Malahat Nation hosted its seventh annual Golf & Gala fundraiser on September 20, 2019. The day began with a golf tournament at the beautiful Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa and finished with a fun filled evening celebrating Coast Salish Culture.

The Khowutzun Singers and Dancers opened the night with a stellar performance followed by speeches from Chief George Harry, CAO Josh Handysides, and Community Speaker Hwiemtun (Fred Roland). MC Howie Miller kept the audience laughing throughout the evening, which finished off with an energetic

First Nations Art Auction.

This years Golf & Gala raised nearly $300,000 in benefit to the new Malahat Community Daycare, scheduled to open early next year.

Malahat Nation owes a debt of gratitude to the many local organizations that have supported us and contributed to this monumental project. Thank you for your support.

Contact Us110 Thunder RoadMill Bay, BC, V0R 2P4Tel: 250 743-3231malahatnation.ca

Malahat NewsMalahat Nation Newsletter

THE

In this issue

Malahat Golf & Gala 2019

Wood Burning & Fire Safety

Business Training for Members

Shawnigan Basin Volunteer

Malahat Day

Summer Program

Nurse Cindy’s Health Tips

Breast Cancer Awareness

Malahat Health Fair

Family Fun Day

Elder’s Gathering 2019

Reader Submission

Scheduled Power Outage

Changes to Life Skills Program

Couple’s Night Out

Important Dates

Community Resources

Seventh Annual Malahat Golf & Gala

Hwiemtun (Fred Roland) spoke powerfully about the importance of language.

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October 2019

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Wood Burning & Fire Safety It is now fall season and many people will be heating their homes with wood stoves. Chimneys will be swept late November, look out for the notice to come! Here are a few tips to keep everyone safe and healthy:

- Check your smoke alarm batteries and make sure they are working

- Make sure the area around the stove is clear of f lammable material

- Have your chimney cleaned every year

- Only burn clean dry wood

- Keep your fire burning hot!

Have a safe and healthy burning season!

Business Training Program for Malahat Members

START IT HOT

- Start with a small fire. Use dry kindling and a few pieces of wood (no more than 20% moisture content).

- Completely open the damper or air control to give the fire plenty of air. Older stoves may need the door slightly open at startup.

- Get the chimney or flue hot. Add kindling if neccessary.

- Gradually add larger pieces of split, dry firewood.

- Close the door to heat the stove and flue (15-30 minutes depending on the stove).

Burning wood efficiently will save work, time and money. But most importantly, it will keep the air in your home and in your neighborhood cleaner. This is an important action that will protect everyone’s health, especially elders and children.

The Shawnigan Basin Society is interested in the health of the South Cowichan watersheds. Their aim is to engage the public, industrial landowners, land developers and forestry companies in a collaborative effort to restore the South Cowichan watersheds to fully functional conditions and to increase our communities’ resilience in response to climate change.

We need expertise and traditional knowledge to fulfill our mandate and hope that a member of the Malahat Nation will join our Board of Directors. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in the Watershed Office in Shawnigan Lake. If needed, a Board member from Mill bay is willing to provide transportation to and from the Board meetings.

To inquire about this volunteer position, please contact Bernie Juurlink at bjuurlink@gmail.com

Shawnigan Basin Society Seeks Malahat Volunteer

The Malahat Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Training Program is underway. Malahat Nation and the University of Victoria have partnered to bring this program to the Malahat community. The first full days of classes were at Kwunew Kwasun on September 28 & 29 followed up with a kick off banquet at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club.

Participants will gain a broader understanding of business, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities coming to Malahat Nation. The program will take place primarily on Sundays from 9:00am to 4:00pm at Kwunew Kwasun.

Although the program is already underway, we do have room for a few more participants. This is a great chance to learn some entrepreneurial skills, explore the possibilities for business and gain transferable skills for future opportunities.

If this program sounds like it could be of benefit to you or someone you know, please contact Doug Dame at the Malahat Nation administration office (250)743-3231.

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Malahat Day: Celebrating our Nation

Malahat Day this year was a beautiful blue skies and fun filled day on the Kwunew Kwasun fields. The Nation welcomed the Khowutsun Singers and Dancers, the Mill Bay Fire Department, representatives from Malahat Skywalk and many more people and organizations from around the community! We enjoyed burgers and salmon and had

tours of the new community garden and the new multipurpose centre!

As always, Malahat Day is a great opportunity to bring the community together and celebrate each other.

Thank you to all the members who came out to spend the day with us and thank you to the many volunteers who worked so hard to make it so special.

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Summer Program 2019

Malahat Nation’s summer 2019 program was again a huge success. We had a total of 22 children attend and they were able to participate in some super fun activities including

- Mad Science Week

- Bamberton Beach Day

- Hope and Health

- Brentwood school Obstacle Course

- Bowling

- Guest speaker Harold Joe

- Fancy dancers and traditional dancer

- Plant identification

- And so much more!

This summer could not have happened without the support of New Relationship Trust, we raise our hands to you.

Huy ch q’u!

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Nurse Cindy’s Health Tips - Exercise! Exercise is not only good for our bodies it is excellent for our mental health. Just 15 minutes a day two or three times a week can help our mood considerably. Here are a few ways exercise can help:

- It helps us cope with stress.

- It lowers anxiety.

- It helps stabilize our mood.

- Exercise boosts energy.

- We feel better about ourselves.

- It helps us sleep better.

The Malahat Health Unit offers weekly exercise programs such as Walking Warriors and Aquafit classes. Please contact the Health Centre for more information.

What can you do to reduce your risk of breast cancer?

- Limit alcohol

- Don’t smoke

- Control your weight

- Be physically active

When should you start screening for breast cancer?

Women 40 to 44:

- Start annual screening with mammograms

Women 45 to 54:

- Mammograms every year

Women 55 and older:

- Mammograms every 2 years

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

First Annual Malahat Health Fair

On July 30th, the Malahat Health Team organized their first Health Fair. 41 Malahat Nation community members attended to share a meal, win a door prize and meet health service providers.

Some of the health service providers included:

- Bridges for Women Society

- EIR Mobile Medicine

- First Nations Health Authority

- Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services

- UVIC First Peoples House

- Camosun College

- Parks Canada

- Art Therapist Jodi Strom

- Counsellor Geri Laurence

Swag bags and children’s activities were also enjoyed by all!

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Family Fun Day

On September 14, 2019, Malahat Health hosted our 1st Annual family fun fair full of food and activities! This event featured something for everyone, from face painting, a blow up shooting ball game, giant games of connect 4, Yahtzee, snakes & ladders and jenga.

To keep the festive spirits alive we had a magician put on a fantastic show with volunteers from the audience, as well as balloon twisting

and a photo booth. We also had haircuts, cedar weaving and shell painting. Let’s not forget all the food which consisted of pizza, sweet corn, cotton candy, watermelon, and snow cones.

We had some great door prizes and goody bags for all the kids. We welcome any feedback and would like to thank the 93 plus community members that joined us!

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43rd Annual BC Elders Gathering Representing Indigenous Women in Japan

Hi,

I am reaching out to Malahat Nation because I left off on a bad note last month.

When Malahat Nation couldn’t help me, a kind person at Okanagan College stepped in and was able to make the trip happen for me. I just thought I should let you know. I should’ve reached out to let you know sooner, and I apologize for that.

I’ve attached a couple photos of me representing and honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Japan with a red kimono. It was a beautiful experience, and I just wanted to share it with you.

I have so much pride for my people and where I come from. I aspire to do more things to make my people as proud as I am to be from the Malahat Nation. I have achieved so much after what Malahat has done for me, and I never, ever forget that without Malahat I would be nothing, and I’m not even exaggerating. I am full of gratitude and appreciation for that.

Thank you for being willing to help me! Malahat is the reason I had this opportunity to go to Japan to begin with. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Warm regards,

Dawna

We are proud of you Dawna, thank you for sharing!

A couple of months ago, Malahat Nation received this letter from Dawna. With her permission, we wanted to share it with our readers.

If you would like us to publish your story, please submit it to:

news@malahatnation.com

We would love to hear from you!

13 of our Elders attended the annual Elders Conference at the Vancouver Convention Center on July 22-24, 2019.

Some of the quotes from participants were:

“It is amazing to get to travel and get out and socialize with other communities.”

“The Grand Entry made our Elders so happy and proud to be walking in with the Malahat Banner.”

“They enjoyed hearing the songs, stories and sharing meals with everyone.”

“They liked the workshops and the entertainment”

Malahat Nation would like to thank New Relationship Trust and Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council for contributing funds towards this event and a special thank you to the community for fundraising efforts to support this trip.

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The Malahat Community will be experiencing a scheduled power outage on October 16, 2019. It will be out for the whole work day, 8:30am to 5:30pm. The outage will affect all houses on Jesken Road, Kwunew Kwasun, and Malahat Health. Please plan accordingly.

- Malahat Health will be closed

- Scheduled program attendees at Kwunew Kwasun will be notified of changes

Scheduled Power Outage in Malahat Community

For the past few years, the Life Skills Program has helped members plan and create the future they want to live. With many of the new developments on Malahat lands come future job opportunities. In order to adapt to these new opportunities, we will be making some changes to the Life Skills program. It will now be known as the Malahat Pre-Employment Program.

Thursdays and Fridays will remain the same as always. The English, Math, and Computer Skills programs are still business as usual. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, we will focus on offering as many pre-employment programs as possible.

This spring we started with bi-monthly 3-day intense drivers license courses. On October 1 and 2 we did a Serving it Right Alcohol Service Training course in which 9 participants earned their certificates. On November 5th, we will be offering a Foodsafe level 1 course. Sign up is open for all members and residents of Malahat.

We currently are in talks with our business partners to offer Traffic Control and Security Guard training programs in the New Year. Keep your eyes open for announcements!

When was the last time you went on a date?

When were you and your partner able to spend time chatting about your dreams together?

When was the last time you had a good laugh with your partner?

Running a household can be tough. Often while keeping the system going, we don’t spend enough quality time with our partner. That’s just what we’re trying to change with the Malahat Couple’s Night Out! Twice a month, from October to March 2020, we are taking couples out to spend a few hours without their families and have time to chat and enjoy each other’s company.

The nights out are 5:00pm - 8:00pm. Food, activities and transport are paid for and every couple with children under 12 can apply for an amount of $35 to support hiring a babysitter/childminder, so everyone should be able to participate.

We started Couple’s Night Out on October 1st, with a Romantic Candlelight Dinner at Bridgeman’s Bistro in Mill Bay. There is space for 12 couples for every night out. The next Couple’s Night Out will be on October 29, at the Kwunew Kwasun Center. Other Couple’s Nights Out are:

November 19, 2019

- Movie Night @ Silvercity Tillicum Victoria

December 17, 2019

- Shopping, Woodgrove Mall, Nanaimo

January 7, 2020

- Fitness Fun, ValleyView Gym, Cobble Hill

January 28, 2020

- Couple’s Vision, Mill Bay

February 11, 2020

- Valentine Dinner, Mill Bay

February 25, 2020

- Couple’s Communication

March 10, 2020

- Couple’s Connection

March 31, 2020

- Couple’s Celebration

Couple’s Night Out

Changes to Malahat Life Skills Program

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Emergency Police, Fire, Ambulance ................................. 911

Malahat Health Clinic ....................................... 250-743-3900

RCMP Non emergency - Cobble Hill ..................... 250-743-5514

RCMP Non emergency - Duncan .......................... 250-748-5522

Crisis and Emergency Services (24hr) ...............1-888-494-3888

BC Hydro - power outage reporting ..................1-800-224-9376

Wildlife Conservation Officer .............................. 1-877-952-7277

Cowichan District Hospital .................................... 250-709-3040

Mill Bay Medical Centre ......................................... 250-743-3211

Ingram Family Physicians ...................................... 250-746-4401

Coleman Clinic ........................................................ 250-746-4102

Alderlea Medical Clinic (walk in) ........................... 250-748-9000

Beverly Medical Clinic (walk in) ............................ 250-597-3390

Primacy – Cowichan Way Clinic (walk in) ............ 778-422-3999

Valley Medical Clinic .............................................. 250-748-6167

Food Bank - Mill Bay ............................................. 250-743-5242

Cowichan Valley Basket Society ........................... 250-746-1566

Lake Cowichan Food Bank .................................... 250-749-6822

Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank ............... 250-246-3455

Cowichan Community Kitchens ...............250-748-2242 ext.134

CVRD ........................................................................ 250-746-2500

Municipality of North Cowichan ........................... 250-746-3100

City of Duncan ........................................................ 250-746-6126

Town of Lake Cowichan ........................................ 250-749-6681

Town of Ladysmith ................................................ 250-245-6400

School Board Office (SD 79) ................................. 250-748-0321

Vancouver Island University ................................. 250-753-3245

Camosun College ................................................... 250-370-3000

University of Victoria ............................................. 250-721-7211

Royal Roads University .......................................... 250-391-2511

Hiiye’yu Lelum (House of Friendship) .................. 250-748-2242

M’akola Housing Society (Duncan) ....................... 250-746-1785

M’akola Housing Society (Victoria) ....................... 250-384-1423

Cowichan Aquatic Centre ..................................... 250-746-7665

Bikeworks & Youth Art Studio .............................. 250-746-5512

Community Resources

October 11, 2019 ...................................................................................................................Scheduled Power Outage

October 14, 2019 ....................................................................................................................................... Thanksgiving

October 16, 2019 ...........................................................................Scheduled Power Outage, Malahat Health Closed

October 23, 2019 ....................................................................................................... Med Return-it Community Event

November 11, 2019 ......................................................................................................................... Remembrance Day

Important Dates