Columbia Valley Pioneer, December 29, 2022

Firefighters thanked for fighting Christmas Eve blaze

During their first meeting of 2022, Radium council members praised new Radium fire chief Trevor Carr for the Radium fire department’s efforts in fighting a furious Christmas Eve fire in the village that totally engulfed a four-unit townhouse at Radium Resort.

The fire department learned of the blaze at 3:19 p.m. A crew of 12 Radium firefighters, plus more from the Invermere fire department, were on scene. They quickly realized there was no way to save the townhouse and that — given the sheer size of the fire — there was risk of it spreading to other buildings. So they used a backhoe to pull down the parts of the townhouse still standing, bringing the flames to ground level.

“By the standards of fires we see in Radium, this was a big fire,” Carr told the Pioneer. “Often we see garage fires, chimney fires, maybe a fire involving a single family residence. This was a four-unit, three-storey townhouse, with big flames, maybe 20 feet in the air.”

policy for its employees.

The Village of Canal Flats had already adopted such a policy a few months prior. Acting Radium chief administrative officer (CAO), Arne Dohlen, brought the matter up at a Radium council meeting, noting that the village would soon need to hire more public works staff, and saying he wanted a policy in place beforehand. Radium council members expressed general support for the idea and pointed out that all village staff who could be vaccinated already were.

“It’s been easy for us so far. It hasn’t been an issue,” said Radium mayor, Clara Reinhardt, later adding “It would be good to have a policy in place that is across the board, before this becomes about somebody specific.”

Toby Creek ice dam incident averted

Frosty Athalmer seemed like it could be the site of another ice dam flood, but District of Invermere staff took pre-emptive action and used heavy machinery to break apart an ice jam on Toby Creek.

“We had rising water conditions. Things froze up pretty tight,” Invermere mayor Al Miller told the Pioneer The district closed the popular Ray Brydon Dog Park alongside the creek, owing to the ice jam, since it was causing water to come into the park.

Invermere applied for and received Emergency Management B.C. (EMBC) funding “as soon as it looked like it was going to flood,” explained Miller. This money covered the cost of staff using heavy machinery to bust the ice jam, and let the water level settle down again. Staff worked tirelessly for three straight days to avert a potential flood.

A similar ice dam on that stretch of Toby Creek caused a big flood in Athlamer during the Christmas holidays in 2016.

Invermere climate change actions report disappoints

RAD Society’s rental Eskaip gets first user

The local Recreation Adapted (RAD) Society’s Eskaip adaptive cross country ski sledge became the only such piece of equipment in the world available for the public to rent, and then over the Christmas holidays in late 2021 it had its first user.

Edmonton resident and regular Columbia Valley visitor, Nicole Palladino, took the Eskaip out for a spin, going cross country skiing with her partner and his sister on Boxing Day. Palladino loved it so much she promptly rented it again two days later, and then again the next day.

“I’ve never tried an adaptive cross country ski before....I had to learn a lot, but once I was able to get going, and ski with (my partner) and his sister, that was amazing,” said Palladino.

The RAD society acquired the Eskaip (which is worth about $6,000) as part of its ongoing efforts to improve recreation option for those in the valley with mobility challenges.

Radium looks at staff vaccination policy

In mid January the Village of Radium Hot Springs took steps to become the second municipality in the Columbia Valley with a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination

The District of Invermere went public in January with its much-anticipated climate change resiliency briefing and actions report. The briefing had been a strategic priority for the district for months. It outlined measures Invermere had taken over the past decade to help mitigate climate change and made formal the district’s intent to hire an environmental planner. The briefing, however, promptly came under fire from a number of locals and nonprofit groups, who had hoped for a good deal more.

“This isn’t what I was expecting...I was expecting new actions that would be primarily in the future,” local resident Tracy Flynn told council. “We are extremely disappointed with the report that has been produced. We expected the climate change actions priorities report to be a forward-looking document that prioritizes actions that the district will take to mitigate climate change and increase resilience. Instead, they did the opposite. They took out the word ‘priorities’ from ‘climate change actions priorities report’ and just wrote a ‘climate change actions report’ that summarizes all initiatives and plans from the last 15 years — most of which are extremely outdated, and some of which were never implemented,” said local environmental youth group Columbia YEA representative, Amira Elwakeel.

David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) student Jack Kolesch grabbed some international glory, winning the bronze medal at the Freeride Junior World Championships in Kappl, Austria. Jack was one of the top-ranked junior (15 to 18 year old) freeride skiers in Canada, but insisted that his focus heading into the world championship was simply to have fun, and, in his own words “not to go overboard and take it too seriously.” Not too seriously, as it turns out, meant getting on the podium.

Freeride skiing, or big mountain skiing, sees skiers ripping down steep mountain faces with natural snow cover and conditions. Skiers choose their own line down the terrain, skiing hard and fast and dropping off cliffs or other obstacles as they go. The skiers earn a score from judges who assess how difficult the chosen line was and how well the skier skied it.

“It was a pretty crazy experience,” Jack told the Pioneer

Bighorns get wildlife overpass

Plans were announced for a wildlife overpass over the highway near Radium Hot Springs and for wildlife fencing stretching south from the village, to help reduce the dramatic number of bighorn sheep fatalities. The Village of Radium began taking donations toward construction of the overpass and fencing through its municipal website, and on the first day the donation page went live, two huge contributions — one for $20,000 and another for $10,000 — came in.

The resident bighorn sheep population have made Radium justifiably famous throughout the world, but the winter of 2021-2022 saw sheep fatalities occurring at an alarmingly higher rate than normal. The issue surged to national attention, and former Radium mayor, Clara Reinhardt, Radium resident and bighorn activist Nicole Trigg, Parks Canada and the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure met to discuss solutions. The overpass, with a price tag of $4 million, is an expensive answer, but likely the most effective. The ministry committed to funding the overpass if the village can help coordinate a public contribution of 10 per cent ($400,000) of the total cost.

F ebruary

Chinese New Year began on the first day of February and as it did, three young female Columbia Valley skiers — alpine racer Cassidy Gray, alpine racer Amelia Smart, and ski cross athlete Courtney Hoffos — rang in the Year of the Tiger in fine athletic style: representing Canada at the Beijing Winter Olympics, which kicked off just three days after the Chinese New Year.

tion), in front of the Bank of Montreal. The group, which numbered about 15 to 20 people, waved signs — outlining their concern about the potential negative social and emotional effects of young kids (less than one year old to five years old) not being able to fully see their caregivers’ faces. That solicited honks of support from drivers passing by. During the 30 to 45 minutes that the Pioneer was present at the protest, roughly every third or fourth vehicle honked or flashed a thumbs up in support. A number of drivers passing by, however, also gave the protestors a thumbs down.

The following day, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, staff were set to return to work, but the board that operates the daycare opted to keep it closed to hold discussions with the staff.

Census shows explosive population growth in Columbia Valley

The first public release of data from Canada’s 2021 national census came in February 2022 and showed that the population was up — indeed way up — in all three of the valley’s incorporated municipalities and in both of its regional rural electoral areas. The valley’s overall population increased a whopping 23.4 per cent, with the region now home to 11,700 people, up from almost 9,500 in the 2016

census. The Canadian average population growth from 2016 to 2021 was 5.2 per cent, and the B.C. provincial average was 7.6 per cent. At 23.4 per cent, the Columbia Valley’s growth was quite literally more than quadruple the national average, and almost triple the provincial average.

The District of Invermere’s population was 3,900 residents, up nearly 1,000 people from 2016. The Village of Radium Hot Spring saw the most explosive growth of any Columbia Valley municipality, with its population soared a mind-boggling 72.6 per cent to 1,300 residents. In the Village of Canal Flats, the population surged 20.1 per cent to 800 people. In Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area F (which includes the unincorporated communities of Fairmont Hot Springs, Windermere, Dutch Creek and Panorama Mountain Resort, among others) the population leapt 29.2 percent to 3,500 people. In RDEK Area G (which includes the unincorporated municipalities of Edgewater, Brisco, Spillimacheen and Dry Gulch, among others) it went up 12.7 per cent to 1,650 people. Population figures went up for both the valley’s First Nations as well, although not as dramatically. The Akisqnuk First Nation saw its population increase 6.4 per cent to 150. At the Shuswap Band, population was up 1.6 per cent to 320 people.

It was the first Olympic experience for each of the three women, and their trip to Beijing came on the back of breakout results for each in the previous year or two. Smart ended up coming 27th in the Olympic slalom. Gray caught an edge and did not finish her Olympic giant slalom (GS) race and was part of the Canadian Olympic mixed parallel team that lost to Slovenia in the 1/8th final. Hoffos came sixth in the Olympic ski cross.

Local daycare staff protest ECE mask mandate

Several young Columbia Valley kids had some extra time out of school in early February, after staff at a local daycare and preschool centre protested against being mandated to wear masks. On Monday, Feb. 7 Sonshine Children’s Centre was closed as staff gathered downtown with other concerned citizens at the main intersection of 17th Avenue and 13th Street (commonly known as Dysfunction Junc-

DTSS student skier gets world junior freeride bronze

Columbia Valley sends three skiers to Beijing Olympics

racer Amelia Smart,

ski

athlete Courtney Hoffos represented Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Photos by GEPA

DTSS student Jack Kolesch catches some pretty gnarly air during the Freeride Junior World Championships in Kappl, Austria.

Photo by Florian Gassner

Art exhibit highlights bighorns’ plight

Unique solution proposed for staff housing shortage

A lack of housing options for the Columbia Valley’s seasonal tourism industry workers has bedevilled the valley for more than a decade, but became markedly worse in the last few years, as the housing market has soared, as the number of short term rentals (STRs) here rapidly increased, and — consequently — as the number of long-term rentals declined.

A potential answer suggested by former Radium mayor Clara Reinhardt in early March was to create a temporary ‘camp’, made up of trailers, for seasonal workers. The idea, as described by Reinhardt, sounded similar in many respects to seasonal tree planting camps, except with trailers instead of tents.

Reinhardt said a local landowner in Radium is amenable to having the camp on his property. “We’ve got a plan, we’ve got a place, but we’ve got to find a way to fund it. We’ve got to find the money,” Reinhardt told Radium council, adding the camp would specifically be for seasonal staff. “We really are exploring all our options... It (the housing issue) really does keep me awake at night sometimes.”

Efforts to save bighorn sheep took an artistic turn with the Vanishing Bighorns exhibit which ran in Pynelogs Cultural Centre from late February until early March. The exhibit showcased pieces from 14 different local artists depicting bighorn sheep, subject of so much media attention in early 2022, in a variety of mediums: watercolour, acrylic, felted wool, a fabric collage, water-based oil, and sketches. One of the most dramatic pieces of art showed the same bighorn sheep on two separate canvases: in one the bighorn was very clearly outlined. In the other it appeared to be dissipating in front of the viewer. It was as though you were watching the sheep disappear.

