In this edition - Tahltan Band Council€¦ · Willie says that Grace, and her father, John Creyke, were very important inﬂuences on him. Mary raised Willie and his ﬁve siblings

Central Council

In this edition:

JANUARY | Kha∙yo di∙dze 2014‘Middle of winter month’

Celebrating Tahltans!For this edition of the Tahltan Central newsletter, our focus is on celebrating the achievements of Tahltan people near and far. Join us in acknowledging the achievements of Tahltan people in all areas of work and life. Beginning with this issue, we will be honouring our Tahltan Elders and artists with profi les so we can all learn more about these special people from our communities.

In this issue, we congratulate Ken McNeil and Dale Campbell, two artists who won BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations’ Art, Callison & Hanna, a law fi rm that won a Special Contribution Award for their consistent dedication to Aboriginal people, as well as Bill Adsit, former CEO of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation who won an Aboriginal Business Visionary Award for his dedication to improving the lives of Tahltan members through smart economic development.

We also get to learn more about the work Lisa Lawley is doing to support mothers dealing with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, as well as hearing from Louise Framst on being an author. This issue also includes the tale of two Tahltan girls going to Leadership Camp in Ottawa, and Michael Cohen’s story on his love of Star Wars and his career as a graphic designer. Finally we are also thrilled to share the story of Chief Rick McLean donating moose meat for First Nations people on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

President’s MessageTwo Tahltan-Tlingit Artists AwardedHonouring Our Elders: Willie WilliamsChief McLean Donates Moose MeatBill Adsit: Aboriginal Business VisionaryCallison & Hanna Earn Law AwardMichael Cohen on his passion and successful careerTahltan Author Louise FramstTahltan Leaders’ Retreat on HealthLisa Lawley - FASD workLeadership Camp for two young TahltansArtist Pro" le: Mary Dennis

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Happy New Year from the Tahltan Central Council team. Wishing you all the best in 2014!

2 | Tahltan Central Council News - January 2014

Happy New Year Elders, members and youth. This edition of the TCC newsletter is a true celebration of all the achievements our people are earning in various fi elds. I am very proud of our accomplishments in 2013, as individuals and as a nation.

I raise my hands to our warriors who stood out in the cold, heat, rain and even snow to protect our Sacred Headwaters. I raise my hands to all the people who helped us in getting Shell Oil out of the Klappan. I raise my hands to the children and youth who are learning from their parents about protecting our lands for the future. I raise my hands to

the workers who were willing to protect these lands and for their recognition that the lands need protection.

This past month I’ve been travelling to places across the country and in the United States to share the Tahltan approach to development and to ensure people know and understand why we oppose irresponsible development.

In the words of the late, great Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

In November, I attended the Canadian Aboriginal Mining Association Conference. The conference provided the opportunity for First Nations to share information on how to address mining developments in our territories.

I was honoured to give a special presentation at the University of Toronto named “Saving our Sacred Headwaters - triumphs and challenges in the battle to protect Canada’s northern wilderness.” The presentation was at Faisal Moola’s class, who is the executive director of David Suzuki Foundation.

I understand the diffi culties the First Nations in Ontario’s Ring of Fire are facing and was glad to share our story and knowledge in the hope that it helps them with the complex decisions they

face in approaching development.

On the National Day of Action against reckless tar sands expansion, pipelines, and runaway climate change, I spoke at a rally in Terrace against Enbridge and supertankers along our coast. I spoke to show the federal government that communities across Canada are standing up with a united voice against such developments. We need to work together to defend our coasts and protect the salmon that so many First Nations communities depend on for their survival and sustenance.

Later in the month, I travelled to San Francisco with Christine Ball, TCC Director, Nancy McGee, Tahltan Elder and Oscar Dennis, Tahltan Language Instructor to a conference for investors in minerals and metals. Fortune Minerals had a booth there, and it was important to share the Tahltan’s opposition against their Arctos project.

I was also honoured to present a lecture at the Justice Institute of BC on First Nations engagement and the resource sector. During the lecture, we discussed good and ‘not so good’ practices when it comes to development.

I am looking forward to the new year as there is still much work to be done.

Meduh!

President’s MessageAnnita McPhee, President of Tahltan Central Council

Tahltan Central Council News - January 2014 | 3

Happy New Year

Ken McNeil is a master carver who works exclusively with wood. He has art work all over the world, from small sculptures to very large totem poles, one of which stands at the University of British Columbia’s First Nations House of Learning. Ken was trained by his uncle, traditional teacher Dempsey Bob, and has taught First Nation Fine Arts at the Northwest Community College in Terrace since it opened in 2006 when it opened. He enjoys passing down his knowledge to his students.

“All artists have to learn their own history and know themselves before they start creating,” he said. “Then you can work by that, leaving room for innovation.”

Dale Campbell is also a master carver, and she was also taught by Dempsey Bob – as well as his teacher, the renowned carver Freda Diesing. Dale is known for her masks, plaques, and totem poles, including a 30-foot totem pole she carved with her brother Terrence. That piece was selected by the Prime Minister of Canada to be given to Hong Kong during the Canada Festival Celebration in Hong Kong, which they were a part of. Dale’s work has been shown in museum collections in North American and abroad, and is also featured in numerous books.

“We were honoured to be representatives for First Nations people from Canada,” said Dale. “We were there for five weeks, carving another totem pole so people could watch.”

Two Tahltan-Tlingit Artists Earn BC Creative Achievement Awards

Happy New Year

The British Columbia Creative Achievement Award for First Nations’ Art is a competition celebrating artistic excellence and highlighting the cultural significance of the arts of the First Nations in British Columbia. The awards are for artists from BC First Nations who have dedicated themselves to their artwork, created a body of work, and who are recognized in their community and peers as artists. Six artists were recognized for their work at a ceremony at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver. Among them were Tahltan-Tlingit artists Ken McNeil and Dale Campbell.


Honouring Our Elders: Willie WiIliams

The Tahltan Central Council is committed to building a strong, united Tahltan Nation. As part of that commitment, we will be honouring an Elder in each issue of our newsletter. We look forward to continuing to share the stories of our Elders and our ancestors. We are pleased to share the story of Willie Williams.

Willie Williams has had a long and happy life, and is quick to credit his wife Grace (nee Creyke) and his mother Mary Williams (nee Frank) as the good women behind this achievement. Willie says that Grace, and her father, John Creyke, were very important influences on him. Mary raised Willie and his five siblings on her own after Willie’s father, Jack Williams, passed away when Willie was just two years old.

At 14, Willie left school in Telegraph Creek, where he was born and raised, to work as a horse wrangler, packer, and guide for George Ball Big Game Hunting.

Later, he worked as a riverboat deckhand hauling freight to Alaska and trapped and hunted with his Uncle Benny.

In 1959, Willie married Grace and began his 30-year career as an operator at the Department of Highways. Since 1965, they have owned land and a little horse business along the Stikine River, taking tourists on excursions throughout the beautiful Tahltan territory. Willie’s five children and 23 grandchildren enjoy coming out to explore the territory and to help.

It is on this land that they have hosted a gospel music festival for the past 16 years with their friend Andy Quock, who takes care of all the music and equipment.

“It’s like a big family reunion,” said Willie. “Everyone volunteers to make it work. It’s all about honouring God for the many blessings He has given us. There is no better life.”

Artist Profile: Mary Dennis In 1982, Mary Dennis was taught to tan hides and sew by an Elder. Since then, she has been creating moccasins, gloves, vests, button blankets, ribbon shirts, shawls and much more. She enjoys embroidery and beading, and says working on her projects is therapy for her when she goes through difficult times.

Mary is well known for her high quality, beautiful work. Twenty-five years ago, Mary made two pairs of mukluks for a customer who had had two babies. Recently she came across one of those pairs of mukluks and was proud of how well they kept after all these years.

Mary likes to hunt and work the hides herself. Usually Mary would spend her winters hunting, but was not able to get out this year. At 71 years old, she still loves getting out and snow-shoeing in the bush. This past summer, Mary was not able to spend much time on her projects as much of her energy went to protecting the Klappan.

Mary was a teacher for 31 years. She lived in Telegraph Creek for 20 years before moving to Iskut, then to Cassiar for 5 years before moving back home.


Happy New Year

Bill Adsit, former CEO of the Tahltan Development Corporation (TNDC), received one of two Aboriginal Business Visionary awards for 2013 from the Industry Council for Aboriginal Business.

Throughout his life and career, Bill has combined his passion for the Tahltan people, his interest in helping others and his business smarts into a philosophy that promoted change, improved lives and created more than 20 joint venture partnerships and business ventures.

The Industry Council for Aboriginal Business Recognition Awards celebrate the success of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals and corporations who have shown leadership and a

commitment to developing Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal business relationships.

The awards recognize individuals and businesses that demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in creating economic opportunities where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people prosper together.

When Bill began his work with TNDC in 2004, the corporation owned four separate companies but was facing serious challenges.

Bill reviewed TNDC’s fi nancial statements and learned the organization was essentially bankrupt. TNDC was over $13 million in debt and was losing money in its contracts.

To begin the job of rebuilding the organization, Bill phoned each of the contractors to negotiate debt repayments of 50 cents on the dollar, reducing TNDC’s debt by half overnight to $6.5 million.

About half the remaining debt was for previously purchased equipment, and Bill was able to negotiate stopping payment on the equipment and delivering the equipment for sale, reducing the debt another $2.5 million.

At that point, TNDC owed $4 million, but was able to renegotiate all contracts for the same rates but with the cost of fuel being

paid for by the other company rather than TNDC.

From there, TNDC was able to start making money and began to expand the business base beyond the existing four companies to generate additional revenues.

Another hurdle Bill encountered was the lack of computer systems. During his fi rst year with the organization, Bill oversaw the entire building being re-wired, staff training, a new accounting system, and computer systems replacing existing paper systems.

Bill noticed old equipment was affecting profi ts due to downtime and repairs. Rather than spend money on repairs, Bill saw an opportunity to cut repair costs and improve reliability by spending the money on new equipment that would get traded in before the warranty expires. He also ensured all TNDC wages were aligned with market rates.

Over time, TNDC expanded to 26 joint ventures, bringing in real economic opportunities to the Tahltan nation through training, employment, and profi t sharing. This has resulted in real success for the corporation and for the local Tahltan economy.

All of this hard work has led to a very strong fi nancial future for TNDC.

Bill Adsit - Aboriginal Business Visionary Award Winner

RIP Nelson Mandela

Happy New Year

The TCC would like to pay tribute to the life and legacy Nelson Mandela, who passed on December 5th at the age of 95.

An inspiration to us all, Nelson Mandela’s commitment to reconciliation and his journey to building a unifi ed nation among black and white South Africans parallel the goals and aspirations of many First Nations. Let us continue to carry his teachings forward in our journey towards reconciliation here in Canada.


Callison & Hanna Win Prestigious Law Award

Cynthia Callison and Darwin Hanna were the first ever recipients of a 2013 Special Contribution Award as recognition of their consistent dedication to Aboriginal people in the law by the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch.

The partners of the Callison & Hanna firm are Cynthia Callison, who is a member of the Tahltan Nation and Darwin Hanna, who is a member of the Nlha7kapmx Nation. The two began the firm in partnership seventeen years ago and were joined by associate lawyers, Chaslynn Gillanders, Michael Segelken and Adam Munnings. The firm represents Aboriginal governments in a wide range of legal matters with a specialization in negotiating complex land and resource agreements and arrangements with the Crown and companies.

This award was given to Cynthia and Darwin as they have provided leadership and worked to address the issues facing Aboriginal law students and lawyers. Cynthia and Darwin have enhanced the stature and influence of Aboriginal people

in the legal profession through their law partnership.

The special presentation was made by Grand Chief Ed John and Mike McDonald of McDonald & Duncan, both well-known First Nations lawyers, at the holiday banquet on November 29, 2013. Cynthia and Darwin are honoured to be the recipients of this award and have thanked their colleagues, clients, family and friends for recognizing and supporting their law firm over the last 18 years.

Cynthia Callison received a Masters of Constitutional Law from Osgoode Hall Law School in June 2013. This innovative and cutting-edge two-year, part-time Professional LLM program is designed for practitioners across Canada who want to develop greater expertise in this dynamic area of law.

Her father, Dempsey Callison, was able to attend her graduation this summer in Toronto and he was pleased that his three daughters have all successfully completed post-graduate studies.

At the end of October, Chief Rick McLean was contacted by a friend who provides catering to shelters in Vancouver. The caterer had many First Nations people requesting moose meat. At that time, Rick had just come back from a hunting party and had 60 lbs of moose meat.

“It’s nice to help in any way we can,” he said. “There are so many First Nations people living in urban areas that don’t get the chance to enjoy moose meat. It’s the least we can do to bring them a taste from home.”

Letter of Acknowledgement

Rick brought the meat to the caterer who prepared and delivered it. The Vancouver Native Health Society’s Positive Outlook program staff was so appreciative of the donation, they wrote a letter acknowledging Chief McLean’s generosity. They decided to keep some of the meat for two special events this month, to be served with bannock.

Rick has previously donated meat to Elders, meals on wheels services, for funerals, and other community events through the year, so he thought it was a great opportunity to help people living away from their communities.

Chief McLean Delivers Moose Meat to Downtown Eastside


Happy New Year

Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen, son of Laura Gordon and Seth Cohen and grandson of Irene and William Gordon, has never outgrown his passion for cartoons, art, design and Star Wars – in fact, he’s built an enjoyable career out of it!

The 28-year-old Tahltan living in Vancouver has been a graphic designer since 2005, and has co-hosted the weekly podcast, “Frontlines: The Clone Wars Podcast,” a popular commentary on the Star Wars cartoon series, since 2008 (www.clonewarspodcast.com).

Michael travels to the Star Wars Convention in Orlando, Florida, every few years to be part of the celebration and hang out with the voice actors, directors and other show creators and fans.

The “Clone Wars” series ended this year, but a new cartoon series, “Star Wars Rebels,” starts in September 2014, so Michael will start co-hosting “The Rebels Podcast” (www.rebelspodcast.com).

From left to right: Michael Cohen, Graphic Designer & Podcast Commentator; Joel Aron, CG Supervisor on Star Wars: The Clone Wars; and Dave Filoni, Supervising Director of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Taken at Star Wars Celebration IV in 2012, in Orlando, Florida.

You can find out more about Michael’s business at www.awscreative.com.

Star Wars obsession aside, Michael’s bread and butter is his graphic design business, Arkangel Wulf Studio (AWS) Creative. Before starting AWS, he studied film at the Art Institute of Vancouver for two years, then enrolled in Douglas College’s one-year Self-Employment Program.

“This program is what really got me started,” he said. “I had some skills and education before that, but the program showed me how to create a business plan and build up a business.”

AWS Creative helps other small businesses with all their creative needs, from logos to websites to special projects.

Michael’s favourite project so far is a personal one: a series of West Coast First Nations designs he created for his wedding in 2010.

“We have a family crest of beaded flowers that Grandma beads into everything, like moccasins,” he said. “I made a graphic design interpretation of it for the family table, and different designs for other tables.”

Michael credits his family, some of whom still live in Telegraph Creek, with supporting him in his decision to pursue an artistic career.

“My mother in particular always felt that by [pursuing art], I was fulfilling my Aboriginal heritage,” he said.

“Some people think of art as a hobby, not a real career. But I’m lucky that my family has always valued art as an important part of our culture.”

A career built from passion


We recently caught up with Tahltan author Louise Framst to talk about her experiences as an author. Louise has self-published four children’s books and three cookbooks, and this busy grandmother shows no signs of slowing down.

Q: What inspired you to start writing?

I woke up one morning thinking that I had to get busy with something, which was very strange because we lived on a farm off in the boonies, so we were very busy. It took me a long time to figure out that what I had to do was write something.

Q: How did you write your first book?

It’s very hard to find books for beginning readers. One day my friend who is a teacher said, ‘If any of you are thinking of writing, you go home and write the book and sent it to me’. So that’s what I did. I wrote a book called On My Walk and published it myself. She still uses that book today.

Q: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?

Anything can spark an idea. I’m a native person, so everything I write reflects my heritage in some way. I’m allergic to feathers – so I got the idea of writing about a plains boy who is allergic to feathers. Other children could play with the birds, but he couldn’t, and that was the basis of the whole story in the book Feathers.

Q: What kind of feedback have you received from the kids when they read your stories?

Oh they love them. I was selling them at a craft sale and a teenager came over and she said, ‘Oh my goodness! You’re the one who wrote my book! I love that book!” So I know the kids love them.

Q: Are you planning to write any more books?

Oh, who knows. I already have a couple written and I haven’t published them yet.

Q: How does being Tahltan impact the way you approach your writing?

It’s hard to know, because I’m just me. I just do whatever I think is right. Maybe that’s part of being Tahltan, we think of what we want to do and we just do it. Our people were very self-sufficient. We believed we could do whatever we wanted. We figured out how and made it happen. That’s still what I’m doing.

Catching up with successful Tahltan Author Louise Framst

To purchase one of Louise’s books, you can ask at any bookstore, or visit her website at: http://www.pris.bc.ca/framst/bookstore.html

I just do whatever I think is right. Maybe that’s part of being Tahltan, we think of what we want to do and we just do it.“


Happy New Year

Leadership Camp Leaves a Lasting Impression for Two Young Tahltans

When 14-year-olds Bluebell Louie and Jessie Carlick arrived at the Encounters with Canada Arts and Culture Youth Forum in Ottawa this October, they didn’t quite know what to expect. Three days later the forum was over, they had gained lifelong skills, made new friends, and had a great time. Bluebell is the daughter of Andrea Louie and Jessie is the daughter of Carol and Mike Danielson.

Leadership is not a new thing for this dynamic pair as they have both participated in their school leadership council since Grade 7. But when they found out they were chosen by their teachers to attend the conference, they were surprised.

“One day they took us out of class and we thought, ‘Oh no, we’re in trouble!’,” said Bluebell. “Then the teacher said, ‘You’ve been chosen to go to Ottawa.’”

The path to get to the conference wasn’t easy. The girls worked hard, raising money through bake sales and delivering candy-grams. They also had a little help from a Canadian Football team.

“I wrote a letter from me and Jessie to the BC Lions, and they gave us money, which paid for almost our whole trip,” said Bluebell. Because it was an arts and culture forum, there were a lot of opportunities to develop old skills and learn new ones.

“My favourite part of the conference was the workshops,” said Jessie. “We did all sorts of art stuff; wire sculpting, art therapy, even African dancing.”

They also learned new things about youth from across the country. “I learned the different ways they live and the different tribes they come from,” said Bluebell. “Micmac, Cree, a lot of places.”

One of the best parts of the trip was getting the chance to see Ottawa, even though it took almost two days to get there from Dease Lake. The big city certainly left an impression when they first arrived.

“I was thinking, wow, this is a big, big place,” said Jessie. “It’s very beautiful there. I like the scenery.”

The girls also gained some new perspective on what they would like to do when they’re finished high school. “I would like to be a teacher, and I would like to write a book,” said Bluebell. “I would like to travel abroad – somewhere in Asia.”

Now that they’re back home, Bluebell has advice for aspiring Tahltan leaders: “Work hard, try your best, and never give up.”

Have a story idea, event, or announcement for the next TCC Newsletter?

Contact us at:Tahltan Central Council

PO Box 69 | Dease Lake, BC | V0C1L0 [email protected] | toll-free: 855.TAHLTAN (824.5826) | tel: 250.771.3274 | fax: 250.771.3020

www.tahltan.org


Supporting Mothers in Dealing with FASD

Lisa Lawley has been working for the Kermode Friendship Society for 13 years providing support to families that are dealing with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Kermode’s ‘Circle of Life’ program assists mothers with lifestyle changes by bringing awareness, education and prevention of FASD to communities.

Through supportive care, the program helps women overcome personal challenges and supports their goals for growth and improvement.

The team mentor mothers in alternative styles in family dynamics and healing from substance abuse, including assistance with parenting, family planning, budgeting, time management, mediation and referral to community services. This mentorship empowers Aboriginal women and their families.

Lisa understands mothers need support to make positive changes in their lives. In order to make this, they need to move past the shame and guilt they may feel about their children having FASD so they can begin their healing journeys. It is critical that mothers have a safe place to have conversations with people

who are not judgmental and want to provide support for those struggling with addictions. It can be hard for many mothers to get the tests done to arrive at an FASD diagnosis. Lisa wants to help mothers go through this process without fear of labels or judgement from their peers.

Lisa’s own healing journey began when she stopped to refl ect on her own three children and realized she had consumed alcohol while she was pregnant. At that time, there were no support services in Terrace to deal with FASD, and the diagnostic tests needed to confi rm a diagnosis were also not available locally.

The focus of Lisa’s work has been to bring an awareness to communities about the true history of Aboriginal women and bringing a level of understanding as to how the situation got like this after colonization. She wants people working in the fi eld to understand the inter-generational trauma these women face and to change the conversation about FASD.

Lisa wants to ensure all mothers have a voice, as people living with FASD are experts in it more than anyone else.

Elders tour Forrest Kerr

In November the Tahltan Elders toured the Forrest Kerr and Volcano Creek energy projects. Loren Kelly, Manager Environment – Hydro at AltaGas organized the tour, and for some of the Elders it was their fi rst time visiting an underground construction facility.

During the tour they were able to see fi rst hand the progress at the Forrest Kerr powerhouse. They saw a turbine assembled and readied for installation on its foundation, as well as the completed intake area and river weir. At Volcano Creek, they had the opportunity to see the construction progress at the powerhouse and intake weir. The tour was followed by a hot lunch in the cafeteria where the Elders had the opportunity to visit family members working at the site.

Left to right: Louie Quock, Lucy Reid; DJ (Dawn) Loverin, Mary Dennis; Lee Marion; Earl Jackson, Loren Kelly, Clements Tashoots, and Brandon Marion in the service bay of the Forrest Kerr powerhouse.

Upcoming EventsThe next Socio-Cultural Working Group will be in January, please watch for announcements.


Happy New Year

Tahltan Leaders’ Retreat on Health Services

Tahltan Leaders met to discuss the next steps for the nation in health services on Nov 23-24. During the first day of the retreat, discussion focused on TCC governance and the Tahltan partnership with the Northern Health Authority (NHA). Tahltan leaders appointed a working group to negotiate a partnership agreement between the Tahltan Nation and the NHA.

The working group includes:

Ken Etzerza – TCC

Terrilynn Nole – Iskut

Geraldine Quock – Tahltan Band

Shana Dennis – Dease Lake

Jeannie Norby – THSSA

Feddie Louie – TCC/SCWG

The second day of the retreat focused on Family and Community Development. Another working group was created to develop a framework plan for services within Tahltan territory based on the scope of Family and Community Development.

The working group includes:

Annabel Nole

Carol Quock

Ramona Quock

Rocky Jackson

Geraldine Quock

Lorraine Callbreath

Melva Quock

Leadership defined the scope of Family and Community Development to include:

Early childhood development

Child welfare

Justice and policing

Sports and recreation

Family development

Culture/language

Healing

Lifeskills

Youth and elder support

Child care/ child development

Food security

Income assistance

Housing

Family wellness

Preventive measures

Family and Community Development

There are also plans for Tahltan leadership to have meetings with Northwest Inter-Nation Family and Community Services (NIFCS) to discuss a service plan for the Tahltan, and to continue lobbying the provincial government not to reduce funds that may impact any social programs.

Tahltan leaders will meet again in the new year to discuss services specific to child welfare.

Family and Community Development

Tahltan Membership Initiative ReminderPlease tell your Tahltan family and friends!

In order to ensure Tahltan members don’t miss out on any of the upcoming opportunities, ancestry has to be verified by Louise Framst.

To register, go to our website (Tahltan.org) and click on “Governance,” then “Projects,” then “Tahltan Membership List Update”.

From there, click on “More details” to access the forms you need to update your information or add your name to the Tahltan Membership List. You can then fill out the form to have their name put on the Tahltan Membership List.

A downloadable PDF version of the form is available by clicking on “Administration,” then “Forms”. Alternatively, you can call Lousie Framst or (250)964-4158.


Congratulations Tahltans!

Tamar Taylor recently received her Bachelors of Arts in Social Science with a major in Political Science from the University of Victoria. She chose Political Science because she has a passion for Indigenous politics within Canada and development politics.

Tamar hopes to pursue a Masters degree in either Political Science or Public Administration within the next three years. She is currently a mom to two, the second due before the new year, so Tamar will wait to start graduate studies until her youngest is in preschool. Tamar’s career goal is to begin a process of decolonization within the government at a federal level.

Meagan Stewart was one of thirty students chosen to be a Ch’nook Scholar this year from Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education at the Sauder School of Business.

Meagan, who is a student at Vancouver Island University, is one of only 30 students chosen for this honour from institutions across BC and Alberta.

Koral Anne Sauve-Brown and Jody Shilling are proud to announce:

Carter Jameson Sauve-Shilling

Born on December 3, 2013 inToronto, OntarioWeight: 7 lbs 11 oz

His late great grandmother was Jean Asp Davis.

Proud grandparents: Alita Sauve

Carter Jameson is also part Dene, Cree, Objibway and Onieda

Winter Words

The holidays are a great time to remember and learn our traditions. Why not take some time to learn, use and share these Tahltan words?

Judy and Orville McLean celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this year. Judy is also celebrating her 66 birthday on December 21. (Pictured in middle)

Tahltan Central Council Facebook PageIf you are not yet a fan of TCC’s Facebook Page, please head to www.facebook.com/tahltancentralcouncil to stay up-to-date with nation news and events, job postings, member birthdays, anniversaries, and other accomplishments.

Kelly Edzerza-Bapty just graduated from UBC with a Master of Architecture (M.Arch). Kelly is the fi rst female from the Tahltan Nation and BC to complete a Master of Architecture degree at the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at UBC.

She is the second female and fourth ever First Nations student to graduate from this program. Kelly is the youngest granddaughter of Agouta and NithTayyea Edzerza (George and Grace), daughter of Bev Bapty (Edzerza) and a member of the Tahlogo Dena Etzenlee.

English Word Tahltan WordMittens Bat

Snow Zas

Winter khaŸye

Candy łeŸdiŸhi

December Gah uŸghaŸse

Documents

In this edition - Tahltan Band Council€¦ · Willie says that Grace, and her father, John Creyke, were very important inﬂuences on him. Mary raised Willie and his ﬁve siblings