Gitmaxmak'ay Community Report ~ Submitted by Carol S. Doolan, Manager

Our Society exists to service our citizens in Prince Rupert and Port Edward. The Board of Directors (5) and Staff (7) are well established and the organization operates guided by policy and procedures manuals. We deliver programs that include Education, Economic Development, Language and Culture, Nisga'a Community Preventative Services, Nisga'a Youth Council and have Nisga'a Lisims Government Representatives. All programs and services are funded by Nisga'a Lisims Government from Treaty funds.

In addition to these programs staff has been successful in procuring other funds such as First Peoples Heritage, Culture Council of $10,000 and 2010 Legacies Now of $11,000 and also a three year program of Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative of $241,000. (ADI ends March 2010) We have also secured a targeted wage subsidy position of CAP site worker. We've received $2,500 from New Relationship Trust to assist with our Elder's transportation to BC Elder's conference in Terrace.

On September 8th, 2008 we had the Building inspector, Fire Chief and Health inspector do a site visit to our Nisga'a Hall kitchen. To bring our kitchen up to code, renovations began November 7th. After removal of all old cupboards, stove, hood, fridge, sink and relocated new water lines, a new subfloor with new flooring was put down.

Nisga'a Hall's  new appliances have been installed;

Electric Stove w/ Griddle, Range Hood, Cupboards, Countertops, Island w/new countertop,  Commercial dishwashers, Ice Machine, 40 Lightweight Tables, 300 Chairs w/dollies

Triple Sink in Kitchen , Garborator, Double wide cooler, Two Industrial Microwaves, Three 100 cup Coffee Percolators, 30 Hot plate holders, Two stand-alone Cigarette Urns, Two Garbage containers for bathrooms. Also 5 toilets replaced in both men/women's bathrooms.

Since September 2008 to date, Society expenses to date is estimated at $68,000.00 and on-going. As of August 10th, our hall has completed all renovations and our new kitchen now meets building code requirements.

Our Nisga'a Hall rentals for fiscal year 2008/09; We've had 68 outside rentals, 156 Society program rentals. 

Website has been continuously visited, but cannot maintain services due to lack of funds. Changes will be made eventually, information will be shared on with Nisga'a Nation Knowledge Network. Dwayne Latimer has been hired as CAP site worker, through Career Focus and Progressive Employment Services and is with us till end of August.

Computer room hours are 9:00 to 4:00 pm daily. Volunteers will be utilized once Mr. Latimer's term is complete. Volunteers needed, must be willing to do criminal check with RCMP detachment, please come in and ask us for more details.

Gitmaxmak'ay News (4-6 page newsletter) is our other source of sharing information on our programs and services and status to date of community driven events, which gets mailed out to an average of 410 homes.  We have quite a few returned mail, people must do a change of addresses with our office so we can keep out database updated. Call outs are done for invites to meetings, smorgasbord donations and food harvest arrivals. Members have the option of getting information through email. We have 123 local addresses for email contact.

Our Society office (upstairs) has been given a new facelift of a new paint job, still in progress with touch up. A brand new Xerox machine, three new upgraded desktop computers and nine wireless laptops new office furniture, blinds and our computer room was also painted. Through Industry Canada, we now have 12 desktop computers and for community use and one laptop for one on one training.

Language and Culture Department had workshop of Regalia (69), Drum (49), Moccasin (122) and Handbags (18) and Arts & Crafts (166) work shops during school breaks for children and their caregivers.

Aboriginal Diabetes and our Society programs hosted a successful Christmas dinner and 39 Elders received "Anhluut'ukwsim Sawinskwhl Nisga'a (Nisga'a Feast Procedures & Protocols) books. Valued at $50.00 each. We still have 41 of these books to sell.

Ladies club also took part in our Christmas dinner had a silent auction of their handiwork (crochet, knit, sewn and beadworks) to regenerate funds back to L & C and raised $550.00

Society along with Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative Program assisted Elders to attend the BC Elders Gathering in Terrace July 13 - 15th. Our Elder's committee received financial assistance towards accommodation and transportation, also Society provided a return-trip shuttle bus for all three days, for the benefit of those who were physically able to travel.

Nisga'a Community Preventative Services assisted 129 members with one-time per year sports grant of $40.00 / $50 - $100 travel grant for recreational activities, reimbursed Minor Soccer and Basketball funds to committed members. Hosted monthly events of swim/pool parties, bowling, JVA games, swim/skate with skate rental tickets and movie certificates during school breaks.

Education School Gifts was given to 319 registered students. 152 in elementary schools, 155 in high schools, 12 members in adult dogwood program. ($50 to Kindergarten and $100 to grade one to twelve)

ESG applications will be available on August 17th

We anticipate 39 graduates this year. We have assisted three members with bursaries for continuing on to Post Secondary Education.

Education Bursaries will be available for application till September 25th, 2009. Any graduates continuing their education on to College, University or any recognized Technical School may apply, for more information, call or drop in to our office.

Life Skills Educational courses, in partnership with Hecate Strait, we have 61 members who have received certificates in Food Safe, Super Host, Serving it Right, OFA Level 1. We have three repeat courses coming up with 49 participants interested.

We also partnered with North West Community College to offer MED A3 and Marine Basic Safety First Aid for 38 members.

Society may consider offering these courses again, with commitment fee from membership to avoid low attendance, once course is completed and certificates are received, reimbursement to membership commitment fee may be considered. Please sign up in advance with staff if you are interested.

Nisga'a Youth Council (NYC) held a successful 2nd Annual Youth Conference on August 22 - 24th in 2008.  67 youth attended. Due to low interest of NYC there has been scheduled recreational events scheduled August 19, 20 & 21st.  

NYC will be working with their own budget this year, they will be planning their governance strategies and setting up their meeting schedules and partake in Society events, programs and assist in promotion of our services.

Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative program is in their last year of funding (March 2010) staff has been following the work plan, a brochure is made available for participants in our office. A Diabetes Symposium was hosted and was very successful with 64 members in attendance and presenters from Northern Health, Cornerstone Wellness and Prince Rupert Regional Hosp.

Radio announcements to promote ADI Symposium have been arranged through Astral Media and CFNR. Language and Culture along with ADI will be hosting these Harvest trips.

To date we have 124 participants in the Aboriginal Diabetes Program program.

Oolichan Harvest - March 2009, we had 13 Volunteers                 

Transported by Mr. &Mrs Ivan Lincoln

Dirty Dozen Camp - 1000 lbs and Doolan Camp - 1000 lbs

Oolichan harvest 314 homes received a gallon size Ziploc bag.    

Total overall cost for gas/transport was $4,500.00

Halibut Harvest  - May 2009, we had 27 Volunteers

Transported to Nisga'a Hall by Russell Stewart & Camilla Haines

"PE 246" Jerrett Faithful - 620 lbs

Bag of Halibut/Cod given out to 187 households (5 bags to Dancers and 5 bags to Fundraisers)

Total estimate costs: $8,300.00

Salmon Harvest - July 2009, we had 21 Volunteers

Transported to Nisga'a Hall by Private vehicles

"P.E. 246" delivered 1085 pieces - 217 homes received 5 pieces of sockeye.

Total estimated costs; $8,000.00

Special "Thank you" to Ocean Virtue - Corwin/Max Haines for their donation of 50 cod to be distributed to elders.

Our Board of Directors along with staff and committees had a two day strategic workshop on "Orientation / Budget" Review" on March 7 & 8th. Special acknowledgement and "Thank you" to Darlene Morgan, Laurie Gosnell and Kate Gosnell of New Aiyansh Village Government for a very informative strategic planning session.

Board of Directors have entertained a motion to have Vohora and Company to be our Auditors for March 2009.

Our Board also has plans for Economic Development opportunities for our Society and its membership and presently in planning stages for fundraising and business plan options.