First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group

With the weather being as unpredictable as a bingo card, it’s better to be prepared than reactionary when it comes to this upcoming fire season. FireSmart’s Home App helps homeowners engage in wildfire mitigation activities through a self-conducted home assessment. Follow the link below and download the app to help identify specific actions to reduce wildfire risk: https://www.firesmartcanada.ca//firesmart-begins-at-home/

Hurry! You’re running out of time to register there’s only a few more days before it’s gonna be maayyyy TSAG is offering our Pathways to success course for Indigenous youth aged 15-30 where you can build your communication skills, improve resume building, receive interviewing training and job hunting information! This weekly 1-hour online course runs for 5-weeks. Weekly 1-hour instructor directions and modules are to be completed individually. Register now for the May course: https://tsag.net/pathwaystosuccess.html

Know of any new Fire fighters that would like some basic training!? Well cousins, you’ve come to the right Facebook post! TSAG is offering Fire Fundamental Training this May!Please register soon though, we could only find 10 chairs, so kwayâhow! (Kidding, it’s COVID provincial guidelines but still) Here’s the link: https://www.tsag.net/firetraining.php

Contest alert! Did you know that composting and growing your own food are 2 great things you can do to reduce your impact on Mother Earth? This Earth Day, we want to get you composting and growing your own garden by giving away a 140L Hot Frog rolling composter, a set of gardening tools, and seeds from Seeds of Change! Join us today at 1:30 p.m. Click this link https://fntn.zoom.us/join to our compost zoom session Use this Meeting ID: 956 4482 6264 and Passcode: 368508

SAVE THE DATE! On March 30th, 2021 TSAG will be leading a zoom webinar on operational efficiencies regarding pre and post spring thaw! To register please contact, Pam Haggarty at [email protected]

This session is a casual seminar that gives you a chance to share your emotional stressors and challenges during Covid. It will provide teachings and practical strategies to deal with your mental health concerns in a supportive manner. To attend this session, simply follow this link https://fntn.zoom.us/j/97696292136 and use the Passcode: 620055 to join. For more details check out our poster.

Contest time TSAG wants you to help us celebrate World Water Day! Please comment below with a photo of your favourite local water body to be entered! Contest ends March 29th!!

Are you joining us for Thursday’s backyard composting session? Learn the basics in 1-hour including how to build your own and where to find other cheap local options.When you add a compost to your backyard, it makes the land more stable, feeds your soil, helps plants grow and improves drainage. Composting can save resources (no fertilizers needed) and reduces your impact on Mother Earth.... Join us Thursday, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. Click this link https://fntn.zoom.us/join to our compost zoom session Use this Meeting ID: 956 4482 6264 and Passcode: 368508

Come and learn how to prepare a few simple recipes using basic ingredients for both breakfast and lunch! To attend this session, simply follow this link https://fntn.zoom.us/j/99130971312 and use the passcode 728122 to join. For more details check out our poster:

Hey family and friends, want to know what TSAG has been up to and plans on doing?! Take a look at our February Newletter edition! For a more interactive version please clink on the link: https://tsag.net/do/TSAG%20Newsletter%20February%202021.pdf

Nearing the holidays it’s so important to show our support and generousity to those in our communities. TSAG would like to give a shout out to Piikani for conducting a safe Candy Cand Check Stop with the help of Piegan Volunteer Fire fighters, RCMP, and EMS! Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Less than 1% of our soil species have been identified although they are truly the ‘foundation' of all life on earth! Climate systems would not function without Evapotranspiration (plants respiring moisture during photosynthesis), Evapotranspiration wouldn't be happening globally without Plants (not to forget the Oxygen we breathe, Food, and a few other benefits), Plants don't grow great without Decomposition (the breakdown of organic matter into mineralized nutrients), and Decomposition happens due to the Biodiversity in our Living Soils! They're truly Foundational.

Concerned about what to do for the holidays during the pandemic? Or how much technology the youth are getting overloaded with lately?? WELL Next Wednesday and Thursday Telehealth is hosting some MUST ATTEND sessions with answers to those questions! They will be lead by two amazing presenters each: Rod Snarterse & Cathy Mercier on Dec 9th. Ruth Sault & Trina Napier on Dec 10th. All of which have a wealth of expertise working specifically with mental health!! Please join them!

This pandemic has affected us all in some way, so far to the point of losing jobs or not having as much financial stability. With more restrictions coming into play during the holiday season please focus less on filling each other’s life with more STUFF and instead continue to honour how important our connections with others are, to create and maintain healthy relationships that include simple outings, thoughtful gestures, and time for one another even if it’s just a voom call.

She’s at it again! Our Youth Outreach Coordinator has travelled to her childhood home in Sucker Creek First Nation to show us what NOT TO DO while cooking! We’re calling it Terrible Toaster Tuesday!

With the holidays just around the corner let us show our love by supporting small local Indigenous Businesses! This poster says December 5-6 but there’s also some booths at the Downtown Edmonton’s Farmers Market this weekend! If you’re not in Edmonton and know of some small Indigenous Businesses that could use some support especially during COVID please be sure to link them in the comments below!

With Online Delivery becoming the norm, our Youth Coordinator has made yet another Smoke Detector video who knew there was so much to learn about Smoke Detectors?! This time Eagle wants you to be careful while smudging! Have a wonderful friday, everyone!

For those Treaty 8 Urban members in Edmonton please don’t pass up on this opportunity for the Little’s! Deadline is November 27th!

Generally our Youth Initiatives Program is delivered by travelling throughout Alberta presenting to First Nations youth but with COVID restrictions TSAG's Youth Coordinators have had to adapt to online delivery. Here is one of our Youth Outreach Coordinator's first videos with many more to come! Please take a look!

Today is the virtual grand opening of the Alberta Indigenous Virtual Care Clinic! They will be doing their best in providing same day care to rural and urban First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals via secure video or phone service. For more information please check out their site: https://aivcc.ca/