Category: First Nations People


BCAMTA

Filed under: First Nations People, Government Works by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
October 4, 2013
Merit of Merritt

Its good that it is friday….

The local British Columbia Aboriginal Training Association has a posted goal in their office at NVIT the local first nations run community college. The goal is 650 employed by March 2015.

They also post stats that claim 1998 intakes and 613 employed to date since 2010

SPF (funding partnership including federal government And mining companies such as Teck and First Nations) since 2012: 1054 intakes and 253 employed.

The British Columbia Mining Industry employed 30, 000 people in BC in the heydays of the 1979s ,about the size of the civil service with more than 30 operating mines. It has enjoyed a comeback in recent years after a hiatus to global operations.

Today in history: October 4 , 1883

The first trip of the train Orient Express.

Related articles
Comment

Powwow

Filed under: First Nations People by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 29, 2013

This morning there is about three hundred people in the front field of Merritt Secondary School. Starting with a Grand procession a colorful procession of First Nations people are advancing about the field in the direction of a white teepee tent on the eastern side of the field. Flags , feathers and scarlet coated Mounties are followed up by children of first nations decent.

A young women getting into a jingle dancers dress to take part said it is a first annual and is linked to the school district.

The high school also has a pit house reconstruction at the rear of the school.

The Powwow goes to 1 PM today.

Today in history: May 29th 1954

The first of  the annual bilderburg conferences.

Related articles
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

June 21

Filed under: -Photography, Arts and Culture, First Nations People, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 15, 2013

Aboriginal Day is coming next month and the posters and preparations are under way. June 21st at Rotary Park, here in Merritt will see dancers and traditional dress for 5 hours; 11 am to $ PM .The day is a national observance but not a statutory holiday.

A source say’s that Aboriginals in Australia were once under the Flora and Fauna act. If you wish to enquire call  about supporting the aboriginal people and healing by attending in Merritt and acknowledging their contributions to Canada and the world. Call Amy @ 250 -378- 5107

Today in History: May 15th  1960

The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 4

Related articles
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Comment

Media representation

Filed under: First Nations People, Politics and Politicians, Social Activism, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 22, 2013

Tomorrow night at 7PM, April 23rd, at the local community college NVIT a film on the representation of women in the media will be presented. In the auditorium at 4155 Belshaw avenue Misrepresentation will be played.
doors open at 6:30 seating is limited to 145 and no food or drinks in the theater: admission 2 dollars ( proceeds to the local women’s shelter.)
A film by Jennifer Siebe Newsom.

Today in History: April 22 1977

Fiber optics is first used to carry phone calls.

Related articles
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Comment

Rafe Mair

Filed under: Environment, First Nations People, Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Social Activism, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 18, 2013

A voice from the past  or current  personality , Rafe Mair will be speaking   here on April 24th. ” hear about rivers, PPs, oil tankers ,salmon and democracy all this in a conclusion of why are hydro bills are going through the roof.

Rafe’s picture on his promo poster shows a grey bearded cane wielding lively moving person, with the cane raised and the left elbow high and ready.

Admission by donation ,  at the Merritt civic center starting at 7 o’clock. The event also features film maker Damien Gillis.

Today in history: April 18th 1906

Fire and earthquakes destroy San Fransisco

Tags: , , , , ,
Comment

NITEP

Filed under: First Nations People, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
March 7, 2013

The Native Indian Teacher Educator Plan had a speaker at the local community college last evening. The NVIT lecture hall saw Joanne Archibald present a very neat and clean presentation on the past and the future for  the first nations in British Columbia. metaphors such as the dust settling on the longhouse and a passion of a community to clean up the dust and discover what is good and valuable to continue into the future saw affirming comments given from the people gathered.  The speaker is a associate dean of Aboriginal studies and a professor at the University of British Columbia . Joanne  related the 36 years of the program that recruits and trains first nations teachers.

The program has been responsible for nearly 400 people to become teachers. The school itself has John Chenoweth and Many Jimmie because of the program.

Joanne is a Coast Salish native from British Columbia and gave a sence of balance with the past and future as it relates to difficulties  of the past and the ability to not let them hinder forward looking actions.

The presentation showed lively cultural acting in part from the recent BC olympic games and the participation of the first nations in its opening and support for an open house for BC.

https://www.facebook.com/NITEP.UBC?ref=stream  http://www.nvit.ca/speakerseries.htm

Today in History: March 7,1985

The song We are the World is released internationally.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Hobiyee

Filed under: First Nations People, Politics and Politicians by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
February 13, 2013

The crescent moon on the bottom of the orb was beautiful to see last night and a source in the first nations community says that is a Hobiyee. She said that the more pronounced the spoon effect of the crescent the better an omen for a good year is.

The word Hobiyee according to the source is a first nation word from a northern area about Kitwanga. Thats the Prince Rupert area of north western British Columbia.

An interpretation of the moon is that it will be agood year, which may be in conflict with the Chinese lunar new year  that begins the year of the snake as some see that as not a good year. However some good celebrations are planned by the Niska nation:  Say’tKilim-Goot ( one heart, one path, one nation) at Gitwinksihlkw BC, at the TS’oohl memorial center February 22 and 23,2013.

The Niska nation is the first nation group that got a treaty from the Canadian government that includes some self-government and taxation authority some years ago and is being monitored for results.

Dim huxw ga’am niin We will se you again.

Haagwill huwilsim ( take care)

Today in history: February,13 , 1633

Gallio arrives in Rome for his trial in the inquisition.

Related articles
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Comment

Indian Summer

Filed under: First Nations People by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
October 9, 2012

This term may not be politically correct but we surely do have it, the days are glorious and bright  and calm.

For a  definition:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_summer

Today in history: October 9th,1824

Slavery is ended in Costa Rica.

Related articles
Comment

Pellet Plant

Filed under: Enterprize, First Nations People, Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
July 31, 2012

The new pellet plant idled by technical problems shows up on the property tax assessment rolls at about 3.1 million dollars in actual value. The value contributes to an over all real property value of about 900 million dollars in the small city of Merritt with its population of about 8000 people.

The company that owns it is said to have another in Ontario and are in difficulty at this time with some legal contentions. The plant was to employ about 50 people and did employ and produce a product . The product is said to have had an unsuitable moisture content for burning. A marketing  of the product for animal beds was tried and then an additional dryer purchases and on the property uninstalled.

The plant contributes to the tax base and in the opinion of citizens needs to be used. A belief  exists that it was a good way of dealing with bug killed timber that has started to be a problem in regular sawmills due to dryness.

Today in history: July 31,1970

Black tot day, the British Navy ends rum rations as a official act.

Related articles
Tags: , , , , , ,
Comment

North West Territories

Filed under: Antiques, Crime and punishment, Enterprize, First Nations People by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
March 5, 2012

Twenty some years ago they divide the vast expance of land into an eastern arctic  as well as a  west meaning a legislature was distinct from the one in Yellowknife. There is  a lot of land that on the surface looks like it is not of much value, however mineral resources are  abundant. And the world is so small now. Last week at a scrap gold and antiques buyers event. A person brought in two tobbaco cans full of high-grade silver ore.  with silver around 6 dollars an once I talked to a person who mills precious metals for mines and we estimated that the A bar of silver could be poured from the cans of at least 50 onces About 300 dollars worth of silver. Only requiring a make shift furnace producing 2200 degrees farenheit for and hour.

I was in the territories when the Hunt brothers from Texas tried to corner the market for silver,by owning 10 percent of the world supply. The price rose to about 60 dollars and once. before  the supply side economics of Ronald Regan took over in the early 1980s collapsing metal prices back to demand.

The man said that a supervisor said take some for a  reminder fo his experience, and he did, this from a mine on the Camsell River on Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories.Lots of dynamics at work here, including publicly traded shares ,but if all the construction workers did  the same it would amount to a material loss to share holders. A loss more significant then market corrections when speculation increases stock value. We say if this happens to you be aware and get a recipe or something in writing. giving you permission.

There is a six month limitation period on crimes under $5000.00 in Canada, however there is no limitation on the value of your reputation.

Free minors licences are free to people over 65 and very inexpensive for those under and it gives you the right to prospect and collect samples on unclaimed land. You can pan for gold without one.

Today in history, March 5th 1999

The first premier of the  Canadian, new territory of Nunavut is elected.

Related articles
Comment

Airstrip

Filed under: Enterprize, First Nations People, Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Social Activism, Sports and Leisure, Technology, Tourists, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — 1 Comment
February 13, 2012

There is a small airstrip here in Merritt, Saunders Field. It is on a nice little bench just north-west of town. The local city council was inviting people who would be interested to be on the airport committee to contact the city. The strip is 634 meters at 500722 North,1204450 west. It is a public airfield and yes operated by the city.

About two decades ago a premier visited it in a whirlwind working tour and a 600 thousand dollar grant was given to put night landing lights on it. The money was never used and was returned to the Cabinet. However in the last year there has been a new hanger building built and there is a going concern helicopter company at the field.

The Merritt Flying Club operates a website that updates weather every 5 minutes as well as almanac and moon phase.However the last reading shows 29/1/12 and there is a registration offer from ambient weather.

The airstrip has had scheduled  passenger service in its history never lasting long as small planes are not comfortable to use as passengers and there is commercial jet service in both Kamloops and Kelowna, about an hour and a quarter away.

A city committee is usually chaired by a councillor and is a good precursor to running for elected office.

Every now and then the Federal government lands one of its four engine search and rescue aircraft and gets fuel adding to the legitimacy of the strip.

Today in History: February 13,2008

 The Australian Prime Minister makes a historic apology to the aboriginal people ; the indigenous Australians and the stolen generations

Editors note: tomorrow  February 14, 2012, afternoon 12-1, Dr.Cora Voyageur at the local college will be giving a presention open to the public on trends in aboriginal communities: there is also and evening session.

Related articles
Comment

Today in history

Filed under: First Nations People, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
February 6, 2012

Free Education, a long time ago when the old now were young an education was a great privilege. In Canada in the sixties and seventies, the criteria for the federal police force was 11-11. Five foot eleven and grade eleven. That still put the members at an advantage over the norm of grade 6; not to many years earlier. At this writing I am at a community college and a public institution that has a first nation emphais.Those north american indians were promised that education and medical attention would be free to them centuries ago. Some of them took advantage of it and used it to be involved in the community as a whole. Indians like Len Marchand were effective Members of Parliament. And a single voice of an elected native in the Manitoba Legislature halted the ratification of a consitutional amendment the meech lake accord; several years and a lot of governments ago.

Today in the hallway of the college,  at writing are some posters of Fidel Castro and some of his revolutionaries, that had some similar aspirations.

There is lots of different ways of funding an education and the onus is on the person. From criminal injury compensation administered by medical practitioner’s, to retraining when the employment people can’t find a person suitable work for the age and experience of a seeker. Rewards in scholarship for various affinities are available and a student loan system that favors the deserving.  The military in particular in the United States has a history of supporting service people to re-education since the end of the Second World War.

The posters in this school come from a site called Trabajadores Sociales and has to do with spanish speaking people in the labour curve.

PS: Happy 60th to our gracious Queen.

Today in history, February 6,1989

The round table talks begin in Poland starting the overthrow of Communism.

Related articles
Comment