AHN OCT 13, 2022

Restored heritage home a step into the 1920s

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The century old Allen house from Baldonnel sure is looking good for its age these days.

The newly restored heritage home was unveiled this month, completing a years long preser vation effort by the Fort St. John North Peace Museum.

Built in 1921 by local war veteran Bart Allen, the exhibit building tells the story of the changing lifestyle of a pioneer ing family after the First World War, and again in the mid-cen tury 1950s and 60s.

“This is a good example of a second home you would have on the homestead; so rather than just your one room cabin this has three rooms down stairs: a kitchen, a bedroom, and a front room, and a bed room upstairs for the children,” said museum curator Heather Sjoblom after a grand opening tour. “It gives you a better idea than some of our other build ings of what it was like to live here with a family.”

The house is unique in that it features both the history of the early 1920s and 30s, as well as the 1950s when electricity was added. “Although it never had running water, it’s a big change of life. They now have a re frigerator,” said Sjoblom.

The museum was first of fered the Allen house in the 1980s, but couldn’t commit to the project at the time. Ruth Large, Allen’s daughter, ap proached the museum again in 2014, which took up the re newed opportunity.

The building was moved to the museum in December 2016, and the rest as they say was… well, a ribbon cutting.

“It’s unbelievable. I didn’t expect to see the house stand ing,” said Large, who will be 88 this year, after taking a tour of what was first her childhood home, and later her own home

in 1950s after she married and started her own family. “There was no sense of it just sitting out on the farm and falling down if somebody could make use of it.”

Originally from Michigan, Allen acquired and registered the homestead in 1915. He fought in France during the First World War, and applied for Canadian citizenship, re turning to Baldonnel in 1920 with a soldier’s grant of a second quarter section.

He bought a third section, and began building the log home in 1921. With his wife Winnifred and children Ruth and Floyd, they raised hors es, cows, pigs, and chickens, while growing grain, potatoes, and other crops. Ruth recalled a time her family played un expected hosts to the local basketball team when it got stuck in a snow storm on the highway after a trip to Dawson

Creek. “They went for coffee instead of coming home and the road was blown full up to about our driveway,” she said.

“So we ended up with a few. There seemed to be a lot of them… they very well couldn’t sit out in their cars.”

The restoration cost around $80,000, supported in large part with grant funding from the Peace River Regional Dis trict. Sjoblom said the cost was kept low by contractors and by volunteers who put in thou sands of hours of labour to re place logs, windows, roof, and doors, and to fix up the interior and develop exhibits.

“This is just not possible without their expertise and their time and skills,” she said.

Ken Boon, who helped lead the restoration with Chris Paull, said the project came with a few more challenges than ex pected, as with any building being fixed up. But the final re

sult was worth it, he said.

“To me this one is really spe cial,” said Boon. “I’ve restored a lot of different buildings both here at this museum and other museums, but this is some thing that our museum here didn’t have. We’re not trying to take whatever buildings we can. What we have tried to do is take in very special buildings such as the police barracks or the Paddy Carroll cabin or the chapel,” Boon said.

“In this case, this was pos sibly the best example we could get of, not a quickly thrown-up type of homestead cabin for the winter, but a more higher quality, more perma nent home once people got their feet on the ground and established, and had the time and the money and resources to poke away at a more perma nent house.”

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Large cuts the ribbon at the Allen house grand opening at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum on Saturday,

Also pictured are Historical Society directors Ken Boon, Larry Evans, and Bruce Christensen.

MATT

read articles from the exposed newsprint insulation in one of the Allen house bedrooms.

$1.2M in grants help city become cleaner, greener community

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The City of Fort St. John has un veiled a series of “green” initia tives meant to cut down on its carbon footprint.

Topping the list are up grades, already underway or completed, to the lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation, & air conditioning) system at the North Peace Arena and two new electric vehicle charging stations – one at the Pomeroy Sport Centre, the other outside of Festival Plaza.

“We are the Energetic City and we believe the city should be taking leadership to raise awareness on energy options by investing in energy-efficient

buildings and demonstrating green projects,” said mayor Lori Ackerman. “Most of you know the stuff we have done over the years with the micro-hydro project, the Passive House, and now under construction the net zero mass timber RCMP building.”

Close to $850,000 in upgrades to the North Peace Arena is be ing covered through a grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure program; a fur ther $350,000 in work is being carried out through Clean B.C. and B.C. Hydro monies inside the Pomeroy Sport Centre.

“These programs encour age the city to reduce its green house gas emissions, thereby reducing a lot of operating costs

300 more working

Unemployment in North east B.C. was once again too low to report in September. It’s the fourth time this year that Stats Canada has withheld data in its monthly labour force survey, citing confidentiality.

Unemployment was too low to report in January, February, and March, be fore rising to a peak of 5% in May and June.

According to Stats-Can, there were 38,200 people working in September, 300 more than reported in Au gust. Unemployment figures as well as the unemploy ment rate were suppressed to meet confidentiality re

quirements of the Statis tics Act. The agency says it suppresses estimates below 1,500 unemployed people to prevent “direct or resid ual disclosure of identifiable data.”

With an estimated labour force of 39,300, however, there were about 1,100 people unemployed last month.

A year ago in Septem ber 2021, there were 36,200 people employed and 2,200 unemployed.

And since the beginning of 2022, the jobs count is up by 900 from January, when 37,300 were reported employed.

such as utilities, chemicals, and water consumption,” added Ackerman.

The city has also purchased a new electric-charged Olympia ice-surfacer for the Pomeroy Sport Centre equipped with a laser ice-levelling system.

“It’s projected to save tens of thousands of dollars over its lifetime,” outlined the mayor.

The figure given: over $60,000 in saved fuel and main tenance costs. According to numbers released by the city, the projects combined are ex pected to save the equivalent of just over 575,000 kilowatt hours or about 13,000 gigajoules per year. Translated, that’s equal to the electrical consumption of 79 homes here in the north.

City sees $206M in real estate sales

The BC Northern Real Estate Board released its third quar ter results last week, reporting 513 properties worth $206 mil lion were sold in the Fort St. John area through the first nine months of 2022. That’s com pared to 619 properties worth $238.7 million sold by the end of September 2021.e.

So far this year, 242 singlefamily homes have sold in the city for an average price of $413,190, and taking an aver age 62 days to sell, according to the board. Half of those homes sold for less than $385,000.

The city has also seen the sale of 62 half-duplexes, 42 homes on acreages, 80 manu factured homes on land (52) and in parks (28), and 18 vacant

lots so far this year, according to the board.

Across northern B.C., there were 4,141 properties reported sold for a total value of $1.7 billion through the first nine months of 2022. “In the third quarter, sales in the BC North ern region fell to below prepandemic levels for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis,” the board reported. “Within the quarter, sales fell sharply, and in Sep tember were at their lowest level since 2010 on a seasonally adjusted basis.”

Active listings across the north have jumped 16% quar ter over quarter, and are at their highest level since July 2020, according to the board. In Fort

St. John, there were 509 proper ties for sale at the end of Sep tember. “Given that sales have fallen sharply in the North, and active listings are edging up more gradually, the combined result of these trends has been to move the Sales-to-ActiveListings ratio back towards his torical norms and just shy of balanced market territory for the region,” the board reported.

“Other indicators like aver age price and days on market are trending towards a softer market, but still gradually. As the Bank of Canada continues tightening, albeit at a slower pace going forward, we antici pate that mortgage rates will continue to drag on prices and sales.”

What’s metastatic breast cancer?

You may have heard of metastatic breast cancer and not know how it di ers from other forms of breast cancer. In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, here’s an overview of what you need to know.

DEFINITION

Metastatic breast cancer, also called advanced or stage four cancer, is cancer that spreads beyond the breast and starts growing in at least one other part of the body. The cancer cells found elsewhere in the body are the same as those in the original cancer.

HOW IT SPREADS

All cancers can spread from one part of the body to another. However, metastatic cancer describes only solid tumours like breast, prostate and lung cancers. This term isn’t used for cancers already present at diagnosis, like leukemia and lymphoma. Breast cancer, for example, tends to spread to the bones.

However, not all cancers spread. Many factors, including how quickly the cancer develops, the size of the original tumour and how long it’s been in the body, may or may not make breast cancer metastatic. The e ectiveness of treatment also has a bearing on whether breast cancer metastasizes.

Visit cancer.ca or contact a health care professional for more information.

BREAST CANCER MYTHS

Breast cancer treatment plans vary widely depending on the characteristics of the tumour, the stage of cancer and the patient’s preferences.

Breast

October is

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Mayor Lori Ackerman does a flawless test drive of the city’s new electric-charged Olympic ice-surfacer around the east arena at the Pomeroy Sport Centre.

35 Years

Hudson’s Hope longhouse opened

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Delayed by the recent wildfire, a new First Nations longhouse built behind the school in Hudson’s Hope school was finally opened and blessed at a ceremony last Wednesday morning.

River of the Peace Metis society president and project manager Valerie Paice is thrilled to see the fin-

ished product.

“Our completion date was 100 days. It took 60 days to build this, 45 days for our paperwork and things like that,” said Paice.

“The fire had a lot to do with that, so we were behind because we didn’t finish up with our fire pit. That’ll be in next week, though.”

The whole concept, Paice admitted, was put together in an hour.

“This is going to be used so much

and the reason it’s here in the school yard and not sitting somewhere else is because of all the activities that happen around here (nearby soccer field, etc.) but this is going to be used more for cultural activities within the school.”

“Teaching the children about the dreamcatcher, the meanings and the stories.”

The first official function was a community BBQ last week.

Ridings safe in electoral boundaries proposal

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The provincial Electoral Boundaries Commission is recommending the two Peace River ridings in Northeast B.C. be kept in the legislature.

“We considered combining the two Peace River ridings, but that would have exacerbated already significant transportation and connectivity problems,” the commission wrote in its preliminary report, released Oct. 3. “We also looked at moving some of the communities just west of the Rocky Mountains into Peace River South; however, an electoral district that spans the Rocky Mountains makes little sense given the lack of reliable transportation routes.

“Importantly, South Peace communities have different interests than those of communities west of the Rockies.

“We concluded that the geographical size and communities of interest in this riding make its current boundaries necessary.

“We propose no changes to them.”

The recommendations come after months of consultations across the province, which drew large crowds at hearings held in Northeast B.C. in May. The three-member commission heard there was a need for greater representation from the northeast in the legislature,

due both to its importance to the provincial economy and the incredibly large size of the ridings.

At 175,795 square kilometres, Peace River North (pop. 40,375) is the second largest riding in B.C., according to the commission. “Travel within the district is difficult because of its size, limited transportation options and severe winter climate,” the commission noted.

By comparison, Peace River South is 30,362 square kilometres in size, population 25,635, according to the commission.

The commission said that while it considered consolidating the six northern ridings into five, “we are convinced that any such changes would deprive residents of these districts of effective representation,” it said.

“The very large geographic size of many of these ridings and their challenging terrain and weather, along with limited transportation options and poor internet connectivity, persuades us that it is truly necessary that they retain their current boundaries.”

The commission has recommended that six new ridings be created to address what it called “rapid population growth” in Langford, Burnaby, Langley, Surrey, Vancouver, and Kelowna. If adopted by the provincial government, the legislative assembly would grow from 87 to 93 members.

Holding government to account this fall session

you read that right!

A ordability is another key concern. With many families facing major uncertainty when it comes to the skyrocketing costs of living, including heightened gas prices, many people are struggling to pay their bills and keep their heads above water. They have been seeking real relief from this government, but have yet to see it. Actually, at every turn this government is increasing taxed and fees, while shutting down our resource sector.

B.C.’s healthcare crisis poses another major stressor. People are rightly concerned about a lack of timely access to medical care, particularly in our rural communities, not to mention the major shortage of family doctors.

British Columbia’s healthcare system has collapsed, and substantial action is long overdue.

The rst week of the Legislative session was particularly special as our BC Liberal caucus introduced our newest member, Elenore Sturko, to our team. Sturko was elected last month in the very successful Surrey South byelection and was part of a historical moment, being the rst MLA to pledge to King Charles III.

This session got underway with the government facing criticism for the multitude of issues British Columbians are worried about. The combination of random attacks, social disorder, and what appears to be a ‘catch-and-release’ justice system for proli c o enders has resulted in unprecedented levels of fear and anxiety in virtually every community in the province. In fact, this week the Attorney General stated, “… enforcing the law and arresting criminals is not the way forward…”? Yes,

Our province was promised a comprehensive human resource strategy last fall, only for it to be delivered a full year too late. Our system has continued to deteriorate ever since, with regular hospital closures, understa ed UPCCs, rising wait times, people dying waiting for ambulances, and nearly one million British Columbians without access to a family physician to mention a few. With all this in mind, this week our caucus called on the Health Minister to step down. People have lost faith in the lack of action and results to improve our health care system. It’s time for this government to consider a new approach, so we can ensure everyone has access to timely, highquality health care when they need it.

By Dan Davies, MLA for Peace River

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

After a delayed unveiling, the new Metis and First Nations longhouse was officially opened by a traditional ceremony Oct. 5.

Back-to-back losses for Huskies

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The Sexsmith Vipers are proving to be the team to beat, at least three weeks into the new Northwest Junior Hockey League season.

The Vipers improved to 7-0 after bouncing the Fort St. John Huskies 4-2 Saturday night at the North Peace Arena, coming on the heels of a Friday night 2-1 defeat of the Huskies by the Grande Prairie Wheat Kings.

“We gotta quit making mistakes and shooting ourselves in the foot,” said head coach Todd Alexander, a message he left with his players before they hit the showers.

“We’re creating the mistakes for these teams. They

have done a good job coming in and capitalizing on it. For the most part, we’re doing a lot of out-playing periods at a time. The finish will come.”

As with Grande Prairie, the Huskies out shot their opponent by margins of 7-5, 1110, and even 13-4 in the last period, but this game came down, at times, to who was more disciplined on the ice and the coach didn’t mince words.

“Super disappointed with some of the penalties we took tonight. Not impressed at all with some of the choices we took. I mean, it’s one thing to take a penalty because you’re working hard, but some of the penalties we were taking, the slashing, the cross-checking, those were selfish plays,” said Alexander.

WHEAT KINGS SOUR HOMEOPENER

It certainly wasn’t the homecoming the Fort St. John Huskies had hoped for as the Grande Prairie Wheat Kings doubled the Huskies 2-1 on Oct. 7

Chase London scored Fort St. John’s only goal early in the opening frame, but while the Huskies outshot their opponents in all three periods, head coach Todd Alexander didn’t feel this team played up to its potential.

Kings goaltender Cam Beson was able to shut the door on the Huskies, beginning in the middle frame, turning aside a combined 30 shots in the second and third periods.

The Huskies return to the ice Friday night, Oct. 14, home to the Beaverlodge Blades.

We recently learnt about di erent types of grass, for a 4-H activity with the Beatton Community 4-H Club at our leaders Jody Watson’s farm. Shellie, from the Forge Association taught us about the grass identi cation and where they grow and what they need to grow. We did two activities, one half of the club found as many types of grass as they could in 10 minutes and the other half threw a hula hoop into the grass cut it weight it and put it on a forge scale to determine the yield per acre. We also took multiple samples of Jody’s hay using a tool that cuts a circle into the bale then you pull it out and then you have your sample. e sample is then sent out to test the nutritional value of the hay.

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Huskies forward Nick Loewen collides with Sexsmith Viper Sam Antonio while chasing the puck during the third period,

Local golfer leads UVic to victory

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The University of Victoria Vikes golf team, with Fort St. John’s Aiden Craig-Steele on board, took top spot at the Canada West championships in Victoria last week.

Craig-Steele carded a tworound score of one-over-143, but struggled with a six-over-77 on his first day of play Monday.

“Probably the worst golf I’ve played in a while,” he said.

“My parents came down to watch and it was the first time they ever watched me, so some nerves there for sure.”

Craig-Steele did bounce

Popular Crystal Cup to return

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

After being away for three years, the Crystal Cup is back. The three-day pond hockey challenge features teams from almost every level of competition and age.

Traditionally held each year after the Family Day long weekend in February on Charlie Lake, the 2023 dates have been set for the 24-25-26.

Co-ordinator Neil Evans is excited for the event’s return.

“The Friday and Saturday are the actual open Crystal Cup, so the adults. We might be even having the finals on the Sunday morning, depending on the number of teams,” said Evans.

“We also have a youth division on the Sunday which is the Sid Davis youth memorial challenge. Just on the Sunday. It’s a separate event within

the event.”

The 2023 outdoor challenge will see up to, but no more than, 40 teams for the open division, 10 for the ladies, and 10 for the Oldtimers class.

“So, 60 teams, we’re hoping will sign up. For the youth, we’re hoping for about ten per division in U-7 through U-18.”

At 120, if all the spots are filled, it would be well over 30 more than the 84 that registered in 2019.

Evans, meantime, is hoping to have the Crystal Cup website re-launched by the end of the month, after it was taken down during the pandemic. Once up, he said teams can start to register in their respective divisions.

Although the last few months have been extremely unpredictable weather wise and we’re experiencing a far warmer fall than normal, Evans is confident they won’t

have to cancel with the event still a few months away.

“We haven’t, luckily, had to do that yet. We’ve had minus 45 and we’ve had plus7 weather, soaking wet, and we’ve managed to get it in.”

But, with no back-up dates, it will all be up to Mother Nature.

“It’s going to have to start getting cold soon,” Evans admitted.

“By February, we’re looking at anywhere between one to two feet of ice on the lake, so we’re not too worried about ice thickness at all, even with the warm weather going into the fall here. If the weather, for whatever reason, is that bad that we have to either delay or cancel the event, of course, we’ll look at refunding.”

“Pretty convinced, though, we’ll have lots of ice to hold the event again.”

back with a second-round score of five-under-66 on Tuesday, the lowest score of the tournament.

“I basically told myself and the rest of my team I need to be better, and it starts with me,” said the second-year UVic golfer, who is in his fourth year of a bachelor of science in Kinesiology.

His bounce back included two eagles (2-under-par) and three birdies (1-under-par) in his final round.

While it may seem CraigSteele was critical of his play Monday, head coach Justin Clews said he’s just competitive by nature.

“When he doesn’t perform to what he thinks his ability is, he gets pretty down on himself,” said Clews.

“He’s got a very, good positive mindset, so he regularly communicates to myself and his teammates that he’s going to get it back. If he has a bad round, quite often he’ll follow it up with a good one.”

Individually, Craig-Steele finished sixth overall on the leaderboard.

The varsity team will play once more on Oct. 23-24 at the University golf course, near UBC in Vancouver, before breaking off for winter.

Play resumes in the spring.

Great bowls of re

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

It’s said to be one of the hardest trophies to win in high school sports.

But three North Peace Secondary students won it handily Sept. 29, taking home top prize in the school’s outdoor ed chili cook-off at Charlie Lake.

Noah Wiebe, Austin Sweezey, and Ethan Apsassin won for their sweet and smoky elk burger and bacon chili, which they dubbed ‘Hair-olina Reaper’.

“It was off my mom’s recipe,” said Wiebe. “She makes one hell of a chili but I beat it this year.”

Thursday’s competition was the outdoor ed program’s third cook-off in two years, held at the Rotary RV Park.

Winning weekend for local clubs

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The Northeast BC bantam Trackers opened their regular season on a winning note Saturday afternoon, dropping the Grande Prairie Athletic Storm 7-4 on the road.

Mason McGinnis, Chase Wiens, Joshua Fung, Deacon Thomas, Easton Goulet, Carson Arberry, and Brady Dietz had the markers for NEBC.

Dysen Loewen took the win between the pipes.

The U-15s play a three-game road trip next weekend in the Edmonton-area.

The U-18 squad, meantime, blanked Grande Prairie 8-0 at the Pomeroy Sport Centre Saturday afternoon.

Xavier Burgher had a four-point game scoring twice and adding two helpers while goalie Evan Baker earned the goose egg.

MacCoy Willms also had a two-goal performance for the Trackers.

Taryn Hoskyn, Logan Thompson, Cowyn Loney, and Carver Lequiere added singles.

The midget Trackers are home next Satur-

day at 1:30 to Peace River at the North Peace Arena.

A win and a tie for the Fort St. John U-13 Flyers in their back-to-back weekend series with Whitecourt.

Trae Alexander and Channing Salinas each scored twice on Saturday in a 7-5 win over the Wolverines.

Keegan Wilson had a two-point morning in Sunday’s 5-5 draw.

The Flyers are home to the GPAC Minhas Brothers Storm next Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at the North Peace Arena.

Students made all kinds of chili, and were given only one real limitation — they couldn’t use peppers due to allergies.

Besides that, they certainly were creative, using all sorts of ingredients from elk to deer to hot dogs as their meat.

Some students used steak spice for seasoning while others used food colouring to turn their chili radioactive green. Other teams garnished their bowls with sour cream and avocado.

Judges included school district principals and admin staff, as well as members of the Rotary club.

“My friends and I, we do a chili cookout every year,” said teacher Scott Hyde. “I thought it would be a great project for the kids.”

Besides learning how to cook over a campfire and putting their culinary skills to competition, students in outdoor ed burn calories too: going on fishing and ski trips, overnight trips in Tumbler Ridge, and even going to the pool to practice cold weather safety.

Every semester is different, says Hyde.

“It’s probably our favourite field trip collectively,” he said of the chili cook-off. “The kids get a lot of fun out of it, they get to eat, and they get to win something.”

Here is the recipe for the prize-winning ‘Hair-olina Reaper’ chili — quantities to taste, according to the students:

local events to top stories

ensure that you

kept in touch with

area.

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

Fort St. John’s Aiden Craig-Steele drives the ball off the tee at the 1st hole during the 2019 Lone Wolf Classic.

DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO

On ice play from Sunday’s Sid Davis youth memorial challenge at the 2019 Crystal Cup on Charlie Lake.

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

North Peace Secondary students Noah Wiebe, Austin Sweezey, and Ethan Apsassin with teacher Scott Hyde and Ellen Lyons and Samantha Warren of the Rotary Club and RV Park.

Elk burger Bacon Onions Mushrooms Beef broth Corn

Minced garlic Tomato soup/chunks

Fort St. John mayoral candidates debate future vision of city

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John’s three-way may or’s race was front and centre at an all-candidates debate Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Lido.

Like the councillors’ forum on Monday, Shannon Stange, Steven Labossiere, and Lilia Hansen faced a range of ques tions from infrastructure to in digenous relations to arts and culture and social issues.

While there were some similarities in platforms and responses, each candidate, it turns out, will have a different focus if elected to the mayor’s chair.

All three were asked by Al aska Highway News following

the forum what their lead ing issue was going into the evening and had it changed based on the conversations –it hadn’t for all three before or after.

For Labossiere, it’s all about health care.

“I’m going to advocate for doctors, specialists, you name it. I don’t want to have to go out of town,” he said.

“Right now, I travel to Pen ticton to see a cardiologist. That’s 12 hours away. If I have to corner (health minister Adrian) Dix, he’s getting cor nered, and I will make sure he hears our voice up here.”

Labossiere’s wife is a health care aide. “They’re over worked, underpaid, and under

appreciated. I would love to have her come home happy.”

“My main issue is actually a three-pronged approach,” said Stange, when asked about his top priority.

“Dealing with the social issue of addiction-related homelessness, the infrastruc ture issues we’re facing within this community, and the need to ensure our housing is built properly and is affordable.”

“Of those, social issues are going to be a top priority for me. How do we deal with drug addiction? How do we deal with homelessness that’s a re sult of addiction? How do we deal with all of those repercus sions that are the fabric of our society, the things that are

Meet Lilia Hansen, mayoral candidate

Name: Lilia Hansen Neighbourhood: Kin Park/ Kearney/Bert Ambrose

Occupation: Provincial Ex port Advisor: Business ad visor for Northeast B.C. to assist businesses expand into new markets across Canada and internationally through the government funded Export Navigator program; Property invest ment and management; Co-owner of oilfield service company Community involvement: Sunrise Rotary – Rotarian and elected director position on executive committee; North Peace Senior Housing Soci ety – Elected board member position and City liaison; Spark Women’s Leadership Conference – Steering Com mittee member; Fort St. John Public Library – City liaison voting board member; BC Hydro Generate Opportun ities – City liaison voting committee member; Save Our Northern Seniors – City liaison; RCMP Detachment Oversight Committee – City portfolio.

• Why are you running for city council?

Because I love Fort St. John and I see the potential that lays ahead! I have 20+ years of local experience at both the provincial and mu nicipal level of government that I can put to work for our community. I have a proven track record in Fort St. John of commitment, reliability, and hard work building our community through previ ous and current roles.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

Economic development is at the centre of the future development of our com munity. It creates the tax base for the community to build the services and fa cilities that attract and re tain residents. In order to have a successful economic development strategy, we must have adequate hous ing, healthcare, education, and recreational opportun ities for future investment.

• The city has an extra mil

lion dollars - How would you spend it?

I’d put it towards the cost of building a new multiplex sports facility.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see?

A welcoming community that has housing for young families and seniors, health care services, education, and recreation facilities that will help attract and retain residents.

• What’s the last local event you attended?

Every Child Matters Walk at Centennial Park; Multiple Farmer’s Markets; Northern Light’s College Welcome Fest 2022; FSJ Hospital’s 10 Year Anniversary Cele bration; Malayali Cultural Group’s Harvest Festival Onam at Festival Plaza; International Day of Over dose Awareness Campaign at Festival Plaza; Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Ceremony at Festival Plaza; NP Fili pino Canada 15-year cele brations at Festival Plaza

Meet Shannon Stange, mayoral candidate

Name: Shannon Stange Neighbourhood: Mathews Park

Occupation: Business Con sultant / Minister - I have al ways run my businesses to fund my passion, which is creating and leading com munities of faith which serve people in the community. I’ve never been paid to be a pas tor. I have a head for business and a heart for people.

Community involvement: Trap League at the Rod & Gun Club and starting a church (right now it’s in my living room)

• Why are you running for city council?

I believe the highest call ing in life is to serve people. I love this city and the people who over the past eight years have helped me care for my father who lived here for many decades until I came back home and bought the family home off of him. Their hearts reminded me of the values people share up here and they gave me the desire to give back to this community I started life in.

I brought home my ex perience, compassion, and leadership along with ideas for how to improve our city without changing its nature.

So, listening to and serving the people of this city as May or is how I believe I can cre ate a city our children want to stay in or return to after gain ing education and experience which they too want to bring

home with them.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

1. Work to get BC Hous ing, Northern Health, and non-profits organizations to address the many facets of ad diction related homelessness.

2. Infrastructure such as roads, a multiplex pool/sports centre, and a livable down town core.

3. Creating an attractive development environment that will ensure affordable housing is built by businesses and other levels of govern ment for those starting out, for the elderly so they can age with dignity, and support this with focused inspections to ensure all our buildings are safely built by competent lo cal contractors.

• The city has an extra mil lion dollars - How would you spend it?

You stick to your budget even if you end the year with a surplus. If it’s not in the budget, you don’t spend it unless it falls under an emer gency measure.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see?

When we drive into the city, we see a clean and welcom ing entrance to the city with both new and established businesses in well built and attractive buildings lining the landscaped highway frontage.

As we turn into the city we notice the well-maintained

roads, new sidewalks, and clean alleys. In passing we no tice the functional yet beauti ful multiplex with a new pool and facilities for a variety of sports, meeting rooms, day care, dance studio, and climb ing wall.

As we drive, the absence of people living in tents or on sidewalks finally sinks in when we realize BC Hous ing has finally worked to cre ate housing options for them as a steppingstone to a life of recovery. Then, as we drive by the new creative hub built by the arts community, we arrive at the downtown core where the corners of 100th and 100th showcases the be ginnings of a livable city be ing built with new shopping, entertainment, business, and restaurants on the main floor and four floors of affordable condos above where people starting out can get into the housing market as owners.

As we carry on, we see doc tors offices and medical labs are among the new services being offered. When we get past the downtown core, we turn the corner onto a speedcontrolled street and notice a complex of housing for the aging, which is park like in nature and allows for the easy transition from independence through to the stages of care that are needed in later life.

Finally, we arrive at a park used by people of all ages, and where community gardens are creating food security for those without backyards of

keeping us from being a good society.”

For her part, Hansen be lieves the city needs to con tinue pushing for strong economic growth.

“My number one issue has always been about promot ing economic development.

I think that is one of the key foundation pieces that we need to enhance our city,” she said.

“We need those dollars to provide the amenities that are residents are seeking. We need to take a close look at taxation for business and encourage diversity, to create an environ ment that attracts investment.”

“We do have awesome staff, our chamber of commerce, we

do have community futures, fi nancial institutions. It’s about building right from the ground up. I love to see the brilliance, the get ‘er done attitude in Fort St. John.”

The second set of advanced polling stations will open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Seniors Hall on Wednesday. General voting day is Sat., Oct. 15.

Voters will elect six council lors and one mayor to serve as the next city council through to 2026.

Alaska Highway News sent a questionnaire to all candidates asking about their experience, priorities, and where they see the future of the city headed. You can read their responses on the following pages.

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why?

M.A. Carrick’s Rook & Rose trilogy. My daughters recommended the series and we enjoy discussing our favourite characters.

• What’s your dream postpandemic vacation?

With my family, we had planned to travel to Greece to celebrate our 30th an

niversary in 2020 prior to Covid travel restrictions, but really, I’d enjoy trav elling anywhere with my family. I’d also enjoy group travel with friends, possibly to Italy when possible. I love travelling to explore history, food, and good company.

• Fort St. John’s best kept secret is... Our many beauti ful parks and trails close by and within a short driving distance.

their own. As we grab our hel mets and bikes out of the back of our pickup truck we head off on the walking/biking trails to explore all the other changes that have occurred in the past 10 years in a city where housing has kept pace with our growing population.

• What’s the last local event you attended?

The Work BC Job Fair (no I wasn’t looking for a backup option. I went there to talk to employers to find out what they need from the City to help them hire and retain staff).

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why?

Book: Sex in the Snow: The Surprising Revolution In Can adian Social Values by Mi

chael Adams, because I enjoy educating myself on how we are changing as a society.

Movie: The Great Debaters staring Denzel Washington because I was about to par ticipate in the Mayoral Can didates Forum, and I wanted to remind myself of the nature and power of debate.

• What’s your dream postpandemic vacation?

I would love to return to Fiji to visit the many people I served there several years ago and, of course, to get in some scuba diving.

• Fort St. John’s best kept se cret is...

The people. They are fiercely independent with boundless hearts.

Good showing at all candidates forum for council candidates

Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The first of two all-candidates forums for the City of Fort St. John was held Monday, Oct. 3, at the Lido Theatre.

Eight of ten councillor nom inees were on hand for the twohour-long meeting, answering a series of pre-determined and audience questions.

Topics included economic development, health care, so cial issues, climate change, truth and reconciliation, and future infrastructure and cap ital projects in the city.

It also featured discussion on rural and urban taxation divide, poverty and mental health, and teenage and youth programs.

Former Fort St. John city councillor Bruce Christensen sat in the audience.

“Health care is so huge. To me, that almost drowns every thing else out,” he said, when asked what issues he was glad to see brought up.

While happy to hear the new multi-sport facility was discussed by the candidates, it was also something, he said, was on the radar when he was on council.

“That building is at the end of its days and we need to make that happen,” said Christensen.

North Peace Senior Housing Society president Gail Weber would have like to have seen housing discussed, but she understands not everything can be covered in a two-hour forum.

“I liked it, though, because I got to see the personalities of the people that were running,” she said.

“I need to come out and educate myself who’s running and what their values are and what they feel they can give to the job. I think all the candi dates did great.”

“I like that it was identi fied that the province has cer tain responsibilities, that’s it shouldn’t necessarily be the (city) taxpayer’s responsibil

ity to take on those financial obligations that the province should be dealing with,” said former city councillor Becky Grimsrud following the meeting.

The word “downloading” used by at least two of the can didates when describing the ever-increasing burden that local governments seem to be shouldering.

“I appreciated people talk ing about diversity and not just the standard ‘this is who we cater to’ but how we can bring in everyone within our com munity and not just cater to just one demographic.”

Cultural Learning and In novation Circle executive dir ector Russ Beerling thought it was great to see some new faces running for council.

“It brings a lot more divers ity to what the city is now and what the city is going to be over the next four years,” character ized Beerling.

“I really think that’s a posi tive thing. You know, it was

Meet Steven Labossiere, mayoral candidate

Name: Steven Labossiere

Neighbourhood: Southeast corner

Occupation: Owner-oper ator/bus driver Community involvement: Fort St. John Rod & Gun club

• Why are you running for city council?

Make sure the city is vi brant and fiscally healthy so my grand kids can prosper and grow up in Fort St. John.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

Health care, pool and

multi-purpose rec centre, water.

• The city has an extra mil lion dollars - How would you spend it?

Put it away for a rainy day.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see?

City with a population hovering around 25,000; healthy balance sheet.

• What’s the last local event you attended?

Farmers Market, council lors’ debate

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why?

Life on the Line . To see how linemen work with electricity.

• What’s your dream postpandemic vacation? Disneyland with family.

• Fort St. John’s best kept secret is... Sunrise and sunset, and the crystal blue skies in the winter.

Meet Trevor Bolin, city council candidate

Name: Trevor Bolin

Occupation: Businessman Community involvement: Four terms council, not for profit benefiting kids meals programs

• Why are you running for city council?

I have been fortunate to have been elected for four terms to date, and dedicated almost a decade and a half to coun cil. I have said throughout the election that we have done so much, but we aren’t done yet. I truly believe anyone can be a captain in calm seas, but the rough waters of the economy the last seven years have prov en that this position isn’t for the faint of heart. I will continue my dedication to this city and her people as we finish what we started so many years ago.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

1. Remain as the chair for the

New Pool Advisory Committee working towards seeing a pool and mixed rec facility built in the city of FSJ.

2. Increase the overlay and pothole budget the coming year from $1M to $3M, and the following year $5M without raising taxes. This will allow us to stay caught up and ensure this age old issue is one people don’t have to worry about.

3. Continue to champion the province and ministry of health for expanded health care, new mental health and addictions facility and assistance and long term planning around recruit ment and retention.

• The city has an extra mil lion dollars - How would you spend it?

I would allocate the “extra” million to the roads and over lay budget for this spring. The unintentional consequences of working so hard to keep taxes down (9th lowest in the prov

ince) has meant tightening of the belt across all sectors. It’s time to shift the focus and back to existing road repairs, over lays and a complete city-wide pothole repair program.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see?

A robust, financially sus tainable community where families put roots, businesses thrive, and community is alive. Fort St John has an amazing 10 years ahead of it, we need to continue the hard work we have started.

• What’s the last local event you attended?

I was the emcee of The Block Party last month.

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why?

The last book I finished was Healing Grief. Before my mom passed away last month, she asked me to read it so that I

Meet Amy Cox, city council candidate

Name: Amy Cox Neighbourhood: Finch area

Occupation: Entrepreneur Community involvement: Board secretary of TAFFY; member of North Peace Fall Fair; member of North Peace Pride Society

• Why are you running for city council?

I chose to run because I noticed there is a disconnect between city council and the Fort St. John community. One big thing that I value is communication, and I would love to help bridge that gap.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

• The city has an extra mil lion dollars - How would you spend it?

I would love to send out a voter poll, survey, or host a town hall to see what the community would like to see the extra funds go towards.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see?

Growing and improv ing the city with adequate amenities for recreation that offer programs for children including underprivileged children youth. Emergency and low income housing to help uplift people out of poverty instead of keep ing them in it. Incentive plans to keep, recruit, and retain medical staff and en

courage the growth of local businesses.

• What’s the last local event you attended?

The block party.

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why?

Hocus Pocus 2 , because I have been waiting forever for it to be produced and released.

• What’s your dream postpandemic vacation?

A month in Japan with my fiancé. Going to Studio Ghi bli, Super Mario World, and Tokyo Disney. Travelling to different cities and enjoying the history and culture. I am also a big architecture fan, so I would love to see temples. I

brought up tonight, they (the candidates) would like to see more of these kind of roundt able sessions.”

Beerling is on board with the idea.

“That’s important because I think sometimes there’s a lack of engagement with the people that are, I don’t want to say tax payers, I want to say just the people.”

“I think the topics were well thought out. I certainly have about 12 pages of notes in my notebook and I’m going to take a look at some of the responses that were given by the candi dates,” said current mayor Lori Ackerman who, for the first time in 17 years, isn’t running.

“To really see what their vi sion is, what they feel their role is as a member of council.”

Because of the large number, organizers did things a little dif ferently this time around – can didates only having to answer questions they were comfort able with, by raising a card in advance.

“I liked that the candidates got to choose the topics they wanted to speak to because it allowed them an opportunity to speak to their passions,” said Fort St. John & District cham ber of commerce executive dir ector Cheryl Montgomery.

“Sure they can answer ques tions about other topics and needs of the community, but digging in to that expertise is really important, things they’re going to dive into when they’re a councillor.”

The second set of advanced polling stations will open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Seniors Hall on Wednesday. General voting day is Sat., Oct. 15.

Voters will elect six council lors and one mayor to serve as the next city council through to 2026.

Alaska Highway News sent a questionnaire to all candidates asking about their experience, priorities, and where they see the future of the city headed. You can read their responses on the following pages.

would understand and accept her passing easier.

• What’s your dream postpandemic vacation?

Ireland, to show my boys where their 4th great-grand parents were from, the his tory, why they left and how they came to Canada. We must not forget where we

came from, and how import ant our roots are.

Its people, the generosity of the people of Fort St. John can not be matched anywhere else. We take care of each other, and the sense of community is thriving.

would just love to go every where and do everything!

• Fort St. John’s best kept secret is...

Our local programs, re

sources, and societies. Espe cially our societies, they are the “behind the curtains” of every event and the people deserve the recognition and support.

Fort St. John’s best kept secret is...

TAURUS

JAMES WILLIAM CARRIGAN

Rosie Dawn Kent

Parents:

Round dance celebration

Dave Luenberg sports@ahnfsj.ca

The Taylor Community Hall played host to the first-ever Treaty 8 Tribal Associa tion’s National Day for Truth and Rec onciliation round dance and feast.

The association’s executive director, Marlene Roy, said it was quickly put together in about a month.

“It was actually the District of Taylor who reached out to us and said they wanted to do something Sept. 30,” she said.

But what is a round dance?

BABY BOUQUET

APR 21/MAY 21

Taurus, rather than wishing for something to happen, gure out a plan to make it happen. Before taking action, consult with a few close friends for guidance.

GEMINI  MAY 22/JUN 21

Someone may come to you this week with a problem asking for your advice, Gemini. It’s tempting to react right away. However, take a few hours to mull things over.

CANCER  JUN 22/JUL 22

Someone at work may not agree with your point of view lately. Rather than cause friction, try to look at things through this person’s perspec tive.

LEO  JUL 23/AUG 23

Leo, cooperation could be essential in the days and weeks ahead. This week you will bene t from being more open-minded to other people’s suggestions.

VIRGO  AUG 24/SEPT 22

It seems that you have been tasked with moving from one di cult situation into another one, Virgo. Find ways to set aside time strictly to unwind.

LIBRA  SEPT 23/OCT 23

Keep careful track of your expenses, Libra. You may nd that lately you have been going a bit overboard with expenditures and not bringing in any extra money.

SCORPIO  OCT 24/NOV 22

Maintain a positive outlook this week, Scorpio. Things may not go exactly according to plan, but that doesn’t make it any less successful and satisfying.

SAGITTARIUS  NOV 23/DEC 21

Sagittarius, you may have to put others rst for the next few days, par ticularly if you care for an elderly relative or a young child. It’s a sacri ce worth making.

DEC 22/JAN 20

CAPRICORN

Capricorn, let another person lead a team or spearhead a project at work, even if you have an urge to take control. You can use a break from your responsibilities.

JAN 21/FEB 18

AQUARIUS

Aquarius, hands-on work not only helps save you some money, but also strengthens your

a more

“It’s just people getting together, cele brating, sharing, visiting,” explains Roy. “I think our lives get so hectic, we don’t take that time anymore.”

The evening featured both round and tea dances.

“There’s no difference. It’s the cul tures. Dene is a tea dance. For the Cree, it’s a round dance.”

Like May’s annual Spirit of the Peace Pow Wow, also held in Taylor, First Na tions from as far away as Saskatchewan, even on the short notice, came out to

take part.

Roy is planning for it to be an annual event and on Sept. 30 with a underlining purpose.

“We’re reconciling. We want to move forward. We want to honour our chil dren that never came home as well as honouring our residential school survivors.”

“When we first came together to de cide to do this round dance, we thought why not include all the nations. So, it was really important to incorporate the tea dance and the round dance into one event,” said Connie Greyeyes with the organizing committee.

“Long ago, we weren’t allowed to have these kinds of ceremonies or gath erings. It’s especially important on Or ange Shirt Day...to come together to laugh, dance, sing, share a meal.”

For Greyeyes, the day is an emotional one with highs and lows.

Her mom, 91, is a residential school survivor.

“She’s inside listening to all the drum ming. It couldn’t be anymore perfect for us.”

Postal changes cause disruption

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Changes to the rural mail system are underway in the North Peace, however, the switchover has frustrated some resi dents who say they haven’t received their mail in weeks.

Canada Post says it changed three Fort St. John region routes from rural addressing to civic addressing, a move affecting around 3,500 customers in Fort St. John, including post office box holders in Charlie Lake.

Lisa Liu, a spokesperson for the Crown corporation, says the change was implemented Sept. 12 for numer ous postal codes “that are unique to the individual delivery sites, to optimize and continue to efficiently manage mail delivery routes.”

Those affected have been assigned a new community mailbox compartment as Canada Post reorders sites in alphanumeric order, she said.

“The civic addressing program, which has been implemented in many rural regions across the country for sev eral years, is the matching of a physical address to its mailing address,” said Liu.

“This adjustment gives customers one consistent address to serve both purposes and helps Canada Post im prove efficiency and accuracy of mail and parcel delivery.”

Still, long waits at the Fort St. John post office have been reported as resi dents line up to update their addresses and move to the new system.

One rural resident, who wished to

remain anonymous, told Alaska High way News they haven’t received mail in nearly three weeks.

While the resident said they had no problem with updating their addresses and P.O. box for their residence and business, they were concerned about the short notice and a resulting delay in service.

The resident says they are relying on the postal service for timely delivery of financial and personal health docu ments for their family.

“The Upper Halfway has the prob lem, the whole North Pine area has the problem. It was not thought through, and people were not properly informed about it,” they said.

“Since they changed, I have no mail and that costs me an arm and a leg be cause we have businesses in [another country], and I do a lot of banking and all this kind of stuff through the mail.”

Liu says Canada Post goes “to great lengths” to not change postal codes, however, she adds doing so is some times required to accommodate com munity growth or route adjustments.

Liu says there were consultations about the changes, and that new keys and information were delivered to cus tomers in mid-August.

“Canada Post consulted with the mu nicipality to outline the project,” said Liu, adding, “Several letters were sent to customers over the past six months explaining the upcoming change and requesting information in order to provide mail forwarding service for 12 months, free of charge.”

next

PISCES

Emilee

Seniors hall needs help paying property taxes

By Ruby McBeth

The Seniors Hall needs help to pay their property taxes.

Drive to the Seniors Hall on Wednesday, October 19, from 11:30 to 1:00 for a delicious chili lunch. This is a drive-thru event. Go around to the back of the hall to get your order filled. For a $15 donation, you will get a bowl of chili, a Caesar salad, a bun, and a bottle of water. Additional cash donations also welcome. The address is 10908 100 Street just a block past the police station.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Start your Christmas preparations by joining in Operation Christmas Child. This is a program to fill shoe boxes with small gifts for needy children. Examples are pencils, toothbrushes, socks, and small toys. No food or liquids as they are sent overseas. If you are filling a box yourself, you can pick a free one up at

the Dollar Tree. Boxes will be filled at the Peace Lutheran Church basement on Saturday, Oct. 22, beginning at 10 a.m. They especially need older boy items, soap, and sunglasses. Bring small gifts that day. For more information call Susanne at 250-787-0184.

KISKATINAW BRIDGE

A few weeks ago, Lorne and I took a drive south.

On our return, Lorne was wondering when the new Kiskatinaw River Bridge was built. I pulled in just beyond the bridge where I knew there was a rest stop. Sure enough, there was a cairn there telling us that the bridge was built in 1978.

ART EXHIBIT

The art gallery in the cultural centre is featuring the works of some well know

local artists in the month of October. From October 7th until the 29th you can see original works by Sandy Troudt, Kenneth Lane, Mike Kroecher, and Don Hoffmann.

LEARNING THE LINGO

This week’s term is ‘cursor’. This week I am talking about how to change the colour, size, and style of the cursor. You go into settings and then type in cursor. This gives you choices of colours and also a choice for the size of your cursor. For me, a larger cursor is a distraction, but if they help you then go larger. You can also choose a hand instead of an arrow. Your computer may have a slightly different way of getting to changing the cursor, but it will be found in the settings.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”- Albert Einstein

Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John.

Seasons of change

By John Grady

As we begin to close the summer season down and look forward to autumn, it reflects the true season of change.

We could look back at our summer and consider what we did, what we wanted to do but didn’t, what we didn’t want to do but had to, and, of course, the unexpected that nobody plans for, but we must respond to the events of change.

In looking forward, we see the chil dren and teens heading back to school and all that it entails for them, their parents, and the teachers. For many employees who were able to take some holiday time, it’s back to work and scheduled routines trying to balance all their different responsibilities at work and at home.

As we look at the weather forecast, we see a change from our incredible warm summer weather to the trad itional fall weather and we begin to change our clothing options.

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II after serving 70 incredible years on the throne, there is change with her eldest son Charles becoming King Charles III.

All of these changes are traditional seasonal events and happenings which we are accustomed to, and in large part take for granted.

For some of us, during this past summer we have seen our loved ones suffering with major health issues, several passing from life to death. This includes losing some passionate fellow believers and followers of Christ from the Fort St. John area, as they passed their time on earth to their reward for eternity in heaven with their Lord and the family of believers who have pre ceded them.

Reflecting on the word change, it wasn’t long ago that that we attended funerals but now it is the ‘Celebration of Life’. It was while attending celebra tion of life events this summer for a couple of fellow believers, who were veterans of their faith and walked with incredible passion and purpose in their love for Christ, that the baton of change and passion is being passed onto others.

Interestingly, when we examine the New Testament scriptures we read where Jesus teaches us to change and become like little children, and to do that we need to humble ourselves. He, of course, is referring to our faith and trust in Him just as a child in normal circumstances has such an incredible faith. As adults, with all our so-called sophistication, pride, macho image, success, maturity, deep pain in our past, disbelief, it’s hard for us to hum ble ourselves and yield in faith to Him.

The Good News for all of us is that He does not Change as His love and forgiveness remain the same. In the Epistle of James, we read: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

During this season of change let us embrace the One whose love for us does not change.

John Grady lives and writes in Fort St. John.

COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE

RUBY MCBETH PHOTO

The cairn at the new Kiskatinaw River Bridge, opened in 1978.

PLAY FOR THE THRILL!*

STARTS OCT. 4

Meet Lyle Goldie, city council candidate

Name: Lyle Goldie

Neighbourhood: Triangle Park area

Occupation: Indigenous Relations

Team Lead for BC Timber Sales

Community involvement: President of the North Peace Pride Society; rep resentative on the Fort St John Arts Council; member of Stage North The atre Company and volunteer with the North Peace Cultural Centre; board director for the Fort St John Public Library; board director for the Cul tural Learning and Innovation Circle (CLIC); volunteer for the North Peace Museum; member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ sub-committee for the BCGEU provin cial leadership; professional member of the British Columbia Association of Professional Archaeologists

• Why are you running for city coun cil? I am running in this election to add my skills in relationship building, com munications, and indigenous relations to the leadership of the City of Fort St John that will create a vibrant com munity that celebrates the diversity of all cultures, creates balance in our resource sector with sustainable tech nologies, and is a home to both young and young at heart. I look forward to adding my voice, my energy, and my perspective to the leadership of the City of Fort St John.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

1. Taxation policies that must be fair and future solution orientated.

2. Advocate for the development of affordable accommodations; the city

needs more affordable housing for residents of all walks of life.

3. I will add my voice to the conver sation for a new pool/multiplex facility and continue to work together with the Regional District to provide a multiseason facility that we can all enjoy. This adds a wonderful amenity to our community that keeps our families and folks of all ages healthy, active, and locally focused. This helps ensure that dollars made here, stay here.

• The city has an extra million dollars - How would you spend it? I would like to see an extra million dollars spent on improving our roads and filling in pot holes. For example, we could really use some attention to 102nd Street as it is a main artery for our city.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see? Ten years from now, I am picturing 30,000 people calling Fort St John home. I find a Creative Hub lo cated in the heart of our city that con tains multiple studio spaces for our local artists and provides accommoda tion downtown. The finishing touch es are being completed on our new multiplex. Doig River First Nation has completed their Naache Commons de velopment with a gas station, retail and office spaces and a multi-storey apart ment building. There would be more housing for seniors with the expansion of Peace Villa completed.

• What’s the last local event you at tended? The last local event that I at tended was the Allen House opening at the North Peace Museum. I have been waiting for the completion of this project since I started volunteering at the museum. It was very interesting to be able to walk through the home and hear stories from the family members who grew up there. On Friday night, I will be attending the Living In Peace art exhibit at Peace Gallery North, and checking out Naomi Shore’s album re lease party at the Lido; I’m looking for ward to a great show!

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why? The last book I read was, Where Happiness Dwells; it’s a collection of stories and history of the Dane-Zaa peoples in the Peace region. I really enjoy learning about the history of our region, as it adds to my archaeo

Meet Gord Klassen, city council candidate

Name: Gord Klassen

Neighbourhood: C.M. Finch

Occupation: City Councillor Community involvement: I have served this community in many ways over the years, including as a pastor; volunteer firefighter; chaplain to the Fire Department; support worker in SD60 schools; NPSS Parent Advisory Council president; Gradfest volunteer; a mem ber of the SD60 Board of Education; chair of the Hospital Ethics Committee; co-ordinator for the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoe Box Project; executive director of the Hospital Foundation; cochair of the Multicultural Society.

• Why are you running for city coun cil? I want to serve on City Council be cause I love this community, this is my home, and I want to make it the best place to live, work, and play – a place that I, my children, and my grandchil dren want to call “home,” a place we can afford to live, and a place where we can flourish and grow. I offer my leader ship experience, my passion, my time, my ‘big picture’ thinking, and my policy and governance experience to make City Council as effective and productive as possible.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

1. A strong and clear vision, strategy, and plan for the future of Fort St. John, including our infrastructure, amenities, development, arts & recreation, etc.; 2. Efficient and effective planning, budget ing, and spending of tax dollars; 3. Stra tegic partnerships with individuals, businesses, and non-profit organiza tions to accomplish my #1 priority.

• The city has an extra million dol lars - How would you spend it? My first inclination was to say, let’s use the $1,000,000 to fill in more potholes, but it’s not that simple. The decision as to

where to spend that money is much more in-depth than that, and has farreaching impacts. There are always so many competing priorities and inter ests, so I would be inclined to be very thoughtful and strategic, and put that money towards whatever makes the most sense long-term. It may be wise to invest the money so that we can increase its value, or put the money towards a project where we receive matching dol lars from provincial or federal grants, or set it aside in a reserve fund for unfore seen issues that may arise. It may mean contributing to a partner organization who is working with the City to pro vide services to our community. What ever way we spend that (hypothetical) $1,000,000, I would recommend that we spend it on a one-time basis, not count ing on it or depending on it to be an on going source of money (the same way the City spends our Peace River Agree ment dollars on capital projects rather than operations).

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What

do you see? What I wish for 2032 is a City that is financially sound, managed well, and affordable; a safe community with top quality health care for every one. I picture a City that is vibrant and active, with beautiful parks and trail, flourishing arts and culture, energetic sports and recreation, and facilities that make all of that possible. I envision a place that is truly a community in its truest sense of the word, with welcom ing neighbourhoods, people helping people, everyone getting involved to make this the best place to live.

• What’s the last local event you at tended? I enjoyed the North Peace Fall Fair a few weeks ago, where I watched, learned, and even participated in some ‘farming’ type activities. The Fair is such a fun, meaningful reminder of our con nection to our rural neighbours and the importance of agriculture and farming in our region. I have visited the Farm ers Market several times this year and appreciate all the vendors and the var iety of products that they produce. I am thankful for the opportunity the market provides to connect with neighbours, discover new products, and support our local businesses. I recently par ticipated in the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation “Orange Shirt Day” event in Fort St. John, which impacted me once again with the reality of what Indigenous Peoples in Canada have gone through, and how important it is that we recognize that fact and work to build relationships as communities and as individuals.

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why? I am currently read ing a book entitled Dream Big. As the author puts it, it is about recapturing the life we dreamed of, identifying the obstacles we are facing, and developing

Meet Jim Lequiere, city council candidate

Name: Jim Lequiere Neighbourhood: Ambrose Northeast

Occupation: Retired dual ticketed trades person. Currently TOC (teacher on call) for School District 60

Community involvement: Currently a city councillor, president of the Josh Lequiere Society and coached many years in minor hockey, soccer, and baseball. Supporter and helper with the Huskies. Also, sat on numerous executive boards for recreation groups.

• Why are you running for city council? I moved my young family to FSJ in 1986 and now my children are raising their children in FSJ, and my grandchildren live and play in FSJ. I had a great career in the natural gas industry working in and around FSJ for 30 years. Now I want to use my experience in budgeting, planning and infrastructure to step up my personal involvement even more to give back to a community that has given me and my family security, happi ness, and a great place to call home.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

logical work and my own appreciation of our shared history. As for movie, the last movie that I watched was Hocus Pocus 2; I love the original and I was excited to see the sequel. Plus, it’s close to Halloween!

• What’s your dream post-pandemic vacation? Travelling the Greek Islands - I attended an archaeological field school on mainland Greece and it was an incredible experience. We were liv ing/working in a tiny village with goat herds as traffic and every morning we would watch the sunrise over Mount Olympus. I, always, wanted to travel the Greek islands, to check out the beautiful architecture and experience the island lifestyle.

• Fort St. John’s best kept secret is... It’s hard not to sound biased, but…. Our annual Pride Walk and Festival. Every year I get people, new to town or new to Canada, that come up to me and talk about how they never knew something like this happened in our community. They tell me how much fun they had and how they cannot wait until next year; we are so lucky to have so many wonderful businesses volun teer and participate. The Pride Walk is a great opportunity to try a slice of piz za from my favourite pizza shop, Soul Sweet Café and 250 Pizza, or a rainbow cupcake baked by Aniela’s Kitchen. So many attendees get excited describing the Pride Walk as a great event filled with lots of colour, happy faces, and an amazing show.

a plan to reach our goals. It is enjoyable reading, and I am learning with every page I read. I like that in a book!

• What’s your dream post-pandemic vacation? I would like to spend some time, once again, in Hawaii. It has been three years since our last tropical vaca tion and, as much as I enjoy life in Fort St. John all year round, it is always nice to spend a few days mid-winter in the hot sun and a warm sandy beach! Fin gers crossed.

• Fort St. John’s best kept secret is... I’m not sure these are secrets, but I know that there are at least two things about our community that people may not be aware of until they live here – two things I appreciate so much, and brag about wherever I go: First, I admire the innovation and co-operation displayed by people in our community. Whether there is an issue, a problem, or an op portunity, I have watched in amaze ment as individuals, organizations, and businesses in our community, find a way to adapt, pivot, and create solu tions. The word “can’t” does not seem to be in our vocabulary; giving up is not an option. As they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way! Secondly, I am so proud of the way that, in our community, the term “neighbour” really means some thing. I am constantly overwhelmed by the stories I hear of neighbours help ing neighbours, people who don’t even know each other, pitching in to pro vide whatever is needed, whether its food, a job, a ride, or just someone to talk to. This extends to our non-profits and businesses that constantly come alongside and contribute, financially or otherwise, to local needs, local projects, and local events. We are blessed to have such caring and generous people in our community.

1. Fiscal responsibility on city spend ing; 2. A good quality of lifestyle for our FSJ families and citizens; and 3. Economic development and growth within our city limits and downtown core with a strong voice for quality and timely healthcare for our community.

• The city has an extra million dollarsHow would you spend it? I would use it as surplus, to cover budget shortfalls if that happens. Fiscal responsibility.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see? A Costco on Alaska Highway and a thriving community filled with fam ilies coming and going throughout town. Extended city limits to include numer ous large housing developments which surround a new high school and middle school. There will be 2 big new shopping malls and a new multiplex aquatic centre within our city limits.

Also, senior housing will be a thing of beauty - it will have its own neighbour hood which would include a drug store, grocery store, restaurant, rec center and

a large community garden. We will be a city with low taxes and affordable hous ing. Lastly our downtown core will be filled with new structures consisting of beautiful complexes with condos on the top floors with businesses, restaurants, and retail on the bottom floor. A city we are proud to call home.

• What’s the last local event you at tended? Ribfest and Energetic County Fair. Both great venues

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why? Top Gun Maverick

It’s just a great action movie and I think it’s better than the original. The book was Back Yard Giants! It’s a book about a young girl’s desire to grow a world record pump kin and how she goes about trying to find the secrets of the correct soil mixture and organic fertilisers to make her dream come true. It has a few twists and interesting characters along the way, it’s a great read!

• What’s your dream post-pandemic vacation? Staying at my daughter’s cabin at Moberly Lake for a few weeks with her

family and having other family members there with all our grand kids. Family rocks!

• Fort St. John’s best kept secret is... Be ing the president of a Canadian Registered Charity, The Josh Lequiere Society, that is an easy question. Without a doubt, it’s the businesses and people of FSJ. Their gener osity and caring for their fellow FSJ families and citizens in need.

Meet Sarah MacDougall, city council candidate

Name: Sarah MacDougall

Neighbourhood: Panorama Ridge, however, we just purchased a new home and will be moving three blocks away

Occupation: Environmental Public Health Practitioner

Community involvement: Vice-chair of North Peace Gymnastics Associa tion, Director of North Peace Savings and Credit Union, Treasurer of Totem Preschool Nursery Society (transi tioning off this board after three years). I am also an active volunteer at my church and children’s schools.

• Why are you running for city coun cil? I am running for council because I want to see our community continue to improve and thrive; I don’t want FSJ to be a place people come short-term to work and then leave. I believe that I bring a valuable perspective and ex perience that would lend well to deci sions that build a community that we

are all proud to call home.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

1. Recruitment and Retention of pro fessionals (such as healthcare); 2. Chil dren and Families (as a mom of young children and with senior parents who live here, I want the multi-generation family supported); 3. Building of a New Pool and Indoor Recreation Centre

• The city has an extra million dollars

- How would you spend it? As a mil lion dollars would not go a long way in the construction of a new pool, I would use it to resurface 98 Street. It is in poor shape but saw significant traffic vol ume due to the closure/changes to 100 Street.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see? I want to see Fort St John continue to be a thriving industry town, one that offers more than just a good pay cheque. A place with a great indoor pool and rec centre that compliments our other recreational opportunities.

A vibrant downtown where people live, with great food and shops. A place where our youth have been supported to pursue professions that fit with the needs of our community and then come back to settle and raise their families here; where seniors are supported to remain in the community upon retire ment and are near their grandchildren.

• What’s the last local event you at tended? The Walk for Truth and Reconciliation.

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why? Kinfolk by Pearl S. Buck - it is an old book that I recently discovered about four children who re turned to the homeland of their parents and discovered their roots. I’m a fan of historical fiction; it was a great read and highlights the value of understanding your family background.

What’s your dream post-pandemic vacation? After keeping it close to home for the last few years, I would like

Meet Gary Patara, city council candidate

Name: Gary Patara

Neighbourhood: Originally from Kamloops but live in Fort St. John Occupation: Mortgage broker & local business owner Community involvement: Rotary and Chamber of Commerce member

• Why are you running for city council? To contribute to increasing the quality of life for people is one of the greatest acts of service a person can do.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

I actually have 4 top priorities: 1. Facilitate greater community engage ment using technology; 2. Supporting local businesses by helping the city streamline permits & licensing; 3. Helping seniors access services more easily and helping them navigate an

increasingly technological world; 4. Increase recreational amenities and encourage the development of more retail outlets and restaurants to at tract new residents and boost local spending.

• The city has an extra million dollars - How would you spend it? I would first determine where the largest qual ity of life improvements would be felt by the greatest number of residents in the city. One fact is that FSJ is a vehicle dependent city so I think spending a surplus million on improving road infrastructure would be a good use of funds.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see? Well, let’s start with some facts first: 1. There is a global push towards cleaner energy alterna

tives; 2. Current geopolitical events are increasing the demand for stable energy sources; 3. The city’s attractive ness in job prospects, current level of amenities, and housing affordability is competitive enough to attract new residents. I predict that by 2032 FSJ will have a greater population base, more recreational facilities for families to enjoy, and an even broader range of shopping alternatives and eateries.

• What’s the last local event you at tended? I attended last week’s Farm er’s Market at Festival Plaza.

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why? I watched a docu mentary titled A Trip to Infinity on Netflix a few days ago. I enjoyed it be cause it was thought provoking.

• What’s your dream post-pandemic

Meet Byron Stewart, city council candidate

Name: Byron Stewart Neighbourhood: City of Fort St. John Occupation: Recruitment & Retention Ambassador for Northern Health Community involvement: As an ac tive member of our community, I have volunteered on various com munity boards. Currently I am a board member of North Peace Kidsport, and Vice-President of the Fort St. John As sociation for Community Living.

• Why are you running for city coun cil? I believe I have more to offer and I am excited about the future of our community. I am looking forward to continuing the conversations and ad vocating for the needs of our commun ity in regards to healthcare, economic diversification, public safety and edu cational opportunities for our youth.

My nephew, Jack, is 14 years old and in four years, after this coming term, he will be 18 and can vote; he could put his name forward in the next election if he chose to. This excites me! I want the opportunity to continue building our community stronger, healthier, more beautiful and with the amenities avail able for our youth, such as Jack, to want to live here and be proud to call Fort St. John home.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

1. Continue advocating for the needs of our community in regards to health care, economic diversification, public safety and educational opportunities for our youth. We need to work with our community partners.

2. Our North Peace Leisure Pool

needs to be replaced – and we must think bigger than a replacement pool. We have an opportunity to build a multi-plex facility for all ages; our chil dren, families, and seniors, who have varied interests. Consultation with our residents has been done in 2018 and again in 2022 and in my mind the expectations are clear: We need a second fieldhouse/soccer pitch, rac quet courts, a gymnasium, climbing wall and more – AND yes, a pool. We have an opportunity to build a facility that can host competitive sport com petitions on a provincial and national level as well as provide a safe & fun in door environment for families for many years to come.

3. We must continue to focus on infrastructure upgrades throughout our community. I am proud of the amen ities we have been able to add to our community: hospital, fire hall, skate board park, dog park, festival plaza and our revamped Centennial Park. We still have much more to do: RCMP detach ment, Kin and Surerus Parks upgrades, the continued expansion and improve ments of our underground infrastruc ture, community trails, sidewalks, streetlighting and roads. These amen ities and upgraded infrastructure are important to the residents of our com munity now and for years to come.

• The city has an extra million dollars - How would you spend it? I would prioritize this money to go toward our road overlay program. This will enable more overlay of existing paved roads

to ensure safe and efficient movement of traffic and extend the life of the road base.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see? I see a safe welcoming com munity. I see a beautifully upgraded downtown core with safe, clean, well-lit streets and sidewalks. I see the current large vacant lots with new mixed com mercial/residential development filling them. I see our hospital being staffed with graduates from our nursing school as well as other expanded healthcare related programs being offered locally through Northern Lights College and UNBC. I see a beautiful multi-plex facil ity filled with persons of all ages making healthy use the pool, the soccer pitch, the racquet courts, the gymnasium and other amenities under one roof all year long. I additionally see the continued additions of public art in all civic build ing and throughout the public spaces of our community. I see a healthy com munity and one that I will be proud to call home.

• What’s the last local event you at tended? Lisa and I attended the 2022 National Day for Truth and Reconcilia tion walk of acknowledgment held in Centennial Park.

• What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why?The last book I read was They Call Me Supermensch by Shep Gordon. As a music fan, I have long been aware of Shep Gordon’s career as a manager and agent for Alice Cooper, Blondie, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac and others. I greatly enjoyed reading

Meet Tony Zabinsky, city council candidate

Name: Tony Zabinsky

Neighbourhood: Ambrose

Occupation: City Councillor/Retired Commercial Banker Community involvement: North Peace Community Foundation - Direc tor, Northern Lights College Founda tion - President, PRRD - FSJ Director, PRRD Solid Waste Committee, FSJ Petroleum Association and Taylor Rec Hockey League.

• Why are you running for city coun cil? I have always loved our city. I wish to continue to be a team player and provide the expertise that I have con tributed thus far as a City Councillor. I believe there is more to be done to make our community better and will continue to be a strong voice for the citizens of Fort St. John. These are

challenging times and we need good financial accountability. That’s my background and that’s my strength.

• What are your top 3 priorities?

1. Being transparent and finan cially accountable to insure the people of Fort St John and the City are on the same page moving for ward; 2. Fostering economic growth by promoting our city’s assets that will retain and attract skill workers; 3. Promoting a healthy community as I strongly believe we need a new pool/ multi-complex.

• The city has an extra million dollars

- How would you spend it? My finan cial background says, “Don’t Spend the Funds!” Like anything else, we al ways have unexpected costs/expendi tures that come up and this would be

available for those times, as budget re serves are always required.

• Picture Fort St. John in 2032. What do you see? I see a vibrant community with successful economic growth, low tax base, and affordable housing. I also see a variety of sustainable business es in our downtown core. I see more skilled workers in all sectors and have accessible health services to everyone. We will have a new multiplex by then to support our existing parks & leisure facilities that will be accessible for all ages.

•What’s the last local event you at tended? Every Child Matters: Walk & BBQ @ Centennial Park.

•What’s the last movie or book you enjoyed and why? Buzz Lightyear with my five-year-old grandson. Family is

to explore somewhere new like Greece. Fort St. John’s best kept secret is... Polka Dot Penguin. It is a new, locally owned party supply and toy store. My kids love it and it has many great items. This gem won’t stay a secret for long.

vacation? I would like to go on a bi cycle trip to Spain one day.

• Fort St. John’s best kept secret is... The walking trails at Fish Creek.

about Shep Gordon’s life and career as he molded the famous careers of musi cians, actors and even celebrity chefs. A fun and interesting read.

• What’s your dream post-pandem ic vacation? Headed to Nashville in November!

• Fort St. John’s best kept secret is... The volunteers within our community. My advice to anyone new to our com munity is to contact a local not-forprofit organization that aligns with your personal interests, whether it be sport, the arts, children or senior’s services, the disabled, homelessness & poverty or in relation to pets & animals. It is through these caring organizations that the true strengths of our community can be seen. It is the work done by our community volunteers that make our community truly shine.

everything and you have to take the time to enjoy those moments.

• What’s your dream post-pandemic vacation? I would like to take my dad on a Via Rail train tour from Vancouver to Toronto, as this is on his bucket list.

• Fort St. John’s best kept secret is... The people, of course!

debut

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The Tse’K’wa cave at Charlie Lake is the first and only national historic site in Northeast B.C.

And much work has happened this year to broaden our under standing of its significance and the first peoples who lived here thou sands of years ago.

The first research excavations in more than 30 years took place at the site in May and June.

That work is the focus of a new documentary called Stewards of Tse’K’wa, produced by Bamboo Shoots and which made its local debut at the Lido Theatre on Thurs day, Sept. 29.

“Most of the previous excavations have focused on the immediate cave area and the work that we’re doing now is over the entire property, al lowing us to contextualize that pre vious work that’s been done,” says Alyssa Currie, executive director for the Tse’K’wa Heritage Society.

Tse’K’wa means “rock house” and is one of the most significant ar chaeological sites in North America.

Though well-known to local resi dents and First Nations, the cave was only discovered by archaeolo gists in 1974. Among the artifacts found during its initial excavations were a 10,500 year-old stone bead, spear and arrow points, harpoon heads, and bones from humans and various animals including bison and raven.

But what archaeologists didn’t find much of at the cave itself were tool flakes, something to suggest a longer-term occupation.

During this year’s dig though, thousands of flakes were discovered by students working at excavation sites above the cave.

“One of the most exciting things that we found above the cave and on the upper property was thou sands of flakes,” Currie says. “That confirms what the archaeological record suggested and what the oral histories suggested, that the place of actual occupation, if you want to call it that, was above the cave and was on that surrounding landscape, not the cave itself.”

Alaska Highway News spoke with Currie before the film screening about the Tse’K’wa project, and how she came to be involved with the heritage society.

How has your experience been with the heritage society?

It’s given me the chance to recon nect with an area I grew up in. I was born and raised in Dawson Creek, very close to here, and it’s only since moving away that I’ve come to ap preciate the history of this place. Getting to connect with the nations is something that’s very new to me, and the nations have been so wel coming. It’s been such an incredible learning opportunity and a chance for me to connect with the land in a new way.

How long were you away?

I moved away about 10 years ago, and I’ve moved around. Most re

cently, I was in Grande Prairie for the four years preceding. I did a little bout in Prince George, Victoria, Ot tawa, a few places, working and go ing to school. I went to school, twice, did my undergraduate and my mas ter’s degrees, and then found my way back here.

A master’s degree in… English literature, actually, 18th century literature. So it was a project making use of museums and librar ies and archives, and then I found myself wanting to be on the other side of that relationship and getting to make that history accessible to new people.

How did the Tse’K’wa opportunity come up for you?

I heard through the professional grapevine that Tse’K’wa was go ing to be looking for an executive director. I did not know very much about the Dane-zaa culture at that time but what I did know was non profit organization and operations, things like grant writing, adminis tering programs. So I thought, what a great opportunity for me to bring the things that I know and to learn about something that’s completely new for me.

Had you heard of the Charlie Lake cave growing up?

I had never heard of the cave until I went off to university and it was in a first year history class that I learned about the cave for the very first time. I actually wrote my term paper in that class about the Char lie Lake cave, as it was known then. Almost 10 years later, I got to come full circle and get to work for the or ganization that’s seeking to preserve that really cool piece of history.

The cave was first excavated in the 70s, 80s, and 90s…

Then there was kind of a break. The archaeological field school that we did this summer was the first research excavation that had hap pened on the site in over 30 years.

The previous excavations were focused in front of the cave, that little gully that has filled up over 10,000 years.

Most of the previous excavations have focused on the immediate cave area and the work that we’re doing now is over the entire property, al lowing us to contextualize that pre vious work that’s been done.

How so?

Well, a lot of the focus previously was on the cave itself, and when we talk about the Tse’K’wa site, more often than not we’re talking about the area that’s actually above the cave. That is a site that historically, and traditionally, had a view of the lake, it had a really close abundance to Fish Creek. It had berries for har vesting, and it was a really good con venient place to set up camp during the seasonal rounds.

What’s been overlooked previ ously is how the cave itself functions in the context of the landscape. So this has given us a chance to to

examine the landscape as a whole and actually confirm a lot of the theories that were made during the first excavations.

What’s something new that we learned this year about the site that broadens our understanding of the area?

The biggest thing that we learn ed is that previously, the excava tions that happened at the cave, we thought that those were a stopping place. It was definitely a place that was used potentially for ceremony or spiritual purposes, definitely for hunting and for processing meat. But what we didn’t find a lot of at the cave itself was tool flakes, and tool flakes are what you would expect to find with longer term occupations. So, somebody’s setting up camp, and they’re living there for a period of time.

One of the most exciting things that we found above the cave and on the upper property was thousands of flakes. So that confirms what the ar chaeological record suggested and what the oral histories suggested, that the place of actual occupation, if you want to call it that, was above the cave and was on that surround ing landscape, not the cave itself.

There was a film crew during the field digs that has lead to this film, Stewards of Tse’K’wa.

Bamboo Shoots out of Calgary was in town covering some other local community events, and they reached out to us having heard about the field school happening on site. They said, “We’d really like to come and see what it’s all about.” And what resulted was an hour long documentary, not only about the field school but also about the work that the society is doing to preserve the cave for that next generation.

What’s the plan for the film?

We were really grateful that both Bamboo Shoots and Telus gave us special permission to do this screening to be able to show it for Truth and Reconciliation Day. But later in the fall it’s actually going to be part of Telus’s community pro gramming and it will be available to anybody with a Telus subscription. We’re going to do our best to make sure that there’s other opportunities for people to see the film.

Where is Tse’K’wa going in the next year, the next five years?

We are closed to public for the remainder of the fall, and the rea son we’re closed is that we are do ing a lot of outdoor infrastructure improvements to the site. So as early as next May we’re hoping to have our official grand opening of the site and being able to start welcoming the public. They’ll get to see our new amphitheater and our archaeology dome and new trails to the cave, and lots of exciting opportunities. That’s the immediate future and that’s what we’re really excited about.

The five-year plan, the 10-year plan, we want to be a premier des tination for tourism, for learning, for connecting, and for sharing the Dane-zaa culture.

Rotary pipe band back at practice

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The Rotary Pipe Band has a rich, 50 years of history in Fort St. John. In fact, their first performance was for the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip when they came to town in 1971.

And now, after a two year pandemic break, the band is back practicing and getting ready for its next and first postCovid performance, the local Remembrance Day services in November.

“We didn’t do anything dur ing Covid. I just wanted to keep everyone safe and healthy,” said pipe major Robbie Mc Mullin after a recent practice at Dr. Kearney school.

“Now coming back, I just want to get people playing together, and get people out again. That’s our goal for this year.”

The band is the only one of its kind in Northeast B.C. Today it includes founding members like lead drummer Ruby McBeth, as well as newer members from as far away as Tumbler Ridge and Grande Prairie.

Piper Tony Fayant recently joined after moving to the re gion a year and a half ago. “It’s great to be out with people again,” said Fayant, who used to play with Cowichan Pipes and Drums, and works in the hotel and restaurants indus try. “When we all shut down

From the front page

for Covid we all did our own things,” he said. “When every body was banging pots and I got laid off from work, I went home and went, this is kind of interesting, but how do I make noise?

“I make noise by playing my pipes, so every night for 100 nights in a row I played the pipes at the cenotaph.”

Piper John Haggerty got in volved in 2014 when he moved to town from the Edmonton

Boon said the Allen house is a good example of the transition from a basic log cabin to a log home with a framed interior complete with fancy finishings, cabinetry, and a stairwell to a second floor loft. Left exposed are panels of original 1928 newsprint insulation so visitors can read articles from that time.

And certainly for its time, Boon said, the Allen home was a really fancy, high quality house. “This is a real snapshot in time, a pretty amazing time in local his

and Grande Prairie areas. Though he’s now living in Grande Prairie, he still makes the drive with his son to play with the band.

“I’ve been playing for 30 years,” he said. “I wouldn’t have moved here if there wasn’t a bagpipe band.”

“It was really nice. You move to a new place and you know there’s going to be a group of people who you’re going to like, who you’re going to have

tory that we’re not going to see again,” he said.

Boon said the Allen family had found innovative ways to hide wiring when bringing power into the house, and that during the restoration process it was discovered just how close the home came to burning down at different times from fires.

“When we pulled the papering away from the walls in a couple places we seen in the vicinity of the stove pipes where they had just about lost it to a fire,

something to do with,” Hag gerty said.

“That’s why I joined this band here and why I’m still a part of it.”

McBeth, who helped form and teach the founding band with Gordon Adlard, still re members its first performance for the Royal visit in May 1971.

“Our first performance was for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, and apparently he commented that there was one

especially in the stair case you can see that. We left that exposed,” he said.

“These buildings to be here now, set up, and restored… this building literally had nine lives to get this stage and we’re very fortunate that we have it here.”

Visitors are welcomed to take a tour of the Allen house. The museum says it will remain open until overnight tem peratures fall below zero degrees.

“It’s amazing, it’s been a long time coming,” said Sjoblom. “It always takes a while to restore all the parts and have

piper who could play and this would have been Gordon,” she said with a laugh.

She says the band has con tributed greatly to local culture, whether performing at the an nual Robbie Burns supper, the Cadets annual review, or other community events.

“That gave us a real push. It made it a cultural thing,” she said. “It gave us a place to be so I’m very thankful that we had that.”

The band is looking for new members, experienced or brand new to playing a bagpipe tune. Friendly, free instruction is provided.

“These things go up and down and right now we got a solid start, but we do need more pipers and drummers,” said McBeth.

“Even some of the best bands like the St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band was down to very few pipers at one point and before that they had been a competition-winning band, and they are once again.”

McMullin has been playing with the band for 13 years after getting involved through ca dets. He says the band is willing to teach anyone with an inter est to learn.

“We’re community band. We want everyone here,” he said. “We just want to get together and play music.”

To get in touch with the band, email fsjrpb@gmail.com, or call McMullin at 250-793-4821.

the funding and volunteer time to put a building together. It’s fantastic to see it come to fruition and have the family here.”

As for the museum’s next building project, Sjoblom said that remains to be determined, though there are a few coveted heritage buildings in the region still out there worth preserving.

“It depends on what’s offered: can it be afforded, how easy is it to move, and what kind of history does the building have,” she said.

The waters of British Columbia’s coast have been home to rich marine life and the habitats that sustain them for millennia. They are a source of food and job opportunity for people throughout the north coast, and have provided for First Nations since time immemorial. The Northern Shelf, a coastal stretch from North Vancouver Island to the Alaska border, is home to Pacific salmon, Pacific herring, colonies of corals and sponge reefs, three types of killer whale, sea otter, a variety of rockfish, groundfish and shellfish, and lush kelp beds and eelgrass meadows. These waters are today facing an increasing number of threats, including the impacts of development and climate change. A landmark partnership between First Nations, the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada is working to proactively protect areas of the Northern Shelf. Throughout September and October, coastal residents are invited to provide input on a draft Network Action Plan to guide future implementation of a network of marine protected areas (MPAs).

MPA networks help restore coastal habitats, protect ecological values, and support environmental, cultural, social and economic benefits. The proposed Network of MPAs combines a range of designations and management tools to protect and conserve key marine habitats and species, as well as areas of cultural importance to First Nations. Ultimately, the Network can help reduce threats to biodiversity and support the longterm sustainability of marine life in the region.

The draft Network Action Plan includes the proposed design for the MPA Network and provides recommendations to support its implementation, governance, and adaptive management. While this process began in 2015, the draft plan is the outcome of over a decade of collaboration between three orders of governments, and consultation with industry, coastal communities, and other stakeholders.

Residents are invited to provide input on the draft Network Action Plan via an online survey and attend webinars and in-person open houses from now to the end of October. Preliminary findings from the public engagement are expected to be shared this winter and a full report made public in spring 2023.

The final Network Action Plan is expected in early 2023, to support next steps towards implementation. Additional opportunities for engagement and input from First Nations, stakeholders, and the public will be available as this process continues.

To learn more and share

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Rotary Pipe Band members Robbie McMullin, Tony Fayant, Ruby McBeth, and John and Alexander Haggerty.

Residents are invited to provide input on a plan for a network of marine protected areas in B.C.’s northern coast

Sylvia passed away peacefully on September 20, 2022 in Surrey, B.C. Her departure has left a void in the lives of all family and friends aand she is very much missed by everyone.

The third daughter of Les and Ruby Graham, she was predeceased by sister Pat (Phil) May eld. She is survived by her son Brian (Brandi), her granddaughters Charlotte and Willow and her sisters Donna-Lee, Jacqueline (Pat) Tupper, Judy (Doug) Lucas, and Leslie (Neil) Fidler.

Sylvia grew up in Vancouver and graduated from UBC before embarking on her teaching career, most of which was centred in Fort St. John. After retirement she moved to South Surrey where she spent the past 25 years living life to the fullest including travel, pilgrimages, walking and living out her faith.

A Service of Celebration will be held at Peninsula United Church, 2756-127th Street, Surrey or online https://bit.ly/MEMORIAL_SUHREEN on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 11:00AM. In consideration of immunocompromised guests, you are encouraged to wear a mask while inside enclosed spaces. Donations can be made to: Canadian Cancer Society or Peninsula United Church Memorial Gift Fund. Condolences may be left at www.raincoastfuneral.com

Qualified Journeyman

Welders

PeaceValley Industriesis lookingfor qualified Journeyman Weldersin Chetwynd,BC. Musthaveat least5years experienceand ValidWelding Tickets. Email resumeto peacevalley @uniserve.com Nophonecalls, please.

Child Development Centre Society of Fort St. John and District

The public is cordially invited to attend our Annual General Meeting being held at the Child Development Centre 10417-106th Ave, Fort St. John, BC November 1, 2022 • 6:00PM

(Membership is $20 and will be

renewal

is

the

and

to

Bear Flat Dispatch: Space, ies, and the elections

By Ken Boon

I’m not sure if the weather this summer and fall have been record breaking, but it sure feels like it must be. Good thing it isn’t always this nice because then everyone would want to live up here!

The country could use moisture, but I sure am enjoying the chance to catch up and do outside projects that have been on my radar and bugging me for years. So that has been great, but I do get behind on writing dispatches, so here is a look at some odd and unrelated observations of late.

FLIES: Starting late this summer and running through September, some of our buildings here at Bear Flat have been invaded by flies in biblical proportions. I should clarify that it is the number of flies that is biblical; not the size of them. I told Arlene, “I have never seen so many flies.” She suggested it likely would be more accurate to say, “I don’t recall ever seeing this many flies.” Then recently we were at a function and two separate old timers told me that they too had “never seen so many flies,”so I made sure to point that out to Arlene.

JUPITER AND STARLINK: With Jupiter now being closer than it will be for another 100-plus years, it’s pretty neat to be able to see some of its moons even through a pair of binoculars. Our grandson was staying over a few nights ago, so we set up my old hunting spotting scope and could very clearly see four of the larger moons. Just by chance, at the same time a long string of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites went by. It seemed pretty bizarre to watch a string of

about 50 of them all in a row pass overhead. I remember as a kid that seeing satellites was pretty uncommon, and how we used to talk about it if we had seen one. Now, there is an app that will tell you when one of the visible Starlink satellite strings will pass by your location. Technology is amazing.

ELECTION PROMISES AND PLATFORMS: Perhaps I have missed it, but one issue that seems lacking from public discourse in the upcoming local elections is the topic of climate change. I understand that most people feel that policies dealing with climate change are more of a federal and provincial government thing to deal with. However, local government and leaders play a key role when floods, fires, and other natural disasters strike, and climate change is increasingly making those events more frequent and severe. Providing and maintaining adequate local public infrastructure and services is challenging enough at the best of times, and, of course, the current candidates are discussing those issues.

However, meeting those challenges become exponentially harder when weather-related disasters strike. Communities and whole countries around the world are getting set back on their heels from climate change related disasters to the point where basic services suffer. We should not think we are immune from that too. Therefore, I think a simple good rule of thumb for politicians at all levels of government is to view all decisions through a climate change lens.

Ken Boon lives and writes at Bear Flat.

DOMESTIC CARS

BOATS

LIVESTOCK

A Celebration of Life will be held for Mark Wilson On Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 5:00 pm - 12:00 am in the Back Hall at the Fort St. John Royal Canadian Legion.

WANTED TO BUY

GERALD

DOUGLAS

SALE

SERVICES FOR HIRE

MISC FARM

pared

vidually. www.bccommunity-

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

Northwest’s leading Jeweller is looking for Full & Part Time Sales Associates

Art exhibit a peaceful scene

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Four of the finest local painters and photographers have come together for the latest group exhibit at Peace Gallery North.

Living In Peace is a mixed collection of original prints by Mike Kroecher, Sandy Troudt, Ken Lane, and Don Hoffmann, an homage to the mighty views and playful wildlife of the Peace River, to the meandering still shores of its neighbour, the Beatton River.

“The ecosystem is so interesting. It’s always changing, it doesn’t matter what time of year you go there, you’ll see something new,” Lane says of the Beatton valley, who spent much of his time there this summer gathering photographs and inspiration for his latest series of acrylic on canvas works.

“It’s a hidden gem that’s five minutes from town, and there’s a myriad of trails and riverbanks to walk on. There’s no end of things to explore there.”

Photographer Don Hoffmann captured one particularly striking shot in the show, two bears in a playful fist fight along the Peace River just outside of town. “When you’re capturing a picture, you’re capturing a moment in time,” he says. “There was a spot where they were coming out to some stuff that hadn’t been combined, and we were sitting out there waiting for some bears to come out, and they come out and

starting playing around there and we were able to get some good pictures.”

“It’s wonderful living in a valley with so many nice places to take pictures, and it’s always a big thank you to all the landowners that have let me enjoy the incredible views that they have.”

The show is a prelude to the return of the gallery’s annual Art Auction, going into its 37th year on Saturday, Oct. 22. Planned is a catered dinner, live music, a 50/50 raffle, as well as the live and silent auctions with dozens of works by local artists up for bid. There will also be one, if not two artists doing live paintings throughout the night. Tickets are limited, and selling quickly. “We’re doing very classic art auction, we’re trying to do everything to a very high level,” says curator Jacqueline Benedetto.

The gallery has also resumed its free Let’s Art program for youth, running Tuesdays after school for kids age six to 12, and Friday afternoons for youth 12 to 18. “Each week will be an age appropriate craft or art project,” says Benedetto. “Mostly, they are geared to be completed within 90 minutes, sometimes the teens will have a project they’ll do over the course of a couple sessions.”

Proceeds from the art auction will help keep Let’s Art running, and support other artist programs ongoing at the gallery.

In the meantime, Living In Peace will be on display until Oct. 29.

‘Beatton

Kenneth Lane.