GITSELASU WEEKLY 1
Weekly newsletter from the Kitselas Band Council & Administration.
September 18, 2015 volume 2 – Issue 35
GITSELASU WEEKLY
Kitselas gets Premier’s ear at Gathering A mass of First Nations leaders converged on Vancouver recently to attend the Leaders Gather-
ing but only a few got to speak directly to the Premier – and Kitselas was one of them.
The second annual Leaders Gathering took place September 8-10 and
saw the BC Provincial Government host the Leaders of BC’s 203 First
Nations. The theme of the event was working in partnership on the
economy and creating healthy communities.
Chief Joe Bevan and Councillor Roxanne Ridler attended on behalf of
Kitselas.
“We had a meeting with the Premier to discuss Kitselas concerns and
issues with the Province,” said Bevan. “This was significant, to meet
personally with the Premier, as she only met with 20 of the 203 BC First Nations to hear their
concerns and assist where she could.”
Kitselas went into the meeting with three items: BC Hydro and its call for FN Clean Energy,
BC Treaty Process and economic conditions, and the Ministry of Transport and the returning of
two parcels of Right of Way (ROW) promised earlier through a specific claim settlement.
Council received a commitment from the Premier for her ministries to assist Kitselas with their
concerns, said Bevan, and that, afterwards, he and Ridler were commended for going in with
an agenda and openness.
“It was a nice way to start, after the summer break, with the Province creating a new relation-
ship with BC First Nations,” said Bevan. “Kitselas will continue to move forward with the
Province and our relationship as we do with all forms of governments, like the Regional
District and City of Terrace, because we are all stronger together and have similar goals.”
Premier Christy Clark
GITSELASU WEEKLY 2
Premier talks to Kitselas 1 Cancer survey, Civeo mtg 8
Job opportunity 2 Voter confirmation form 9
Lands & Resources 3, 4 Fed voter info cont’d 10
Communications 4 RCMP dispatch job opp 11
Health 5 Fishing 12
Community Services 6 Mammogram screening 13
Housing & Infrastructure 7 Administration 14
Inside this issue:
GOT STORIES? We are still looking for Kitselas stories, be they family events or individual achievements.
Or maybe you have an idea? Drop us a line or give us a call.
JOB SUMMARY Working under the Director of Community Services & Education, the Homework Club Tutor is responsible for running the
Homework Club.
The homework club will take place for two hours per week for the duration of the school year (about 38 weeks). MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Spend two hours per week tutoring students.
Prepare snacks.
Participate in tutor training sessions.
Other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS Minimum of a High School Diploma, with preference for a student who had completed English 12 & Math 12. Tutoring experience. Previous experience working in a First Nations community and/or organization is preferred. Ability to follow instructions and ask for direction when needed
HOW TO APPLY Interested applicants should apply with a resume and cover letter to the attention of the Education Coordinator. Please reference “Homework Club” and indicate clearly in your cover letter how your experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the position. Education Coordinator, Laura Blumhagen— Phone: 250-635-3301 Email: [email protected]
Job Title: Homework Club Tutor Department: Education
Reporting to: Education Coordinator Term: Part-time Temporary
Start Date: Immediately Deadline: Posting until Sept 21, 2015
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
GITSELASU WEEKLY 3
LANDS AND RESOURCES REPORT: August 17 — 28, 2015
LNG Activity
Petronas/PNW LNG: We requested that our field techs be able to attend field work for geotechnical drilling. We are hoping PNW will be able to provide a schedule for work to take place.
Aurora LNG / Nexen: They are expecting to do an open house in Terrace duringg September and do a Canyon tour during the same time.
Shell / LNG Canada: We reviewed draft Federal Government conditions for the proponent and discussed areas that are lacking with Kitselas’ negotiators.
Northern Gateway: We met August 26 and discussed the need for funding to cover a report looking at Kitselas interests in the area around Clore, Hoult, and Nimbus Mountains. There are significant wildlife and water quality concerns in this area that need to be addressed before continuing support of any of the projects proposing to construct in this area.
PTP/Chevron: We will sign the agreement with AECOM to enable our field techs to take part in a wetlands study next week.
LNG Environmental Sustainability Initiative (ESI): We discussed Terms of Reference with the Government Working Group of ESI. There will be a meeting on September 25.
Other activities:
Skeena Area Marine Research Committee: We attended a technical meeting in Prince Rupert regarding eulachon, which was attended by other First Nations, proponents, and Governments.
RioTinto Alcan (RTA): We attended a site visit with Silverwood, Haisla, and Kitsumkalum to learn more about RTA’s environmental effects program. We learned to identify damage to foliage from sulphur emissions. We met with RTA and Ministry of Environment to discuss the Prince Rupert and Kitimat Airshed studies and said we will come back to RTA and LNG Canada with an outline of how we would like to participate.
GITSELASU WEEKLY 4
(LANDS continued)
Land Reclamation: Our proposal was approved by the Coast Opportunity Funds for funding to cover costs for planting berry bushes and enable maintenance of trees planted this year.
Job postings: A successful candidate for the Manager of Lands and
Resources was chosen and will start on Monday, September 14. We intend to post for a Resources Officer.
Training and conferences: We will attend an Aboriginal Funding conference in September. Two land and resource officers have registered to attend the AFOA AGM and HR conference in Richmond, Sept. 22-25.
LNG negotiations: We attended a meeting with the Treaty Office, our
Negotiating Team, and Kitselas Development Corporation. The need to work together was supported and we look forward to engaging with Treaty and other Kitselas entities in the future.
Canada Post: We met with Canada Post about positioning community mailboxes in Kulspai. They took photographs and will provide options which will be taken to senior team and potentially community before being positioned. The options will take into account access during snow and bad weather, lighting, and accessibility for handicapped or people with decreased mobility.
COMMUNICATIONS REPORT: August 17 —28, 2015
The 2015 Annual Report is taking up most of the Communications Officer’s time these days. Basic design and layout is set. He has inputted content and sent the results back to the department heads for review.
Officer continued to work on the overall Communications Plan, which includes some of the work already done.
Officer reviewed documents and material for staff/departments, including during this period a description of philosophy/info on Lands and Resources by a third party.
GITSELASU WEEKLY 5
During this reporting period, we interviewed for the positions of Early Childhood Educator (ECE) and Youth Worker; decisions are forthcoming.
The Community Health Nurse attended meetings with First Nations Health on the telehealth implementation. Equipment was installed in the health centre.
Other activities:
The community Health Nurse attended a site visit with Rio Tinto and the Director of Lands and Resources to discuss air quality and the health effects of it.
The Community Health Nurse attended the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness day held by Kermode Friendship Society. A table was manned on services offered through Kitselas as well as a speech made.
The Community Health Nurse and the Director of Lands and Resources attended meetings in Kitsumkalum with Kitsumkalum and Rio Tinto to discuss cumulative effects of industry on air quality.
The Community Health Rep attended a two-day program on the Highway of Tears.
The Community Health Nurse attended a meeting with Neil Borrows and Devin Pollitt to discuss rolling out the Life Coaching Program.
Parent group and Elders continued to be on hold for the summer
We continue to deliver the regalia, moccasin and cultural activities to the community.
The Director continues to attend the Socio-Ec. working group meetings
HEALTH REPORT: August 31 — September 11, 2015
RELATIONSHIP LIFE COACHING Relationship Life Coaching, by Devin Pollitt, will soon be available
for Kitselas members. Relationship Life Coaching is a proven
method of helping people achieve peace and happiness in their
relationships – at home with spouses, their children, family and
community members, and colleagues. Learning about your “best
self” and how to share that with others can bring welcome
changes to your life. Sessions can be delivered 1:1, in small
groups, or on-line (your choice!) Contact the Health office for
more info or to register. Devin Pollitt, BSW
GITSELASU WEEKLY 6
COMMUNITY SERVICES REPORT: August 17 —28, 2015
Activities during this reporting period were:
Socio-Economic Team: Attended the TRICORP/Coast Gas Link (CGL) launch of the “Training to Employment Program” at TRICORP offices. TRICORP and CGL are partnering in the program.
We provided a letter of support for Great Bear Initiative proposal to apply for funding from the Province to support developing a regional employment and training plan that includes the six member bands (Gitga’at, Kitkatla, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla First Nations)
Education Department: Mentored summer student in administrative duties; Hosted year-end & back to school student party, distributed certificates of acknowl-edgements, issued Kitselas toques and donated gifts from other programs - it was a fun relaxing evening! We completed Post-Secondary budget and Post-Secondary student registry.
Social development:
Arranged for three band members to attend Choices Seminar next week. NCB gift cards distributed to parents on income assistance for back to school nutrition; at-tended two-day First Responders workshop/Highway of Tears with RCMP, NIFCS, KFS, Victims Services – plan to form as “Support Committee”; Contributed $2000 towards gift cards for back to school celebration for children living on reserve; Sep-tember stats: 3 new short-term clients.
Wab: New teacher hired based on credentials – experience and knowledge in First Nations Schools; familiarized self with Adult program; attended Special Education Program training workshop at Richmond; met with students and assisted in registration forms etc.; reworked school application form, student learning plan; created poster advertising school; research course transfers to university and entrance requirements; prepared personal bio for Gitselasu weekly.
Language Coordinator: Identified tentative book launch dates.
GITSELASU WEEKLY 7
HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT: August 17—28, 2015
Activities during this reporting period:
Construction of Gitaus Water Project: Ongoing work with Bear Creek. We worked on pipe insulation, water level gauge installation, and maintenance on the ladder for the water tower.
Housing: Repair and restoration work was done on a newly vacated house so that it is up to proper standards for another renter.
Infrastructure & Capital Assets
Maintained/landscaped around Administration Building & Community of Gitaus (tenant homes – Yard maintenance, disposal of materials/brush)
Building/constructing wheelchair ramps for tenant(s)
Building/maintained roof for a tenant’s home (water leak)
Uncovered and cleaned/emptied septic tanks for tenant(s) home
Repaired hot water tank with the help of Aqua Plumbing at a tenant’s home.
Finished clearing/landscaping around the soccer field and cemetery.
Replaced/maintained appliances from tenants home due to wear and tear and dis-posed the old appliances (washing machine(s) seals needed to be replaced)
Maintained fire hydrants for safety purposes (Inventory all hydrant parts for service)
Other
Created a Work Order form for tenants and housing to keep track of the maintenance that has been done to the homes and what is being requested from the tenant.
TO ALL USERS OF ATV's, 4-WHEELERS AND DIRT-BIKES: Please stay off the newly seeded grass, and area around the Pump House and Wells, as this is Kitselas Band Office property. And Please be mindful of children playing around the soccer field and public roads.
GITSELASU WEEKLY 10
Look up. Wayyy up!
Repair work on the
Gitaus Water Tower
required use of this
“ultra Boom” and
steely nerves from
contractors and staff.
GITSELASU WEEKLY 12
FSC (FOOD, SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL) FISHERY NOTICE
Kitselas Lands & Resources would like to remind everyone of the following regulations in regard to fishing:
You will have to have your fishing designation card and Kitselas status card with you at all times when your net is in the water;
We need all of your catch data so we can get a number of what Kitselas First Nation caught and what species.
The fishing period is two days a week (48 hour straight) so that all members have a chance at gathering their food fish. This is due to the limited fishing spots we have access too.
Please have your name and number clearly written on both ends of your net.
If there are any incidents at the fishing areas please get as much info as you can, including:
What Happened?
What does the person/people look like?
Make and model of Boat or Vehicle/License plate number?
To obtain a fishing designation card, call in your catch data or report an incident, please call the Lands & Re-source office at 778-634-3517.
We will have FSC Monitors monitoring daily to gather catch data and making sure community members obey the rules and regulations.
Sincerely,
Lands & Resource Department
GITSELASU WEEKLY 14
CEO, Therese Hagen
Executive Assistant, Cheryl Campbell
Communications Officer, Rudy Kelly
Employment and Training Coordinator, Judy Gerow
Workforce Readiness Coordinator, Alfie McDames Sr.
Economic Development Officer, Calvin Carlick
Director of Finance & HR, Teri Muldon
Finance Officer, Ginger Fuller
Finance Clerk, Sandra Carlick
Accounts Payable Clerk, Teniel Angus
Receptionist & Membership Clerk, Sharon Nabess-Bennett
Director of Health, Jennifer Grant
Counselor, Kathy Wesley
CHR, Jada Seymour
Nurse, Rebekah Dediluke
Early Childhood Educator, Vacant
Bus Driver, Vern Dudoward
Youth & Wellness Worker, Vacant
Contracted Water Quality Services
Director of Community Services, Debbie Moore
Social Development Coordinator, Marcia Spencer
Adult School Teacher, Jerico Carlick
Education, Laura Blumhagen
Canyon Development Coordinator, Web Bennett Acting Director of Housing, Public Works & Infrastructure, Ulysses Venegas
Public Works, Rick Moore Sr.
Gitaus Janitor, Chelsea Costello
Contracted Snow Removal and Garbage Removal Services
Housing Clerk, Adriene Weget
Director of Lands & Resources, Sam Coggins
Lands Officer, Erica Austin
Lands Clerk, Mavis Berland-Morris interm
GIS Technician, Teri Mandur
Resource Management Officer, Ken McDames Jr.
Resource Officer, David Taft
Field Technician, Crystal Wright
Field Technician, Mary Lou Starrett
Receptionist, Matilda Henry
Contracts Manager, Karla Frank
Community Liaison Officer, Patricia Squires
Community Liaison Officer, Lynn Wright
Community Liaison Officer, Noel Argueta
Referrals Coordinator, Aaron McMillan
KITSELAS Administration
2225 Gitaus Road,
Terrace, B.C, V8G-0A9
Phone:(250)635-5084
Fax:(250)635-5335
www.kitselas.com
Office hours: 8:30am-4:00pm
Monday to Friday
Closed during lunch,
12-12:30pm
Lands & Resource
Department
Call: (778) 634-3517)
Office hours: 8:00am-4:00pm
Monday to Friday
Closed during lunch 12-1:00pm
__________________________
GITSELASU WEEKLY
STAFF
We would like to know if you
have any events, news,
fundraisers, photos, etc. that
you would like to share with
the community.
If you do, please contact either
Matilda Henry at 778-634-3517
or Rudy Kelly at 250-635-
5084.
You can also email Rudy at: