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51st Year No. 09
March 2, 2016
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•DERELICT...
The District of Port Hardy is fixing this hazardous building. Page 3
• WARRIORS...
The Wounded Warriors Run began in Port Hardy. Page 10
Jay Dixon Photo
Banding Together Against Bullying
A Pink Shirt Day assembly was held in the North Island Secondary School gym on Wednesday, Feb. 24. For the first time, the event included all Port McNeill schools. The theme was “kindness”. The event was an opportunity for students to come together as a larger School District 85 group. Ms. Stone’s Grade 10 Class sang ‘Try a Little Kindness’; NISS/Sunset students sang ‘O Siem’; RCMP Sgt. McQuillin gave an anti-bullying powerpoint presentation. Port McNeill Mayor Shirley Ackland spoke as well.
TimberWest fatality •BANTAM BANNER...
It is off to Provincials for the North Island Bantam Eagles. Page 15 OPINION Page 4 LETTERS Page 5 SPORTS Page 15-17 CLASSIFIEDS Page 18-19
A fatal accident occurred on Friday afternoon involving a contracted employee at TimberWest’s Bonanza Lake operations near Port McNeill.“We express our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues touched by this tragic accident,” said Jeff Zweig president and CEO of TimberWest. “Our industry is tightly knit, and the pain from this loss is felt throughout.” TimberWest has lent its full support to authorities in the ongoing investigation. Operations were suspended on Monday. “We’re having a moment for this individual,” said Monica Bailey director, Communications and Engagement TimberWest Forest Corp. No other information had been disclosed as of Monday, Zweig said.
Visitors enjoy North Island By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor Visitors to the North Island are loving it. That was the clear message derived from a Visitor Experience Survey that was conducted over 16 weeks last summer by Vancouver Island North Tourism and The Sociable Scientists Inc. The Visitor Experience Survey, which launched in June, was developed in collaboration with Vancouver Island North, Campbell River and Comox Valley tourism destination marketing organizations and supported by Vancouver Island University, involved intercepting visitors while they were in North Island communities and inviting them to complete an online survey when they returned home. A total of 971 ballots were received, and 522 surveys were completed. The response rate was 54 per cent. Out of the 522 surveys, 74 were residents and four were minors resulting in 444 usable surveys.
The survey provided some details about the type of people who travelled to the North Island last summer. The North Island was the main destination for 71 per cent of the visitors. Most visitors (97 per cent) spent at least one night in the region, while three per cent were here for a day trip only. Port McNeill received the most overnight visitors (41 per cent); followed by Port Hardy (39 per cent); Telegraph Cove (30 per cent); Alert Bay (20 per cent) and Sointula (18 per cent). Port Alice and Winter Harbour’s overnight stays were at five per cent, followed by Woss, Mount Cain, Nimpkish Valley, Coal Harbour, Holberg and Quatsino. While here, the average group spent $649 per day. Most of the people who visited came in their own vehicle (66 per cent); followed by recreational vehicles and rental vehicles, which were both at 11 per cent.
See page 3 ‘North Island Scores...’
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“Drone” ing On About UAVs Jon Lok and Aaron Fukikawa “drone” on about all of the applications in which Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be used within their business. Strategic Natural Resource Consultants hosted a member to member meeting organized by the Port McNeill & District Chamber of Commerce. Strategic Natural Resource Consultants is a natural resource consulting firm based in Port McNeill. The next meeting will be hosted by Coastal Community Credit Union on March 16 from 7-9 p.m.
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By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor The Regional District of Mount Waddington could soon be the owner of the Quatsino Wharf. At the RDMW meeting Feb. 16, Manager of Economic Development
Power outage notice: planned maintenance Alert Bay, Sointula and Telegraph Cove
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Pat English told the board that he has provided a letter of interest to Transport Canada about acquiring the wharf - as long as the RDMW does not incur any financial liability for operation, maintenance, or capital replacement of the facility. “They (Transport Canada) seem receptive” to the idea of the transfer, English said. “The distinct impression that I get is that they will encourage us to take it over, and they will provide us with the financial wherewithal so that we are kept whole on that (transfer),” English said. “It’s only viable if they are willing to put up a reasonable amount of money,” said Area C (Coal Harbour, Quatsino, Hyde Creek) Director and vice-Chair Andrew Hory, adding there is no way a community of 43 residents could be responsible for the wharf. The transfer would have “to look beyond 20 years. It’s a major undertaking. It’s a big conversation,” Hory said. “I suggest you look at it very carefully,” said Area A (Sointula) Director Heidi Soltau. Director Soltau later
explained that 15 or 20 years ago the federal government divested itself of all the public wharves in the North Island, which included the government dock in Sointula. There is no local government in Sointula, and the RDMW and BC Ferries (the ferry dock was off the side of the wharf) declined the request to take it over, explained Soltau. “Rather than lose the dock, the Regional Director at the time approached local groups and asked if they would take over the wharf,” said Soltau. The local Lions Club agreed to take it on as they also managed the Breakwater docks for Transport Canada. “The dock itself was in good shape,” she said, but the float and ramp that was used for boat tie took a beating every year. The ramp kept separating from the dock and the beach below the float needed dredging. “Once the original money was spent, there was no way for them (the Lions) to upkeep the float,” she explained. “There was no way for them to make any money on the dock, because it was not a
dock that boats could permanently tie up on and pay moorage,” she said, so the Lions gave the dock to BC Ferries when they rebuilt the new terminal in Sointula in 2014. The ferry dock was moved over to incorporate the old wharf. “BC Ferries would not maintain a dock for the town’s use, only for ferry use,” she said. “Luckily, we have two other public docks (Rough Bay and Mitchell Bay) that are still maintained by Transport Canada,” she said. “Quatsino has no such luxury. It is their only public dock and connection to the outside world.” The federal government has been trying to unload the Quatsino dock ever since they divested all other docks in the North Island, with no takers. “Basically, I think that divesting a dock to a rural unincorporated town that has no way to pay for its upkeep after the initial money runs out, is a recipe for extinction for the town. How can a government abandon the only access to a community that has water access only ...thus my concern.”
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Derelict building tackled By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor Dealing with a derelict building is on the District of Port Hardy’s to do list. At their regular meeting council Feb. 23 approved a request from Heather Nelson-Smith, director of Corporate and Development Services, to take action to remediate the situation. The building, located at 8775 Granville Street, is registered in the name of the Port Hardy Shopping Centre. The building is up for sale and has been a place where people Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Photo have been loitering. The District of Port Hardy has deemed this building hazardous and will It has also been the be taking steps to remediate the situation due to a lack of response by target of vandalism the property owner. such as broken windows and doors; and N e l s o n - S m i t h by phone, emails past 4-5 years,” she graffiti. Garbage and advised council that and letters - with no said filth has also been she has made numer- response. They were “We give a lot of accumulating on the ous attempts to contact also invited to attend notice before we get property. the property owner the council meeting to to this step, so it is typically remediated speak to the matter. The District has before it gets to this already boarded over point.” Nelson-Smith By Tyson Whitney broken doors and added. Reporter The work carried windows. There was a single vehicle accident Friday, Nelson-Smith said out will be charged to Feb. 26, on Highway 19 at 7:25 in the morning, in an interview that it the property owner. around eight kilometres south of Port Hardy. If the bill is unpaid is rare for the district “One person was involved and they had minor to have to step in. by the end of this injuries,” said Const. Tara Wilson of the Port “It isn’t often. We year, the expense will Hardy RCMP. “The cause of the accident is still have done it in the be added to the propunder investigation.” past, but not in the erty’s taxes.
Single vehicle MVA
Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Photo
Football Club Fund-raiser
Keisha Korhonen, right, gives Nickolas Johnson, 2, a glitter tattoo at the U’Gwamalis Hall in Fort Rupert Feb. 21. The T’sakis Football Club hosted the fund-raising event/flea market.
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North Island scores well
Continued from Page 1 Visitors were asked to indicate which tourism attractions they visited during their stay. The most popular attractions were parks and trails (88 per cent), beaches (87 per cent), local shops/boutiques (69 per cent), and First Nations facilities, cultural centres and/or events (68 per cent). Visitors were asked to rate the importance of a number of features on a scale from ‘Not At All Important’ (1) to ‘Extremely Important’ (5). The North Island received an overall satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5. There were slightly more first-time visitors (54 per cent) to the region than repeat visitors (46 per cent). Seventy-eight per cent of visitors indicated their trip was for leisure; 15
per cent said they were visiting friends and/or relatives; four per cent said it was for a combination of business and leisure, and three per cent said they were here for business or work. At the Regional District of Mount Waddington meeting Feb. 16, Vancouver Island North Tourism Coordinator Joli White explained the survey used the Net Promoter Score (NPS) to determine how many would be cheerleaders for the area. NPS is a simple metric that helps organizations monitor the engagement of their customers. It reflects the likelihood that customers will recommend a product/company/place to friends, family or colleagues. In the context of the tourism industry, NPS is based on responses
to the question, ‘How likely are you to recommend (the North Island) as a travel destination to a friend, family member or colleague?’ Responses are scored from 0 which means ‘not at all likely’ to 10 which is ‘extremely likely’. Respondents are divided into three categories: Detractors (scores of 0 to 6): Unhappy visitors, who are unlikely to tell others to visit and might even damage the reputation of a destination through negative word of mouth. Passives (scores of 7 or 8) are those who are marginally satisfied visitors not excited enough to tell others about their travel experience. Finally there are the Promoters (scores of 9 or 10) who are likely to
return and rave about their travel experience. NPS is calculated by subtracting the percentage of detractors from the percentage of promoters. Eighty-three per cent of North Island survey respondents were promoters, five per cent were passives, and 12 per cent were detractors. White told the Board of Directors the North Island received a NPS score of ‘7.1’. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) for VIN from the 2015 summer survey is 71 per cent. The aggregate NPS for Comox Valley, Campbell River and VIN combined. was 58.1 per cent. BC’s overall NPS is 62.7. The $17,000 survey received 50 per cent of its funding from the Island Coastal Economic Trust.
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COMMENTARY
Comments? Box 458, Port Hardy, B.C. V0N 2P0 250-949-6225 Fax 250-949-7655 or email us at editor@northislandgazette.com
Clark arrogance When teachers bring their students to the Legislature they and their students are often dismayed by the behaviour of MLAs in Question Period. Saying the atmosphere is boisterous would imply it is good natured but often the heckling is loud and disrespectful. This week saw two ends of that extreme: on Tuesday it was very discordant, but on Wednesday, antiMLA Update bullying day, it was much calmer. with Claire Trevena That being said, our questions, as Official Opposition, focused that day on the hectoring and bullying approach of Premier Christy Clark. For Ms. Clark, you are either with her or against her. There is no middle ground, no willingness to negotiate, no desire to compromise. This is not a good approach for anyone, let alone a premier. This has been exemplified as she tries to push through her pet projects. She has described many respected First Nations’ leaders who oppose the siting of a LNG plant on Lelu Island near Prince Rupert as a “rag tag” bunch. Instead of apologizing to the individuals concerned, Ms. Clark displayed her usual arrogance and described LNG as the best opportunity for First Nations since first contact with Europeans. That arrogance was also on display with her disdain for the thousands of people who claim disability allowance and who will be losing their bus passes thanks to the recent budget. That move has caused an outcry across the province as people see their lives diminished because they wont be able to afford to get around. We asked daily whether the government would reverse its mean decision; the answer, a resounding “no”. I raised the political nature of pet projects and pre-election pavement politics in my speech in response to the budget. Perhaps it is of no surprise that BC Ferries gets no increase from the Ministry of Transportation which does not bode well for our marine highway system, which already is badly neglected by the BC Liberals. It is sad to see the Minister of Transportation claiming his government’s self-described fiscal prudence as the reason for a “net zero” increase in ferry fares this April. What that really means is, because of the low cost of oil, the 1.9 per cent fare increase is balanced out by a 1.9 per cent fuel rebate. That means the cost of a ticket could still go up when fuel prices go up. For 13 years, businesses and families in ferry-reliant communities have seen fares skyrocket, undermining our coastal economies. This government is not going to make things any better. While debate has been focused on the budget, next week we move to discussion on legislation. This week a bill was introduced that will change the administration of a number of taxes, from the carbon tax through to the PST. It will be interesting to follow the BC Liberals approach to taxation in the coming months since a commission to look at the Province’s tax regime was announced in the budget, but it is proscribed by not being allowed to bring back the HST or end MSP. We in the official opposition introduced a bill which would amend the Workers Compensation Act. This bill would mean that first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder would not have to prove that what they have witnessed in their work made them sick. This is intended to ensure timely and easy support for those who need treatment. We’re back in Victoria next week when we start the budget estimates process. This is the opportunity we have to raise detailed questions about individual ministry budgets and their impact on our communities. I can always be reached by email at Claire.trevena.mla@ leg.bc.ca, or by phone in Campbell River on 250-287-5100, in Port Hardy on 250-949-9473 or toll free at 1-866-3875100. You can also friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @clairetrevena or check out my webpage www. clairetrevena.ca.
Bowing to the power of judges One of the enduring legacies of Pierre Trudeau’s time as prime minister is the legal supremacy of the individual, as articulated in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We are seeing this played out with greater force than ever today, by an activist high court that swatted aside Stephen Harper’s attempts to restrain it, and now orders a meek, politically correct Justin Trudeau government to do its bidding. The Federal Court decreed last week that people have the right to grow their own “medical” marijuana. This ruling is unlikely to be appealed, given that Trudeau the Younger is committed to legalizing marijuana for everyone. There are conditions that show measurable relief from marijuana products, such as glaucoma or the nausea and loss of appetite associated with cancer treatments. But much of the so-called medical marijuana industry is based on unsubstantiated claims about an inconsistent herbal remedy that hasn’t been studied much because it’s been illegal. The Federal Court case involves four people from B.C., which boasts more than half of the contested medical marijuana growing licences issued across the country. One of the petitioners suffers from a vaguely defined condition known as “chronic fatigue syndrome,” which led to a disability pension from a federal civil service job at age 45. The judge cited no research to support the claim that sitting around smoking dope all day relieves this condition. Indeed it defies common sense that a set of symptoms with no identified cause, which might be confused with what we used to call laziness, would be alleviated by chronic consumption of a drug that promotes eating chips and watching TV. But we peasants aren’t supposed to question our monarchs, especially those in ermine-trimmed red robes at the Supreme Court of Canada. That court has decreed that our charter, which in Section 7 protects the “right to life, liberty and security of the person,” includes a right to have a doctor’s help to The North Island Gazette is published Thursdays at 7305 Market Street in Port Hardy, B.C. by Black Press Ltd. Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #391275. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
commit suicide. Euthanasia has been re-branded as “assisted dying” by all the most “progressive” countries, and Canada has been given a firm deadline to join the club. (Meanwhile, the term “right to life” is all but banned from university campuses, to minimize the risk of a coarse literal interpretation that it means, you know, a right to life.) A Liberal-dominated committee of MPs and senators has recommended full-throttle implementation, not restricted to terminal illness and including mental conditions such as depression and dementia. The majority suggested even “mature minors” should have this new right. The politicians support allowing doctors to opt out of cases they won’t condone, as long as they provide a referral to another doctor. In Belgium, one of the pioneers of this brave new world, most of the growing number of euthanasia patients have had cancer. But as The New Yorker magazine reported in a ground-breaking article last summer, others have been euthanized because of autism, anorexia, partial paralysis, blindness with deafness, manic-depression and yes, chronic fatigue syndrome. B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake expressed the hope that Canada ends up with a consistent policy on doctor-assisted suicide, rather than a provincial patchwork. The closest Lake came to politically incorrect criticism was to caution that “deep discussion” is needed around the court’s notion of a “competent minor,” someone not yet entrusted with the vote or access to a liquor store. Three dissenting Conservative MPs went so far as to say the recommendations don’t adequately protect seniors who might be coerced into checking out and passing on their estates. How old-fashioned. Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @ tomfletcherbc A member of
This North Island Gazette is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org
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LETTERS editor@northislandgazette.com
Cards from home brought tears to my eyes Dear Editor, Good day to everyone in Port Hardy and Port McNeill. I am Leading Seamen Stephon Mullett on board HMCS Winnipeg. I would like to say thank you to the people who took the time and signed the cards at the Legions in Port McNeil and Port Hardy on Remembrance Day 2015. I really appreciated the photo with signatures and remarks addressed to my great grandfather. It meant so much to me, as I was in Civitavecchia (pronounced chee-vee taveck ee- a), Italy miles away from family, but I had my HMCS Winnipeg family with me. Growing up in Port Hardy, playing sports plus working long hours in the summer time at Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc. I never thought I would see as much of the world as I have in my nineyear service in the Royal Canadian Navy. This is my second major deployment
Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican. I never in my dreams thought I would be at the Vatican for such an event. On Christmas Day, the youngest sailor became the Commanding Officer for the day. He gave a speech and then we had Christmas Dinner. After the dinner I opened my gifts and cards in my mess. I opened one by one, reading all the remarks and people that signed them. It brought tears to my eyes, as being in the service from a small town, you just don’t know how much it means to people back home what you do for your country every day. It means more to me than you know getting those cards. As I travel throughout the world, no matter what sea or ocean I have been sailing on, the kindness of the people of Port Hardy stays with me. Thank you once again for thinking of those of us that were deployed. LS Mullett, Stephon
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overseas; the first one was in my first year in the Navy. That trip took me to the Middle East on HMCS Protecteur which was an experience all in its own. Learning about life in the Navy was not all that I learned about on my first deployment, it also afforded me the opportunity to gain valuable insight into life and culture in the countries that I visited on my first deployment. On board HMCS Winnipeg for this latest deployment it was for Operation Reassurance, in the Mediterranean Sea for anti-terrorism and exercises with NATO Allies. As the holidays came and went on board, we celebrated just like we would back home, but with our Winnipeg family. As Christmas came, people talked about family traditions that they did back home and missing their loved ones. Being near Rome for the holidays the ship arranged for buses to take us to
2016-02-29 2:18 PM
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Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Regional District of Mount Waddington Budget 2016 & CARIP Reporting Public Review Opportunity
A public review of the proposed 2016 Regional District of Mount Waddington Financial Plan and 2015 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) reporting will be held on: March 7, 2016 from 4pm to 6pm at 2044 McNeill Road, Port McNeill, BC www.rdmw.bc.ca
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Zeballos bridge to be replaced Gazette Staff The Sugarloaf Bridge in Zeballos will be replaced thanks to a contribution of up to $2,945,775 through the Federal Gas Tax Fund. The new bridge will allow the east and west sides of the community to be fully connected. Deterioration of the current structure has limited its capacity to 3,000 kilograms, requiring detours for emergency services and local residents with heavier vehicles. Replacement of the bridge has been the number one priority for the Village of Zeballos mayor and council since 2012. A viewing platform is also planned for the bridge which will provide an added attraction for bear lovers, bird watchers and fish followers. The funding contribution is estimated to cover the full cost of the project. The first step will be to find a project manager, then a design, said Zeballos Chief
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Village of Zeballos Photo The Sugarloaf Bridge in Zeballos is being replaced thanks to a $2.9 million grant through the Federal Gas Tax Fund
Administrative Officer Eileen Lovestrom. “Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the Government of Canada for the 100 per cent funding opportunity through the Strategic Priorities Initiative within the Gas Tax Fund, said Village of Zeballos Mayor Donnie Cox. “Also, the Province
of BC recognized how important this infrastructure funding grant is to the continued viability of small communities throughout BC such as the Village of Zeballos, Cox said. “I want to express our appreciation to Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and acknowledge their successful
annual convention which provides a vehicle for Mayors and Councillors to bring their concerns first hand to provincial ministers and staff,” he said. “The open minds, willingness to listen and proactive approach with Zeballos delegates was instrumental in
achieving our sustainability plan,” said the mayor. “On behalf of all of Council, all residents of Village of Zeballos and all neighbouring First Nations Communities, our heartfelt thanks to all levels of government and personnel who made this vision come to fruition.”
Group looking to bring Syrian family to Port Hardy By Tyson Whitney Reporter A group of North Island residents has begun the process of bringing a Syrian refugee family to Port Hardy. “We’ve all been watching what’s happening and talking about doing something, and we decided we wanted to do something to help,” said Chrystal Menzies, one of the members of the North Islanders 4 Syria group. The group has been meeting for several weeks and have so far established temporary housing for the family, located two volunteer instructors for English classes, found an interpreter, and made a good start on raising the funds necessary to support the family. The group is officially responsible for financially, socially, and emotionally supporting the family for one year, and have committed to extending beyond this timeframe should the family need additional help. “There’s been tremendous community support already,” said Menzies. Based on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s detailed budgets for different fam-
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ily sizes, it was decided to sponsor a family of four. The group took a unique fund-raising strategy that requires each of the five members to ask six friends or groups to commit to $50 a month for 12 months. This, combined with support from the federal government under a blended funds program, has them nearing their goal of $27,000. Community support, in the form of clothing, furniture, or financial donations in any amount will help to make this project successful. An account in trust has been set up at the Scotia Bank in Port Hardy. Equally important is the emotional support this family will need to feel welcome in our community. Ultimately, the group wants the family to “feel accepted in the community and feel welcome,” said Menzies. The North Islanders 4 Syria group consists of Michael Paul, Laura Field, Doug Abbot, Chrystal Menzies and Dave (Dazy) Weymer. You can contact the group at 250-949-3049 (Chrystal and Dazy) email ni4syria@gmail. com or find them.
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Alice in Action Society to formalize
Tyson Whitney Photo
New Digs for Scarlet Point Seafoods Scarlet Point Seafoods has finished moving into the old dive shop building at 8665 Hastings Street in Port Hardy. “It was time,” said Terry Kueber, when asked about the move from its previous location at 6710 Hardy Bay Road. Scarlet Point has been around for “16 years,” and has “four employees, plus a bunch of fishermen,” added Kueber. Scarlet Point Seafoods is a commercial buyer for roe herring, halibut, rockfish, frozen and fresh prawns, wild salmon and pilchards. They operate off the tip of Vancouver Island, which is known as the hub for commercial fishing. They purchase their product directly from fishermen, and it is processed locally as well as in Vancouver.
By Trish Weatherall For the Gazette Alice in Action will become a formal society, its volunteer members decided at the group’s second meeting on Sunday Feb. 20 at Sea View Activity Centre in Port Alice. About 20 residents attended the second meeting and voted to register Alice in Action as a non-profit society, to give the volunteer group credibility when making inquiries or applying for government grants. The group of concerned Port Alice residents first convened in January to discuss what citizens can do to make the village more attractive to new residents. “The bottom line is that we need to attract more people here to keep things going. Full-time residents, retirees, snowbirds - everyone,” said Pauline Steele, the original initiator of Alice in Action. “Ultimately, our purpose is to undertake initiatives that would keep Port Alice a vital and viable community, that would contribute to the diversification of the local economy, and enhance the Port
Alice experience for residents and visitors alike.” Members also voted to form six volunteer subcommittees to investigate specific topics related to attracting people to Port Alice including: A community garden; Trail-building and grooming; Active retiree promotion; Boat maintenance; Refugee sponsorship; and Business opportunities. Alice in Action also has a new Facebook page that provides updates on meetings and the group’s progress, and promotes related Port Alice marketing like the web site www.vancouverislandhiddengem.com targeting retirees, and www.portalicelife.ca that showcases life in Port Alice, from business to recreation, to arts and culture, and resident profiles; and a new kayaking blog called http://chloethekayakingchihuahua.com The next Alice in Action meeting will be held Sunday, March 13, at 1 p.m. at the Port Alice Sea View Activity Centre, 901 Marine Drive. The meeting will serve as the annual general meeting and a board of directors will be elected. Everyone welcome. For more information contact: Pauline Steele at 250-284-6252 or Susan Mohler at 250-209-2499.
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Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Councils support conference bid Gazette staff The District of Port Hardy and the Village of Port Alice have thrown their emotional support behind a bid to host the 2017 Tourism Vancouver Island Conference. The Regional District of Mount Waddington has joined forces with the K’awat’si Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) to host the event. At their regular meetings (Feb. 23 in Port Hardy and Feb. 24 in
Port Alice) both councils agreed to send letters of support to Tourism Vancouver Island. The conference will be held in September of 2017. The deadline for proposals is March 2 and a decision will be made by March 11, 2016. Tourism Vancouver Island estimates their conference injects more than $78,000 into the local economy. Prior to a council vote, Port Alice Mayor Jan Allen said she “fully supports this” application.
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David Faren Photo From left to right Dawn Heiden, Gwantilakw Cranmer, Avis O’Brien, and Alexis Nolie (back to camera) are seen here wrapping a pillar in the U’mista Cultural Centre as a culminating event to a three-week weaving program and in commemoration of Canada’s missing and murdered indigenous women.
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By David Faren For the Gazette “Something beautiful happens when you connect youth with elders,” expounded Sarah Holland, U’mista Cultural Centre director. Holland was describing the roots of a project taking place at the centre over the weekend of Feb. 20 and 21. This weekend’s project was the final part undertaken by a group that had been participating in a three-week cedar weaving project hosted by U’mista in Alert Bay. Seen as a parallel project to the one that saw the Guardian Poles carved and placed at the Centre’s front door, this learning experience was intended to bring experienced weavers together with novices, as well as bringing elders together with youth. In this case, it was women whose traditional skill was the focus of the learning experience. The weekend’s event was presented by Avis O’Brien who began the Saturday morning with a sharing circle and cleanse to prepare people for the subject matter that was to underpin the collective weaving project. O’Brien gave a presentation that discussed the root causes of Canada’s missing and murdered indigenous women. Many of the women present could claim to hold first-hand knowledge of the effects of negative stereotypes, and cultural disconnection, on indigenous women. Personal and moving stories were shared by brave individuals, and this set the tone for O’Brien’s presentation which weaved together the themes of capitalism, racism, patriarchy, and the blows delivered by the residential school system, all designed and intended to break the traditional role of women in First Nations culture; a role that was on a more equal footing with men than that found in the supplanting culture. “Today, because of the intergenerational impacts of colonization, assimilation and residential schools, many indigenous women are living in poverty, and are involved in survival sex trade work, which puts them at risk for violence.” All of these factors contribute to the fact that
indigenous women are ‘disproportionately affected by all forms of violence.’ According to the presentation “indigenous women make up only four per cent of the population, but make up 16 per cent of all missing and murdered women cases.” O’Brien talked about how women’s “identities as matriarchs and powerful women was stripped away and then re-constructed by colonizers.” This stripping away and active disempowerment was important, according to O’Brien. “The biggest threat to colonialism” was the traditional power of women. Stereotypes such as the derogatory ‘squaw’ and the highly-sexualized ‘indian princess’ were tools used to rob these women of their strength and social position. These devaluing images were, and are, what makes it “okay to use violence.” O’Brien does see hope for the future. One of the calls for action in the Truth and Reconciliation Report was an inquiry into Canada’s missing and murdered aboriginal women. Addressing the question of what can individuals do, she had several points to make about avoiding high risk lifestyles and building positive connections. She also recommended a Valentine’s Day walk in Alert Bay, similar to the ones that take place annually to commemorate the missing and murdered women. Following the presentation, the group of both men and women collectively began to weave cedar around a pillar in the Centre. This pillar formed a connection to the past three weeks of weaving and O’Brien’s message. It will form a long-term reminder of how indigenous women have been affected by violence and its root causes. The pillar, by the end of the weekend, was fully wrapped with cedar weaving and then adorned with cedar roses on a cedar rope. Each rose had a cedar tag with the name of someone missing or murdered. This program, which brought elders and youth together was funded by the BC Arts Council Youth Engagement Program.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
www.northislandgazette.com 9
Registration for C2C conference opens
Logs headed for the Beaver Cove Dryland Sort to be processed before they are boomed (put into big rafts of logs) and then towed (by tugboat) down island to Western Forest Products mills. This is the only operational logging train working on the island.
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February 13 – March 26 Free Introduction to Short Story Writing with Garth Holden. Not sure how to get going? Come on out! Bring your writing and join other aspiring creative writers as we enjoy learning the basics. Safe, supportive environment. Port Hardy Public Library. Saturdays, 2 – 4 p.m., Feb. 5 to March 26. Please note exception: Saturday, Feb. 27 will be from 1 – 3 p.m.
March 7 Port Hardy Twinning Society Open House from 5 - 7 p.m. Monday, March 7 at Seto’s Wok & Grill at the Port Hardy Inn. Contact Leslie at 250-9492315 for more information.
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April 9 Body Mind & Spirit Fair 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Port Hardy Civic Centre. Free admission, everyone welcome. April 22-24 “Spring Into Song” St. Columba’s Anglican United Church in Port Hardy. The concert, along with many others across Canada, will be held the same weekend in April (Earth Day weekend) in support of Canadian Foodgrains Bank. For more info contact Judy Fyles 250-949-2360 or email jlfyles2000@yahoo.ca. June 7-8 Oceans Day - Hosted by the Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce, this celebration will continue through the day with interactive and educational activities focused on the ocean.
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March 31 Forum for Mount Waddington seniors to learn about services for seniors and to talk about ways to be able to stay in their own homes as long as possible. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Seven Hills Golf Course. Free. Contact Chris Parker at 250-956-3301 for more information.
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March 8 Secwepemc First Nation poet Garry Gottfriedson reads at Café Guido, starting at 7 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
March 16 North Island Community to Community Tourism Forum 2016, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Port Hardy Civic Centre.
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March 14 Four-Day, Chronic Pain Volunteer Leader Training, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Island Health Public Health Unit, 7070 Market Street, Port Hardy, free. Call 1-866-9023767 for more information.
March 6 Classical pianists the Bergmann Duo take to the stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Hardy Civic Centre.
March 3, 4, 5 Learn to grow mushrooms for fun or profit! Hands-on workshops include shiitake, oyster & lion’s mane (tastes like lobster). For details and registration about this Port Hardy project, please email Dawn at Grassroots Learning Centre & Forest Farm, organic9@telus.net.
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March 12 Swap & Shop 4 p.m. 9 p.m. Port Alice Community Centre. Contact Danielle Martin at 250-284-3912.
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March 3 NIC’s Write Here Readers Series at Café Guido in Port Hardy will feature literary journalist and author John Vaillant. Vaillant’s reading starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
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By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor Registration is now open for the North Island C2C (Community to Community) Tourism Forum. The forum will take place March 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Port Hardy Civic Centre. In addition to the on-line registration app at www.northislandtourism.ca, “we’ve also sent out personal invitations,” said Manager of Economic Development Pat English at the Regional District of Mount Waddington board meeting Feb. 16. “We have a mailing list of close to 200 invitees,” English said. The website includes a link to a list of 19 action items that have come up repeatedly in economic development studies done by North Island communities. At the forum this list will be narrowed down to two or three key ideas. Keith Henry, CEO of Aboriginal Tourism Canada FCD Consulting, will be the keynote speaker at the event.
10 www.northislandgazette.com
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Wounded Warriors Run raises awareness
Tyson Whitney Photo From left to right, Port McNeill Councillor Graham MacDonald, Wounded Warriors Run BC Director Ron Mierau, Port McNeill Royal Canadian Legion President Grant Anderson, and Port McNeill Royal Canadian Legion Vice President Cliff Slack, hold up the signed Town of Port McNeill flag that the Wounded Warriors Run BC took with them on last years’ relay run down Vancouver Island. The flag was signed at the stops along the way. The group has the Village of Woss’ flag on this year’s run.
By Tyson Whitney Reporter The 3rd annual Wounded Warriors Run BC started bright and early at Carrot Park in Port Hardy on Monday, Feb. 22, and Rob Lamothe was one of the first runners to take off that morning. “The run went really well. It was dark this morning when we left. I had on lighting, but then the sun came up and it all changed,” said Lamothe. In order to provide increased public awareness and financial support for Wounded Warriors Canada, which is a non-profit organization that helps Canadian Forces members, serving and retired, who have been wounded or injured in their service to their country, the Wounded Warriors Run BC was created. The seven-day event features a team of dedicated runners who relay run the length of Vancouver Island. The first day of the relay is from
Port Hardy to Woss, which covers 104km, the second is from Woss to Sayward, a distance of 76km, the third is from Sayward to Campbell River, a distance of 58km, the fourth is from Campbell River to Comox, a distance of 58km, the fifth is from Comox to Nanaimo, a distance of 120km, the sixth is from Nanaimo to Mill Bay, a distance of 76km, and the seventh day is from Mill Bay to Victoria, a distance of 42km. When asked about what the Wounded Warriors Run means to him, Lamothe replied that he is “a serving member of the military, 34 years, and for me it’s a personal thing, a way to give back and help remove the stigma of PTSD and mental illness. “Invisible injuries still need to be treated. If people get the right help at the right time, then they can get back to a normal way of life, and in some cases even grow from the experience,” he said.
Kwak’wala language class proves popular By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor Students sit in a circle participating in a question and answer session. Witlas le? (Where are you going?) Widlas le? (Where are you?) Wixlas le? (Where were you?) The questions, and subsequent answers, are offered in Kwak’wala under the guidance of North Island College instructor Sara Hunt-Child who, with Elders and community, developed the course a year ago to bring the language to life in the community. There are 30 adult students enrolled in the Kwak’wala Language Course which is being offered, for the first time ever, at the Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre in Port Hardy. NIC Mount W a d d i n g t o n Campus Community Coordinator Caitlin Hartnett, who is also taking the course said there is a wait list for the next course. About a half-dozen elders, fluent in the language, help teach the course each week. Hunt-Child said each class starts out with some grammar instruction, before the students break into two groups where they play
games in an immersion setting and “we try to get them to stop using English.” What Hunt-Child is trying to do is “reawaken the part of their brain that hears and listens”, which allows them to learn how to speak the language. Teaching adults is different from teaching children, she explained. “With children we rarely teach them how to read and write. Even at the high school level, they’re more open to learning by listening and doing,” said HuntChild. The 14-week course will cover a wide variety of themes including greetings, social interaction, household activities, community, environment, wildlife, food harvesting and preparation and cultural activities which encompass the Kwakwaka’wakw way of life and will also give insight into how the language is essential to who the Kwakwaka’wakw people are. Students give similar reasons for why they have decided to take the course. For the non-aboriginal students, it is about showing courtesy and respect for their neighbours. Stacia Johnson is a language teacher at
Port Hardy Secondary School. She teaches English, French and Japanese and decided to take the course to show respect for, and to support, students in the community. Learning Kwak’wala also fits with new world views and aboriginal education curriculum being taught in School District #85 schools, Johnson said. And, “I love learning languages,” she added. “It’s just a reasonable thing for me to learn,” said Sylvie Giguire, who moved to the North Island from Montreal in December. The aboriginal people in the group are there because they want to learn to speak the language their ances-
tors spoke. Many of them did not grow up speaking Kwak’wala. W h e n Kwakwaka’wakw families moved from their villages to larger cities, or in the case of the Gwa’sala’Nakwaxda’xw people from their village to a reserve in a new location, English often became the main language being spoken in their homes, because it was the language that was needed in daily life. Eight weeks in, the students are making progress. Hartnett estimates her own vocabulary has grown fivefold - from 10 words to 50. For more information contact Student Services directly at: 250-949-7912.
Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Photo North Island College instructor Sara Hunt-Child writes some Kwak’wala phrases on a board during a language class last Wednesday evening.
Basket winners Ly n n D u n n e , l e f t photo, from Sointula was the winner of the North Island Gazette’s Valentine’s Day draw. Dunne’s name was drawn from hundreds of entries and she won a beautiful gift basket from Port McNeill IGA. Below, Kristy Shaw, from Port McNeill, was the winner of a basket full of goodies from Port McNeill Peoples Drug Mart. Presenting the baskets was Gazette Publisher Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
www.northislandgazette.com 11
NISS hosts Trades Fair Students and parents are invited to the second Trades Fair at North Island Secondary School. It will be held on Thursday, March 10. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with an opening by Principal Jay Dixon and then students will be able to move throughout the Fair with their teachers or in small groups. The Parent Advisory Committee will be providing a free hot dog for all students. This year, the ‘Find Your Fit Tour’ will be on site. Find Your Fit is an interactive event where students (Grades 6-10) jump right in and try the skills they’ll need for different careers in demand across the province. This hands-on program will help students apply real life experiences to their career planning.
Twinning Society hosts open house Submitted For over 22 years Port Hardy and Numata have shared the goals of advancing friendship as sister cities. Between 1993 and 2014 there have been 25 visits between the towns with 132 adults and 117 youth learning about each other’s culture, language and home life. The youngest participant from Port Hardy was 11 years old, from Numata 12 years; the oldest from Port Hardy, was 73, the oldest participant from Numata was 69. Depending on personality, maturity, willingness to be open to other cultures and travel with a group, a visit to each other’s sister city can be suitable for anyone. These visits, while fun and educational, can also be life changing. Twenty-year friendships have been formed and with Facebook, Instagram, emails and other social media staying in touch is a daily occurrence. Here are two stories of how the Port Hardy and Numata Sister City relationship has changed lives. Ayumi’s Story In 1999, I visited Port Hardy the first time. I was 18 years old. I was not good at English and didn’t like studying, but I was interested in foreign countries. Numata is a sister city with Port Hardy and has a homestay program for the students who live there. I visited Port Hardy with the program and it was an amazing experience. I was very impressed with the life and people of Port Hardy. They really love the natural beauty of their country. Everyone was so friendly and kind to us. I hoped that one day I would get a chance to come back and live in Canada and study English. Returning home I worked as a Kimono dressmaker for eight years. In 2010, I returned to Canada on a working holiday visa and I studied English for six months. During that time I visited Port Hardy when visitors came from Numata, including my mother. I then worked as a housekeeper at a hotel at Sun Peaks Ski Resort. I met a lot of people and made friends, but I couldn’t answer in detail all the questions I got about Japan. I felt deeply ashamed that I wasn’t able to explain about my own country. Now I work as a tour conductor, so it’s absolutely necessary to study the history and culture of Japan. My dream is to one day visit Canada again as a tour conductor. Cody’s Story It was shaping up to be a wonderful evening, I thought to myself. Not being accustomed to dining in such a fine establishment, I decided to ask my
date if she had any recommendations. I looked up and with a smile she said ‘You’re holding the menu upside down.’ Understandably, with this restaurant being located in Japan, the menus were written in Japanese. As I slowly died of embarrassment I pondered how things had turned out this way. It had all started with a conversation with my mother. I had recently graduated high school and started working, but a year later still had no tangible goals in sight. My mother, sensing my lack of direction and motivation told me that I needed to “get out’”and “do something completely different,” and then proceeded to tell me about the Port Hardy Twinning Society. As you may know, Port Hardy has a twin city (Numata) located in Hokkaido, Japan. Through the Twinning Society, I was able to take part in a life-changing experience full of adventure, hilarious mishaps, and memorable friends. Although I had begun my trip with some pre-conceived notions about how things were ‘so much different‚ in Japan, I quickly realized that the people of Numata (and of Japan in general) are a friendly people like any other. Although there were a few awkward moments and misunderstandings, the people of Numata treated me like family and left me with memories to last a lifetime. For me, my experience with the twinning society has not only provided me with valuable cultural insights and invaluable friends, but it has also given an aim to pursue. I intend to become an English teacher in Japan. To that end, I am currently participating in a one-year academic exchange at a university in Osaka, Japan. Hopefully by the time this year is finished, I will be able to order food without making a complete fool of myself. So give it a try. Perhaps it won’t be a completely life-changing experience for you, but I can guarantee that the time you spend in Japan won’t be wasted. Japan is here, waiting for you to come and enjoy the fun, food, and friends! But don’t take my word for it, come and see for yourself! Want to learn how you can have your own life changing adventure? Come out to the society’s Open House from 5 - 7 p.m. Monday, March 7 at Seto’s Wok & Grill at the Port Hardy Inn. The Twinning Society will be hosting a group from Numata in October of this year and plans to organize a visit from Port Hardy to Numata in 2017. Come out and learn how you or a youth (ages 14-18) can take part. Go to www.facebook.com/ Port-Hardy-Twinning-Society or contact Leslie at 250-949-2315 for more information.
WHEN: MONDAY MARCH 7TH WHERE: SETO’S BANQUET ROOM AT THE PORT HARDY INN TIME: 5:00 - 7:30 pm • What is Twinning? • What is a Sister City? • Where is Numata, Japan? • What is a homestay? • How can I host? • When does Numata visit Port Hardy? • When does Port Hardy visit Numata? • Who can go to Numata? COME OUT AND FIND OUT ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!
7475658
Port Hardy Twinning Society members walk with some of their counterparts from Numata, Japan during a parade.
PORT HARDY TWINNING SOCIETY OPEN HOUSE EVERYONE WELCOME!
Welcome Back!
Stop in, give Rachel a call, or send an email. She is looking forward to reconnecting with your businesses and supporting your advertising and printing needs. 7475961
David Faren Photo
There will be hands-on activities for the students and they will have a bingo stamp card that they can fill up for a chance to win a prize. Some of the businesses in attendance will be Hardy Buoys, Greig Seafood, Marine Harvest, Progressive Diesel, West Coast Helicopters, Vancouver Art Institute, Visions Hair Salon, Creation Renovation, Coastal Community Insurance, North Island Employment Foundations Society, Community Futures, and many others. The Trade Fair is open this year to the public from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you have a business and would like to participate contact kmcarthur@sd85.bc.ca or phone Kathleen McArthur at 250-956-3394.
12 www.northislandgazette.com
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
ENTERTAINMENT editor@northislandgazette.com
Bergmann Duo to tickle the ivories
Gazette staff The curtain will close on the 2015/16 North Island Concert Society series as classical pianists the Bergmann Duo take the stage Sunday, March 6. Bergmann Duo is a piano duo who perform Internationally. They play an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary pieces including their own original compositions and arrangements. The Bergmann piano duo are described as artists who present “razzle-dazzle” and “electrifylingly-rendered” recitals (according to The Vancouver Sun) who have touched and inspired audiences with their uniquely eclectic programmes for more than two decades. As international prize winners, including the
Dranoff International Two Piano Competition and Provincia di Caltanisetta International Chamber Music Competition, they have performed in recital and with orchestras in North America and Europe including recent appearances at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam and in Munich in 2013. Tickets for the event, which includes the annual Decadent Dessert fund-raiser, are available at Café Guido, Port Hardy Museum, Port McNeill Flora Borealis and from Gail Neely in Port Alice at: 250-284-3927. Ticket information is also available from Kathleen Davidson at: 250-949-7676. The show will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Hardy Civic Centre.
Two authors booked for Write Here Readers Series Valliant’s reading starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. On Tuesday, March 8, Secwepemc First Nation poet Garry Gottfriedson reads at Café Guido, starting at 7 p.m. He will be reading from Chaos Inside Thunderstorms, Skin Like Mine, Whiskey Bullets and his newest book Deaf Heaven. Gottfriedson is a Kamloops, BC author
strongly rooted in his cultural teachings. He holds a master’s degree in education and studied under Allen Ginsberg, Marianne Faithful and others at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. He has published nine books and his work has been anthologized internationally. NIC’s Write Here Readers Series showcases the richness of literary arts in our
region, offering students and community members the opportunity to hear, meet and discuss ideas with some of Canada’s top writers. The series is made possible through NIC and the Canada Council of the Arts. All readings are free and open to the public. To find out more about NIC’s series and winter 2016 reading schedule, visit www. nic.bc.ca.
Submitted Photo The Bergmann Piano Duo will perform at the Port Hardy Civic Centre March 6 at 7:30 p.m. Welcome New Chamber Members: • 1-Eleven Roasting A NISS Youth Coffee Company • Captain Ron’s Adventures Fishing Charters, Grizzly Tours & Photography
What does your Chamber do? The Chamber of Commerce is a collective voice for the business community. We are committed to cultivating an atmosphere in which residents, businesses and local governments are willing to work together to create a region where people choose to live, work and play. We are an advocate for the business community; to our 2015 Chamber Awa providing support wherever we Congratulations can.
Member to Member Meetings Lifetime Achievement Award - Gerry F Strategic Natural Resource Consultants hosted our February Member to Member Innovation Award - Tides of Change Partnership (Namgi meeting. Networking and connections wereBusiness made and we all learned bit more Sus of the Year a- Harbour about a locally grown company. New Business of the Year - Aussie Diesel S Next Up: Coastal Community on Weds, March 16 at 7 pm Customer Service Award - Stacey C 1-Eleven Roasting on Weds, April 23 Youth from 12:30 – 1:30pm of the Year - Brodie Wilson (More details can be found on our Chamber website. Please contact us if you would like Com Community Spirit Award - OrcaFest to host your own event.) Home Based Business - Jessica Bro
Professional Merit Award – Scott Benwell, Superintend
Important Forum on the Horizon Community Arts Award - Gate House T North Island Community to Community Tourism Forum 2016 Tourism Award - MacKay Whale Watc Date: Wednesday March 16, 2016 Chamber Spirit Award - Gaby Wickst Time: 9:30 AM – 4 PM Location:Many Port Hardy CivictoCentre thanks all of our silent auction business sponsors & our 7450 Columbia Street, PortCoastal Hardy Community, Peopleʼs Drug Mart, Grieg Se Helicopters, Who should attend –Management Tourism businesses, local governments, First Nations, and Resource & Black Bear Resort. Many volunteers m others with following an interest in the tourism industry volunteers: Natasha Bursa, Neva Perrot, Michelle Be What is theFoster, forum focus – The purpose the C2CJohn forum Isherwood will be to discuss how to Bar Damaris & Ken of Sadler, & Morgan move forward with a handful of key ideas, opportunities or challenges facing Karen Stewart, Sharon Barrett & Gene Wickstrom. For the the deco tourism sector the Northflower Island. This forum will be action building on theon beautiful arrangements, Floraoriented, Borealus & Northern L issues that have already been identified in previous plans, documents and tourism sector sessions: what needs to new happen by when, who will bemembers: leading the tasks and Welcome to our and/or returning where resources willRock come Fisheries from. Hannah
At Waterʼs Edge Ventures
Little Listeners
Tyson Whitney Photo
Children gathered around as Aileen Selbee, community support technician zone 6, held a storytime and singing fingers event at the Port Hardy Public Library.
Chamber AGM Northern Lights Restaurant Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting Waivin Flags Taxi When: April 5/16 @ 7pm Location: The Rock Pub Upcoming “Member to Member” events: Guest Speaker: Line Robert - Island Coast Economic Trust
Strategic Natural Resource Consultants – January 2016
Coastal- President Community Credit Union & Insurance Services – Februa Gaby Wickstrom Ph: 250 230 9952 Remember this holiday season to shop local. Businesses in ou Email: portmcneillchamber@gmail.com community. When you shop local, you are making a local in Website:the www.portmcneill.net owners and their families, but the community as well! Gaby Wickstrom – President
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Submitted Join NIC’s Write Here Readers Series for a reading with literary journalist John Vaillant Thursday, March 3 at Café Guido in Port Hardy. Vaillant will read from The Golden Spruce, winner of the 2005 Governor General’s award for Non-Fiction and his recent novel, The Jaguar’s Children. Set in Mexico, The Jaguar’s Children tells the story of Hector and his friend Cesar, as they leave Mexico for the United States. Much of the novel takes place inside the 10,000-gallon tank of a water truck stranded near the ArizonaMexico border, where Vaillant sets the scene for a dark and suspenseful border story. Vaillant’s work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, National Geographic and Outside among others. His second non-fiction book, The Tiger, won the BC National Book Award for Non-Fiction and was a CBC Canada Reads selection. It was also named one of the best books in 2010 by several international newspapers, libraries and booksellers associations.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
www.northislandgazette.com 13
SPORTS & RECREATION Submit results to 250-949-6225 Fax 250-949-7655 or email us at sports@northislandgazette.com • Deadline 10 am Monday
on deck Tell us about items of interest to the sports community. Mar. 3-6 Annual Oscar Hickes hockey tournament, Port Alice. Mar. 4-6 Fort Rupert Curling Club Men’s Bonspiel. Mar. 5 Initiation Jamboree, Chilton Regional Arena, Port McNeill. Mar. 19 Fort Rupert Curling Club Daffodily. Mar. 19 Kid’s Fest Mount Cain.
at
April 3 Mount Cain closing day. April 9 Marine Harvest Riptide will be hosting a oneday camp in Port Hardy on Saturday, April 9 for Port Hardy Youth Soccer Association registered players only. The camp will be held at Port Hardy Secondary School. June 16-19 57 Annual June Sports First Nation Soccer To u r n a m e n t , Salmon Prince & Princess Pageant, Parade, Crowning of Salmon Prince & Princess, Kids races etc. in Alert Bay. For more information contact the ‘Namgis First Nation at 250974-5556.
Bantams bring home the banner By Tyson Whitney Reporter The North Island Bantam Eagles came back to the Tri-Port with a 1-0 best-of-three series lead against the Saanich Braves, ready to play two games at home if needed, to win the Island League Tier 3 banner that they’ve been battling the entire season for. And that’s exactly what they did. The first game started at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy, and the building was absolutely packed with fans who were downright excited to watch some fast-paced playoff hockey. The Eagles and the Braves came out of their dressing rooms ready for battle right from the drop of the puck. Hits were being thrown all over the ice as both teams wanted to set the tone of the game early on. The Braves managed to get on the scoreboard first with a goal at 9:15 of the 1st period, but the Eagles’ Clayton Bono answered back right away with a goal at 8:29 to tie it up 1-1. In the 2nd period, the Eagles kicked their game into high gear and started to pull away, using excellent passing and just plain
Submitted Photo On Sunday, Feb. 28, at the Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy, the North Island Bantam Eagles beat the Saanich Braves 6-2 to win the best-of-three series playoff finals, and were awarded the Island League Tier 3 banner after the game. Next stop, Provincials.
out skating the Braves. Rhys Dutcyvich scored off a one timer at 15:11, deked around the defence and knocked the puck past the Braves’ goalie at 14:53, and then completed the hat trick with a hard wrist shot goal at 9:35. Devin White added another goal at 6:12 to put the Eagles firmly in the lead 5-1. The Braves added their second goal of the game with 1:04 left to end the 2nd period 5-2. The 3rd period was filled with tons of penalties. The Eagles got a little heated and ended up racking up 17 penalty minutes, and the
undisciplined play cost them in the end. The Braves scored at 8:44, 7:31, and again with 3:21 left on the clock to tie the game up 5-5, sending it into overtime. The 10-minute overtime period was filled with back-and-forth action, with both teams getting some good chances, but neither team could find the back of the net. The Eagles took a bad fourminute penalty with 3:04 left and that was when the Braves capitalized with the man advantage, scoring with 2:36 left on the clock to wrench the game away
from the Eagles 6-5. “I felt we played pretty well rounded,” said Coach Greg Fox. “We struggled from time to time and that let Saanich back in. Saanich just never stopped coming, they were a very good team.” The Eagles, now tied 1-1 with the Braves, would play the final game of the best-ofthree series the next day on Sunday, Feb. 28, again at the Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy. Before the game started, Marty Gage, the Eagles’ assistant coach, talked to the team
Capitals fall to Powell River By Tyson Whitney Reporter The North Island Capitals Senior AA team dropped two straight games against league rivals the Powell River Regals on Saturday, Feb. 20, and Sunday, Feb. 21, down island in Powell River. The Regals got on the scoreboard first with a goal at 17:59, and the Capitals’ Thor Rosback tied it up in the 2nd period with a goal of his own at 11:45. The Regals poured on the offence from there, scoring three more goals to end the 2nd period 4-1. The Capitals’ Shelby Cockell scored twice in the 3rd period, but they ultimately fell to the Regals 6-3. In the rematch on Feb 21., the Regals again
jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, scoring at 10:51 of the 1st period. The Capitals came back in the 2nd period with goals from John Murgatroyd and Rosback to take a 2-1 lead going into the 3rd period. The Regals added two goals to go ahead 3-2, but the Capitals’ Eric Kenelley scored with 15 seconds remaining to tie it up 3-3 and send the game into overtime, where the Regals ended up scoring the game winner with just 40 seconds left. The Regals advanced to another series against the Nuway Crushing Whitehorse Huskies which will be held on March 11. The winner of that series will go on to the four-team Coy Cup tournament starting March 22.
about “attitude, and the effects a positive attitude will have on the outcome,” said Fox. “We also discussed playing for the team, keeping your personal emotions in check, and also chatted about just focusing on the little things, like short passes, and to be in place to support puck control.” The talk must have worked, because the Eagles came out of the dressing room focused and determined to bring home the banner in front of their hometown crowd. The 1st period kicked off with the Eagles controlling the puck well and laying out some excellent hits. The Eagles’ captain Evan Fox scored off an excellent point shot through traffic at 8:29, and The Braves responded with a goal at 4:22 to tie the game up 1-1. The Eagles’ Dutcyvich then scored a clutch power play goal where he literally slid into the net with the puck with just 33 seconds left to end the 1st. In the 2nd period, the Eagles came out firing. Dutcyvich scored
his second goal of the game at 18:43, then Bono scored at 14:42 to make it 4-1. The Braves scored another goal at 4:30, but that was the last time they would put the puck in the net. Dutcyvich scored his third goal with 21 seconds left in the 2nd period, and then scored his fourth goal at 11:45 of the 3rd period to seal the win 6-2 and bring home the Island League Tier 3 banner. The hometown crowd erupted and cheered the Eagles as they hugged in front of their net and celebrated the hardfought, well-earned playoff finals victory. “Thank you to all the supporters who came out this weekend, it was deeply appreciated by our team,” said Fox after the game, adding that the team will now be going to compete in the Provincials in Smithers. When asked how he thinks the team will do, Fox replied that he believes they “have a solid chance as long as we continue to work on the little things, stay positive and control the controllables.”
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Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Climbing wall within reach, Rotary Gala still to go By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor Community Futures Mount Waddington has donated $1,000 towards the new climbing wall that will be built at North Island Secondary School in Port McNeill. “By building a climbing wall, we wish to create a new activity for the residents of the North Island focused on climbing and outdoor experiences,” said Principal Jay Dixon. The fully-installed phase one component of the wall is approximately $38,000 including all of the safety gear, mats, and certified training. “If all commitments go through we have raised almost $30,000 to date,” Dixon said. “The goal is to have the remainder of the funds raised this spring and the wall installed during the summer of 2016,” Dixon said.
To help raise funds, the Port McNeill Rotary Club will be hosting a “Raise the Wall” Gala fund-raising evening at North Island Secondary School on April 30. “At the Rotary Gala we will also begin a campaign of selling donation “bricks” for $100. Individual donors will be recognized with the Art class painting a brick (or hopefully
two) beside the wall for each donation,” he said. “Both community members and businesses throughout the North Island are keen to see this exciting opportunity become a reality,” said Dixon. If you would like to make a donation to support this project please contact Jay Dixon at North Island Secondary School. If you are interested in joining the newly-
Appointment Andrew Franklin, Director of Digital Development is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Baziuk as B.C. Digital Editor. Laura graduated from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2007. She worked in various newsrooms, including the Peace Arch News, the Province, the Canadian Press, and most recently, CKNW Radio. She spent four and a half years there, as a reporter and anchor, and was sent to Tofino to cover the whalewatching boat capsizing in 2015. Laura grew up in south Surrey and lives in Vancouver. She enjoys reading crime novels, baking and eating cookies! Please join us in congratulating Laura on her appointment as B.C. Digital Editor.
Laura Baziuk Black Press Digital
blackpress.ca
formed Vancouver Island North Climbing Society please contact Greg Muirhead at gmuirhead@sd85. bc.ca
Submitted Photo
North Island Secondary School Grade 9 student Braedon Van Gorkum was the winner of the climbing wall logo design contest, shown right. Above, Jay Dixon, centre, accepts a cheque for $1,000 from Community Futures Mount Waddington General Manager David Mitchell, right, and Warren Beatty, vice chair of the CFMW board of directors.
Wild finish to the season By Tyson Whitney Reporter The Tri-Port Wild closed out their 2015-2016 women’s midget league season with two back-toback wins over the Campbell River Hurricanes and the Cowichan Valley Capitals. “The girls have committed fully to each other and to the team. They have far exceeded any and all expectations this year,” said Coach Andrew Laming. “At the start of the season the goal was to just make the playoffs, but they have proved that they could compete and win with every team in the league, finishing the regular season in second place, missing first by just one sportsmanship point.” The Wild travelled down to Campbell River to face the Hurricanes on Saturday, Feb. 20, and they started scoring early on. Bree-Anna Henderson drew first blood with a goal at 11:14, and Crystal Tapp added a second goal with 4:22 left in the 1st period to put the Wild up 2-0 going into the 2nd period. The 2nd period saw no goals for either team, but the action picked back up in the 3rd period. The Wild’s Kerrigan Sharpe scored at 14:33 and again at 9:03 to make it 4-0. Taylor Ranger scored at 4:37 and Madison Van Will added another goal with 2:24 left to make the final score a decisive 6-0 win for the Wild. The girls “played hard, and as a team, from start to finish. The Hurricanes did have their scoring chances but our goalie, Avary Miller, who has been phenomenal all year, shut the door time and again to earn yet another shutout,” said Laming. The Wild’s game against the Cowichan Valley Capitals was on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy, and it was their last game of the regular season before playoffs. The Wild came out from the dressing room and went right at the Capitals from the drop of the puck, in what was “definitely a spirited game,” said
Laming. Henderson again jump-started the Wild’s offence with a hard wrist shot goal early on at 14:10 of the 1st period. The Capitals responded at 7:14 of the 2nd period with a goal of their own to tie it up, but the Wild dug down deep and took over offensively from there. Kaitlyn Wilson jammed the puck in the net at 6:16, and Sharpe scored with 5:32 left in the 2nd period to make it 3-1. The 3rd period was all Tri-Port Wild. Wilson scored her second goal of the game on a rebound at 17:16 and Tyanna Laming scored off a point shot through traffic at 16:15. Not only did the Wild outscore the Capitals, they beat them physically as well. A fight broke out at 16:02, and Jessica Wadhams backed up her team by hitting a beautiful judo style hip throw on one of the Capitals’ players and followed it up with a good punch before the referees jumped in and pulled them apart. Wilson then jammed the puck past the Capitals’ goalie at 12:26 to complete the hat trick and seal the win 6-1 for the Wild. “The girls started out a little slow, but as the game went on they got better and better,” said Laming. “It was a great team effort with girls that don’t normally score goals getting on the score sheet. Tyanna with her first and Kaitlyn scoring a hat trick. And Avary once again shut the door.” With the season now over, Laming cautiously noted that the playoffs coming up March 5 and 6 in Parksville are going to be “a tough challenge for the girls. They will have to keep improving, work hard, and keep playing as a team, but most importantly play disciplined hockey. If they do that, there’s no reason they can’t succeed.” The Tri-Port Wild finished the 2015-2016 women’s midget league season in 2nd place with a 8-3-1 record, 48 goals for, and only 27 goals against.
Minor ball registration underway Gazette staff Tri Port Minor Ball registration is now open until March 15. Registration forms and payments are being accepted at Northstar Cycle and Redden Net in Port Hardy and Timberland Sports in Port McNeill. “This year we will try to run a softball and baseball division,” said Organizer Carla Wagnor.
The minor ball season starts after the May long weekend and will continue until the end of the school year. “Last year we had four teams ranging from T-ball to peewee baseball,” Wagnor said. “We are hoping to play more games in Campbell River this year,” she said. The organization has a Facebook page called Tri Port Minor Ball.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
www.northislandgazette.com 15
Nuts for Hockey
Tyson Whitney Photo
There was a Peanuts/Prenuts jamboree at the Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy on Saturday, Feb. 13. Port Hardy squared off against Port McNeill in the all day event, where the kids slid around on the ice learning to play hockey and having fun.
Soccer camp
Submitted The Marine Harvest Riptide will be hosting a one-day camp in Port Hardy on Saturday, April 9 for Port Hardy Youth Soccer Association registered players only. The program will be made available to youth soccer players ages U6-U18 years in the North Island. Please note, all players must pre-register before April 6, 2016 to participate in this program. The day will provide an opportunity for players, goalkeepers and coaches of all ages in youth soccer to benefit from the Marine Harvest Riptide coaching staff. The program will be as follows: •10 a.m. - 12 p.m. All players, goalkeeper and coaches ages U6-U11 years • 1 p..m. - 3 p.m. All players, goalkeepers and coaches ages U12-U18 years The location will be Port Hardy Secondary School. The camp staff will be a combination of Marine Harvest Riptide coaches and players. Shel Brodsgaard is the technical director for the Riptide and has extensive history in the First Nations community in the North Island. Ken Garraway is a technical director for the Riptide and has extensive involvement with the game of soccer at all levels. Stephen Hall is the current 2002 boys team head coach and a by-product of the Campbell River Youth Soccer Association. Sean Arbour is the co-founder of the Riptide and 2002 Boys Team Assistant Coach. Geoff Hackett is the Riptide goalkeeper coach and graduate of Island Keeper Clinics. Mentor coaches will be selected from the players within the Riptide program. Coaches will be provided with an opportunity to learn from one of the Riptide technical director’s regarding age appropriate mechanisms for design and implementing training sessions as well as observe the program in place. This will be an opportunity for the community level coach to learn first hand how to work with the kids in their specified age group. Goalkeeper training will be provided for all those interested in learning more about the position and/or improving their current level of play. The drills will be physically demanding, so be sure to come prepared with suitable clothing and willing to work hard. Players will be encouraged to participate in a warm-up, technical drills, small sided games and a cool down. The Marine Harvest Riptide play in the Vancouver Island Premier League with teams in the U14-U18 age groups playing in Tier 2. The lone Tier 1 franchise is the Vancouver island Wave, which is based out of Victoria. The Marine Harvest Riptide have 10 players from the North Island involved with their program this year, which also includes players from Powell River, Campbell River and the Comox Valley. Please register online at https://soccersoccersoccer.wufoo.eu/forms/marine-harvest-riptidesoccer-development-camp/
Able at Cain
Sandy Grenier Photo
On Monday, Feb. 1 Grade 5 and 6 students from Eagle View Elementary School travelled to Mount Cain for a day with their teacher Sean Barfoot. Most of the students had never been to Mount Cain before and most had never skied or tried snow boarding. By the end of the day most kids made it up the t-bar and some skied down the face.
CONGRATULATIONS!
146 athletes from Vancouver Island - Central Coast competed at the 2016 BC Winter Games bringing home 53 medals. Thank you to the coaches, officials, volunteers, and families who support these growing champions. See photos, videos, and results at BCGAMES.ORG
16 www.northislandgazette.com
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Weddell Rink sweeps mixed finals Submitted Feb. 12 to Feb. 15 was the Broughton Curling Club’s Mixed Bonspiel, wrapping up the 20152016 season in Port McNeill. A total of 10 teams competed in the event, with participants from as far away as White Horse, Yukon. Winner of the ‘A’ Final was the
Weddell Rink: Trevor Weddell, Neva Perrott, Nick Russell, and Sarah Russell. Second place in the “A” Event was the Baker Rink. Winner of the “B” Final was the K. Balcke rink. Second place in the “B” Event was the Maday rink from Port Hardy.
Tyson Whitney Photo
Under the Spotlight The Port McNeill Figure Skating Club presented their biennial Ice Carnival ‘Gliding Through Time’ at the Chilton Regional Arena this weekend.
Talons win Downpour Tourney Submitted The Downpour Hockey Tournament was held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Feb. 19-21 in Port NEWLY RENOVATED
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McNeill at the Chilton Regional Arena. There were six women’s teams and four men’s teams that competed in separate divisions. The Victoria Furies took first place in the women’s division. Second place was the Courtenay Whalers and third place was the Port Hardy Juiceheads followed by the Port McNeill Downpour in fourth, the Port Hardy Wild in fifth, and the Campbell River Wildcats in sixth. The Port McNeill Talons were the victors in the men’s division. Finishing in second place was the Port Hardy Chiefs, in third the Port Hardy West Coast Rookies, and fourth place went to the Port Hardy Cobras. There was an amazing Saturday night social for all the teams. This year’s theme was superheroes. There were costumes, games, prizes, and dancing.
Family Day Face-off
Sheldon Spafford and Ethan McKenzie face off in the Kids vs. Parents hockey game during Port Alice Family Day events Feb. 6.
First annual Royal LePage Salmon Derby Submitted The first annual Royal LePage
Port McNeill DOWNPOUR Café Guido West Coast Helicopters Pacificus Biological Services Ltd. SubWay Marine Harvest Ltd. Western Forest Products Ltd. Save On Foods Harbour Sushi Macandale Rentals Ltd. Haida-Way Motor Inn Redden Net Co. Ltd. Northern Lights Restaurant Coastal Sports Furney Distributing Port Hardy Bulldozing Ltd. Black Bear Resort Janke Services & Mini Excavating Ltd. Dynamic Massage Therapy Cluxewe Resort
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Would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the local businesses that helped make this tournament a success with their generous donations
Heather Brown/The Window Island Foods Ltd. Petro-Canada Orca Sand & Gravel LP The Bike Shed Dalewood Beer and Wine Market Place IGA The Bead Lady Flora Borealis 4B Enterprises/ Fox's Disposal Sevices Ltd. Shop Rite/ Rona Port McNeill Medical Collaborative A Step A-Head Engine & Machine General Properties Ltd. Sassy Shears Lemare Lake Logging Ltd. Timberland Sports Centre Julia and Brittany‘s Salon Mugz
Trish Weatherall Photo
Advance Campbell River Salmon Derby, with a $5,000 cash prize for the largest Salmon, will be held June 11. It is hoped this event will attract hundreds of anglers. The Foreshore/Robert Ostler Park in downtown Campbell River will have a day full of activities arranged for family fun and will be the event headquarters where awards and dozens of prizes will be distributed later in the day. All funds raised at the Derby will be donated to two local causes - the Royal Lepage Shelter Foundation will benefit the Campbell River and North Island Transition Society (Rose Harbour and Ann Elmore house) in supporting local women and children in need and the Campbell River Salmon Foundation in support-
Royal LePage Advance Realty Campbell River is hosting the 1st annual Salmon Derby June 11.
ing rehabilitation and enhancement of local salmon habitat. Royal Lepage Advance Realty is locally owned and has realtors living in or handling real estate sales for clients in Haida Gwaii, Port Hardy and area, Sointula, Sayward, Tahsis, Gold River, Quadra and Cortes Islands, Black
Creek/Merville, and of course, Campbell River and area, where the company’s head office is located. Entry fee is $40 per person, online at CRsalmonderby.com (preferred registration) or in person, at local outlets (Royal Lepage head office and others to be named at a later date).
Information about the event and registration details will be upcoming in various media announcements. If you are interested in being a sponsor of the event contact the Royal LePage office at 972 Shoppers Row in Campbell River at 250-286-3293 or by e-mail at tickets@ crsalmonderby.com
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ATHLETE of the
Week
AVARY MILLER
Women’s, left to right, Janine Buckley, Sonia Langer and Sarah Hauser.
A telemarker poles for speed on the course during the annual Telefest event held at Mount cain.
Cain Telefest results
Masters Women, from left to right, Elanne Hanlon, Jennifer Lash, and Heather Hilberry.
Masters Men Dave Mitchell, Carlos Grooms and Andrew Jackson.
Men’s Open, from left to right, Reid Jackson, Dave Brown and Steve Popple.
By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor Mount Cain offered skiers the opportunity to free their heels, and their minds, at the annual Telefest event held Feb. 20 and 21. Telefest is Vancouver Island’s only Telemark festival and this year’s event featured a creative ski race that included jumps, a 360 loop, uphill component, gates, etc. Telemark is a skiing technique that combines elements of Alpine (downhill) and Nordic (cross-country) skiing. Telemark skiing is named after the Telemark region of Norway, where the discipline originated. The next big event on the horizon at Mount Cain is Kid’s Fest which will take place on Saturday, March 19. “We’ll have face painting, snow sculptures, an obstacle course race on the bunny hill
and the ever-popular dummy downhill,” said Mount Cain Alpine Park Society President Neil Borecky. The event is open to everyone under 16 years of age - skiers and boarders of all ski levels. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the events will begin at 9:30 a.m. There is a $5 registration fee. Mount Cain will be open extended hours during Spring Break from March 18-21 and March 25-28. For more info, visit www.mountcain.com. Telemark results Men’s Age Group Under 20 Kellan Warkentin, 0:51.29, age 13 21-49 Dave Brown, 0:47.07 Reid Jackson, 0:49.59 Steve Popple, 0:51.84 Masters Dave Mitchell, 0:54.70 Carlos Grooms, 0:56.56
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If you know someone who should be the Athlete of the Week, phone the Gazette at 250-949-6225
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find us online at www@northislandgazette.com
Smile of the week. 7456373
The Port McNeill Ice Breaking Excitement Hockey Tournament for the Novice Division was held Feb. 12-14. The Port Hardy 1# team was 4 and 0. The teams who took part in the tournament were Port Hardy 1# (pictured), Port Hardy 2#, Port Alice, Port McNeill, Powell River, Campbell River, Comox, and Comox #2.
Andrew Jackson, 0:57.20 Men’s Combined Time Dave Brown, 01:36.7 Reid Jackson, 01:41.6 Steven Russell, 01:43.9 Women’s Age Group Under 20 Tara Warkentin, 1:10:00, 17 21-49 Sonia Langer, 0:59.39 Sarah Hauser, 1:02.11 Janine Buckley, 1:54.00 Masters Jennifer Lash, 1:00.67 Elanne Hanlon, 1:01.44 Heather Hilberry, 1:02.49 Women’s Combined Sonia Langer, 02:00.7 Jennifer Lash, 02:02.8 Elanne Hanlon, 02:03.6 Telemark Classic Men’s Results Tyler Field, 1:35.71 Dave Brown, 1:41.70 Adam Weir, 1:42.21 Women’s Results Sonja Langer, 2:35.99
played an excellent last two games of the season for the Tri-Port Wild, getting a shutout against the Campbell River Hurricanes on Feb. 20 and allowing only one goal against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Feb. 27. She also picked up two shutouts in the women’s Downpour Tournament in Port McNeill the weekend of Feb. 19-21.
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Neil Borecky Photo
Lisa Harrison Photo
Chelsea Jaeggle, a Wild Heart Music the of r membe Program, was at a rehearsal for the Ice Carnival at the Chilton Regional Arena in Port McNeill, Friday, Feb. 19.
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Marilyn Jean Gadsden (nee Hill)
born January 29, 1945 passed away January 12, 2016 at RJH Victoria BC Marilyn Jean Gadsden lost her battle with cancer on January 12, 2016. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Terry Gadsden; her two daughters Lori Gadsden (Kevin) and Carol Saysell (Shawn); and her two granddaughters Devon and Morgan. In keeping with Marilyn’s wishes there will be no formal service. A private family gathering will be held. The family would like to thank the staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital for taking care of Mom and the lovely ladies of the Heart House for taking care of Dad. In lieu of floral tributes, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Agency and the First Heart House Society of Victoria. LEGALS
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MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT – OCTOBER 4, 2014, Highway 19 near the south end of Roberts Lake, BC. A 65 year old woman was driving her grey 2007 Ford Focus northbound on Highway 19 just south of Roberts Lake when she hit a diesel or oil spill on the road which caused her to have a double rollover accident. The car came to rest on the driver’s side. Anyone who has information regarding the vehicle that caused this spill or was witness to this accident is asked to contact Sandra J. Gordon at CR Lawyers – Shook Wickham Bishop & Field, 250-287-8355. This lady was injured in this accident. She was taken away by ambulance and there was a police investigation. ICBC is relying on s. 24(5) of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act and claims she did not make reasonable efforts to ascertain the identity of the unknown driver who left the spill. If you have information or witnessed the accident please call 250-287-8355. INFORMATION
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MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT – OCTOBER 4, 2014, Highway 19 near the south end of Roberts Lake, BC. A 65 year old woman was driving her grey 2007 Ford Focus northbound on Highway 19 just south of Roberts Lake when she hit a diesel or oil spill on the road which caused her to have a double rollover accident. The car came to rest on the driver’s side. Anyone who has information regarding the vehicle that caused this spill or was witness to this accident is asked to contact Sandra J. Gordon at CR Lawyers – Shook Wickham Bishop & Field, 250-287-8355. This lady was injured in this accident. She was taken away by ambulance and there was a police investigation. ICBC is relying on s. 24(5) of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act and claims she did not make reasonable efforts to ascertain the identity of the unknown driver who left the spill. If you have information or witnessed the accident please call 250-287-8355.
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CANADA BENEFIT Group Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canadabenefit.ca/free-assessment
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Port Hardy meets every Wednesday & Saturday at the Upper Island Public Health Unit on Gray Street at 8pm. Sundays at the Salvation Army Lighthouse, 8635 Granville St., at 7pm. Contact Ed at 250-230-9655
CANCEL YOUR timeshare. No risk program stop mortgage & maintenance payments today. 100% money back guarantee. Free consultation. Call us now. We can help! 1-888-356-5248.
CALL FOR ENTRIES 13TH ANNUAL Kitty Coleman Woodland Art & Bloom Festival. Fine Art and Quality Crafts Juried Show. Presented in a spectacular outdoor setting May 21, 22 and 23 Applications for Artisans are available at woodlandgardens.ca or email 2bevzimmerman@gmail.com 250-338-6901
INFORMATION
Denied Long-Term Disability Benefits or other insurance?
Have a problem with alcohol? We can help! Alcoholics Anonymous Port McNeill Rick 250-230-4555 Cody 250-230-4218 Mondays and Fridays at 8:00 pm Room 3 at the Old School
If YES, call or email for FREE initial legal consultation and protect your right to compensation.
778-588-7049 Julie@LawyersWest.ca www.LawyersWest.ca
PLACES OF WORSHIP
TRAVEL SAVE 30% on our Heart of the Arctic adventure. Visit Inuit communities in Greenland and Nunavut aboard the comfortable 198-passenger Ocean Endeavour. Call for details! 1800-363-7566 or visit online www.adventurecanada.com (TICO#04001400)
Your Community, Your Classifieds. Call 1-855-310-3535
HIP OR knee replacement? Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in Walking/Dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For Assistance: 1-844-453-5372.
7468894
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
PLACES OF WORSHIP
PLACES OF WORSHIP
PLACES OF WORSHIP
North Island Church Services PORT HARDY BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of Trustee & Highland Morning Service 11:00am Plus regular family activities Office: 250-949-6844 www.porthardybaptistchurch.ca Pastor: Kevin Martineau 11/14
NORTH ISLAND CATHOLIC CHURCHES Sunday Masses St. Mary’s 430 Chapel St., Port McNeill: 9:00am St. Bonaventure 4750 Byng Rd., Port Hardy: 11:00am St. Theresa’s corner of Nigei St. and Marine Dr., Port Alice: Saturdays 5:00pm Alert Bay: 65 Hemlock St., 2nd & 4th: Saturdays 10:00am 11/14
ST. COLUMBA ANGLICAN UNITED 9190 Granville St. Port Hardy Phone 250-949-6247 10:30am Sunday School and Service Everyone welcome Meeting rooms available www.stcolumbaporthardy.ca Bible study check online for details 11/14
FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 2540 Catala Place Port McNeill (across from Firehall) Sunday 10:30am - Morning Worship Church Office 250-956-4741 Pastor Stan Rukin Cell: 250-527-0144 Visitors always welcome www.ptmcfullgospel.org 11/14
CHRIST CHURCH ANGLICAN Alert Bay Sunday Services - 10:00am Reverend Lincoln Mckoen 1-250-974-5844 Warden Flora Cook 250-974-5945 Warden Joan Stone 250-974-2234 11/14
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 4680 Byng Rd. Port Hardy Pastor George Hilton 250-949-8925 or 250-949-8826 “Everyone Welcome” Saturday Services 9:30am - Bible Study groups 10:45am - Worship/Praise service Wednesday @ 7:00pm - Prayer meeting Avalon Adventist Jr. Academy Offering Christian Education 250-949-8243 11/14
PORT MCNEILL BAPTIST CHURCH 2501 Mine Road Sunday 9:45am (Sept-June) - Sunday School 11:00am - Worship Service 7:00pm - Evening Fellowship Youth Group Wed - 7:00pm Children’s Programs & Adult Bible Studies are scheduled throughout the year. For information contact Pastor Dave Purdy • 250-956-4737 11/14
LIGHTHOUSE RESOURCE CENTRE • Chaplain Services • Bible Studies • Spiritual Counselling • Weekly AA Groups (8635 Granville St. Port Hardy) 250-949-8125 11/14
PORT HARDY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP at Providence Place, 7050 Rupert St. Sunday Worship 10:30am & 7:00pm Tuesday Prayer 7:30pm Midweek Biblestudies Call the church for time and place 250-949-6466 Pastor George & Karen Ewald (home) 250-949-9674 E-Mail: pastorgeorge@providenceplace.ca 11/14
PORT ALICE ANGLICAN- UNITED FELLOWSHIP Sunday Services - 4:00pm 1-250-949-6247 Box 159, Port Alice You are extended a special invitation to share in our Services 11/14
ST. JOHN GUALBERT UNITED ANGLICAN CHURCH 250-956-3533 Email: gualbert@uniserve.com Please call for worship times All Welcome 175 Cedar Street Port McNeill 11/14
GWA’SALA-’NAKWAXDA’XW SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH at entrance to Tsulquate Village (8898 Park Dr) Saturday/Sabbath 10:00am-Sabbath School 11:15am-Worship Service Pastor Randy Elliott 250-230-1885 cell 11/14 7372932
GET IT RENTED!
your private party automotive ad with us in SELL IT IN 3 Place your community paper for next 3 weeks for only OR IT RUNS the $30. If your vehicle does not call us and we'll run it FOR FREE!* sell, again at NO CHARGE!
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Spring Cleaning Sales Event E.J. Klassen’s
You WILL NOT BEAT THESE PRICES ANYWHERE! DO NOT WAIT.... Once they are gone, they are GONE!
! y r Sor D! SOL
Stk# S6364
Stk# CZ3630
2015 Chevy Spark LT 2015 Chevy Cruze LT complete with power group, bluetooth, Chevy My-Link audio package, XMSirius and so much more! NOW SAVE OVER $5000!
BLOW-OUT PRICE ONLY
$13,794!!
Turbo 1.4L, 6 speed transmission, rear camera, bluetooth, built in Wi-Fi, XMSirius radio and MyLink entertainment system. 5 year 160km power train warranty, roadside assistance AND two years of oil changes on US! MSRP $21,690. Save nearly $5500!!!
Stk# CZ7951
Stk# CT9128
2015 Chevy Cruze LT Turbo
2015 Chevy Trax LS
Sun, Sound and RS Appearance Package including sunroof, Pioneer system, body kit and more. Fully loaded! MSRP $25,955 YEAR END
Includes power group, automatic and air conditioning. Wi-Fi built in, bluetooth and Onstar. MSRP $23,580
BLOW-OUT PRICE ONLY
BLOW-OUT PRICE ONLY
$18,973!!!
19,926!!
BLOW-OUT PRICE ONLY
$16,203!!!
The all new 2016 Chevy Malibu is here...
We would like to welcome George Hill to our Parts and Service team!! George brings with him years of industry experience and we are excited to have him aboard! Come by, say HI and let our team take care of all your vehicle needs!
LS Limited Edition, full power group including seats, Onstar, bluetooth, Wi-Fi and so much more!
AND IT’S ON SALE!! LOOK AT THIS PRICE! MSRP $27,385
YOURS FOR ONLY
$21,018!! THATS RIGHT.. SAVE OVER $6,300!!!
Stk# M2463
We have a lot of new arrivals for pre-owned vehicles for you to choose from, so come take a look, and remember.... if we don't have it... WE CAN FIND IT! 2010 Ford F150 Supercab SXT 2013 Chevy 1500 Crew LTZ 2011 Chevy 1500 Ext Cab Nevada Edition 2011 Kia Rondo 7 seater 2015 Chevy Trax LT awd
2014 Chevy Cruze LT Diesel! 2012 Chevy Sonic LT Sedan 2010 Ford F350 Crew Diesel 2011 Ford F150 Crew Lariat 2014 Chevy Traverse LT AWD
2012 Chevy 1500 Ext Cab Z71 2013 Chevy Orlando LT 7 passenger 2011 Chevy Aveo automatic sedan
DEALER #7983
Come see us today at EJ Klassen GM or check us out online at klassengm.com 9045 Granville Street
250-949-7442
7473888
THERE'S ALWAYS A DEAL TO BE HAD, COME SEE US TODAY... YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID!!!