Le'qa:mel First Nation Newsletter - April 2011

While we encourage

members to be a part of the newsle�er

and submit ideas and stories, we reserve

the right to edit any submissions for

grammar and sensi�vity.

Inside this issue:

Leq’Leq’Leq’Leq’á:mel First Nation :mel First Nation :mel First Nation :mel First Nation April 2011April 2011April 2011April 2011

***Special Membership

Mee�ng***

2

Housing Update 3

Youth and Recrea�on 4

Youth and Recrea�on 5

NITEP 6

Mission Literacy Bus;

Aboriginal eMentoring

7

People of the River Confer-

ence

8

Mission Community Library;

Victoria Kelly—Sto:lo Treaty

9

Place Names Tour 10

April Birthdays 11

April 2011 Calendar 12

Effec�ve March 2011, all newsle!ers will be sent to members via email only. Please add your name to the email

list to ensure that you will receive the newsle!er in the future. Hard copies will be available by request at the

LFN band office.

To be added please contact:

recep�[email protected]

Eye ClinicEye ClinicEye ClinicEye Clinic

Thursday May 26, 2011 LFN Boardroom

Appointments available from

9:30 am—3:30 pm

Closed for lunch 11:30 am—1pm

To schedule an appointment, please contact Shannon with your status number

and Care Card number.

Leq’a:mel First Nation: 604-826-7976 [email protected]

Leq’á:mel First Nation

Leq’á:mel First Nation Urgent NoticeUrgent NoticeUrgent NoticeUrgent Notice

Date: April 12, 2011 Time: 7:30 pm Location: LFN Gymnasium

Purpose: To present a project proposal to fill the pit area in front of the band office for a potential recreation field.

Before we can proceed, we require feedback and support from community members.

We will also need to ensure that remediation work that has been identified in the Environmental Site Assessment Phase III Project is taken care of by Indian Affairs, which includes

removing some contaminated soils.

Membership Decision RequiredMembership Decision RequiredMembership Decision RequiredMembership Decision Required

Leq’á:mel First Nation · 43101 Leq’á:mel Way, Deroche, BC · T: 604-826-7976 · F: 604-826-0362 ·


Update from the Property administratorUpdate from the Property administratorUpdate from the Property administratorUpdate from the Property administrator

Helen McElroy

Property Ad-

ministrator

Propane Appliance Servicing was done on March 14th, 2011. All propane furnaces, hot water tanks and fire-places were serviced by Pacific Heating. Filters and thermo-couplers (as required) were replaced. Two furnac-es and one fireplace were shut down and quotes are being sourced to replace the furnaces. BC Hydro Power Smart applications are slowly coming in. LFN participated in the energy saving kit program and encourage all lower income tenants to proceed with the applications that were sent in February. Insulation upgrades, weather stripping and possibly fridges are the target of this program. Tree topping has been completed throughout the trailer parks and social housing units. Mould issues have been significantly reduced by the installation of new windows. There are hundreds of dif-ferent types of mould which can affect the household. Reducing the moisture content in the home by using the fans after a shower or when cooking will help but also by reducing the clutter in the home will ensure the moulds are being looked after. Arrears & Renovations Arrears are currently at $97,192 for the current rental account and at $285,596 for the member loans for a total of $382,788. Statements continue to be sent for member loans and rental accounts to social housing tenants. Renovations are complete for this fiscal year. Over the past 29 months, there have been 4 renovations pro-jects: Pacific Pride Siding - $43,776 for 20 homes Lacey Developments - $183,431 for 12 homes Nations First - $107,844 for 5 homes Lacey Developments - $159065 for 12 homes Total renovations dollars $494,116 for 49 homes. The last 3 projects were funded under the Canada Economic Action Program. LFN had applied for a further $62,645 but was not successful unfortunately. Meetings Social housing ad-hoc – Jaime Kelly has agreed to become a committee member. The committee has been reviewing the tenancy agreement for policy changes. When completed, changes will be forwarded to Chief and Council for their acceptance. Once approved, updated tenancy agreements will need to be signed by the social housing tenants. In order to comply with CMHC policies, an annual signed tenancy agreement is re-quired in the files. Although Housing Applications are being accepted on an on-going basis, there are no homes available at this time. As well, be reminded that there are to be no outstanding monies owed to LFN in order to successfully qualify for the any future vacancies. Lacey Development conference – Helen attended the “Sustainable Native Housing” workshop sponsored by Lacey Development. Mould issues and new construction methods as well as upgraded building codes were presented to the attendees. Miscellaneous Reminder to ensure that furnaces, hot water tanks and wood stoves should be clear of clutter. Ensure that you have changed the batteries on smoke detectors that require batteries. Seasoned wood is the only thing that should be burned in the wood stoves. Using green wood creates a creosote build-up in the chimneys and can be identified as wilful damage with the tenant responsible for the costs of chimney cleaning. Please forward your emergency program survey at your earliest convenience. LFN is updating their emergen-cy response plan and current information on community members is the priority at this time. Accurate data is required in an emergency situation for the first responders who may have to evacuate community members. Respectfully submitted Respectfully submitted

Helen McElroy Peter McDonald Residential Property Administrator Housing Councillor


Youth and RecreationYouth and RecreationYouth and RecreationYouth and Recreation

Youth Activities

As always, Youth Night continues every Tuesday from approximately 4:00pm-7:00pm. Youth Night does not

really have a start time as some youth like to show up early and play in the gym until others arrive.

Please remember, Youth Night is open to all Leq’a:mel Youth and Non-Leq’a:mel Youth. Starting in April, I

will be pulling out the Bouncy Castle in the storage bin for the littler kids in hopes to get more of them attending. I have

also been brainstorming ideas for the bigger kids, such as the Sumo Wrestling suits, however, I am also open to ideas

and suggestions. As well, I still have not seen any representation for kids under 6 Years Old, so I am still waiting for

suggestions for activities or outings for that group.

Lately, within the last few months, it has been identified by some of our older LFN Youth that they would like

to have two separate Youth Nights – one for younger youth and one for the older youth. They have expressed to me that

this might encourage more younger youth and older youth to attend if they had their own night, they also expressed they

do like the mixed youth night because it gives the older youth an opportunity to set a good example for the younger

ones. However, it is important that all LFN Youth remember if they have an idea they want for Youth Night or Youth

Outings, or anything else that may benefit the LFN Youth Group, they need to voice their opinions and suggestions at a

LFN Youth Meeting. I cannot read your mind and I cannot predict what you want to do if you do not come forward and

tell me, this also goes for Parents/Guardians of children who do not attend or may feel they are too young to attend. We

have also recently received a few small grants, one which will be used to buy some new sports equipment, and the other

to by some paint supplies for the youth to decorate the back wall of the playground area.

A reminder to all Youth, please do not bring any valuables such as games or iPods to Youth Night. I am not re-

sponsible for them being lost or stolen, please leave them at home. Also, please try to check your Emails, Facebook,

Newsletters and any other notifications for updates on Youth related activities.

Outreach

My outreach with Deroche School has been going good. The kids look forward to coming and doing drumming

with me during lunch every Monday. It is finally starting to show as the kids are always excited to tell me what they’ve

remembered so far, and when there is a new comer to the group, the ones who have been around for a while are the first

to want to help the new kids. As this has shown to be a success at Deroche, I am now hoping I can do some drumming

with Hatzic Secondary.

Monthly Outing

At the March 30th Youth Meeting, those who were present identified outings for the next 5 months. For April –

the Vancouver Aquarium, May – Science World, June – Swimming at Chilliwack Leisure Center, July – a fun day at

LFN, and August – Cultus Lake Water Park. I will be doing sign up sheets next week for April, May and June, and will

Ma’exeyetel, Jason Thompson

Youth and Recreation Coordinator


organize July and August at a later date.

Please remember, all outings are decided by the LFN Youth at the LFN Youth Meetings held on the last

Wednesday of every month. As well, you must come to the office to sign yourself or your children up, I will not sign

youth or parents up. If you would like to make a suggestion, come to the Youth Meeting!

Please remember, LFN Youth Outings are for LFN Youth only!

LFN Youth Meetings

The LFN Youth Meetings have been going good. However, it seems to be the same youth every time, it would

be great to get some older youth present to let me know what they would like to do, as well as parents of the younger

kids that are under 6 Years Old. We still have not had anyone show up for them and make suggestions, and until some-

one comes to a Youth Meeting and makes one, I cannot put together activities for them. Everything that we do as a

Youth Group is decided entirely by the Youth who show up to the Youth Meetings.

Recently, on March 30th, we had a small Youth Meeting but it was a very successful one. I must say, each and

every meeting gets better and better. The youth who attend the meetings are truly showing that they are taking it upon

themselves to become aware and curious about what goes on in our community. They expressed an interest in trying to

run a Boxing program, other suggestions were Mixed Martial Arts and Karate. However, as these may require constant

attendance, I will bring this up at the next Youth Meeting to get more feedback so I can be confident the programs will

be well attended. Other programs they would like to have for themselves are Drum Making, Weaving and Carving, I will

be putting a sign up list together so please keep an eye out for updates on these.

Recently, I have spoken with a few youth who frequently attend Youth Night to see what kind of Sports they

would like to play, and what kind of Sports equipment they think they would like in the gym. Some of the ideas they

gave me was Hockey, Lacrosse, Indoor Soccer, Badminton/Tennis, and Touch/Flag Football. Another idea that the youth

thought of was buying a Dunk Tank for themselves in the summer, as well as Bouncy Castles. They also thought it

would be good to rent these out to people who use the gym for Birthday parties.

Please remember, LFN Youth Meetings are open to LFN Youth and Parents only.

Upcoming Dates/Events

Youth Outing - Vancouver Aquarium, TBA

Youth Nights – Tuesdays starting approximately 5PM and ending at 7PM. Youth/Parents are responsible for driving

youth home.

Movie Night – April 26th, Movie TBA

Youth Meeting – April 27th at 4PM. Snacks and Door Prizes for Youth!

Youth and RecreationYouth and RecreationYouth and RecreationYouth and Recreation

Ma’exeyetel, Jason Thompson

Youth and Recreation Coordinator


NITEPNITEPNITEPNITEP


Mission Community LibraryMission Community LibraryMission Community LibraryMission Community Library

Leave your Binoculars at Home Wednesday, April 6, 7–8:30 p.m. Gord Gadsen of Fraser Valley Birding will show you how to attract the pitter-patter of little feet into your yard this spring. Family Fun Nights Wednesday, April 12, 6:45–7:30 p.m. Feeling bored? Nothing to do? We’ve got games, crafts, and activities for the whole family to enjoy together! The League of Extraordinary Readers Teen Book Club Thursdays, April 14, 3:30–5 p.m. Bring your favourite book, a friend, or just yourself. Food, fun, and best of all: great books and new friends! No registration required. For ages 12–18. Poetry Scramble Family Storytime Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.–noon Got the time? Come and rhyme! Feeling pale? Hear a tale! Nothing to do? There’s puppets, too! Bring Mom and Dad, or they’ll be sad! Glorious Compost Wednesday, April 20, 7–8:30 p.m. Learn of the new advancements in composting science from Sheena Adams, garden writer for Gar-denWise Magazine.

For more information, please call 604-826-6610. Mission Community Library 33247 Second Avenue Cora Kollin Library Services Assistant

Victoria KellyVictoria KellyVictoria KellyVictoria Kelly————Sto:lo Xwexwilmexw Treaty OutreachSto:lo Xwexwilmexw Treaty OutreachSto:lo Xwexwilmexw Treaty OutreachSto:lo Xwexwilmexw Treaty Outreach

Attention Leq’a:mel member, I have GOOD NEWS!!!! Because of the participation with myself (Victoria Kelly) and the one on one inter-views regarding Lands, Governance and Yale Treaty, I will now be at Leq’a:mel First Nation during the last week of every month, so expect to see me again April 25th – 29th between 8 am to 3 pm. Also if you are interested in coming on the Place names tour, it is on Saturday April 16.Transportation is pro-

vided, as well as lunch and snack. If you are interested please contact me at 1-800-565-6004 ext: 5315 or

email me at [email protected]. Please see attached poster on Page 10 of the newsletter.


Place Names TourPlace Names TourPlace Names TourPlace Names Tour

Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday! Leq’á:mel First Nation

Sandra Baker

Andria Faircrest

Sean Fitzgerald

Shawn Gabriel

Christian Galt

Kyle Green

Caeden Kelly

Darlene Kelly

Jesse Kelly

Julien Kelly

Magdalena Kelly

Kassandra LaClair

Barbara Leggat

Ruth Lettinga

Anna Louis

Betty-Lou Louis

Darian McKamey

Kurtis McKamey

Thomas Morris

Kristi Murdoch

Roger Ortloff

Benjamin Ryper

Frank Seymour

Shayla Seymour


APRIL 2011

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1 2

Volleyball Drop-In 6 pm Deroche Totems NA 7-8 pm

3 4

Craft Night 5:30-7:30 pm

5

Literacy Bus 10:30-noon Youth Night 4-6 pm

6 7 8 9


10 11

Craft Night 5:30-7:30 pm Council Mtg 7 pm

12 Literacy Bus

10:30-noon Special Mem-

bership Mtg

5:30 pm Council Mtg 7 pm

13

Elders’ Meeting 5:30 pm

14

Ad– Hoc 6 pm

15 16


17 18

Craft Night 5:30-7:30 pm

19


20 21 22

Good Friday Office Closed

23


24 25

Easter Monday Office Closed

26


27 28

Ad– Hoc 6 pm

29 30


Gym Booking

Boardroom Booking

Office Closed

General

Le'qa:mel First Nation Newsletter - April 2011

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