Aboriginal Services Newsletter - January Way', ki'su'k kyukyit, tawnshi, Happy New Year! Thank you to all of our students, community members, Elders, faculty and friends who were able to make it out to our Holidays Celebrations in December. We had beautiful crafts dreamed up by Ann-Marie, special and meaningful visits from treasured Elders, and delicious food. Check out our photos on our Facebook page. Pictured above: Métis Elders Donna Wright and Gord McGregor in their capotes at our Castlegar Holiday Celebration in December. Connecting - Our Circle is Growing... We are excited to introduce our Aboriginal Services practicum student Santanna Hernandez. See her introduction and photo with Minister of Advanced Education Melanie Mark below... Hello, my name is Santanna Hernandez. My ancestry is from the Liddlii Kue Nation in the Northwest Territories on my father’s side and Dutch on my mother’s side. However, I have never been to my traditional territory. I was privileged to grow up in the Sto:lo Nation and was embraced by the Elder’s and people in that community and they are huge reason why I am the strong Proud Indigenous woman I am today. I am privileged to live in Trail BC on unceded Territory with my husband of 11 years and my 4 beautiful children. One of the best parts about my time at Selkirk is my involvement with Aboriginal Services. It started by getting involved as a volunteer for their Strengthening our Relations Youth Conference in 2015. Since then I have been committed to volunteering and supporting ever since. I was honoured to be a part of the launching the Elder’s program, cultural connections and look forward to making a drum this semester. I am excited for learning which is something I never thought possible. This summer I will be applying to Medical Schools across the country, going into the final year of my degree and continuing serving the communities I am a part of.
Upcoming Events with Aboriginal Services Cultural Expressions with Ann-Marie Continue in the Winter Semester Join Ann-Marie every Thursday at the Gathering Place in Castlegar from 10-2pm for culture, crafts, storytelling, legends and teachings. All supplies and a light lunch provided. All students, staff, and potential students are welcome. Starting this week on January 25th, 2018. Ann-Marie will be continuing to alternate weeks between Trail and Nelson 10th st campus on Wednesdays from 11-2pm. She will coming to the Silverking campus twice this semester on January 31st & March 14th from 2:30-4:00pm. For those current and prospective students and community members in our surrounding communities, Ann-Marie will be bringing Cultural Expressions to you all this semester again. She is will be visiting our learning centres on a Monday from 11-2pm, Kaslo on March 19th, Grand Forks on March 26th, and Nakusp on April 9th. For prospective Selkirk College students that are interested in attending Cultural Expressions, please contact Jessica Morin at jmorin@selkirk.ca for information. Indigenous Drumming at the Gathering Place Join our Facilitator, Shemmaho Goodenough, an Elder Singer and drummer is a mentor teacher for Indigenous Songs. The songs we learn will arise from the needs of the persons participating. Please bring your personal hand drum if you have one. There are also some available to borrow. Six lunchtime sessions alternating on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting January 31st. All are welcome. Contact Tami O'Meara with any questions. Check out our event calendar for the dates... SAVE THE DATES 4th Annual Métis Kitchen Party - March 6th, 2018. This is always a great time, the Métis cultural community celebration is open to everyone to attend! Check out our photos from last year here... More exciting details to come soon! Indigenous Graduation Brunch - April 26th. Join us at the Gathering Place to honour your achievements with your families, a large group of our Elders, as well as our Aboriginal College community. Aboriginal Services has had the pleasure of working in partnership with Theresa Southam from the Teaching and Learning Institute over the past few years. While working on her own PhD on Organizational Development and Behaviour, Theresa is also the Selkirk College Sponsor for the consultations that are ongoing and will eventually lead to an indigenization plan at the College This semester Theresa is continuing to lead the development of Indigenous 100 - Regional Indigenous Perspectives on Languages and Cultures. The course is tentatively planned for June 4-8th, 2018 and registration will be open to students, staff and community members. The course will culminate with a celebration of student learning that everyone will be invited to attend. Pictured above (L to R): Theresa Southam, Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Christopher Horsethief, Jessica Morin, Aboriginal Services Liaison, Camosun College, S'tenistolow Conference - June 2017. Funding Opportunities and Resources One great scholarship opportunity that we highly encourage any current or prospective Aboriginal student to apply for is the Irving K. Barber Aboriginal scholarship. Deadline for application is March 31st, 2018, and this is open to all Aboriginal students, First Nations (status/non-status), Métis, and Inuit students. For certificates and diplomas, awards range form $1000-$2000 depending on length of program. Get in touch if you need help with the application! For more Aboriginal Funding Opportunities... External Aboriginal Community Events & Opportunities Indigenous Cultural Safety Webinar - Cultural Safety in the
Classroom: Indigeyez - An opportunity to participate in a free webinar titled; Facilitation Skills with IndigenEYEZ: Blending Technical & Creative Approaches on Tuesday January 23rd. IndigenEYEZ is about transforming communities. Their mission is to inspire an intergenerational legacy of well-being among First Nations people in BC and beyond. Find out more here... Taste of the Wild - Camas conservation fundraiser hosted by the Kootenay Native Plant Society in Nelson on January 27th. 2018. The event will feature a delicious wild crafted local menu, a silent auction, and information about the cultural importance of camas to the Sinixt people. Find out more about tickets and their delicious menu here... Theatre for Living presents šxʷʔam̓ət (home) an interactive audience play about Reconciliation coming to the Capitol Theatre in Nelson on Feb. 22. This is a good opportunity to explore this idea of reconciliation that we hear so much about, especially for those of us wondering - What does reconciliation actually mean to me? How can I be a part of this systemic change? Visit their facebook page for more information on the play and what to expect... An except below from one of the outreach coordinators for the play on what reconciliation means to her. Click on the photo to see her full response...
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Aboriginal Services ContactsJessica Morin - Aboriginal Services Liaision jmorin@selkirk.ca Leah Lychowyd - Aboriginal Services Liaison llychowyd@selkirk.ca Ann-Marie Smith - Aboriginal Cultural Assistant asmith@selkirk.ca Christy Anderson - Aboriginal Access and Support Assistant canderson@selkirk.ca |