National Indigenous History Month
For the month of June and all year round, we recognize Indigenous Peoples. On June 21st we recognize and celebrate the adaawḵ, wilaloo'm, dax̱gyet and diversity of the Gitxsan, First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Explore our history and cultures. Attend the many festivities available in the community.
Pamela Tait, Gitxsan Ambassador, GDC
Safety Tips for the May Long Weekend
With spring upon us, May long weekend marks the start to the warmer summer season. Whether you plan on going camping, boating, getting some chores done or taking a road trip, here are some reminders to help everyone stay safe this summer.
With spring upon us, May long weekend marks the start to the warmer summer season. Whether you plan on going camping, boating, getting some chores done or taking a road trip, here are some reminders to help everyone stay safe this summer.
Driving
May 14-20 is Canada Road Safety Week. Car and motorcycle collisions account for 40% of hospital trauma cases, so don’t become a statistic!
Be ready for the road. This may be the first weekend you use that motorcycle or RV that has sat all winter. Check the vehicle over well, make sure all the lights work and it's safe for the road.
Take your time! It’s a long weekend, enjoy the scenery. Speeding to get to the lake may only save you a few minutes, but cost you a speeding ticket or worse. Speeding also increases your reaction time, so slow down.
Be alert. Get some rest before your road trip. Don’t drink and drive or do drugs and drive. Arrange for a designated driver. Part of Canada Road Safety Week is additional “enforcement efforts on behaviors that present a serious risk; impaired driving, fatigue, distracted driving, aggressive driving and driving without a seatbelt”.
Water Safety
Take extra care in and around the rivers, lakes and ocean.
All boaters should wear a lifejacket! Ensure the lifejacket is fully zipped up and all buckles are done. The life jacket should fit correctly and meet the weight requirements of the wearer.
Never swim alone. Always have a buddy and keep an eye out for each other. Supervise children near the water.
Boating and drinking? Prepare for sinking. Don’t drink until you are safely ashore.
Safety Around the Home
Spring can mean getting those chores done. Working on the roof, in the yard or around the house, think about the hazards.
Secure ladders or have a helper hold the ladder for you.
Wear PPE including work boots. Chopping wood in flip flops hurts!
If there is a chance of flying objects (e.g. weed whacking or grinding), wear eye protection.
If you’re using a chainsaw, wear chainsaw chaps, boots and eye protection.
Campfire Safety
With many of us having campfires this weekend, here are some tips to stay safe and enjoy yourself.
Supervise children around campfires; make sure to have an adult around any campfire. Newer synthetic fiber clothing is extremely flammable and shrinks when heated. Consider wearing cotton or wool around campfires.
Have water, a hose or bucket and a shovel at the ready for any spot fires. With this year’s weather forecast to be drier and warmer than usual, the fire wildfire risk is also elevated. Make sure to extinguish your fire when done or when unattended.
The Importance of Red Dress Day
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, also known as Red Dress Day, is observed on May 5th in Canada. Gitxsan are a matriarchal society, our hanaa’k strengthen our wilnaat'ahl (family), pdeek (clan), wilps (houses), aluugigyet (people). It is important to acknowledge our hanaa’k as matriarchs; life givers, caretakers, cultural strength, knowledge and language teachers.
We encourage Gitxsan Development Corporation and subsidiaries to wear red in honour of, and to raise awareness of the thousands of stolen gastik'eekws (sisters) and our lost ensii'pinsxwii (loved ones) across the country who did not make it home, who are still missing and continue to go missing, who have been found without justice.
A few ways to commemorate this day:
Wear red – dresses, shirts, pins, earrings etc.
Learn more about MMIW
Partake in a community and/or organized MMIW events
Light a candle
Walk in honor
Hold your loved tighter
Hazelton office has been decorated to honor this day
Ha gwilii yin: Walk gently
GDC Pays Tribute to the Day of Mourning
Today, please take a moment to remember all the workers who lost their lives at work.
Across Canada, April 28 has been designated the Day of Mourning. Each year, workers, families, employers, and communities across the province remember those who have lost their lives on the job, and we all renew our commitment to creating healthy and safe workplaces.
In 2023, workplace injuries and diseases claimed the lives of 175 workers in British Columbia. Traumatic fatalities accounted for 82 of these deaths: 60 were caused by an incident at the worksite and 22 were the result of a motor vehicle incident. Occupational disease remained the single leading cause of deaths for workers last year, taking 93 lives — 48 of which were due to an asbestos-related illness.
Every injury, disease, or death serves as a powerful reminder that employers have an important responsibility to ensure that all workplaces in B.C. are healthy and safe.
GDC at the Gitanyow Get Connected Career Fair
Gitxsan Development Corporation was excited to be a part of the Gitanyow Get Connected Career Fair recently in Hazelton, BC. Our team members Mona Gill, HR Business Partner, and Elaine Sampson, HR Specialist (Training & Development) had the opportunity to speak face to face with amazing people in the community. They expressed how excited and inspired they felt attending the event.
On behalf of GDC, thank you to the organizers for putting on such a wonderful career fair.
GDC team members Elaine Sampson and Mona Gill at the Gitanyow Get Connected Career Fair.
"Digging Deeper" Themed Indigenous Workforce Development Discussion Panel
This past Sunday marked a significant milestone for both the Gitxsan Development Corporation and the broader conversation on sustainable community development. Our COO, Chaz Ware, took the stage at the "Digging Deeper" themed Indigenous Workforce Development Discussion Panel by ERM. Chaz’s presentation delved into the innovative strategies to transition Indigenous community members from jobs to rewarding careers. His insights provided a profound look at the importance of a holistic approach that respects cultural values, emphasizes education and skill development, and fosters strong partnerships for sustainable success.
We extend our deepest appreciation to the event organizers and attendees for this opportunity to contribute to such a significant dialogue. Together, we are shaping a future that honors tradition while embracing innovation.
Employee Photo Contest Winners Part 2
We’re excited to announce the winners of the second GDC Employee Photo Contest! We requested photos in two categories: Best Individual Photo and Best Group Photo. We received several great submissions and after some deliberation have chosen the top 2. Congratulation to our winners!
Best Group Photo
Arlene M - GSS Teamwork
Best Individual Photo
Vidya P - GES
Corey Hirsch on Mental Health and Hockey
GDC in partnership with ICBA hosted a community luncheon featuring Corey Hirsch for a talk about mental health and hockey at the Upper Skeena Recreation Centre yesterday. Corey is a retired goaltender from the NHL who played for the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. He also won an Olympic silver medal as part of Team Canada.
Corey Hirsch talks about mental health while he was an NHL goaltender.
Unbeknownst to the public and even teammates, friends and family, Corey suffered internally from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It caused him to spiral into dark thoughts that he knew weren’t correct, but still would be screaming at him continuously. Often, the only reprieve was his time on ice. No one knew of his internal struggles. His OCD wasn’t physical like a broken leg. It also wasn’t a type of OCD where a person would notice him handwashing constantly. Instead, he would have uncontrollable thoughts for weeks and frequently months at a time causing him to have severe anxiety, panic attacks and depression.
In the locker room of the Rangers and the Canucks, Corey did his best to hide his struggles. He cared about everything at heightened levels, but the thoughts driven by his OCD would keep tearing him down relentlessly. He would skip meals, not sleep and have difficulty paying attention. This resulted in him losing weight, being late and not joining his teammates out. He even skipped the Stanley Cup parade when he won it with the Rangers. Corey felt insecure that his teammates would think he didn’t care when in reality he cared deeply about being a part of his team. It just took all his energy to function through a day. He was scared if he spoke up about what he was going through, it would end his NHL career.
Unmasking Mental Illness Video
After many years of this, Corey drove straight towards a cliff at high speed intending to end his life. Fortunately, he hit the brakes in time. His OCD persisted, but he did not give up. It would take more years to get diagnosed properly with pure OCD. Then, two decades more to find the right doctor to truly help him significantly. He will always have OCD, but he now has the tools to live a happier and more peaceful life through therapy and medication.
Corey’s struggles are deeply personal and yet, he chooses to share his story with an openness and honesty with communities all over North America. His goal is to share hope for people suffering and to encourage them to tell someone “I need help.”
Tears were shed, kindness was felt and our Gitxsan and local community came together. Mental health and especially suicide is not something easy to talk about, but so many of us have felt its effects directly or through people we love. We, at GDC, share Corey’s message of hope. If you or someone you know is struggling, here are places you can get help:
Gitanmaax Health and Wellness Centre
Tel: 250-842-6320, ext 252
robertryan@gitanmaaxhealth.ca
Hazelton Community Services
Tel: 250-842-5355
2610 Hwy 62, Hazelton, BC V0J 1Y0
If you would like to learn more about Corey’s story, you can read his book The Save of My Life.
Kickoff to Winter GSS Safety Meeting
Last week, GSS team members gathered for a Winter Safety Meeting at our South Hazelton office with the goal of reviewing and updating our safety policies and procedures. Our field staff included a mixture of Security, Medics, TCP’s (Flaggers), Shuttle Drivers and office support staff. The meeting was led by Jennifer Jenner, GSS Operations Manager, with contributions from Kelsey Harmse, GDC CAO, and Chaz Ware, GDC COO.
The day included interactive presentations, talking about daily routines, and how safety could be improved. Many of our staff shared suggestions and lessons learned from the past year. Our Fleet Coordinator, Brody Jack, reviewed the procedure for how and when to chain up tires for winter conditions. The day concluded with workers receiving new truck kits and gripons.
Safety is one of our key values for all of GDC. This includes continually working on to improve worker safety, equipment safety, and safety systems. Thanks to all participants who joined us at the meeting.
GSS staff listening to Walter J talk about safety tips he has learned as a TCP.
National Truth and Reconciliation Day 2023
GDC recognizes the importance of National Truth and Reconciliation Day. It’s a day of important reflection on the history and legacy of residential schools and the intergenerational trauma it caused for indigenous people across Canada. Several of our team members were out to show their support wearing orange shirts to stand in solidarity. Here are some of our photos.
Photos are from Sylvan Lake, AB (courtesy of Wallace M) and Vancouver, BC (courtesy of Emily H).
