Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services would like to send a big thank you to Sheldon Anderson for his incredible contributions to our Cultural Programming this past summer as he served his internship through the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program AYIP. YOUTH LEADERSHIP WILL START UP AGAIN IN THE NEW YEAR (JANUARY). TO REGISTER YOUR YOUTH OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS — PLEASE CALL JESSICA SAULT 250-383-2990 EXT: 204

Leadership- Grief and Loss Culture is wrapped around the Grief and Loss workshop held at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre every Tuesday from 4-8pm with the Grief and Loss from 5-6:30 pm. From 4-5 pm and then from 7-8 pm the youth are taught First Nation’s Historical Timeline The Number “4” concept, how it balancing Mother Earth and why it is First Nation’s power number Potlatch Ban- why it was put into place, the devastation of our culture and what we can do today Gratitude- example different ways to show gratitude (for a meal etc.) Mother Earth teachings- we are all connected Animals- what they mean to First Nations, why we dance with them, have them for our crests Songs- meanings, protocol and giving youth an opportunity to sing Dances- the movements, have youth dance with the masks and skins

Animal Kingdom Program The children learn First Nations’ philosophies through the Mother Earth Teachings, the Mask Unit, the Feast Unit, the Animal Unit by putting culture into action. In the Feast Unit the children make their lunch buffet with love, teamwork and patience. They proudly bring it to the buffet table, learn the protocols of when to eat (hosts eat last, elders first) and then learn the meaning of “maamoot or mootla”. These words are Nuuchahnulth and Kwakwala. After a feast when there is food left over, the hosts generously encourage everyone to take home food (which then becomes maamoot or mootla). The Mother Earth Teachings encourage the children to bring something in to every class and connect it back to Mother Earth. The Animal Unit re-enforces the concept of “hish-uk-ish-tswak” or “we are all one”. The learn about their close connections to the animals and the teachings the animals can bring to them. Song and dance is introduced from the beginning with the children learning the Tlahowa song that Jessica Sault was given permission to use. They learned the various beats of a drum and the songs that match the drum beats. The children have mastered the drum beating and beat in unison. They have learned the Tlahowa song and are now moving onto 4 more songs. The Mask Unit takes them beyond the classroom and gives them the empowerment of wearing the regalia, be it animals skins or masks. They learn how to put on the regalia, understand the masks are alive and the need to wake them up and put them back to sleep. They make the animals’ sounds while they move like the animals. They have performed in 3 places and look forward to attend the opening of the Port Alberni Friendship Centres’ daycare in late November or early December. Their dance camp in Port Alberni saw them cutting and smoking fish, echoing voice lessons on the Somass River, touring the Tseshaht Band Office, Tseshaht Market and haahuupayak School. USMA Child Services hosted a breakfast, as did the Tseshaht Youth Group. Their highlight was having Trevor Little teaching them more intense dancing at haahuupayak. They also went to some elders’ homes to sing them “maamoot”. Their powerful welcome was matched by their powerful departure when they toured the Tseshaht Band Office. The Port Alberni Friendship Centre gave them a hot lunch for their final meal. The Animal Kingdom Program are now learning 2 Christmas Carols in 2 languages and making their tunics for their position as Greeters for Winterfeast. The teachings never stop and they are now learning about elders and how to look after them at the feast.

Jessica Sault Nuuchahnulth, is working in the Cultural Department until January. She brings over 30 years of experience starting in Vancouver at Grandview Elementary School with her first dance group and where she started her curriculum. It was during her work at Haahuupayak School, with her mother beside her for six years, that she honed her skills and composed the Animal Kingdom Play and eventually the Animal Kingdom Program that is based on cultural traditions and values. She would like to thank all her late teachers (including her late father and grandmother) her mother and all the children for sharing such strong cultural beliefs with her.

Pro- D Day- October 21, 2016 - A recap of an exciting day! Thank you to Gerry Ambers for being our Elder in attendance at our PRO D day. Our cultural programming for PRO D day was based on the lesson of the MASK. 12 Children attended and were guided through the day by Jessica, Isobel and Nicole. Our SCCFS boardroom transformed and important teachings were shared. A wonderful day for our facilitators and children (and staff enjoyed the gift of strawberries dipped in chocolate at the end of the day’s programming!

NEST TO WINGS 2016 The Nest to Wings Ceremony was held June 10th 2016, at Wawadiťła, The Mungo Martin House. Each year Surrounded by Cedar hosts this ‘aging out’ ceremony to celebrate our youth and their journey into adulthood. This year we witnessed 5 extraordinary young proud aboriginal youth reach this milestone. SCCFS staff, invited guests, Elders and Caregivers/Families gathered to honour these young people. The Animal Kingdom Dance Group, along with Cienna (the Jingle Dancer) performed beautiful dances, songs were shared along with prayers and words of wisdom. A delicious feast was prepared by Toque Catering. Each of the youth were ‘blanketed’ and provided a gift from their Social Workers and the entire staff of Surrounded by Cedar.

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Youth & Elder Dinner Connections- October 12, 2016 Lesson-Feasts/Food/Connections The youth started the night with singing and dancing around the table of elders before each child sat beside an elder. They quickly asked questions and were able to introduce each other. Youth & elder teams started preparing their food in the following station areas: Fry bread; Indian tacos; Veggie and dip; Sandwiches; Chocolate covered strawberries. Each child brought their dish to the feast table with pride. During dinner the Shadow People legend was told with the lesson- Don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you. The Mother Earth Teachings was introduced and the Potlatch Ban quickly reviewed. Elders, Gerry Ambers and Alec Nelson spoke about their Nation’s beliefs about Mother Earth and the meaning of food during a feast. Gerry also spoke about the season of Autumn and said the children love to play in the leaves because the leaves have all positive messages within them. She also spoke about wintertime and that “we are closest to our ancestors” at this time. “Maamoot” (Nuuchahnulth) or “Mootla” (Kwakwala) was explained. First Nations never wasted anything and that included food left over from a feast. When this food is gathered to be taken home it is called Maamoot or Mootla. Everyone is encouraged to take the food and continue eating it at home. The night was finished the way it was started……….with a song from the children.