XAST SPUTAʔ

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Table of contents

Fall Salmon Programs

2

Okanagan Nation Health

3

Syilx Baby Contest ONYRT Update

4

“Magic on the Water” 5

2008 at a Glance 6

ONA Staff Festivities GIS Capacity Building

7

Events 9

Okanagan Shared Care Pathway Process Inte-gration

8

SYILXSYILXSYILX OKANAGAN NATION ALLIANCE

ONA 3255 C Shannon

Lake Road Westbank, BC

V4T 1V4 Phone:

(250) 707-0095

Toll Free #:

1-866-662-9609

Email:

tmontgomery@syilx.org

Website: www.syilx.org

E-BULLETIN

The Chief’s Executive Council hosted a two-day quarterly meeting November 27th & 28th, 2008 at The Cove Lakeside Resort in Westbank. The meeting focused on Okanagan Title and Rights Strategy and Governance.

Roshan Danesh, Louise Mandell from Mandell Pinder and Justice Lambert facilitated a legal discussion that reviewed current case law and provided a framework that would strengthen an Okanagan case. Justice Lambert ex-plained that there are nine features that must be present to justify title. Fur-ther, he stated that the Law, which protects Aboriginal title, dates back to the 1500’s and the Law of Nations. This Law essentially recognizes the collec-tive interest of the entire Nation and when a group from that Nation asserts title without the involvement of the rest of the group, they undermine not only their title, but the Title & Rights and interests of the en-tire Nation.

The Chief and Councillors also received the Governance Capacity Assessment Report completed by the National Center for First Nations Governance (NCFNG). This report makes several recommendations. If you are inter-ested in reviewing the report, contact the main office and a copy can be provided.

During the meeting, the assembly unanimously passed a resolution recognizing Grand Chief Stewart Phillip’s contributions to the Nation and reappointed him to the position of Okanagan Nation Alliance Chairman.

Finally, the Chiefs and Councillors agreed that further dialogue on these issues was essential. A commitment to meet and work through the details impacting Okanagan Nation Governance and Title and Rights Strategy was made. A follow-up meeting is to be held January 2009.

CHIEFS & COUNCIL’S QUARTERLY NATION UNITY BUILDING SESSION

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip 

ONA Chariman Re‐elected 

ONA E-BULLETIN December 2008

2

The ONA Fisheries Department recently completed their fall salmon programs.  These programs con‐sisted of monitoring Sockeye and Chinook in the Okanagan River, Kokanee in Okanagan Lake and Middle Vernon Creek, and Coho in Bessette Creek system.   

Approximately 110,000‐130,000 Sockeye and less than 50 Chinook returned to the Okanagan River this year.   

The ONA Fisheries Department is currently in their 5th year of a 12 year reintroduction program.  For this 2008 year, Broodstock went well with 568 fe‐males and 730 males taken for the program.  Ap‐proximately 1.9 million eggs were taken to the Shuswap Falls Hatchery, on the Shuswap River near Lumby, for fertilization and incubation. The fry will be released  into the Penticton Channel in late May 2009.   

MCINTYRE DAM 

The refitting of McIntyre Dam will make it passable to salmon.  It is currently be‐ing designed and is slated for construc‐tion in August 2009. 

OKANAGAN RIVER RESTORATION INITIATIVE (ORRI)  

Engineering designs or the Okanagan River Restoration Initiative (ORRI) are complete.  The dike set back construc‐tion at the present is underway.  This includes instream work and re‐meandering of the river slated for Au‐gust 2009.   

 

For More Information on  the ONA Fisheries  Initiatives please contact:   

Howie Wright, A/Program Manager  

Email: hwright@syilx.org  

Phone: (250) 707‐0095 

FALL SALMON PROGRAMS 2008

OKANAGAN NATION HEALTH

December 2008 ONA E-BULLETIN

3

The ONA Health Strategic Planning Session was held October 28, 29, 30, 2008 in Osoyoos, to discuss the Na‐tions Health Plan and the Community Engagement Hub initiatives.  The objectives were: 

♦ To progress work on the implementation of           the Community Engagement Hub; 

♦ Provide a forum for information sharing on the Transformative Change Accord‐ A FN Provincial Health Plan; Community Engagement Hub and Nation’s Health Plan; and 

♦ Facilitate communications on the health initia‐tives. 

It was a successful gathering as we received invaluable feedback for health and we had rep‐resentation from 5 of the 7 bands, 3 Chiefs, and partners from University of British Columbia‐Okanagan, Inte‐rior Health, Okanagan Aboriginal Aids Society, First Nations Health Council, and Ookakane Friendship Centre for a total of 24 participants.  A communication plan will be devel‐oped to provide members with regu‐lar updates on the projects. 

 

NEXT STEPS:  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HUB 

A Community Engagement Hub Coordinator will be hired and start in the new year.  This candidate will  assist in the roll out of the First Nation Health Council initiative.  

OKANAGAN NATION’S HEALTH PLAN 

Pamela  Crema, our Health Analyst, will be conducting focus group sessions in each community for the Na‐tion’s Health Plan. The first was held at OKIB on No‐vember 12, 2008.  Health Directors, please phone Pam at 250­707­0095 to book your community fo­

cus group.  The focus group data will add to your Community Health Plan and the Comprehensive Com‐munity Plans. 

Health Analyst Goal is “to advocate for Syilx control and management of their health, programs and ser‐vices”. 

Pam’s role consists of Health Planning, which is de‐fined as “a community driven process for developing a vision of quality and informed health care for the Syilx which produces a Nation’s Health Plan (road map) that informs all stakeholders. 

 

 

 

 

For More Information Contact 

Pamela Crema, ONA Health Analyst Mark Matthew

FNHC Community Development Liaison

FIRST SYILX BABY OF THE NEW YEAR CONTEST

ONA E-BULLETIN December 2008

4

OKANAGAN NATION YOUTH RESPONSE TEAM (ONYRT)

The two-year team commitments were completed in June 2008. Eight people renewed their two-year commitment and we have six new members: Upper Nicola Band, Martha Chillihitzia, Dean Tom, Ivan Lindley; Penticton Indian Band, Inez Pierre; Osoyoos Indian Band, Leona Oneowl-Hall; Okanagan Indian Band, Diane Louis, Cindy Brewer. The team was trained in Critical Incident Stress Management Lev-els 1 & 2 in Oliver BC. The training was a refresher for the team. It is important to upkeep their skill level in case of deployment. The Okanagan Nation Youth Response Team is being evaluated by Performance Management Consulting based out of Edmonton (Dr. Bill Wong & Don Westlake) from December 2008 to March 31st, 2009. The team was hired by Health Canada to evaluate two of the five existing BC response teams. It is the hope that this evaluation

will show the need for the program to be ade-quately funded as well as provide core funding in the future. The purpose of the ONYRT team is to provide suicide prevention education and respond to crisis in community. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Chief and Council members for supporting and advo-cating for this vital program. For more information contact Kim Montgom-ery-Waardenburg, Critical Response Team Leader: criticalresponse@syilx.org

2009 First Baby of the Year Contest Rules:

1. At least one of the parents of the baby must be a member of the Okanagan Nation.

2. Winner will be determined as the first baby to be born after midnight 12:00 am on January 1, 2009.

3. The exact time of birth must be specified by the attending physician.

4. A written statement must be submitted to the Okanagan Nation Alli-ance no later than 3:00pm January 5, 2009, including a picture, weight, height, member band, name if chosen and contact informa-tion.

5. In the event that there is no winner at that time, the contest will be extended until a winner is declared.

Please submit to Okanagan Nation Alliance: Attention: Tara Montgomery Email: tmontgomery@syilx.org Fax: (250)707-0166

Deadline: January 5th @ 3:00pm

PRIZE $500.00

December 2008 ONA E-BULLETIN

5

Okanagan’s own, Tracey Jack has recently been awarded with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Gold Ribbon Award for 2007.  She also won Best Television Feature ‐ Native American Journalists Association 2007.   She has been nomi‐nated and screened for Best Documentary Short with the American Indian Film Festival in Sanfrancisco.  

 

Magic on the Water is a one hour feature documentary cap‐turing poignant stories of the Okanagan first peoples. It was only up until a century ago when the Syilx Nation exclusively, inhabited the captivating beaches and fertile lands of the Okanagan valley.  

 This prime time one hour special for television features a vis‐ual feast of beautifully crafted interior cottonwood paddles dipping their ores into the crystal clear lakes and rivers throughout the pristine Interior of British Columbia. Magic on the Water explores the vibrant art, history and oral traditions of the Okanagan first people as they share vivid testimonials revealing their rich heritage, language and culture.  

 Magic on the Water is the art of storytelling through the jour‐ney of a one hundred year old canoe culminating in the return 

of the salmon to Okanagan shores, nestled in the interior of British Columbia. Ancient historical songs com‐posed by Juno nominee and traditional ensemble Turning Earth Collective members Jeannette Armstrong, Delphine Derickson and Richard Armstrong accompany the documentary. 

 The documentary describes the biodiversity of ancient rivers, creeks, streams and beaches throughout of the Okanagan Valley in rich storytelling tradition. Magic on the Water is a cinematic experience capturing the sounds and colors of vivid landscapes revealing the beauty and essence of the territorial lands of the Okanagan First Peoples. The Sylix Nation share their testimonials of laughter, struggle, and pain as they strive to survive and to restore their traditional systems of governance and leadership in a modern world. 

 Directed, Written, Produced by Tracey Kim Jack 

Straight Arrow Productions Executive Producer: Rob Weller 

Press Contact: 250 770 0124 or tjack@vip.net 

MAGIC ON THE WATER, Tracey Jack

Tracey at the Gala Award Night in Sanfrancisco

ONA E-BULLETIN December 2008

2008 AT A GLANCE

6

National Day of Action, Keremeos

Annual General Assembly, Keremeos

Boys Group Train the Trainer, Osoyoos

Okanagan Nation Community Gathering, Westbank

Salmon Fry Release Penticton

Salmon Feast, Okanagan Falls Provincial Park

Business Conference, Penticton

Youth Soccer Day, Westbank

ONA E-BULLETIN December 2008

7

ONA member band GIS trainees completed a 5 day training on digitizing Use and Occupancy Map Surveys on November 3rd—7th 2008. The trainees consisted of Justin Joe, OKIB; Dallas Goodwater, ONA; Travis Kruger, PIB; Nancy Jules, WFN; Christine Saddleman, UNIB; Fern Terbasket, LSIB and Wendy Hawke, USIB. Each of the trainees went through an indepth methodology (manual) of scanning, georeferencing, digitizing, and finally map production. A user manual for Digitizing Use and Occupancy Survey maps is in draft form and will soon be sent to each of the member bands communities. Greg Kehm, Information Services Manager of Ecotrust Canada facilitated the training session. This ONA Natural Resources capacity project is funded by Geoconnections, and also includes the distribution of workstations and ESRI GIS software to each of the member bands. For More Information Contact Peter Waardenburg, GIS Coordinator, GIS1@syilx.org

GIS Capacity Building Training

ONA Staff Christmas Party Fun & Games

ONA E-BULLETIN December 2008

8

NSYILXCEN

kʼəɬyilkʷcín scarf

Pucs Boot

qʷacən ~ hat

sqʼəqʼatʼlks

Sweater

lkapu ~ Coat

ʔackniskstn

Toy

əcwár

Fire

itx

Sleep

húmaʔ excuse me

OKANAGAN SHARED CARE PATHWAY PROCESS INTEGRATION

The Shared Care Pathway Process was presented on September 25, 2008 at the Penticton Health Centre, where 41 health Staff from Interior Health and the Bands gathered to welcome the Aboriginal patient navigators. The welcoming address by Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and the Penticton youth drummers pro‐vided a culturally appropriate welcoming.  

 

In June 2008 at a community health nurses meeting, gaps were identified in dis‐charge planning, such as a lack of coordinated approach. As the Aboriginal pa‐tient navigators positions were being posted, it seemed like a window of oppor‐tunity to be developed with Judy Maas, Interior Health Aboriginal Liaison; Judth Stein, First Nation Inuit Health; and Pamela Crema, Okanagan Nation Health Analyst. They worked together to develop the shared care pathway process, which involves the following:  

1.  Client enters mainstream health system (Aboriginal community, Urban center, Client independently or client in IH system). 

2.  Aboriginal Patient Navigator meets or visits with Client and obtains con‐sent for information sharing, communication and care planning via phone, in person or fax. 

3.  APN receives oral (which is recorded on Health Record) or written permis‐sion to share specific information as directed by Client. 

4.  Hospital Discharge (Transition Planning) involves Interdisciplinary Care Team (IH staff, client, family and Aboriginal Heath team) as per client con‐sent.  Care planning process for effective follow‐up, after care and re‐sources in place in clients, home. 

For more information contact Pamela Crema, ONA Health Analyst  

250‐707‐0095 or 1‐866‐662‐9609 

Events

CHRISTMAS HUMOUR

1. What Christmas carol is a favorite of parents?

2. What do snowmen eat for breakfast?

3. Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?

4. How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas?

Enowkin 10th Annual Christmas Arts and Craft Show

December 6, 2008 10:00 am to 4:00pm

Tables $40.00 For a Large Table $30.00 for a Small Table For More Information: Phone: (250) 493-7181

E-BULLETIN DEADLINE

The ONA January E-bulletin DEADLINE is December 30th.

If you have a story or event that you would like included in our E-bulletin please email to

tmontgomery@syilx.org

C H R I S T M A S O F F I C E C L O S U R E S

In Recognition of the Christmas Holidays Lower Similkameen

December 24—January 2, 2009 Okanagan Indian Band

December 24 (noon) to January 2, 2009 Osoyoos Indian Band

Dec 24th (noon) to Dec 26 and Dec 31 to Jan 2, 2009 Penticton Indian Band

December 22 to January 2, 2009 Westbank First Nation

December 24 to January 2, 2009 Upper Nicola Indian Band

December 24 (noon) to January 2, 2009 Upper Similkameen Indian Band

December 22 to January 2, 2009 Okanagan Nation Alliance

Dec 24-26, 2009 and Dec 31 to Jan 2, 2009

1. Silent Night 2. Frosted Flakes

3. He had low ELF esteem 4. Fleece Navidad!

ONA E-BULLETIN December 2008

9

Pieces of Time New years come and new years go,

Pieces of time all in a row. As we live our life, each second and minute, We know we’re privileged to have you in it.

Our appreciation never ends, For our greatest blessings: our family and friends!

Happy New Year! By Joanna Fuchs