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Nicola Tribal

Association

Newsletter

September 2017

Nicola Tribal Association

MISSION STATEMENT

Working in Unity to improve the Quality

of Life of our People

While Promoting our Language

Culture and Protecting our

Ancestral Rights

Deadline for NTA

newsletter

submission is the

20th day of every

month

Inside this Issue:

NTA Strategic Planning Session

Executive Director’s Report

NWSFA Report

FRAFS Report

Tmixw Report

Finance Report

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PO Box 188 * Merritt, BC * V1K 1B8 * tel (250) 378-4235 * fax (250) 378-9119

administration@nicolatribal.org

Call for Bids

150 Drums

Scw’exmx Child and Family

Orange Shirt Day/

Red Dress

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Tea Picking

Fall Word Search

Health Authority

Announcements

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14/15

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SERVICES IDENTIFIED THROUGH OUR STRATEGIC

PLANNING SESSION HELD ON MARCH 14, 15, & 16TH 2016

1. Gathering Place We provide a gathering place in Merritt, the largest community closest to the majority of our members. We

will work with our communities to see how we can better support them and their families. At this time, we

provide a number of core services that we provide to members on a walk-in basis, including but not limited

to:

*A place to rest after or during shopping in town;

*Free telephone use;

*Free internet use;

*Free photocopying service; and

*Meeting and other facilities for ceremonies.

2. One Voice NTA, by mandate, is the single voice for all communities as well, the concept of One Voice has to do with the

power and strength in numbers channeled through the single entity NTA. One Voice includes language and

culture, centralized communications, and community supported decisions for referrals and environmental

interests. These are areas that relate to specific services, most notably fisheries, or to matters where

business is conducted within Merritt and where a unified First Nations voice (and approach) is needed.

We are continually looking to enhance the conversations where we can demonstrate value, and have

identified the following services as those that fall into this category:

• Protection and stewardship, especially our work on fisheries and land surveys;

• Centralized communications, including seeking to work with our communities to help them with

engagement in their own communities;

• Centralized engagement where it is expected or required, especially in Merritt and the surrounds

and on regional, provincial and national committees as needed through our work; and Acting as a

language hub so that the languages spoken within the seven NTA communities can be preserved

and grown.

3. Shared Services We provide a series of valued services to all our member communities that are better performed as one

organization rather than seven, either in terms of reducing cost or creating greater effectiveness, using the

voice of seven instead of one. Some of these services are provided because of our history, others because

we have identified the need. We will continue to work with our communities so that we can constantly offer

a NTA-based valued solutions.

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Executive Director Report by Arlene Johnston:

It is very hard to bring the Board of Directors together over the summer months and therefore even more difficult to move forward with plans. We are busy doing the day to day operations at Nicola Tribal but hopefully once school is back in and we all get back to regular routines we will be able to move forward with the work plan. The work plan has been adopted by the Board of Directors but has not, at this time been ratified by the membership. WEBSITE We continue to update our website. If you have something to advertise please contact our office and we will place it in our website. FINANCE We have received funding from First Peoples Cultural Council for an Aboriginal Languages Initiative. This project will be completed by Mandy Jimmie. CULTURAL EVENT A group of individuals went out on August 28, 2017 and picked tea. I enjoyed learning about how to pick the tea and prepare it for use. It has a very fragrant aroma even as we walked through it to pick it. I was very surprised to find that there are areas that are not completely dried out even with the hot weather this year. We will be distributing this tea at our AGA. We will continue to work hard protecting our lands and water. Arlene Johnston, CAFM, CAPA Executive Director

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NWSFA Department Report by Tracy Wimbush and Jessica Urquhart

Program Manager: Arranged and chaired two all chiefs meetings on fisheries. 7 Nlakapamux bands and one Syilx band were rep-resented at the first meeting. 8 Nlaapamux bands were represented at the second meeting. Arranged and chaired one meeting between 8 Nlakapamux bands and DFO Regional Director. Dealing with Fisheries issues during fishing season, personally dealt with 14 calls from the membership on fishing questions. Consultation with DFO on weekly bases.