Organizer Meg Langley said she wanted the Invermere exhibit to help both the Radium and the Golden bighorn herds. “They are declining in both places and it seems to be based on the same problem: too many sheep being killed by vehicles driving too quickly,” said Langley.

Wilmer-based artist Irina Kruglyakova contributed to Vanishing Bighorns, and said “the bighorns are a symbol, they are a good example, a very visible example, of how we can harm nature or how we can help nature.”

By mid-March the famous Wilmer post was dressed and ready for St. Patrick’s Day (on March 17).

Photo by Ryan Watmough

Janis Dyck’s fabric collage Ewe 5 was part of the Vanishing Bighorns exhibit. Photo submitted

Steamboat survey gets huge response

The Columbia Valley Recreation Planning Initiative (CVRPI) conducted a survey to help develop a recreation strategy for Steamboat Mountain. The results of the survey were made public in early March and — in large numbers — and they showed a desire for designated trails among respondents, but also an understanding that those trails must not interfere with ecological values or traditional uses.

The survey on recreation use, issues, impacts, stewardship and management in the Steamboat Mountain area ran in January and February and garnered at total of 1,002 respondents.

“Even the consultant shook his head and couldn’t believe it (how many responses there were),” said former Radium mayor and CVRPI Steamboat initiative co-chair, Clara Reinhardt. “That was pretty significant.”

Radium housing assessment highlights lack of long term rentals

The Village of Radium Hot Springs received its housing needs assessment in March, and it confirmed what everybody in the village already knows: there is a tremendous lack of long term rental housing in Radium. The findings of Radium’s housing needs assessment were very similar to those of Invermere’s housing needs assessment (completed a year prior) and echoed a trend across B.C. communities, especially those with significant tourism industries.

Consultant, Marina Jozipovic pointed out that only 48 per cent of Radium homes are occupied year-round by the owner (with the rest used as second homes and vacations homes, or being rented out as short term rentals). She noted that Radium only has eight purpose-built rental units, and that the rest of Radium’s rental stock approximately 55 rental units) are secondary market rentals. “That’s a pretty significant lack of rental options,” said Jozipovic.

She noted that in summer 2019 there were 146 short term rentals (STR) listed in Radium, but by summer 2021 that number had grown to 186. “There’s a balance that needs to be struck between STRs and long term renting,” explained Jozipovic, later adding that “employers across sectors are struggling to attract workers because of a lack of housing supply and long term rental options” and that “there are currently at least 38 households in Radium dealing with “some kind of significant housing issue.”

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort CEO placed on leave

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort chief executive officer (CEO), Vivek Sharma was placed on leave from his job by the resort following sexist comments he made at a provincial tourism conference. His comments came on Mar. 9, just one day after International Women’s Day on Mar. 8. Several people at the conference, held in Richmond, told provincial and national media that Sharma asked the women in the audience to stand in honour of International Women’s Day, and after the room applauded for them, added: “go clean some rooms and do some dishes.”

Former

Photo by Chadd Cawson

Robert and Tatiana Ritchie Foundation

from 65 private individuals!

Fairmont

Proposed Pedley Heights marina rejected — again

The latest proposal put forward by the Pedley Heights Community Association to create a marina on the east side of Lake Windermere, was shot down once again by the provincial government.

Residents in Pedley Heights, an unincorporated community consisting of upland properties with a single shared access point on the lake, had been trying for years to create a dock or marina with boat slips. The latest plan called for docks with berths for 60 boat slips, and was smaller in scope than previous plans. But, itwas torpedoed by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations (FLNRO), which wrote in spring 2022 that the Lake Windermere Management Plan identifies sensitive habitat zoning where the marina would be built and that habitat “mitigation concerns remain”. In addition “consent (from local First Nations) has not been attained, nor have adequate accommodation measures been described.” Sensitive habitat concerns and lack of First Nations consultation were among the reasons that previous Pedley Heights marina proposals had been rejected.

New chief for Akisqnuk

Donald Sam officially became the new Akisqnuk chief on Apr. 1. “I was sworn in on April Fools,” Akisqnuk Chief Donald Sam lightheartedly joked at the time. The swearing in came after an Akisqnuk election in early March. “I’m very humbled to be recognized by such strong voices,” said Sam.

Sam took over the from former chief, Ryan Nicholas. Nicholas’ term had came to an end and he did not seek re-election. Before Nicholas, Alfred Joseph was chief. Chief Donald Sam first became a member of Akisqnuk council in 2014 when he finished off a term for Stephen Nicholas. Sam took a break, and then after a short hiatus came back to office in 2016.

RDEK opts for TUPs to regulate STRs

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) decided in April to use temporary use permits (TUPs) in an effort to regulate short term rentals (STRs). The RDEK had been working for more than a year to address escalating public concern about the growing number of STRs. At the April RDEK board meeting, directors weighed the merits of several options to deal with the issue: TUPs; zoning bylaws; or seeking a provincial order in council giving the RDEK the power to issue business licenses.

In the end the board voted to use TUPs. “They (board members) seem to be unified in supporting the TUPs,” RDEK planner, Michele Bates, told the Pioneer “The flexibility in how the TUPs can be used was seen as a major advantage.”

An inventory undertaken by the RDEK of all STRs in the regional district found that the regional rural district with the most STRs — by a large margin — was Rural Area F, which is part of the Columbia Valley, and includes Dutch Creek, Fairmont Hot Springs, Windermere, Panorama Mountain Resort, and all of the developments along the east side of Lake Windermere between Windermere and the crossroads. Area F had 609 unique STR listings between January 2017 and June 2021. That means Area F alone accounts for half of all STRs in all RDEK rural areas, including Areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

Proposed public transit system expansion stalls

The Regional District of East Kootenay’s (RDEK)’s proposed expansion of the local Columbia Valley public transportation system was put on hold in April, after the RDEK board of directors voted in favour of a motion that no further action be taken to obtain participating area approval for the proposal.

but on a scaled-back model as compared with what was proposed.”

The initial proposal envisioned adding a weekend service, increasing the number of bus services running north to Edgewater and Radium and adding a within-Invermere service.

Local woman establishes support network for Ukrainian refugees

A local resident set up a ‘buddy system’ — a network of connected individuals — in the Columbia Valley to support Ukrainian citizens fleeing war. Former teacher and longtime artist, Victoria Page has volunteered for many worthy causes throughout her life, and so, as the crisis in Ukraine began unfolding, she naturally decided to help in any way she could. Page registered with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) based in Abbotsford, B.C., close to the Vancouver airport, where many Ukrainian refugees coming to B.C. were landing, with the aim of finding a home for several Ukrainian families here in the Columbia Valley.

“Essentially (the buddy system) is a group of people who are in touch with each other, so that collectively they can help the refugees,” Page told the Pioneer. Page noted that charities and service clubs are also trying to help Ukrainians fleeing war, but given the staggeringly large numbers, these organizations are overwhelmed, and ordinary citizens need to step up if they can. Several Ukrainian citizens arrived in the Columbia Valley later in the spring and summer.

The smash success More

the Bavins

held at Pynelogs in late March and April was a unique and historical art show highlighting the artistic connection of the Bavin family to the Columbia Valley’s natural environs across three generations and 101 years.

Shown here is Pat Bavin’s, Sinclair Sheep. Aside from Pat’s trademark acrylic collage paintings, the exhibit also featured Hal Bavin’s pioneering black and white landscape photography, Ryan and Pat Bavin’s outstanding glasswork, and Ryan’s own landscape photography. Hal was Pat’s father and Ryan’s grandfather.

Image submitted by Pat Bavin

“The directors want to examine what options we have within the existing system.The message was that the directors want a better service, giving the public access to affordable housing, education and employment, but that we first need to work with what we have, work within the existing boundaries, to create a better service. They feel this is a fundamental first step before looking at a largescale service expansion,” RDEK corporate officer, Tina Hlushak told the Pioneer at the time. “We still have room within the existing bylaw (and its associated tax rate) to have some sort of modified or scaled-back mini-expansion. We could theoretically still have weekend service,

You knew the Columbia Valley was dry, but until the Pioneer featured this photo on the cover of its Apr. 14 edition this past spring, did you know it was dry enough to be home to cacti – in particular to the prickly pear cactus (opuntia fragilis)? This spiked flora can be spotted in ponderosa pine forest openings, such as those at the SRL Ranch. Different parts of the cactus also have many traditional Indigenous uses, including piercing ears and fighting incontinence.

Watmough

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Photo by Ryan

Mountain Moments with

exhibit

#Ktunaxahomelands Campaign launches

The #Ktunaxahomelands Campaign launched on May 3 now enabling travellers and locals to gain a better understanding of Indigenous knowledge on how the mountains, waterways (such as the Kootenay and Columbia River), and the magnificent Hoodoos were formed. “When our visitors come into our region, they ask two questions,” said Janice Alpine, leader of the Ktunaxa Regional Branding Initiative and tourism liaison for the broader region that encompasses the Ktunaxa homelands. “They ask what tribe is here and what they used this land for, and that means the place where they are standing, so we answer those questions,” said Alpine. “It also reminds our locals the Ktunaxa creations are what made the landscape, and what (made) our mountains, and (what) water systems represent as well as the formations in the land such as the Hoodoos. It’s all part of our creation.”

May 5 marked Red Dress Day, also known as the Red Dress Campaign, a day set to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and those who are two-spirited across Canada who lost their lives at the hands of violence. A ceremony of remembrance was held in front of the Shuswap’s Health Department and Community Hall which commenced at 12 p.m.

“Red Dress Day is something that is always in the back of our minds, especially as Indigenous women in particular and those that are two-spirited,” said Columbia Valley Métis Association (CVMA) President Monica Fisher. “Statistically we are at higher risk for harm and with this day we are reminded of the challenges we still face in 2022. I feel this is one of the most important things to honour and bring awareness to, so that with education and support we will start to see change.”

Three people hospitalized after collision

Three people were sent to hospital following a triple motor vehicle collision just north of Edgewater on Mother’s Day — Sunday, May 8 during the spring’s closure of the TransCanada Highway for upgrades to the Kicking Horse Canyon between Field and Golden. Several local emergency response agencies, including the Edgewater Fire Department, the Invermere Fire Rescue crew, B.C. Ambulance paramedics and the Columbia Valley RCMP were on scene shortly thereafter. STARS Air Ambulance also responded once the extent of the incident became apparent.

Columbia Valley RCMP Sergeant Darren Kakuno said a northbound commercial transport truck crossed the centreline and struck a southbound pickup truck, which then collided with a barricade, striking a northbound SUV.

“This was the most serious accident we responded to during this closure,” said Kakuno.

Shuswap Band hold Red Dress Day ceremony

Shuswap Band held a ceremony to honour murdered Indigenous women and girls, and those who are two-spirited across Canada who lost their lives to violence on May 5. The ceremony was held at the electronic sign in front of the Shuswap Band office. Photo by Chadd Cawson

Joanne Broadfoot, one of the original designers and creators of the quilts spoke about the history of David Thompson Quilts on May 5.

Pynelogs Cultural Centre hosted the Creative Threads: Quilts by the Valley Piecemakers from Apr. 23 to May 14. Sixty quilts were showcased with skillful stitchwork from members of the Columbia Valley’s local quilting guild. This is the first exhibit the guild held since 2014, with hopes to host more in the future. The most significant piece displayed was the infamous David Thompson Quilt, which was finished in 2007 as a celebration of the 200th anniversary of North American explorer, David Thompson, arriving in the Columbia Valley.

“We just wanted to be able to share the results of all of our hard work, and also to highlight the David Thompson quilt, which is really an incredibly significant piece of work,” said Pam Meunier, member of the Valley Piecemakers since the guild originated in 2014.

Invermere woman and friend began five-month Y2Y Traverse

Invermere’s Heather Waterous and her Whitehorse, Yukon-based friend, Amaya Cherian-Hall, embarked on the journey of a lifetime on May 12 to hike, bike and ca-

noe the entire Yellowstone-to-Yukon (Y2Y) corridor this past summer. The two friends started on foot from West Yellowstone at the Targhee Pass trailhead between Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Their adventure came to an end this past November when this dynamic duo pulled their canoe out of the Yukon River in Dawson City.

“It was really special to get a chance to do something like this,” said Waterous, who works as a geomatics technician for Parks Canada out of its Radium Hot Springs office. Waterous met Cherian-Hall years ago at Quest University in Squamish. A bond was created instantly.

Métis student Zoe Doucette gets scholarship

Out of 48 applicants, Métis student Zoe Doucette was awarded the Scholastic Distinction Entrance Scholarship through the College of the Rockies. It’s available to all East Kootenay Secondary Schools Students with a minimum of an 85 percent grade point average (GPA) in their completed grade 11 and 12 academic classes. Doucette’s GPA was an impressive 93.5 per cent.

Valued $3500, the scholarship covers one year of tuition in any full-time fall program at College of the Rockies. Doucette, who has a passion for teaching was accepted into the pre-education program which she began in September.

“I was speechless when I found out! I couldn’t believe it,” said Doucette.

“It meant that my parents didn’t have to worry about my tuition this year, and we could just save for next year. It’s been a huge weight off my shoulders.”

Pacific Salmon Explorer added Columbia River to reveal current data

Pacific Salmon Explorer, an online data visualization tool developed by the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s (PSF) Salmon Watersheds Program, added the Columbia River to the Pacific Salmon Explorer in May and according to Katrina Connors director of PSF’s Watersheds Program it was a long time coming.

“There was over a year of background work which consisted of outreach to Indigenous groups, governments, local interest groups, and local salmon experts, listening to their input, and compiling and analyzing the best available data,” said Connors.

Pacific Salmon Explorer gives an overview on local salmon populationsand current human and environmental pressures on their freshwater habitats. The addition of Columbia River gets PSF one step closer toward its goal of democratizing access to crucial information on salmon and their B.C. habitats.

J une

Ukrainians arrive in the valley

Nine Ukrainian refugees were welcomed to the Columbia Valley this past June with the assistance of The Columbia Basin Alliance of Literacy (CBAL). CBAL has offered services to help with difficult transitions for many years and their settlement services start with an intake process upon arrival.

“That includes an assessment to find out their needs, as well as the strengths they bring into the community,” said CBAL executive director, Desneiges Profili. “Then we create a settlement plan that best suits those needs.”

Settlement services are funded through the federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) agency and the provincial British Columbia Settlement and Integration Services (BCSIS) program.

Canal Flats Cruise roars back

Engines were revved when the Canal Flats Cruise roared back on Saturday, June 4 during the Village of Canal Flats’s annual Canal Days festival. This popular classic car show first launched in 2017, then ran through two more successful editions in 2018 and 2019 before

the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the event in 2020 and 2021. When restrictions lifted, classic car (and motorcycle and truck) enthusiasts were able to gear up for the fourth edition.

“It’s a nice, low-key event. Everybody gets together, meets new people, and can see what other classic car lovers had been working on over the winter. It was one of the first car shows of the season, so it was a good chance to see what people have been up to over the winter.”

Quilting exhibit a huge success

Photo by Pam Meunier

The Famous Lake Windermere Aquathlon took place at Kinsmen Beach on May 28. The event served as both the 2022 B.C. Provincial Championship as well as the Age Group World Qualifier. Photo by Ryan Watmough

The Canal Flats Cruise drove back into town on June 4.

Submitted Photo

Fairmont Hot Spring placed under flood watch

The B.C. River Forecast Centre issued a flood watch on Sunday, June 12 for all areas of the East Kootenay, particularly Fairmont Hot Springs; it was the site of flooding and or debris flows (and related evacuation orders and evacuation alerts) in late spring or early summer in 2021, 2020, 2013 and 2012. The RDEK urged local residents to stay away from creeks, to exercise caution. It deployed one of its flood response units to Fairmont on Monday, Jun. 13, to be on hand, monitoring conditions.

“We encouraged residents across the East Kootenay, particularly those with flood-prone properties or those situated near waterways, to use extreme caution when preparing for the event of flooding,” said RDEK regional information officer, Loree Duczek. “Fairmont Creek and Cold Spring Creek, which run through the community of Fairmont, are both steep creek waterways that are more prone to debris floods during heavy rainfall events.”

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples on June 21

National Indigenous Peoples Day was celebrated across Canada on Tuesday, June 21 where Canadians recognized and celebrated the rich, diverse, beautiful, and unique heritage and history of all Indigenous Peoples. Shuswap Band celebrated the day with flags, speakers, and a traditional Pow Wow dance on the Shuswap Band hall field.

“This day is a day we can be proud and show our culture, and the surrounding community will see what a part of the Indigenous community does, and I love to see the pride in the dancers when they have a chance to dance,” said Clarissa Stevens, Shuswap Band cultural and family liaison and one of the day’s organizers. “Indigenous Peoples Day is a time for Indigenous People to recognize the achievements of the Indigenous people all over Turtle Island. It celebrates the distinct cultures and unique traditions of all Indigenous communities.”

Columbia Valley Pride Festival

(BCWF). It is an event proposed because of the significant environmental disruptions occurring on Windermere Creek. Members from LLC, BCWF, RDEK, and theColumbia Headwaters Aquatic Restoration Secwépemc Strategy sat with the Elders days before National Indigenous Peoples Day to listen to their concerns, take in their wisdom and perspectives, and collect their concerns and priorities about Windermere Creek.

“We hope the Elders felt heard and that we can create action from the time they spent with us on their land,” says Cote. “We also wish that engagements like this will bring stronger relationship ties with our organizations so community members may in the future bring us their water concerns and put their trust in our work.”

Wild, wonderful insectarium opens

A family business, Wild Wonders Insectarium opened in downtown Invermere in late June, and it has been a source of fascination for those of all ages since. Bruce Devlin and his wife Myriam are deeply involved, as are the couple’s 10-year-old son Bryson and eight-year daughter Leah, as they contribute their own insect enthusiasm to the enterprise. To learn more, check out www. wildwondersinsectarium.com

“So far, the reception has been fantastic. It’s quite dynamic. There are always new insects coming in,” said Bruce. “Interact, learn, discover — that’s our motto. It’s pretty unique. There’s nothing like this in Invermere, or anywhere nearby”.

Columbia Valley Pride (CVP) celebrated their third Pride Festival in person on June 25 from 12 to 4 p.m. on the greenspace of CPR Lodge in Invermere. Canada has recognized June as Pride Month since 2016 when Canadians celebrate the beautiful uniqueness and diversity of LGBTQ2IA+ communities. It’s important to celebrate the progress that’s been made throughout the month of June.

“We’re so very grateful we had an actual festival this year,” said Darian Ariss, CVP acting president. “It’s important to us that we establish ourselves in the community and let the valley know that they’ve got allies and support here if needed. Finding queer spaces in small towns can be a challenge, especially for youth - you lose the nebulousness of the city, and it can be hard to live your truth. But we’re here, we’re always available to talk, and we’re excited to meet new people this summer.”

Listening to our Indigenous Elders

Living Lakes Canada (LLC) hosted two Indigenous Elder Engagements at Windermere Creek with both the Shuswap Band and Akisqnuk First Nation on June 17 and 18 in partnership with the BC Wildlife Federation

There were smiling faces at the celebration of Columbia Valley Pride’s first in-person festival in three years at CPR Lodge on June 25.

Photo by Emily Rawbon

OUT OF OFFICE…

Bring it on 2023!

Reflecting on the last year, the CVCC team is pleased with all that we have accomplished over the past year, and we look forward to everything ahead in 2023. We want to take this opportunity to wish you all a warm, safe, and happy new year.

Cris Leonard extends wishes “as president, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank not only our members but all the businesses, residents, and visitors in the Valley that have helped make 2022 a spectacular year. I look forward to, what I expect to be, another great year in 2023”.

WHAT’S HAPPENING? cvevents.ca

POWERED BY THE COLUMBIA VALLEY CHAMBER

ursday, December 29

● 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Winter Wonderland Market in Radium. Vendors and food at the Radium Hot Springs Centre, then stay for tobogganing, skating and re pits..

• 9- 11:30 a.m.: StrongStart/ CAP-C at Edgewater Elementary.

• 10-11:30 a.m.: Free Parent and Tot Connect for kids 0-6 at the Early Years Center; 926 7th Ave, Invermere.

• 10:15 a.m.-1 p.m.: Tech Tutor at the Invermere Public Library (free computer, tablet, phone support drop-in).

• 10:30 a.m.: Rhyme Time at Radium Public Library. Children 0-2, register: wvcoordinator@cbal.org

• 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Seniors Fitness at Columbia Valley Centre. $2 Drop In.

• 12 p.m.: Seniors Lunch at the Invermere Legion, $5 every second Thursday.

• 2 p.m.: Senior’s Tea at the Invermere Public Library (Second and 4th Thursdays of each month)

• 2-4 p.m.: Tech Tutor at the Radium Public Library (free computer, tablet, phone support drop-in)

• 3 p.m.: Free youth drop-in fun at the Youth Hub

• 3:30 p.m.: Thursday Fundays at the Invermere Library. STEAM and Crafternoons on alternating weeks.

