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Hagwil Yaan Student newsletter | October 2022

Welcome to the eighth 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 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 sm'algyax, the language of the Nisga'a People!

We are now in X̱laaxw (October)! X̱laaxw wil y̓uwim-laaxwdii (people fish for trout in October). That's not the only thing we're fishing for this October. Your semester is in full swing which means you're going to start getting ready for midterms soon. It's time to start fishing for mental health and wellness tools to make sure you are taking care of yourself as the season changes.

We are First Nations Access Coordinators who fill various roles at our Prince Rupert, Terrace, Hazelton and Smithers campuses. Collectively, we are here to help you transition to college life here at CMTN. Please feel free to reach out to us if you need support with personal, financial or academic issues.

Enjoy the new session and Amaa-ga’at wila wilin! (Take care of yourself)!

Enjoy, take care and stay safe!

Left to right: FNACs Jillian Swank, Kellie Nyce, and Sharon Oskey

Upcoming Events

Bentwood Box Workshop

  • Date: October 12th, 19th, & 26th, 2022
  • Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Where: Face-to-face at Waap Galts'ap (longhouse) or via Bluejeans

Join Jessica McCallum-Miller of @SacredArtbyHloks for a special bentwood box workshop. Kits premade by Gitxsan Wet'suwet'en Education Society.

Email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca to receive a kit and Bluejeans link.

Monthly FNAC Drop-In

Keep an eye out for monthly FNAC drop-ins! Join us if you have any questions as a current or future student.

Poppy Pin Beading Workshop

  • Date: October 27, November 3, & November 10, 2022
  • Time: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Where: Face-to-Face at Waap Galts'ap (Longhouse) Terrace Campus or via Bluejeans

Join Shalane Pauls of Wise Woman Creations for this special workshop to learn how to make your own beaded poppy!

Email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca before October 19, 2022 to receive a beading kit and Bluejeans link.

Spooky Storytelling

  • Date: October 31, 2022
  • Time: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Where:
  • Prince Rupert: Wil Lu Sagaytwan (Gathering Place)
  • Terrace: Indigenous Story Circle in the Library, Waap Sa'mn (House of Spruce)
  • Hazelton: Classroom
  • Virtually via Bluejeans

Join us for spooky stories from local knowledge keepers! Connect with FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca for a virtual link to join if you cannot join in person.

'Xbisuunt Dance Group Weekly Practice

You are welcome to come watch, sing, and dance with the 'Xbisuunt Dance Group!

If you are thinking about joining, please reach out to FNAC Jill at jswank@coastmountaincollege.ca

Gitlaxdax Nisga'a Dance Group

Everyone is welcome to join in or watch. Please keep in mind safety protocols.

If you are thinking about joining, please reach out to FNAC Jill at jswank@coastmountaincollege.ca

What would Nits'iits' say?

Nits'iits' (grandma) is so proud of you! She is even more proud of you when you share with her how your schooling is going. Today, nits'iits' cried tears of happiness when you told her. Jiji always reminds you about how they tried to get rid of us. But, then she gets excited when she reminds you how important you are, how beautiful you are, and how free you are. "We are still here", she exclaims!

Naahl was nits'iits'in? What is your grandmother's name?

Naa mi siwadis nits'iits'in? - "jiji" ni siwadit. What do you call your grandmother? I call her "jiji"

Adigwil yuuhlimg̱at n̓iiy̓ t nits'iits'iy̓. My grandmother always gave me advise.

Nits'iits'iy̓ t an siwilaay̓iniy̓. My grandmother was the one who taught me.

If your Jiji has left this physical world, know that she and her prayers are always with you. Always invite your Jiji into your space. Call out her name and call her in. Dim huxw w̓o'om̓hl g̱anits'iits'gum̓. We will invite all of our grandmothers. If you want to learn more about how you can communicate with your Jiji, check out this video:

There are many resources to help you learn the Nisga'a language! If you want to learn more or find where we found these phrases, check out First Voices for sm'algyax and more Indigenous languages!

Your weekly meme!

Captured from @BeyondBuckskin

Indigenous in the Media

Spotlight: Calvin McNeil

The Nisga'a people are known for many things. One of those things include art in many forms like painting, tattooing, carving, and more. A Nisga'a carver named Calvin McNeil was recently in the spotlight from Destination BC. Check out this video and hear from Calvin himself on history, culture, and the beauty of the Nisga'a lands.

Indigenous Reads

Nisga'a, ponds and leopard frogs by Charmaine Peal, Brenda Boreham and Terri Mack.

Captured from CMTN Library

'We Are All Connected' is a series that explores how we all live together in a shared balance upon Mother Earth. Each book explores a specific ecosystem with a focus on one animal and its adaptations for survival within that ecosystem. Indigenous interviewees, each living within the same area, have responded to strategic questions as to how their community interacts with the land, their traditional territory. Explore each text with a sense of inquiry in mind. You can rent this book from the CMTN library using your student ID card!

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 Advanced Education and Skills and Training. 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

Financial Aid

Apply for awards, bursaries and scholarships* through Coast Mountain College to help fund your expenses while you study! The next big Awards Deadline is October 15.

Have any financial aid questions? Connect with our Financial Aid Officer, Allison Conway at 250.635.6511 ext. 5204 or email financialaid@coastmountaincollege.ca.

Computer Assistance

Are you facing challenges with lack of equipment or support? There is a laptop lending library available. As a registered CMTN student you are eligible to borrow a laptop per semester.

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.

Upcoming Important Community Dates

  • October 10, 2022 - College campuses closed for Thanksgiving Day
  • October 18, 2022 - Tahltan Day

Keep up to date with important dates through the CMTN Website!

Student Engagement Updates & Activities

  • October 18 - Leaders in Action Q&A @ the Terrace campus
  • October 20 - Pumpkin Carving @ the Prince Rupert campus
  • October 24 - Diwali Celebration @ the Smithers campus
  • October 25 - Pumpkin Carving @ the Smithers Campus
  • October 26 - Beyond the Blues @ the Terrace campus
  • October 27 - Pumpkin Carving @ Terrace campus

If you have any questions about Student Engagement activities, please reach out to Andy Kerr at akerr@coastmountaincollege.ca or Nikila Prodduk at nprodduck@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.

Look out for these cards on campus with this information to keep on hand!

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.
Be there.org
Thank you for enjoying the first issue of Volume 3. Hagwil yaan!

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:

FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca

Connection is Indigenous!

@coastmountaincollege

#coastmountaincollege