ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OP-ED | A11
True northern grit
T
he past is coming full circle again. You might have read this month that the province is contemplating removing the names of Mount Bedaux and Bedaux Pass, due to the ties French-American industrialist Charles Bedaux had to Nazi Germany and Nazi-occupied France during the Second World War. The mount and the pass got their names in 1934 when Bedaux led an infamous subarctic expedition through the region using experimental half-track Citroens. The expedition has always been a point of pride for the Hudson’s Hope Museum, as several local cowboys, guides, and packers were employed by Bedaux during the midst of the Great Depression. Willard Freer, my great uncle, was one of the men who took part in that journey, before his time further north in Fireside. I’m proud to say he was there. The expedition added character to the region’s history, and removing the names of the two landmarks will never change that. It’s worth noting the names of Mount Bedaux and Bedaux Pass were formally adopted by the province in 1944 and 1949, after Bedaux’s Nazi ties were already exposed and publicized. Bedaux was a war profiteer, a profession that is still alive and well today. Ultimately, justice was done for his crimes — he was arrested in 1942 and handed over to the Americans, and later killed himself in a Florida jail before he could be put on trial. You can’t say the same for many Nazi war criminals and conspirators who escaped punishment, or were even adopted by Allied countries after the war. But if the names must change, it would be appropriate to use the Sekani name for Bedaux Pass, which is Dawunèska, or to name them after the cowboys who worked so hard to blaze a trail into that northern wilderness. We celebrated the 75th anniversary of the expedition in 2009 with a new exhibit and a re-creation of the events that took place all those years ago. It was the opportunity of a lifetime for those men, and what they accomplished took true northern grit and determination. Local historian Ross Peck, and long-time museum board member, shares these views. Read his letter below and decide for yourself what rings true. Re: Bedaux landmark names With considerable background in chronicling the Bedaux “story” through my association with the Hudson’s Hope Historical society, and as the retired guide outfitter in the area where the two offending landmarks are located, I would like to offer the following for consideration. As much as we would like to sanitize the past, the proposed removal of these names will not achieve that. It is an historical fact that Charles Bedaux organized and financed a major expedition through northeastern BC in 1934 (as well as two other hunting trips in 1926 and 1932).
TOM SUMMER We can only speculate on his true motives but given that two of British Columbia’s prominent surveyors (Frank Swannell and Ernest Lamarque) were attached to the expedition, it resulted in a much better understanding of the geography and Historical photograph of Bedaux Expedition pack train going up the big bar of the Muskwa layout of northern BC’s remote moun- River in 1934. (Fort St. John North Peace Museum Archives / 2012.024.056) tainous region. The current names of many of the area’s topographical features can be traced to that time. In the midst of the depression, the 1934 expedition brought much needed diversion, employment and By Ruby McBeth an economic boost to the Peace River country. Many of the Bedaux “cownyone who knew Dick boys” were prominent Peace River Velander will agree he was pioneers, and as they commented at a cheerful sort. Lorne was bit helps. I dropped my two bags the wind up celebration in Hudson’s sorry to read in the Alaska Highoff at the Red Cross when Rita was Hope, “Mr Bedaux, when you need us way News last week that Dick had volunteering there. Contact Rita at again we are willing, to go… Yes sir to passed away. Lorne went to high 250-262-9154 if you have questions. the end of the earth!” school with him in Dawson Creek. I see the PRRD is concerned what We last saw Dick and his wife at SKI SEASON HAS STARTED the new names might be. Perhaps it Gloria Carlstad’s funeral in the Bear is time to establish a committee to Canyon community Hall. Rest in I went out to the Whiskey Jack review and evaluate era appropripeace Dick. ski hill on Sunday, Nov. 21. It was ate names. I suggest we just start beautiful out there, with lots of with the letter “B”, which should be SANTA PARADE ON DEC. 4 snow; however, I had to stop twice fairly neutral, and depending on your to clear the snow off my skis. The persuasion, you can secretly pick your This Saturday, the Seniors Task next week I bought some silver theme (Big mountain, Bannock and Force is offering Cookie Decorating wax to prepare for more warm day Beans pass, BS pass, etc.). With cliand Christmas music followed by skiing. But you can’t predict the mate change, fires, floods, COVID and the Santa Claus Parade. Decoraweather up here. Now a week later what have you, it might be a pleasant tions and refreshments are providthe weather is more like spring -wet diversion, not quite champagne and ed. This begins at Urban Systems at and melting. Ah well, lots more caviar but times they are a changing! 3:30 followed by the parade. Phone winter to come. — Ross Peck, Skookumchuck, B.C. Kelsey at 778-557-7231 or e-mail her at ktyerman@urbansystems.ca LEARNING THE LINGO NEW CURATOR to book. I’m also pleased to announce that This week’s terms are ‘Facebook’ our search for a new curator is over, PRESENTS FOR SENIORS and ‘friend’. Facebook began as a with Patti Campbell talking the helm. website for university students to She’s a long-time resident of HudRita Schonewille is heading up connect, but it is now a worldwide son’s Hope and has run the Friends a Seniors Task Force project called sharing app enabling you to keep of Hudson’s Hope Society for many SECRET SANTA GIFTS for SENup with your friends and family. years. IORS. They are doing this instead When you connect or add someone We’re fortunate to have someone of hampers because many seniors via Facebook you are “friending” community minded on board with live in residences that provide food. them. If you decide to try out Faus, and as I’ve stated before the right Either provide gifts or gift cards in cebook, you may want to get help people in the right place make all the denominations of $25 (Walmart, from someone experienced with it difference. Shoppers, grocery stores, McDonat first, to learn on-line etiquette It’s been strange not to have our ald’s, Dairy Queen, Dollar Store, and cyber-safety. previous curator, Elinor Morrissey, and Tim Hortons are suggested). who’s greatly missed by the comAll donations are welcome. Put the PUN OF THE WEEK munity at large, keeping everything unwrapped gifts in cloth bags. Bags running smoothly, but I’m more than can be dropped off at The Gym (opHow much did the pirate pay to confident Patti will make the role her posite the Bank of Montreal), Unget his ears pierced? A buccaneer. own. forgettable Memories, Fort Motors, Thanks are also owed to our sumor Harvest Wines. They have a list of Ruby McBeth lives and writes in mer student Joey Poirier for sticking 300 seniors to get bags for, so every Fort St. John. around a little longer to keep the building staffed and our doors open. The museum is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We’re always looking for volunteers so if you have a keen interest in history or would just like to learn a little more about the Peace River valley, come out and volunteer. We have lots of scanning and accessioning of historical photos and artifacts to be done. Training is provided. If you would like any further information, please call 250-783-5735 or email at hhmuseum@pris.ca.
Remembering a jolly friend
A
SENIORS HALL
Tom Summer is president of the Hudson’s Hope Historical Society
Learning from King Josiah: Living in the prophetic
I
am sure that all serious followers of our Lord all have Biblical characters that we can either relate to or hold in high esteem for what they did or didn’t do. Most Bible studies or Sunday morning sermons use biblical figures to help us to relate to their failures, their successes, their motivation and their depth of relationship and intimacy with the Lord. Most of the teachings center around Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and David in the Old Testament, and the Apostles like Paul, John, Peter, and James in the New Testament. They are all my
heroes and I love to learn about them and from them as it has helped me relate to my shortcomings in my walk with the Lord. One Old Testament character that has again captivated my attention is King Josiah. His father and grandfather did evil in the eyes of the Lord but Josiah chose to walk in the ways and the purposes of the Lord. Many of us can follow the patterns of our relatives but Josiah not only chose the Lord but his heart was for the people of Judah as well. The Lord acknowledged Josiah’s heart, how he humbled himself, his
JOHN GRADY responsiveness of the evil conditions and his weeping before the Lord. Clearly the Lord loved what was in his heart as well as his emotion and passion. After finding the Book of the Law, Josiah called together the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, priests, prophets, and all the people from the least to the greatest to renew the
covenant. Talk about building unity. In pursuing God’s will Josiah broke down the altars of the pagan gods and burned them in the Kidron valley (located between the Mtn. of Olives and the Old City). There he noticed a unique tombstone. Scripture shows that it was the grave of a prophet from centuries before who would proclaim that a man named Josiah would do exactly what Josiah had just done. Josiah of course had no idea of the prophecy that was foretold about him centuries before. What can we learn from Josiah that we can apply in
our lives: He was humble; He was righteous; He was passionate; He was a unity builder; He was committed to doing God’s will. As we study the story of Josiah and the other Biblical characters, do we above all else desire from the Lord His calling and purpose for our lives? Do we fast and pray for it? Are we willing to pay the price for him to be Lord and do His will? Has a prophet of years ago proclaimed your will to be done for the work of the Lord? John Grady lives and writes in Fort St John.