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 Wit'suwit'en language! We hope Binin Citges (May-June) brings good C'olilh (Spring) weather and Sa (sun). Good weather always means we can enjoy the outdoors in this beautiful area that we are so lucky to live on.
We would like to welcome back Katie Humphrey, FNAC from the Smithers Campus. We missed you and are very happy to have you back!
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.
Enjoy, take care and stay safe!
Convocation 2023
Congratulations to all the Graduates of 2023! We have enjoyed having you here at Coast Mountain College and we wish you all the best in whatever path you choose. We look forward to seeing you walk across the podium. We will be standing proud along with your family and friends!
- Prince Rupert Convocation: June 6
- Terrace Convocation: June 12
- Smithers Convocation: June 16
Fall 2023 Semester
If you are planning to return or start new in the FALL Semester (Sept-Dec), please feel free to reach out anytime to the FNAC Team if you need help with funding applications or application for admissions here at CMTN!
Highlights of Recent Events
Annual Student Farewell Feast
The Annual Student Farewell Feast on April 18, 2023 was very well attended! We were so honoured to have the following Chiefs, Matriarchs, Knowledge Holders and Elders share their knowledge and wisdom at the Feast:
- Galdimalgyax David Wells,
- Sigidimhanaak Litamlaxdau Gibau (Sharon Bryant),
- Sim'oogit Axdii Anhl Smax (Larry Derrick),
- Arlene Roberts,
- Louisa Gray,
- Lyle Adams,
- Sim'oogit Gilseen (Ron Nyce),
- Sherry McDames.
The delicious soup and fried bread were made by the Terrace Nisga'a Elders Association. We thank the CMTN Managers, Deans, Directors, and Staff for serving the food. Thank you Golnoosh Namazi, Organizer of CMTN Students' Union, for providing items for our gift bags and taking care of the gift table.
The Farewell Feast is our way of celebrating in a traditional way and having the students be recognized by the Chiefs, Elders and Knowledge Holders for their accomplishments, hard work, and commitment. We celebrate the completion of another academic year! For those students leaving CMTN, we wish you all the very best! For those students returning in the Fall, we look forward to having you back. Enjoy the summer!
Upcoming Events
Red Dress Day | May 5
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Gender Diverse People (MMIWG2+)
Annually on May 5th, many across Canada gather together to raise awareness and take action to create safer communities in honour of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Gender Diverse Peoples (MMIWG2+). On this day, we remember those whom we have lost and the communities that have been affected. We must do what we can to end colonial, gender-based violence. If you are wanting to learn more or take action, here are a few resources and activities:
- Reclaiming Power and Place: The final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Tears to Hope Society: A local organization in the Northwest that focuses on awareness and action all year round
- MMIWG Community Action Group
Image captured from Nova Scotia Gov. Twitter
Moosehide Campaign Day | May 11
Moose Hide Campaign Day is a day of ceremony. It’s a day where all Canadians are called to join together to take a stand against violence towards women and children and to take practical steps for our collective journey of reconciliation. Register for Moose Hide Campaign Day May 11, 2023 - The National Day of Action!
CMTN is a Moose Hide Campaign Ambassador Institution! We acknowledge the many atrocities towards Indigenous people - especially on the Highway of Tears - and take action towards making safer communities. To learn more about ambassador campuses, visit this page!
Drop by your local campus to get your moosehide pin to wear on the day or make your own! To learn more, visit moosehidecampaign.ca or drop by Waap Galts'ap to check out the live streamed event!
Hiking Adventures | Twin Spruce Trail
- Date: Monday, May 15, 2023
- Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Where: Terrace campus
Join the student engagement team for a Springtime Hiking Adventures series. Get to know the local trail networks near your campus community while learning more about your fellow classmates.
- Trail: Twin Spruce
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1 hour
The Twin Spruce Trail is a gentle trail through an old growth forest of Sitka Spruce and Western Red Cedar by Furlong Bay. Students will meet in front of Waap Amgam at the Terrace campus at 11:50a.m. to organize.
To register, email Andy at akerr@coastmountaincollege.ca or Nikila at nprodduk@coastmountaincollege.ca by May 10th.
Hiking Adventures | Call Lake Trail
- Date: Friday, May 26, 2023
- Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
- Where: Smithers campus
Join the student engagement team for a Springtime Hiking Adventures series. Get to know the local trail networks near your campus community while learning more about your fellow classmates.
- Trail: Call Lake
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes
An easy hike through Spruce forests with views of Call Lake and surrounding area. Some areas may be muddy so please bring proper footwear that you're not afraid to get dirty.
Students will meet in front of the Smithers campus entrance at 12:50p.m. to organize. There will be room in the college van for 6 students. Students who have their own vehicle are welcome to follow the student engagement team to the trail head.
To register, email Andy at akerr@coastmountaincollege.ca or Nikila at nprodduk@coastmountaincollege.ca by May 23, 2023.
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
Everyone is welcome to join in or watch!
