mačɛt (rub something with oil or cream)
mačɛt means to rub something with oil or cream. A lot of thought, care, and work goes into making a χa:p̓, and it is intended to last for a long time. Baskets are carefully inspected, repaired if damaged, put away carefully when not in use, and rubbed with oil to keep the basket supple and shiny. Caretaking and valuing our resources and sustaining them over generations is part of our way of life.
Developing processes for this ongoing maintenance and stewardship is an important aspect of the Tla’amin Service Model. We are careful in our planning and decisions to ensure we make best use and take care of our resources and assets. We evaluate our programs and services, providing opportunities to check in about our performance, and adapt when needed to reflect changing circumstances. This maintenance phase of making a χa:p̓ requires us to think about tomorrow in the decisions we make today and ensure we have resources for future generations.
“If I’m doing something better, maybe my great-grandchildren will be better off because of it. That’s how the change will come.”