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 Witsuwit'en language. It is a dialect of the Babine-Witsuwit'en language which is a sister language to the Carrier people.
It is already C'indek (November/December). Khït (Winter) is slowly making it way. Yis (snow) is covering the dzilh (mountains) and will soon cover the ground. Time to pull out the winter coats and boots to keep warm. Enjoy the rest of the semester! Stay safe and stay warm!
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 at FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca if you need support with personal, financial or academic issues.
Enjoy, take care and stay safe!
Upcoming Events
Monthly FNAC Drop-In
- Date: November 8, 2022
- Time: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Where: Virtually via BlueJeans (https://bluejeans.com/972155116/2431)
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.
International Indigenous Film Extravaganza
- Dates: Every Thursday between November 3rd & December 1st
- Times: 5:00pm to 8:00pm (Dependent on length of film)
- Where: Wii Gyemsiga Siwilaawksat (Terrace Campus) & Online. Popcorn and light refreshments will be provided.
Join us in person or online to watch films made by, made with, and focusing on Indigenous peoples! Email FNAC@coastmountaincollege.ca to watch virtually from home.
'Xbisuunt Dance Group Weekly Practice
- Date: Every Monday
- Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Where: Waap Galts'ap Longhouse
- Virtual: https://bcnet.bluejeans.com/972155116/2431
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
- Date: Every Wednesday
- Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Waap Galts'ap Longhouse
- Virtual: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83260876546?pwd=amEwa3l4elF4NUYralFXUmNqMjVvUT09
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
Highlights from Past Events
Bentwood Box Workshop with Jessica McCallum-Miller of @SacredArtbyHlox.
Here are some of the beautiful bent boxes made during our Bentwood Box Workshop on October 12 & 19, 2022 by Rob Davis & Erica Davis.
Spooky Storytelling with Melodie Hoy
We were very happy to have Melodie Hoy join us to tell us many spooky stories. She is a traditional healer. She has a lot of experience being on out on the land.
She talked about why it is important to smudge when you go out hunting or hiking. When you smudge you smell like the forest. The animals will not smell your scent. She told numerous stories about the Otter, the Sasquatch, the spider log crabs. The ground spider crab likes to stay in old logs. They are spiders the size of small crabs. They walk forward and not sideways like a crab. Very spoooky! Beware of your surroundings when you go out in the land.
November 8th is National Indigenous Veterans Day
It is a day to honour, acknowledge and thank the many Indigenous men and women for their sacrifices and services in the military during World War I, World War II, Korean War, and for Peacekeeping missions. Men such as Tommy Prince who was a war hero.
Check out more about Tommy Prince HERE!
T'oyaxsut 'nuun, Ha'miyaa, Misiyh, T'ooyaxs'y niin, ʼAnáɫzaxʷ nugʷuƛá, Hawaa.
Did you know that Enfranchisement was extended to include status Indians who joined the military? Status Indian veterans returning from the Second World War found that while they may have fought for their country, they had lost their status in the process and had no home to return to.
Learn more about Indigenous veterans through this article: 14 Facts You May Not Know About Contributions of Indigenous Veterans
Lest we forget those who faught in the many wars in shared history. There is still more we can do to recognize Indigenous Veterans each year. What will you do?
What would Stso' (my grandmother) Say?
Your Tso' (grandmother) or Cha' (Grandma) would be very happy to see you whenever you come for a visit. She would most likely talk to you about the importance of learning your Witsuwit'en language. She would want you to know how to introduce yourself in your language. Here are some phrases to introduce yourself and to converse with someone new.
Had'ïh so' en dzen! Hello how are you?
Honzu 'whgegh gen niiniwhdil. It is good you came here.
Siy sozï’ Dolly. My name is Dolly.
Ma' Dolly sts'itnï. Yes, Dolly is my name.
Mbï nts'iyitnï? What is your name?
Chow with Tso'
Elk Stew
- 2 lbs elk stew meat or venison, beef, pork or veal
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 1/2 lb diced bacon
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups of water or game stock
- 1 28oz of can stewed tomatoes
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup of fresh wild mushrooms (optional)
Season elk with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour and shake off excess. In a heavy pot on medium-high heat oil, add bacon and elk to brown on each side. Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, stock, tomatoes, carrots, celery and mushrooms and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 1 hour. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate overnight. Reheat and serve!
Recipe from "Modern Native Feasts, Healthy Innovative, Sustainable Cuisine", 2013, by Andrew George Jr.
Your weekly meme!
Indigenous Reads
Modern Native Feasts by Andrew George Jr
Andrew George Jr. was born in Telkwa, B.C. Skit'den is his traditional hereditary wing chief name of the Wet'suwet'en people.
Native American cuisine comes of age in this elegant, contemporary collection that reinterprets and updates traditional Native recipes with modern, healthy twists. Andrew George Jr. was head chef for Aboriginal foods at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver; his imaginative menus reflect the diverse new culinary landscape while being mindful of an ages-old reverence for the land and sea, reflecting the growing interest in a cuisine that is rapidly moving into the mainstream to become the "next big thing" among food trends. Andrew also works actively at making Native foods healthier and more nutritious; his recipes are lighter, less caloric, and include Asian touches, such as bison ribs with Thai spices, and a sushi roll with various cooked fish wrapped in nori. Other dishes include venison barley soup, wild berry crumble, sea asparagus salad, and buffalo tourtiere.
You can access this book through the CMTN library with your student card!
Indigenous in the Media
’Alhk’ikh Ts’inideh: Dancing Together: Danser Ensemble
Ewk Hiyah Hozdli, a Witsuwit’en dance group, and the Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, an award winning Inland Tlingit dance group based in the Yukon, came together on Witsuwit’en Territory, Smithers, BC. Our goals over our three days together were to celebrate and share culture, build connections and confidence and be inspired to continue forward. We came together in workshops and performance.
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
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) 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 jjstone@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.
Financial Aid
Apply for awards, bursaries and scholarships* through Coast Mountain College to help fund your expenses while you study! There are a few awards with deadlines in November!
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: