Tag Archives: Tla’amin First Nation

Arts

What makes this region sing?

Originally published on qathet Living

The International Choral Kathaumixw is a project of the Powell River Academy of Music, founded on the model of artistic excellence promoting cultural diversity, acclaiming members of Tla’amin Nation while welcoming and embracing cultures from around the world. 

The festival takes place July 4 to 8 this year and is filled with concerts, common song singing, choral & vocal solo performances, conductor’s seminars and social events. It is a place to learn from each other and from world-renowned choral personalities. 

Kathaumixw is a Coast Salish word gifted to the festival by the Elders of Tla’amin Nation – whose Traditional Territory we share. Since the first festival (1984), the International Choral Kathaumixw has taken place biennially, except for a break during COVID.

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Indigenous Nations, Women

sɛƛakəs Harmony Johnson: Lead with your values

Originally published on qathet Living

Tla’amin Nation’s Harmony Johnson has dedicated her professional life to making change. Because so much has to change. 

The consultant, who lives between Tsleil-Waututh Territory and Tishosum, has been behind some of the biggest moments in reconciliation in qathet, BC and across Canada. They include working on the Tla’amin treaty; recording elders speaking ayajuthem; leading policy work with the First Nations Summit and First Nations Leadership Council; shaping and launching the First Nations Health Authority; writing Written as I Remember It with her grandmother, Elsie Paul; and authoring “They Sigh or Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage” on behalf of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs – in response to the handcuffing assault by police of Maxwell Johnson and his 12-year-old granddaughter in a Vancouver bank. 

And so much more. 

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Indigenous Nations, Politics

Why Tla’amin will not be in the SRD’s territorial acknowledgement (yet) 

The Strathcona Regional District recognizes ten First Nations as communities within their boundaries, but the Tla’amin are not one of them. This topic arose during last month’s First Nation’s Committee Meeting and again when the committee met on February 22.  Most of the Tla’amin lands are within qathet Regional District, but they have a shared history with the Klahoose in southern Cortes Island and were given a large parcel of Mansons Landing by treaty. However Klahoose is one of the nations recognized by the SRD and Cortes Island is within their traditional boundaries. Azalea Milwood, the First Nations Liaison, explained, “I don’t believe, at this point, we should add the Tla’amin Nation, due to not knowing how the Klahoose Nation feels about that.”

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Indigenous Nations, Politics

City Councillor reflects on lessons learned so far on potential Powell River name change

Content warning: This story discusses colonial history and its negative impacts on Indigenous people of Canada.

CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

In upcoming Powell River City Council strategic planning meetings, Coun. Cindy Elliott looks forward to making decisions on recommendations from the Joint Working Group she participated in last year.

The group was set up following an official name change request to the municipality in May 2021 by the Tla’amin Nation Executive Council. Powell River currently carries the name of Dr. Israel Wood Powell, who was the first BC Superintendent of Indian Affairs and instrumental in the implementation of colonial practices and structures such as residential schools.

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Indigenous Nations, Politics

SRD territorial acknowledgements; Should Tla’amin be included? 

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) officially recognizes 10 First Nations within their boundaries, but the Tla’amin are not among them. 

While Mansons Landing and Marina Island are both within their traditional area, the Tla’amin First Nation ceded their claim to most of this area when they signed a treaty in 2014. They retain a small parcel on Cortes Island, and thus still possess land within the SRD.

This question was part of a larger discussion at the inaugural meeting of the SRD’s First Nations committee, on Wednesday Jan 25. 

Continue reading SRD territorial acknowledgements; Should Tla’amin be included?  →