Annual Report 2017-2018

Stó:lō Service Agency, 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack, BC V2R 4G5

604-858-3366 • www.stolonation.bc.ca

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STÓ:LŌ SERVICE AGENCY

Athelets

Leq’á:mel

Máthexwi

Sq’ewá:lxw

Sq’ewqéyl

Shxwhá:y

Sxwoyehá:lá

Semá:th

Ch’iyáqtel Yaqwyeqwí:ws

Stó:lō Nation Chiefs Council

Pópkw’em

150 Employees 50 Programs Serving Langley to Boston

Bar

Average Clients Served: 5,000 Per Year

Federal Revenue Provincial Revenue

People of the River Referrals Office

Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Treaty Association

S.A.Y. Lands Stó:lō Research & Resource Management

Centre

Stó:lō Aboriginal Skills & Employment Training

Stó:lō Health Services

Vision A healthier, stronger, brighter future for all communities.

Mission We empower, support and contribute to the health and well-being

of all people by providing leadership and delivering a broad range of quality services.

Values We strive to act in accordance with our seven core values at all times.

Honesty We communicate internally and externally with clarity, honesty and openness.

Accountability We accept responsibility for our decisions and actions and answer to our partners in an open and transparent way.

Pride We feel and demonstrate pride in our actions and accomplishments.

Professionalism We act professionally as an outward reflection of our internal values.

Integrity We do our best work, hold ourselves to the highest standards of conduct and act in the interest of our communities and partners.

Empathy We work to understand and relate to the feelings, experiences and situations of others and are non-judgmental.

Respect We respect others’ ideas, experiences and ways of thinking and treat all people as equals.

TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE STÓ:LŌ SERVICE AGENCY (SSA) BOARD ..................................................... 2 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (ED) ............................................................................ 4 EXPERIENCE STÓ:LŌ ............................................................................................................................. 5

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (FAD) ............................................................................................... 8 Central Support Services (CSS) ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Finance ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Human Resources (HR) .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Information Technology (IT) ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 Indian Registry (IR) ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Property and Capital Management .......................................................................................................................................... 10 Education ................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Nations Creations ...................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Income Assistance .................................................................................................................................................................... 12

STÓ:LŌ HEALTH SERVICES (SHS) ...................................................................................................... 13 Primary Care Centre .................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Stó:lō Dental Clinic ................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Community Health and Home Care ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Family Empowerment Team (FET) .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Shxwt’am:etsel Family Services .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Youth Services .......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Wellness Services ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20 A:lmélhawtxw Early Education Centre .................................................................................................................................... 21 Stó:lō Elder’s Lodge (SEL) ....................................................................................................................................................... 22 Community Engagement & Health and Safety ....................................................................................................................... 22 Fundraising Team ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23

STÓ:LŌ RESEARCH & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CENTRE (SSRMC) .......................................... 24 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Education & Tourism ................................................................................................................................................................ 28 Library & Archives .................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Genealogy .................................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Fisheries ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 32 Stó:lō Tourism and Giftshop .................................................................................................................................................... 32 Treaty and Treaty Outreach...................................................................................................................................................... 33

STÓ:LŌ ABORIGINAL SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT TRAINING (SASET) ......................................... 34 Stó:lō Aboriginal Skills & Employment Training catchment area ........................................................................................ 35 Vocational Training Supports .................................................................................................................................................. 35 BladeRunners ............................................................................................................................................................................ 37 Culinary Arts Foundations Program ....................................................................................................................................... 39 Just a few client shares of success ........................................................................................................................................ 40

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MESSAGE FROM THE STÓ:LŌ SERVICE AGENCY (SSA) BOARD

The Stó:lō Service Agency (SSA) Board would like to take this opportunity to thank the Stó:lō Nation Chiefs Council for their continued support and trust. The 2017-18 fiscal year is the sixth year being entrusted by our political leaders and the communities. We continue to learn and develop for the benefit of those accessing SSA services. The SSA Board held monthly meetings to ensure the highest performance in the delivery of a variety of vital programs and services. SSA Board accomplishments this fiscal year include: Continued focus on fostering strong relationships through meeting with Stó:lō leadership and

administration during visits to member communities; Developed a draft Communications Strategy; Updated and finalized the Executive Director’s employment contract. Worked with consultant, the Jouta Performance Group, to develop human resources strategy to

work towards operational improvement; Sardis Pharmacy grand opening; Continued use of Trello, a project management tool, to keep track of TO DO and Action items and

communicate amongst the SSA Board and the OED Passed resolutions supporting 2017-18 funding proposals (FAD, Health, Literacy Camp, Nations

Creations) to SASET for various program funding Delegated subcommittee responsibilities within the board and management and to ensure

consistency with organizational values and regulations; Passed the Budgets and Work plans for the 2017-18 fiscal year; Attended various events throughout the year such as the Annual Career Fair, Stó:lō Education

Awards, Children’s Festival, Golf Tournament, Comedy Night and the Stó:lō Christmas party; Funding in place for Early Years Centre renovations, upgrades to Aboriginal Headstart on Reserve,

the continuation of Nations Creations, several new positions and research projects, etc. Utilizing in house talent in creating policy and providing team development which created cost

savings and increased skill development within the SSA; Regular attendance at the SNCC meetings to present quarterly reports;

The Stó:lō Service Agency Board (from left): Cameron Clark, Angela Kermer, Mike Bellegarde, Sharron Young, Rhianna Millman.

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Presented years of service recognition ribbons to staff at the Annual Christmas party. Goals for the 2018-19 fiscal year: Continue updating the policies and procedures; Review ways to support and enhance programs and services; Explore best practices from other organizations and how we may implement them within the Stó:lō

Service Agency; Continue HR review with Jouta; Continue building community relationships

through ongoing visits with member First Nations and one on one communication with the First Nations;

Work with Rob Miller to align our Strategic Plan with community goals;

Board and staff training and development; Work in conjunction with the SNCC for political

advocacy. We would like to thank the management and staff for their professionalism and dedication. And, again thanks to the Chiefs, for entrusting us to ensure that Stó:lō Nation continues to provide the best service to the membership.

From left: SSA Board chair Sharron Young, Executive Director Willy Hall, Chiefs’ Council Chair Chief David Jimmie and board member Cameron Clark at an SSA planning session.

Board members Sharron Young (second from left) and Angie Kermer (far right) on a cultural tour with Sonny McHalsie (middle).

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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (ED)

What a fiscal year 2017-2018 has been! In our Annual Report we describe the extensive activities that were undertaken to better support and serve our communities and more importantly the outcomes we achieved. While there is still so much to do, we are very pleased with our continued progress. This Annual Report is presented to the Stó:lō Nation Chiefs Council (SNCC), Stó:lō Service Agency (SSA) Board of Directors, and all our citizens.

The SSA has been providing community-based services from publicly-funded resources for over 24 years now. The work we do requires sustained efforts over the long term from all our stakeholders in order to achieve desired results. I can’t express enough appreciation for the support we receive from each and every one of you and encourage continued feedback and suggestions in the future. It is undeniable that the delivery mechanism administered by our team of professionals correspond to the needs of a large portion of our fellow citizens as you will see in this Annual Report.

Of course, we need to do even more and we need to be constantly searching for new service delivery approaches to get the desired outcomes while balancing our limited resources. I am very pleased with the progress our team(s) have made and am very excited about their enthusiasm to learn and work in new ways so that community members across the Stó:lō territory are better served and supported.

For the upcoming fiscal year, we have committed to enhancing even further our collaborative approaches by specifically reconciling our services to each of your Comprehensive Community Plans (CCP) so that we can achieve even better outcomes in the future. We are always accepting of strategic input as well as tactical feedback from all our stakeholders.

“I would like to personally thank the Stó:lō Nation Chiefs Council (SNCC), Stó:lō Service Agency (SSA) Board and staff for their assistance and support given to make this another successful year.”

Ts’qwelátse Willy Hall, Executive Director

SSA Executive Director Willy Hall

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EXPERIENCE STÓ:LŌ During 2017/18, Stó:lō Service Agency continued working towards its long-term vision of becoming a leading service provider, not only to its member communities, but to Aboriginal people throughout the Fraser Region. It has maintained a strong agenda of engagement, regularly meeting with communities, assigning staff to a wide-range of committees in Chilliwack, Mission and Abbotsford, increasing its social media presence with a broad advertising campaign and the use of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Yahoo! and increasing its marketing, particularly around tourism, gift shop and the Nations Creations social enterprise business initiative. As is the case every year, a number of events were held at Stó:lō that were open to and well attended by the general public.

