the Cariboo Advisor Wednesday, March 7, 2012
A1
Volume 15, Issue 10
March 7, 2012
Striking teachers
Tayla Pitt and Stephen Adamus
protest outside Columneetza Secondary School
demonstrate how science is fun
Page 3
Page 9
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Angie Mindus Photo
Ervin Charleyboy says he is being ostracized by Tsilhqot’in leaders for his pro-New Prosperity Mine stance.
Angie Mindus Cariboo Advisor A respected former Tsilhqot’in chief and elder says he’s being punished by current First Nations’ governments for speaking out publicly in favour of the controversial New Prosperity mine project. Ervin Charleyboy, a tribal chief for the Tsilhqot’in National Government for 20 years and longtime former chief of the Alexis Creek First Nation (Tsi Del Del), said he received a letter in the mail last week from
his current government striping him of his title of honourary member of the Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society. And since it was Charleyboy’s passion and vision that founded the Aboriginal youth camp back in 1998, it’s fair to say he’s more than a little upset. “I want the general public to know what they’re doing to me,” says Charleyboy. “What does that tell the young people, how they’re treating me? The way they are treat-
ing me, I’m ashamed to be Tsilhqot’in.” Chief Percy Guichon, current chief of the Alexis Creek First Nations where Charleyboy resides, confirmed Tuesday that Charleyboy’s honourary position was not renewed for a new term. “We don’t feel this is newsworthy,” Guichon said, noting he has more pressing work such as housing, health, and education issues to deal with. See TNG on Page 3
Mayor questioned while pool remains closed Angie Mindus Cariboo Advisor Mayor Kerry Cook announced Friday a failed vacuum regulator is likely to blame for a chlorine gas release that caused the traumatic evacuation and emergency hospital treatment of 70 adults and children last month. Flanked by senior staff, Cook said the
initial investigation identified the problem occurred when the vacuum regulator in the pool’s gas chlorine sanitizing system malfunctioned during a routine emptying and refilling of the hot tub and wading pool during a Blue Fins swim meet. An eight-year-old Quesnel boy suffered respiratory difficulties
and remained in hospital for almost a week after the incident. Cook was called to task by Blue Fins President Dale Taylor on the city’s lack of personal contact with any of the swimmers, parents and coaches impacted by incident on the day of or in the days following the incident.
Taylor said it was a traumatic scene which unfolded that day and that he expected some form of personal follow-up with the families, coaches and outof-town swim clubs. “I don’t know, I guess I’m looking for an apology,” Taylor said. In response to Friday’s press conference, the city issued
another news release Tuesday stating they recognize the emotional impact of the event and are now arranging for counseling services for local and out-of-town swimmers and parents. The City will also extend their investigation to include an examination of contributory causes, evacuation procedures and
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emergency response. A mechanical engineering firm is currently assessing the pool’s sanitizing system to come up with short-term and long-term options for the pool water which do not involve gas chlorine. The pool will remain closed until a new sanitizing system is in place.