Dakota Price was honoured Sunday evening at the ISPARC Premiere's Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport. Dakota was one of nine Northwest Regional Recipients to receive the prestigious award and also one of the youngest. "14 year old Dakota Price is a basketball and volleyball athlete from the Nisga'a and Haida Nations. Dakota's first time playing in a high level volleyball club, they took first place at the BC Club Volleyball Provincials, first place at school volleyball taking home the zones banner. Second place at the school basketball zones, she also participated in the Invite-Only Jr. NBA Next Combine Series. She also participated in the BC Summer Games/Team Northwest, it was the first time in the history of the BC Summer Games that the Northwest team entered. She has received Nisga'a Tribal Tournament all-star, Female Athlete Award at school and has volunteered to help younger kids play basketball at youth camps. She is passionate and dedicated to her sports. Dakota is an honour roll student, she participates in traditional dancing, native women's fitness groups, serving tables at feasts, helping her grandmothers in the smokehouse, cedar weaving and canoe journey's. Her goals include, continuing to play sports, training to stay in shape, and would like to eventually get a scholarship in basketball." - Introduction to her award from ISPARC. Congratulations Dakota!
Youth Zone
NLG’s Nisg̱a’a Youth Engagement Coordinator Leslie Robinson in collaboration with Nisg̱a’a Village Governments and Nisg̱a’a Museum staff planned a challenging, fun and exciting day of learning for Nisg̱a’a Youth on August 22nd. The Nisga’a Amazing Race began in the Nisg̱a’a Village of Gingolx at 9am and commenced up river to the Nisg̱aa’a Museum, each Nisg̱a’a Village Government and community centre ending at the final stop, Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government. The challenge of each leg of the race is for our Nisg̱a’a Youth to engage with Village Governments and NLG staff to learn facts about all things Nisg̱a’a.
The concept of the race was to challenge our Nisga’a Youth to learn about the nation, Nisga’a treaty and the respective Village governments. To highlight what surrounds us, the beauty of where we live. One of the main components of the race was for the youth to introduce themselves in Nisga’a to the elders and to record each introduction. They were to walk 4 laps with elders in each community. Upon completion of the laps they gifted each elder. They conquered grizzly hill, they learned about the Nisga’a Museum. They showed great sportsmanship throughout the day and completed the race in a timely fashion. One of the final tasks was to submit all of the photos and the videos of the race. The youth ran this race with such respect and dignity. It was an inspiring day to see each of the participants complete the tasks set out. Thank you for taking part in the Nisga’a Amazing Race.
Back to school it is and time to hit the books! This year’s Back to School March is taking place in the four Nisga’a Villages to commemorate our history, show support to our students, and to inspire a successful school year.
Students from Kindergarten to grade 12 begin the school year by sharing a meal with their community, schools staff, respected chiefs and matriarchs. After the meal, they gather strength in numbers, march as one to schools lead by the Lisims RCMP and the chiefs as they perform a cultural song to the march.
Once arrived to the school, the staff are assembled strength in numbers with drums as they perform the song; Ts’inin Sim’oogit to show honor to the chiefs, matriarchs, and students as they enter. Students and staff are then seated to witness Nisga’a Cultural Protocol take place by the Council of Elders.
The ceremony is conducted by four chiefs, representing four tribes of the four villages, along with the Chairperson of the Council of Elders, Willard Martin, and Madam President, Eva Clayton of Nisga’a Lisims Government. This traditional ceremony was passed down from generation to generation by the Nisga’a Nation Elders and first began with the Nisga’a Tribal Council during the beginning of the Nisga’a Land Question. It’s called the presentation of the Ganim Siwilyeenskw. This ceremony grants an organization in the fields of health, education, and or governance the authority, blessing, and responsibility to move the Nation forward, this time being a ceremony for the Principals, they are handed the talking stick and granted authority to move the students forward with their educational journey.
The ceremony is followed by introductions to new staff, an introduction to this year’s student board representation from the four communities, words of encouragement, and an overview of goals and objectives for the year. The Principal, Mr. Cameron Nott made two important announcements, first; “With technology today, we are seeing tremendous changes, that’s what we have to do, all of us at NESS will be looking at those changes so that we can get those programs in so students really want to be here. Secondly; “There’s opportunities for Nisga’a Elders to come in and to share knowledge, wisdom, to keep the Nisga’a culture and language strong, and vibrant.
By keeping culture, language, and traditions strong, we are joining as one. Nisga’a Lisims Government will continue to show our support to staff and students of School District #92 Nisga’a in the Nass Valley, we encourage all students to do their absolute best and we look forward much more UNITY to come.
Sa’amhl wilsim!
For photos of the events go here
http://www.nisgaanation.ca/sites/default/files/Nisga%27a%20Amazing%20Rac...
Please email signed forms to: leslier@nisgaa.net
Nine seats were filled in the public gallery of NLG’s legislative chamber by Nisg̱a’a youth observing the monthly meeting of the NLG Executive on January 24th.
The young Nisg̱a’a are currently participating in the Nisg̱a’a Employment Skills & Training (NEST) Bladerunners Program. A program funded by ACCESS to provide youth entry level training in the construction and mining industries.
"We involve cultural training as the baseline of all our programming", says NEST Pathways Coordinator Melissa McKay. Prior to obtaining certification in the field of study, the students complete one week of cultural training to learn more about Nisg̱a’a culture and the Nisg̱a’a Treaty. As part of their cultural training the cohort of youth received an overview of the Nisg̱a’a Treaty from former President Mitchell Stevens. They then spent a half day observing the NLG Executive to learn more about government processes.
President Eva Clayton and members of the NLG Executive extended a warm welcome to the youth. "The reality is, you will be sitting here one day, so I am very encouraged to see that you are taking an interest in Nisg̱a’a Government", said President Clayton.
This is the third group of youth to complete the Bladerunners program. Two other cohorts completed the training with a focus on hospitality and customer service in October and November 2017.
For further information on Bladerunners and other employment and skills training provided by NEST, contact their office at 1 250 633 2210 or toll free: 1 844 633 2210, email nest@nisgaa.net
Irene Doris Stevens from the house of Ksim Xsaan of the Ganada tribe in the Nisga'a Nation, has made Team BC and will compete at the North American Indigenous games in Toronto from July 16 - 23, 2017.
Irene's success has grown by playing school basketball and club volleyball on the same days from 3:00pm to 8:30pm. This involved running, drills, and scrimmages for 5-1/2 hours in the gym during week days. She traveled for tournaments and play days on the weekends and this helped to get Irene into really good shape to compete for a spot on the North American Indigenous games volleyball team u-16. Irene attended first NAIG volleyball try outs in Prince George 2016 and was asked to attend final NAIG selection camp in Kelowna March 2017.
Irene is fully supported by her dad who pays for her school sports fees all year and financially funds all of her school trips for school basketball, school volley ball and club volleyball. Irene thanks her dad, her band, her nation and her family for supporting her and believing in her.
Si'aamhl wilsim Irene!
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