• 6:30 p.m.: Darts, cards and Cribbage at the Invermere Legion every Thursday.

• 6:45 p.m.: Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament at the Invermere Legion for members and guests. $30 buy in.

• 7:30 p.m.: Trivia Night at the Whitehouse Pub in Windermere. $3/ per person, ages 19+.

• 9 p.m.: Karaoke at the Station Pub. Every second Thursday, 19+

Friday, December 30

● 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Winter Wonderland Market in Radium. Vendors and food at the Radium Hot Springs Centre, then stay for tobogganing, skating and re pits.

• 9-10:30 a.m.: Mom t and preschool group at the Columbia Valley Centre.

• 9:15 a.m.: StrongStart at Eileen Madson.

• 10:30 a.m.: Family Story Time at the Invermere Public Library. Stories, songs and crafts.

• 12 & 5 p.m.: Edgewater Legion wing day! 12 p.m.: Takeout, 5 p.m. dine-in, call 250-347-9725.

• 1 p.m.: Senior’s duplicate bridge. Costs $2 and is held at the Invermere Senior’s Hall.

• 2 p.m.: Free Youth Drop-in Fun at the Youth Hub.

• 4-8 p.m.: Pub grub at the Invermere Legion every Friday and Saturday.

• 5:30 p.m.: Magic the Gathering. Play in the tournament at 5:30. Age 10+, $20.

• 6 p.m.: Rotary Community Bingo: Must be 19+ to play. Join us to raise money, give back, have fun, and support local. Visit us on Facebook to purchase your bingo card.

• 9 p.m: Karaoke Night at the Windermere Whitehouse Pub. Must be 19+, come have fun!

Saturday, December 31

● 5 p.m.: Annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Radium. The magni cent display will be at the Springs Driving Range at 5 p.m. sharp.

● 7:30 p.m.: New Year’s Eve Party at Mulligans Pub (Riverside club house - Fairmont). Tickets are $25; 19+.

● 7 p.m.: Columbia Valley Rockies vs. The Golden Rockets.

● 8 p.m.: NYE Trivia and Dance Party at the Station Pub. Dress as your favourite decade. Tickets are $25 on sale at the pub (19+).

● 8:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.: New Year’s Eve Dance at the Wilmer Community Hall. Tickets are $25/each. Contact 250-270-0224 or 250-688-1259 for tickets.

● 9 p.m.: Ullr Bar New Year’s Eve Ship O . Small Town Dirt Bags play 9-11; then DJ Najee 11- close.

• 10:30 a.m.: LEGO/Duplo at the Invermere Public Library, drop-in fun.

• 10:30 a.m.: Pokemon Club at Main Street Fun and Games. Reading pro ciency required, ages 7+.

• 4-8 p.m.: Pub Grub at the Invermere Legion, Fridays and Saturdays.

Sunday, January 1

• 9 a.m.: Bottle drive - Rotary Fundraiser. The Rotary Club collects refundable bottles at the Invermere Transfer Station. Raised funds are used for the community.

• 7 p.m. Live Music at Horsethief Pub.

Monday, January 2

• 9 a.m.: Bottle drive - Rotary Fundraiser. The Rotary Club collects refundable bottles at the Invermere Transfer Station. Raised funds are used for the community.

• 9-11 a.m.: StrongStart/ CAPC at Martin Morigeau Elementary School.

• 9:15-11:45 a.m.: StrongStart/ CAPC at Eileen Madson Primary.

• 10- 11 a.m.: Seniors Yoga: Columbia Valley Community Centre ($2).

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors Carpet Bowling. Join us for $2 at the Invermere Senior’s Hall.

• 4 p.m.: LGBTQ+ & Allies Drop-In & Hangout: Youth Centre Hub.

• 5 p.m.: Industry night at the Whitehouse – Pool and drinks for resort and restaurant sta .

Tuesday, January 3

• 9 a.m.: StrongStart/ CAPC at Edgewater Elementary

• 10 a.m.: Parent & Tot Connect at the Early Years Centre.

• 10:30 a.m.: Seniors Fitness at the Columbia Valley Centre ($2 drop in)

• 10:30 a.m.: Homeschool Meetup at the Invermere Public Library.

• 1- 3:30 p.m.: Afternoon events for artists at the Radium Public Library. Weekly get-together for budding artists. Sketch, paint, knit, carve crochet, or anything else. Bring your own supplies.

• 3 p.m.: Free youth drop-in fun: at the Summit Youth Centre.

• 6-8:30 p.m.: Second Winds Community Band Rehearsal. Tuesdays at the Invermere Catholic Hall. BYO Instrument, Contact Ian at 250-342-9733.

Wednesday, January 4

● 7-9 p.m.: Invermere Community Drumming Circle at Pynelogs. All skill levels welcome, drop-in available but space is limited. Email columbiavalleydrumming@ gmail.com for details.

• 9:15 a.m.: StrongStart/ CAPC: Windermere Elementary every 2nd & 4th Wednesday.

• 10 a.m.: Parent and Tot Connect at the Early Years Centre

• 10-11 a.m.: Seniors Yoga: Columbia Valley Community Centre ($2 drop in).

• 12:30 p.m.: Seniors duplicate Bridge: $2 at the Invermere Senior’s Hall.

• 1:30-4 p.m.: StrongStart/ CAPC: Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday at Eileen Madson Primary

• 12-8 Wear Wednesdays. Come to Arrowhead Brewery wearing our swag for $1 o your pint.

• 3 p.m.: Free youth Drop-in: at the Summit Youth Centre.

• 3:45 p.m.: Teen Library Drop-in at the Invermere Public Library.

• 5 p.m.: Dinner at the Legion. Reserve your table by the Saturday Prior, 250-342-9517.

• 7 p.m.: Trivia Night at the Station Pub. $5/ person, max 6/ team.

Increase the

•

HOLIDAY RECYCLING TIPS

SMALL APPLIANCE RECYCLING

More than 120 small electrical appliances, ranging in size from electric toothbrushes to countertop microwave ovens are accepted at Return-it depots around the East Kootenay.

Products are divided into categories including: kitchen countertop, time measurement, weight measurement, garment care, air treatment, floor care and personal care. For more information visit www.return-it.ca.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

Electronics are often a hot holiday gift item. Any electronics that are in good working condition can be donated to a local thrift store. If your old electronics are no longer working, they may be able to be recycled.

There are drop-off locations for electronics through the RDEK. For more information visit www.return-it.ca/electronics

Decrease the waste

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Christmas light strings are included in the Product Care program and can be dropped off for free at participating light fixture recycling depots.

The Product Care program also accepts compact fluorescent and tube fluorescent light bulbs LED and incandescent lights free of charge Lighting fixtures are also accepted in several locations as are strings of Christmas lights.

For more information visit www.productcare.org

BATTERIES

Don’t forget the batteries. Both your alkaline and rechargeable batteries are recyclable. There are numerous drop off locations in all major centres in the RDEK.

Visit www.call2recycle.ca to find a location near you.

GIFT WRAP

Paper based wrapping paper can be recycled at the Recycle BC Depots in Invermere, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford Transfer Stations, in municipal curbside pick-up or any of the Yellow Bins in the East Kootenay. From cards and envelopes to wrapping and tissue paper, please recycle as much as possible. Foil based wrapping paper, bows and ribbons are not recyclable, try to reuse them whenever possible.

The Yellow Bins & Municipal Curbside Pick-up Recycle BC Depots

The RDEK pays

• CARDBOARD all types of cardboard and boxboard.

Exception: Cardboard covered in wax (for example milk cartons or disposable drink cups) or soiled with food or grease (like pizza boxes) cannot be recycled and must go in the garbage.

Styrofoam: from packaging to park benches

After you’ve unwrapped those delicate gadgets or cleaned up after getting take-out from your favourite restaurant you may find a stack of styrofoam staring you down. Approximately 80% of styrofoam in Canada ends up in landfills. No longer do you need to stuff a garbage bag until it is overflowing, just take it all down to your nearest Recycle BC depot. After you have dropped off the styrofoam from packages and rinsed out take-out containers it is taken to processing facility in the Lower Mainland and will eventually be turned into products like park banches, crown molding and picture frames.

Workin’ hard to keep it Clean

Over the holidays, the Yellow Bins and Recycle BC Depots see a huge increase in volume. The days between Christmas and New Year’s are typically our busiest days of the year (by a lot). While our contractors will be working hard to empty the bins more frequently, sometimes they will be full. If you encounter a full bin, please look for another open bin in the area or come back. If a bin has a closed sign on it, please don’t try to open it. Never leave recyclables on or around the bins. Our Yellow Bins are often on private property and it is so important that we keep them clean. Please put all recyclables in the bin.

Disposal of Christmas Trees

Christmas trees can be discarded at no charge at any staffed transfer station throughout the East Kootenay as well as at the Columbia Valley Landfill or the Canal Flats, Tie Lake and Wasa wood waste piles.

Zoning granted for EMP expansion

The RDEK reported the damage to the Columbia Valley RCMP and, temporarily changed the hours that the Windermere Beach public washrooms were open to stop more vandalism from occurring.

Emma Kade opens for Dean Brody in Fort Steele

Radium singer-songwriter, Emma Kade, opened for country music sensation Dean Brody, at his Homecoming concert on July 23 in Fort Steele Heritage Town. To find this concert’s opening act Brody, who is East Kootenay born and raised, asked musicians to send in submissions which he went through personally. Kade submitted an acoustic version of her best-selling single, ‘Nirvana’.

At the beginning of July, the District of Invermere council voted unanimously to rezone the large open lot immediately south of Eileen Madson Primary (EMP) School from residential to public institutional, to pave the way for future expansion of the school. The zoning change was requested to support the projected need for future school and childcare facilities within Invermere” explained Invermere planner Rory Hromadnik, referring to the announcement last winter that responsibility for the provincial government’s $10-a-day daycare had been moved to the ministry of education (which was then renamed the ministry of education and childcare).

“Obviously there is still a lot of work to do,” said Invermere mayor, Al Miller. “They can see we’re a growing community, they can see the needs that may lie ahead and they’re being proactive. It’s very positive.”

Toby Creek Paddle race returns

“Vandals not only broke a sink and toilet and left graffiti all over the facility, but they also broke the automatic external defibrillator (AED) case. There is no excuse for this behaviour and it’s beyond frustrating to see such flagrant disrespect at our park,” said RDEK environmental services manager Kevin Paterson.

Pope Francis speaks to residential school survivors

Pope Francis made his first ever trip to Canada on July 24 under the theme of ‘Walking Together.’ He made stops in and around Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit. The 85-year-old pope started off his visit meeting with residential school survivors at the Ermineskin Indian Residential School in Alberta before attending an Indigenous church in downtown Edmonton. Due to the pope’s limited mobility (he suffers from knee pain and sciatica), the choice was made to have limited stops on his tour. That brought out a lot of mixed emotions especially for residents B.C. where the unmarked graves were uncovered last year in Kamloops.

“I think it’s incredible that Dean Brody gave back to community by having a local artist showcased,” said Kade. “The show was great, it was a sold-out audience of 4,000 people! Dean and his team were awesome and so very kind, welcoming, humble! I really enjoyed the night and I’m so happy and honoured I got to be a part of this special event.”

The annual Toby Creek Race, hit the waters for the first time since COVID from Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24. This premiere white-water race began way back in 2015 and has grown into a multi-category event that brings 80 to 90 racers and a couple hundred spectators to the valley each summer. Racers competed to navigate their watercraft around slalom gates in a variety of categories including intermediate kayak, a youth category, intermediate SUP, advanced kayak, elite kayak and then the finals at the notorious Slipping Rock rapid and boater cross.

“It’s been a long break. The community was excited to have it back,” said race organizer, Simon Coward.

Vandals strike Windermere Beach

Vandals hit Windermere Beach in July, leaving a broken and graffiti-plastered public washroom, and damaged emergency equipment in their wake. The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), which manages the beach, outlined on Monday, July 11, that the incidents occurred as a “string of vandalism earlier that week”.

“It’s disappointing to say the least,” said Terry Teegee, regional chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations in a June news release. “There should have been more involvement with our First Nations leadership and speaking to survivors and actually visiting a residential school site.”

Findlay Whittick awarded bursary

Many valley athletes, including seven U15 Titans soccer players, competed in the July 2022 BC Summer Games in Prince George. There Findlay Whittick was awarded a $500 bursary to go towards his sport and educational goals. It’s awarded annually to two athletes from each of the eight zones in the province and Findlay’s was one of those chosen for the Kootenay zone. It recognizes those with achievements in sports, education, and those who show leadership in their communities.

“Being awarded this bursary was exciting. I did not think that I would be selected out of all the kids from our zone,” Findlay said. “After all, our zone had more than 200 athletes. When I was presented with the bursary, I was surprised and excited. I’ll be able to put these funds towards honing my soccer skills more and more.”

This map from Invermere council documents shows the location of the newly rezoned lot south of Eileen Madson Primary that the school will expand on in the future. Submitted

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic the Toby Creek Race paddled on from July 22 to 24.

Photo by Sarah Klintworth

Vandals damaged the bathroom at Windermere Beach over the Canada Day long weekend. Submitted photo

Radium singer and songwriter Emma Kade opened for Dean Brody for Homecoming tour on July 23 in Fort Steele Heritage Town. Submitted

Everyone was jumping for joy including the bulls that Bullriding in the Rockies was back again in Invermere on July 22.

Photo by Chadd Cawson

Big donation for Save the Sheep campaign

Some of this year’s featured musicians were local; other artists came from across western Canada including Arcana Kings, Julian Austin, Doc Walker, Brother Mack Revival, Stomp Yard, Alias Morgan and C-Flats.

“It did exceed our expectations,” said Flats Fest organizer, Craig Moritz. “It went really well and felt almost like a big family reunion. There were a lot of kids out there having a good time, and a lot of adults out there having a good time too.”

salmon has had severe impacts on those who rely on them for survival including loss of language, ceremony, culture, knowledge transfer, health, and economy.

“Kukwstec-kuc to everyone who made this event possible, including the cultural support provided by the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, notably Valerie Michel, the cultural support from Wayne Christian, Rod Tomma, Louis Thomas and others,” said Shuswap Band councillor, Mark Thomas.

Search and Rescue responds to three calls in 48 hours

Canfor Corporation, a global leader in manufacturing sustainable forest products, issued a $50,000 cheque at the end of July to the Village of Radium Hot Springs. Their contribution went towards the $400,000 campaign goal to Save the Radium Bighorn Sheep. Canfor’s ‘Good Things Come from Trees’ program annually donates to organizations that benefit any community where Canfor operates, or its employees live. Their July donation put the campaign past the quarter $100,000 mark in August.

“It has made a big impact and shows the importance of the partnership between Canfor and our Village and how there is grassroots support for the Sheep Herd,” Reinhardt, “Canfor has been a strong, long-time community partner and, with safety as a fundamental pillar of its culture, it’s no surprise that Canfor has chosen to support this initiative. “The bighorn sheep are much celebrated residents in our mountain community.”

Invermere hires environmental planner

After a lengthy search the District of Invermere (DOI) hired Anne-Sophie Corriveau as their environmental planner. Corriveau worked as the district’s FireSmart coordinator for a year before stepping into the role in this past August. Originally from Quebec Corriveau has a bachelor’s degree in geologic engineering, and a masters degree in earth science. Work ahead of her includes improving the Toby Creek dike as well as diving into the district’s active transportation network plan.

“I’m very excited,” Corriveau told the Pioneer. “If we think about climate resiliency overall, on a worldwide scale, it can be overwhelming. If you bring it down to the community level, however, it brings it down to a level that we can handle. There are things we can achieve, and these things really do help. I like that scale. Little projects can add up to a big difference. We can have an impact.”

Upper Columbia River sees salmon

Over a 48-hour period on Aug. 9 and10, Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) responded to three calls. The first involved a nighttime search for a mountain biker reported missing on the trails at Panorama. CVSAR provided first-aid on scene and transferred the patient to paramedics for further care. The patient was transported by STARS air ambulance to Invermere hospital. The second involved a medical evacuation from the Kootenay River, requiring the aid of Invermere’s Glacier Helicopters. The third call required a rescue for a person who had gone over Lower Bugaboo Falls.

“Having a skilled SAR team in the Columbia Valley is an immeasurably huge asset,” said Nancy Loraas, Columbia Valley Search and Rescue manager. “The diversity of skill sets required of volunteer SAR members is vast, and it takes years and years of practise to hone them to reach response ready capabilities.”

Cranbrook hosts Drug Poisoning Awareness event

Aug. 31 marked International Overdose Awareness Day, a day where people from all walks of life across the world unite to honour and remember those lost to illicit and toxic drug deaths. AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach Society (ANKORS) and the East Kootenay Network of People Who Use Drugs (EKNPUD) hosted their third annual Drug Poisoning Awareness Day event in Cranbrook.

“Because of the stigma associated with substance use and people who use substances, often we do not hear about the immense loss our province and communities are suffering,” said EKNPUD project co-ordinator, Jessica Lamb. “Our event focused on residency, unity, and solidarity. We want to honour those we have lost, but also celebrate the survivors and all those who are working the front lines or supporting people who use substances. I hope all that attended left with a sense of hope.”

Local paraglider and realtor ‘Flying’ Max Powers soared to a bit of national television fame this past August with an appearance on the hit show Amazing Race Canada. Powers was in the fifth episode of season eight, ‘I’m a Human Kite’ which was shot in and around the Okanagan. Powers was featured as a tandem paraglider pilot in the episode that aired on Aug. 9

“All I had to was take the leader of the pack for a flight,” said Powers. “I did a spin, landed, passed them the next clue, and that was it,” he said. “It was fun to see the hype and the production around it, but I don’t watch much television myself, so I didn’t realize the magnitude of the show I’d just been on.”

Flats Fest soars to record audience

The fifth edition of the annual festival was held in Canal Flats August 19-20 and drew a record crowd of more than 1,000 people that was enough to put Flats Fest on the map as one the valley’s premiere summer happenings, on par with older, more long-established events.

The Shuswap Band released 1,500 Kokanee salmon into the upper Columbia River this past August.

This release was a continuation of efforts to restore salmon to the upper Columbia River. Many Secwépemc Band representatives were in attendance including Shuswap Band Chief, Barbara Cote, Tim Eugene, and Shuswap Band councilor Mark Thomas who was appointed Salmon Chief. The decades-long depletion of

Local flyer appears on Amazing Race Canada

Paraglider and local realtor Max Powers had his 15 minutes of fame on an episode of the Canadian reality show, The Amazing Race, this past August. Submitted photo

Canfor Radium plant manager, Travis Emel, and Mayor Clara Reinhardt, Village of Radium Hot Springs hold a cheque for $50,000 that was donated by Canfor Corporation to Radium’s Save the Sheep Campaign.

Submitted photo

The fifth annual Flats Fest has a record turnout this past August. Submitted photo

The Shuswap Band released 1500 Kokanee salmon into the upper Columbia River this past August.

Getty Images

Local firefighters battled a small wildfire that started on Aug. 9. The blaze began on the west side of Highway 93/95 between Fairmont Hot Springs and Canal Flats.

Submitted Photo

CVSAR volunteers undertake mountain rescue training

Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) volunteers did mountain rescue training, including technical rope rescue, in August, in the Starboard Range of the Purcell Mountains. The week of training was provided by Kirk Mauthner, an internationally-certified mountain guide and longtime CVSAR member. Search and rescue teams in B.C. use a progressive risk mitigation tool, called RADEMS (response assessment and decision-making support) to help mitigate and manage hazards and risks associated with callouts. Nancy Loraas, CVSAR manager, said it is essential that members train in the actual environment to where they may be required to respond. Learning to manage the right risk at the right time is one of the fundamental skills sets that get taught to CVSAR members.

duced absence. The day opened with a canoe brigade, “which was intended to signify us working together”, said Salmon Chief and Shuswap Band councillor, Mark Thomas.

He described the canoe brigade route around the corner from Kinsmen Beach to James Chabot at the top end as tricky, especially throwing a crosswind and waves beating on the side of the canoe, into the mix. It is not an easy thing to do, it takes teamwork added Thomas. It’s much like bringing salmon home to the upper Columbia River, which is the essence of the long-running festival.

Since its inception, the Salmon Festival has always been a collaboration between the Secwépemc (Shuswap Band) and Ktunaxa Nation and in past years, salmon donations have come from Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA).

1966 car restored to mint condition

Students at J.A. Laird Elementary School had a freshly re-painted rainbow crosswalk to walk across when they returned to school in early September. Unfortunately mischief makers did burnouts over the stripes the weekend before school started.

The rainbow crosswalk at the T-intersection of 13th Avenue and 13th Street was first advocated for and then painted (with support from district staff) by Laird students back in 2019, with the intent of creating a symbol of welcome and Pride in the community. But road paint fades quickly and each year the students have been back out painting the rainbow stripes across the road.

Columbia Valley RCMP said if there is willful damage to the crosswalk it may be investigated as a hate crime to determine the motivation, but it would be necessary to prove this offence was motivated by hate, bias or prejudice to an identifiable group.

New wave of candidates in municipal election

The Columbia Valley became known for streaks of political incumbency, with mayors, councillors and regional rural electoral area directors working multiple terms, staying part of local government for a decade or more. The last local election, for instance, in 2018, resulted in — across all positions — 17 municipal representatives taking office: 13 of them had previous served in local politics, and only four were brand new. Fans of incumbency said the advantages are stability and consistency, and critics of incumbency point to the lack of fresh ideas and that local elections are uncompetitive.

In 2018 in the Village of Radium Hot Springs all councillors and the mayor were acclaimed. In Invermere and Canal Flats in 2018, there were more more people running for council than seats available, but there were only one or two councillor candidates not getting elected, and the mayor races being limited to two or three candidates at most.

Salmon Festival held at James Chabot Park after twoyear hiatus

The Salmon Festival returned after a COVID-in-

Pioneer reporter honoured with Ma Murray Award

For nearly a decade, talented reporter, Steve Hubrecht, has been writing for the Columbia Valley Pioneer. In the spring of this year, Hubrecht won the Ma Murray award for best in sports writing in community city newspapers with a circulation of less than 10,000. He won for his piece ‘Comeback Kelly Rides Again’ about mountain biker Kelly Kokolski, who broke his neck in a horrendous crash and, against all odds, made it back to the road with a full recovery.

“It’s nice to be recognized. It’s really cool. But the reason you write stories in the first place is not to earn an award,” Hubrecht said. “You write because you feel the issue or the topic that you are writing about really deserves the attention. The real reward is doing a good job and then seeing that reflected in the subject and the community.”

Longest-reigning sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8 at the age of 96 years

Queen Elizabeth II reigned for almost 71 years.Valley resident and World War II veteran, Jim Ashworth, 103, said it was an honour to receive a letter on behalf of the queen, commerating his 100th birthday. “I can remember during World War II she was driving an ambulance to start with, as a public service. She was only twenty some-odd years old at the time. She then got into the mechanical scene somewhere along the line,” he recalled.

Gary Clement, left, and Shawn Ottman, gave a thumbs-up to a 1966 Pontiac Beaumont, first owned by Clement when he bought it new in 1966 and now by Ottmann, the sixth owner. Ottmann spent a year restoring the Beaumont and these days, his wife, Wendy drives it to work.

Photo by J McQuarrie

A Pontiac Beaumont purchased brand new in 1966 was restored to eye-catching condition by its owner, Shawn Ottmann.

“After 42 years in the auto body trade, this is the first muscle car I’ve had,” said Ottmann, owner/operator of LBO Autobody. Ottmann is the sixth owner of the Beaumont. It changed hands over the years; Gary Clement is the original owner.

In 1966, when he was 20, Clement visited Lake Auto in Invermere and saw a red Beaumont in a brochure. “I just liked the look of it and I wanted it,” he recalled. Roy Lake, the owner, ordered the vehicle at the price of “a whole 3,600 bucks”, Clement smiled.

Hundreds of people take in CV Classics annual show and shine

The Columbia Valley Classics Annual Show & Shine was back with a flourish on September 17, as hundreds of people from the area, along with provincial neighbours, checked out over 800 vehicles on display at the Springs Golf Course in Radium. It was fourth annual show hosted by the Columbia Valley Classics Car Club. Throughout the day the Blues Brothers kept the crowd entertained, driving around in their high performance machine, dancing and singing to the delight of people of all ages. In early November, the car club donated proceeds of the event - $2312.50 - to Angel Flight East Kootenay.

Mixed reactions to Pope’s visit

Pope Francis made his first trip to Canada on July 24 with the theme of ‘Walking Together’, when he aimed to address his heartfelt condolences at stops in and around Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit. “I think his visit was a step in the right direction,” said Chief Barbara Cote of the Shuswap Band in Invermere. “We had the prime minister Stephen Harper apologize in 2008, and now the pope. Although, we still haven’t seen recognition from the monarchy, who also had a role to play in the genocide of our people across Canada and throughout the world. Apologies like this bring up the conversation of reconciliation, and I think that is important.”

Horrible treatment of people in residential and day schools

Flags were lowered to half mast at the Invermere Cenotaph to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 96 on September 8, 2022 at Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom.

Photo by Joanne McQuarrie

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared September 19 a national day to reflect on the queen’s life. A ceremony was held by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #71 Windermere District - Invermere to commemorate the queen’s life, with a colour party march to the Cenotaph downtown in Invermere.

Many people have heard about residential schools. And too many have known about the horrors and injustices that happened within the walls of them, but for too long, their voices were never heard. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were taken from their families, communities, and culture for over 150 years. During this period, over 150,000 children attended what were then called Indian Residential Schools. Many never returned home to their families. In late May of 2021, 215 unmarked graves of children who attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS) were uncovered. KIRS was in operation from 1890 until its doors were finally closed in 1970. It took the uncovering of this tragedy and the many to follow, for people to hear a truth that Indigenous Peoples have been telling for years, a truth that can no longer be ignored.

Rainbow crosswalk vandalized

A freshly-painted rainbow crosswalk was vandalized by a person or persons who did burnouts over the stripes the weekend before school started. Photo submitted

This year’s Salmon Festival at James Chabot Provincial Park was a huge success. Photos by Chadd Cawson

Every Child Matters yearlong learning challenge returns for second year

o c T ober

COHO gets DOI grant for healing garden operating costs

A $6,500 grant from the District of Invermere (DOI) will help pay for the annual operation costs of a healing garden run by the Columbia Valley House Enhancement Society (COHO) in Invermere. This followed a request from the DOI for supporting documents from COHO after the society hadn’t submitted a required report earlier. At a subsequent meeting, with documents in hand, COHO was successful in their request. The ongoing operational costs the grant would be used for include labour costs for garden care, irrigation in-section and annual start-up, water feature inspection and maintenance and more.

Third annual scarecrow competition started

organized a Tessier Eskaip adaptive cross country ski sledge (the only one in the world that is available for the public to rent) and a Paragolfer (one of very few that are available for the public to rent) here in the valley. “We brought it in to fill a void in accessing trails for people with mobility challenges,” RAD Society founder, Tanelle Bolt, told the Pioneer.

Bolt knows these gaps firsthand: she is a wheelchair user herself. She found the Mountain Trike being sold secondhand; the society purchased it for $8,000 (a new one would likely be double the price).

Steam Sessions at Invermere Public Library

On October 1, for the second year in a row, the Every Child Matters Yearlong Learning Challenge was launched. Jenna Jasek, School District 6 vice principal for Indigenous Learning and Equity and co-partner, said, “I feel it is my responsibility to keep the momentum of Truth and Reconciliation going throughout the year. Having Every Child Matters Year-long Challenge begin the day after the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation demonstrates the importance and commitment toward reconciliation.” This year, people were invited to register individually, rather than having organizations and businesses sign up on behalf of their staff and volunteers.

McDonald’s building under construction catches fire

The McDonald’s building under construction by the crossroads caught fire during the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Some time late October 9 or early October 10, a fire started inside the building. The Windermere Fire Department was called to the fire at 3:15 a.m., and got mutual aid from the Invermere Fire Department to action the fire. A total of 14 firefighters were onsite and acted quickly to save the building. Joss Advocaat, Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service assistant chief, said although the fire caused significant damage, the firefighters’ swift action saved the building.

The fire is under investigation with assistance from the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

It was a way to bring the community together in 2020, with the COVID pandemic in full swing. “Despite the changes caused by the pandemic, there was still plenty of fun to be had!,” said Cortney Pitts, leisure services manager, District of Invermere (DOI). “In fact, seeking out fun activities was more important than ever. I got into a fun theme of creating various challenges for residents, community members and organizations to take part in.” Pitts asked folks to register by Sept. 30 so she could make a map of participating locations, which gave people a route to view scarecrows. Votes were made online.

Mountain trike for rent through RAD Society

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) programming has been hosted by the Invermere Public Library for years and after a summer break, sessions resumed in the fall. Blair McFarlane, community outreach programmer at the library, said, at some sessions, items are built out of recycled material and some sessions are spent coding robots.

We know science, technology, engineering, art, and math are all important areas of skill for kids to develop, and we are lucky enough to have lots of cool tech, like our robots, for kids to access for free, McFarlane said.

Halloween Open House

Donna Scheffer and her husband Arnold shared their Halloween-decorated house with folks on October 27 and 28. Interest in their scarily festive abode grew over the years as Halloweening folks of all ages checked it out on their trek for candy. “Halloween for me as a child was always such a happy, magical time,” Donna said. “Going to neighbours and strangers’ homes looking for candy was so much fun and if we got an apple or a piece of homemade fudge or a popcorn ball, it was a bonus. My mom would usually make pie from the apples, as they were pretty banged up by the time we got home. Those days are gone, but I hope that whoever visits our home will go away feeling happy.”

A mountain trike was added to the list of equipment available for rent by the Columbia Valley’s Recreation Adapted (RAD) Society. The RAD Society had already

Every Child Matters is an important message in Truth and Reconciliation events. Photo by Chadd Cawson

The RAD Society’s ‘Mountain Trike’ is available for the public to rent at Revolution Mountain Gear in downtown Invermere.

Photo by Ryan Watmough

A parade of horses and Halloween-dressed riders and walkers delighted onlookers in October. Photo submitted

David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) hosted a senior boys soccer season opener on October 1. In the competition with the local team, the DTSS Lakers, were teams from the area including the Kootenay River Secondary School, Creston; Selkirk Secondary School, Kimberley; Golden Secondary School, Golden and; Mt. Baker Secondary School, Cranbrook. The Lakers won their first game 3-0 against Golden and had a close 3-2 loss against Creston in their second game. Pictured is a match between the Lakers and Creston. . Photo submitted

In an interesting sequence of events, Canal Flats mayor, Mark Doherty, was chosen by picking his name out of a hat. Doug McCutcheon was his opponent. Photo submitted

other deliver y ser vice:

Distric t of Invermere Box 339, 914 – 8th Avenue Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

By fax to: 250-342-2934

By email to: corporateser vices@invermere.net

From: 9 a m Januar y 17th, 2023 (MT )

To: 4 p m Januar y 27th, 2023 (MT )

Excluding sta tutor y holidays and weekends

From: 9 a m Januar y 17th, 2023 (MT )

To: 4 p m Januar y 27th, 2023 (MT )

Excluding sta tutor y holidays and weekends

Originals of faxed or emailed nomination documents must be received by the Chief Elec tion O fficer by 4:30 pm on Februar y 3rd, 2023

Interested persons can obtain information on the requirements and procedures for making nominations including nomination forms at the Distric t of Invermere beginning December 19th, 2022 during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) to the close of the nomination period. Please note that the Municipal office will be closed for the week of December 26th – December 30th and will be re- opening Januar y 2nd, 2023.

Commercial zoning changed to residential

A portion of the Westside Park neighbourhood zoned for commercial development was changed by Invermere council to residential zoning at a meeting on October 25. A development plan had been adopted 20 years before in the Westside Park subdivision and its neighbourhood plan outlined a vision of integrated residential development, open and recreational space and small scale neighborhood commercial development. Over the two decades no commercial developments got to the planning process let alone being constructed. The current owner of a parcel in Westside Park wanted to change the zoning, saying the property is best suited for multi-family residential development, which Invermere council agreed with on October 25.

“There’s a small chunk that is still commercial but most is now residential, so the developer can move forward with that (residential development),” said Invermere mayor, Al Miller, after the meeting.

WW II veteran urges one and all to remember soldiers no longer with us

Jim Ashworth a World War II veteran served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and military for 26 years. At 103 years of age, Mr. Ashworth attended the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11 at the Cenotaph in Invermere. “This is really not about me because I’m a survivor,” Mr. Ashworth said. “We’re talking about the people that are on the beautiful banners hanging throughout downtown Invermere. They are the men that the remembrance is for. I’m just lucky to be here and be a part of the act.” Mr. Ashworth said the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton, Alberta, is a place everyone should visit; a memorial wall is outside, with all the names of those listed that returned home. “It’s a long cement wall and has names on both sides in small print. Thousands and thousands of guys,” said Mr. Ashworth. “It’s terrible. This is the season where it is my duty to remember them.”

(Left) Around 1,000 people attended this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Invermere. A bagpiper played during the ceremony.

Photo by Joanne McQuarrie

(Above) Indigenous singing and drumming were a powerful part of this year’s Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph in Invermere.

Photo by Joanne McQuarrie

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is considering an amendment to the Lake Windermere Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2929, 2019. Bylaw No. 3188 is cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Lake Windermere Official Community No. 2929, 2019 – Amendment Bylaw No. 9, 2022 (Miscellaneous / RDEK).” This bylaw amendment proposes to update the shoreline development permit areas to reflect the most current data available. Development permit processes and requirements are not changing substantially with this amendment. The overall development permit area would be reduced from 55% of the shoreline to 49%. The amendment will also remove the policies related to requiring an agrologist report for all Agricultural Land Commission applications. The Board issued a blanket exemption from these reports in 2020 and therefore these policies are obsolete

A public hearing will be held via Zoom webinar conference: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 6:00 pm.

The Board has delegated the holding of these hearings to the Directors for Electoral Area F and G. If you believe that your interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw, you may prior to the hearing:

• inspec t the Bylaw and supporting information by requesting that an information package be emailed to you by contacting kgilbert@rdek.bc.ca. Information packages may be requested up until Monday, January 9, 2023 at 4:30pm;

• mail or email written submissions to the addresses shown below before Monday, January 9, 2023 at 4:30 pm;

• present verbal submissions at the public hearing.

You must pre-register in order to attend and provide verbal presentations or make comments at the hearing. The deadline to register is: Monday, January 9, 2023 at 4:30 pm. Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2s6en0xPSQqYiJ4LYIX0DA or by visiting the Public Hearings and Meetings page on the RDEK website

Please note that a question and answer period will not occur during the Zoom webinar conference. You must address any questions relating to the bylaw to the Planner prior to the above date.

SUBMISSIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING. All submissions will form part of the public record and will be published in a meeting agenda posted online. Personal contact information such as phone and email will be removed from written submissions. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335. This notice is not an interpretation of the Bylaw. For more information, contact Krista Gilbert, Planner at 250-489-0314 or toll free at 1-888-478-7335 or email kgilbert@rdek.bc.ca.

TO PRE-REGISTER visit the Meetings page on rdek.bc.ca and choose Public Hearings & Meetings

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE – BYLAW 3084 – Bylaw Amendment – Steamboat/Jubilee Mountain

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is considering an amendment to the Steamboat – Jubilee Mountain Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3022, 2021.

Bylaw No. 3084 is cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Steamboat – Jubilee Mountain Official Community No. 3022, 2021 – Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2022 (Miscellaneous Amendment / RDEK).” This bylaw amendment proposes to include an exemption to the Environmentally Sensitive Area Development Permit guidelines that will allow RDEK staff to conduct a site visit to the applicant’s property to determine whether an environmentally sensitive area exists on the property. If identifying the presence or absence is beyond the expertise of RDEK staff, a Qualified Environmental Professional may conduct a site visit to determine if the environmentally sensitive area is present on the parcel A public hearing will be held via Zoom webinar conference: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 6:00 pm. The Board has delegated the holding of these hearings to the Directors for Electoral Area F and G. If you believe that your interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw, you may prior to the hearing:

• inspec t the Bylaw and supporting information by requesting that an information package be emailed to you by contacting kgilbert@rdek.bc.ca. Information packages may be requested up until Monday, January 9, 2023 at 4:30pm;

• mail or email written submissions to the addresses shown below before Monday, January 9, 2023 at 4:30 pm;

• present verbal submissions at the public hearing.

You must pre-register in order to attend and provide verbal presentations or make comments at the hearing. The deadline to register is: Monday, January 9, 2023 at 4:30 pm. Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2s6en0xPSQqYiJ4LYIX0DA or by visiting the Public Hearings and Meetings page on the RDEK website Please note that a question and answer period will not occur during the Zoom webinar conference. You must address any questions relating to the bylaw to the Planner prior to the above date.

SUBMISSIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING.

All submissions will form part of the public record and will be published in a meeting agenda posted online. Personal contact information such as phone and email will be removed from written submissions. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335. This notice is not an interpretation of the Bylaw. For more information, contact Krista Gilbert, Planner at 250-489-0314 or toll free at 1-888-478-7335 or email kgilbert@rdek.bc.ca.

Holland Creek Water System

JANUARY 4

TO PRE-REGISTER visit the Meetings page on rdek.bc.ca and choose Public

Hearings & Meetings

SCHEDULED WATER OUTAGE & BOIL WATER NOTICE

A water service outage has been scheduled for the Holland Creek Water System on Wednesday, Jan 4.

The outage is expected to begin at 8am and it could take up to 12 hours before service is restored.

Residents within Lakeview Meadows/Holland Creek, as well the Cottages at Copper Point are encouraged to store some water the night before to be used for things like cooking, dishes and flushing during the outage.

The outage is required to tie in the Prairie Wind Development to the water system.

Please do not use the water during these hours because it could cause a vacuum due to a closed valve on the other end.

A BOIL WATER NOTICE will be in place following the scheduled outage, until the required lab results are confirmed.

Water intended for drinking, washing fruits or vegetables, making juice or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute.

The RDEK will post an update on its website and Holland Creek/Lakeview Meadows email group once the Boil Water Notice has been lifted.

Empty green space converted to a wildflower meadow

Many volunteers stepped up to the...soil on October 6 to convert an empty green space at the Invermere Hospital to a wildflower meadow, part of Interior Health’s ‘Healthy Growth: Patients and Pollinators’ wildflower garden project. “Wildflowers support pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which in turn help provide food sources for both wildlife and people. Diversifying the green space adds value and appeal to the healing and restorative nature of wildflowers for patients, families, and Interior Health staff,” said Amanda McKenzie, Interior Health, environmental sustainability manager. “The garden will lead to better patient and staff wellbeing through improved patient satisfaction. It creates an environment which facilitates physiological and psychological healing when surrounded by it.” Mountain wildflower and interior pollinator seeds were planted because they don’t require much watering and have a high ability to attract pollinators. Perennial and native species planted include crocus’, daffodils, coneflowers, lupines, fireweed, poppies and selected clover.

n ove M ber

STR bylaw aims to curb bear-garbage problem in town

Garbage bins provided by the district (for) curbside collection are not bear proof , outlined conservation officers earlier in the fall. That has drawn bears into the community in search of food. The District of Invermere (DOI) is aiming to curb the problem with its STR bylaw, which will include parts that are specifically directed at STR operators and owners. Mayor Al Miller said owners and managers are going to have to be living nearby in the new bylaw, and they all have to be able to be contacted at all times, very easily. “So when it comes to garbage, they’re going to have to pay attention,” Miller continued. “They can’t have garbage going out on a Sunday. Certainly that’s going to have to be included in their instructions to guests…they will have to make it known.”

Teaching ‘green’ helps students connect with the natural world

A virtual ‘Green Teacher’ workshop on November 15 is aimed at sharing best practices and resources for outdoor and environmental education for educators of students in the elementary school age bracket, said Ian Shanahan, Green Teacher general editor.

Green Teacher is a registered charity that serves the global network and is dedicated to aiding educators to bring environmental literacy to young learners in and outside of the classroom. “It is in these important formative years when core values are laid down... when we facilitate learning experiences that allow young people to explore that innate human connectivity to nature,” said Shanahan. “We open the door to all sorts of long-term benefits to mental and physical health that result from a person having a strong connection with nature. That’s to say nothing of the benefits to nature that come from an increasing number of people who value nature and recognize it as vital.”

Valley local had frightening experience

Earlier in the fall, Harrogate resident, Cindy Sousa, arrived early to work in Invermere - and she was charged by a bear!

When she got there, no one was in sight and there were no vehicles on the road. Sousa got out of her vehicle and reached into the back seat to grab her bag. Suddenly she head a noise. “I turned around, closing the car door as I did, and saw a very large black bear running — charging — directly towards me,” Sousa said. The bear was moving fast and Sousa realized she had mere seconds before it would be upon her. “All I could think was to get to the other side of the vehicle to put something between the bear and me,” she said.

Sousa darted behind her car, fumbled with her key fob; it didn’t work at first but when she clicked it again, the door opened. Sousa jumped in her vehicle but the door wouldn’t close - she still had her bag looped over her shoulder and it caught in the door. She pulled the door with all her might to make sure the charging bear couldn’t pry its way in. After frightful minutes passed with no bear in sight, Sousa went hastily across the parking lot and into her workplace. She told the Pioneer that even though she’s had experience with bears in her neighbourhood and yard, lives at the base of a mountain and is an avid camper, being charged by a bear is a game changer. Sousa implored people to reduce attractants such as garbage and fruit on trees and bushes.

HERE TO SERVE YOU

SERVICES SERVICES

fire in Edgewater on Sunday, Nov. 2

hospital. Photo submitted by Regional District of East Kootenay

Wildsight’s ninth annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival, held on Saturday, Nov. 19, saw a great turnout. Photo by Pat Morrow.

Alcoholics Anonymous If alcohol is causing problems or conic t in your life, AA can help All meetings are at 8 p m Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Ser vice Building, South End – 624 4th St , Invermere Please call 250342-2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship

Cheers to Lyla at The Bistro for sharing your homemade gingerbread cookies. They were delicious!

A big cheers to Haley who cleaned up the rest of the hall from the Christmas Market It was greatly appreciated!

A huge Cheers to Josh, B en and staff at Ullr for making my Celebration so special You are the best!

Linda and Gibby

Andrews, Sue

The Andrews family regretfully announces the peaceful passing of Sue Andrews on December 12th, 2022.

Sue Andrews, was a loving wife of 57 years, to her husband Ron She was an incredible mother, devoted sister and best friend to so many She loved dogs and children, and they loved her back. She loved gardening and spending time in her yard surrounded by her roses. Her favourite “sport” was shopping, and she would break a sprint for the best deal She was an amazing baker, and showed she cared by gifting her treats to so many over the years.

Sue was predeceased by her father Carl Kavanagh, and her mother Megan Kavanagh of Kimberley Sue is sur vived by her brother Rick Kavanagh of Kimberley, his sister Carol Gold (and her husband Len) of Gibson’s, her niece Shauna (and her wife Mavreen and their young son Levi) of Vancouver, her sister Deany of Vancouver, her husband Ron of Cranbrook, her son Edward (Ed) of Kamloops, and her daughter Holly of Vancouver

Most of all Sue, simply was her family’s rock and glue; holding them all together during the tough times and the especially the good ones. She was an exceptional and brilliant mother to her son Ed, and was her daughter Holly’s entire world

Sue passed away peacefully on December 12th, with her daughter Holly by her side Many thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Paul’s Hospital and the East Kootenay Regional Hospital

No ser vice by her request. Donations can be gratefully accepted to the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation in her honour http://donate.helpstpauls.com/goto/SueAndrews

ACREAGES FOR SALE

2.5 to 3.4 acre parcels

Great mountain views, privac y, individual wells, no building time commitment Located on sunny side of the Valley

For more information contac t Elkhorn Ranches 250-342-1268 w w w.elkhornranches.com

GENERAL CONTRAC TOR

Framing, Roo ng, Decks, Fences, Soffit, Fascia, Etc Contac t Bill Hinves 403-803-5357

THE HEARTFELT COMPANION: Ser vices for Seniors Since 2014 we've provided kind and compassionate non-medical care, transpor tation to Cranbrook, overnight care, meal prep, grocer y shopping and more Excellent local references. 250-341-5683 Hear tfeltcompanionser vices com

Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky River Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B.C Permanent, F/T shifts, over time, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week. Over time after 40 hours Minimum several years’ experience and completion of secondar y school DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure qualit y of food por tions, work with minimal super vision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances Inspec t kitchens and food ser vice areas Please for ward resume to Justin Atterbur y by fax 250-3428889 or email: justatterbur y@hotmail.com

Needed in Windermere, part-time position available.

Please apply at terravistagm@gmail.com.

M A I N T E N A N C E A N D G RO U N D S PE R S O N

Invermere Health Care Auxiliary supports the community

pactful, said Seona Helmer, vice president and chairman of the funding committee, in an email, is the number of volunteers and the hours they work, “that generate this type of money on mostly $3 items!”

The IHCAS’ major fundraiser is the Invermere Thrift Store and occasional spontaneous cash donations from people who drop in at the store. The IHCAS has a history that dates back to 1910. There’s a dedicated force of volunteers at the store; some have been working there for 35 years, and many others have been working there from five to 25 years.

Items at the store average $3 to $6 apiece, which makes for a great shopping spree.

The Nature Trust of British Columbia will purchase crucial habitat

The Invermere Health Care Auxiliary Society (IHCAS)

A huge number of volunteers and a dedicated executive make it possible for the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary Society (IHCAS) to provide financial support to organizations and individuals in the area each year.

Thousands of dollars were donated this year to a variety of recipients and what makes that even more im-

Unfortunately, Helmer said, “There’s an increasing amount of theft in the store. It’s discouraging, very stressful to deal with it, and disheartening for the volunteers to deal with it.”

In 2022 the IHCAS donated a total of $ 243,173.61 to the community and health region.

DOI council grants Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce’s request

Including third parties in official District of Invermere (DOI) mail outs was one of the topics of discussion at a recent Invermere council meeting. The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce asked to include an insert in the district’s 2023 business licence renewal letters that DOI staff will mail to local businesses, and offered to pay half the postage costs. Councillor Kayja Becker said she wanted “to be careful about setting precedent with other nonprofit groups. I want to make sure it doesn’t become a freebie and all the other nonprofit groups want the same treatment”. DOI chief administrative officer (CAO), Andrew Young said the chamber’s offer to pay half the mailing costs may prevent others seeking similar treatment. Councillor Gerry Taft said the money could set a precedent, a “’pay to play’” scenario. Mayor Al Miller said the chamber, in some respects, functions as a partner to the district. In the end, when council members voted on the issue, Becker voted against it, and Miller and Taft voted in favour of it. With only three councillors in the room for the vote, this meant council voted two-to-one in favour of the chamber’s request.

A leading non-profit land conservation organization since 1971, the Nature Trust of British Columbia, was given the opportunity to purchase and conserve 66.9 hectares crucial wildlife habitat in the Columbia River Valley on October 5. Jasper Lament, chief executive officer (CEO) of Nature Trust, said the conservation of the area will protect wildlife habitat and help the organization directly fight climate change and biodiversity loss. Nature Trust started a crowdfunding campaign on November 4 to assist with raising the remaining $70,000 needed to protect this ecologically vital land known as Columbia Lake North - Wetlands, located near the north end of Columbia Lake close to the headwaters of the Columbia River. Lament said, “We have raised over $1million for the Columbia Lake North-Wetlands so far. We are committed to doing all we can to protect this ecologically critical area; we rely on the generosity of sustainably minded donors to help us keep protecting ecologically important areas like the Columbia Lake North-Wetlands.”

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

Now open for in-person ser vices

Sundays at 10:30 a.m. 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lwac.ca

W I N D E R M E R E V A L L E Y S H A R E D

M I N I S T R Y A N G L I C A N - U N I T E D

Minister: Brent Woodard Sundays at 10:30 a.m In-person or on zoom For the zoom link, please visit our website ( Windermere Valley Shared Ministr y). 110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere.

Sunday 10 a.m. Worship ser vice 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

St Anthony’s, Canal Flats., Canadian Martyrs’ –Invermere, St Joseph’s – Radium

Canal Flats: Saturday, 4 p.m. Canadian Martyrs, Invermere: Saturday 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. St. Joseph, Radium: Sunday 11 a.m.

Father Jojo Augustine • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167

Sunday 1:30 p.m Worship Ser vice at Valley Christian 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere lutheranstpeter@gmail.com

Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342-6633 No 4, 7553 Main St Radium • 250-347-9937

Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m Relief Society, 11:15 a.m

President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fair way, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-439-9041

CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo)

Worship Ser vice: Sunday 9 a.m., Thursday 7:45 p.m Chamber of Commerce (Lions Hall)

For inquiries: 250-688-1643 250-270-2208 or 250-688-0629

For more info about the church, you can Google online at incmedia.org or pasugo.com.ph

BC RECYCLING HOTLINE 604-732-9253 1-800-667-4321

D ece M ber

Canal Flats daycare will open in January

Local residents and officials, including current Canal Flats mayor Mark Doherty (black jacket and sunglasses) and former Canal Flats mayor Karl Sterzer (brown jacket) were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Canal Flats daycare on Friday, Dec. 16. Photos by Jean Strong

It’s been in the works for years, held up by the COVID pandemic and labour shortages, but finally, Canal Flats has a daycare centre and it’ll be open on January 3. “It’s super exciting. It’s been a long project,” daycare centre manager, Ashley Nielsen, told the Pioneer. By December 1, registration for 34 kids had already been requested. It’ll be a staggered opening at first, with the ages three to five program. Once it’s fully operational, the centre will have space for 40 kids; 16 in an ages-three to five program; eight in an infant-and-toddler program (for kids under age three) and; 16 in an after-school program (for kids age five and older). So far there are four employees at the daycare, and all will be involved with the ages three to five program. When the centre starts its infant-toddler program, it will need another three or four early childhood educators. Folks attended an open house on December 16 to celebrate the much-needed addition to the village.

Columbia Valley Metis Association hosts sashing ceremony in conjunction with Louis Riel Day

A celebration of Louis Riel Day was held in conjunction with a sashing ceremony on November 26 by the Columbia Valley Metiś Association (CVMA). A record-breaking 54 members attended the events. Twenty three Metiś citizens were sashed, both recent and longterm members. “It was absolutely phenomenal, it was powerful, it was emotional,” said CVMA president, Monica Fisher. “It was incredible to see the sense of pride and connection that it bought to our community.”

“The reason we hosted the sashing on this night was also to celebrate Louis Riel Day,” said Fisher. “The

sashing was the highlight of the evening. It was special to be able to honour our new citizens as well as celebrate Louis Riel and all he worked for and fought for, and ultimately gave his life for. It’s this recognition that when you look at the sash there’s this understanding that you are connected not only to the ancestors, but also the community and that you are never alone.”

The Columbia Valley Metis Association (CVMA) celebrated Louis Riel Day in conjunction with a sashing ceremony on November 26.

Pair of Radium bighorns hit by vehicles as rut begins

Just as bighorn sheep in the Radium area started their annual rut, two rams were struck by vehicles in the span of 24 hours in early December. The village’s bighorn herd leapt to national attention last year, when a record shattering number of them were killed by traffic. The final toll was 18 bighorns — an unsustainable figure given that that the entire herd totals just 120 to 140 animals. “We’ve had two strikes, but no sheep have been found dead at this point,” local wildlife enthusiast and bighorn guru, Kent Kebe, told the Pioneer. “We looked for them, after the reports (of the strikes) came in, but we didn’t find them. We suspect they were injured, but in terms of confirming if they were killed as a result, we don’t know.” Radium mayor, Mike Gray, and former Radium mayor Clara Reinhardt met recently with MOTI staff to discuss status of the planned wildlife overpass. A notice put out after the meeting explained that funding for the overpass has not been secured (a public contribution of $400,000 is needed, but fundraising has apparently — as the notice outlined — stalled at around $100,000). A detailed design for the overpass, however, is still moving forward. The design includes fencing extending three kilometres south of the village on both sides of the highway. There was some thought given to putting in fence posts this past fall, but more consultation and input from local stakeholders is needed first.

Photo submitted

Sarah Wegein, a fire dancer, swirled around during this year’s Light Up event on November 26. Photo submitted

The Columbia Valley Food Bank celebrated its strong core of volunteers recently; they gathered at the food bank and enjoyed delicious snacks and comraderie.

Photo by Joanne McQuarrie

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