OSKAYAK News

February 2011

U-Roc Awards
Youth Corner
The City of Richmond hosts the U-ROC Awards each year during Youth Week to celebrate the achievements and dedication of youth, youth groups and asset champions within the Richmond Community. These awards acknowledge those who have made a significant contribution to youth and their community. Nominations can be submitted by March 14 2010 at: The OSKAYAK Youth Committee has been talking about community and where they came from, in a traditional context. The story was chosen by the Committee as an example of possibilities . . . When light first came to the earth, O-ma-mama the earth mother of the Cree people gave birth to the spirits of the world. The first born was Binay-sih, the thunderbird who protects the animals from the sea serpent, Genay-big. Thunderbirds shout out their unhappiness or anger with black clouds, rain and fire flashes in the sky. The second born was Ina-kaki, the lowly frog who heightens the sorcerers powers and helps to control the insects in the world. The third born was the trickster Wee-sa-hay-jac, who can change himself into many forms or shapes to protect himself. The fourth child was Ma-heegun, Wee-sa-hay-jacs little wolf brother. They travel together with Wee-sa-hay-jac on his back. The fifth born was Amik the beaver, who is greatly respected because he is an unfortunate human from a different world. Fish, rocks, grasses, and trees all came from the womb of the great earth mother O-ma-ma-ma. The earth was inhabited a long time by only animals and spirits because Wee-sa-hay-jac had not yet made any people.
James R. Stevens, McClelland and Stewart Ltd, 1971.

www.richmond.ca

Cree - World Parent

Pathways Aboriginal Centre - Richmond Youth Service Agency 100-7900 Alderbridge Way Richmond, BC V6X2A5 Phone: 604.271.7600

Hours of Operation:

Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9:30am-4:30pm Thursdays & Fridays 12pm - 7pm Saturday 10am - 5pm

Check out www.rysa.bc.ca for a special events and Follow us on Twitter @RichmondYouth

Page 2 Rally & HFHC Updates Page 3 CCAY Update & Sustainable Transportation Page 4 Missing and Murdered Womens March AYC Events

RALLY Update
RALLY participants have been having a blast this winter from snow tubing at Cypress Mountain to creating a short claymation film with REELYOUTH. While having fun and exploring traditional Aboriginal culture through participating in activities like sweats and learning about the medicine wheel. Through workshops the youth also continue to explore their dream careers and what community means to them. In January Interested youth in the career stream of the RALLY Project had the opportunity to take a tour of EBCO. A big thank you goes out to Cathy, EBCOs Human Resource Representative, for making this possible. While the older youth have been exploring their dream careers the younger RALLY participants have been brainstorming what community means to them. The community explorers will be doing a final community project in March. Stay tuned for your invitation to the event.

Healthy Families Healthy Children

The Healthy Families Healthy Children Program (HFHC) meets on the third Tuesday of every month for traditional or recreational activities at Pathways Aboriginal Centre. In January the group visited the Vancouver Friendship Centre for Powwow night. The group was greeted by Peete, a Hoop Dancer. Peete taught the families a few traditional moves at the Friendship Centre. After enjoying the amazing drumming and a little dancing the group returned to Richmond with new found inspiration. On the drive back the children were so excited and asked if they could go every Tuesday night because it was AWESOME!. In February the families will be having a feast and a visit with a nutritionist. The HFHC program is winding down with the last event in March. The HFHC will be hosting a resource fair to help connect the families with other community resources and services. If you would like to attend the resource fair as a community service provider, please contact Cara Lenoir at: 604-271-7600 or at cara.lenori@rysa.bc.ca for more information

for a detailed calender of events go to www.rysa.bc.ca

OSKAYAK Youth Program

Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY) is a program for Aboriginal Youth between the ages of 14-24 years old. The program is cost free and offers traditional, recreational and social activities for Aboriginal youth. If you are between the ages of 14-24 and want to meet some new friends while experiencing traditional and non traditional workshops drop by during program hours or give Raven, the CCAY Youth Worker, a ring at 604-271-7600 or you can reach her by e-mail at: raven.baruidn@rysa.bc.ca CCAY runs from 2pm-7pm Thursdays and Fridays and from 10am-5pm on Saturdays, at Pathways Aboriginal Centre in Richmond, BC. for a detailed calendar of events visit www.rysa.bc.ca

Salish Seas
Presented by Gallery Gachet and the Aboriginal Writers Collective West Coast SALISH SEAS February 4th- February 27th 2011 Salish Seas is an exhibition of works by prominent and emerging Aboriginal artists in conjunction with the upcoming Salish Seas: An anthology of text and images. The project offers perspective to urban Aboriginal peoples living within these Coast Salish lands who are influenced and inspired by the Salish Sea and its associated rivers. Curated by Tania Willard and featuring works by artists Sonny Assu, Janice Toulouse, Charlene Vickers, Merritt Johnson, Kevin McKenzie, Duncan Murdoch, Dionne Paul, joAnne Noble, Cease Wyss, Kelly Roulette, Kamala Todd and Michelle Sylliboy. Gallerygachet 88 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1K2 ph 604.687.2468 Open from wed-sun, 12-6pm www.gachet.org Talking Stick Festival and the Aboriginal Writers Collective West Coast present an evening of readings featuring: Lee Maracle, Russell Wallace, Janet Rigers, Michelle Sylliboy, Joanne Arnott, Greg Coyes and Wanda John at the Pond, 1441 Commercial Drive, Vancouver on Monday, February the 7th at 7pm.

Womens Memorial March

20th annual February 14th Womens Memorial March for Missing and Murdered Women. On February 14th, a gathering will start at Carnegie Community Centre Theater, 401 Main Street where family members speak in remembrance. At 1pm, the march takes to the streets and proceeds through the downtown Eastside, with stops to commemorate where women were last seen or found. For more details go to www.rysa.bc.ca or http://womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com February 2, 9, 16 & 23 RALLY Workshops Pathways 4-6pm Aboriginal Youth between the ages 14-24 February 3, 10, 17 & 24 Drop-in Pathways 2-7pm Aboriginal Youth between the ages 11-24 February 3, 10, 17 & 24 OSKAYAK Youth Council Pathways 5pm-7pm Aboriginal Youth between the ages 11-24 February 4, 11, 18 & 25 Movie Nights At Pathways 2-7pm Movie starts at 5pm Aboriginal youth between the ages 14-24 February 5, 12, 19 &26 RALLY & OSKAYAK Youth Program Pathways 10-5pm January 18th Healthy Family Healthy Children Program Family Night Pathways at 5 -8pm For a detailed calendar of events please check out www. rysa.bc.ca.

CHIMO Crisis Line: 604-279-7070 or www.chimocrisis.com Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 VACFASS-Vancouver Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society: 604-872-6723 The Healthy Aboriginal, is a non-profit website promoting of health, literacy and wellness: www.thehealthyaboriginal.net

Agencies & Organizations:

School District #38 Richmond

Individuals: Pinnacle Pusuits REEL Youth EBCO Kids Up Front The OSKAYAK Youth Advisory Council MAVUS CCAY