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Welcome to the Secwépemc monthly newsletter. Each month, you’ll hear about what’s going on in Secwepemcúl’ecw.
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Weyt-kp xwexwéytep,
February quickly became a whirlwind for me. I always start the month with a new slate after the release of each newsletter, it seems to open up the month in a simple and rewarding way.
After a loss in the family in mid-February I spent some time with my family. My Kyé7e is the eldest of the 17 children in her family so I have plenty of relatives to visit. Her side of the family is from Esk'etemc which is about 1.5 hour drive from Xats̓úll.
Long days were spent talking and joking with one another around the fire while we all paid our respects to our family members. There are plenty of cultural protocols we follow in times like these and seeing everyone come together and help out is so heartwarming. Sometimes we forget how many people we have to support us and I am always reminded in times of loss when we come together just how resilient we are.
I am grateful for the family around me and the shoulders I have to lean on throughout all journeys in life.
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The views in Esk'etemc
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As a child I remember many events that I attended in Esk'etemc, from dances and loonie auctions to family gatherings where my Kyé7e and I would end up staying at a family member's house because we ended up visiting into the late evening. Although we don’t venture out as often, it still feels familiar every time I return.
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A sweeping view of the Esk'etemc community
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Beautiful animal paintings are accompanied by their Secwépemc names
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Events to look forward to in Secwepemcúl’ecw
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March 12
Learn about becoming a foster parent with Secwépemc Child & Family Services. Three sessions available for anyone who has questions about becoming a foster parent. For more information and to register contact Suzette Prince at resource@secwepemcfamilies.org
March 16&17
Spring Secwépemc engagement. Engagement sessions related to language, culture and Stsmemelt (child services) followed by a mini Traditional powwow at Kamloops TRU’s Grand Hall.
March 24
Qwelmínte Secwépemc intern application deadline. Post-Secondary students can submit their resume and cover letter to Jessica Nelson at jessica@qwelminte.ca
March 31
National call for artists. Artists throughout “Canada” are invited to submit expressions of interest in creating an art installation for the Williams Lake Regional Airport.
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Stories I’m working on
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In the responses to this newsletter, many of you told me you would like to see more food security stories, especially in light of the dry weather over the winter.
Local First Nations are working on solutions, like Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation (Canim Lake)’s purchase of the Norbord Pulp Mill which they are hoping to convert into a multiple purpose building containing a mushroom farm and more.
Do you have any food-related story ideas? Or questions you would like me to answer? Send me your suggestions in reply to this email.
I’m also working on Elder stories, which I’ve been thinking about ever since I met an enthusiastic Elder from Skeetchestn at the Secwepemctsín gathering. Who should I talk to? Looking forward to your ideas.
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2024 Kawaskimhon National Aboriginal Moot
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Each year, a different university hosts the Kawaskimhon Moot, a consensus-based, non-adversarial moot court that incorporates Indigenous legal traditions alongside federal, provincial and international law.
This year's moot will be held on the traditional territory of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) on Thursday and Friday. Law students from 20 law schools across "Canada" will participate in roundtable negotiations on the topic of Pípsell — a sacred Secwépemc site that is positioned along the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX) route — with each group representing a party such as the Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation (“SSN”), the Government of Canada and the National Resource Coalition. Facilitators help guide the discussions with the goal of reaching
a consensus.
Indiginews' sister company, The Wren, will be reporting on the Kawaskimhon Moot and the local law students and renowned speakers who form part of this event, including Chief Justice Leonard S. Marchand and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc lawyer Chrystie Stewart. Let us know what questions you have in reply to this email.
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What would you like to see here?
Have an event or news item to share about Secwepemcúl’ecw? Anything else you’d like me to share here? Let me know in a reply to this email.
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I look forward to immersing myself in all areas of Secwepemcúl’ecw and showcasing the beauty of the culture, people and lands in future monthly newsletters.
Yecwementsútep,
Dionne
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