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 Hlg̱aagilda X̱aayda Kil language of the Haida people!
Gasán uu dáng gíidang? (How are you?) Where did time go? September flew by and here we are in October! We hope you are settled in and doing well in your studies. Please check the CMTN Student Success Checklist below - let us know if you need support in any of the areas listed. 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. Damx̱an hla agan ḵing g̱uu. (Look after yourselves).
Enjoy, take care and stay safe!
Please note that FNAC Jill will have limited hours on campus for the next year. If you are in need of assistance and at the Terrace campus, please email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca to connect with another First Nations Access Coordinator. The email is monitored daily so one of the FNACs will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
Highlights of Past Events
Welcome Back Learning Feast
The Welcome Back Learning Feast on September 18, 2024 was a wonderful event. We have so many people to thank! Thank you to the wonderful Chiefs, Matriarchs and Elders who came to share their teachings, wisdom and knowledge on the feasting system of the Tsimshian nation. We thank the Prince Rupert faculty, staff and students for their support during the setup, doing food prep the day before and picking up supplies for the feast. Thank you to all the faculty andstaff who volunteered to serve our guests. We thank the cooks, Sherry Russ-Irvine, and Chris Try for the delicious seafood chowder, Karen Buchanan for the tasty vegetable soup and Sherry for eets'm anaay. Special thank you to our lil FNAC in training, Gracie! She helped fill fruit bags and set the tables! We give a big thank you to Sharon Oskey, FNAC, who organized the feast with so much care and detail. It was a huge success!
Upcoming Events
The ‘Xbisuunt Dancers Practice
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.
Date: Every Monday
Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Waap Galts'ap (Longhouse), Terrace Campus.
For more information call Jill at 250.635.6511 Ext. 5222 or email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca.
Gitlaxdax Sayt Kilim Goothl Nisga'a Dancers Practice
Join the Gitlaxdax Sayt Kilim Goothl Nisga'a Dancers from the Nisga'a Nation at Waap Galts'ap on Tuesday evenings for singing and drumming. Light snacks and tea/coffee available.
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Waap Galts'ap (Longhouse), Terrace Campus
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.
Sharing & Caring Breakfast Club
Date: Sept. 05, 2024 - Dec. 26, 2024
Time: Every Tuesday & Thursday - 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Prince Rupert Campus - Multi Purpose Room
Please join Sharon Oskey, FNAC and Karen Buchanan, SE0, for a light self-served breakfast in the multi-purpose room. You will have cereal, coffee, tea, pancakes, fruits, and more. Please bring you own dishes and utensils. Thank you.
Chat with a FNAC Drop In
- Date: October 10, 2024
- Location: Blended - drop by any FNACs office or via Zoom at FNAC Chat
- Time: 3 - 4 p.m.
Come join and meet the FNACs
Enjoy tea and a snack!
Please contact FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca for more information.
Evening with Earl Lambert
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Best Western Banquet Room, 4553 Greig Avenue, Terrace, B.C.
Please join us for a wonderful evening with Earl Lambert! He is a Cree-Dene motivational speaker, comedian, workshop facilitator, and hilarious parody singer! It is sure to be great fun evening! Light refreshments will be available.
For more information and to register, please email Ali McDougall at amcdougall@coastmountaincollege.ca.
Cedar Hat Weaving Workshop
Please join us for a special Cedar Hat Weaving Workshop with renowned artist Val Morgan! Cedar hat kits will be given to each participant.
When: Oct. 21 - 25, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. OR 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Online via Zoom link
Limited seats - sign up early! Priority will be given to registered CMTN students. Deadline to register has been extended to October 16, 2024. To register, email your student number, campus location and which session you would like to attend to FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca. Thank you.
Spooky Storytelling Session
October 30, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: On line via Zoom or drop by any of the campuses: Prince Rupert Campus -Wil Lu Sagaytwan Room; Terrace Campus - Waap Galts'ap (Longhouse); Hazelton Campus; Smithers Gathering Space.
Please join us with local Knowledge Keepers/ Elders to hear spooky stories and enjoy pumpkin carving!
Please register by email at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca. Each participant will receive a Halloween treat!
What would Chinaay/Chinga (Grandfather) say?
Here are some words of greeting that you may want to share with your Chinaay/Chinga when you visit him!
Haala ḵaats'ii. - Come enter, come in
ḵ'aw uu hla. - sit down
Dii guudang.ngaay 'laa ga, dan hll ḵings g̱aaganah. I am happy because I see you.
Damx̱an gwa dang g̱id? Are you well?
Gassing.uu gina ’waadluux̱an g̱iidang? How is everything?
Huu gina x̱an 'laa ga. Everything is fine/good.
Damx̱an hla agan ḵing. Look after yourself.
Want to learn more? Check out First Voices for a Hlg̱aagilda X̱aayda Kil dictionary along with many other languages! You can find words, phrases, stories, and songs.
Eats with Naang̱a' (Grandmother)
Haa’guu Jaam Halibut Soup
The following recipe serves 4-6 comfortably… or two hungry XaaydaGa Haidas.
INGREDIENTS:
750g Fresh Halibut
250g Half-Dried Halibut
1 Small Onion
2-3 Potatoes; Russet or Yukon Gold*
25g Seaweed
1.5L Water or Haida Gwaii Dashi
Salt; to taste
Rice; Long Grain, Basmati - or your favourite.
Oolican Oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cook rice as directed, set aside.
Dice onion, potatoes and dried halibut to the desired size.
Set aside the fresh halibut and seaweed. Add all remaining ingredients to a large stockpot.
Bring stockpot contents to a simmer, and let ride 10-12 minutes until potatoes are tender.
Add reserved fresh halibut, and simmer gently until just cooked through.
Crumple seaweed and add to the pot with a tablespoon of Oolican oil.
Dish up immediately - serve atop rice or with it alongside.
Please send pictures of your dish if you get a chance to try the recipe to FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca
Your weekly meme!
Indigenous in the Media
The Stand
Mixing animation with a wealth of archival footage, Chris Auchter’s film explores the 1985 dispute over clearcut logging on Haida Gwaii. On one side are Western Forest Products and Frank Beban Logging, who plan to engage in clearcut logging on Tllga Kun Gwaayaay (Lyell Island) and are supported by the BC government. On the other side is the Haida Nation, which wishes to protect its lands against further destruction. The confrontation involves court proceedings and a blockade, and Auchter takes us from canny retrospective commentary to the thick of the action.
Crucial to The Stand’s political aims is its depiction of simple human grace. The pride and passion of the Haida Nation representatives are foregrounded; especially stirring are spokesperson Miles Richardson, Jr. and the elders who are willing to be arrested for their actions. There is no harsh rhetoric (save for the bloviation of TV commentator Jack Webster, who strenuously supports the loggers); instead, the controversy is marked by a respect that does not at all undermine moral conviction.
Indigenous Reads
After the Raven (Yaahl) had finished creating the world, he realized that he was lonely. So he invited the whole world to join him in Haida Gwaii for the greatest feast you could ever imagine. At the end of the Feast each person, from all 4 sacred directions, was given a special gift that would change their lives forever!
Book Description
Every person is unique and has a special gift to share with the world. All you have to do is embrace it.
About the Author
Kung Jaadee (Roberta Kennedy) is a traditional Haida storyteller, singer and drummer from Haida Gwaii in Northern British Columbia. She teaches Xaad Kil/Haida language and culture five days a week. For more than 24 years, she has delighted audiences across Canada at festivals, schools, museums, aboriginal celebrations and conferences. Kung Jaadee loves singing her traditional Haida songs, drumming, laughing, baking and learning her language. Her name was presented to her at her great uncle's memorial feast by her cousin, Crystal Robinson, and means Moon Woman'.
Available at Amazon.ca. https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=ravens+feast&i=stripbooks&crid=31HTQ025KTZ1S&sprefix=ravens+feast%2Cstripbooks%2C134&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
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.
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.
The Opt out link can be found here: https://cmsu.studenthealthbc.ca/LearnOptout. Go to their Opt Out Here tab. 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 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!
First People's Days of Significance
October 1, 2024 - Tahltan Day
Keep up to date with important dates through the CMTN Website!
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 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: