By Edith Moore,
NmTC communications liaison,
Halalt First Nation

Edith Moore

Summer (Tum’kw’e’lus) is here…what does it mean to you?

I think it’s safe to say that when you think of summer you think of family time. Some of my best memories as a child are of helping my mom wash her wool, and spreading it out over the yard to dry and bleach in the sunshine. Getting the wool ready to store for the winter in preparation of spinning and knitting. Canning the vegetables and fish was another summer time activity we did as a family and those are precious leaning moments that I will never forget.

For our people, summer was a time for hunting and gathering food. Catching the fish we needed to sustain us through the winter months. These activities brought us together as individual communities because we could depend on each other for support.

Our culture is rich in that we believe that our relations are not only our immediate family but also inclusive with all our extended families. I want to encourage you to keep up the good teachings that our ancestors have instilled in us. That teaching of keeping each other close in our hearts and minds as the way of our people. Keep up being together as all of our Nations support each other. Make the memories with your kids and families by celebrating all the great things we have around us. Meet together at the Canoe races, Tribal Journeys, Elder and Youth Gatherings. Celebrate in the sunshine and lets all be proud of that we have in store for us.

I am reminded that life is short and we are not promised tomorrow, so make the most of today. All of our Naut’sa mawt nations are having celebrations and gatherings throughout the  summer, and I encourage everyone to get out there and celebrate today, for what we have is rich and blessed. Make those family memories that will last a lifetime.

Shhw’a’luqw’a (my relations)