Nádóthéé déhzéh kuégóa (Snake River Cabin)
The Snake River crossing cabin site is an off the grid, safe and accessible site built and used by the FNFN for on the land activities, including harvesting and hunting camps, Land Guardian base camp, and culture and language camps for FNFN members and Chalo students. The cabin is also available by reservation for individual members and families to spend some time on the land doing cultural activities on their own.
The original 16’x20’ wheelchair accessible cabin was built in 2013 and designed to house elders and families comfortably and safely throughout the year. It is equipped with low rise bed frames, wood stove and wood, table and chairs, and two outhouses. In addition to the cabin, the site is equipped with tent platforms to hold 2 large wall tents complete with woodstoves. The site was chosen through a 2010 cultural land use study, in which elders identified the site as an historic boat launch where people would disembark on journeys down river to other village sites including Old Fort, Deer River, Snake River, Nelson Forks and Tligoche. Today, the site is on an FNFN-owned trapline and a day trip from FNFN’s main reserve.
In 2020, the FNFN Lands team took advantage of the inability to gather and the COVID restrictions, which effectively shut down any community use of the cabin to expand it for future gatherings. Through this expansion project, the FNFN Lands team got a chance to work alongside two of the best and most experienced carpenters in Fort Nelson, Erwin Dickie and Jim Burke. FNFN Culture Coordinator, Curtis Dickie designed the drawings and the layout of the cabin and the FNFN Land Guardians and summer students all worked hard to complete the expansion in record time.
Some of the positive outcomes from the expansion of this cabin have been the intergenerational knowledge transferred from the two lead FNFN carpenters to the next generation. During our time working alongside them, we heard stories of the cabins they built around the north and the challenges they faced when working in extremely remote locations. They also showed tremendous patience with the FNFN summer students who worked with us throughout the project. We employed up to 6 summer students to help move material, clean the site, and finish various carpentry tasks during the different stages of construction. The crew learned a lot on this project, which will help in the future when the FNFN decides to build more cabins on the land.
The expansion created comfortable meeting space inside complete with wood stove and furniture and re-configured the outside meeting spaces to accommodate better outdoor gathering. The project expanded the existing cabin by 480 sq. ft. and includes a 544 sq. ft. wrap around deck space and a glass front wood stove. We also upgraded the trails to the cabin and the nearby fishing hole. This cabin is now a restful and beautiful place for FNFN to enjoy for many years to come. When COVID restrictions allow, it will be a safe place for our people to heal, to connect to the land, to practice our culture and a place to revive our language.
The original 16’x20’ wheelchair accessible cabin was built in 2013 and designed to house elders and families comfortably and safely throughout the year. It is equipped with low rise bed frames, wood stove and wood, table and chairs, and two outhouses. In addition to the cabin, the site is equipped with tent platforms to hold 2 large wall tents complete with woodstoves. The site was chosen through a 2010 cultural land use study, in which elders identified the site as an historic boat launch where people would disembark on journeys down river to other village sites including Old Fort, Deer River, Snake River, Nelson Forks and Tligoche. Today, the site is on an FNFN-owned trapline and a day trip from FNFN’s main reserve.
In 2020, the FNFN Lands team took advantage of the inability to gather and the COVID restrictions, which effectively shut down any community use of the cabin to expand it for future gatherings. Through this expansion project, the FNFN Lands team got a chance to work alongside two of the best and most experienced carpenters in Fort Nelson, Erwin Dickie and Jim Burke. FNFN Culture Coordinator, Curtis Dickie designed the drawings and the layout of the cabin and the FNFN Land Guardians and summer students all worked hard to complete the expansion in record time.
Some of the positive outcomes from the expansion of this cabin have been the intergenerational knowledge transferred from the two lead FNFN carpenters to the next generation. During our time working alongside them, we heard stories of the cabins they built around the north and the challenges they faced when working in extremely remote locations. They also showed tremendous patience with the FNFN summer students who worked with us throughout the project. We employed up to 6 summer students to help move material, clean the site, and finish various carpentry tasks during the different stages of construction. The crew learned a lot on this project, which will help in the future when the FNFN decides to build more cabins on the land.
The expansion created comfortable meeting space inside complete with wood stove and furniture and re-configured the outside meeting spaces to accommodate better outdoor gathering. The project expanded the existing cabin by 480 sq. ft. and includes a 544 sq. ft. wrap around deck space and a glass front wood stove. We also upgraded the trails to the cabin and the nearby fishing hole. This cabin is now a restful and beautiful place for FNFN to enjoy for many years to come. When COVID restrictions allow, it will be a safe place for our people to heal, to connect to the land, to practice our culture and a place to revive our language.
Dene Nahttha / Nêhiyaw ?ená Kų́e Gosédehdįhį (Chalo Trades Centre Renovation)
This summer, we began renovations to the Chalo adult trades centre to co-house a Cultural Education space that includes a community meat freezer and meat processing facilities. Brad Murrin Contracting won the bid. His crew replaced the roof and siding and installed the meat cooler, sink and meat cutting areas. Terry Cavaliere, FNFN Public Works Director, was a great help co-managing the project and Curtis Dickie and Marilyn Norby provided guidance and vision for the renovation. The community meat cooler and meat processing facilities will help us carry on our culture of sharing and taking care of our elders by creating a safe and accessible space for community hunters and the Conservation Officer to drop off meat for processing and redistribution to elders, vulnerable families and FNFN wellness programs. The cooler and meat cutting area will be open for community use summer 2022.
The renovation phase of the project is funded by the First Peoples’ Culture Council Indigenous Cultural Heritage Infrastructure Grant (ICHIG). The next steps in the renovation are to install signage and a fire exit, set up outdoor moosehide and drymeat processing facilities and upgrade the computers in the classroom to be used for language learning and teaching.
In addition to the renovation funds, we received a grant from Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for an expansion to the centre to create space for ground floor offices, accessible washrooms and gallery and ceremonial space. In 2022, the renovation phase will be completed and the expansion phase will begin. By the end of 2023, the FNFN Culture Department will have their own offices in the centre and will host learning and teaching opportunities for sewing, fur and hide processing, meat processing, trap-box and tool making skills, as well as using the existing classroom for adult language classes and providing space for ceremonial gatherings, including drum and dance groups, and gallery space for the display of traditional arts and crafts.
The renovation phase of the project is funded by the First Peoples’ Culture Council Indigenous Cultural Heritage Infrastructure Grant (ICHIG). The next steps in the renovation are to install signage and a fire exit, set up outdoor moosehide and drymeat processing facilities and upgrade the computers in the classroom to be used for language learning and teaching.
In addition to the renovation funds, we received a grant from Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for an expansion to the centre to create space for ground floor offices, accessible washrooms and gallery and ceremonial space. In 2022, the renovation phase will be completed and the expansion phase will begin. By the end of 2023, the FNFN Culture Department will have their own offices in the centre and will host learning and teaching opportunities for sewing, fur and hide processing, meat processing, trap-box and tool making skills, as well as using the existing classroom for adult language classes and providing space for ceremonial gatherings, including drum and dance groups, and gallery space for the display of traditional arts and crafts.
Cultural Curriculum
FNFN is working to develop two core curriculum courses for delivery in the FNFN community as part of our Indigenous Guardians program. These courses are "Moosehide 101" and "FNFN101/Treaty Relations" and will be designed to pass on and protect FNFN Indigenous Knowledge and increase cultural fluency in teachers and younger generations. The courses will be based on the land and include both Indigenous Knowledge and western science. FNFN is working to offer these two core curriculum courses for delivery in the FNFN community, both as part of Chalo high school curriculum, and to be offered in coordination with Northern Lights College (NLC) as part of our Indigenous Guardians program.
Moosehide 101 is envisioned as a series of modules that can be taken throughout the year over a course of years and together will make up appropriate credits toward graduation. It will cover the process of planning and preparing for a moose hunt, crafting hunting and processing tools, hunting moose, butchering and skinning a moose, processing and smoking meat, tanning hides and crafting moosehide into traditional art forms such as drums, clothing and beadwork. It will also include the Indigenous traditions, laws, stories, teachings, ceremony, songs, language, imaginings, artistic styles and spiritual aspects informing each step.
FNFN 101/Treaty Relationships will be oriented specifically for and by Fort Nelson First Nation, in an effort to situate our people within our history, laws, treaty rights and Aboriginal rights, treaty partners, the land and each other. It will educate who the FNFN is, how the present system came to be, and provide information on Indigenous governance, decolonization, and how Indigenous peoples can gain self-determination in the present and future, in a manner that also respects, celebrates and carries on important Dene and Cree cultural and language traditions.
Moosehide 101 is envisioned as a series of modules that can be taken throughout the year over a course of years and together will make up appropriate credits toward graduation. It will cover the process of planning and preparing for a moose hunt, crafting hunting and processing tools, hunting moose, butchering and skinning a moose, processing and smoking meat, tanning hides and crafting moosehide into traditional art forms such as drums, clothing and beadwork. It will also include the Indigenous traditions, laws, stories, teachings, ceremony, songs, language, imaginings, artistic styles and spiritual aspects informing each step.
FNFN 101/Treaty Relationships will be oriented specifically for and by Fort Nelson First Nation, in an effort to situate our people within our history, laws, treaty rights and Aboriginal rights, treaty partners, the land and each other. It will educate who the FNFN is, how the present system came to be, and provide information on Indigenous governance, decolonization, and how Indigenous peoples can gain self-determination in the present and future, in a manner that also respects, celebrates and carries on important Dene and Cree cultural and language traditions.
Pathways to Language Vitality Program
The Pathways to Language Vitality Program provides funding and support for community-led projects that revitalize First Nations languages in B.C. and help create new fluent speakers. This project will set up our next generation of speakers with materials and the tools they need in the future to have success revitalizing our language.
Through this project, we will continue to build the FNFN First Voices archive and build upon the work we started with the BCLI (British Columbia Language Initiative) which included online lessons in Dene K'e and hosting in-person adult language classes. We are also creating language learning resource materials such as labels for the home and workplace, children’s books, and accessing and translating recordings that are have been returned to us from the Royal BC Museum. In December we published Our Slavey Calendar 2022.
Through this project, we will continue to build the FNFN First Voices archive and build upon the work we started with the BCLI (British Columbia Language Initiative) which included online lessons in Dene K'e and hosting in-person adult language classes. We are also creating language learning resource materials such as labels for the home and workplace, children’s books, and accessing and translating recordings that are have been returned to us from the Royal BC Museum. In December we published Our Slavey Calendar 2022.
Community News & Updates |
Dene Nahttha / Nêhiyaw ?ená Kų́e Gosédehdįhį (Dene/Cree House of Teaching) Pronunciation |
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For up-to-date news and information on programs, please see the
Fort Nelson First Nation Facebook Page. |
To hear the pronunciation of the name of the new Trades and Cultural Education Centre, press the play button below.
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Fort Nelson First Nation Villages
Funders and Partners