(Above) The 15th Annual Aboriginal Employment and Career Fair, sponsored by SASET, was held Feb. 27 at Tzeachten First Nation and featured 32 exhibitors and about 125 people looking at career options.

The Occupational Health and Safety Committee again organized staff to participate in Shakeout BC day for earthquake preparedness.

Cenotaph services are held annually at SSA to mark Remembrance Day.

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25TH ANNUAL CHILDREN’S FEST: 1375 Kids, 27 Exhibitors, 9 Event Sponsors

all equals 1 huge success!

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FUNdraising

• With great weather, the Stó:lō Service Agency hosted the 8th Annual Golf tournament at Cultus Lake Golf Club. 32 teams of community members, vendors and staff raised $1,280 for the Stó:lō Christmas hampers.

• Stó:lō Service Agency hosted the 5th Annual Comedy Night at Tzeachten Community Hall. Comedians Wayne Alexis, Deb Silver, Jenz Malloway, Keith Nahanee, Helena Paul and Chris Gordon put on a great evening of laughter. Almost 200 people attended and raised $891 for the Christmas Hampers.

• The Stó:lō Service Agency Christmas party was held at Tzeachten Community Hall. More than 300 people attended. The Christmas Party raised $1,500 for the Stó:lō Christmas Hampers. Almost 40 staff were recognized for their years of service with special mention to Leona Sam for over 35 years of service and Albert (Sonny) McHalsie for over 30 years.

(From left) Sonny McHalsie is recognized for 30 years of service at SSA by board members Cameron Clark, Rhianna Millman and Sharron Young.

The talent relaxes before taking the stage at the annual SSA Comedy Night.

(From left) Robert Louie, chair of the Lands Advisory Board, Skowkale councilor Derek Hansom, Squiala First Nation Chief David Jimmie and former Tzeachten Chief Joe Hall at the SSA golf tournament.

Tzeachten Chief Derek Epp, Band Manager James Atebe, Leah Efford, Jolene Irons McDivitt and Councilor Loren Muth enjoy a day on the links.

Comedian Chris Gordon performs at Comedy Night.

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FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (FAD) FAD had another successful year with an unqualified and timely audit. SSA continued its good standing with funders with approximately $23 million in revenue coming from seven main external sources. Our Nations Creations program was the successful recipient of “Aboriginal Business of the year” at the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. The program has received second year grant funding from the Ministry of Social Innovation and Poverty Reduction to continue the training program and social enterprise. There are currently 18 artists signed. We hosted the 25th Annual Children’s Festival with over 1,300 children in attendance making it the biggest turnout the festival has ever had.

• Hosted a Customer Service – ‘Dealing with Difficult People’ Training workshop with 45 people in attendance.

• The Management team and Human Resources Coordinator met with Jouta HR Consulting to work on creating a compensation policy for SSA.

• In May, Stó:lō Service Agency hosted an orientation to new and current staff. The information was also provided to communities upon request.

Central Support Services (CSS) • Finalized a five-year contract with

Telus for internet service and a three-year contract with Shaw for landline service.

• We had 15-20 bus rental requests from our communities over the year.

• We had 12 tent rental requests for various functions on and off-site for our communities.

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• At the request of the Williams Lake Indian Band, a tour of the Finance file room and Records Centres took place. They were interested in how SSA organizes the RM department, as well as how to develop a classification system that could work for them.

Finance • Stó:lō Nation and SASET audits were

completed on time (July 2017) and with unqualified opinions (clean).

• After an analysis, it was recommended we stay with current auditor Manning Elliot for a new 3-year term beginning March 31, 2018 with an option to extend for an additional two years.

• Held a Stó:lō Finance Officers Association (SFOA) meeting on November 8, 2017 with a discussion on Indigenous Trust Structuring which was presented by Linda Hartford from CIBC in Victoria, BC.

Human Resources (HR) • For the 2017-18 fiscal year there were: 46 job

postings, 84 new staff hired (20 summer students), 15 new job descriptions registered, 10 short-term and 4 long-term disability applications, 26 pension and benefit enrollments, 7 WCB applications, and 53 criminal record checks submitted.

• There were 11 pension and benefit staff information sessions held over the fiscal year. • 11 Community Job postings were added to SSA Careers pages.

Information Technology (IT) • Upgraded the wireless network at our Vedder Road site to a Ruckus 802.11ac (high-speed) system.

The new system provides faster access and enhanced security features. • Setup file and document transfer Zftpserver software that operates more like Dropbox. • Cleaned up and organized wiring in many of our buildings’ communication rooms • Decided on new Internet connections in a hybrid Shaw/Telus network. • Set up wireless connection between the Stó:lō Elders Lodge (SEL) and Vedder Road campus. • Campus fibreoptic network upgraded to newer highspeed (10Gb) grade cable. This allowed us to

connect Aboriginal Mentorship program staff to the network. • Upgraded/replaced all Dental workstations with Windows 10; migrated the Dental patient

management database to Windows Server 2012 R2.

Summary of Records Management 2017-2018

Files created 2133

Files edited 3300

Boxes created 54

Boxes edited 41

Boxes destroyed 131

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Indian Registry (IR) Births Deaths Marriages Divorces Transfers Adoptions Misc.

Amend Data Entry CIS/SCIS

Apr. 1/17 – Mar. 31/18 43 12 8 2 5 0 2 487 400

• There has been a change in required documents for the New Secure Certificate of Indian Status

card. For 16 years and older, one piece of valid original picture ID, two recent passport photographs. For 15 years and under, applicant requires same ID as an adult and the minor requires a birth certificate or Service BC Card.

• Part of the Descheneaux Court was implemented in December 2017. Those eligible will apply under Bill S-8.

Property and Capital Management

• Installed energy efficient windows, an HVAC system and replaced camera system at the Pekw'xe:yles site.

• Gutted Portable 2D due to water damage and mold. Had to repair the roof and add new lighting.

• Completed the Fibre Optic conduits connections for the Coqualeetza site.

• Corrected plumbing problems throughout the Coqualeetza property.

• Building #7 was renovated to provide a retail pharmacy. • Electric service was rerouted from building 10 to building 26. • Began Daycare renovations to add afterschool programs in the basement of Building 9, undercover

areas in the playground and a bus drop off zone. • Campus entry signs were designed as the last step in an identification system proposed by First

Responders. • Air conditioning added to Building 7 as backup cooling for the server room and temperature aid in

dental offices. • Shelters and storage sheds were added to better secure and organize maintenance supplies and

equipment. • Added energy efficient LED lighting solutions to some poorly lit intersections on site.

Education

• In June 2017, bursary awards of $500 were given to the following students: - Sardis Secondary - Lahayla Charlie-Campbell and Lauren Balsillie - Chilliwack Senior Secondary – Destiny Abraham - G.W. Graham – Megan McLaughlin

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• There were 41 Post-Secondary applications received for 17/18 - 2017/18 Post-Secondary graduates included: PhD in Communications, Masters of Science –

Biology, Bachelor of Education - Teacher Education Program and Certificates in Special Teacher Assistant and Health Care Assistant.

Nations Creations • Trained 20 participants in light manufacturing and warehousing.

77% are now employed full time. • 18 Artists signed with Nations Creations, creating more than 80

original works of art. • Won “Aboriginal Business of the year” at Chilliwack Chamber of

Commerce Business Excellence Awards. • Awarded second year grant from the Ministry of Social

Innovation and Poverty Reduction for $606,000 to continue the training program and social enterprise.

• New program of training began in February with 7 participants. • Nations Creations hosted an open house to announce the

Ministry of Social Innovation and Poverty Relief’s continued support of Nations Creations. Partnership agreed to between the BC Economic Development Corp. and Nations Creations.

• The Nations Creations artists’ BC Wildfire series was scheduled to launch in Kelowna, June 10 2018.

THINK PINK! Pink Shirt Day, Feb. 28th

2018 – One of two fundraisers for Youth Mentorship program.

More than 1,000 shirts sold. $5 from each shirt donated.

Nations Creations Coordinator Nordina Newton, SSA Programs Manager Darren Stollings and NC Program Assistant Tracey Schile accept the Aboriginal Business of the Year award from the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce.

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Business:

• Added new UV printer to manufacturing process. Cellphone covers were the first product launched. • Worked together with Stó:lō Gift shop with shopping promotions highlighting Nations

Creations Products and the artists. • Nations Creations products are now carried by more than 50 retailers across Canada.

Income Assistance

2017 - 2018

Total Cases EMPLOYABLE PPMB PWD COPH TOTAL Percentage 16-17 %Change

Athelets First Nation 0 0 2 0 2 3% 1 50% MáthexwI First Nation 4 2 2 0 8 10% 11 -38% Pópkw’em First Nation 0 0 0 0 0 0% 0 0% Sq’ewá:lxw First Nation 0 0 1 0 1 1% 1 0% Sq’ewqéyl First Nation 7 2 2 0 11 14% 12 -9% Shxwhà:y Village 12 0 7 0 19 25% 23 -21% Ch’iyáqtel First Nation 16 2 9 3 30 39% 40 -38%

Yaqwyeqwí:ws First Nation 4 0 2 0 6 8% 6 0%

Total 43 6 25 3 77 100% 94 -22%

56% 8% 32% 4% 100% PPMB - Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers - Adjudication done in House PWD - Persons with Disabilities - Adjudication done by BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) COPH - Children out of Parental Home

$2,682, 9%

$7,392, 24%$10,769 , 36%

$9,423 , 31%

20192, 67%

Nations Creations Artist Royalties Total paid in Royalties to artists in 2017: $21,367

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

(From left) Parliamentary Secretary Mabel Elmore enjoys a tour and description of the work being done at Nations Creations with SSA Programs Supervisor Darren Stollings and Nordina Newton, Nations Creations Coordinator.

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STÓ:LŌ HEALTH SERVICES (SHS) Stó:lō Health Services (SHS) continued to expand programs and services to member communities and the general public over the past year. It now employees approximately 85 full- and part-time staff and contractors. Primary care added a registered massage therapist and two full-time nurse practitioners. Our dental clinic has is now open most Fridays. A full-service pharmacy operates weekdays in Building 7. Our nursing team welcomed several new staff and introduced the Lending a Helping Hand program that works with seniors to make wishes for their care known to their families and health professionals. After almost a quarter-century of annually applying for funding, the Qwi:qwelstom justice program was designated as a permanently funded program by the federal treasury board. A joint effort between Skawahlook First Nation, Popkum First Nation and Squiala First Nation has strengthened Care Committees by dedicating provincial funding of more than $80,000 to the continued training and development of committee members. Care Committees work with families to prevent a crisis or to overcome barriers that separate children from parents. Our Early Years Centre secured funding from three sources, allowing for a much-needed expansion and the coming addition of an after-school program. The Stó:lō Elders Lodge celebrated 10 years of operations. A new program, Grandma and Me, connected Elders with children attending the Early Years Centre to participate in a variety of activities and exercises and to create bonds between Elders and young children. The Family Empowerment Team completed its Traditional Parenting Manual. The Youth Mentorship Program continued to grow and the Aboriginal Support and Crisis Intervention Response Team (ASCIRT) has moved from Building 7 to the Youth Mentorship building. Aboriginal Infant Development/Aboriginal Supported Child Development expanded to Leq’a:mel and Scowlitz. The Service Navigator had 466 engagements in fiscal 2017-18 with 110 new intakes directed to services. The most common referrals were: Counselling, Addictions, and Housing. The Health Director sits on several committees within the region and province related to Health management:

• Chilliwack Healthier Community (CHC) - monthly • Subcommittee - Governance - monthly • Chilliwack Fraser Cascade Wellness Advisory Committee - monthly • Subcommittee - ICS Circle debriefing • Community Health Central - quarterly • Primary Health Center (PHC) - monthly • Sto:lo Service Agency (SSA) Management team – bi-monthly

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Health Transfer Agreement (HTA) - First Nation Health Authority (FNHA) Health Services completed its 4th year of implementation reviews, engaging community members for input. The top areas of focus were youth services, mental health services, and nursing and physicians. Community Flow-Through Agreements The following table shows each community’s flow-through agreements:

COMMUNITY FLOW-THROUGH AGREEMENTS 1. Aitchelitz Brighter Futures

2. Leq’á:mel Brighter Futures, Drinking Water Safety Program (DWSP), Health Governance, Building Healthy Communities, Community Economic Development Program (CEDO), NNADAP

3. Matsqui Brighter Futures, DWSP, Health Governance, Building Healthy Communities, CEDO, NNADAP, Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)

4. Skawahlook Brighter Futures 5. Skowkale Brighter Futures

6. Sumas Brighter Futures, DWSP, Health Governance, Building Healthy Communities, NNADAP, CPNP, CHR, Leeway, HCC, YSAP, O&M, 2nd, 3rd level (MOH)

7. Tzeachten Brighter Futures 8. Yakweakwioose Brighter Futures

COMMUNITY FLOW-THROUGH AGREEMENTS Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB): Medical Transportation Program This program provides medical travel assistance to status First Nations people living in Stó:lō territory. This program assists with transportation, meals and accommodation costs.

NIHB is delivered by the Medical Transportation clerk, with the assistance of the Community Health staff. Claims are received and processed so clients generally receive payment prior to their appointment.

Other Activities and Accomplishments • A Spring Celebration was held May 25, 2017, at the Coqualeetza Longhouse to honour the Health

Staff’s good work. Several staff were blanketed and recognized for 15-30 years of service. • Continued Partnerships with:

o Chilliwack Healthier Communities providing First Nation Historical Impacts training, o School District #33, MCFC and UFV, for the Youth Engagement Strategy

• Commitment Stick initiative at the Spirit of the People Powwow. • 7 students were employed through funding from SASET and Service Canada. • Monthly Soup Kitchens are held on the 4th Saturday of each month at Chilliwack United Church.

Staff prepare and serve a meal for up to 150 participants.

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Training for Health Staff included: • World Host, Harm Reduction, Traditional

Medicine Workshop, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Certification, Food Safe, First Aid Training and recertifications, Mustimuhw Client Portal (EMR software) training, Emergency Management training.

Primary Care Centre The Primary Care Centre has been operational for 3 years and has the following services:

• Dental Clinic • General Practitioner (GP) on Tuesdays and

Thursdays • Acupuncture services on Fridays • A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is now available:

Monday to Friday. Two NP’s are located in building 7: Lianjing Cui and Theresa Sabiston.

• Naturopathic Physician on Fridays • Youth Clinic on Thursdays from 2-7pm • Monthly Maternal Health Clinic • Weekly On-site Baby Time drop in sessions. • Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) available on Mondays

For services, call 1-844-85 RAISE and speak to the Medical Office Assistants, Jodie Smith and Stefanie Jack. Primary Care Clinic services are open to all area residents. Stó:lō Dental Clinic Mission Statement: Our mission is to provide the finest dental care, in a state of the art environment, based on mutual trust and excellent patient care. With compassion and understanding, we strive to deliver this treatment in a most gentle manner.

The clinic is open Monday to Thursday and three Fridays per month from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A walk-in clinic is held every Tuesday from 1 – 4 pm.

The current staff consists of 1 full time dentist and 1 casual dentist, 1 registered dental hygienist, 3 certified dental assistants, and 1 dental receptionist. Monthly production - the amount the clinic bills to insurance companies or to individual patients who do not have insurance – has steadily increased over the years.

Health staff, including (from left) Inez Louis, Chelsea Lockerby-Point and Rosie Williams canned more than 50 cases of fish, 25 cases of peaches, and 27 cases of tomatoes for Elders and community members.

Staff at the dental clinic include (from left) Corrina Diepold, Amber Williamson and Dr. Sumer Mavi.

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Community Health and Home Care The Community Health and Home Care team provides nursing, Care Aide, Nutritionist and Home Care services to affiliate, on reserve members of our 11 Stó:lō communities.

Community Health Nurses (CHN):

CHNs deliver comprehensive health promotion, public health and disease prevention programs to member First Nations. Non-Affiliated persons can request services. Core programs include Communicable Disease Control (CDC), Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP), Maternal-Child Health and Injury Prevention.

Canadian Pre-Natal Nutrition Program (CPNP): New moms (prenatal/postnatal) in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission and Langley receive grocery gift card incentives to participate in programs or 1:1 consultations to support healthy food choices, a well-balanced diet, and safe physical activity prenatally and up to 1 year postnatal. More than 20 new moms participated over the past year.

Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI)

The Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI) provides health information for community members on managing and preventing diabetes. ADI hosted events in 13 communities.

Adult In-Home Care (AIHC)

The program provides in-home non-medical services in all 24 Stó:lō communities to Elders (65 and over) or those who are 55 years and older with a disability. The AIHC Program had 19 clients and employs 1 full time and 4 part-time staff. For fiscal 2017-18, 550 clients were provided assistance with Income Tax Returns, pension applications, and Canada Child Benefit applications.

The Sardis Pharmacy (at building 7) is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pharmacist Moe Elhennawy is available to assist with everyone’s pharmaceutical needs.

Chelsea Lockerby-Point (standing) and Community Health Nurse Pauline Pigeau work to address health needs in community.

Adult In-Home Care Coordinator Diane Kelly-Anderson, left, received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Governor-General, for her work providing financial services to Elders free of charge. More than 550 clients benefitted from her services in 2017/18.

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Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) COHI works to prevent and control tooth decay in First Nations children, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth. COHI goals are achieved through:

1. Enrolling children in COHI on an ongoing basis. 2. Providing support to dental therapist when they are delivering COHI services (screening, sealants,

temporary fillings). 3. Applying fluoride varnish. 4. Providing one-on-one oral health instruction for children aged 0-7, their parents/ caregivers, and

pregnant women. 5. Providing oral health information at community and school events.

Drinking Water Safety Program (DWSP) – Environmental Health The Drink Water Safety Program (DWSP) is delivered in partnership with Environmental Health Services, the Water Monitor(s) of the Stó:lō Service Agency, and First Nation communities. The program ensures a timely response to problems with water quality; sampling and water quality analysis; recommending drinking water advisories if required; investigating unsatisfactory results; and recommending corrective actions.

For the 2017-18 fiscal year, the DWSP Monitor carried out the program deliverables for Skowkale, Tzeachten and Yakweakwioose First Nation.

* Aitchelitz First Nation Water testing is handled by FNHA

2017-2018 Children who Participated Leqamel 36 Squiala 20 Sumas 21 Matsqui 5 Tzeachten 57

First Nation Communities

Samples Taken

# of Positive Results (E.coli)

# of Positive Results (Total

Coliforms)

# of cases reported to the

Environmental Health Officer

# of Boil Water Advisories

Skowkale (571) 87 0 0 0 0 Tzeachten (575) 81 0 1 1 0 Yakweakwioose (576) 41 0 2 2 0 TOTAL 0 0 0 0

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Community Health and Home Care Highlights: Staff completed San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training.

• Back on Track Nutrition Workshops continuing in Communities. • Several areas experienced an increase in services including the Foot

Care Program, Nutritional Workshops, Wound prevention (associated with complicated fractures), Addiction and Abuse support serves, Immunization clinics, mammography screening, Baby Time sessions, Nutrition workshops, Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) screening and education, Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI) clinics held in Communities.

Family Empowerment Team (FET) Xyólhmettsel Syémyem "I am taking care of my pregnancy"

The Family Empowerment Team (FET) is a mother-centered program. All goals are mother driven.

FET workers offer regular home visitation and links women and their families to a comprehensive array of existing community resources to address health care, housing, family support, child welfare, and other social determinants of health. FET workers help mothers identify personal goals and the steps to achieve them. They monitor progress, facilitate case conferencing, integrate service delivery with providers; transport clients and children to important appointments; and, work actively with extended family.

Fiscal highlights:

• Total participants are at 29 with 7 on the wait list. • Completed the Parent Child Assistance Program training in March 2018 • Each Advocate has completed at least one birth towards Doula Certification. • The Traditional Parenting Manual: Stó:lō edition is complete and ready for review.

Shxwt’am:etsel Family Services Aboriginal Supported Child Development (ASCD) Aboriginal Supported Child Development primarily serves children aged 3-12 range with developmental delays and who attend Early Childhood Programs. This program provides early intervention, supports and strategies to families and daycare providers so that these children can be included and participate in developmentally appropriate activities. Over the fiscal year, ASCD served 156 families.

Aboriginal Infant Development (AID) Program Our AIDP served 125 families during the 2017/18 fiscal year. Aboriginal Family Place (AFP) Mission Our Aboriginal Family Place (AFP) has settled into the Health Department alongside the AIDP/ASCD programs.

Other Highlights include:

N-95 mask fitting was completed and the Home Care Lead RN is now certified to do mask fittings.

Participants in the Xyólhmettsel Syémyem program enjoy a visit from Santa at their Christmas dinner.

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• All caseloads are full. • Received 15 new car seats through the BCAA Community Car Seat Program to replace older equipment. • Consultants completed Physical Development of Young Children, and two staff received “Nobody’s Perfect” Parenting Certification. • Increased need for services for the following: Mission Literacy Group, Abbotsford Aboriginal Family Place (AFP), DayCare Services (Lil Champions, Mother Bear Literacy Program) • Kids in the Hall, a free literacy event for families with young children, had almost 100 participants. • Team Lead Tami Quinn was presented with a “Helping Kids Shine” award at the Fraser Valley Child Development Centre’s 35-year Anniversary Gala.

Youth Services (Youth Mentorship Program and Intensive Support & Supervision Program (ISSP) Now in its 6th year, the Aboriginal Mentorship Program - in partnership with School District 33 (Chilliwack) and Youth Justice services - provides holistic and intensive supports to youth aged 12-19 years. The program assesses and addresses social, socio-economic, emotional, academic, family related and historical factors that may be having an impact on individual youth. The Intensive Support & Resource Workers (ISRW) support youth as they build capacity to access resources and make positive community connections. In addition, the ISRW's assist in developing healthy interactions in education, work, family and community settings; prevent youth involvement in the courts; and, where youth are already involved in the justice system, assist their compliance with court orders. Services are delivered within an Aboriginal context, and respect Aboriginal culture, traditions, values and practice.

• Currently a full caseload with a wait list of approximately 20. • Transition to a youth services umbrella which includes:

o Youth Mentorship Program, o Intensive Support & Supervision Program, and o Aboriginal Support & Crisis Intervention Response Team (ASCIRT)

• The team added an additional Intensive Support & Resource Worker. • A Traditional name and logo are in development.

$5 from each sale of Nations Creation’s designs for Orange Shirt Day in September and Anti-Bullying/Pink Shirt Day in February was donated to the Youth Mentorship program.

Diana Reed works with SSA family services in the Mission-Abbotsford Family Program.

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Wellness Services

Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Program (AMHLP)/ Non-Insured Health Benefits: Short Term Crisis Intervention Mental Health Contract Counselling

The Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Program (AMHLP) assists clients from Mission to Boston Bar by: • connecting families, communities and individuals with chronic and persistent mental health to

appropriate services;• providing education and training to community members regarding mental health issues;• developing resources with Fraser Health mental health teams that incorporate cultural practices;• holding workshops, support groups, training programs and public awareness activities.

The AMHLP also facilitates the Short-Term Crisis Intervention Mental Health Contract Counselling. Eligible benefits include an initial assessment and development of a treatment plan with registered therapists.

The AMHLP has worked closely with the Service Navigator and has seen an increase in clients.

Qwí:qwelstóm Wellness Workers (QWW’s)

Qwí:qwelstóm Wellness Workers (QWW’s) deliver services to off reserve self-identifying Aboriginal community members, and to member First Nations.

This year the QWW’s facilitated and participated in:

• Continued support to Care Committees• Day Treatment Program had 6 graduates from the 6-week long program.• Qwí:qwelstóm workers held 4 workshops with topics on hoarding, anxiety, communication, and

historical impacts. Members travelled throughout Stó:lō territory to attend.• Qwi:qwelstóm workers held an event for National Addictions Awareness week. The participants of

Day Treatment were honoured and started a sobriety quilt.• The Wellness team organized the Annual Elder’s Gathering and honouring. We had over 100

participants. We honoured 12 of our 14 Elders, who are the backbone of our daily work.

Sacred Tree Support Group, 11,

Elder Lead Circles with Clients, 10,

Elder Panels, 2, Probation Meetings, 4,

Overdose Task Force Meetings, 3,

First Nations Court Research Meetings, 3,

Community Corrections Meetings, 10,

Historical Impacts Training , 2,

Qwí:qwelstóm Meeting Activities

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A:lmélhawtxw Early Education Centre Head Start (Preschool) AM Preschool (3-year old children) has 20 children, (5 on reserve and 15 off reserve) PM Preschool (4 -year old children) has 20 children (4 on reserve and 16 off reserve) Preschool Family Nights were held the first Thursday of the month from October to April. The Preschool program wait list for 2017/2018: 3’s program - 5 children, 4’s program - 6 children. Family Program

• Outreach services continued to be offered to our families and affiliated members on Tuesday/Thursday afternoons. • Information shared included: food budgeting, healthy snacks, meal planning, social outings, crafts, making baby food, and sharing recipes. • Continued family nights the last Thursdays of every month. Activities included: drum making, BBQ with a Halq’emeylem themed Scavenger Hunt, Cultural outings, Movie nights, and games nights. • ‘International Association Infant Massage’ (IAIM) classes are offered to parents with babies up to 12 months.

• Family Program has 32 children registered, (12 children on reserve and 20 children off reserve) Daycare

• Daycare staffing is challenging due to a nationwide lack of available staff. • Building renovations underway including Playground updates, renovating the basement for additional classroom space, and improving parking and access. • Professional Development days now correspond with Chilliwack School District closures. Participants: • 3-5 Program (36-60 months) has 16 children, (2 on reserve and 14 off reserve) • Multi Age (Butterfly) (0-35 months) has 16 children (8 children and 8 off reserve) • (Wolf) (0-35 months) has 8 children (1 on reserve and 7 off reserve)

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Stó:lō Elder’s Lodge (SEL) The Stó:lō Elder’s Lodge (SEL) entered its 10th year of 24/7 continuous care in its 15-suite assisted living facility. The lodge was at capacity the majority of the year with 15 tenants with 4- 5 potential clients on wait list. New Hires for SEL included:

• Rachelle Fernandez Clinical Lead Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN);

• Angi Peters LPN; • Vipan Sidhu Casual on-call Registered Care Aide

(RCA); Cheyenne Douglas-Rattan on-call RCA; • Robin John was hired as the new full-time cook and

Nerissa Teunissen was hired as 2nd Cook, • Eleanor Abbott was hired as the new Activity

Coordinator. Training for SEL staff included:

• Crucial Conversation Training; • Fall Prevention Training; • Six staff members attended food safe training; • Staff were trained on new medication blister packs; • Harm Reduction Training; • Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training and

an AED unit has been installed; • 2 staff members attended CPR in January.

Highlighted Events:

• Tenant’s 104th Birthday with Family & Friends; • Take Action Day with GW Graham Aboriginal

students; • Sardis Pharmacy is now serving the clients at SEL.

Community Engagement & Health and Safety The Community Engagement and Health and Safety worker was involved with various committees, events and initiatives within the Health department and coordinated the Health and Safety for the Nation. The initiatives included:

• JIBC Emergency Management courses (Exercise Design and Business Continuity) were completed in January and February by staff and community members.

• Youth Open Gym sessions at Tzeachten. Attendance ranges from 20-25 youth per night. Youth from Yakweakwioose, Sumas, Tzeachten, Soowahlie, Shxwha:y Village attended.

• SSA staff assisted and provided support to the Evacuees of the BC Wildfires. Found accommodations for 103 evacuees and coordinated with other agencies to provide health related supports.

(Above) Staff at the Stó:lō Elder’s Lodge offer 24/7 continuous care to 15 residents living at the assisted care facility. (Below) Elders, family and Elder’s Lodge staff enjoy their annual Christmas banquet.

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Fundraising Team The fundraising team came into existence April 1st, 2017.

• Team raised almost $2.5 million in fiscal 2017/18.

• Fundraising Guide and Communications Plan awaiting board approval.

• Team now responsible for quarterly and annual reports.

• Team is working to centralize social media, promotional materials and public relations.

• Team oversees the accreditation, policy development related to accreditation and quality improvement initiatives. Sto:lo Health was first accredited for three years in July 2016 and is preparing for its second visit from its accrediting body – the Canadian Accreditation Council – in the summer of 2019. Accreditation provides stability, professional standards and assures clients our staff are using best practices when providing services.

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STÓ:LŌ RESEARCH & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CENTRE (SRRMC)

Cultural Heritage and Archaeology In 2017-18 the archaeology/cultural heritage team completed approximately 60 heritage overview and impact assessments, mitigations, and cultural monitoring projects. Their work as stewards helped protect and preserve Stó:lō heritage.

Additional Archaeology Pod activities • Archaeological/cultural monitoring and investigations with outside consultants;• Presentations for communities and conference;• Repository - cataloging, accessioning, upload to RRN, donation and loans• Outreach – lidar analysis, community engagement• Hiring of an additional full-time archaeologist and archaeological assistant• Redesign and funding securement for Stó:lō Cultural Material Repository• Installation of new repository shelving and reorganization of the material• The SRRMC archaeology submitted article ‘Archaeological and Cultural Investigation of Six Newly

Recorded Sites near Agassiz’ to the Midden for publication• Hosted a cultural experience series on archaeology

Stó:lō Heritage Investigation Permit Summary March 31st, 2017 to March 31st, 2018 • 281 Stó:lō Heritage Investigation Permit issued

Environmental1%

Forestry10%

Industrial Development

5%

Mining1%

Municipal Development

4%Oil and Gas

0%Other

3%

Recreation8%

Residential Development

16%[]Transportation

13%

Utilities39%

NATURE OF INVESTIGATION

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Stó:lō Heritage Policy - Stó:lō Heritage Investigation Permitting (SHIP)

Central Valley14%

Chiliwack River3%

Coquihalla/Skagit2%

Fraser Delta/Coast

51%

Harrison/Chehalis4%

Indian Arm/Coquitlam

2%

Lower Valley11%

Stave Lake8%

Upper Valley5%

SHIP BY LOCATION

AMEC7%

Antiquus4%

Arrowstone5%

Brown and Oakes

2%

Cordillera4%

Golder11%

Inlailawatash Forestry

4%Katzie2%

Kleanza6%

Sources8%

SRRMC16%

Stantec3%

Terra11%

Ursus Heritage6%

Wood PLC6%

Other5%

SHIP BY COMPANY

AOA25%

AIA58%

[]SAP17%

SHIP BY INVESTIGATION TYPE

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IN THE FIELD WITH SRRMC

BC Hydro25%

BC Parks2%

City of Abbotford

2%

City of Vancouver…

City of White Rock1%

Corporation of Delta8%

Fraser Valley Regional District

1%Infiinity Pacific

1%

Lakeside Pacific Forest Products

Ltd.…

Metro Vancouver

5%

MOTI6%

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation…

Other42%

SHIP by proponent

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People of the River Referrals Office

April 1 2017 to March 31 2018

Measure

Stó:lō Strategic

Engagement Agreement Referrals

Federal Referrals

Other Referrals (Industry, Regional, Civic, etc.)

Total Referrals

Referrals Received

451 (1.81 submissions per working day)

34 (0.14 submissions per working day)

282 (1.13 submissions per working day)

767 (3.08 submissions per working day)

Final Response Timelines Met

79% n/a n/a n/a

1Summed individual totals may not equal total here, as some files may be counted as both SSEA and Federal. Stó:lō Strategic Engagement Agreement (SSEA) Initiatives

• Anticipated approval and implementation of our Heritage Conservation Act sec. 4 Pilot Agreement;

• Completion of a second SSEA Survey of S’ólh Téméxw Stewardship Alliance (STSA) leadership and community referrals specialists, BC Ministry staff, People of the River Referrals Office (PRRO) staff, and industry proponents. Results have been analyzed, presented at the SSEA Executive Government-to-Government (G2G) Meeting. Direction has been taken from this analysis and implemented;

• Development of the StoloConnect Major Projects module, designed to facilitate the analysis and reporting on of large scale projects throughout S’ólh Téméxw (i.e. Kinder Morgan’s TMEP);

Annual SSEA Executive Government-to-Government Meeting between the STSA and Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, shown above with Aitchelitz First Nation Chief Angie Bailey, held Feb. 8th 2018. The Zone B Pilot Agreement, unifying S’ólh Téméxw (the shared territory of the Stó:lō); was signed at the meeting. The Collaborative Resource Stewardship Sub-Committee’s planned Collaborative Resource Stewardship (CRS) Framework was also endorsed.