Office and Field Crew work: FHRI Watering Program (ongoing through hot dry summer months) - Water riparian rootstock planted at 8 habitat restoration sites through Nicola River watershed; one 2 person crew FHRI Instream Restoration - August 16-18 work at one site on Spahomin Creek (Upper Nicola Band Reserve) – construct 3 LWD structures. Employed 2 UNB members for fire watch, in addition to our 2 person crew Nicola Lake Kokanee - August 25 begin weekly walks (8 weeks total) on Nicola River above Nicola Lake counting live kokanee; one 2 person crew. Next week walks will start on Moore Creek (Guichon Ranch); second 2 person crew will begin Nicola River chinook - Week of August 28 pre-spawn mortality walks will begin; one 2 person crew Coldwater River Coho - Week of August 28 fish fence panels will be installed, as well as right and left bank fish traps; 4 person crew Fisheries planning - In-season sockeye updates informed fishery planning throughout the month of August and fueled many meetings with the NTA Chiefs (locally and with DFO). BC Rivers Day - Funding received from the Pacific Salmon Foundation will support a Merritt community event on BC Rivers Day (September 24th). Preparing for the event was/is ongoing throughout August. Fisheries Act - A second submission, on behalf of NTA Bands, was made to Minister Dominic Leblanc (DFO) regarding the ongoing review of Canada’s Fisheries Act. Nicola Dam operations - NWSFA now has representation on the Nicola Dam Flow Release Committee. The committee met multiple times in August to discuss and plan dam release schedules. NWSFA is partnering with MFLNRO to conduct an egg scour study downstream of the dam which will help guide dam operations while salmon eggs and alevin are still in the gravel. Study planning began in August.

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FRAFS Operations Manager Activity Report by Greg Witzky

Day-To-Day Operations:

• Coded, double-checked, and signed numerous invoices/travel claims then submitted to the NTA

finance accounts payable department.

• Email correspondence with FRAFS EC, DFO, NTA, FNFC, and FRAFS support biologists.

• Worked out of the NTA office for 5 days, 2 days at SNTC in Kamloops, plus another 11 days

(some partial) out of my Chase office.

• Reading FRISI documents as per my EC action item # 2, still using Lita’s Excel spreadsheet template to

code invoice claims and track expenses, continually reading past FRAFS emails to help me understand

how to perform my duties to the best of my ability, examining how to utilize the NTA Xyntax

accounting program with Excel, tracked my hours worked and submitted bi-weekly timesheets to the

NTA, and tasked with coordinating the hiring committee to interview a Communications Coordinator.

Tasks:

• Participated in the NTA Managers meeting on July 5th.

• Submitted my FRAFS June activity report into the NTA newsletter.

• Developed agenda for July 17th EC meeting.

• Coordinated the July 17th EC meeting hosted by the SFC/SNTC in Kamloops.

• Developed action item list as a result of the EC meeting.

• Developed summarized meeting notes from the EC meeting.

• Developed, and presented, draft monthly financial report to the EC.

• Developed an action item table from the transition report I received when hired.

• Met with the NTA Executive Director (Arlene Johnston) on June 23rd to get an idea of how their Xyntax

accounting program works.

• Helped review and provide feedback into the July 14 / 21 / 28 “WST” newsletters.

• Distributed the July 14 & 28 “WST” newsletters to First Nations and DFO contacts.

• Coordinated the HR hiring committee interview process for one candidate on July 24th, then we

recommended hiring the candidate to the EC.

• Offered the employment opportunity to Allison James on July 27th and she gladly accepted the

Communications Coordinator position.

• With Neil Todd’s help I completed and submitted the interim progress report/schedule 7 to DFO.

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Tmixw Research Report by Casey Holmes:

Referrals 2017

Referrals for 2017 have been extremely steady and progressing. A referrals department is like the frontline

to obtain Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. They can be both technical and political. Both components

are extremely important as it is an opportunity to assert Aboriginal Title and Rights. For example, one of

the highlights this year is the Coldwater River water licensing meetings that have been held at the Nicola

Tribal Association (NTA). One single ground water license has led to an overall consultation process with

the Cascades District, local First Nation Bands and entities to address concerns around the Coldwater River

and the Nicola River. There is an understanding that there is a need for further investigation on ground

water, current conditions, drought, fish, cumulative impacts, temperature, capacity, etc. At this point, local

First Nations (FN) have given the Forest Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) recommendation

and notification of further studies needed which is our right to have all the information needed in order to

constitute meaningful consultation and given consent. Without being properly informed of potential

impacts to water and fish, it is not feasible for FN to give consent. It is in the best interest of FLNRO and

local FN to work together, and make amendments that include the protection of FN title and right for fish

and water. On that note, Tmixw Research has also engaged in meetings with the Parks and Recreation

District and other local FN to discuss the importance of FLNRO Parks and Rec working with FN on a higher

level to detract from a reactive process of referrals. This means that we want to see opportunities open up

for FN representation at the planning process rather than just the notification level. TR has also held

meetings for individual projects such as the Aerial Crossing on the Coquihalla River for Spectra Energy. We

have met with BC Oil and Gas, Spectra Energy (Enbridge), and Archaeology regarding this project, and it

too is an ongoing project that TR has been participating with. TR has also sent staff to a Referrals Officer

Training program in Prince George that lasted a week long. It was a great opportunity to hear from other

entities and bands about their processes and to pick up any tips and resources. TR continues to work

closely with proponents and building positive working relationships.

