Christmas 2016

December—Gwelu Za—the month of the Ice

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Keeping Our Communities Informed

With Warm and Friendly Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Bright and Happy New Year

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

A Message from the Executive Director

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I learn from each Tsilhqot’in person I meet and our gatherings reinforce my respect for Tsilhqot’in culture, language and territory. Your words and literature inspired me to put down some rhymes. Sechanalyagh, Tsilhqot’in Nation People of the River – Tsilhqot'in Nation united, strong and free Gary Crowe Executive Director [email protected]

Knowledge and wisdom Elders weave Guiding youth on paths to achieve Nenqayni shaped by stories told Speak to spirits through actions bold Movement sustained so truth be known Ancestors’ rights, land title hold Two thousand Moons since ?Esggidam Mother Earth called, you took a stand Made the arc of history bend Restored harmony with your nen Salmon return to river ways Through your valleys, meadows and lakes Wildlife thrive conserving their space Beauty made by Creator’s grace Merry Christmas - have a wonderful season with family and friends!

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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A Message From Finance

Betty Derksen: Finance Officer—Office Manager [email protected]

One my favorite activities of the Christmas Season is participating in the Horsefly Women’s Institute Christmas Lunch and Silent Auction. We host a ladies only lunch the first Saturday in December every year. In addition to a great time to visit and have a tasty lunch, we have baskets to bid on. We also put together a loonie table and a One Two Three Four table. The tickets for the One Two Three Four table are very popular. The prices are different every year and the first ticket drawn can pick which ever price they want. This year is a roaster with meat donated from local ranchers is one; a beautiful edge grain cedar hope chest, lined with juniper and partially filled with a quilt and sheets is two; a box of various liquor is three and a mystery box is four. It is our largest fund raiser of the year. The money goes to community projects and we have a yearly bursary for student continuing to post-secondary education. I wish you and yours the happiest times this Christmas season and may you have the best year ever in 2017!

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Creative Christmas with Executive Assistant Season’s greetings! My Executive Assistant position has transitioned more into an Executive Assistant role to the Tŝilhqot’in National Government office. You’ll now see Helen Nemeth with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation Support Team (Crystal Verhaeghe, Myanna Desaulniers…) at the community meetings. I’m also support to TNG’s front reception and will be concentrating on our filing enhancement project. Here are a couple of quick and simple center pieces which I love.

Sharmon Alphonse Executive Assistant

A couple of ideas for those young at heart.

Something fun to do with all those bows, a wreath! It is also a great way to reuse. Snow Globe: clear balloons, fake snow/white tissue paper, plastic disposable cups (red, blue or clear), glitter in any color, mod podge/glue and, a paint brush. I’ll definitely be trying these festive do-it-yourself projects this season! Happy holidays! Sharmon Alphonse Executive Assistant

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Ways to Stay Healthy This Holiday Season Wash your hands often. Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water, and rub them together for at least 20 seconds.

Stay warm. Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Stay dry, and dress warmly in several

Connie Jasper: Health Hub Coordinator [email protected]

layers.

Manage stress. The holidays don’t need to take a toll on your health and pocketbook. Keep your commitments and spending in check. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from family and friends. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook. Make sure to get proper sleep.

Prevent injuries. Injuries can happen anywhere, and some often occur around the holidays. Use step stools instead of climbing on furniture when hanging decorations. Leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Handle and prepare food safely. As you prepare holiday meals, keep yourself and your family safe from foodrelated illness. Wash hands and surfaces often. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature. Refrigerate promptly. Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Holiday Health - Community Dietitian & Nutritionist The Sunshine Vitamin By Megan Dark, TNG Community Dietitian

Megan Dark, RD, CDE

While many of us look forward to spending time in a snowy landscape and the seasonal slowdown that winter ushers in, the short days of winter can take a toll on our wellbeing. These days, there are so few hours of daylight that many of us leave the house in the dark in the morning and return after nightfall. Natural sunlight plays an important role in regulating our moods, sleep patterns, and energy and appetite levels. Importantly, sunlight also causes our skin to naturally produce vitamin D. Vitamin D is both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our bodies make when we’re exposed to UV rays from the sun. It has a bunch of important jobs in our bodies, from keeping our bones strong to protecting our immunity. People who are low in vitamin D are at a higher risk of getting seasonal colds and flus, even developing heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and some cancers. Over 60% of us don’t get enough vitamin D based on Canadian research. Non-Caucasian people and people who don’t drink milk are the most likely to be deficient. In Canada, there isn’t enough natural sunlight between October and March to make vitamin D from our skin. That leaves two options for getting enough: increasing our food sources of the vitamin, and taking a vitamin supplement. The recommended intake for vitamin D for adults in Canada is 600 IU, but most experts recommend getting at least 1000 IU from food and supplement sources to get the most benefit (intake up to 2000 IU is safe).

There aren’t many food sources of vitamin D—fish like salmon and tuna, dairy products like milk and yogurt, and eggs are the best sources.

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Continued…

Holiday Health - Community Dietitian & Nutritionist Top Vitamin D-Rich Food Sources Food Salmon, sockeye, baked, 3 oz Tuna, canned, drained, 1 can Cow’s milk, 1 cup Yogurt, 1 cup Milk alternative, soy or almond, 1 cup

Vitamin D per serving 447 IU 148 IU 110 to 124 IU (the higher the % fat, the higher the Vitamin D) 115 IU Varies depending on brand; 40 IU to 120 IU

Orange juice, fortified with Vitamin D, 1 cup

100 IU

Egg, 1 large Breakfast cereal, Kellogg's Corn Flakes, 1 cup

41 IU 40 IU

Mushrooms, white, raw, 1 cup slices

If treated with UV rays can provide as much as 400 IU per serving. Otherwise, 5 to 7 IU

Cheese, cheddar, 1 oz slice

7 IU

My recommendations: 1. 2. 3.

Aim to have two servings of fish like salmon every week. Drink a glass of milk (including lactose-free milk) or a fortified dairy-free milk alternative (like soy or almond milk) daily. Consider taking a vitamin D supplement. Any brand will do. It costs $6-7 for a winter’s supply (6 months) of vitamin D for one person. I take 1000 IUs of vitamin D with calcium throughout the winter since I don’t consistently drink milk. Leave it in a visible place so you don’t forget!

For more info, see https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Health Programs Coordinator Shares A Recipe for Santa’s Cookies Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies Prep Time: 15 mins 1 hour 40 mins

Cook Time: 12 mins

Ready in:

Ingredients: 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 cups butter, softened 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar ½ cup white sugar 2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix 4 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 cups semisweet chocolate chips 2 cups chopped walnuts (optional) Directions: 1.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.

2.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown. Makes 72 cookies.

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Christmas Crafts One of my favourite things to do during Christmas was to make dough ornaments with my mom. Here is an easy recipe for some creative and colourful fun: Ingredients: 4 cups of flour 1 cup of salt 1 ½ cups of warm water 1.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2.

Mix flour and salt well. Gradually add water, stirring with a large spoon. Finish mixing with hands. Knead until soft and pliable.

3.

Roll out on floured surface about 1/8 inch thick. Cut shapes with cookie cutters. Place on cookie sheets. With a toothpick make a hole in the top of the ornament for threading string. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) until hard, about 1 hour. Decorate with paint and varnish to preserve.

Myanna Desaulniers: Strategic Initiatives & Communication Manager [email protected]

