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 Hlg̱aagilda X̱aayda Kil language of the Haida people! The Taanuud (Fall Season) is here! The weather is changing! The tree leaves are now so beautiful and brilliant in ḵ'al sguuna (orange), k'anhlg̱al (yellow) and sg̱id (red).
We hope you are all doing well in your studies and that you have everything you need to have a successful term. Please feel free to reach out to us as FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca if you need support with personal, financial or academic issues. We are here to help you every step of the way.
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
Student Orientation - September 1
Were you able to attend the student orientation on your campus this fall? The FNAC's hold a "Chat with FNAC's" session each month to touch base with students and provide support when needed. October 10 is the next session 3:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. We look forward to a new year with all of you!
Welcome Student Learning Feast - September 14
The Smithers CMTN Campus welcomed new and returning students, staff, community member, and faculty to the Learning Feast on September 14. An amazing amount of fish soup, bannock, and berries were shared amongst participants. We ate as we learned more about the Witsuwit'en people and their feasting culture.
Orange Shirt Day & National Day of Truth and Reconciliation September 30
Truth & Reconciliation activities with our CMTN little buddies and at the Dze l K'ant Friendship Centre in Smithers. The First Nations Access Coordinators have been busy organizing and attending various activities leading up to September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We hope you all took part in local community events and learned something new.
Traditional Grounding Exercises with Sandra Harris
Saiyt g̱oodintxwt (Harvest) Spotlight
As we welcome the colder fall weather in Ḵalga Ḵung (October), we see the harvesting transition into:
- Moose
- Taan Bear
- x̱aa x̱a Duck
- ḵuu/ts'ing Otter/Beaver
- x̱aayda x̱aaw Labrador Tea
- Ts'iihlinjaaw Devil's Club
- g̱aan Blueberries
- Mushrooms
- K'yuu/Taax̱aaw/Sgyaal Clams/Mussels/Cockles
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 gift!
Upcoming Events
The ‘Xbisuunt Dancers Practice
- Date: Every Monday
- Time: 6:00-8:00
- Where: Waap Galts'ap (Longhouse)
- Virtual: https://bluejeans.com/972155116/2431?src=calendarLink
Join the 'Xbisuunt Dancers group from the Ts'msyen Nation at Waap Galts'ap on Monday evenings for singing, drumming, and tea.
Practices are not held during exams and stat holidays.
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: Every Wednesday
- Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Waap Galts'ap Longhouse
- Virtual: https://bluejeans.com/577926132/3694
Join the Gitlaxdax Sayt Kilim Goothl Nisga'a Dancers from the Nisga'a Nation at Waap Galts'ap on Wednesday 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.
International Indigenous Film Extravaganza
Dates:
- Oct 5: Bones of Crows
- Oct 12: Beans
- Oct 19: The Last Waltz
- Oct 26: Prey
Time: 5:00p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Waap Galts’ap (Community Longhouse Building), Terrace Campus
Link to join online: https://bluejeans.com/295046022/4230
Join the FNAC's from the comfort of your home with our upcoming Indigenous Film Extravaganza. Every Thursday in October and open for everyone!
Limited supply of popcorn bags available. Please contact FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca if you have any questions.
Chat with the FNACs
- Date: October 10, 2023
- Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 P.M.
- Where: FNAC Campus Offices or via BlueJeans
Have questions or need support during your studies drop into these chat sessions to connect with your First Nations Access Coordinator (FNAC) team! Light refreshments will be available.
Questions or unable to make the session please email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca
The Sasquatch Chronicles
- Date: October 31, 2023
- Time: 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.
- Where: CMTN Terrace Library & via Bluejeans
Come join us for some spooky stories from local First Nations storytellers! Candy bags and light refreshments will be provided. Register by email at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca to receive your Halloween candy bag.
Moccasin Making Workshop
- Dates: Every Wednesday in November
- Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Where:
- Waap Galts'ap, Terrace Campus
- Wil luu sagaytwan, Prince Rupert Campus
- Hazelton Campus Classroom
- Gathering Space, Smithers Campus
- via Bluejeans if cannot attend on campus
Deadline to register is October 20, 2023
Please send your student number, campus location and send shoe size of moccasin you would like. Kits will be created with the size and accurate size is needed as material will be measured accordingly. All sessions are required to finish your moccasins on time.
Register by email to FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca.
What would Nanaay Say
K'uuga: A Love Prayer by Jiixa
Chow with Chinaay/Ching̱a
The recipe for Wild rice, leek and dill stuffed Salmon from "Recipes from Haida Gwaii".
Ingredients:
- Wild rice pre made and cooled
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 leek
- 1/2 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400F . Cook wild rice and cool, add dill. Prepare salmon fillets by cutting salmon in half and debone rinse pat dry with paper towel and set aside in a parchment lined baking tray.
In a fry pan on medium heat, melt butter with oil; add leek and garlic sauté until tender. Set aside to cool a bit then add to wild rice. Lay 8 pieces of butcher's twine across parchment. Lay your fish; half of salmon across the twine; sprinkle fish with olive oil, salt, and pepper and rice mixture and 1/2 lemon juiced. Place other half of salmon on top of mixture and tie strings together. Sprinkle with olive oil salt and pepper. Bake at 400F for 25-30 min.
TIP: Try some nuts or cranberries in the rice for a nice texture.
Your weekly meme!
Indigenous Reads
Shaping the future on Haida Gwaii : life beyond settler colonialism by Joseph Weiss
"Too often Indigenous peoples have been portrayed as being without a future, destined either to disappear or assimilate into settler society. This book asserts quite the opposite: Indigenous peoples are not in any sense 'out of time' in our contemporary world. Shaping the Future on Haida Gwaii shows how Indigenous peoples in Canada not only continue to have a future but are at work building many different futures--for themselves and for their non-Indigenous neighbours. Through the experiences of the Haida First Nation, this book explores these possible futures in detail, demonstrating how Haida ways of thinking about time, mobility, and political leadership are at the heart of contemporary strategies for addressing the dilemmas that come with life under settler colonialism."- Provided by publisher.
Access this book/e-book for free using your student through the CMTN Library!
COVID-19: 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.
At Coast Mountain College, we monitor the COVID-19 situation very closely and are guided by the Provincial Health Officer as we work with the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. Updates will be shared as information becomes available. Please note removal of vaccinations requirements effective April 8, 2022 to access events and services and for post-secondary student housing.
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
Please be aware of the CMSU Health & Dental Plan that you are auto-enrolled into when you register for 6 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.
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.
Learner Services
Peer Tutoring
The Writing Centre is open on Terrace campus! Staffed by peer tutors. Students can drop-in for 1:1 assistance with proofreading, using citations and other writing skills every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Waap Amgam (House of Cedar) RM #1006.
Peer-tutoring is up and running with tutors available to assist students in a variety of subjects including chemistry, biology and math. Interested? Contact LAS@coastmountaincollege.ca!
LAS & Advising Help
Having a hard 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.
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!
Next General Awards Deadline: October 15!
Have any financial aid questions or would like to know more about general awards, bursaries, and scholarships? Connect with the Financial Aid Officer, Allison Conway at 250.635.6511 ext. 5204 or email financialaid@coastmountaincollege.ca or visit the Financial Aid webpage!
Student Engagement Activities:
- Oct 3-6: Student Food Bank Drive for non-perishable goods for the student food bank on campus
- Oct 4 @ 12:00 p.m. - Chai Pakora get-together
- Oct 11 @ 2:00 p.m. – Bowling
- Oct 16 @9:00a.m. - Hike on Seymour Ridge Trail
- Oct 18 @ 6p.m. - Movie Night & Pizza
- Oct 26 @ 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Beyond the Blues event
- Oct 30 @ 12:00 p.m. - Pumpkin Carving
- Oct 31 @ 12:00 p.m. - Costume contest
If you have any event or activity ideas, please share with the SEO at your campus:
- Smithers Campus: Praveen (praveen@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?
- Youth Online Chat at crisis-centre.ca or text 250.564.8336 or call 1.888.564.8336. A confidential, anonymous peer support service operated by trained youth answering calls from other youth. Available 24/7.
- KUU-US Crisis Line Help is just a phone call away. Call the toll-free number for Indigenous based support 25/7, 365: 1.800.588.8717
- BC Suicide Line 1.800.SUICIDE or 1.800.784.2433. If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may, please call! Available 24/7.
- Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call 1.866.925.4419.
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: