Columbia Valley Pioneer - November 23, 2023

SAVE $150

FRIDAY ONLY

Buy the 5-Piece Yorkdale or Levi Storage Package and get a +

Vol. 20/Issue 47

SAVE $400

Canadian MadeSource for News and Events Your Weekly

November 23, 2023

Columbia Valley Yorkdale Queen Storage Bed

Levi Queen Storage Bed

P ioneer

FR E

E

BONUS MATTRESSThe Springwall Venice Eurotop Pocket Coil Queen Mattress

YORGQSBD

6 drawers for storage

QUEEN BED HOT BUY

69995

Valued at $999.00 VENICEQM

3-Pc. Tilda Queen Comforter Set $149.95 TILDC3FQ

6 drawers for storage

QUEEN BED NOW ONLY

5-Pc. Queen Package $1199.95

Nov24 - BlackFriday - 2 pg tallboyFRIDAY WRAP ONLY - WR1 - NAT After Discount

3-Pc. Brianna Queen Comforter Set $99.95 BRILG3FQ

LEVILQBD

Includes headboard, storage footboard, storage rails, dresser and mirror. YORGQSP5 5-Pc. 12-Drawer Queen Storage Bedroom Package $1499.95

89995

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

5-Pc. Queen Package $1797.95 After Discount 250•341•6044 | 250•341•1395

After Discount

Includes headboard, storage footboard, storage rails, dresser and mirror. LEVILQP5

FRIDAY ONLY

AVAILABLE: king

269QSPK5

Serving the Upper Columbia Valley including Akisq’nuk and Shuswap First Nations, Spillimacheen, Brisco, Edgewater, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats

SAVE $329

SAVE $223

Reno Queen Bed

SAVE $420

1-DAY ONLY DEALS

Chelsea Queen Storage Bed

RENOOQBD

Kane Queen Storage Bed

CHELCQBD

Proudly Canadian Since 1971

QUEEN BED

KANECQBD

QUEEN BED

November 24, 2023

QUEEN BED

This is Canada's Best

76995 After Discount

FRIDAY ONLY

5-Pc. Queen Package $1799.95 After Discount Includes headboard, footboard, rails, dresser and mirror. RENOOQP5 AVAILABLE: king

79995 After Discount

FRIDAY ONLY

storage drawers

5-Pc. Queen Package $1899.95 After Discount Includes headboard, storage footboard, rails, dresser and mirror. CHELCQP5 AVAILABLE: king

95 979DOORS OPEN

storage drawers

5-Pc. Queen Package $1599.95 After Discount

After Discount

FRIDAY ONLY

BLACK FRIDAY! Here's why:

SAVE $100

SAVE $120

SAVE $100

Page Queen Fabric Bed

Paseo Queen Fabric Bed

Tulsa Queen Fabric Bed

PAGEAQBD

AT 7AM!

Includes headboard, storage footboard, rails, dresser and mirror. KANECQP5 AVAILABLE: king

PAS2GQBD

HOT BUY

19995 After Discount

TULSGQBD

HOT BUY

HOT BUY

95 279 COME EARLY! First 10

95 399 BELOW COST TVs!

will receive $ customers a $50 Brick Gift Card!

After Discount

After Discount

In stock and ready for pick up! + Mattresses $799 or more FRIDAY ONLY FREE local delivery Nov24 - BlackFriday - 2 pg tallboy WRAP - WR2 -7amNAT PLUS FREE coffee 9am from 7am-9am! to start yourFRIDAY day!

2.75X ONLY Twin, Full, Queen 50% 50% FRIDAY ONLY

AVAILABLE: full, king 3-Pc. Stripe Queen Comforter Set $89.95 STRPE3FQ Mattress sold separately.

FRIDAY ONLY

AVAILABLE: full, king Mattress sold separately.

FRIDAY ONLY

50% OFF 65% OFF Sofas

AVAILABLE: full, king Mattress sold separately.

Available until 8am. Redeemable on Friday, November 24, 2023 only.

ONE LOW PRICE!

On purchases of $499 or more.

OFF+

AirActive Foam

Excludes discounted, clearance, Nectar, DreamCloud and Tempur-Pedic. Boxspring sold separately.

OFF+

TAKE AN ADDITIONAL

Comforter Sets 10% OFF MAKE US YOUR FIRST STOP THIS BLACK FRIDAY! + EVER! ONLY OR WE’LL BEAT ALL COMPETITOR PRICES! 95 matching loveseat when you999 buy the individual pieces 42995 or chair at our ticket price LOWEST

+

PRICE FRIDAY MATTRESS

+ our sale price on

25% OFF Excludes clearance and GEMMA7QU/KG.

QUEEN MATTRESS

AHJ-Nov24-W3+pop

ea. Identical item must be in stock and sold from a Canadian retailer/e-tailer. Valid same day only. Ask your Sales Consultant or see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details.

After Discount After Discount Salerno Eurotop SALRNOTM/FM/QM Gardenview Eurotop GRDNVWQM TM Boxspring sold separately.

KingLab Mattress $1299.95 AfterTMDiscount Excludes discounted, clearance, outdoor, Sofa , BELDIVO , Hot Buy deals and Buyer’s Best items.

FRIDAY ONLY FRIDAY ONLY Boxspring sold separately.

PLUS IN-STORE ONLY! 65% OFF+ MONTHLY 100 $50 NO $ IT CREDIT CREDPAYMENTS!

Buy any TV and get a

$50 CREDIT INTEREST*

Buy any 2 or more Appliances and get a

$100 * ONCREDIT FURNITURE

0% UNTIL 2026 & MATTRESSES 65% OFF+

65% OFF+

towards Furniture, Home Decor and Mattresses. No minimum purchase!

Credit redeemable on Friday, November 24, 2023 only.

AVAILABLE ON PURCHASES ONLINE AND IN STORE. TAXES, FEES, AND OTHER CHARGES ARE DUE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. *See last page of flyer for details.

32" 720p NOW TV RT3205HD ONLY

524

32"

99 The BRICK

FRIDAY AfterONLY Discount

99

FRIDAY 95 ONLY ++

SAVE $50

78" Kylie Sofa

Accent Chairs $1099.97 ea.

KYL2PESF/LV/CH/SQAC/EMAC

699

32"

SAVE $70

99 516 13th Street, Invermere RTR3265C

Canadian Made

Loveseat $1479.97 Chair $1099.97 3 2023-WK48-NOV24-NOV26-BRK-BlackFriday-WR-NAT.indd Afteryou Discount When buy the matching loveseat or chair

32" 1080p NOW SmartONLY TV

+ $5E0DIT CR

FRIDAY After Discount ONLY

149

FRIDAY95 ONLY ++ After WhenDiscount you buy the

matching loveseat or chair

85" Curt Genuine Leather Sofa Loveseat $1979.97 Chair $1499.97 CURTGYSF/LV/CH

+ $5E0DIT CR

40" 1080p NOW ONLY Smart TV

40"

SAVE $50

99 944250-342-0769 40FA7400

FRIDAY After Discount ONLY

199

FRIDAY95 ONLY ++ After Discount When you buy the matching loveseat or chair

89" Kobe Genuine Leather Reclining Sofa

+

Reclining Loveseat $2679.97 $50 Reclining Chair $1999.97 KOB2BLRS/RL/RCCREDIT AVAILABLE: power reclining

Nov24 - 10PG pg 1tallboyriday -- BlackFriday 10 pg tallboy- NATPG 1 - NAT

3-DAY ONLY DE 3-DAY ONLY DEALS 799 5-Pc. Kate Queen 95

NOW ONLY

70" 4K UHD Smart TV

DRESSER

Proudly Canadian Since 1971

Proudly Canadian Since 1971 Proudly Canadian Since 1971

WE’LL BEAT ALL COMPETITOR PRICES!

MORE TV DEALS November ON PAGE 6!

Identical item must be in stock and sold from a Canadian retailer/e-tailer.

Valid same day only. 24-26,952023 November Ask your Sales Consultant or see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details.

129 After Discount November 24-26, 2023 SAVE $150 November 24-26, 2023 November 24-26, 2023 QUEEN SAVE $150SAVE BED November 24-26, 2023 SAVE $150

SPECIAL BUY!

499 SAVE $150

NOW ONLY

79

95

QUEEN STORAGE BED

TAS7505S

1.1-cu. ft.

Countertop Microwave NOW ONLY

SAVE $220

279

95

After Discount

95 99 After Discount

599 After Discount

NOW ONLY

42500 95

adjustable

& wheels Nov24 handle - Black Friday - 10 pg tallboy - PG 7 - NAT

599 599

55" 4K UHDmirror, Smart TV ++BONUS+ 12" Light-Up BONUS ++ Dalia litLantern headboard, 55" 4K UHD Sm UN55CU70 55" 4K UHD Smart with Speaker dresser and OR chest TV ++ After Discount Party Speaker After Discount UN55CU70 ++ when you spend $999 $1298 when you spend $1299 + 95 SAVE 55" UHD Smart TVUN55CU70 349 UP 4K Mattresses 55" 4K UHD Smart TV on furniture. After Discount or more on furniture.

UN55CU70 After Discount

95 95

After Discount

95

While quantities last.

++

After Smart Discount TV 55" 4K UHD

UN55CU70 TO

Retail value $69.99++ DALIABTP

SAVE $400 SPECIAL After Discount

colour changing light

UN55CU70

BUY!

50% OFF $60

Driftwood

SAVE $280 SAVE $280 SAVE $460 SAVE $280

Twin Bed SAVE $1100

SAVE $280 NOW ONLY KING DRIFTMHBD

53" Wyatt Fireplace TV Stand WYABRFIR

After Discount pull-out sleeper

50% OFF

REMMI2PK

NOW ONLY

NOW 699 ONLY

AVAILABLE: full

Excludes discounted, clearance, Tempur-Pedic,

BRECHRS3

Loveseat $879.95 Chair $679.95 NOVOBNSF/LV/CH Nectar and DreamCloud.

AVAILABLE: power reclining

After Discount

70"SAVE $300 70" 95 1399 SAVE 70" 95 SAVE $300 70" SAVE $300 70"$300

799 70" 799 95 SAVE $300

mobile storage ottoman

HOT BUY

AVAILABLE: confimetro gurationmarkets only.

Availableopposite in select See in store or thebrick.com for details.

Boxsprings sold separately. After Discount

After Discount

95

95 79995 799 799799 After Discount ABBWQPBD

%

Includes headboard, footboard, +rails, dresser OFF DRIFTMPK5 and mirror.

SI GN AT U RE CO L L E CT I

40thth Anniversary Anniversary 95 SAVE $50 TM 95TM 1199 5X 95 + Ms. Pac-Man Ms.95 Pac-Man 799 Next day delivery on HI-LUX Edition Arcade UP After Discount 549 Mattresses 95 2-Pc. Remmi Edition Arcade Gel After Discount TM TM 549 After Discount th Nesting Tables TO 80" Novo Sofa 3-Pc. Breeze Sleeper Sectional 95 Memory YOUR th Ms. Pac-Man 95 95 Ms. Pac-Man in-stock mattresses! Foam 399 Anniversary After Discount 359 Cabinet MSPACM4040 40 Anniversary 899 1599 MSPACM40 After Discount SAVE Cabinet CHOICE OF After Discount th 10 games40 included 4095thQUEEN Anniversary NOW Edition Arcade Anniversary ••5-Pc. 10 games included COMFORT NOW 5-Pc. Abby Queen Ava Queen Edition Arcade $500 • Custom riser 129 Edition BED Arcade • Custom riser ONLY KING OR QUEEN SAVE $300 Cabinet MSPACM40 Edition Arcade $2899.95 After Discount Bedroom Bedroom Package ONLY Package $1299.95 After Discount MATTRESS MSPACM40 Cabinet UP TO SAVE $68 SAVE $100 • 10 games included MSPACM40 Cabinet NOW EXCLUSIVE NOW Includes headboard, footboard, Includes headboard, footboard, rails, SAVE $120 95 KING MSPACM40 Cabinet • 10 games included 1500Friday T3-LUX Nov24 Black - 10 pg Diamond tallboy - PG 7 NOW • Custom riser 95 • 10 games included % NOW 199 ONLY rails, dresser and mirror.ONLY dresser mirror.

ABBWQPP5 AVA0WQP5 for theand price of a Alternating Memory Foam ea. Pocket Coils • 10 games included + • Custom riser NOW • Custom riser ONLY Elegance 5-PC. + NIGHTSTAND + CHEST 5-PC. + NIGHTSTAND + CHEST SHOWN OFF / AVAILABLE: king After Discount ++SHOWN Euro Pillowtop BUYER'S BEST • Custom riser NOW ONLY Miko Twin/Twin 95 99 QUEEN AVAILABLE:ONLY twin, full, ++king, with storage Nov24 - Black ++ Friday - 10 pg tallboy - PG 7 - NAT NOW ONLY

QUEEN BED

5-Pc. Twin Package $999.95 After Discount UP TO

499 50

storage

While quantities last.

After Discount

Excludes discounted, clearance, Tempur-Pedic, Nectar and DreamCloud.

Boxsprings sold separately.

Retail value $99.99++ PA1275BT

Excludes mattresses. One per family. Subject to availability. See in store for details.

$280 for the price of a 95 SAVE $280 Nov24 - BlackSAVE Friday - 10 pg tallboy - PG 7 - NAT 95 399 Ms. Pac-Man Pac-ManTMTM QUEEN NOW ONLY

95 199 After Discount

599

NOW NOW 95ONLY ONLY ++ +

49995

NOW ONLYAfter Discount

825

59995 599 ONLY

599

NOW ONLY

WHITE OR BROWN

NOW ONLY

with triple filter wash system

95 ADB140AW

SPECIAL 5-PC. + NIGHTSTAND + CHEST SHOWN / AVAILABLE: king BUY!

NOW ONLY

Sheridan Fireplace

CHOICE OF FINISH

55"

55" 55"

Dishwasher

NOW Includes headboard, footboard, rails, dresser and mirror. LARAGQP5 ONLY

After Discount

SHEWHFIR

55"

Ceran Top Range YAER630W

845 ONLY NOW

129

5-PC. + NIGHTSTAND + CHEST SHOWN / AVAILABLE: king

ART318FW

30" WIDE

5-Pc. Lara Queen 00 $1199.95 After Discount 00 NOW Bedroom Package

NNSB55LS

Includes headboard, storage footboard, rails, dresser and mirror. KODAGQP5

18-cu. ft.

After Discount Top-Freezer Fridge LARAGQBD

SPECIAL BUY!

5-Pc. Koda Queen Storage Bedroom Package $1569.95 After Discount 00

55"

$200 $150 SAVE95$150 SAVE

++

Bluetooth Speaker

built-in reading lamps

95 179 After Discount

5-PC. + NIGHTSTAND + CHEST SHOWN / AVAILABLE: king / 3-Pc. Stripe Queen Comforter Set $89.95 STRPE3FQ

Canadian Since 1971

KODAGQBD

UN75TU69

3-DAY ONLY DEALS

After Discount

After Discount

After Discount

Includes headboard, footboard, rails, dresser and mirror. KATEGQP5

storage Since 1971 drawers 95 Proudly Canadian

Proudly 699 Canadian Since 1971

95 339 After Discount

++

3-DAY ONLY DEALS 3-DAY ONLY DEALS 3-DAY ONLY DEALS UN70TU69

$899.95 After Discount Bedroom Package75" $999.95 ++

749

369

++

After Discount

95

95 469 After95 Discount

KATEGQBD

95

369 36995

NIGHTSTAND

00

NOW Storage Ottoman 95UN70TU69 70" 4K UHD Smart TV 179 ONLY ++ ++

After Discount 3-Pc. Brianna Queen Comforter Set $99.95 BRILG3FQ

After Discount

50

CHEST

NOW ONLYAVA0WQBD Milan

After Discount

After Discount

MILBGOTT

Triple wire strength for conforming support and reduced motion transfer

Keeps you cool and comfortable all night

After Discount

SI GN AT U RE C O L L E CT I O N

599

ELEGNCKM/QM

95 Bunk Bed MIKGTTBK+ NOW180 NIGHT Mattresses sold 7X separately.

MATTRESS Mattre HI-LUX Gel ONLYSATISFACTION GUARANTEE Excludes disco Memory Foam Boxspring sold separately.

369 VALUE 95 BACK OFF 50% 100% EXTENDED WARRANTYNext da ONLY

++ NOW

$999.95 70"75"4K UHD Smart TV YOUR 95 ONLY After Discount ++ Friday - 10 pg tallboy Nov24 Black PG 4 NAT 75" $999.95 ASK CHOICE OF SAVE $100 ++ 95 ++ After Discount UP ++ + Home Entertainment COMFORT ABOUT 95 ++ 70" 4K UHD Smart TV After Discount TO After Discount UP KING OR95QUEEN 70" 4K UHD Smart 75" $999.95 OUR ++ AfterTV Discount After Discount 399 After Discount WE’LL MATTRESS 3-Pc. Aida Queen Bedroom Package BEAT ALL UN75TU69

removable 18" leaf

1599

00

369 70" 4K UHD Smart369 TV

UP TO

5X

HI-LUX Gel Memory Foam

369 50 35% OFF 70" 4K UHD Smart TV Furniture Fireplaces MORE TV DEALS WE’LL BEAT&ALL KING ++

UN75TU69

Bray

75" $999.95

UN75TU69 Cabinet BRABLACC

UN75TU69

50% OFF

3-PC. UN70TU69 HOT BUY

++Accent

UN70TU69

++

UN70TU69

TO

+

clearance, Tem Nectar and Dr

See in store or online at thebrick.com/satisfaction-guarantee for details.

EXCLUSIVEBoxsprings so 1300 Pocket Coils

5-PC. HOT BUY

Mattresses 95% ++ 695 + OFF Don't need to make a claim?

Provide targeted support and reduce motion transfer

in-stock

Excludes 5-Pc. Dena Dining Package Excludesdiscounted, discounted, clearance, Tempur-Pedic, Nectar After Discount UN70TU69 QUEEN Includes table and 4 chairs. DENAWDP5 Includes headboard, dresser and mirror. AIDACQP3 clearance, Tempur-Pedic, UP TO and DreamCloud.

Boxsprings separately.

AVAILABLE: counter-height,sold charcoal, oak After Discount 3-PC. + NIGHTSTAND + CHEST SHOWN After Discount Nectar and DreamCloud.

2.75X Available in select me ea.

Boxsprings sold separately. Excellence Euro Pillowtop Elegance AirActive + details visit See in store or thebric Additional fees apply. For further thebrick.com/warranties-and-protection-plans EXCLNCKM/QM

1599 299 11 % COMPETITOR PRICES! MORE TV DEALS ON PAGE 6!

OFF 50 WE’LL BEAT ALL $300 OFF $200 OFF PRICES! Buy More, SaveCOMPETITOR More! BEAT ALL WE’LL 33" x 33" Jenny Pouf QUEEN MORE TV ON PAGE 6! DEALS SAVE UP TO on Major Appliances MORE TV DEALS COMPETITOR PRICES! WE’LL BEAT ALL WE’LL BEAT ALL KING $290 COMPETITOR PRICES! %ON PAGE 6! TV12 for the price of a95 MORE TV DEALS 70" ON PAGE 6!

YOUR + MORE D % 69ea.

OFF CHOICE OF % Lappland COMPETITOR PRICES! COMPETITOR PRICES! OFF 50PAGE 50 QUEEN Fireplace COMFORT ON PAGE 6!

50 Identical item must be in stock and sold from a Canadian retailer/e-tailer.

Valid same day only.

139 ON 50 95 item must be in stock and sold from a Canadian retailer/e-tailer.

Valid same day only. SAVE TVIdentical Stand 95 1099 SAVE 1199 79 SPECIAL Ask your Sales Consultant or see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details. 95 295 325 ea.

149 599 Ask your Sales Consultant or see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details.

BUY! $100 $100 75" $999.95

++

UN70TU69

NOW ONLY

75" 95 $999.95

UN75TU69

++

Excludes discounted, clearance, Hot Buy2 deals and Buyer’s Best items.+ Buy any

After Discount

95

UN75TU69

Buy any 3 or more and getand sold from a Canadian retailer/e-tailer. Valid same day only.

Identical item must be inand stock BUY ONE, get an extra an extra + cooling hidden storage and sliding drawers Ask your Sales Consultant or see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details.

After Discount

After Discount

Use 100% of the warranty value towards a future purchase. for the price of a

Euro Pillowtop

Foam

Boxspring sold separately.

ELEGNCKM/QM

+

Boxspring sold separately.

After Discount

Poolview

SI GPOOLVWQM N AT U R

King Matt

separately purchased price GET ONE FREE Ver-Tex 180 the NIGHT MATTRESS 90 DAY MATTRESS 16" height JENBROTT, JENGROTT coveronly.

Identical item must be in stock and sold from a Canadian retailer/e-tailer. Valid same day SATISFACTION GUARANTEE LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE Excludes clearance, microwaves, accessories and commercial or builder products.

EXCLUSIVE QUEEN H0T BUY Ask your Sales Consultant or see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details.

5X Altitude 1500 T3-LUX EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE Cooling HI-LU Identical item must be in stock and sold from aPillows Canadian retailer/e-tailer. Valid same day only.

Alternating Pocket Coils 1300 Pocket Coils AirActive Foam SilverLuxe Quilt Memory Provide ft. targeted support and Breathable, cushioning Offers cooling Identical item must be in stock and sold from aAsk Canadian retailer/e-tailer. only.

1.7-cu.

1.9-cu.

Triple wire strength for conformin your Sales Consultant orValid see same onlineday at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for ft. complete details. reduce motion transfer comfort and support and freshness SPECIAL Stainless Steel Stainless Steel S I GNATURE COLLECTI ON support and reduced motion trans TWIN QUEEN Beachfr Ask your Sales Consultant or see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details.2 PILLOWS + Gardenview Eurotop QUEEN MATTRESS OFF + QUEEN MATTRESS Pillowto BUY! Over-the-Range Over-the-Range King Mattress $1399.50 MATTRESS MATTRESS 00 NOW ONLY NOW ONLY the separately purchased price

After Discount

50

See in store or online at thebrick.com/satisfaction-guarantee for details.

1ALTDSQL, 2ALTDBQL, 3ALTDMQL

++

After Discount

LAPLNFIR

NOW ONLYSpeaker 68" Adam TV NOW ONLY Stand18-cu. ft.

5 Bluetooth SPECIAL TAS7505S 30" WIDE PECIAL + ADW68TVS NOW ONLY BUY! 95 95 BUY! Top-Freezer 78" TV Stand $399.95 th1.1-cu.

Speaker ft. 95 30"SPECIAL WIDE After Discount After Discount ++ Fridge WIDE 30"36" WIDE 18-cu. ft.33" WIDE Countertop SPECIAL BUY! ART318FW SPECIAL Y Microwave Bluetooth Speaker Top-Freezer NOW built-in soundbarBUY! NNSB55LS TAS7505S NOW ONLY 18-cu. ft.

ONLY 5 NOW ONLY 18-cu.

30" WIDE ft.Ceran SAVE Fridge NOWBUY! SPECIAL NOW ft.

NOW Top

349 79

After Discount

GRDNVWQM

After Discount

Microwave 2.75X 00 $239.95 After Discount ME19R41S Full Mattress AirActive

King Matt

Boxspring sold separately.

Emilia EMILIATM

ME17R70S

GL2 Eurotop BGL2ETQM

After Discount

KING OR QUEENFull Mattress $589.95 After Discount 4.5X Boxspring sold separately.

MATTRESS AirActive After Discount

After Discount After Discount

Foam

5X

YOUR PAYMENTS! BUY 1599 50 * NO MONTHLY NOW, PAY LATER CHOICE OF Poolview Eurotop

After Discount

Ceran Top Range

899

129 79 1495

Microwave

00

While quantities last.

Queen Mattress $249.95 After Discount

Dishwasher

POOLVWQM

After Discount

with triple filter wash system

Foam

95

4.5X HI-LUX Gel Memory Foam ea. Premium Gel

King Mattress $1649.50

Elegance Euro Pillowtop

After Discount

QUEEN MATTRESS

%+ OFF

Boxspring sold separately.

QUEEN MATTRESS QUEEN * 50 Ceran Top DishwasherINTEREST * ON APPLIANCES * ON FURNITURE INTEREST* COMFORT 1299 95 with triple fi lter UNTIL UNTIL & H0T ELECTRONICS & MATTRESS MATTRESSES Range NOW for NOW AirActive 1599 KING OR QUEEN BUY H0T 180 BUY NIGHT 17 Rigolet addWIDE the piers wash system QUEEN MATTRESS 30" Ceran Top Dishwasher YAER630W SATISFACTION GUARANTEE ONLY ONLY MATTRESS ADB140AW Santa Fe Dishwasher $220 NOW ea.

ANTGRPIR NOW 50 NOW Accent Cabinet 95 RIGOLACC 95 with triple filter ONLY ONLY Range 1099 withONLY triple filter Unfolding Bar BAR17 wash system

2025

0% YAER630W

AHJ-Nov24-P1

NOW ONLY

See in store or online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for details.

0%

ADB140AW

2026 899

ELEGNCKM/QM

Boxspring sold separately.

After Discount

6X

Beachfront Euro Gardenview Eurotop GRDNVWQM After Discount Pillowtop AVAILABLE ON PURCHASES ONLINE AND IN STORE.KingTAXES, FEES,AfterAND DUEBEACHFQM AT TIME OF PURCHASE. *See back pageFoam for details.

Mattress $1399.50 Discount OTHER CHARGES ARE Boxspring sold separately.

King Mattress $1799.50 Ashton Gate See in store or online details.

1504 Intellicoil Pocket Coilsat thebrick.com/satisfaction-guarantee EXCLUSIVE Prima Gel MemoryforFoam After Discount

699 1195 595 00

After Discount

+ rtop ONLY ONLY ONLY 95 Top-Freezer Delivers breathable comfort, conforming Reduce motion transfer BUY! ART318FW $370 King Mattress 00 Top-Freezer Range support and promotes a cooler sleep and provide the perfect King Mattr EXCLUSIVE 95 ave 00 00 00 00 00 $1989.50 wash system 1.1-cu. ft. ++00 After Discount After Discount YAER630W level of support $2189.50 NOW NOW NOW ADB140AW Fridge SPECIAL 1300 Pocket C YAER630W oth Speaker ea.

ADB140AW Fridge PECIAL After DiscountCountertop Fits up to Provide targeted sup 4.5X 6X Elegance Excell ONLY ONLY ONLY BUY! ART318FW 65" Antoni 30" WIDE % 18-cu. ft.

Ceran Top Dishwasher reduce motion tra Bluetooth Speaker BUY! Microwave a 70" TV ART318FW Premium Gel Pillowtop Premium Gel % Euro + NOW18-cu.

NOW OFF triple filter NOW Fireplace 50 50%OFF BaB 30" WIDE 22-cu.TAS7505S ft. Stainless Steel 17.5-cu. ft. Stainless Steel 27-cu. ft. Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Stainless Steelwith Ceran Top Dishwasher NOW NOWft. NOW Boxspring NNSB55LS OFF Add this Adjustable 00 sold separately.

Top-Freezer Range SAVENOW $220 SPECIAL French-Door Fridge ONLY ONLY Range ONLY French-Door Fridge Fridge Self-Clean Range Top-Control Dishwasher wash system ONLY TVFrench-Door Stand DANH28AT, DANH35AT, ONLY with triple filter2.75X ONLY ONLY SAVE ft.

RF22A41S RF18A51S RF27C51S NE63A611 NE63A67S Rangewith adjustable rack DW80CG4S YAER630W QUEEN MATTRESS Top-Freezer BUY! ADB140AW QUEEN MATTRESS LEIG67AT, DANH36AT ANTGRFIR Fridge SPECIAL adjustable wash system AirActive 3X 180 NIGHT MATTRESS 90 DAY MATT 00 BUY! rtop $175 95 YAER630W 95 Sheridan 1.1-cu. ft. handle & wheels Foam Graphite ADB140AW ART318FW SPECIAL TV STAND Fridge % Gel Foam wave SATISFACTION GUARANTEENOW LOWEST PRIC Fireplace OFF NOWAfter ONLY NOW ONLY Discount Countertop NOW NOW + theAshton 72" Odesos See in store or online at thebrick.com/satisfaction-guarantee See in store or online at thebrick.com BUY! ART318FW SHEWHFIR + Team + for details. $220 Gate Crystal Palace separately Excludes 1504 Intellicoilclearance, Pocket Coils accessories EXCLUSIVE Prima Gel Memory Foam 1504 Intellicoil Pocket Coils EXCLUSIVE Prima Gel Memory Foam SPECIAL Buy any Samsung Laundry Microwave Fireplace TV Stand Pillowtop ONLY ONLY purchased ONLY Delivers breathable comfort, conforming Reducecommercial motion transfer or builder Deliversproducts. breathable comfort, conforming 95 95 NOW price and QUEEN MATTRESSReduce motion transfer QUEEN King Mattress NOW Y NOW ONLY and get an extra BUY! support and promotes a coolerNOW sleep and provide the perfect support and promotes a cooler sleep and provide the perfect King Mattress EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE ODE72FIR $1989.50 NNSB55LS adjustable level of support level of support $2189.50 95 1300 Pocket Coils AirActive Foam $220 n00After SAVE ONLY+ 2 PIERS SHOWN ONLY handle & wheels ONLY In store only. Limited quantities.

SPECIAL Discount After Discount TV STAND 95 NOW PECIAL ONLY Provide targeted support and Breathable, cushioning Laundry Team: SAFL600W Laundry Team: SAFL830V ce BUY! BUY! reduce motion transfer comfort and support Pedestals sold separately / Stackable dryer Pedestals sold separatelywhen / Stackableyou dryer spend $1299 when you spend $999 - $1298 While quantities last. adjustable After Discount adjustable + + Hybrid Cool 3.0 for Support 1200only Pocket Coils Graphite Gel Foam this Adjustable Base + Addhandle Sheridan Laundry Team:00 SATL3205 Laundry Team: SATL350V & wheels handle & wheels on furniture. or more on furniture.

Provide support and reduce Keeps you cool and relieves OFF QUEEN MATTRESS King Mattr King Mattress motion transfer pressure points Fireplace S $1899.95 Retail value $69.99++ DALIABTP Retail value $99.99++ PA1275BT After Discount

1595 845

00

1995

945 825

00

425 Assorted Canvas Wall Art Starting at $89

1599 After Discount

ASHTONQM

Boxspring sold separately.

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November 23, 2023

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VALLEY NEWS

3

Respectul behaviour bylaw considered

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The District of Invermere is talking about possibly creating a respectful behaviour policy or bylaw.

The concept has been discussed by district staff and Columbia Valley Pride, the local nonprofit group that strives to enhance the lives of 2SLGBTQiA community members in the Columbia Valley.

On November 14 the idea was presented for the first time to Invermere council during its regular meeting. Columbia Valley Pride sent a letter requesting council’s support in the initiative.

Invermere corporate officer Kindry Luyendyk explained that dialogue with the district, Columbia Valley Pride, the Summit Youth Hub and the Columbia Valley RCMP goes back a few months, and was triggered by an incident this past May. The letter from Columbia Valley Pride, sent by Pride chair Gemma Beierback, also referenced the incident in which a person stood outside the Summit Youth Hub on May 31 “with a sign reading: ‘Hey Kids, Trannies = terrorists/ satanists’.” The letter also referenced multiple occurrences of vandalism of the rainbow crosswalk on 13th Avenue, as well as threats to Pride committee members through social media.

“These aggressions may seem insignificant, minor inconveniences, but to members of the 2SLGBTQiA community they are threatening. There is a genuine concern for personal safety,” read the letter.

There have been two meetings so far (one with district staff and Pride, the second with district staff, Pride, the RCMP and Summit Youth Hub), and another is scheduled.

The meetings have included discussions about the incidences of intolerance

outlined above but, as Columbia Valley Pride wrote in the letter,“we have also started to think more broadly about solutions for the future, about creating a community that is truly safe and inclusive.”

To that end, Invermere chief administrative officer Andrew Young raised the concept of a respectful behaviour policy or bylaw for public spaces in Invermere.

“While we have only been introduced to this at the conceptual level it sounds promising, and we would like to continue to explore this opportunity,” read the letter.

Young explained to the Pioneer that the idea of a respectful behaviour policy or bylaw is still preliminary.

“We’re doing research on it,” said Young, adding district staff have found examples of such policies in other B.C. communities. “But the possible bylaw we may be looking at goes further than their respectful behaviour policies, so we need to fine tune it before bringing it before council . . . there will be further conversations.”

Invermere councillor Gerry Taft alluded to online comments he came across around the time that the rainbow crosswalks downtown and on 13th Avenue were being painted.

“They were odd — they were comments to the effect of ‘I’m not opposed to rainbow crosswalks, but I am opposed to tax dollars going to rainbow crosswalks’,” said Taft. “That’s a coded message. Especially when they (the commenters) don’t actually live in or pay taxes in Invermere.”

Taft emphasized that he fully supports implementing a respectful places policy or bylaw, but was unsure it would have the desired effect.

“Unfortunately you can’t legislate respect,” he said. “It may be more important to put dollars toward actions, such as creating more rainbow crosswalks.”

A letter from Columbia Valley Pride has referenced multiple acts of vandalism of rainbow crosswalks, as well as threats to Pride committee members through social media.

Photo by Steve Hubrecht

The District of Invermere is looking at a potential policy or bylaw to encourage respectful behaviour in the community.

Photo from Invermere Facebook page

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RCMP Report Sgt. Ed deJong Columbia Valley RCMP This past week November 13 to November 20 the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 65 calls for service.

The department did not see any significant files of a criminal nature, but we have seen an uptick in mental

health related calls.

As the holidays approach, it becomes more difficult for some people to cope.

If you know someone who suffers with mental health concerns, please take the time to reach out and check in on them to see how they are doing. Sometimes it just takes a kind gesture or words to help someone through a tough day.

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“It has been some time since we held a meeting with the community regarding this project, and with construction now underway, we want to have the opportunity to not only share the latest project information, but to be able to answer questions as well,” says Electoral Area F Director Susan Clovechok.

The meeting will begin with presentations and a project update and then will be open for questions and answers.

The meeting will be held on November 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Cedar Room at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

While the meeting won’t be streamed, it will be recorded and posted on the project page. Anyone unable to attend the meeting, but with questions they would like answered is invited to submit them in advance until 5 p.m. on November 29.

The link is available on the project page: engage.rdek. bc.ca/debris.

The project page also includes newsletters, project updates and other information related to the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project and the Fairmont Flood and Landslide Service.

The $13.6 million Cold Spring Creek project includes construction of a large debris flow barrier that is designed to contain between 68,000 to 90,000 cubic meters of debris flow material which is roughly a 100- to 300-year event. The project will significantly reduce the debris flow risk in the community and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

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Cold Spring Creek debris flow in 2020. A community information meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 30.

Photo by RDEK

November 23, 2023

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

5

Parks eyes options for whirling disease

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The Pioneer reported earlier this month that the parasite causing whirling disease in certain fish has prompted the closure of all waterbodies in Kootenay National Park and Yoho National Park.

Parks Canada adopted the measures and sounded alarm bells after discovering several cases of the debilitating disease in Yoho this fall. These were the first confirmed cases in B.C, which has staggering mortality rates in fish species, such as Kokanee salmon and westslope cutthroat trout in the Columbia Valley.

Last week the Pioneer talked with Parks Canada Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay field unit aquatic ecologist Shelley Humphries, who gave more details on the situation. The bottom line? When it comes to dealing with whirling disease, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. In other words, stopping the spread of the parasite that causes the

disease is by far the most effective approach. That could — depending on test results — be good news for Kootenay National Park. Although whirling disease is definitely present in Yoho, it may not yet be in Kootenay. Parks Canada is awaiting word from a laboratory to find out.

“This (the closures in Kootenay) are a precaution. We are doing it because we don’t want the parasite to spread while we try to figure this out,” said Humphries.

After finding whirling disease in Yoho earlier this fall, Parks Canada took multiple water samples in several locations in Kootenay National Park — near the confluence of the Simpson and Kootenay River, at Kootenay Crossing, and the Kootenay River day use area. In total, about 60 or 70 samples were taken. Those were shipped off to a specialized lab for testing and Parks is now waiting to hear back if whirling disease is in Kootenay National Park or not.

“Kootenay (National Park) is ecologically a bit different than Yoho,” outlined

Humphries. For one thing, Kootenay National Park is home to several of the fish species – Kokanee salmon, westslope cutthroat, and mountain whitefish — that are most susceptible to whirling disease (with mortality rates of up to 90 per cent), whereas Yoho does not have all these species within its park boundaries (they are

blocked from migrating that far upstream

by Wapta Falls).

Kootenay National Park abuts Yoho National Park, and although they are both part of the larger Columbia River watershed, it would be physically impossible for fish to take the disease from Yoho into Kootenay National Park. Cont. on page 7

Whirling disease can lead to skeletal deformities and an erratic swimming pattern caused by damage to the nervous system.

Photo by Sascha Hallett

Consultant talks wildfire risk reduction Columbia Valley Pioneer staff Assessing potential wildfire movement and determining the best mitigation actions to reduce the risk was a big plate that a consultant served to the Regional District of East Kootenay last week.

Robert Gray from R.W. Gray Consulting Ltd. presented a PowerPoint at the board’s Nov. 10 meeting touching on how to limit the size and severity of wildfires in the region.

Gray painted a bleak picture of what the future holds, telling board members to expect wildfires to burn much more land as the climate warms – possibly double or triple the current average. He noted that natural resources such as wildlife habitat, fisheries, timber and water quality will be significantly affected.

“Effects on human health due to evacuations and

Gray said the current landscape is covered by continuous fuels, and when conditions are conducive to fire spread, there are very few natural barriers to impede or slow fire progression.

He noted the desired future condition is a landscape that supports a mosaic of stand conditions so that fuel continuity is disrupted. He indicated that fire behaviour changes as it moves through different stand types, encountering natural barriers to lessen or stop fire growth.

What does all this mean to RDEK communities?

Gray said model results will help determine probable pathways for fire spread toward communities. Therefore, it is important to identify opportunities to block or slow down fire away from these communities.

The consultant noted there are numerous treatments underway in the region including thinning and prescribed burning to mitigate fire size and severity.

smoke will be significant,” Gray said in his report.

Gray said the best way to mitigate the impacts is to limit the potential size and severity of these wildfires by mimicking the stewardship practices of Indigenous Peoples, especially through cultural fire and moving aggressively on large-scale eco-culture restoration before it’s too late.

The consultant noted the landscape of pre-settler colonial B.C. was immune to frequent, large, high-severity fires.

Gray recommends a multi-stage approach, with the final stage being to draft a 10-year wildfire risk reduction plan.

The consultant spoke about fences and corridors, saying the more fences there are on the landscape, the slower the fire spreads. He added that corridors can funnel or direct fires through landscapes.

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer

PERSPECTIVE

November 23, 2023

In Crystal’s memory

While smaller communities like Invermere and Radium don’t see much homelessness, it’s there, lurking in the shadows away from prying eyes. A foot sticking out from under a tarp, a makeshift tent flapping in the wind, a shopping cart overflowing with household items.

Every town seems to have a homeless person living on the street (under a bridge), getting by on the generosity of others or on sheer survivor, dog-eat-dog instinct.

It has become a huge problem in many larger centres in B.C. In Penticton, for example, homelessness has exploded to the point where you see carts turned into rail cars on nearly every other corner. In Kelowna, it can be risky walking down certain streets, even in daylight where some homeless are known to accost the innocent.

Last week in Penticton a homeless person with a couple of overloaded buggies was observed trying to get warm in front of a portable heater attached to a propane tank. A harsh reminder that old man winter is coming and will show no mercy to anyone.

There was one dear lady in Oliver who lived on the street a few years ago. Her name was Crystal Clear and she was a staunch advocate for the homeless, but nobody took her seriously. Her raspy voice echoed throughout town as she and her buddies preached from their favourite drinking bench in Triangle Park. Crystal later died, mostly alone, but her memory lives on for those who loved her for speaking up for the less fortunate.

More homeless encampments seem to be popping up in our cities and rural areas, and really, you can’t blame these people for doing what they can to survive.

Bylaw enforcement officers have the tough job of breaking up these camps and moving the squatters along . . . to another makeshift shelter down the road. The problem is many of these encampments become eyesores and a hazard to the community when fires get out of control and threaten the lives of everyone. This is especially alarming in the backcountry where one careless act can cause a devastating wildfire to burn for months, just like we’ve seen this past summer.

The City of Penticton is commended for its “heart and hammer” approach to homelessness through its Community Safety Officer program, but more needs to be done by the province to address this growing problem.

More regulated homeless shelters, especially in winter, are a priority. Perhaps clear some land in a central location (away from residential areas) to accommodate the homeless with enforced rules and regulations. While this may not be the answer, it’s at least doing something proactive instead of reacting when a problem rears its ugly head.

Lyonel Doherty, editor

From left, Joe Fuller, Ted Fuller, and Doreen Gordon sit on old workhorse “Rex” in a field south of Ben Able Creek in 1940 Invermere.

Photo provided by the Windermere and District Historical Society

Biodiversity protection key Wildsight welcomes the BC government’s commitment to protecting biodiversity and ecosystem health and the creation of a law that would give overarching priority to biodiversity protection. The draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework was released last week.

If implemented, this will be a paradigm shift in how we value and manage our natural resources in B.C. We have long advocated for a biodiversity law to protect the lands and waters that sustain all living things. In the meantime, we need immediate interim measures to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. With each day that passes, we are losing old growth forests, habitat for species at risk and intact watersheds."

The draft framework is part of BC’s commitment to implementation of the Old Growth Strategic Review. It would mark a drastic shift from current government policy which prioritizes economic interests over biodiversity and would establish an Office of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health.

British Columbia is Canada’s most biodiverse province, yet with more than 1,950 species at risk, we have no

provincial law to protect them. Since 2004, we have lost six herds of southern mountain caribou in the Kootenay Columbia region alone.

If implemented, the draft Framework would overturn the current paradigm that prioritizes forests for timber instead of habitat for species, carbon sequestration or flood mitigation, establishing legal objectives for biodiversity and healthy ecosystems across the province.

This is the type of government leadership that we need to combat the climate and biodiversity crises and put us on a path to recovery. We applaud the draft biodiversity framework, but we call on the BC government to give immediate direction to statutory decision-makers to prioritize ecosystem integrity and biodiversity in all their decision making in line with today’s commitments.

The province is seeking public feedback on this new framework until January 15, 2024. Comments can be sent to biodiversity.ecosystemhealth@gov.bc.ca Robyn Duncan, Wildsight Executive Director

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

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November 23, 2023

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

7

Debilitating parasite in fish concerning

Continued from page 5 If fish did carry the disease down the Kicking Horse River to the Columbia, then downstream along the Columbia River to where the Columbia joins the Kootenay River, they couldn’t then carry whirling disease from there up to the headwaters of the Kootenay River in Kootenay National Park. That’s because of several large dams on the Kootenay River, including near Nelson, just upstream from the Kootenay-Columbia confluence, which block the fish.

But recreating people, such as those fishing or standup paddle boarding, could very easily move whirling disease from Yoho National Park to Kootenay National Park, or from the Bow Valley (where whirling disease has been present for several years) into Kootenay National Park.

“That’s the most likely method of transfer — people and recreational activities, especially if people don’t handle their equipment properly or clean it well,” Humphries told the Pioneer.

To make sure fishing equipment and standup paddleboards are truly whirling disease free, all water, mud and plant matter must be thoroughly removed and the equipment then left to dry for a minimum of 48 hours before it is used in a different water body.

“You need to do a good job, not like my 19-year old would do,” emphasized Humphries.

She noted that it can be annoying, especially for people who want to paddle on one lake on a Saturday and another on a Sunday. But it’s necessary. Humphries loves to fish herself, and she has two pairs of waders. If she fishes at two different spots on the weekend, after fishing at the first spot, she removes the waders and then puts on the second pair before going to the second spot.

In the summer, the provincial government has designated cleaning stations set up in the Columbia Valley — one on the Radium Hill on Highway 93/95 and another in Golden. Parks Canada has one near the Lake Louise overflow parking lot and another near Lake Minnewanka. It is mandatory for anyone carrying aquatic recreation equipment to stop at these stations.

Humphries added that, unfortunately, staff at these cleaning stations often encounter people who are clueless about aquatic invasive species (such as the parasite causing whirling disease, as well as zebra and quagga mussels), much less about how to properly clean their fishing gear and paddleboards to prevent the spread.

Over the coming weeks Parks Canada will be talking to counterpart agencies in Alberta and parts of the U.S. where whirling disease is already present, and working with the Canada Food Inspection Agency (which deals with fish infections) to gain insight into what kind of action it should take to deal with whirling disease.

Trout are susceptible to whirling disease that Parks Canada is taking a serious look at.

Christiannafzger/Getty Images And, despite whirling disease having a very high mortality rate and being very difficult to eradicate, there are, in fact, some options to deal with it.

One option is to completely remove all fish from affected water bodies.

“That can’t be done on a large scale in open population, but on a small scale it does work,” explained Humphries. In fact it has already been done by Parks Canada in two locations in Alberta’s Banff National Park – Johnson Lake and Little Herbert Lake.

Another option, which has been tried in the U.S., is to look at fish populations that have already been hit hard by whirling disease, take the surviving fish (which have developed some immunity to the disease) and then try to propagate these resistant fish elsewhere.

Unfortunately both of these options “are very expensive, very difficult, and don’t work everywhere,” noted Humphries. “The best thing we can do right now is minimize the spread as much as possible.”

MariuszBlach/Getty Images

Keen partnership protects habitat, forests Columbia Valley Pioneer staff A keen partnership is watching over the forests and wildlife habitat in B.C. That was the vibe last week as Regional District of East Kootenay directors listened to a presentation by Dan Buffett and Steve Kozuki from Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC).

The delegation spoke about how both groups are collaborating to preserve important wildlife habitats in the

Kootenay region.

Buffett reported the spending of $8.2 million for 168 fish and wildlife projects in the province, adding that featured projects include the River Guardian program, the Elk Valley bighorn sheep population dynamics program, and the Mayook Marsh enhancement and amphibian mitigation translocation study.

Kozuki said the FESBC has completed more than 300 projects valued in excess of $300 million, noting that 60 projects are led by Indigenous Peoples, with another 22 with Indigenous involvement. The results: Millions

of tons of C02 avoided (the equivalent of approximately one million cars off the road for a year). He also pointed out that 120 communities have reduced their wildfire risk, and that 2,214 full-time equivalent jobs have been created.

Kozuki said the Skookumchuck waste wood project was valued at $1 million and reduced slash burning and greenhouse gas emissions. He also pointed out 19 projects valued at $3.8 million that reduced wildfire risks and restored habitat near Fairmont and Invermere.

8

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

November 23, 2023

Residents beat drum over speed worries

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Speeding in Invermere is causing concerns among local residents. Again.

The matter has come up repeatedly over the past several years. The latest was during last week’s Invermere council meeting, with the southernmost stretch of 13th Avenue (which becomes Westside Road) the spot that’s leaving a few people unsettled.

Invermere residents Kathleen O’Neill and Buzz Harmsworth spoke about the issue, with both pointing out that as 13th Avenue progresses past or close by several schools and a playground the speed limit flip-flops between 50 kilometres per hour and 30 kilometres per hour multiple times.

“It is very confusing. It’s (the speed limit) very dynamic along that street. I’ve lived here 10 years and I’m still confused when I drive there,” said O’Neill.

Harmsworth echoed her sentiments and noted that the District of Invermere’s own electronic speed monitor sign also appears confused, since it indicates the speed limit is 50 kilometres at a time when it should be 30 kilometres.

As a point of clarity, he noted that school zone speed limits are supposed to be in effect from dawn to dusk.

“I know I’m driving the right speed, but I think I’m wrong when I have six cars piled up behind me. I can feel the effect of their feelings on the back of my neck,” said Harmsworth. “But I see the kids walking to school and I try to do my part . . . do they (other drivers) realize it’s daybreak to dark (for the school zone speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour)?”

Harmsworth proposed making the speed limit consistent along 13th Avenue, asking council “is there no way we can make it standard?”

Invermere councillor Gerry Taft was not entirely convinced, noting that since Eileen Madson Primary School (EMP) is actually on 15th Avenue, one street over from 13th Avenue, “it’s not technically a school zone” on the parts of 13th Avenue near EMP. “I think making the entire street 30 (kilometres per hour) from dawn to dusk is excessive,” said Taft.

He also mentioned the playground, which is part of the Westside subdivision.

Taft lives in Westside and takes his kids to that playground.

“I think it is the responsibility of the parents to make sure kids are in the playground and not running down the street,” said Taft.

He also pointed out that “the road is fairly straight and I think people will drive

faster than 30 (kilometres per hour) no matter what the sign says.”

But Taft did concede that there needs to be some balance, and that the current situation is “a bit weird.”

“You’ve only got to run one kid over, and you’ll remember it — we’ll all remember it — forever,” pressed Harmsworth.

Invermere Mayor Al Miller said it would be worth checking with the Columbia Valley RCMP to get their insights into the situation.

Back in 2014 and 2015, the EMP Parent Advisory Council (PAC) lobbied hard to get the District of Invermere to establish a dedicated, separate walking and cycling path for kids to use along 20th Street, which connects 13th Avenue and the back parking lot of EMP. At the time, the PAC outlined that many EMP students (age 5 to 8) walk or bike along 13th

Avenue and 20th Street to get to school.

The PAC repeatedly emphasized this entails considerable safety concern, since both these streets are quite busy.

The district did create a separated path on 20th Street a year later, but nothing on 13th Avenue.

Years later, in 2022, the district created a dedicated, separate multi-use path for pedestrians, cyclists, and modes of active transport along part of 13th Avenue.

This path, however, does not go all the way south along to 20th Street, leaving a gap of a block or two in which kids cycling or walking to school along 13th Avenue have no dedicated, separate path.

In this ‘gap’ kids must use either a lane that is part of the road (demarcated with a painted line, but not separate from the road itself ) or travel in the ditch.

Local residents have raised concerns about the inconsistent speed limit along 13th Avenue (shown here), which passes right by the local elementary school and a playground.

Photos by Jenny Hubrecht

November 23, 2023

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Trails, grants, Bill 31 keep RDEK busy

Columbia Valley Pioneer staff The following are informational briefs from the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).

Growing communities At its November 10 meeting, the board moved to revisit the distribution of the Growing Communities Fund at the December meeting.

In March, the province announced a $1 billion Growing Communities Fund to be distributed to all municipalities and regional districts. The RDEK received $3,667,000. Potential projects on the radar fall primarily within the public safety/emergency management, drinking water, and natural hazard mitigation categories. At the June 9 meeting, the RDEK approved allocation of $1.5 million from the Growing Communities Fund for the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project.

Grant approved A small emergent grant in the amount of $500 has been approved for Edgewater Recreation Society to purchase and install a dog waste station and two cigarette butt receptacles around Wittman Field and Frank’s Rink.

The grant was considered “emergent” for the installation of equipment before the ground freezes.

Legacy Trail Repairs have been completed on the Goldie Creek culvert and signed off by Geopacific Engineering for the Markin MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail. Final crack sealing and asphalt remediation will be completed in the coming weeks by Brigade, with the trail and washrooms already closed for the operational season. Repairs to trail fencing damaged by grazing cows has been completed.

Crossroads Ballpark closed The Crossroads Ballpark in Area F has been closed for the season. Fencing repairs will be completed in November. The ballpark will reopen in early April 2024 for the minor ball season.

Mike Christensen. Repairs and upgrades to the south entrance of the trail are currently being completed by Greenways.

Fire training Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Services will begin exterior and interior fire suppression training in November. Eleven students will be trained in exterior operations and five will take the interior course. There is a technical rope rescue course being held this month that teaches members on conducting over the bank/low slope rescues. The annual firefighter recognition dinner is being held at the end of the month.

Bill 31 RDEK staff are reviewing Bill 31 to determine the potential impacts to the East Kootenay Emergency Management Program. The Emergency and Disaster Management Act (Bill 31), making its way through the BC Legislature, has passed second reading, and has now been referred to committee for further discussion. The Bill replaces the Emergency Program Act to streamline its powers and duties and to facilitate agreements and consultation with Indigenous Peoples. It also clarifies the role of critical infrastructure owners, and incorporates lessons learned in recent years in responding to floods and wildfires.

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Beautiful Three Bedroom Executive Home

New pad installed Staff have completed the installation of a new concrete pad in front of the dressing room entrance and club entrances at Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. The pad was installed due to the entrance becoming a safety and slipping risk during the winter months.

Trail accessibility RDEK staff will be meeting with Greenways and Urban Systems Engineering to discuss Old Coach Trail accessibility options in early November 2023. Repairs to the Athalmer hill fencing will begin in November by

The Capilano—This single family home currently under construction has spectacular views from the covered deck. There is still time to choose your colours and finishes! from the $800s

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A new concrete pad has been installed in front of club entrances at Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena.

Photo submitted

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9

Stop by our Sales Centre we would love to meet you. 21, 1904 Pineridge Mtn Link, Invermere 9am – 5pm Tuesday through Sunday We are also happy to meet at a time that works for you, either at the Sales Center in Invermere or our design centre in Calgary.

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10

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

November 23, 2023

OUT OF OFFICE… Small Business Saturday November 23rd is this year’s official ‘Small Business Saturday’ – a national event designed to encourage support of local and small businesses across Canada (and North America). Landing between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is the time to think about your favourite small shops and support them however you can. Obviously making purchases are the best way to show the local love, but consider writing a glowing review or sharing their social media posts to help out as well. And keep in mind that we have several local shopping events coming up in December too - read on for details!

Fairmont Friday Shopping On Friday December 8th Fairmont Hot Springs will be hosting their 12th annual Friday shopping event – participating businesses will be open all day (until 7pm) with various special

features, treats and draws happening throughout the day. Start your shopping day with picking up your passport at the Lion’s Den; you’ll get a stamp from each participating business as you travel to each location – filled passports must be returned to the Lion’s Den before 7pm and will be entered to win gift baskets and other exciting prizes!

This event has a loyal following, and becomes a time to not only shop, but to connect with friends and the community. “This is the biggest social event of the year in Fairmont” says Carolyn Barzilay, owner of La Galeria II. She has been a pivotal organizer from the very beginning and looks forward to seeing all the locals come out to support Fairmont every year.

Invermere Last Minute Late Night Speaking of shopping locally, Invermere businesses are offering an evening shopping experience on Friday December 15th. Many

stores will be open until 8pm this evening for your last minute (or next to last minute – don’t judge me!) Christmas shopping. This is an amazing opportunity to support local business, finish up your shopping and have a fun, festive Friday night! Participating businesses will be open late, and each location will be featuring their own specials and activities – check the social media of your favourite to see what’s going on! With a little luck with the weather (I’m hoping for a picturesque snowfall, myself) it promises to be a beautiful night to spend on the town!

Don’t miss these opportunities to support small local businesses around the valley – let’s keep the Columbia Valley vibrant!

-Deanna Berrington

November 23, 2023

Thursday, November 23 • 10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.

• 11:30am-12:00pm: Little Lambs Radium Hot Springs Public Library.

Join us for songs, rhymes, and stories with your babies! No registration required.

• 2:00pm-3:00pm: Seniors Tea. Invermere Library. Join us for a cuppa and a chat on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month. All welcome!

• 6:45pm: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Invermere Legion. $30 buy-in.

• 7:30pm: Trivia Night Windermere Whitehouse Pub.

Friday, November 24 • 6:30pm-9:00pm: Teton Gravity Research presents their snow film: Legend Has It. Columbia Valley Centre. For 28 years Teton Gravity Research has been traveling the globe with the best athletes to the most incredible locations often based on the fabled history of ski lore to uncover the experience…and sometimes creating legends of their own along the way.

• 10:30am-11:00am: Family Storytime. Invermere Public Library.

Join us weekly on Fridays and/or Saturdays for Family Storytime at the library! With stories, songs & a craft. Geared towards preschool age (2-5) but all welcome.

• 12:00pm: Soup Day Edgewater Community Hall. Enjoy a bowl of soup or chili. $10. Bun, biscuit, cornbread, dessert, coffee, tea, juice. Take out available. Bring your own containers.

• 2:00pm-3:00pm: Friday Funday. Invermere Public Library. STEAM day: Open-ended play with Ozobots, Dash bots and other fun tech. Drop-in programming. Drop-off for ages 7+. Younger children are more than welcome to join with a grown-up.

• 2:30pm-3:30pm: Teen Connect and Create Radium Public Library.

Every fourth Friday of the month. Connect with other teens while making different creations each month! For ages 13 to 18. No registration required.

• 6:30pm - close: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

• 7:00pm-10:00pm: Columbia Valley Rockies vs Kelowna

Saturday, November 25 • 11:00am-3:00pm: GALS Pet Photos with Santa. Choppers Pet Supplies.

By donation, all proceeds go to GALS. • 1:00pm-9:00pm: Invermere Light up & Santa Claus Parade. Downtown Invermere. Invermere Light Up Celebration & Santa Claus Parade returns to Downtown Invermere on Saturday November 25th 2023! This holiday

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

season kick-off in Invermere is a huge explosion of fun and good cheer for everyone!

• 10:30am-11:00am: Family Storytime. Invermere Public Library.

Join us weekly on Fridays and/or Saturdays for Family Storytime at the library! With stories, songs & a craft. Geared towards preschool age (2-5) but all welcome.

• 11:00am-12:30pm: LEGO/Duplo Club Invermere Public Library. We'll have Lego, Duplo, big blocks & more out to play with on Saturday mornings! All ages welcome.

• 2:00pm-4:00pm: Buddy Reading. Invermere Public Library. Book a one-on-one 30 minute reading session to practice reading aloud! Build skill, confidence, and a love of reading. Contact us to book a 30 minute session between 2-4 pm on Saturdays at the library. All reading abilities welcome. publiclibrary@invermere.net • 6:30pm: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

Sunday, November 26 • 11:00am-3:00pm: GALS Pet Photos with Santa. Choppers Pet Supplies.

By donation, all proceeds go to GALS.

• 2:00pm: Cards, Cribbage and Darts Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome.

• 5:00pm-7:00pm: Herb of the Month Club Circle Market & Café. A gathering of hobby herbalists, plant lovers and wildcrafters. Share and learn together about a different herbal ally each month. Crafted takehomes, recipes, tea and snack provided. Bring your enthusiasm, journal + favourite mug. Sign up for the Fall class series along the sliding scale $55-$77 Contact Laura to save your spot: email plantsandposes@gmail. com • 7:00pm: Live Music Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery. Accompanied minors are permitted. No cover.

Monday, November 27 • 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, Invermere. $2 drop in, open to all seniors.

• 5:00pm-7:00pm: Super Happy Fun Time!! Valley Voices Choir. Christ Church Trinity. We want you!!!! Come Sing With US!!! Super fun happy times!! Email-bryantolender@icloud.com. see you soon!!

• 6:30pm: Poker (Chip up for Charity). The Station Pub $20 buy-in. Every Monday.

Tuesday, November 28 • 9:30am-10:30am: Parent Tot Yoga. Mountain Home Yoga. Well-

11

rounded yoga practice and play. Follow along, or attend to your child, no pressure to participate (this grace is extended to your instructor Laura and her daughter Winnie too!) Here we invite the littlest of us to learn mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion, while practicing breath and playing with postures. All ages welcome!

• 10:30am-11:30am: Homeschool Meetup. Invermere Public Library.

Drop-in, all-ages programming with open-ended STEAM play, group activities and art projects. A chance for homeschool kids and families to get together! Please contact us to get on the Homeschool email list to stay up to date and see what extended programs are coming up.

• 10:30am-11:30am: Senior's Fitness Columbia Valley Centre. $2 drop-in.

• 2:00pm: Novel Idea Book Club. Invermere Public Library. This month: Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce. Pick up a copy at the circulation desk.

• 6:30pm-8:00pm: Second Winds Community Band. Practice at Invermere Catholic Church Annex. For info please email dalvande@ shaw.ca • 7:00pm-10:00pm: Columbia Valley Rockies vs Golden

•

Wednesday, November 29

• 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.

• 11:30am-12:00pm: Story Time. Radium Public Library - preschool & all ages.

• 3:00pm-4:30pm: After School Club. Invermere Public Library.

A window of transition time between school and home or extracurriculars. Come colour, bead, play with LEGO and catch up with friends! Open to all school-aged kids and teens. Drop-off allowed for Grade 2 students and up. Younger kids are welcome with a grown-up.

Please bring your own snacks! Register. https://invermere.bc.libraries. coop/ • 6:00pm-7:00pm: Write On! Writer’s Group Invermere Public Library.

The first half of our meetings will be an informal lesson or“how-to” portion, the second half of our meetings will be for project sharing and getting feedback on your writing. You are welcome to come to both parts of the meeting, or just the part that works for you. 6:006:30 pm: Write a Christmas Family Letter 6:30-7:00 pm: Share projects and receive feedback.

• 6:00pm-9:00pm: Wednesday Dinners & Meat Draw & 50/50 Invermere Legion. All welcome.

• 6:30pm-8:30pm: Guilt-Free Holiday Baking Pynelogs (presented by Groundswell) Is guilt-free baking possible? Come find out! Take home lots of yummy treats to share and eat this season using nutritious ingredients. Tickets available online: groundswellnetwork.ca

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer

November 23, 2023

Members sought for wildlife committee

Submitted People with a passion for wildlife and their habitats are needed for a new advisory committee in the East Kootenay.

Since last fall, a diverse group of people with extensive knowledge of local wildlife has been meeting to talk about habitat and the possibility of forming a new committee in response to the provincial government’s Together for Wildlife Strategy.

