Na'tsa'maht Naming Ceremony

Na'tsa'maht Naming Ceremony

Last week, on Tuesday April 19th, Camosun's new Aboriginal gathering place officially received its name: Na'tsa'maht. Na'tsa'maht means 'Unity' in Hul'qumi'num, a neighbouring Coast Salish dialect.

A few hundred people gathered for the naming ceremony, which featured several speakers, a drum song written specifically for the naming celebration, dances by Aboriginal staff & faculty, and a wonderful spread of food for all to enjoy.

Janice Simcoe, John Boraas, & Kathryn Laurin each spoke to the historic occasion as representatives of the College. Minister Ida Chong also said a few words, as well as Butch Dick - local Songhees elder, who initially came up with the building's design. Butch's son Brad wrote a song specifically for the naming ceremony which was performed by the Unity Drummers drumming group.

Faculty, Staff & Songhees community members dancing

From a student's perspective, it was a real treat to see our faculty and staff dressed up and dancing in beautiful shawls made by Doreen Provencher's sister Denise Williams. They looked great and it made us very proud to see our role models taking a lead in the ceremony. Skip Dick welcomed everyone to the territory and it was wonderful to have the generous, gentle and jovial Songhees people play a big part in the event.

John Boraas & Butch Dick

Near the end of the event, Butch was presented with a framed architectural drawing of Na'tsa'maht, to which he replied with characteristic humour, "I'm glad to finally get my drawing back!"

I even had the honour of speaking a few words at the end of the ceremony and I just talked about how comfortable it felt to speak in such a welcoming environment. Our students finally have a place to call home and the ability to host special community events. Just like anyone who enjoys hosting company in their own home feels, we all feel excited that we can do the same thing on a much larger scale and provide greater opportunities for bringing together the diverse Aboriginal Communities in Songhees, Esquimalt & W̱SÁNEĆ territories. Thank you to all who played a part in bringing this project to fruition and to all who made the ceremony a great day to celebrate!

Official Camosun Story: http://camosun.ca/ccr/news/2011/apr/natsamaht.html
More pictures! http://www.flickr.com/photos/26399591@N03/sets/72157626534977204/

Gathering for Laura

Laura & her Camosun Family

On Thursday, March 31st, a group of Indigenous Staff, Faculty & Students got together in the Wilna Thomas Cultural center during lunch to wish Laura Manson well on her journey to Ucluelet. With only a few weeks left to go in her pregnancy, Laura will be moving in with her Godparents where she will be surrounded by caring friends and relatives.

For those of you who don't know Laura, she is the beautiful young woman who sits in the AECC office, always smiling and always dressed in purple! She is a big part of our family in Aboriginal Education and will be missed dearly until she returns to complete her studies.

I first got to know Laura last spring when I asked her to help us start up a First Nations Student Association working group. Laura volunteered to keep minutes in our meetings and help us organize future meetings. I was impressed with her willingness to jump into something new and contribute right away, even though she was unfamiliar with a lot of the second year students in our meetings. She made me feel really good to meet a first year student who was so ready and willing to give back to the Camosun community.

I've been able to get to know Laura even better this year in the Indigenous Studio Art class we're a part of. She provides strong cultural guidance and demonstrates courage by sharing the stories she has of overcoming the many challenges she's faced in her life. Anyone you meet will tell you she is a strong & gentle warrior who carries a bright future ahead of her!

Laura & Marcey

On behalf of Camosun Indigenous Students, we wish Laura and baby Violet well for the future! May the Great Spirit provide guidance and protection for you both! Take care Laura, please stay in touch!

-Trevor

p.s. I heard Doreen & Marcey might be taking a road trip to visit Laura & Violet in a few months. Maybe you can contact them if you have a gift to send up for Laura!

Welcome!

C’uu

Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Dan Mack. I am of half Native and half Chinese Descent. I come from the Toquaht Tribe, a Nuu-chah-nulth nation. My mother’s name is Gloria. I am very grateful that the Coast and Strait Salish peoples have allowed me to grow up on their territory. I appreciate the fact that I am able to work and play in such a beautiful landscape.

For as long as I could remember, I have always wanted to become a warrior. My mother is someone I’d definitely describe as warrior. Mom always taught me to be proud of who I am and where I came from. She also taught me martial arts (mom’s always been an accomplished martial artist). I remember this one time as a child, I think I was five at the time, that I came running into the house drenched and crying because I was being picked on by the neighborhood bully. I could tell my mom was furious but rather than the go out and resolve the matter herself she told me, “Well go right back out there and show him what you’re made off!” Motivated, I think I literally ran out the front door and I picked up the very hose that the bully was face washing me with and I turned the water up full blast. With a feral facial expression, and vindicated enthusiasm, I aimed the water hose at my oppressor’s face.

Afterwards, my mom told me that wasn’t exactly the reaction she was trying to provoke and that next time she’d like me to start with speaking up for myself first. Most of my teenage years were spent trying out various sports. Unfortunately, when I got to high school the only subject I was really interested in was “High School Wrestling”. People tried to tell me that “wrestling” wasn’t a subject but I didn’t listen. With only one credit away from graduating I dropped out of high school. Meat. Head.

Eight years later, I grew quite tired of working dead-end jobs and I finally made the decision to return to school. I’m now in my second year of the Indigenous Studies program at Camosun College. Since I have returned to school I have learned a great deal about myself. School has taught me a lot about where I come from and as a result I feel like I have learned a great deal about whom I am. I finally have a sense of belonging. This exhilarating feeling has inspired me to want to become a teacher. Hopefully, as a teacher I could help make tomorrow’s generation feel like they have a place in this world.

Thank you for taking the time to read a little about me.

Klecko Klecko,

Dan Mack