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Finance Coordinator Report:

Continued Financial Tip for Seniors

15 quick tips for protecting your finances

6. Think twice before accepting an offer to “advance” (lend) you a portion of your future pension, Social

Security or other retirement income. These offers are similar to payday loans and they likely involve

costly fees and interest. You can also find yourself taking out similar loans in the future — paying

additional fees and interest charges — to make up for new cash shortages as you repay the original loan.

“If you need to borrow money fast, check with your bank and other financial institutions, and compare the

products they offer based on the Annual Percentage Rate,” advised Reynolds.

7. Use credit cards cautiously.

Accumulating debt can be costly, yet many seniors have considerable credit card debt. Before making

purchases using your credit card, consider whether you will be able to pay your balance in full when the

statement arrives, so you will avoid costly interest charges. Even small purchases can add up to big credit

card bills.

8. Remember that a reverse mortgage will eventually have to be paid back — with interest. Reverse

mortgages allow homeowners age 62 or older to borrow against the equity in their homes without having

to make monthly payments as long as they meet the terms of their loan agreement, such as staying

current on property taxes. However, the money borrowed plus interest must eventually be repaid, usually

when you or your heirs sell the house.

9. Think about ways to turn a hobby or another interest into a part-time job.

Other possibilities for supplementing your income in retirement include a seasonal job or freelance

consulting. But consider if this extra money could affect other aspects of your finances tied to your

income, such as a potential increase in your Medicare costs or a possible temporary reduction in your

Social Security benefits. Also consider any income tax implications.

Saving and Investing

10. If you’re considering an annuity, understand the potential pros, cons and costs. You’ve probably seen

or heard promotions for annuities, which are financial products tied to a contract

between a consumer and an insurance company. Insurers sell annuities but so do other financial

institutions, including banks. You buy an annuity by making either a single payment or a series of

payments to the insurance company. In return, the company promises to make payments to you, either as

one lump-sum payment or a series of payments for a specified time period.

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Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in the spring of 2013. It grew out of Phyllis' story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually. The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It also gives teachers time to plan events that will include children, as we want to ensure that we are passing the story and learning on to the next generations. Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Red Dress

Jaime Black, a Metis artist from Winnipeg, created The REDress

Project five years ago. It collects red dresses from the community

and hangs them in public spaces as a visual reminder of the

women who are no longer present, for the women who lost their

life, for the women who are missing.

In 2016, the federal government launched an independent

national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women

and girls.

According to the Native Women’s Association of Canada,

Indigenous women are almost three times more likely to be killed

by a stranger than non-Indigenous women, and nearly half of

these cases remain unsolved.

For anyone who may have lost a loved one may you be

comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you.

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Tea Picking with the office August 28, 2017

On August 28th the entire office went tea

picking 10 km up Sunset Main Road high-

way 97C between Merritt and Kelowna.

We were picking about two and half

hours managed to get quite a bit for our

AGA.

Indian tea is good brewed with rosehips,

it’s good for when you have a cold. When

the tea is dried properly it shouldn’t go

bad, but if you see yellow leaves and

spots might not be to good to drink.

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Contact the NTA office for more information :

(250) 378-4235

Deadline for submissions is the last day of each

month. Please send all submissions to:

administration@nicolatribal.org

Fax: (250) 378-9119

If you would like to have your newsletter emailed to

you, Send your email address to:

administration@nicolatribal.org

You can now view our newsletter of the NTA website

nicolatribal.com

SERVICES

Children’s Help Line (250) 310-1234

Scw’exmx Child and

Family Services Society (250) 378-2771

Scw’exmx Community

Health Services Society (250) 378-9745

Conayt Friendship Society (250) 250-378-5107

Journey Into Tomorrow

Transition House (250) 378-6170

ASETS (250) 378-0126

Nicola Tribal Association

(250) 378-4235

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Friday, September 22, 2017

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Monday September 4, 2017

Ready for fall?