le'qa:mel first nation newsletter - march 2011

While we encourage

members to be a part of the newsle�er

and submit ideas and stories, we reserve

the right to edit any submissions for

grammar and sensi�vity.

Inside this issue:

Leq’Leq’Leq’Leq’á:mel First Nation :mel First Nation :mel First Nation :mel First Nation March 2011March 2011March 2011March 2011

Chief’s Update;

VanAsep Training Society

2

Housing Update 3

Youth and Recrea�on 4

Youth and Recrea�on 5

Youth Mee�ng Notes 6

Youth Ou�ng No�ce 7

Youth Forum –SXTA 8

Mission Community Library;

Anonymous Submission

9

Sto:lo Community Futures

Pilot Satellite Office

10

March Birthdays 11

March 2011 Calendar 12

Effec�ve March 2011, all newsle!ers will be sent to members via email only. Please add your name to the email

list to ensure that you will receive the newsle!er in the future. Hard copies will be available by request at the

LFN band office.

To be added please contact:

recep�[email protected]

LFN BiLFN BiLFN BiLFN Bi----ElectionElectionElectionElection

Bi-Election for one (1) Council Position

NOMINATION MEETING Thursday March 3, 2011 6-8 pm

ADVANCE POLL Saturday March 12, 2011 4:30-7:30 pm

BI-ELECTION POLL Saturday March 19, 2011 10 am—7 pm

Leq’a:mel First Nation Community Hall 43101 Leq’a:mel Way, Deroche, BC V0M 1G0

Eligible Elector—Leq’a:mel First Nation Member & 18 years of age.

Leq’á:mel First Nation

Chief’s UpdateChief’s UpdateChief’s UpdateChief’s Update

Ma’exe, Chief Alice Thompson

Thank you to caring citizens

I want to thank those individuals who came forward with some items which they had found in or on their prop-erty which they believed were taken from recent vandalisms to band vehicles and also the break and enter at one of our housing units. Some may believe that the costs of crime only impacts the Band Office but in reality it is a cost to all of us. The funds used to repair or replace items damaged or stolen impacts all Band Mem-bers. The costs to replace damaged or stolen items comes directly from our Band Revenues. The other impacts that people don’t see are the impacts to community. These crimes affect our ability to pro-vide consistency in our social programs. The recent vandalism and theft of our bus and van impacted our youth group. There were at least three separate outings since mid-December that had to be cancelled as a re-sult of this crime. What message is being sent to our young people when this happens to them directly? Just as a note: The van has been vandalized three times since we have had it, twice there was extensive damage to it and most recently the costs to repair was just under $10,000 but the biggest and most inconvenient impact was not having the use of it for over two months both for office and for youth programming. The costs associated to a recent break and enter also impacts our Revenues as the costs to repair or replace the damaged door, window and interior will more than likely be bore by Band Revenues again. So I am pleading to everyone, please stand together and fight the crime that is not against your band office, but a crime that is against you. Observe, Record and Report. The next time this happens it could be to you. So let’s take a stand and have each other’s backs. Mae'xe Chief Alice Thompson

VanAsep Training SocietyVanAsep Training SocietyVanAsep Training SocietyVanAsep Training Society

All First Nations people are welcome to attend but pre-registration is required Regards, Mike Lachocki, MBA, CPIM, CIRM Supply Chain Program Vanasep


Update from the Property administratorUpdate from the Property administratorUpdate from the Property administratorUpdate from the Property administrator

Helen McElroy

Property Ad-

ministrator

Correspondence Letters have been sent to realtors and notaries in regards to the process of trailer sales. Advisory letters have been sent annually to remind them that LFN has a process of criminal record checks and paperwork that is required for the office. Letters were sent to the 760 Deroche community members regarding the updating of the Emergency Response Plan. The Plan was developed for the flood response in 2007 but needed updates from the community members. Accurate data is required in an emergency evacuation situation for the first responders to ensure that they have safely evacuated or accounted for everyone. Letters have been sent to social housing tenants for the Power Smart Program through BC Hydro. The program is aimed at low income families to potentially assist with insulation, new fridges, etc. Please forward your applications back to the office at your earliest convenience to ensure that LFN can participate in this program. Arrears Statements for the social housing units and trailer parks continue to be sent. If you are having diffi-culties reading the statements, please contact. Current rental account is $103,324 and the Member loan account of past rent is $274,513 for a total of $377,837.

Please forward new housing applications for this fiscal year. To be eligible for social housing units, please be aware that no monies can be owing to Leq’á:mel First Nation. Miscellaneous LFN is still awaiting an answer from CMHC regarding the last request for renovation funds. As the fiscal year end is fast approaching, it does not appear at this date that LFN will receive any addition-al funding. With the latest break-in of the social housing units it is timely to remind community members of the importance of reporting crimes to the RCMP. It is important for everyone to take responsibility to stop crime and report directly to the RCMP any activities that are outside of the law; whether it is

driving a car without insurance, drug deals, loud after hour’s parties or home break-ins. LFN does have house insurance on the social housing units but the contents of the home are the responsibility of the tenant for insurance. With the restructure in the office, I no longer manage the maintenance workers or transfer station attendant. I want to thank the staff for the assistance over the past 28 months. One of the mandates I had when I was hired was to clean the social housing yards of garbage. This was accomplished over the past year with the use of the bins being dropped to the units. The maintenance department has worked hard cleaning the social housing park and the trailer parks. The office has received nu-merous compliments on the cleanliness of the reserve now. Members wishing to cut wood on the reserve are to contact the office with their request. Members are reminded that trees are NOT to be cut down, only trees that are already felled are to be cut for wood. The Social Housing Ad-Hoc Committee has been reviewing the “Housing Agreement” and will be forwarding recommendations for revisions to Chief and Council in the next month. Once accepted by Chief and Council, the social housing tenants will be required to sign the agreement for the next fiscal year. Respectfully submitted Respectfully Submitted Helen McElroy Peter McDonald Residential Property Administrator Housing Councillor


Youth and RecreationYouth and RecreationYouth and RecreationYouth and Recreation

Movie Night Fundraiser

The Movie Night held on February 22nd, 2011, was not very successful. This happened the last time we held one

where it snowed and some people may have been too scared to drive in the snow. However, the youth that were present

still took pride and had fun wanting to help in the Concession and at the Admission Table.

Although our Movie Night was not well attended, we had a few new faces volunteering which to me is a suc-

cess on its own. The Youth Group is coming together quite well, we still have a ways to go before all wheels are turn-

ing, but as this is the first time our community has ever had a full-time Youth Coordinator, I would say things are look-

ing as good as they can for the time being.

Youth Activities

Again, I cannot stress to the Parents how important it is that you send your children to Youth Night and other

LFN Youth Functions in weather-appropriate clothing at all times. It may not always snow, but when it does, the kids

like to run out right away and have fun. This is also important because as I have expressed to Parents of our LFN Youth

who attend regularly that I am not responsible for driving your child home, this is your responsibility. In some situations

if there is no other option than I will do so, but please remember to pick up your child or have other arrangements made

prior to your children coming to Youth Night. Also, a reminder that Parents are welcome to attend Youth Night, we can

always use a few more adults to help supervise, as well I believe it would give the children some pride in seeing their

Parents take interest and responsibility in participating in the community.

Outreach

So far, drumming with Deroche School has been a success. There are different numbers each week, but there

are always interested participants in attendance. This has proven to do some good as there are just as many Non-

Aboriginal students participating as there are Aboriginal students. Although Deroche is already a diverse school, this is

one more way that students of other ethnic backgrounds learn about us as Sto:lo people. Just a reminder, I go to Deroche

every Monday at Lunch Time.

Now that it has been decided Deroche Elementary will remain open, I can try to arrange a day to attend Hatzic

Secondary to do the same as I have done with Deroche.

Ma’exeyetel, Jason Thompson

Youth and Recreation Coordinator


Monthly Outing

This month, the LFN Youth went to Castle Fun Park. The Bus and Van were both filled, we arrived just after

12:00 PM. We started out with a bit of an orientation, then a lunch and the kids broke off into groups that wanted to go to

Go-Karts, and those who wanted to go to Mini-Golf. All in all, the Youth had a blast.

For March, the LFN Youth decided they would like to go to Hells Gate Air Tram or Capilano Suspension

Bridge. I had previously encouraged them that it would be good to see them go to a more educational place for their next

outing since we have been doing a lot of fun outings latetly. Also, the Youth decided that Laser Tag would be a fun idea

for the outing in April.

Please remember, LFN Youth Outings are for LFN Youth only!

LFN Youth Meetings

February was a busy month for Youth Meetings. On February 9th, Victoria Kelly came out and held a Youth

Treaty Forum to get information from the Youth on what they know or would like to know about Treaty. We had ap-

proximately 6 Youth attend.

On February 16th, Community Health Nurses from Sto:lo Nation came and did a session on Healthy Sexuality.

Due to personal reasons, I could not be here, but Chief Alice was here and said the youth in attendance provided great

feedback and questions.

Please remember, LFN Youth Meetings are open to LFN Youth and Parents only.

Gathering Our Voices 2011

LFN Youth will not be attending this year. We aimed for 5 Youth to attend, however, they were not all able to

turn in their registration to me. This is unfortunate as I know this would have been a great opportunity for our Youth to

meet new people and learn about issues around our home Province.

Upcoming Reminders

Public Treaty Forum – March 1st 6:30pm

Youth Movie Night – March 29th 6pm

LFN Youth Meeting – March 30th 5pm

Youth Outing Deadline – TBA

Youth Outing – TBA

Youth and RecreationYouth and RecreationYouth and RecreationYouth and Recreation

Ma’exeyetel, Jason Thompson

Youth and Recreation Coordinator


Youth Meeting NotesYouth Meeting NotesYouth Meeting NotesYouth Meeting Notes

February23rd2011,5PMAll discussion is subject to change

Youth T-Shirts

a. Youth would like to have LFN Youth Hoodies, Green with White logo

Youth Night

a. Youth agreed to having LFN Youth Night on Monday Feb 28th in replace of March 1st

Youth Outing

a. For March, Youth identified Hells Gate or Capilano Suspension Bridge as their next outing

b. Youth would like to have it during Spring Break

c. They also identified Laser Tag as an idea for April

d. Older Youth liked the idea of supervising for Youth under 11 Yrs Old

Homework Club

a. A few youth expressed an interest in coming to Homework Club

LFN Youth Movie Night

a. Next one will be March 29th

ACFCC – Aboriginal Children and Families Chiefs’ Coalition

a. Youth suggested that ACFCC could help LFN Youth with Sports Equipment – Hockey Pads, balls,

etc.. and Benches

Workshops

a. All the youth present were signed up for Babysitting Course

b. Youth identified workshops/training on Cooking, Cleaning/WMS, Life Guard/Swimming, First

Aid, and Bike Safety as things they would like to learn

Spring Break

a. Youth would like to keep the gym open during the day for Spring Break

b. Science World On the Road identified as something the youth may be interested in having in the

community

Other

a. We discussed the results of the School Closure, Deroche remaining open and Durieu closing

b. Youth Account – youth were asked if they felt they were ready to have one of them be a signer for

the LFN Youth Account, they said yes.

c. Youth Council – youth were asked if they thought they were ready to put together a Youth Coun-

cil (president, vice president, etc) that would be responsible for running Youth Meetings, organiz-

ing games/activities for Youth Night and deciding fundraisers and ways they would wish to use

the money they have raised, they said yes.


Youth Outing NoticeYouth Outing NoticeYouth Outing NoticeYouth Outing Notice

Parents/Guardians must attend

with their children under 10 years

old. If there is no Parent/Guardian

signed up by the deadline, they will

be removed.

Those who wish to ride the Bus/Van

MUST be at LFN by 9AM or will be

left. We will not pick up anyone on

the way out.

604.826.7976


Mission Community LibraryMission Community LibraryMission Community LibraryMission Community Library

Mission Community Library: Events for March It’s Not Easy Being Green! Family Storytime Tuesday, March 15, 6:45–7:30 p.m. From the bogs and the swamps to you! Stories, songs, and a puppet show with an environmental twist! Clear the Clutter Wednesday, March 16, 7–8:30 p.m. Louise will share her tips and talents on how to create the warm and inviting home you’ve always dreamed of. Game On! Thursday, March 24, 2:30–4:30 p.m. Show off your mad gaming skills on the Xbox, or try your hand at one of our crazy board games, like Gloom or Mad Scientist University. There will be snacks.For ages 12–18. For more information, please call 604-826-6610. Mission Community Library 33247 Second Avenue ### Cora Kollin Library Services Assistant Mission Community Library

Anonymous SubmissionsAnonymous SubmissionsAnonymous SubmissionsAnonymous Submissions

Trust is the path

Acceptance is the direction Serenity the destination

Self Centeredness a detour And

Impatience a rock in your shoe

Martin Dodd

Yesterday when I was young, the most important thing was to have fun. In order to do so, I turned to mind altering

substances. I became addicted to the illusions created by the drugs. I’d go to any length to maintain the clouded picture

that I thought was fun. I forgot how to laugh or cry and would end up wondering what was wrong with the people who

did.

At two and a half years clean, my emotions are slowly starting to reappear. There are times when I’m the cold hearted

addict, then there are times when I feel truly insane, laughing at others’ pain. Through it all, I’m striving to be an addict

in recovery and love life on its terms, not in a drug induced haze that I once thought was normal. That was my percep-

tion of mind altering substances and the grief that they caused me.

There are many forms of addictions. My definition of addiction is “any thing that stimulates the pleasure sensors of the

mind that the addict loses control over the amount that they need to feel or not feel.”

Anonymous

Religion is for those individuals trying to avoid going to hell.

Spirituality is for those of us who have been there.

United Methodist Church Bulletin


Sto:lo Community FuturesSto:lo Community FuturesSto:lo Community FuturesSto:lo Community Futures————Pilot Satellite OfficePilot Satellite OfficePilot Satellite OfficePilot Satellite Office

Stó:lō Community Futures (SCF) is starting a three-month Pilot Satellite Office at Leq’á:mel to assist all Aboriginal people living in the Stó:lō Territory, with a wide range of business loans and services! If you are starting, or expanding a viable business, you may qualify for a repayable loan up to $150,000.00, with a 15% equity requirement. If you would like to talk to Rocio about a loan, or just want to ask questions about what you need to do to start a business, she will be available starting Wednesday, February 9th, every second Wednesday for three months at the following:

Place: Leq’á:mel Band Office Foyer Days: Wednesdays (alternating) Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

No appointments necessary, but if you would like to meet with her privately, please call to schedule a meeting. If Wednesday doesn’t work with your schedule, you can contact Rocio directly at (604) 824-5272, or email her at [email protected]

to answer any of your questions, or schedule a meeting for another time that works best for you.

STÓ:LŌ COMMUNITY FUTURES

Building #10 – Third Floor, 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack, B.C. V2R 4G5 Tel: (604) 858-0009 Fax: (604) 858-3829 E-mail: [email protected]

Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday! Leq’á:mel First Nation

Tristan Dudley

Chance Dye

Evelyn Bozak

Dallas Brezina

Dianna Brezina

Daemon Cooper

Ryan Diablo

Steven Dudley

Judy Fell

Karen GoodFellow

Billi Jo Green

David Holoday

Theresa Holoday

Larry Hopkins

Emily Kelly

Jaime R Kelly

James P Kelly Jr

Jayden Kelly

Patrick Kelly

Rene Kelly

Myrna Laslo

Toribio Madayag

Deborah Kelly

Daniela McKamey

Michael McKamey

Kris McLellan

Roxanne Meer

Theresa Morris

David North

James Paterson

Jeffery N Paul

Alfred Phillips

Shirley Powers

Ashley Reid

Terina Roberts

Cadence Roper

Robert Seymour

Travis Seymour

Nadine Tereposky

Alan Thompson

Jason Thompson

Adam Walter


MARCH 2011

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1 Literacy Bus

10:30-noon Public Forum 6:30—9:30 pm

2 Language

Night 5-7:30 pm Council Mtg 7 pm

3 Nomination

Meeting 6-8 pm

4 5 Volleyball

Drop-In 6 pm Deroche Totems NA 7-8 pm

6 7 Family Place

Drop-In 10-noon Craft Night 5:30-7:30 pm

8 Income Tax

Workshop 1-4 Literacy Bus 10:30-noon Youth Night 4-6 pm Sto:lo Health TB Awareness 1-3 pm

9 Occupational

First Aid Level 1; 8:30-4

Language Night 5-7:30 pm

10 Transporta-

tion Endorse-ment; 8:30-4 Sto:lo Health TB Awareness 1-3 pm

11 WHMIS

8:30 am-12pm

12 Deroche To-

tems NA 7-8 pm Advanced Poll

4:30—7:30 pm

13 14 Family Place


15 Literacy Bus

10:30-noon Youth Night 4-6 pm

16 Language

Night 5-7:30 pm

17 18 19 Deroche To-

tems NA 7-8 pm

Bi-Election 10

am– 7 pm

20 21 Family Place


22 Literacy Bus


23 Language

Night 5-7:30 pm Membership Meeting 7 pm

24

25

26 Volleyball

Drop-In 6 pm Deroche Totems NA 7-8 pm

27 28 Family Place


29 Literacy Bus


30 Language

Night 5-7:30 pm

31 Gym Booking

Boardroom Booking

Office Closed

General

MISSION SCHOOL DISTRICT SPRING BREAKMISSION SCHOOL DISTRICT SPRING BREAKMISSION SCHOOL DISTRICT SPRING BREAKMISSION SCHOOL DISTRICT SPRING BREAK

le'qa:mel first nation newsletter - march 2011

Documents

band office

band revenues

mel way

costs of crime

nation community hall

youth group

nation member

youth programming