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• Near completed draft of a StoloConnect Manual for External Users (i.e. Users outside of PRRO and/or First Nations communities) intended to act as a training and reference tool;

• Design of a new SSEA Performance Measure reporting functionality to track Zone B deferrals, with the target of 90% per SSEA applicable statute;

• Tri-Partite Forestry Task Team currently developing Best Management Plans for Cultural Resources defined within the S’ólh Téméxw Use Plan (STUP). Document is currently being reviewed by all Chilliwack District Licensees’ prior to a planned training session this summer;

• Cultural Heritage Resource Management Survey program implemented between PRRO and MOF’s Forest & Range Evaluation Program (FREP);

• STUP is shared with forest industry consultants for input in developing strategies to increase future timber supply and value, while protecting Stó:lō interests;

• Cultural Sites Protection Working Group formed to address protection issues. • Lightning Rock Site Sub-Committee finalized G2G submission re: Lightning Rock site protection

options per an MOU between Sema:th FN and MIRR; • Stó:lō Federal Engagement Protocol - Our draft agreement has been completed, the first such agreement in Western Canada; - Currently finalizing pre-implementation;

- StoloConnect.com functionality added to allow flagging, isolation, and analysis of current and future Federal workload; - Currently drafting a StoloConnect Manual for External Users;

Education & Tourism Longhouse Extension Program (LEP) The Grade 3 Longhouse Extension Program tours with the Chilliwack School District and Abbotsford School District continued, providing culture and values to fill the Planned Learning Outcomes (PLO’s) for the Grade 3 curriculum regarding Indigenous knowledge.

Federal government staff enjoy a cultural tour of S’ólh Téméxw led by Sonny McHalsie.

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Steqó:ye The Steqó:ye Program is an off-site program where cultural resource workers go to the 32 Chilliwack K-12 Schools. The Cultural Resource workers use mini unit plans and semester long projects (i.e. welcome posts, canoes, masks). The mini lessons included this year: cedar weaving, Salish singing and dancing, beading, carving, traditional protocols for gatherings from start to finish (i.e. assembly welcoming, main speakers, floor-managing), ethnobotany, Sx̱wōx̱wiyám storytelling. Along with Aboriginal Days in many of the schools, on-site tours pertaining to the grade requesting the tour.

Cultural Educational Tours

Stó:lō Tourism & Cultural Education has continued to develop and have a very productive year connecting with over 3500 people. The guided Coqualeetza grounds tours has incorporated the completed 16 educational kiosks and newly renovated Interpretive Centre with over 20 tours and over 330 people. The Bad Rock tours are a favorite for cultural and history seekers, with more than 20 tours and over 850 participants last year. The Chilliwack Lake and Sumas regions also attract hundreds. We participated in Mission Heritage Days 2017 for a full day. Sonny McHalsie’s speaking engagements and workshops included a full day at GW Graham School to over 600 students and teachers. We continue to develop promotional material: rack cards, posters and social media; as well as hosting a tourism sector collaborative workshop. Working with local community networks including the City of Chilliwack and Chilliwack Progress. We are currently creating a collaborative Legacy project with funding and support from Indigenous Tourism BC and Tourism Chilliwack. Hosted several Cultural Experience Series events including: Halq’emeylem e-book launch: The Crazy Painter, Archeological team update, collaborative art banner with Salmon Defenders, storytelling and the official book launch for “Being Ts’elxwéyeqw.

Cultural tours offered by the agency can be as simple as a self-guided tour of the site using information kiosks (above, left) or as comprehensive as a full day Bad Rock tour through traditional territory to Hope and Yale with Sonny McHalsie (above, right) with SSA Executive Director Willy Hall.

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Library & Archives • The 2017 Stó:lō Ethnohistory Field School ran May 5 –

June 2, 2017. Lisa Davidson, Sandra Bonner-Pederson, Jason and Jennifer Campbell, Dianne Garner and Sonny McHalsie generously hosted the students for the first week before they moved into the Coqualeetza Longhouse for the duration of their stay;

• The field school received a Halq’eméylem name – Xwelalámsthóxes which translates as he/she called me to witness;

• Support for ongoing projects such as the Semá:th Traditional Use and Occupancy Study, legal cases, Being Ts’elxwéyeqw: First People’s Voices from the Chilliwack-Fraser Valley, British Columbia;

• Significant progress on the digitization of the oral history recorded during the 1996/97 Traditional Use Study to ensure long term preservation of and access to this important material;

• Addition of photograph collection to the online Library Catalogue http://stolonation.pastperfectonline.com ;

• Outreach – Fraser Valley Regional Library, Chilliwack Museum and Archives, Reach Gallery, University of the Fraser Valley;

• Provided support for the Stó:lō Xyolhmet S’olhetawtxw Sq’éq’ip (Stó:lō House of Respect Caretaking Committee);

• Supported Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Treaty Association negotiations with the Federal and Provincial governments;

Genealogy

• The Family Tree Database increased by 551 names and now contains 48,204 names; • There are 14,332 marriages recorded in the database, an increase of 200; • Three hundred and five charts were printed; • Assisted Children in Care by finding family connections through genealogy charts and research; • Provided genealogical assistance to families and individuals in Stó:lō communities and School

District 78; • Attended community meetings to gather and share genealogical data; • Helped community members with research to support applications for status; • Maintained Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stologenealogyoffice ;

The first Stó:lō Ethnohistory Legacy Scholarship was presented to Dara Kelly.

Catalogued Library

Materials, 649

Circulated Library

Materials, 120Researchers,

230

Reference Services,

421

Digitized Records,

567

Library Statistics 2017/2018

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• Continued to gather genealogical data from published sources and community members.

551, Number of Names added to

Family Tree Maker database

200, Number of Marriages added to Family Tree Maker

database

751, Requests for genealogical

services

Genealogy Statistics 2017/2018

050

100150200250300350

52

297

60

305

41

Genealogy Statistics 2017/2018Research Requests

32

Stó:lō Xyolhmet S’olhetawtxw Sq’éq’ip (Stó:lō House of Respect Caretaking Committee) The committee, composed of elders and cultural knowledge holders, met twice this fiscal year. Ancestral remains that have been kept in the Laboratory of Archaeology at UBC are being returned.

Fisheries • Hosted Fishery Management Board action planning session specifying grass-root actions for the Fisheries program. • Implemented Sto:lo Dry Rack Research Project. Comprised of literature review, five community member dialogue sessions, Halq’eméylem research support and plant and water analysis. • Supported Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance with fishery plans, technical working groups, and Non-salmon technical topics. • Started the construction of a communal dry-rack in the Fraser Canyon. • Assisted in planning a communal salmon canning day for the Chilliwack Lake sockeye in partnership with the SN Health Department • Provide policy support to leadership on national/federal policy modernization. • Supported Fraser River Aboriginal Fisheries

Secretariat in harvest and conservation forum for Fraser bound salmon. Recommendations to Minister of DFO for implementation of Integrated Fisheries Management Plan. Stó:lō Tourism and Giftshop • Establishing and developing relationships with Chilliwack Tourism, Aboriginal Tourism of BC, Harrison Tourism and Hope

Tourism in collaborative promotions. • Continued and developing community connections with UFV, the City of Chilliwack, School District

and Chilliwack Service groups utilizing our networking outlets including Grand Theft Terra Firma exhibit and UFV theatrical presentations and Cultural Experience Series Chinese translated “I am Stó:lō” book launch.

• The Gift Shop continues to expand in product selection, supporting local artists hand-made products and supporting locally designed and manufactured Nations Creations products.

2017 Stó:lō Ethnohistory Students and Faculty (top) and 2017 Ethnohistory Fieldschool Thank You Feast (below).

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Treaty and Treaty Outreach

• Along with preparing informational materials (written, audio/visual, power point) we set up various community and one-on-one sessions as well as kitchen table gatherings with families and groups collecting feedback from our members and bring it to the TNT to assist with their preparation and treaty negotiations.

• Assist with the workshops of the SXTA leadership.

