lunch break over in the FNAC spaces and enjoy a meal that will also feed your soul.
November 20, 2025
12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Locations:
- Terrace - Waap G̱alts'ap
- Prince Rupert - Wil Lu Sagaytwan
- Smithers - Gathering Space
- Hazelton: Classroom 4 (Hazelton will have their food at 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.)
Please note that food served will not be announced ahead of the dates, may be different each date, and may not meet all individual dietary needs or restrictions. For more information, email our team.
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 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 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.
Other Events
What would Ye' (Grandfather) say?
warm and chilly terms
Hloxsa (11) sa'nax̱ (November - the month to set the traps)
g̱agimks (crunchy -sounding snow)
Sa'oohlxw (cut firewood)
Luu hlu'adihl lekw ts'im sduub, dim g̱ant'e'ldim gyemkt. luu hlu'adihl lekw ts'im sduub, dim g̱ant'e'ldim gyemkt (put some wood in the stove, so it will heat up quickly)
Saḵ gyelḵ, je lusipxw 'niin (it's cold outside, dress warm)
Gwide'tsim ensuuxw (woolen sweater)
g̱aydim se'k (toque - warm, stretchy winter hat)
x̱wtse'yim gwide'ts (a thick coat - a winter coat)
K'aa sgwaa'itxwin (you rest for a while)
Gina woḵ 'nit (she/he slept in)
Laalaxs (bath, bathe)
Litsxwi'm (we read)
Luu am'amhl g̱ag̱oodi'm (we are happy, our hearts are happy)
Luu gyemgim g̱oot (warm in the heart, feels good)
Eats with Ts'iits’ (Grandmother)
Gitxsan Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
Celebratory gatherings, li'ligit, are held regularly for births, deaths, naming ceremonies and totem pole raisings. Feasts of traditional food as well as gift exchanges were a huge part of these celebrations. Women would bring preserves to the celebration and all preserves were mixed together and served. The left over fruit salad is divided amongst the familes and sent home to enjoy.
Wild berries in this recipe refers to a mix of strawberries, raspberries, haskaps, blackberries, saskatoon and blueberries.
Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups apple and pear preserves
- 1 150ml can of applesauce
- 2 cups wild berries
- 1/2 cup orange sections
- garnish with whipped cream
Directions
Mix all fruit together. Garnish with whipped cream.
Thanks to Gardening at USask for this recipe!
Your monthly meme!
Indigenous Reads
Mapping My Way Home, by Neil J. Sterritt
"Mapping My Way Home, winner of the 2017 Roderick Haig-Brown regional book prize, traces the journeys of the European explorers and adventurers who came to take advantage of the opportunities that converged at the junction of the Skeena and Bulkley rivers. The author, Gitxsan leader Neil Sterritt, also shares the stories of his people, stories both ancient and recent, to illustrate their resilience when faced with the challenges the newcomers brought." - Creekstone Press. Available locally and online.
Indigenous in the Media
My Heart is Happy, I Love You - a Gitxsan Song
Hamiyaa to Pamela "Tsagogaak" Torres for sharing this beautiful traditional Gitxsan song.
Online Indigenous Events
UBC has a free learning circle for Indigenous youth. November 4th, 2025 – Indigenous Youth Access of Support for Mental Health and Wellness with Dr. Melanie Nelson and Adam Williams-Fakhari. Register link.
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.
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 CMTN awards, bursaries, and scholarships by February 15, 2026 to be considered for an award for the Winter semester. New applications are now only accepted online at https://coastmountaincollege.awardspring.ca/. Contact the FNACs if you would like to know more, or if you need assistance completing your 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:
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."