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PO Box 188 * Merritt, BC * V1K 1B8 * tel (250) 378-4235 * fax (250) 378-9119 May 2017

Nicola Tribal

Association

Newsletter

May 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

Inside this

Issue:

Deadline for

NTA

newsletter

submission is

the 20th day of

every month

Executive Director

Report

3-4

5-6 NWSFA Report/Tmixw

Report

8

Nlaka’pamux Culture

Retreat 7

NTA Strategic Planning

Session 2

9

FRAFS Operations

Manager: Job Posting

11-

13

On-Call Job Posting 14

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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 lan-

guage 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 ap-

proach) 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 pre-

served 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 be-

cause we have identified the need. We will continue to work with our communities so that we can con-

stantly offer a NTA-based valued solutions.

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Executive Director Report by Arlene Johnston:

NICOLA TRIBAL ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT

APRIL 2017 ʔex kʔ nʔ Way’ iskʔist

TRADITIONAL USE DATA SHARING AGREEMENT

UPDATE

Michael Shepard has provided draft Data Agreements. The Board of Directors will be

reviewing these and provide feedback. Once these have been finalized we can move to

the next phase of the project.

WEBSITE

We continue to update our website – All newsletters are on line now as well as a

continual update of job postings.

Building/office

We will be purchasing cabinets to provide storage for all the baskets at Nicola Tribal

Association. We have been doing research as to the best method/practice for storage of

the baskets etc. in the NTA offices. Once the research is complete we will make the

purchase of storage cabinets.

Finance

We are in the process of finalizing our finance statements for 2016-2017 fiscal year and

hope to have the auditors do their review in May, 2017.

Canada Summer Jobs

We have received approval to hire three summer students under this program for 9

weeks beginning May 1, 2017.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

1.NTA has sponsored several training programs this year including:

2. Critical Incident Stress Management

3.Aboriginal Governance and Leadership Program (Introduction to Traditional

Leadership), provided the text books and lunch.

4.Minute Taking Training

5.Emergency Training for NTA Staff

6.AFOA Year end and audit Training

7.ASETS - employment and training

8.Provided lunch for the Drought/Agriculture & Irrigation meeting

9.Sponsored World Masters in Auckland New Zealand for Coldwater Indian Band

10.Sponsored Nlaka’pamux & Syilx Fire Management Workshop – Upper Nicola

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11.Worked with some communities with Xyntax Program

Work plan

The two year work plan has been adopted in principle by the Board of Directors. The

work plan has now been presented to several communities. Watch for the notices in

your community and plan to attend this all important presentation. It is the future of

Nicola Tribal Association. Be a part of the input and restructuring. The two year

work plan has been approved by the Board of Directors.

FRAFS, NWSFA, Tmixʷ

All of our departments are preparing for year end as well as for the 2017-2018 fiscal

year. Seasonal hiring has begun.

Contract negotiations are underway.

We will continue to work hard protecting our lands and water.

Arlene Johnston, CAFM, CAPA

Executive Director

Executive Director Report by Arlene Johnston:

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NWSFA Report by Tracy Wimbush:

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Tmixw Research Report by Casey Holmes:

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8

9

10

11

12

13

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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

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

Advertise in the NTA Newsletter

Job Posting On-call Administrative Assistant

Temporary / Part time The On-call Administrative Assistant provides the first greeting and welcome to

visitors of NTA. This position must be cordial and have excellent customer service

skills to provide a positive first impression. As the central point handling common

services such as telephone, mail and other related duties.