Activities:

• Website: Completed redesign. • SXTA Place Names Tours: May: Chilliwack River Valley tour; September: Upriver (Yale) Tour • Meetings/Engagement: Critical Path Working Group; Treaty Relation Measures Projects Meetings

and special sessions: a) Human Resources Sub-Committee b) Finance & Administrative Sub-Committee c) Capital Infrastructure & Joint Pilot Project Sub-Committee d) Governance Sub-Committee; Non-Treaty Sto:lo First Nations session and SXTA/FVRD engagement.

• Orientation: Held treaty orientation sessions for new council members. • Workshops: Attended and assisted with the five SXTA 2-day quarterly workshops. • SXTA Information Sessions: Set up one-on-one sessions in Leq’a:mel, community sessions on

Land/Capital Transfer piece of the Agreement in Principle at Tzeachten and Leq’a:mel. • Youth Forum: SXTA youth age 13-25 years toured UBC and the Museum of Anthropology. • Video Shorts: Prepared scripts for 3 of 5 treaty information video rants, each 90 seconds long. • SXTA Bi-monthly Newsletter: Completed 5 issues. • Work Plan & Budget: This included the restructuring of the Outreach department and outlined job

description for the new Communications & Outreach General Manager position.

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STÓ:LŌ ABORIGINAL SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT TRAINING (SASET)

SASET continues to provide employment and training services to First Nations individuals who are status/non-status, on/off reserve and Inuit regardless of their place of origin in Canada. The SASET catchment area extends from Surrey to Boston Bar and the three communities of Samahquam, Skatin, and Xa’xtsa. On Mar. 31, 2018, SASET completed interim services to Lil’wat and N’Quatqua First Nations that has been provided since 2015. SASET provides certified employment

counselors to assist with career decision making, essential skills assessments and development, labour market information, job search, developing resumes and cover letters, interview skills, job posting board, resource library, education and training information and development of essential skills for specified trades development. Employment counselors also assist with applications to short and long-term skills training and transition to work supports. The SASET Outreach Employment Services employment counselors, have regularly scheduled hours in the communities of Boston Bar, Spuzzum, Yale, Chawathil, Cheam, Scowlitz, Katzie, Kwantlen, Leq’á:mel, Tzeachten, Soowahlie, Shxwhà:y Village, Shxw’ow’hamel, Squiala, Skwah, Matsqui, Sumas, Mission Work BC, Mission Friendship Centre, Free Reign Associates in Hope, Triangle Employment Services in Abbotsford. SASET also provides full time employment services at Sto:lo Nation, Surrey Aboriginal Training & Employment Cooperative and the employment resource centre in Mt.Currie/Lil’wat; which provides outreach services to Samahquam, Skatin and Xa’xtsa. Clients are welcome at any employment services office in the catchment area, regardless of residence within the catchment area. Please visit www.saset.ca for a listing of locations and operational hours.

Seabird Island Sts’ailes Surrey ATEC Sto:lo Nation Employment Centres

2824 Clients Served

1356 Individuals Found Employment

456 Returned to school for further training

110 Transition to work supports

36 Short Term Training Supports

77 Long term Training Supports

35

Stó:lō Aboriginal Skills & Employment Training catchment area:

• Served 2824 clients • (with 7,778 interventions) averaging approximately 2,75 appointments per client. • 1356 individuals found employment. • 456 returned to school or further training. • 110 received Transition to Work supports: assistance with clothing, work gear,

transportation/food allowances to assist the transition into employment.

Vocational Training Supports:

• 36 individuals applied for and received Short Term Training Supports (2 to 30 days of training), and;

• 77 are currently receiving Long Term Training Supports. Of these clients at the end of the fourth quarter who received Vocational/training supports 146 individuals, including Transition To Work Clients, are employed.

SASET Sponsored Training Programs:

Professional Development for Employment Counselors in Labour Market analysis & Essential Skills Enhancement

Career Development Practitioner Training in partnership with Douglas College

Health Care Assistant Certification, hosted at Seabird Island Band in partnership with NVIT

14 community-based employment skills, resume, cover letter, interview skills, and “Getting Your L” workshops

General Labourers Certification Program

Partnering with the City of Surrey an Employment Preparation Program,

Warehouse Training Program Construction Foundations Programs were held in Chilliwack, Surrey and Shxw’owhamel

Occupational First Aid Level 3 Basic Security Level One in partnership with Securiguard

Basic Security Level Two Traffic Control Person Certification

“Nations Creations” SASET assisted the SSA entrepreneur program by facilitating a week of employability skills to the “Nations Creations” project which included Workplace Essential Skills Assessments.

The Health Department hosted their “Summer Youth Drop-In” group at the SASET Employment Resource Centre

UFV was contracted to facilitate Sage 1 and 2 level bookkeeping.

Fibre Optics Installation Training

Customer Service Certification Program at Chawathil

Landscaping Foundations Program

Spring Break Youth – employment readiness programs

Worked with Aboriginal Youth in local high schools, career prep

BladeRunners Culinary Arts Foundational Program

Youth in Trades Industrial Safety Certification Programs

36

ON THE JOB WITH SASET

Basic Security Training General Labourer Certification Program participants off to work

Partnership construction program in N’quatqua SASET Mt. Currie Employment Resource Centre

Warehouse Certificate Participants Youth in Trades

37

Community Employment Programs proposal driven and funded by SASET:

• 47 individuals in 30 different First Nations organizations received targeted wage subsidy supports provide under and unemployed individuals with a bridge to employment.

• 101 individuals received training from 5 First Nations organizations who applied and received funding supports to provide work-place based training.

• 5 First Nations organizations received funding for community Youth Initiative Employment & Training projects and employed 41 youth.

• 123 youth from 29 First Nations organizations who applied and received funding were provided Summer Employment work experience.

BladeRunners: The objective of BladeRunners is to train/place at-risk youth in permanent employment and to provide additional support to enhance their career potential. Services for BladeRunners is provided through the Foundation Program followed up with the Enhancement Program. The Foundation Program provides unemployed, at-risk-youth with ongoing support, job readiness skills, and work-place training certification so they can overcome barriers to employment and achieve long-term attachment to the workforce.

15

57

34

1

BladeRunner Program: 107 individuals completed their programs. Of these:

15 Are AttendingFurther Training

57 AreEmployed

34 Are SeekingEmployment

1 Has SincePassed

Youth in Trades: 13 students completed the work program that included one week each of carpentry/electrical, welding, culinary arts and automotive. Students completed the program with a better understanding of trades, and the pre-requisites to the trade of their interest.

38

Chilliwack BladeRunner Program:

Landscaping Foundational Program (Above and below) Construction Wild Firefighter Training Foundations Program

Hospitality Certification Program Basic Security Certificate Surrey BladeRunner Programs:

Automotive Detailing Employment Prep & Safety Certification Warehousing Certification

39

Culinary Arts Foundations Program: SASET delivers a successful 16-week Culinary Arts Foundations program and part of this program includes a workplace-based practicum. We have had a 93% success rate in completion and a 91% employment success rate. SASET would like to thank our 38 local restaurant partners who work so diligently in taking practicum placements and enjoy the ability to hire individuals who have a solid training to bring to their establishments.

Graduating class and their cakes: all are employed full-time! Another group of full-time employed cooks!

Steve Birch is working as a Tylas Smith is working full time at the Swuwa Patrick is working at Whistler. Blackcomb community caterer. Squamish Lillooet Cultural Centre.

40

3

1

SASET Culinary Arts- 44 Enrolled: 41 Completed

40 StudentsEmployed

3 SeekingEmployemt

1 Deceased

40

Mt. Currie Culinary Arts Class

2017 SSA Christmas Hampers SASET had the privilege for the second year in a row of coordinating the Stó:lō Service Agency Christmas Hampers for 2017. During the weeks of Dec 4 - 18, 2017 SASET Staff shopped for and filled 163 Christmas Hampers for delivery to families in need that consisted of all the fixings for a Christmas meal, a gift for each family member and Christmas Card with a $25 gift card for a Turkey or Ham, Save On Foods kindly deducted $5 from 150 gift cards amounting to a total savings of $750. Thank you to Nations Creations for allowing us to use Bldg 2B to do the hamper work. Just a few client shares of success: Richard Perrin – NVIT Forestry Technician Richard found out about SASET through a friend. He was unemployed and needed to move forward with

his career and life path. He met with an Employment Counsellor in 2015 to initiate the process – by researching and matching his personal interests and strengths with potential career paths. Richard has a love for the outdoors and an interest in sciences and this helped him narrow the field to forestry. He then completed upgrading to meet the entry requirements to the Environmental Resource Technology Diploma Program offered at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT). After completing his upgrading, Richard was accepted to the NVIT Environmental Tech program for the fall of 2016. At the Surrey Aboriginal

Employment and Training Cooperative, he worked on applications for tuition, books, fees, supplies and living supports. Richard accessed 3 funding agents: SASET, Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services (ACCESS) and the BC First Nations Forestry Council (BCFNFC). “The best part of the training for me was the academic success. Previous to this opportunity, I had not experienced any academic success; I dropped out of high school.” His hard work and dedication was recognized with the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Medal, presented to the first-year student with the highest-Grade Point Average at both NVIT campuses. Richard returned to complete the second year of his Diploma with the assistance of the same 3 funding agents. He is currently working for BC Timber Sales and his next step is “enrollment in either the Natural Resource Science Bachelors program at TRU, or the Fisheries and Wildlife Bachelors program at UNBC. “My ultimate goal is to attain either Registered Professional Forrester or Registered Professional Biologist designation.”

The Mt. Currie Culinary intake completed with 13 students graduating the program and 9 have already been offered employment during their workplace-based practicums, due to the high demand of hospitality and tourism workers in that region.

41

According to Richard, “This has truly been a life changing experience.” Adding that without the support of the funders, “I would not be able to provide a decent standard of living to my family. I cannot find the words to adequately express my gratitude for this amazing opportunity; thank you.” Congratulations Richard!

Valencia Bird – Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts Program: “To apply for funding supports in the career path of your choice, find the agencies in your area, set up a series of appointments for more paperwork. Show up on time to every appointment, at very least, keep in contact to confirm times, and if you are going to be late, be courteous and let your training officer know ahead of time, not 10 minutes running late. If all goes well, you’ll find yourself stepping though the door to a new career, a higher education, and the greatest opportunity to leave behind a cultural and skillful legacy by picking up the necessary tools and education now. This is where your path begins, “your journey Home”, where you will contribute to cultural revitalization and sovereignty and be the bridge to the times prior to colonial contact where “… every man is a painter and sculptor…” (Marchand, 1801 (Northwest Coast Indian Art, An Analysis of Bill Holm, p.5).

Devon Pattyson: “Recently I got to complete a very important, life changing course through my local Aboriginal Employment Assistance Office. For a week of my time and focus, I learned the “ins and outs” of becoming a professional Security Worker. There are many different paths I can follow to gain experience and other work-related skills. After completing the Basic Security Program, I was hired on at a local mall in Chilliwack. I am loving the responsibility and respect that I earn working for the people of Chilliwack ensuring my workplace can be a safe and happy environment for all who set foot on mall property! During my work day, I make rounds of the property, take notes, observe and keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior and keep a happy presence throughout the shift. I love the work, I enjoy the people, and I cannot thank SASET enough for helping to make this happen for me.”

Patrick Van Loosen (left) successfully completed his Class 1 Driver’s program and Paul McKenzie (right) successfully completed his Bridge Watchman License Certification program.

Devon Pattyson successfully completed his Security Worker training now works at a local mall.

PÓPKW’EM (POPKUM - 585) Chief James Murphy Councillor Cynthia Murphy

54951 Julseth Rd. Popkum, BC V0X 1X0 Email: Popkum@live.ca (t) 604-846-1988

SQ’EWQÉYL (SKOWKALE - 571) Chief Mark Point Councillor Dustin Hall Councillor Derek Hansom Councillor Darcy Paul Councillor Tiffany Silver

Band Manager: Stacy McNeil (604)819-3716Email: manager@skowkalefn.com

PO Box 2159, 7686 Chilliwack River Rd. Chilliwack, BC V2R 1A7 (t) 604-824-5302 (f) 604-858-2716

SEMÁ:TH (SUMAS - 578) Chief Dalton Silver Councillor Jackie Bird Councillor Murray Ned Councillor Clint Tuttle

Administrator: Wendy Phair Email: wendy.phair@sumasfirstnation.com Elder’s Rep: Barbara Silver (604) 855-7578

2788 Sumas Mtn Rd. Abbotsford, BC V3G 2J2 (t) 604-852-4041 (f) 604-852-4048

SXWOYEHÁ:LÁ (SQUIALA - 574) Chief David Jimmie Councillor Stephen Jimmie Councillor Allen Jimmie

Administrator: Tamara Bartz Email: tammybartz@squiala.com

45005 Squiala Rd. Chilliwack, BC V2P 7Z9 (t) 604-792-8300 (f) 604-792-4522

SHXWHÁ:Y VILLAGE (570) Chief Robert Gladstone Councillor Ron Miguel Councillor Bonnie Russell Councillor Tanya James Councillor Michelle Roberts

Elder’s Rep: Robert Gladstone Receptionist: Shawna Williams

44680 Schweyey Rd. Chilliwack, BC V2R 5M5 (t) 604-792-9316 (f) 604-792-9317

YAQWYEQWÍ:WS (YAKWEAKWIOOSE - 576) Grand Chief Frank Malloway Chief Terry Horne Hereditary Chief Elaine Malloway Councillor Jason Malloway Councillor Nicole LaRock

Administrator: Lydia Archie Elder's Rep: Mary Malloway

7176 Chilliwack River Rd. Sardis, BC V2R 4M1 (t) 604-858-1785

ATHELETS (AITCHELITZ - 558) Chief Angie Bailey aitchelitzfn@gmail.com Councillor John A. George (604) 701-2123 Councillor Leona Sam (604) 791-3671 Councillor Gordon George (604) 997-2568

Administrator: Leona Sam Elder’s Rep: Julia George (604) 791-1760

PO Box 2130 Sardis, BC V2R 4H4 (t) 604-791-1004

CH’IYÁQTEL (TZEACHTEN - 575) Chief Derek Epp Councillor Cathy Hall Councillor Ken Malloway Councillor Loren Muth

Councillor Melvin Williams Jr. General Manager: James Atebe Elder’s Rep: Yvonne Joe/Eva Guilderson Email: Kathy@tzeachten.ca

45855 Promontory Rd. Chilliwack, BC V2R 0H3 (t) 604-858-3888 (f) 604-858-3382

LEQ’Á:MEL (579) Chief Alice Thompson Councillor James Paterson Councillor Darrel McKamey Councillor Camielle Laslo Councillor Dawn Styran Councillor Sandy McDonald Councillor Daniel Kelly

General Manager: Ellen TorngElder’s Rep: Barb Leggat Reception: Bonny Leggat (t) 604-826-7976

43101 Leq’a:mel Way Deroche, BC V0M 1G0 (t) 604-826-7976 (f)604-826-0362 MÁTHEXWI (MATSQUI - 565)Chief Alice McKayCouncillor Louis JulianCouncillor Brenda MorganFamily Reps – Cynthia Collins, Haley Julian, Gary Talbot, Garry Silver, Stan Morgan

Administrator: Chief Alice McKay Email: matsquiband@shaw.ca

31989 Harris Rd. Box 10 Matsqui, BC V4X 3R2 (t) 604-826-6145 (f) 604-826-7009

SQ’EWÁ:LXW (SKAWAHLOOK - 582) Chief Maureen Chapman Councillor Debra Schneider

Administrator: Sharron Young Email: sharron@skawahlook.com Office Manager: Susan McKamey Email: susan@skawahlook.com

58611A Lougheed Hwy Agassiz, BC V0M 1A2 (t) 604-796-9129 (f) 604-796-9289

STÓ:LŌ SERVICE AGENCY BOARD Sharron Young Chair Rhianna Millman Vice Chair Michael Bellegarde Secretary/ Treasurer Cameron Clark Board Member Angie Kermer Board Member

STÓ:LŌ SERVICE AGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM Willy Hall Executive Director Sharlene Charlton FAD Director Kelowa Edel Health Services Director Anna Celesta SASET Manager Dave Schaepe SRRMC Director Brianna Nakagawa Recorder

Stó:lō Nation Building #8 – 7201 Vedder Road

Chilliwack, BC V2R 45

Stó:lō Nation Chiefs Council (SNCC) Chief David Jimmie, President

Annual Report 2017-2018

Stó:lō Service Agency 7201 Vedder Road Chilliwack, BC V2R 4G5

604-858-3366 • www.stolonation.bc.ca