Welcome to another issue of Hagwil Yaan!
Welcome back to Hagwil Yaan! If this is your first time here, volume three of this student newsletter has a new name which means "walk softly; walk slowly" in Sm'algyax! We use this name as we understand that returning to life after the pandemic can still require caution and awareness.
In each issue, we focus on an Indigenous language in our region. This month we are happy to feature the beautiful language of the x̄á’isla (Haisla) people. We are in the beginning of Spring! A period of rebirth and new beginnings. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings and enjoy your new semester. You are one step closer to your goal!
We welcome all of the new students to Coast Mountain College! We encourage you to please check out our Indigenous Handbook listed below for it has a wealth of valuable student information that will provide you with all the information you may need here at CMTN! We wish you well in your studies as you begin the Spring/Summer session. Please feel free to reach out to us at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca if you need support with personal, financial or academic issues. We are here to help you every step of the way! Thank you.
Enjoy, take care and stay safe!
'Connection is Indigenous' Indigenous Student Handbook
New or returning students can check this out for supports and resources to utilize while attending courses at CMTN! The First Nations Access Coordinators are here for you. Reach out anytime to FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca.
Online version can be viewed here on the website or by scanning this QR code.
Highlights of Recent Events
Ǧiáxsix̌a h̓ákq̓álṃ́ h̓ágva (Thank you everyone)! Many thanks to the nuáqḷa (Elders) and Knowledge holders who attended and shared words of wisdom and hope for our annual K'oomak'askwgum Lil̓git (wishful/hopeful) student feast! Sharing food is just another way to stay connected; it is also believed that by eating when you are in the feast hall, you are digesting the knowledge that is shared as well! The First Nations Access Coordinators are very grateful for the community support and being able to provide such an incredible learning opportunity for our CMTN Students, Staff & Faculty.
Walk for Wellness - Step Challenge
We have reached the end of our virtual journey together from the Prince Rupert campus to the Smithers Campus, which is about 348 kms! Step challengers submitted their steps each week, with some who had already passed the goal with ease! Great job taking those steps towards your health. Collectively, we walked enough steps to reach Winnipeg, Manitoba! That is over 648 hours of walking. Great job everyone! Keep taking steps for your health however you can.
Harvest Spotlight
During the month of hi̓ṇ́x̌sṃ (May), the gúkʷelut (Haisla) people harvest, gathering the following traditional food:
- qabis spring salmon
- k̓inax° crabs
- m̓u’mu̓ḡ°zu halibut
- dlax̄dala gray cod
- nulhm ling cod
- t̓ha’x̄°n red cod
- Ha da ni black cod
- ḡi’sdm cow parsnip (wild celery)
- q̓°a’lhm thimble berry shoot
- p’sila cedar
How does your community use these monthly harvests? If you are harvesting, please be sure to harvest with a good heart and take only what you need. Please seek permission to harvest on lands that belong to different communities and/or clans. As always, give thanks to the land for providing yet another delicious c̓u̓í (gift)!
Upcoming Events
The ‘Xbisuunt Dancers Practice
- Date: Every Monday, Restarting in June
- Time: 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
- Where: Waap Galts'ap (Longhouse)
Join the 'Xbisuunt Dancers group from the Ts'msyen Nation at Waap Galts'ap on Monday evenings for singing, drumming, and tea.
The group is out harvesting seaweed during hi̓ṇ́x̌sṃ (May)! They will be back at practice starting in June.
For more information call Jill at 250.635.6511 Ext. 5222 or email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca.
Gitlaxdax Sayt Kilim Goothl Nisga'a Dancers Practice
- Date: Thursdays
- Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Waap Galts'ap Longhouse
Join the Gitlaxdax Sayt Kilim Goothl Nisga'a Dancers from the Nisga'a Nation at Waap Galts'ap on Thursday evenings for singing, drumming, and tea.
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.
Moosehide Campaign Day
- Date: May 16, 2024
- Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
What is Moosehide Campaign Day?
Moosehide Campaign Day is a day for connecting, learning and sharing, where you can hear from speakers, share experiences and join workshops. Join Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians from across Canada to support reconciliation and help end violence against women and children.
Livestream the event or partake in the fasting ceremony from sunrise to sunset in our #FastToEndViolence. You can also register directly through their website.
Supporters are encouraged to wear and share the moose hide pins on the day and every day! Resource Tables will be available during the week on each campus to grab some information and a moosehide pin or make your own pin!
- Facebook: @moosehidecampaign.ca
- Instagram: @moose_hide_campaign
- X: @Moose_Hide
Visits with Babá’u
It is truly special time to spend with your Babá’u (grandfather). He would say yawc̓ (hello) and invite you in to visit. Ask sas w̓ela? (how are you?). ’Aqaˈs la gada (call you over) to k̓°aˈ’ilh (sit down) to tell you to qaqawat̓áa (listen attentively) to his stories of ḡiála (long time ago). Make sure you take it all in and remember everything he shares with you. One day, you will look back and be glad you did!
- yawc̓ hello
- sas w̓ela? how are you?
- ’aqaˈs la gada come over here
- k̓°aˈ’ilh sit down
- qaqawat̓áa listen attentively
- ḡiála: long time ago
Try surprising Babá’u by learning this lin (Love song) and singing it to him!