If you are thinking about joining, please reach out to FNAC Jill at jswank@coastmountaincollege.ca
What Would Tso' Say
Tso' (grandmother) would be so happy to see you after being away at school. Here some Witsuwit'en phrases to brush up on before your visit. Visits with your Tso' and Tsets Yu (grandfather) can be medicine for the soul.
Hadï So’endzin - Hello! How are you?
Honist’iy’ witsanye - I am happy you came.
Sa’ newents’iyït’el - We haven't seen you for a long time.
Honist’iy’ nenyïst’ën - I am happy to see you.
Neniwhts’ot’en’ - We will see you all again.
Nents’iyut’en’ - We will see you again.
Sne kal yëgh witsanye - Thank you for coming.
So’ co ghenec’ondlï’ - Take good care of yourself.
Find more Witsuwit'en phrases like these to practice using First Voices!
Chew with Tsets yu
Grilled Pacific Salmon with Fresh Herbs
Time to get the BBQ out and try this delicious salmon recipe!
Ingredients:
- 4 - 4 oz. fresh Pacific salmon fillets
- 1/4 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp each finely chopped fresh dill, thyme, and parsley
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp canola oil, for salmon
Oil barbeque and preheat to 375 degree F. Season salmon with fresh lemon juice, herbs, salt and pepper and lightly brush with oil. Lay fillet skin side up and at an angle on barbeque for 3 1/2 minutes. Angle in opposite direction to make a crosshatch and grill for another 3 1/2 minutes. Flip salmon and cook for 6 - 7 minutes.
Recipe from Modern Native Feasts - Healthy Innovative, Sustainable Cuisine by Andrew George Jr, copyright by Andrew George 2013.
Your weekly meme!
Indigenous Reads
Timber Wolf, Elder Mable Forsyth
'On the Ropes with Tom Roper', Smithers Interior News
I have been reading the book "Shared Histories" by Tyler McCreary, lately and would recommend it as required reading for all immigrants to the Bulkley Valley. I don’t consider myself a settler but more as an immigrant as I moved to Smithers in 1975 from the Lower Mainland.
The book is a hard go as a lot of the stories are difficult to imagine happened in and around Smithers. No question it was the times as we are learning. Governments of that day did their best to assimilate the Indigenous peoples and we are now attempting to reconcile the past. It is difficult for all to come to grips with those past situations and even more so for those who were on the receiving end of these government programs.
Mabel Forsyth grew up through particularly troubling times. Her Father, Round Lake Tommy had a farm on the shores of Round Lake. He and his father had cleared some land for hay. They had some animals and two log houses for the families.
Seems one day, a settler showed up and stated he had pre-empted the property and Tommy needed to move off. Her Dad protested and the settler set fire to both houses. The family had to move and set up a tent by Coffin Lake still within their traditional territory.
Mabel’s sister did not make the winter. This was the story told to Mabel after she was born. The family was able to pre-empt a piece of land next to Johnson Lake along the present Barrett Hat Road just west of Houston. Her father built up another small farm and life was improving until her dad died unexpectedly. Mabel’s mother tried in vain to keep the property up but could not make the taxes and had to forfeit.
Her mother, Sarah, was not one to give up, though, and continued to fend for her family. She was able to get work at a rail tie mill outside of Quick and moved into a cabin on-site for the workers.
Mabel was able to attend Quick school. Unfortunately, her mother became ill and had to quit work because her health was not good. The family had to move again and fortunately, a farmer in the area had a cabin they could live in.
Life was hard but still had room for Mabel to learn some traditional skills from her mother. She took to leather work as her passion and has been making moccasins and other leather products her whole life.
Mabel graduated from high school in Smithers and set out to raise a family of her own. She married Alfred Forsyth and followed the work in small mills around the valley.
They spent time out in Evelyn and eventually made it to King Street in Smithers. Along the trail, they raised four children all of who graduated from high school in Smithers.
Mabel had a big garden and would always say, “I wasn’t a farmer’s daughter for nothing you know.”She also knew where the best berry patches were located for fall harvesting.
Mabel was always up for tanning available moose hides to keep herself in needed leather for her products. Mabel was very connected to her culture and continues to be so today. She has the hereditary name “Timber Wolf” and has always been a hereditary chief. Her connection with the land is part of her soul. She continues to make moccasins, though she now buys her leather from Alberta.
Hopefully, you will have a chance to meet this beautiful, resilient woman as she continues to represent her culture welcoming the community to her traditional territory at many of the local events.
Read the full article here!
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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 courses. This is a $250 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.
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 10:00-12:00 and Friday 11:00-1:00 in Waap Amgam (Cedar building) 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 several emergency funding programs available to eligible students experiencing unexpected financial hardship during the course of their studies at CMTN. Find more information about emergency financial assistance HERE!
Have any financial aid questions? Connect with our Financial Aid Officer, Allison Conway at 250.635.6511 ext. 5204 or email financialaid@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: