Northern Conversations

08/08/2024

🌊 Support Tsawout Elder Ignatius Pelkey in the Queen Lili'uokalani Canoe Races! 🌊

We're honored to share the inspiring journey of respected Tsawout Elder, Ignatius Pelkey. After a long battle for his health, Ignatius has been declared cancer-free and is now taking on the Queen Lili'uokalani Canoe Races as a symbol of hope and healing. His journey is a powerful reminder of resilience, especially as he paddles for those who can't speak for themselves—the survivors, the lost, and the ones still hurting from the impacts of Residential Schools. Click here for his inspiring story - https://tinyurl.com/3xfymue2.

Ignatius is using this race to bring awareness to the lasting effects of Residential Schools on families and communities. He’s sharing his story to help others understand the hidden scars many still carry, hoping to foster understanding and healing.

To make this journey possible, we're launching a fundraising campaign to cover the costs of travel, equipment, and accommodation for Ignatius, his family, and his Canoe Club members. Every donation counts and will greatly support their participation in the races this August/September 2024.

🌟 How You Can Help:
• Sponsor Elder Ignatius Pelkey’s and crew’s race, equipment, or kit
• Donate directly
• Contact us at [email protected] for more info

Let’s come together to support Ignatius in this incredible journey of healing, hope, and cultural pride.

17/05/2023

This fabulous fundraiser organized by Laurie ([email protected]) are looking for sponsors for prizes for the golfers & the auction to bid on. Consider contributing!

16/05/2023

I’m helping Tsawout & Peninsula Nations connect with Peninsula Advanced Manufacturing & Technology companies. I’m working with the amazing Tsawout First Nation Employment & Training group – their page is at https://www.facebook.com/tsawoutemploymentandtraining. Follow & Like!

Good morning Tsawout!
We'd like to introduce out new Employment & Training Team. Laurie & Mukaday-Ginew are available to assist in resume writing, job searches, training workshops, and much more.
We look forward to working with the community!
Feel free to call or email us!

19/01/2023

Exciting Job Opportunity! Tsawout First Nation – Employment Counsellor

The Employment Counsellor provides assistance and information to job seeker clients on all aspects of employment search and career planning. They also provide advice and information to potential employer clients regarding employment opportunities. The Employment Counsellor operates under the supervision of the Life Coach.

Send resume and/or ask for more details @ [email protected]

10/08/2022

CTV Report with Nola Jeffrey, ED of Tsow-Tun Le Lum (https://www.tsowtunlelum.org/) Substance Abuse & Trauma Treatment Center, speaks to the mental health support for residential school survivors after the Pope's historic visit to Canada.

https://youtu.be/l2n_1OCm-B0

CTV Report with Nola Jeffrey, ED of Tsow-Tun Le Lum (https://www.tsowtunlelum.org/) Substance Abuse & Trauma Treatment Center, speaks to the mental health su...

08/08/2022

Pope Francis recently wrapped up his Canadian reconciliation visit. But how were his comments & presence received by Canadian Indigenous peoples? Nola Jeffrey, ED of the Nanaimo based Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society reflects on the personal impacts of his visit to Canada.

https://youtu.be/d-iLHfs-vtc

06/08/2022

Lisa Mueller is a national leader in organizing events that centralize Indigenous conversations and issues. Lisa is the owner of the renowned Nation2Nation (N2N - https://nation2nation.ca/) produced First Nation Business Forum. In this interview Lisa and John Juricic chat about the upcoming sessions (Terrace / September 22nd – Prince Rupert / October 20th), the background to N2N and a review of the itinerary for both sessions.
https://youtu.be/TJ33pxSuP3Y

Lisa Mueller is a national leader in organizing events that centralize Indigenous conversations and issues. Lisa is the owner of the renowned Nation2Nation (...

04/04/2022

Mavis Underwood is a teacher, elder, advocate, spiritual leader and community representative from the Peninsula based Tsawout Nation. In this conversation Mavis chats with Ry Moran, Associate University Librarian - Reconciliation at the UVIC Libraries. Thank you Mavis for continuing to work and engage with Regional Stakeholders to help all of our communities. Your ongoing and consistent leadership is irreplaceable.

https://johnandmic.podbean.com/e/mavis-underwood-tsawout-nation-elder-teacher-leader/

24/10/2021

Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society (TTLL) is a Residential Substance Abuse and Trauma Treatment Centre currently located near Nanaimo on the Nanoose Band Reserve Land. The lease on the property has expired and in 2022 TTLL will be moving to land on the Cowichan Tribes land near Duncan.

I (John Juricic) have been approaching the corporate sector and asking companies to help fund the construction costs for the new building in Cowichan. There are numerous online videos explaining the background for the move and the benefits and details of the construction project ( http://harbourdigitalmedia.com/tsow-tun-le-lum-residential-substance-abuse-center/ ). We need to raise $5 million dollars…any amount will be warmly appreciated.

Connect with John at [email protected] if this message resonates with you. A ZOOM based introductory call with Nola Jeffrey, the Executive Director for the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society, will be scheduled to discuss your interest.

30/09/2021

On this extraordinary day of National Truth & Reconciliation please consider listening to conversations regarding Territorial Acknowledgements from regional First Nations leaders Mavis Underwood, Christina Clarke & Adam Olsen

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-iw7ji-1363c9d

Mavis Underwood is a teacher, elder, advocate, spiritual leader and community representative from the Peninsula based Tsawout Nation. Our discussion specific to the Territorial Acknowledgement was captivating and compelling. Thank you Mavis for continuing to work and engage with Regional Industry se...

13/08/2021

Lessons Learned - Inclusion of First Nations Communities in the Lower Vancouver Island Workforce Labour Market Partnership (LMP) Project

A number of insights and 'lessons learned' were provided by those engaged in the Project from August 2020 through August 2021. The following lessons learned reflect the perspectives of the numerous HR professionals and First Nations and business community representatives who participated in project activities and provided advice to Harbour Digital Media (HDM).

- Importance of Mechanisms for Sustained Relationship Building - As has been found in other LMP projects involving First Nations leaders and communities, building relationships and trust is essential to working collaboratively. A critical element of this relationship building is meeting with First Nations leaders and members on their land. As a result of the COVID-19 health crisis this was not possible. HDM and its partners were, however, able to continue to work toward building strong relationships even though all meetings were conducted virtually. All parties learned how to effectively use the virtual meeting platform approach. To move forward, however, will require taking what has been learned and engaging First Nations communities using more direct face-to-face approaches. Having used a virtual approach throughout the project, HDM and its partners are well positioned to apply the technology in appropriate ways in the future.

- Importance of Personal Learning and Reflection - A number of the Steering Committee members and participants used the experience gained from the regular HR meetings, the thought leader forum and job fairs to expand their own personal understanding of First Nations cultures and ways of working and knowing. This personal learning has been transferred by some of the HR professionals into actions that they have taken in their workplaces to make them more inclusive and welcoming. This is a critical step in helping to overcome some of the systemic barriers faced by First Nations members when they are seeking employment in the lower Vancouver Island region.

- Challenges Concerning Measuring Success - Measuring success in projects such as the current LMP project is difficult. It can be said, however, that the project has been successful on a number of levels. It has built trust and relationships between HR professionals and First Nations leaders that have led to attempts to hire First Nations members and modify some of the internal hiring processes that companies use so that they are more inclusive. As a result it is important to recognize that in the early days of working with First Nations a number of different success measures should be considered beyond the ultimate metric of the number of workers hired by a company or sector.

- Importance of Building Bridges to Employment - The job fair activities stressed the importance of having an individual or individuals of indigenous heritage who can act as a bridge between First Nations communities and local businesses and organizations that are seeking to hire workers. This 'trusted' individual is able to act as a coach/mentor and advocate for First Nations individuals who may not be prepared to put themselves forward in traditional job interview and hiring processes.

11/08/2021

09/08/2021

20/07/2021

Join Kathryn Juricic as she chats on KISS-FM 91.3 about this Thursday's (July 22nd) Float-up Concert Series at the dock at the Victoria Canoe & Kayak Club.

https://johnandmic.podbean.com/e/radio-interview-kathyrn-juricic-kiss-fm-913-float-up-concert-series/

My daughter Kathryn works for RAVEN (RAVEN raises legal defence funds for Indigenous Peoples in Canada to defend their rights and the integrity of lands and cultures). Please consider attending the following fund-raiser: On July 22nd, join us for an eve...

17/07/2021

My daughter Kathryn works for RAVEN (RAVEN raises legal defence funds for Indigenous Peoples in Canada to defend their rights and the integrity of lands and cultures). Please consider attending the following fund-raiser:

On July 22nd, join us for an evening of music and stories on and for the water.

Float your canoe, kayak, paddleboard, floatie, rowboat (you name it!) to some music and stories on the dock at Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club, featuring Kwakwaka'wakw & Songhees/Coast Salish artist Brianna Dick, ANSWER Drum Group and live music from local jazz and soul band, Wes Carroll Confabulation featuring Owen Chow on trumpet.

Don't have a boat? These concerts are accessible to watch from land at Esquimalt Gorge Park (across the Gorge) and on the public beach next to Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club.

All ticket purchases and donations will go towards West Moberly First Nations legal challenge in opposition to the Site C Dam.

https://fundraise.raventrust.com/event/july-22-floating-concert-on-the-gorge-with-wes-carroll-confabulation-and-e-lie-brianna-marie-dick/e347539

Float your canoe, kayak, paddleboard, floatie (you name it!) to some music and stories on the dock at Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club, featuring Kwakwaka'wakw & Songhees/Coast Salish artist Brianna Dick and live music from local jazz and soul band, Wes Carrol Confabulation featuring Owen Chow...

06/07/2021

The recent troubling discoveries of unmarked Residential School gravesites across Canada has been startling & distressing. These events have challenged many Canadians to ask ourselves about how we can better understand and learn about Indigenous history and culture. The recent terrible circumstances have prompted a national reflection and education process permeating thru every aspect of Canadian culture, community and business organization. By making a decision to engage in life-long learning activities, each of us can learn, understand and react accordingly.

In our Labour Market Partnership activities between Regional Industry and First Nations Human Resource (HR) representatives we’ve written blogs, created podcasts and produced corporate videos that collectively make efforts to describe and detail the relationships, the culture and interactions that will help build the foundation for successful employment opportunities. Sharing these digital links with the general community will provide insights and help the learning and healing process.

More -
http://harbourdigitalmedia.com/first-nations-employment-cultural-conversations/

First Nations Writing - Blogging / Articles First Nations Employment & Cultural Conversations July 6, 2021 The recent troubling discoveries of unmarked Residential School gravesites across Canada has been startling & distressing. These events have challenged many Canadians to ask ourselves about how...

26/06/2021

Listen to a June 24th CTV interview with Tsow-Tun Le Lum Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Center (https://www.tsowtunlelum.org/) ED Nola Jeffrey about the healing, the mental health impacts & tragic consequences of the unmarked gravesites being found across Canada.

18/06/2021

All Points West with Kathryn Marlow - June 17th Interview with Jeffrey, ED Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society Residential Substance Abuse Center. Nola discusses the Tsow-Tun Le Lum healing centre moving to a new facility in Cowichan.

Link here for donation instructions - https://www.tsowtunlelum.org/resources/donate/.

https://johnandmic.podbean.com/e/all-points-west-with-kathryn-marlow-june-17th-interview-with-nola-jeffrey-ed-tsow-tun-le-lum-society-residential-substance-abuse-center/