The discussions were kick-started by local stakeholders in collaboration with the province to transform this interim group into a permanent advisory committee.

Interested applicants are invited to apply online by Monday, Dec. 4. The appointments are for two years. Members

must have a demonstrated commitment to wildlife and habitat conservation. They must also be able to effectively collaborate with others and have the time to be engaged in meetings.

Those interested can email fishandwildlife@gov.bc.ca with the subject line “East Kootenay Wildlife & Habitat Advisory Committee membership”.

Visit this link to learn more about the role of the committee: www.gov.bc.ca/ RegionalWildlifeAdvisoryCommittee The committee will advise provincial government staff on the regional implementation of the strategy. In this role, the committee will focus its work on providing expert knowledge and advice on priorities and opportunities to improve the stewardship of terrestrial wildlife and habitat.

Edgewater Senior Society

Join Us! It’s the second show of our Mountain Man Series This show will feature the life of renowned mountaineer Leo Grillmair...what an extraordinary life he had.

Enjoy refreshments and a visit with Leo’s wife Lynne following the show.

Dec 1 at 7:00pm - Edgewater Community Hall Admission by donation Everyone Welcome!

Presented by Pat Morrow

NOT IC E Columbia Valley Métis Association

This committee will not replace the existing Kootenay Wildlife Harvest Advisory Committee, which is the venue for conversations and advice related to hunt-

ing and trapping regulations. Hunting and trapping regulations are not currently within the scope of this Wildlife and Habitat Advisory Committee.

Do you have a passion for wildlife and time to serve on a committee? Well, this is for you.

Photo by Syd Danis

Invermere to get floodplain bylaw

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The District of Invermere is working on a new floodplain management bylaw.

The idea stems from the Toby Creek Flood Risk Study, completed by the district last year.

District staff and consultants gave a presentation on the potential bylaw, outlining some of the findings of the flood risk study and laying out the process for getting the new bylaw in place during the Tuesday, Nov. 14 Invermere committee of the whole meeting.

Invermere planner Rory Hromadnik explained to the Pioneer that the district’s old flood risk mapping was based on data from 1982. It was high time for new data, which is what prompted the Toby Creek Flood Risk Study.

“With climate change things are obviously not the same. Things are much more volatile,” Hromadnik told the Pioneer.

For instance, the 1982 data used a one-in-120 year

flood event as one of its benchmarks. The new study broadened the scope considerably to a one-in-200 year flood event.

Hromadnik noted that Toby Creek is quite different than many rivers, because it is susceptible to ice jams and landslides. These events have the potential to create serious floods in Athalmer. The low-lying neighbourhood (which is also the site of Invermere’s industrial park, and its sewage lagoons) sits couched between the lower reaches of the Toby and Columbia River wetlands.

The bylaw is set to get first and second reading during the next Invermere council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

After that, there will be public consultation, including webinars to be held in December.

Hromadnik added the district is keen to tap into the local knowledge of long-time residents who may remember flood events from past decades in and around Athalmer.

The bylaw is unlikely to come forward to council for adoption until January “at very earliest,” said Hromadnik.

AGM & Kitchen Party

Sunday, November 26 - 4:00-7:30pm Location: Wilmer Hall • Dinner and refreshments provided • Entertainment after dinner- Métis Bev • Sashing new citizens The Board of Education of School District 6 (RockyMountain) is in the process of disposing of property located at 3628 Highway 95, Parson, British Columbia (formerly known as the Columbia Valley Elementary School). Specific details of the property are Lot 1, Plan 4473, L.D. 26, Section 30, Twnsp 24, Range 19, W5M, PID 014-809-362. Prior to making any final decision with respect to the disposition of this property, the Board is seeking community input as to the best use for this land and invites written comments from the public on or before December 31, 2023. Comments: ATT: Alan Rice, Secretary Treasurer School District 6 (Rocky Mountain) Written comments, or further information requests can be sent to: PO Box 430 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 ATT: Alan Rice, Secretary Treasurer School District 6 (Rocky Mountain) • PO Box 430 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Or Emailed to: alan.rice@sd6.bc.ca or Emailed to: alan.rice@sd6.bc.ca or Dropped off to the School Board Office, Or Dropped off to the School Board 620Invermere, 4th Street;BC. Invermere, BC. 620Office, 4th Street;

This screenshot from Invermere council shows flood risk in Athalmer under various scenarios such as ice jams or dike failures.

November 23, 2023

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Educator receives award PIONEER The Columbia Valley

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com Indigenous educator Bonnie Harvey has received the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) 2023 Award of Excellence for environmental education.

"A real focus in the last five years was to share what I know and give it back to the universe — to pay back for all that I've learned and to share with others," Harvey said passionately.

She is from the Aq'am community, and for the last 15 years, she has been sharing knowledge on cross-cultural presentations, legends, and land connections.

Harvey is very passionate about what she's doing.

"Transferring knowledge is so important to share what I've learned with others. And so, that sense of responsibility has been real." Harvey said with a smile.

From October 19-21, CBEEN gathered local educators for the 2023 'Inquiring Voices' professional development day for teachers, and Harvey received her award that day.

For more information, read: https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/teachers-gather-to-enhance-education/

pull them into the story and that they believe, just to see that magic and to be able to share that. There's magic. I love that."

Harvey hopes to continue to raise awareness and share wonderful stories in her community. She also hopes to support CBEEN and build their internal education networks.

"I appreciate the effort that my elders have shared with me to help make me a better person. I commit that I will, in turn, share that with others. And I hope that I will have a positive impact on others as much as my beautiful elders have had a positive impact on me," she said.

NEWSPAPER

SERVING THE COLUMBIA VALLEY ONLINE OR IN PRINT

Call Jamie at 250-341-6299 ext 103 to discuss your advertising needs.

Visit our website at: www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Recycling Questions?

BC RECYCLING HOTLINE 604-732-9253 1-800-667-4321 RECYCLING COUNCIL OF B.C. MEMBER

PANORAMA RESIDENTS Krystal Klear will be taking on a limited number of privately-owned driveways that need snow cleared on a regular, as-needed basis for the duration of the winter.

We’re able to clear driveways, stairs, walkways, decks etc.

For more information or a quote: Kirk Davis 250-341-1295

“And just to be acknowledged in the same cohort as Alfred Joseph made me feel so honoured and so proud.”

Krystal Klear Snow Clearing

Bonnie Harvey "I was honoured that somebody took the time to write a beautiful nomination. I just really appreciate the time and effort, the love and care that went into acknowledging my work," Harvey shared.

She described the event as a "beautiful place," and besides the excellent weather and successful event, she feels honoured to be with fellow educators who share her passion, goals, and focus.

"And then my turn came [to present], I was just a barrel of emotions. I was very emotional, and I cried. I wanted to acknowledge everybody in the room. They do this hard work of giving. They are investing their time.

And so, I wanted to honour them. It was a beautiful evening — then to hear my beautiful nominee's words from my beautiful nomination."

Harvey received the award along with other educators, such as Alfred Joseph from ?Akisq’nuk. He is a respected elder who is fluent in the Ktunaxa language and also teaches the language.

"And just to be acknowledged in the same cohort as Alfred Joseph made me feel so honoured and so proud."

After Harvey shared her experiences in the camp, the Pioneer asked about her favourite journey as an educator. Bonnie Harvey has won the 2023 Award of Excellence for "When I'm sharing the legend and being able to environmental education. bring the people on a journey with me . . . being able to Photo submitted

REACH OUT

13

An Outdoor Evening of Commemoration and Remembrance 10th Annual

Tree of Lights

December 1st, 2023 @ 6:30pm $10 per name

This year’s Tree of Lights will be held in your community at: Invermere: Columbia House, 3-4pm Fairmont: Outside the Lion’s Den Canal Flats: Outside the Discovery Centre Please find your Tree of Lights forms around your communities, or you can register online at: hospicesocietycv.com Please deliver completed forms by November 28th to the Invermere Hospice Office: Unit 103, 926 7th Ave (Frater Landing), Invermere, BC (778) 526-5143 | hospicesocietycv.com

I am working for you!

www.DougClovechok.ca

1-844-432-2300

doug.clovechok.mla@leg.bc.ca As your MLA I am listening to what matters most to the people of Columbia River-Revelstoke

14

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

November 23, 2023

‘Playing beaver’ in drying of the wetlands

Submitted by Living Lakes Canada The water stewardship work in this story is located on the unceded shared territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc people, home to the local communities of Akisqnuk First Nation, Shuswap Band and the chosen home of the Columbia Valley Metis.

“We want to know which wetlands are the most vulnerable and the most valuable. This is a hard question to answer because they are all vulnerable and valuable… and they all need water,” said Suzanne Bayley, President of the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners.

The Columbia Wetlands are drying — and they have been for many decades due to climate change. One solution may help wetlands adapt and safeguard their key ingredient. It involves mimicking the actions of one of the most iconic and ubiquitous animals across Canada.

Stretching over 180-kilometres and across 26,000 hectares, the Columbia Wetlands in southeastern B.C. are teeming with biodiversity and provide a cornucopia of benefits to surrounding communities. Flood control, groundwater recharge, irrigation needs, water purification, and carbon storage — these wetlands aid it all. As part of the Pacific Flyway, one of North America’s four major migratory routes, the waters of the Columbia Wetlands provide a safe haven for over 160 species of migratory birds including at-risk Tundra Swans.

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems globally, yet one of the most threatened. Since 1970, one third of all wetlands have been lost. Although the Columbia Wetlands are RAMSAR-designated and internationally recognized, approximately 40% of this pristine floodplain remains unprotected. It’s critical that steps are taken to better understand and protect this wetland system. When wetlands are protected, everybody wins.

On the ground in the Columbia Wetlands, research has found that water-loving plants are being replaced by willow, a plant that requires less water. Over the last 39 years, the spread of willow has doubled in the wetlands, pointing to a drying landscape. Wetlands that once held open water all year long are now often dry in the winter and spring. Now, migrating birds are left with fewer options to rest and feed during long journeys. In fact, certain tracts of the Columbia Wetlands have lost over 16% of its permanent open water area in the last few decades.

The disappearing act of water from the Columbia Wetlands is troublesome, but not a surprise. Behind the curtain, climate change is resulting in increasing temperatures, decreasing snowmelt and receding glaciers.

This means there is less water to fill and flood these critical wetlands. But, the behaviour of one sharp-toothed, web-footed and paddle-tailed animal shines a light on a way to help maintain water in the wetlands.

Beavers are known as ecosystem engineers, weaving

Dr. Suzanne Bayley by a beaver house in the Columbia wetlands. Below, Living Lakes Canada’s Braeden Toikka looks over a human-made beaver dam.

Photos by CWSP and Catriona Leven trees and branches into mud-fortified dams and lodges.

Beaver dams function as natural levees and create partially connected wetlands. During floods, water pours over the dam and gets trapped behind its walls. The landscape then is able to hold the water, rather than letting it drain away and travel downstream by river or stream. Like a plug in a bathtub, beaver dams help increase open water areas for wildlife.

“Anything we do in the long term is in the face of declining water due to climate change. But, what we can do is continue efforts to help keep open water in the Columbia Wetlands through restoring abandoned beaver dams,” said Bayley, who is championing scientific research and restoration in the area.

According to Bayley, it isn’t known why beavers are absent from the upland wetlands. Possible reasons include a lack of adequate water to keep the wetlands healthy, lack of suitable food, increase in predators and historic trapping.

“Beavers could be reintroduced, but this would require a permit, and unless we know why their populations are failing, they’re likely to fail again,” said Bayley.

Wetland research and stewardship is spearheaded by the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners (CWSP).

As a member, Living Lakes Canada has worked alongside CWSP and its partner organizations since 2006 to develop and promote effective stewardship of the Columbia Wetlands.

This past summer, Living Lakes Canada staff supported CWSP in assessing the upland wetlands on the western bench of the Columbia Wetlands. The findings show scientific evidence of a 50-year drying spell; the same is observed throughout the valley bottom wetlands.

Water escapes these upland wetlands through old, deteriorated beaver dams.

“Through drone surveys, we’ve seen that previously intact wetlands are transitioning into shrubs and conifers. Wetlands are no longer functioning as wetlands because they’ve been dry for a very long time,” said Jessica Holden, Wetlands Technician with Living Lakes Canada.

One possible solution to the problem is “playing beaver.”

Armed with large posts, clay, mud and plenty of debris, the wetlands team aims to repair beaver dams at nine identified restoration sites. Known as beaver dam analogues, the human-made beaver dams will help retain water in the upland wetlands.

Key to measuring the success of this restoration project is monitoring before and after the beaver dam restoration. Bird surveys, wetland vegetation observations, benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, and more will provide insight into how the wetlands are responding.

“We want to see more cattails, bullrushes, water lilies and open areas of water - all signs of a healthy wetland,” said Catriona Leven, Wetland Ecologist with CWSP.

November 23, 2023

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

15

BEYOND

THE BLUE LINE

By Stephanie Stevens Two days, two games, 1,300 km and three of four points added to their standings equals a successful weekend away for the Columbia Valley Rockies.

The team was on the road last weekend, playing first in 100 Mile House against the Wranglers Nov. 17 and then in Kamloops Nov. 18 where they took on the Storm.

Friday’s tilt with the Wranglers was a 5-2 win for the Rockies, with netminder Jaiden Jakubowski keeping out 29 of 31 shots.

“We played well after a long bus ride and got the job done,” said associate coach Tucker Braund.

Scoring in the first period was Tysin Mulligan (assists from Carter Velker and Jamieson Franz), Kyran Grominsky (assists from Ethan Adair and Paddy Donahue), both power play goals, and then Johnny Lozeman (assist from Donahue).

Wyatt Wurtz put another past the Wranglers’ goalie in the second (as-

sists from Luke Hamilton and Danny Schmirler), and proving the drought was truly over, Lozeman cinched the game in the third period with an unassisted, shorthanded goal.

“We took advantage of them taking penalties early in 100 Mile House,” said head coach Tayler Sincennes.

Assistant coach Tanner Wit echoed Braund and Sincennes’ sentiments.

“A lengthy road trip like that can be difficult but we played really well in both games,” he said. “Friday night we executed the way we wanted to and came up with the win.”

While Saturday’s game against Kamloops ended 2-1 for the Storm, the overtime loss was at the end of a well-played game.

“Kamloops was one of the better games I have seen this year,” said Sincennes. “Two very good teams going back and forth. Unfortunately we couldn’t manage to get the win in overtime but three of four points on a long road trip is important in the standings.”

Rockies defenseman Jamieson Franz chalked up an assist against the Wranglers on Nov. 17.

Photo by Stephanie Stevens Scoring for the Rockies in the Saturday game was Oleg Bitus (assist by Grominsky).

Netminder Nate Glenn stopped 37 of 39 shots on goal.

“Finding consistency with our power play will be huge going forward,” said Braund. “The team has been buying into the defensive side of the game which is good going forward. We want them to be strong on both sides of the puck; it bodes well for our team game but also individually and in trying to move players on to

the next level, they have to be good defensively.”

“We got what we wanted out of (the weekend) with stuff to work on this week and didn’t hurt ourselves in the standings,” added Wit. The Rockies are back in Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena on Friday, Nov. 24 against the Kelowna Chiefs, away in Fernie on Nov. 25 and back in the Eddie hosting the Golden Rockets for a Tuesday game Nov. 28.

16

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

November 23, 2023

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By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com On November 3, the provincial and federal governments and the First Nations Leadership Council reached an agreement of $1 billion funding for Indigenous-led conservation initiatives in B.C. "The tripartite Nature Agreement is truly the first of its kind,” said Robyn Duncan, the executive director of Wildsight.

She noted this is an agreement with Canada, B.C. and First Nations Leadership that commits to a wide range of conservation actions to achieve 30 per cent protection of lands and waters by 2030 through Indigenous-led conservation.

Importantly, the agreement includes an announcement of $1 billion to support conservation, she pointed out.

Duncan said the agreement is to make up for conservation in the city as B.C. faces triple threats of climate change, loss of biodiversity, and added pollution.

According to Duncan, wildlife populations have plummeted nearly 70 per cent in the last 50 years.

"Across Canada, habitat loss and fragmentation, industrial pressure, and climate change are all impacting wildlife populations," she added.

Duncan pointed to significant declines in wildlife populations, explaining that seven local mountain caribou herds have gone locally extinct in the last 10 years.

The main reason for this decline is habitat loss.

The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goats have also experienced these declines.

"This agreement could signal a turning point for our region,” she said.

Duncan explained that through the agreement, the $1 billion allocation must be used to achieve the goals of the Nature Agreement, which are centred around the 30 per cent protection of lands and waters.

She stated that $300 million is allocated towards a conservation financing mechanism — a core tool that will support new conservation initiatives such as Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, (IPCAS), capacity building for First Nations, stewardship and guardian programs, and support for low-carbon economic opportunities.

Continued on page 17

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November 23, 2023

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

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$1B for conservation Continued from page 16 The Nature Agreement focuses on Indigenous rights, knowledge and leadership. It recognizes that Indigenous-led conservation is the pathway to 30 by 30, a worldwide initiative for governments to designate the protection of 30 per cent of Earth's land and oceans by 2030.

"Across B.C. we have seen numerous Indigenous nations declaring IPCAs to protect ecological and cultural values. The Nature Agreement opens the door to formalize these declared IPCAs and establish new IPCAs, like the Qat'muk IPCA in the Jumbo Valley created in 2019 by the Ktunaxa in B.C. and Canada."

Duncan continued that we have a great opportunity to restore and protect

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However, she also noted that we may lose more if we don't take action now. The government has made incredible efforts in this project, but Duncan said immediate interim measures must also be taken.

"I am hopeful that we will see the funding result in a fundamental paradigm shift towards greater Indigenous-led conservation that makes space for nature and supports all living things," she added.

Duncan gives many thanks to B.C., Canada, the Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Summit and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. See https://www. cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/nature-agreement-bc-ottawa-1-billion-conservation-1.7017562.

FOR invites comments on this application, the Lands File is 4406428. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Sr. Authorization Specialist, FOR, Kootenay Boundary Region, at 1902 Theatre Road, Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G1. Comments will be received by FOR up to December 21, 2023. FOR may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ for more information.

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18

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

P IONEER C LASSIFIEDS

November 23, 2023

• Phone: 250-341-6299 • Email: info@columbiavalleypioneer.com • Web: www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

ANNOUNCEMENT Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone Turner, William Norman else’s drinking? Meeting Mondays 7:15 pm. at Canadian William Norman “Bill” Turner, beloved Martyrs Parish front side door. husband of Irene Turner (nee Lovell) of Calgary, 712 12 Ave. Invermere. For AB, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, more information or to speak 2023, at the age of 88. with someone from our Bill lived a full and abundant life and was wellfellowship, please call 250-878loved by all those who knew him well. He will 2448 or 250-342-8392. be most remembered for his warm smile and Alcoholics Anonymous. If gentle manner, his wisdom, humour, and sense alcohol is causing problems or of adventure. con ict in your life, AA can help.

Bill is survived by his wife Irene, two sons, Steven Leslie Turner (Mary) of All meetings are at 7 p.m.

Olds, AB, and Bradley William Turner (Mary) of Calgary, AB; one daughter Columbia United AA, Invermere: Laura Ann Turner of Calgary, AB; six grandchildren, Michael (Julia) of Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Kingston, ON, Rhys (Kayla) of Nelson, BC, Katherine (Chris) of Edmonton, Wednesday at the BC Service Kyle (Laura) of Maastricht, Netherlands, Elise Wieler of Calgary, and Sarah Building, South End – 624 4th Wieler of Calgary; and two great-grandchildren, William and Edward of St., Invermere. Please call 250Kingston, ON. 342-2424 for more information Bill’s full obituary is available on the McGinnis and Holloway website at or to speak with someone from https://mhfh.com/tribute/details/44260/William-Turner/obituary.html our fellowship.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial tribute for Bill, as part of the regular Narcotics Anonymous service, at Christ Church Trinity (110 – 7th Ave) in Invermere on Sunday, Open Meeting November 26 at 10:30 am. followed by a light reception.

Mondays 7 p.m. at the BC Service Building, South End. 624-4th St. Invermere.

CHEERS WITHOUT CHEERS WITHOUT WANTED Art Gieck of TEARS TEARS Country Piano House Cheers to the homecare staff Cheers to Rhonda W. for turning Seeking Stories & Memories will be tuning from anyone who may have that come everyday to help me. in a lost item. Your honesty is November 29th and 30th. known/grown up with Your care is appreciated. N.B. Call 250-347-9882 commendable!

Victor (Vic) Thygesen. for an appointment A big CHEERS to my dear friends All stories mean more to my CHEERS! from the Kingdom Hall for the CHEERS WITHOUT husband than you can know! owers, cards, coffee and To all the Doctor's,Nurses and Please email TEARS goodies, the encouraging visits, Staff for all the hard work you Kristin@remaxinvermere.com to Cheers to drivers that do not tail phone calls and texts. The meals share, and THANK YOU, SO do! gate, please slow down and you have provided are the best.

MUCH! allow some distance.

Your kindness does not go BUSINESS SERVICES Cheers to the hospital unnoticed. Love you all! N.B. HELP WANTED personnel, doctors, paramedics and remen for the help I A special CHEERS to my family THE HEARTFELT COMPANION: Ravenhead Fabrication Services Services for Seniors received when I fell and broke for the help and support you Since 2014 we've provided is seeking an experienced Metal my hip. I appreciate your care have given me these last few Fabricator/Welder to join our kind and compassionate weeks while I am recovering. I and kindness. N.B. non-medical care, team. Please see our posting on love you and appreciate you all!

Cheers to the doctors, nurses transportation to Cranbrook, Indeed.com, or email resume to and staff at both Invermere and Cheers to Ewan and Bowen of overnight care, meal prep, jobs@ravenheadfab.ca Cranbrook Hospitals. Big Columbia Valley Freight for your grocery shopping and more.

CHEERS to family and friends hard work delivering a truck Excellent local references.

250-341-5683 who made my return home load of furniture to our office.

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Cheers to Elaine, Ellie and all the Cheers to everyone that came to B.B.'s Home & Design Services Renovations, Masonry & Lakeview Manor residents who visit me in the hospital when I Handyman Services, Blinds, have helped me in many ways. fell and broke my hip. I You are a good group of people appreciate the owers, goodies, Housechecks, eavestrough/ yard cleaning/dumps runs who have shown a kind and fruit basket and gifts. So kind of 250-688-2897 you all! N.B. caring attitude. N.B.

IN MEMORIAM

Dora (Dot) Proulx

March 14th 1923 - November 20th 2022

Wife - Mother - Grandmother- Great Grandmother- Friend Gardener - Outdoor Adventurer - Genealogist Traveller - Strength - Passion - Family

Miss you Love you Dot

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November 23, 2023

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

19

New film features extreme local skiers

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The latest ski movie from prominent extreme sports media company Teton Gravity Research (TGR) will have its Invermere premiere this weekend.

The Invermere show is this Friday, Nov. 24 at the Columbia Valley Centre. It’s one of just six stops on the North American tour for TGR’s ‘Legend Has It’. How did little old Invermere manage to become one of a mere half-dozen screenings across the whole continent for a movie of this magnitude? Well, the big-time film has considerable small-town appeal for Invermere residents, since it stars not one but two Columbia Valley-bred big mountain skiers who are at the pinnacle of the international extreme ski scene — Christina ‘Lusti’ Lustenberger and Ian McIntosh.

The title ‘Legend Has It’ refers to the time-honoured skier and snowboarder habit of spinning tales – sometimes tall and sometimes true — about fabulous power dumps, unbelievable lines, secret backcountry cabins and other near-mystical facets of ski life. Sometimes they sound too fabulous to be fact, but then again maybe, just maybe, they could be the real deal. The film traverses the globe with a host of top-notch backcountry rippers, shifting the fiction and fact of legendary ski locations from Patagonia to Alaska and beyond. Those who check out the movie will find the ski facts — visible to your own screen-viewing eyes — as wild as any ski fiction.

Unquestionably the most outrageous segment of the film features a ski mountaineering expedition to the Karakoram Range in northern Pakistan, captained by Lustenberger. She and fellow skiers Jim Morrison and Nick McNutt spent days just getting to their base camp, not far from the fabled Trango Towers. There, in a landscape of sheer, soaring granite walls and ragged spires like nothing else on Earth, the trio attempt to ski what’s never been skied before.

That is precisely what Lustenberger has made a name for herself doing over the past several years, as she has starred in a number of movies made by TGR and other big ski film producers. Perhaps most famously to Columbia Valley residents, two years ago she and McIntosh became the first people to ski the wicked east face of Mount Nelson. An iconic local landmark, Mount Nelson (which coincidentally is on the Pioneer cover this week) looms over the valley’s western horizon, its imposingly steep east

Christina Lustenberger surveys the peaks outside her tent.

Photo by Kerwin Giffin/TGR face visible from, well, everywhere.

Lustenberger told the Pioneer that Mount Nelson will always hold a special place in her heart, but that the Karakoram has its own allure.

“I have wanted to ski in Pakistan for a long time, so planning this expedition was a dream come true. It also came with a lot of challenges,” she explained. “Pakistan is so beautiful. It has captured my imagination and I can’t wait to go back.”

She added that the unknowns of wild places are what draw her to them in the first place.

In the Karakoram segment of “Legend Has It’, Lustenberger, Morrison and McNutt do not shy away from discussing on camera how the rigours of high altitude make the body want to stop and make the mind say ‘turn back.’ They also reflect deeply on how being in such a remote, untrammelled spot has a grounding effect, with stresses of everyday life left far behind. Morrison is particularly meditative. His comments are extra impactful when you consider that in 2022 he lost his long-time life and mountaineering partner Hilaree Nelson, who was swept into a crevasse by an avalanche while the two attempted to ski Manaslu, the world’s eighth highest mountain in Nepal. A decade prior, he lost his first life

partner and their two kids in a Cessna plane crash.

When ‘Legend Has It’ screens, Lustenberger’s parents Jane and Peter (who are also known as ‘Lusti’) are guaranteed to be in the audience.

“It is pretty amazing to see your kid in a ski movie,” Jane told the Pioneer. “When I’ve seen some of her other movies, at the Banff Mountain Film Festival, I’m watching the big screen and it almost seems like that can’t possibly be my little girl up there. But it is . . . we’re really proud of her and all she does.”

Jane said she sometimes feels a bit anxious when her daughter is off on an expedition “but we’re learning to cope with that. And she’s given us a lot of confidence in her ability to know what she’s capable of, and to know when to turn around.”

The expedition to Pakistan was a good one for parental peace-of-mind, explained Jane. There was an exactly 12-hour time difference, and the team had a satellite phone, so she and Christina talked nearly every day.

“She kept in better touch from over there than she does when she’s back here in B.C.,” said Jane with a laugh.

The other Columbia Valley big mountain skier in ‘Legend Has It’ — Ian McIntosh — is just as well known in the valley as Lustenberger, with a roll of credits in ski movies equally impressive.

The ‘Legend Has It’ segment featuring McIntosh is in Alaska. There McIntosh and three other big mountain skiers (Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Maggie Voisin and Parkin Costain) shred through seemingly endless ranges of expansive, snow-laden, cliff-dotted peaks.

“When I think of ‘legendary’ I immediately think of locations, and in my world of big mountain freeriding, there's no more legendary place than Alaska. After a several-year hiatus, I felt compelled to return to Alaska.

Time away from this legendary state left me hungry to go back . . . it's a place where many of my dreams have come true,” said McIntosh.

Doors for the film open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 7:30 p.m. The screening is supported by Panorama Mountain Resort and doubles as a fundraiser for Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE) Hub for Outdoor Gear Circularity. Attendees also have a chance to win a heli-ski experience.

Tickets are $18 for adults, or $14 for youth (age 15 and under) and can be purchased online at: www.tetongravity.com/films/legend-has-it/tour/invermere.

As part of the film, Legend Has It, Lustenberger captains a ski mountaineer expedition to a remote and un-skied area of the Karakorum Mountains in Pakistan.

Photo by Kerwin Giffin/TGR

20

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

November 23, 2023

Sold-out film festival attracts supporters

The sold-out 10th Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Columbia Valley Centre on November 18 brought together more than 380 keen community members. The successful event was organized by Wildsight Invermere as its annual fundraiser. Counter clockwise from top right: Edgewater resident Hahn Vincent brought much animation and energy to her role as the evening’s Emcee/master of ceremonies; a looped slide show played on the big screen before the films began and during the intermission; Pauline Chevanne, Centre Manager for the Summit Youth Hub, is at the concession table with goodies baked by the teens; a packed house of supporters; and three students from the David Thompson Secondary School Climate Club introduced Feeling the Apocalypse, a film dealing with climate anxiety - from left are Anika Rievaj, Ursula MacIntosh, and Virginia Denchuk.

Photos by Pat Morrow

November 23, 2023

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

21

Blue herons masters at catching fish

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com Birds represent freedom as they can fly high up in the sky, but they are also seen as determination and strength to Indigenous communities. The great blue heron is a good example.

You might be wondering why herons are called “blue” herons. It’s their unique appearance; they have blue-grey feathers.

It's not only the colours that are noticeable on the blue heron, it’s their height, measuring about one metre; the height of your door knob. They are one of the unique types of heron in North America. They have long, thin necks and legs, and they have a yellow-orange beak. They have a large wingspan, measuring from 1.6 metres to two metres. Herons can fly up to 55 kilometres per hour. Blue herons are also quite heavy, weighing from two to three kilograms. They have bright yellow eyes as well.

Blue herons are carnivores, meaning they only eat meat, mainly fish, amphibians, insects and other small animals.

Blue herons can usually be found in the Maritimes to British Columbia. In the fall, they head south. But the ones living on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts stay year-round. Some travel farther north for

the summer right after breeding season. charms for successful fishing. The heron and evolve due to their long, thin legs. It They can usually be found in meadows is also a symbol of grace, elegance, and represents that an individual doesn't need and shallow water at the edges of lakes, patience, and considered skilled hunt- massive pillars to remain stable but must streams, rivers, ponds, and mudflats. er-gatherers. be able to stand on one's own —this is With their long legs, herons can In the North American Native tradi- strength, and this is how blue herons are stand completely still and wait patiently tion, they represent an ability to progress seen in their communities. for their prey. They usually swallow their prey in one gulp. How can they gulp their large prey when they have thin throats and necks? First, they grab their prey using their large and strong beaks. They use this to stab their prey. This action is known simply as a 'bill stab.' While their prey hangs in their beaks, they shake them to break their spines before gulping them down. What's unbelievable is they can swallow fish much wider than their narrow neck. It is said that patience and speed are the keys to their hunting success.

Blue herons mainly breed in colonies.

They build their nests out of sticks. These nests measure up to one metre.

Surprisingly, there are about 5,000 to 6,000 blue herons living in B.C. But the number of herons is decreasing. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has designated the blue heron as vulnerable, meaning they are threatened with extinction unless the situation changes.

In some Indigenous communities, blue herons represent determination and There are between 5,000 and 6,000 blue herons living in B.C. Photo by rancho_runner/Getty Images resilience. They are seen as good luck

RDEK Representative INVERMERE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is looking for two people to represent the RDEK as Trustees on the Invermere Public Library Board as follows: Are you a one person to represent Electoral Area F; and one person to represent the Village of Canal Flats. book lover?

To be considered for a position, an applicant must be a resident or elector of the above area(s) and cannot be a director of the RDEK Board, a councilor of the Village Do you enjoy of Canal Flats, or an employee of the RDEK, Village of Canal Flats or the Invermere Public Library Board. These volunteer positions are for a two year term to run from volunteering?

January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.

Do you believe in If you are interested, please submit a letter of application and brief resume including reasons for your interest and related experience to public libraries? Nikki Bradshaw, Deputy Corporate Officer, at the RDEK. VIA EMAIL to corporateservicesdept@rdek.bc.ca; or DROP OFF at the RDEK Columbia Valley Office or the Cranbrook Office or

BY MAIL Regional District of East Kootenay, 19-24th Ave. South, Cranbrook BC V1C 3H8 For information on the Library and the services it provides, please visit invermere.bc.libraries.coop Applications must be received by 4:30pm on Thursday, November 28, 2023.

COLD SPRING CREEK

DEBRIS FLOW MITIGATION PROJECT Community Meeting NOVEMBER 30 | 2–4 PM Cedar Room - Fairmont Hot Springs Resort | 5225 Fairmont Resort Road You are invited to join us for a Community Information Meeting on the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project. The meeting will include presentations and a project update followed by time for questions and answers.

For anyone unable to attend the meeting, it will be recorded and the recording will be posted on the project page following the meeting.

For those unable to attend, questions can be submitted in advance until 5pm November 29, so they can be included in the meeting. To learn more visit engage.rdek.bc.ca/debris.

LEARN MORE: engage.rdek.bc.ca/debris

19 – 24 Avenue South, Cranbrook BC V1C 3H8 | 250-489-2791 | 1-888-478-7335 | info@rdek.bc.ca | www.rdek.bc.ca

22

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

History of Shuswap families

By Alfred Joseph Special to the Pioneer As a younger person, I had noticed that there was a definite difference in the way the women of our two communities dressed, the Columbia Lake and the Shuswap Reserves.

My grandmother, mother and aunties wore, at that time, a modern dress that was a slimmer style and the women from the Shuswap Reserve wore a more flared style of dress. The way the women also wore their kerchiefs as head coverings were also different. My grandmother, aunties and mother, along with other women of our community, wore their kerchiefs in a style that was wrapped and tied around the top of their heads, and the Shuswap Reserve women wore their kerchiefs covering their heads and tied under the chin. Noticing these differences, I asked my parents about why there were Shuswap people here. This is what they told me: The ancestors of a few of the Shuswap people that are here were found in the area that Brisco is presently located. The Ktunaxa people that first saw them were warriors, and as the newcomers were coming out of their home, a kikuli, there was discussion about "eliminating them,” but the leader disagreed and the two groups were able to communicate to find out who these people were and where they came from. They were in a poor state for clothing as some were found almost naked, therefore the Ktunaxa name for them. (This name only refers to what the Ktunaxa saw at that time, as our language is descriptive, and in no way is derogatory.) There were two brothers and their families that had come over into this area as they were in danger from where they came from.

The leader of the Ktunaxa persuaded his warriors to let these people live and stay here in the area.

According to a document of past hereditary Chiefs in the Ktunaxa Territory around the 1840's, the first recording of a Shuswap Chief, it was written, " Ignatius Kinbasket and family,” which indicates the timeframe of arrival here.

As a child, I remember staying over in that community, being looked after by Louie Capilo, a Ktunaxa and his wife Isabelle, along with her sister Louise. Louie Capilo was a cousin to my father. Isabelle and Louise, from what my sister Hazel told me, were from the Stony tribe.

There were other members of that reserve that were from other tribes who inter-married and were accepted by the Ktunaxa.

The Kinbasket family were the two family groups

November 23, 2023

Columbia Valley

Churches LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH While you are with us, you are always welcome to join us.

Sunday at 10:30 am 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 | www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED Minister: Brent Woodard Sundays at 10:30 am, in-person or on Zoom.

For the Zoom link, please visit our website at wvsm.ca.

110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere.

Alfred Joseph delves into some interesting ancestral history.

Photo submitted that came over. I later learned that they were given a Peace Pipe from the Ktunaxa which was to guarantee their safety here.

Another source of information will be the book by Shelagh Palmer Dehart called ‘The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian History.’

As the importance of language and cultural learning, I fully support the Kempes'q family group and Shuswap Band members reinforcing their knowledge of their Shuswap familial ties, but also must recognize the history of the inter-marriages of their families.

Ignatius Kinbasket, Pierre Kinbasket and Charles Kinbasket were recognized by the Ktunaxa as leaders for their families and had them as signatories for agreements that needed signatures on behalf of their families that lived here. I have not found any historical information that the Greater Shuswap Nation recognized them as the leaders of the whole nation.

With this bit of history, from what I was told, I will state that the Greater Shuswap Tribe through connection to the Shuswap Band do not have any traditional claim to our Ktunaxa territory — only members of the Shuswap Band, with familial ties through the inter-marriages to the Ktunaxa do. All the signs claiming that, throughout our valley, are misleading.

(Alfred Joseph is a member of the ?akisq’nuk community in the Columbia Valley)

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Pastor: Justin Furse Sunday 10 a.m. Worship Service 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 | www.vcachurch.net

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats: Saturday, 4 pm Canadian Martyrs’, Invermere: Saturday 5 pm, Sunday 9 am St. Joseph’s, Radium: Sunday 11 am Father Francis Dela Cruz | 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Sunday 1:30 p.m. Worship Service at Valley Christian 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere lutheranstpeter@gmail.com

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater | 250-342-6633 #4, 7553 Main St. Radium | 250-347-9937

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m.

Relief Society, 11:15 a.m.

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

CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo) Shown here from left are Chief Charlie Kinbasket, first chief of Columbia Lake band, now known as Akisqnuk First Nation, and Pierre Kinbasket, 3rd hereditary chief of Shuswap Indian Band.

Shuswap Band photo

Worship Service: 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

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