In early October, I started as Chief's Assistant to Chief Joe Alphonse. My office is at Tl'etinqox, 1-888-224-3322, Extension 206. I am happy to be part of the Tsilhqot'in National Goverment (TNG) team. The Supreme Court recognition of our land title, and the Nenqay Deni Accord, made chiefs busier than they already were. So TNG hired assistants. My parents are late Raphael and Susie (Bob) Alphonse. My first language is Tsilhqot'in and I learned English in Kindergarten. The parents of Raphael xili (late Raphael) were Charlie and Mabel (Lee) Alphonse. The parents of Susie xili were Casimir and Maria (Johnny) Bob. Charlie was assistant to Casimir, the last hereditary chief, who led for 35 years. Then Tl'etinqox started electing chiefs in the late-1960s. Carla Alphonse Mabel's dad was Norman Lee. What Charlie was to Casimir, I am to Joe, my first Tl’etinqox Chief’s Assistant cousin; Joe and I have the same four grandparents. I had to quit school in Grade 7, when I got juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. My sisters and older brother went to residential school, but my twin brother and I did not. My four sisters all finished high school. Years later, I finished high school, and university twice: Community and School Support Certificate and Human Service Diploma (Dean's List) from Thompson Rivers University. I am now in the University of Northern British Columbia Tsilhqot'in Language Certificate Program. Tsilhqot'in people have always overcome obstacles: smallpox, war, residential schools, more children in care now than in the residential schools, and governments and business telling us what to do. We can break cycles of addiction, violence, bad parenting, ill health, and crime. Our traditional food, fishing and hunting, our duties to women and children, and our land will help restore our people. Merry Christmas. Get together with your loved ones. Share a meal or two. Share a story or two. Happy New Year to everyone. "Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children." -Sitting Bull 253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Language and Education Coordinator Enjoys Christmas Baking Christmas baking – one of my favourite cookies to bake for the holidays, are the Jumbo Raisin cookies they are filled with spices; cinnamon and nutmeg creating a delectable aroma in kitchen during the holidays. Jumbo Raisin Cookies

Sherry Stump: Education & Language Coordinator [email protected]

Ingredients 2 cups raisins 1 cup water 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 cup shortening 1 3/4 cups white sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Directions  Place water and raisins in a small saucepan, and bring to boil. Boil 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; set aside.  In a large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in raisins along with the liquid in which they were boiled. Blend in flour mixture, then mix in the walnuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.  Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in preheated oven, or until firm. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

MONTHS

MEANING

TSILHQOT’IN WORD

December

The month of ice

Gwelu Za

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Seasons Greetings from TNG Translator/Transcriber Kla-how-ya (greeting in Chinook jargon)! A few words in Chinook: “skookum” - big, mighty, strong, true, genuine, solid “Tyee” - chief or leader “Hyas Tyee” - Grand Chief “skookum tumtum” – brave, courageous, and bold

Bella Alphonse Translator/Transcriber [email protected]

Aside from transcribing and translating, we have been developing curriculum. So far, we’ve made memory cards for vegetables, animals (three different groups – domestic, small game and big game) and birds. If Tsilhqot’in language teachers are interested in getting a copy, you may bring a memory stick (USB) and we can load it up for you. Also, if teachers want to take a look at what we have, give us a call, and we will show you what we have.

A few weeks ago, we did activities at Tl’etinqox School, with the youths that were “camping” there with Punky Lake. It was fun to do activities with the youths. I send “a pat on the back to the language teachers and parents”, because I noticed that the youths knew the language fairly well. Prior to that, we also visited and did activities with Yunesit’in School. Orange Fluff Jell-O Salad Recipe 4 hr Prep Time \ Serves 8 Ingredients •1 large package Cook and Serve vanilla pudding (4.6 ounces) •1 large package orange Jell-O (6 ounces) •2 cups water •1 16 oz. Cool-Whip (lite or fat-free is fine) •1/2 bag mini marshmallows •20 ounce can pineapple tidbits (drained) •22 ounces mandarin oranges (drained) •2 to 3 bananas, sliced (Optional, put in before serving so they don't turn brown in the fridge) Instructions 1. Mix together pudding, Jell-O, and water over medium heat until it boils. Remove from heat and pour into a large mixing bowl. Refrigerate until mixture has thickened (about 4-5 hours). Beat until creamy. Fold in Cool Whip, marshmallows, and fruit. Chill about an hour before serving.

Happy Holidays – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

Stewardship Manager

Luke Doxtator: Stewardship Department Manager

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Ahhh Christmas time, this is the time of year that my family gets together, eats too much, and certainly enjoy the outdoors. As an avid outdoors man, I truly appreciate this time away from work to teach my sons winter skills, specifically ice fishing. Most families are all bundled up around a wood stove when it’s -35 out, but not our family, we are out on the ice, sitting around a small propane heater in our ice hut, on the hunt for the allusive “hog” of a rainbow or kokanee. This is the only time of year where I will actually keep a few fish for the smoker. Something has to be said about a 4 year old and a 7 year old, sneaking into my room at the crack of dawn reminding me we are supposed to go fishing today.

I would be lying if we didn’t’ enjoy the other activities during this time as well. The family loves to be out on the snow machine and whipping through the trails and laughing so hard as they almost fall of the back of the sled. I never had the opportunity as a child to experience much time on a snow machine, but as a father, I feel it is my duty to introduce my children to as much experiences as possible. Just because it’s cold out, doesn’t’ mean we need to sit inside and stare at each other. My favorite part of Christmas time, is the looks on the children, and granddaughters face when they see the presents that Santa brought for them. The stockings are full of surprises and over flowing from the tops, the presents around the tree are all neatly packed to ensure no wasted spaces, and the little whispers of excitement echo through our hallways. As paper gets thrown around with little regard of where it will land or hit anybody, and the gasps of “oh wow, cool” is thrown around like they have just received a new Harley, these are the things that I enjoy the most. As the chaos comes to a close, my wife is busy in the kitchen preparing for a succulent turkey dinner with all the trimmings. I try to make sure I do not snack too much during the day so I don’t spoil my appetite. I need to ensure I save room for the most juicy, tender, perfectly cooked turkey on the planet. I then have to somehow ensure I leave enough room for the pie. I would like to say I stop at 1 but come on, what self-respecting man can stop at just 1 piece of pumpkin pie topped with whip cream? I will give you a hint, what has 2 thumbs and loves pie? This guy. In closing, I realize not everyone enjoys this time of year, I know I had difficulty a few years ago, when my sister passed away on Christmas day, but over time, I realize time helps with the healing, and I cannot let my family suffer, we need to move on. I want to take this time to wish you all a Merry Christmas, I hope you are all blessed with a lot of family time, yes even the weird uncles that we all have.

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Natural Resource Referral Worker I would like to out by recognizing all new staff of TNG, the Nenqay Deni Accord sub tables and staff which have been hired in the communities. On chance of putting a wrong name or job title, I would just like to say Welcome and I hope your work here is happy, successful and full of accomplishments. We were asked if we could do something festive for the newsletter. So, I will tell you a story of when I was just knee high to a grasshopper and spitting the chewing tobacco. In the summer my siblings and I just loved going with our Dad and Mom down to the hayfields in Deep Creek. The Sally Sellars, RPF: creek ran through the middle of our hayfields which gave plenty of water for Natural Resource Worker crops to grow. We as children would go to help roll bales close to this old [email protected] tractor with a hay slip towed on back and then were able to role the bales onto the slip, this job went into late evenings all summer long. Our parents for a treat would bring us to the creek for swimming and cool down, but also my brother and I loved going fishing - we used a good length willow stick, hook, fish line, and rock tied on for weight, and in those days a creek worm for bait. This is the way we always fished in winter or the summer, and yes we could catch fish! I just remember, running through endless bushes following the creeks twists and turns finding secret fishing places, eating our little snacks that Mom provided in our pockets. Days were long back then, we would start when the sun came up and we did not have to be home until the sun went down, no rules or curfews, just the word of Dad, saying “you know right from wrong, so behave yourself”, and away we would go until sunset, chores of course had to be done before you left and when you got home. Small memories like this keep me going home, keeps me going back to Deep Creek where I grew up and learned life’s precious guidelines. I wish you all a great holiday season and all the best of health to your loved ones. Merry Christmas and Happiness in the New Year enjoy the winter weather. Hope to see you all @ The Annual General Assembly @ the Gibraltar Room on Friday December 16th.

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

Raspberry Thumbprint Shortbread Cookies

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Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup seedless red raspberry jam sugar for sprinkling 1 cup powdered sugar 3 to 4 teaspoons water 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract Directions: 1. In a medium bowl beat butter medium speed for about 30 seconds. Add the the 2/3 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Beat until well combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with electric mixer and then using a wooden spoon stir in any remaining flour. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle. 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Using your thumb, press an indentation into the center of each ball. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the jam into each indentation and then sprinkle with sugar. Bake about 10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool on cookie sheets for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to wire racks to finish cooling. 3. For icing, in a medium bowl combine powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon water and 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract. Add enough of the remaining water to make a drizzling consistency. Drizzle cookies with icing.

Tl’etinqox Community Referral Worker Hi, I'm Joshua Elkins. I'm the new Community Referral Worker for Anaham. I like to introduce myself as a "Natural Resource Worker" as people tend to understand that better. I simply work for the community and am an outlet for the community to voice their concerns with any projects underway. I enjoy working with community. That being said, the holiday season will be in full swing soon and it is a great time to share company with friends, family and loved ones. I'd like to remind everyone to not let your guards down to dangers, be aware of the cold, stay safe and don't drink and drive. I wish everyone a safe and Happy Holidays.

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Merry Christmas from the Mapping Department Merry almost Christmas! I hope you, the reader, have found an appropriate balance of socializing at get-togethers with family & friends and also enjoying some quiet time as well. I sometimes find December a bit too overwhelming, and have a plan this year to schedule in some time in front of my fireplace with a good book. I love “modelling good behavior” by chilling out with a book and encouraging my kids to do the same. I remember several Mary Thurow Christmases ago I spent an entire day either in bed reading, or at least GIS Analysts [email protected] remaining in my pajamas with a book I couldn’t put down… and I had absolutely no guilt about it. I think it was on the 27th or 28th of December; our company had left, there were no more preparations to make, and my ability to completely stop gave my kids a great chance to enjoy their gifts and we all recharged after a hectic few weeks. I hope to do the same this season. Recent work-related highlights include a 4 day Indigenous Mapping Workshop that Sarah and I attended on the Musqueam reserve during Fall Break. We ended up doing a quick presentation about our Portal one morning, and took in several training sessions on Google Earth, QGIS, and ArcInfo each afternoon. Here’s a pic of us on the last morning with a dear friend Leanna Rhodes, whom I met almost 10 years ago through my work with the First Nations Technology Council.

On the second night of the conference the organizers put on a Welcome Feast with traditional Musqueam entertainment – the costumes and dancing were beautiful and I really enjoyed it. I spent some time in October interviewing potential BCIT Practicum students over the phone. TNG will be having our 3rd GIS Intern (a young man named Nathan) volunteer and obtain work experience at TNG between April and June 2017. We are looking forward to having the extra set of hands around the GIS Department!

Wishing you and yours a healthy and happy 2017 – Mary.

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Sarah Gash GIS Analysts [email protected]

Happy Holidays everyone! It is not something you necessarily think of, but there are a lot of particularly Christmassy smells. The connection between smell and memories is particularly strong, triggering powerful emotion and recollection. The smell of fir in the house; the aroma of turkey cooking in the oven; both remind me of childhood Christmases. The smell (and feel) of crisp winter air when you step out of the house to a new day of snow, is a newer, adult pleasure, associated with Christmas for me, having grown up in Vancouver, Christmas was usually mild. One of my all-time favourite Christmas smells is the oranges and cloves. Here is a how to, so you can enjoy the Christmas joy of oranges and cloves:

Orange and Clove Pomander Balls: Firm, fresh citrus fruit preferably oranges. If it is too shriveled or too mushy, it will be harder to poke with cloves, and won’t smell as nice. A few toothpicks. A nail works well, too. A jar of whole cloves. A citrus zester or a sharp vegetable peeler (optional). An elastic band or two. Kitchen twine, if you decide to hang any pomanders. Use the zester to cut designs into the orange (optional) Use toothpick or a nail to poke rows or design a pattern around the oranges. One trick is to use an elastic band wrapped around the orange as a guide so you have perfectly straight rows. Remove the elastic bands before you are done. Poke whole cloves into the orange in the pattern you designed. Do several oranges and display them in a bowl on the kitchen table or on your counter, and enjoy all season! To hang your oranges thread a large needle with string and run it through the entire orange, making a knot at the bottom, and a loop at the top. I have included a few photos from the Indigenous Mapping Workshop Mary and I attended in early November. We were treated to a feast and traditional dance/drum performance one evening. Elders, adults, and children all participated. It was wonderful. We also attended training sessions highlighting new mapping technology and a number of very informative and enlightening presentations. One presentation, by the Museum of Anthropology, featured some familiar faces and highlighted some of the amazing work our TNG team has completed. It was very exciting to have our organization singled out. Happy Christmas everyone, I hope your holidays are filled with cheer! 253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

Something a little Sinister by GIS Technician

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This will be the first year ever that my family isn’t celebrating Christmas together. My brothers are working and my folks are visiting Grampa. I think I’ll just “opt out” this year. I think I just need a year off. People are calling me a Scrooge, or a Grinch, and it’s really gotten me thinking about the villains of Christmas stories. That’s a side of Christmas people don’t really talk about. So let’s talk about it! My Top Three Christmas Villains (Heroes?):

Shane Doddridge GIS Analysts [email protected]

3. The Grinch: Don’t let Jim Carey’s performance in Ron Howard’s 2000 production of “The Grinch” ruin your love for this furry green menace. Go back and watch the 1966 Chuck Jones cartoon this holiday, it’s twice as good and half as long! Or better yet, read the old Dr. Seuss book out loud to your kids. Classic! I think there’s a little Grinch in us all. Who hasn’t felt resentment towards others while they are noisily (if peacefully) enjoying their traditions? The Grinch reminds us what intolerance can lead to – isolation from our peers, feeling jealous and sorry for ourselves, and spreading a negative attitude that is as contagious as pink-eye in a Kindergarten class! The Grinch is a hero in my books, because even though he stinks and is a real pain to be around sometimes… well, who isn’t? He put aside his intolerance for the Whos, and the Whos put aside their intolerance for him. Happy ending. 2. Ebenezer Scrooge: This great Dickens character has been played by many great actors, including Patrick Stewart, Tim Curry, Kelsey Grammer, and Walter Matthau, but my favourite Scrooge was played by Michael Cain in the 1992 film, “The Muppets Christmas Carol.” Before he was visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, nobody would have called Ebenezer Scrooge a good man. He spent his life exploiting the poor and hoarding his wealth. The important message in Dickens’ 1843 Novella is not that we should all love Christmas time and it will somehow transform us – It’s that Scrooge became a changed man after taking some time for objective introspection, and confronting his own personal demons. Scrooge reminds us… it’s never too late to turn over a new leaf and start walking that red road. It takes a hero to recognize that. 1. Krampus:

You’ve never heard of Krampus? I hadn’t either until I visited Bavaria. We all know the Santa Claus story – that well behaved children get a visit from St. Nicolas who brings gifts and positive reinforcement. But to the naughty children? In the Alps of southern Europe, the naughty children would be so lucky to receive a lump of coal… they instead get a visit from Krampus. Krampus is a black hearted beast – half goat, half demon. He visits naughty children on Christmas, shoves them in his basket, and then he eats them alive!

Krampus is a Christmas Hero to me because he is a reality check. Not every Christmas villain changes their ways and becomes full of love and joy for the holiday spirit. Sometimes a demon is just a demon. That’s life. We try to do our best to help out, to do more than our share of the work, and to be good. We aren’t always rewarded for our efforts in the ways we expect. Life isn’t always fair. But it doesn’t mean we should lie, cheat, steal, and otherwise be naughty. Because even if living an honest life isn’t always fair, it’s still better than a visit from Krampus. 253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Cacao with Mining, Oil & Gas Manager JP’s Hot Cacao Recipe Before there was instant hot chocolate, people actually made it from scratch! Recently historians have discovered this long lost recipe thanks to the hard work by a Raider of the Lost Ark. Here is one we were given permission to share.

Raw Cacao Hot Chocolate

J.P. Laplante, B.Sc., M.A. Mining, Oil & Gas Manager [email protected]

Method Combine milk, cacao (powder), cinnamon and vanilla into a small pot. Heat gently while stirring. Pour into serving cups and enjoy. Sweeten a little with honey or raw sugar. Send a thank you note to Indiana Jones. Watch Raiders of the Lost Ark. No, this is not a Christmas movie. Yes, you should still watch it.

Ingredients 2 cups milk (any type) 2 Tbsp raw cacao powder* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick) 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 1 teaspoons honey (more if not sweet enough) tiny pinch of salt tiny pinch of ground chili peppers if you like the spice *If you want to get even more old school, you can buy raw cacao as solid blocks (look like chocolate) and then use a double-boiler method to melt the cacao. Approx. 3-4 ounces will make 2 cups.

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Forestry Liaison Worker Update Cutting Permit 71X is still being continued. Approximately 66% of the permit is harvested so far.

Gene Cooper: Forestry Liaison Worker [email protected]

Field visit by elders, Chief & Council, TNG Staff and Tolko came up with recommendations for improvement. No more laying out permits during winter as the small ponds that need to be protected end up not having the buffer they need for moose. Moose Habitat Areas require sufficient buffers on wetlands, ponds, streams and creeks for wildlife movement. It was agreed that further harvesting of this permit would look at changing the plan a bit to address all the small ponds or wetlands. Work and agreements are still being worked on by Tolko to engage Yunesit’in and Xeni.

The pond in this cut-block will be addressed in further planning. Roads are to be reseeded after harvest. CP17X of West Fraser will have some field visits done this week. This is one of the action items from November 18, 2016 meeting between Yunesit’in, Xeni and West Fraser. Permit is on and off Nemiah Road starting at 56 km. December 1, 2016 will be our first visit to review concerns with the permit. There is 95% Pine and 5% Spruce on the proposed permit. Wetlands or meadows that are of issue will be visited. Will keep everyone updated as time progresses. I want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Christmas while they enjoy their family get together. Gene Cooper, Forestry Liaison Worker, Tsilhqot’in National Government

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798

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Healthy Territories Project Coordinator Merry Christmas everyone! Things have been moving along quite nicely for Healthy Territories. Garry and Meagan from the Anaham crew completed their sample testing on Oct 5, 2016 and got 64 soil and water samples from areas the Tl’etinqox community deemed as possibly contaminated, they also collected 23 soil and water samples from areas thought to be pristine. Cecile and Illa Isnardy from the Toosey crew finished their samples with the help of Garry on Oct 27, 2016. They were able to collect 60 samples from areas that the Tl’esqox community discussed as contaminated and 19 samples from areas seen as being pristine. So far everything is going as planned; we are still waiting on the samples to be analyzed by Dr. Andrew Jin (our epidemiologist), so he can tell us what they mean. We will be planning to have community meetings once the samples are in, and we have drafted our final report. The meetings will be to talk about what was or was not found with the sampling and to discuss the areas that were tested. We will also be looking for community feed-back on the project. Keep your eyes peeled for posters coming soon!

Water samples from Tazati Mt. Cr. Bridge

Field Tech’s doing paperwork in Vedan

Spring water samples from the 1500 Rd.

Bechers Dam water samples

Soil samples from Bald Mtn.

Water samples being taken from Johnny Sam Cr.

On another note, I was invited to participate in the Youth 4 Leaders event held November 4th and 5th. I was a panel speaker for the successful youth showcase. It was an amazing experience to get the chance to speak to youth and tell them a little bit of my story.

253 Fourth Avenue North · Williams Lake, British Columbia · V2G 4T4 · Phone: (250) 392-3918 · Fax (250) 398-5798