Lyrics:
- yeqsú gizuáenc (you are my sun)
- yeqsú gizuáenc (you are my sun)
- yeqsú n̓áḡʷac̓ienc (you are my moonlight)
- yeqsú n̓áḡʷac̓ienc (you are my moonlight)
- ɫaw̓ináinuxʷnugʷus (I love you)
- ɫaw̓ináinuxʷnugʷus (I love you)
- ɫaw̓ináinuxʷnugʷus (I love you)
- ɫaw̓ináinuxʷnugʷus (I love you)
- yeqsú gúxʷdemaenc (you are my world)
- yeqsú gúxʷdemaenc (you are my world)
- yeqsú wásemenc (you are my heart)
- yeqsú wásemenc (you are my heart)
- ɫaw̓ináinuxʷnugʷus (I love you)
- ɫaw̓ináinuxʷnugʷus (I love you)
- ɫaw̓ináinuxʷnugʷus (I love you)
- ɫaw̓ináinuxʷnugʷus (I love you)
Cooking with Mama’u
Stinging Nettle Tea
Dúxva (Stinging nettle) is used to treat muscle and joint pain, eczema, arthritis, gout, anemia, inflammation, prostate symptoms, and high blood pressure. It also contains vitamins like: A, C, and K as well as several B vitamins! Dúxva also carries great minerals like: calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.
Dúxva are best when very tender, so pick in the wiágiwa (spring) when the nettles are just coming up or later in the season. Pick the young leaves from the tips. Use rubber gloves or pinch the leaves hard, so you don't get stung. Lay out to síqa (to sun dry).
To make dí (tea):
- Add leaves to water;
- Bring to boil and then turn off stove.
- Let the leaves steep for FIVE minutes.
- Sweeten if you like! We like to use local honey.
Start with one cup a day. Please see a doctor before using to see if there are any interactions with western medicine.
Your weekly meme!
Indigenous Reads
Remarkable and profound collection of reflections by one of North America’s most important Indigenous leaders.
"My name is Wa’xaid, given to me by my people. ‘Wa’ is ‘the river’, ‘Xaid’ is ‘good’ – good river. Sometimes the river is not good. I am a Xenaksiala, I am from the Killer Whale Clan. I would like to walk with you in Xenaksiala lands. Where I will take you is the place of my birth. They call it the Kitlope. It is called Xesdu’wäxw (Huschduwaschdu) for ‘blue, milky, glacial water’. Our destination is what I would like to talk about, and a boat – I call it my magic canoe. It is a magical canoe because there is room for everyone who wants to come into it to paddle together. The currents against it are very strong but I believe we can reach that destination and this is the reason for our survival. "―Cecil Paul
Told in Cecil Paul’s singular, vernacular voice, Stories from the Magic Canoe spans a lifetime of experience, suffering and survival. This beautifully produced volume is in Cecil’s own words, as told to Briony Penn and other friends, and has been meticulously transcribed. Along with Penn’s forthcoming biography of Cecil Paul, Following the Good River (Fall 2019), Stories from the Magic Canoe provides a valuable documented history of a generation that continues to deal with the impacts of brutal colonization and environmental change at the hands of politicians, industrialists and those who willingly ignore the power of ancestral lands and traditional knowledge.
*NOTE: gélw̓a is how you say canoe and gélw̓agila means make a canoe in x̄á’isla.
This wonderful book is available to borrow physically or as an e-book with your student ID from the CMTN Library!
Indigenous Media
Northwest Coast Indian Canoe legacy - Time Lapse of building a dugout canoe with Duane Pasco. The video is created by JayHawk Institute which is a nonprofit institute founded by Duane and his wife Betty to share their love and knowledge of Northwest Native Art and History. Duane was a major influence in the re-emergence of northwest style native art as an artist and instructor. This video gives you a quick view of what is involved in carving a Northwest Coast Indian Canoe.
COVID-19 and Wellness: Golden Rules on Campus
- If you're sick, stay home and get tested
- Masks as of March 14, 2022 are now optional in all indoor public spaces at CMTN.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly; Use hand sanitizer when it's available
- Cover your face when you cough or sneeze
- As restrictions lift for space limitations, it is important to acknowledge that some are still practising careful social contact. Please be considerate.
Student Support
Coast Mountain Students' Union
Golnoosh Namazi, 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 CMSU at:
CMSU Health & Dental Plan
Attention new students who are just starting your program! Please be aware of the CMSU Health & Dental Plan that you are auto-enrolled into when you register for six or more unit courses in a semester.
This is a $275 annual fee that students can choose to opt-out of if you already have coverage. The cost is subject to change.
Opt out link can be found here: https://cmsu.studenthealthbc.ca/LearnOptout
You have 30 days to opt-out from your program start. Connect with organiser@mycmsu.ca for more details or contact a FNAC at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca to assist you with opting out.
Learner Services
Peer Tutoring
Will continue in the Fall semester! Please see below on how to access support during the Spring/Summer sessions.
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.
Need tutoring? Check out TUTORME! A new, on-demand virtual service with access to over 1000+ tutors in 300+ subjects. Writing support is available as well. All CMTN students can access this service for two hours a week for free!
To contact the Learner Support Team & Accessibility Services for appointments, email LAS@coastmountaincollege.ca. If you are a student in Terrace, feel free to use this LINK.
Advising Help?
Make an appointment with one of our Education Advisors here to book appointment.
Financial Aid
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 HERE!
Be sure to apply for any of the Awards, Bursaries, & Scholarships 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 this great opportunity!
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!
Student Engagement Activities:
If you have any event or activity ideas, please share with the SEO at your campus:
- Smithers Campus: Praveen (praveen@coastmountaincollege.ca)
- Terrace Campus: Madison Greening (mgreening@coastmountaincollege.ca)
- Prince Rupert Campus: Karen Buchanan (KBuchanan@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.
Need support right now?
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: