Fernie Fix September 2021 by Claris Media

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 177

THE ANNUAL EDUCATION ISSUE:

Inclusion IN THIS ISSUE: Inclusion Issue Special Feature with Courtney Baker on how we evolve through education. Feature Resident Kerry Peters talks about her invaluable role in our elementary schools. Feature Artist Kevin Frank teaches us about his personal connection to his art. And read how each of this month’s columnists educate us on “inclusion” in their own profound ways. FERNIEFIX.COM

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 177

EDITOR’S FIX p7 THE INCLUSION ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURE p9 One Life to Learn by Courtney Baker

BUSINESS IN THE VALLEY p11

THE ANNUAL EDUCATION ISSUE:

Inclusion

Business News Taking Care of Business – Accessibility by Brad Parsell

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT p18 Feature Artist - Kevin Frank Musings of a Bookworm – Including All in Our Community Hub by Jessica Bozoky ArtBeat – Grow Up You, Grow Up Me by Michael Hepher At Peace and Yet on Fire – Mind Control by Sadie Rosgen and Support Others by Nikolas Sombrowski Rental Fix – Enola Holmes by Andrew Vallance

EVENTS CALENDAR p25 COMMUNITY p30 Feature Resident – Kerry Peters

RECREATION AND OUTDOOR LIFE p32 Backyard Adventures – Loving the Grind by Danyal Taylor Hitting the Trails – Trails for All by Julie Kelly

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE p36 Family Wellness – Inclusion in Health Care by Dr. Taina Turcasso This is Life – The Story Behind the Behaviour by Tyla Charbonneau

BITS AND BYTES p40 The Answer Guy – Backup Best Practices by Kevin McIsaac Astrology – September 2021 by Ashley Kristina Through the Lens – The Annual Education Issue: Inclusion Photo Gallery The Social Page

FERNIE FUN p46 The Last Page

COVER: Skate like a girl. Photo by Sara Previte, @saraprevite THIS PAGE: Adaptive DH. Rider: Ethan Krueger, @Ekrueger3 Photo by Ryan Schultz, @rjschultz72

Claris Media acknowledges that the land on which we work, gather and recreate is the traditional and unceded territory of the Ktunaxa people. We are very grateful for this place and the abundance it provides. FERNIEFIX.COM

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Editor’s Fix

Contributors ANDREW VALLANCE is a cinephile nerd who currently lives on the west coast. Girlfriendless, he spends his time going to movies, buying DVDs and flirting. ASHLEY KRISTINA has studied astrology for over twenty years and has been reading/teaching for five. For an in depth natal chart reading, email mountainashastrology@gmail.com. BRAD PARSELL is the manager of the Fernie Chamber and loves working with our local vibrant business community. He is also a music nerd with an ever-growing collection of records in his basement. COURTNEY BAKER has a keen interest in all things community and is inspired by the amazing organizations and volunteers in Fernie. DANYAL TAYLOR is an all year-round adventurer.You can find him hiking in the remote wilderness, crossing crevassed icefields in winter, and bagging peaks at any opportunity possible.You can see more of these adventures @danyaltaylor. JESSICA BOZOKY quit her editing job in Australia to chase the snow. Having settled in Fernie, she’s found herself at home surrounded by mountains (of books).

FERNIE FIX | FERNIEFIX.COM Published monthly by Claris Media. To advertise and for general inquiries: info@clarismedia.com Box 1124, 361A 1st Ave. Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 p: 250-423-4062 | clarismedia.com

JULIE KELLY is the Manager for the Fernie Trails Alliance and loves spending time on the Fernie trails. KEVIN MCISAAC haunts the coffee shops and streets of Fernie to find his column source material. MICHAEL HEPHER is a painter, printmaker, sculptor and musician living and working in Fernie. His work is collected internationally and can be seen at Clawhammer Press and a variety of galleries in Western Canada. Every month SADIE ROSGEN teams up with some of Fernie’s brightest young writers collaborating on a given theme. If you are reading this and think that you are that person, drop her a line at sadiepumps@gmail.com. TAINA TURCASSO is a naturopathic physician, midwife, and new mama who is at long last practicing in Fernie. She is enjoying getting reacquainted with all of Fernie’s offerings with her family. TYLA CHARBONNEAU is a Registered Psychologist (CPBC2385), dog momma, and nature lover. She loves talking with others about mindfulness, self-compassion, and human nature.

Editor | Krista Turcasso Creative Director | Vanessa Croome All content copyright Claris Media. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher.

By Krista Turcasso, Editor Black and white. Us and them. Old and young. Boy and girl. Big and small. Short and tall. Local and visitor. We grow up learning of ‘the other.’ Defining things and people by these attributes. Putting one another into boxes. And you know what? It just has to end. Many of us received a huge slap in the face this spring. As the bodies of children who were forced to attend residential schools were found and more and more of these innocent beings continued (and continue) to be discovered, we felt so much rage, disgust and distrust. The dishonesty, lies, and hidden truths of our history are sickening. It is not us and them. We are all us. It is so unfortunate that those first white settlers didn’t recognize the value of the indigenous people who had lived on this land for over 14,000 years. Can imagine what we could have been, together? It’s impossible to know, but what is hopeful is that we can move forward together now. I can already see the change taking place. Our children are growing up knowing this version of history. They accept and love and question and feel and grieve… because they are taught to and allowed to. As parents, community leaders and elders, it’s our responsibility to support and foster this and above all else, to show that inclusion is not the exception. It’s the expectation. The new norm. In an effort to be committed to reconciliation and ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten, the Government of Canada named this September 30 the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday. 1-866-925-4419 The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of his or her Residential school experience. FERNIEFIX.COM

Rainbow Reads Drag Storytime Pride Pedal Parade Drag Brunch Stage to Screen: heterophobia to Don’t Ever Look Back Ask Me Anything Cooking with Queens Pride In The Park Inclusion and Health Workshops

Elk Valley

September 23-26, 2021 www.ferniepride.ca

MUSIC

CULTURE

SEPTEMBER 10 - 12, 2021 HISTORIC DOWNTOWN FERNIE A celebration of community, creativity, and history in the tradition of the Chautauquas of the 1920s.

CUISINE

Interior and Exterior Renovations Residential Concrete

COMMUNITY

Property and Facility Maintenance ART

Daniel Wells

HERITAGE

250.430.7711 www.wellswood.ca

THE INCLUSION ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURE

One Life to Learn by COURTNEY BAKER Learning; a simple verb that is often taken for granted. This seemingly basic verb is a lifelong and intentional action that goes hand-in-hand with allyship. Fernie Pride Society is fortunate to work with many dedicated educators in the Elk Valley and to continue collaborations with community organizations to ensure that inclusive and diverse learning opportunities are available for people in all stages of life. Kevin Allen, historian and current president of Fernie Pride Society, explains that, “history evolves, language evolves, and education is just one component of this evolution. We are in a time where what is being taught, what people are being exposed to include the voices and lived experiences of those that have been traditionally marginalized and made vulnerable.” This is evidenced in changing school curriculum, the advent of SOGI 123 (sexual orientation and gender identity), and the existence of GSA’s (gay straight alliances) in some BC schools. According to the BC Ministry of Education, 19% of BC high school students identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or not exclusively heterosexual, 1% of BC high school students identify as transgender, and 5% of Indigenous students identify as Two-Spirit. It is critical that all students see themselves as safe and respected in their schools, but it is equally important that they are also represented in what they are taught. Tomson Highway, Joshua Whitehead, Jim Egan, The Brunswick Four, Operation Soap Police Raids, Little Sister’s Bookstore. Many voices and points of the past that have contributed to the Canada that we know today. Ensuring a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum can help students of all ages, genders, and sexual identities

Vince Mo Photo/Fernie Pride Society better understand their world and their differences. For 2SLGBTQ+ students it can mean feeling safer at school and to not simply be tolerated but accepted. Danielle Gibson, teacher sponsor for the Fernie Secondary Rainbow Club notes that, “Research has shown that the mere presence of a GSA in a school lowers negative thoughts in youth and brings the rate of suicide down. Even if you aren’t part of the group or the meetings, the presence of it makes a difference. From my experience as an educator, our rainbow group has brought like-minded people together to form connections and offers a safe space. We always welcome new members and believe that having an opendoor policy to both 2SLGTBQ+ youth and allies is an important part of who we are. As a community, we have strength against negative words, actions, and people. My goal is to educate and to help create a positive and safe space.”

Fernie Pride Society has many educational opportunities throughout the year, both in core programming as well as special events such as the annual Elk Valley Pride Festival. The Festival will return to Fernie for the fifth year from September 23-26. Drag Story and Craft Time, Art History, Queer and Trans History of BC, Creating Inclusive Spaces, Men’s Health, Rainbow Reads, and more - there is sure to be something for everyone. Harvey Milk said, “If you are not personally free to be yourself in that most important of all human activities... the expression of love... then life itself loses its meaning.” Inclusive education helps us to put words to the meaning - to see love not as an abstract idea reserved for only the special few but rather as the default and concrete setting for all.

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SEPTEMBER CONTINUING EDUCATION IN FERNIE: First Aid and Safety

Lifestyle and Leisure

z Occupational First Aid Level 1 | September 11

z CDN Firearms Safety | September 11

z St. John Standard for Industry | September 13

z Windows 10 | September 13

z Transportation Endorsement | September 15

z MS Excel Bundle Levels 1-3 | September 20

z Basic Fall Protection | September 16

z MS Excel 1 | September 20

z Air Brakes | September 17

z Spanish for Travelers | September 20

z Foodsafe Level 1 | September 21

z Basic Bookkeeping | September 21

z Teck Hazard Energy Isolation | September 21

z Teen Climbing Club | September 21

z Occupational First Aid Level 1 | September 24

z Kids Climbing Club | September 22

z Mental Health First Aid | September 25

z Kids Climbing Club | September 23

z Rough Terrain Telehandler | September 25

z CORE Hunter Training | September 25

z Occupational First Aid Level 3 | September 27

z Essentrics for Athletes | September 27 z MS Excel Level 2 | September 27

WATCH FOR MORE IN-PERSON COURSES COMING THIS FALL!

For more information on courses, please visit our website at cotr.bc.ca/ConEd or phone 250-423-4691

z Becoming a Home Herbalist | September 28

Business in the Valley

Submitted Photo

BUSINESS NEWS

Submitted Photo

Christa Moffat Feng Shui + Astrology

Elk Valley Suicide Task Force

Graffito Pizza

christamoffat.com

elkvalleystf@gmail.com 250-423-7500

Graffito Pizza has been a labour of love since day one. Starting with humble beginnings on the back deck of The Royal in October of last year. Guy Lee and Aileen Shipley looked to bring wood fired, Neapolitan style pizza to Fernie. Soft fluffy dough, a bright fresh tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella and carefully selected toppings. But would folks like it? Does Fernie need more pizza? Yes! Which brings them to their new location - the front yard at Earth’s Own Naturals! Preorders recommended or they welcome you to stop on by.

Always fascinated by energy and beauty, Christa is passionate about creating spaces that support her clients. Classical Feng Shui is the art and science of living in harmony with the cosmic forces of nature. People who live and work in spaces with good Feng Shui experience the benefits of more opportunities, positive mental well-being, increased energy, improved wealth and prosperity, strong positive relationships, and life in general flows more easily. As a Certified Classical Feng Shui Consultant, Christa works with you to harness the positive energy of your environment in order to create what you desire in your home or workspace. Consultations are beneficial for primary residences, vacation homes, commercial spaces, new builds, renovations, and for buying and selling properties. Christa also offers consultations in energy and clutter clearing, decorating, design and colour work and is excited to offer full Chinese Astrology Birth Chart Readings.

The Elk Valley Suicide Task Force (EVSTF) is organizing an event at the Annex Park this September 10 for World Suicide Prevention Day. This event provides an opportunity to commemorate those lost to suicide, and to raise awareness for mental health support. Beginning at 6pm, the evening includes speeches, music, a memorial walk around the dyke, and a mental health booth. For more information on this event, and to keep informed and engaged with the EVSTF, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @ Elk Valley Suicide Task Force.

502A 8th Ave

Visit graffito-pizza.square.site to peruse their menu and make your order, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @graffitopizza.

If you or anyone you know is in crisis and at risk of suicide, please call 911, go to your local emergency room, or call a crisis line: 1-800426-8407 (adults) or 1-800-784-2433 (youth).

For more information or to book a consultation visit christamoffat.com

FERNIEFIX.COM

Fernie’s Favourite Riverside Patio! OPEN DAILY

from 9am until 9pm for breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks. 250-423-3002 • thebridgebistro.com 301 Hwy 3, beside West Fernie Bridge

Health , F itne s s & Rec rea tio n De sti nati o n

September Family Special!

½-Price Youth with purchase of Regular Adult membership

2021 Regular Monthly Rates 1-Month 3-Month 6-Month 12-Month

Adult $ 75 $ 65 $ 60 $ 55

Youth (13-17) $ 65 $ 55 $ 50 $ 45

6 Separate Fitness Areas, Yoga, Climbing Wall, 24-Hour Cardlock, Free Lockers and Towel Service * Must be same household & same membership duration Youth have reduced access to climbing wall and 24-Hour Cardlock

Business in the Valley

Submitted Photo

H Squared Gallery 598 2nd Ave, hsquaredgallery.com H Squared Gallery is excited to be hosting its first group show, Recalibrate, opening September 15. Inspired by the introduction of their newest potter, Topo Pots, the show reflects the changes we are experiencing in these unprecedented times and will feature several guest artists. Janet Ng of Topo Pots is fascinated by topography - the study of place and landscapes - and uses it as inspiration to decorate her pottery. Join H Squared on Wednesday September 15 from 7 to 9pm when Janet will be present to give a talk about her process and inspiration. On Saturday September 18, Janet will be back at H Squared demonstrating surface decoration on clay from 11:30 to 3:30pm.

BUSINESS NEWS

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Momentum Massage Therapy

North Coal

1101A 2nd Ave

This Truth and Reconciliation Day, North Coal calls local businesses to uphold the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Corporate Call to Action #92.

Heather Lavers is pleased to announce she is now a BC Registered Massage Therapist. Heather (she/her) is launching Momentum Massage Therapy at Mountain Life Physiotherapy and Pilates in downtown Fernie this September 1. She has been a qualified massage services provider since 2001 and has practised in Fernie since 2011. Heather works with patients with many therapeutic and stress reduction needs, addressing chronic issues and recent injuries. She uses deep tissue work, myofascial release, active/ passive movement and stretching to reach your treatment goals. Working through a treatment plan with you allows you to see the benefits of massage therapy. Her focus is on treating every patient with respect, honouring the uniqueness of each body and empowering you to be a part of your health journey. She looks forward to welcoming you into her safe and inclusive environment. You can check her out at momentumrmt. ca. Online booking available.

northcoal.ca

#92. We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. North Coal is working with the Ktunaxa Nation to integrate traditional knowledge and values into mine designs and plans. This involves commitment to meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples including the Ktunaxa Nation, Shuswap Indian Band, Treaty 7 First Nations and Metis. The TRC was established to address the history and lasting impacts of the Canadian Indian Residential School system on Indigenous Peoples - 94 Calls to Action were released in 2015 and activities continue nationwide to further reconciliation. FERNIEFIX.COM

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS NEWS

JOIN US THIS SUMMER AT THE BRICKHOUSE A GREAT PLACE TO CHILL AFTER A DAY ON THE TRAILS

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Radish & Patch Radish & Patch is a new, online handmade clothing shop in Fernie. Using sustainable and organic hemp, cotton and linen BC-made fabrics, this clothing line focuses on adult-sized, all-gender patterns that feature comfort, durability and pockets.

• Featuring a 100% BC only wine list and beer on tap • Open 7 days a week, 11:30am to close • We follow COVID protocols, your safety is important to us • Check out our menu here:

thebrickhousefernie.com 401 2nd Ave, Historic Downtown Fernie • 250.423.0009

Radish & Patch is currently offering overalls, shortalls, and shorts with a line of pinafores and long-sleeve raglan shirts coming in September 2021. Each piece is sewed in the order that it is received with a timeline of three weeks from order to delivery date. Prices range from $60-$125. They welcome you to check them out on their social media pages or head straight to their online store and order forms - radish-patch.square.site/.

Submitted Illustration

River’s Edge Development Marilyn-brock.c21.ca/rivers-edge River’s Edge is Fernie’s newest development of 18 townhomes in four buildings allowing you to enjoy all that Fernie has to offer right from your doorstep as it is just minutes from the ski hill and downtown shopping and restaurants. Stroll along the river or hop on your mountain bike and explore the trails! All townhomes will have an open plan living room, kitchen with premium finishes and appliances. The two large balconies front and back provide amazing mountain views, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a garage with a flexible space for gear storage, or choose to have it developed into a finished space with another bathroom. The full build out of Phase One is scheduled for November 2021.Visit Marilyn-brock.c21.ca/rivers-edge for more details.

FERNIEFIX.COM

Safety Is At Our Core There are No Access, No Hunting and No Shooting safety boundaries clearly signed around all Teck operations and exploration sites in the Elk Valley. For your safety and ours, please do not hunt or travel in the active mining or exploration areas. Teck’s Elk Valley boundary maps are available at your local hunting or ATV Club and at the mine gatehouses. To view the maps online, visit: www.teck.com/coalmaps

Business in the Valley

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Accessibility by BRAD PARSELL One of the hats I wear in our community is board director on a local non-profit called the Canadian Adaptive Network (CAN). CAN strives to be a catalyst for more inclusive communities like Fernie by championing accessibility, and currently recognizes the need to increase education and awareness locally on this critical issue. I love Fernie’s beautiful historic downtown and all the heritage buildings with so much character that make our town what it is. Unfortunately, a lot of these buildings that were constructed over a hundred years ago did not properly consider accessibility and universal design. The result is that we have inherited a charming downtown core with many vibrant shops, restaurants and attractions that are not able to be accessed by a significant percentage of our population. According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability undertaken by Employment and Social Development Canada, more than six million Canadians aged 15 and over (~22% of the population) identify as having a disability, and it is expected actual numbers are likely higher. The first thing that comes to mind for most of us when we think about accessibility issues due to a disability is people with mobility issues – like those who use wheelchairs, for example. With an aging population, mobility issues are certainly a key area of consideration but there is a wide array of disabilities that make certain spaces inaccessible to folks. For example, those with hearing issues may find certain environments way too loud to be in comfortably. Or visually impaired people may be unable to properly navigate a building or know where the exits are as they can’t see the signage. CAN recently participated in a Community Needs Assessment study of Fernie conducted by students from

The Arts Station’s accessibility ramp,V. Croome Photo One of the major barriers identified to “...we have inherited a creating a more inclusive community charming downtown in terms of accessibility is the cost often required to retrofit older buildings or make core with many vibrant significant changes. It is true that dramatic shops, restaurants and changes to buildings (like installing an attractions that are not elevator, for example) can be prohibitively able to be accessed by a expensive. But often there is a lot of lowsignificant percentage of hanging fruit like reconfiguring furniture to create more space for wheelchair our population.” maneuverability, for example. For those bigger projects, there are pots of money Moravian College in Bethlehem, available to apply for when making your Pennsylvania studying Occupational workplace or business more accessible. For Therapy. Of those interviewed as part of example, Small Business BC currently has this study, all agreed that residents of Fernie a Workplace Accessibility Grant available. are aware and believe in providing an There is also the federal government’s inclusive community for individuals with Enabling Accessibility Fund which opens disabilities.Yet less than a quarter of those up for applications periodically. If you’d interviewed for the study believed that like to learn more about making your persons with disabilities can easily access business or building more accessible, please public buildings within the City of Fernie. reach out to CAN by visiting their website This demonstrates a willingness to learn at canadianadaptive.network/. about and advance accessibility in Fernie, but also shows the challenges we face. FERNIEFIX.COM

Arts and Entertainment

FEATURE ARTIST

kevin frank Art for me first and foremost is about processing, it always has been whether or not I realized it. It would be a stretch to say that when I started painting in high school, I was aware of this but at this point in my career it is a unifying truth within my work. When I say processing I suppose what I mean is using the act of creation, the simple movement of painting or the intention behind selecting a colour palette as a way of visualizing difficult feelings. The process of creating art to me is cathartic and provides not necessarily solutions to my own mental health, but rather an avenue for recognizing emotions. Being a primarily self-taught artist up until my decision to attend an undergraduate program in 2017, I

have never considered my work to be pretty or polished, nor do I intend it to be. Through my education I was given the opportunity to experiment with a variety of mediums and ideas in conjunction with mentors pushing me to explore concepts which held incredible value for me. With this experience I have attempted to distill my self reflection regarding my own mental health into a visual language as a way to describe and further explore emotions which I often find difficult to discuss. As luck would have it this visual language came easily to me as I was able to take concepts I had been using for years and imbue them with new meaning and direction. From when I started painting more seriously in 2012

I have constantly repeated a certain form or character which was derived from an interest in the characters often seen in the work of graffiti artists. My first few years of painting were spent obsessing over colourful, cleanly drawn, renderings of aliens, robots, mutated rats and basically anything non-human. These characters, while they held little to no overt meaning have provided me with a platform to build upon for over a decade all the while changing and morphing constantly. These characters as they are presented today have become an alphabet of sorts to use as a way of visually describing a distinct mental state. The forms are no longer clean and controlled but oftentimes messy and scattered as I have tried to

abstract upon the same idea I have always been using. Each time I approach work in this way I feel more connected to the characters I am presenting, I feel more strongly about the paintings I am creating, and I feel as if my work has a sense of purpose and direction. I feel proud to

have the opportunity to share these parts of me and to contribute to and include others in a conversation surrounding my own mental health in hopes it will inspire others to find ways in which they feel comfortable exploring the topic, both in art and anything else they may be doing.

For more on Kevin’s work, visit kevinfrankart.com. This September, his gallery show Internalize will be on display at the Arts Station - a ‘collection of work that utilizes a distinct visual language to communicate the artist’s mental state.’

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Personal, Friendly Service

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Free Weekly Prescription Delivery Full Service Pharmacy Cosmetics • Fernie Souvenirs Back to School Supplies 441- 2nd Ave. Downtown Fernie Tel: 250.423.4511

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The purpose of the Communities of Interest Advisory Initiative is to foster dialogue and communication between the four coal operations and community representatives within their area of influence.

Creating Accessible Communities

Craft Beer • World & BC Wine Speciality Liquor parkplacelodge.com 742 Hwy #3 | 250-423-6871

CAN is a not-for-profit BC society based in the Elk Valley. The vision is to be a catalyst for creation of an inclusive society where people with functional limitations have equal opportunity to participate in activities of their choosing and be defined by who they are, rather than by what they can or cannot do. canadianadaptive.network

www.evcnpvoice.com

Arts and Entertainment

MUSINGS OF A BOOKWORM

Including All in Our Community Hub by JESSICA BOZOKY Fernie is diverse by nature and inclusive by choice. As a community we not only welcome but encourage others to spend quality time in our mountainous backyard. We embrace those who have come to visit, and those who decided to stay. I write from a personal place as much as I write for the community hub in which I work, the Fernie Heritage Library (FHL). Within the open minds, supportive arms, and challenging curiosity of Fernie, we grow.

or place holds online for us to prepare materials for pick-up during business hours. This service is also available by email for printing. Collaborating with community partners is another way we further our inclusive environment. Working with the Fernie Pride Society, the Columbia Basin Alliance of Literary, the Fernie Women’s Resource Centre, the Fernie Arts Station, the Ktunaxa Nation, and many more organizations. We support inclusive opportunities for our patrons as we offer creative programs and services that foster respect, inclusivity, and accessibility.

This creative, naturally breathtaking space of Illustration By Pruthvi Harshan.Visit ferniefix.com to find the full welcoming, progressive, and size black and white illustration to colour in! just people is the bedrock of our community. As a “As a public institution, public institution, FHL is responsible for Fernie Heritage Library is From students and lifelong learners, to supporting this community in a way that casual readers and those who simply need responsible for supporting respects diversity and fosters inclusion. One a comfortable space to just be, all are of the ways we do this is by amplifying all this community in a way welcome and supported at FHL. Even voices; diverse through cultures, ethnicities, that respects diversity and when our doors are closed, our virtual social classes, ages, gender identities, sexual Library is accessible via Libby, and we offer fosters inclusion.” orientations, physical and mental health, 24/7 wifi in the garden, a Stick Library beliefs, education, and more resources. restrictions. In both our online and for pets, and sheltered seating. This is our physical presence, we try to be inclusive of Advancing inclusive environments means community hub, and you are all welcome. all in the language, tone, and imagery we challenging censorship and giving all use, the services we provide, the content in the opportunity to be heard. While these our collection, and in our physical space. Share The Nuggets inclusive materials, programs, and services We may not always get it right, but we are Inclusive language is one may not be universally popular, it is our way we can practice daily inclusivity. responsibility to provide access to all points open ears to community feedback. of view. If what you’re looking for isn’t in our home collection, we can arrange an Inter-Library Loan, or search our array of databases for more. We strive to deliver services which affirm the dignity of those we serve. To ensure our patrons can enjoy the services we offer, we do not attempt to impose financial

To further accessibility and inclusion during the pandemic we shifted from inperson events to an online platform. This is something we will continue to support and explore, intertwining both in the future. Social distancing also led to Curbside Pick-Up, a popular service we continue to provide where patrons can call, email

When greeting a group of people avoid assumptions by using terms such as: friends, folks, y’all, or gang. If you’re unsure of someone’s pronoun, introduce yours first to create a comfortable platform for them to share. What other ways can we practice being inclusive? Share your thoughts with us: information@fernieheritagelibrary.com

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Arts and Entertainment

ARTBEAT

Grow Up You, Grow Up Me by MICHAEL HEPHER Every artist knows that having the right tools gives you the best chance at creating a successful piece of art. Painting oils with water colour brushes does not give good results. Carving a linocut with a butter knife is useless. Additionally, the proper tool wielded improperly can be dangerous. If you’ve ever taken a printmaking workshop with me, you’ll have heard me say (repeatedly), “Don’t carve toward yourself.” But how do we know what the right tools are, and how do we figure out how to use them? We educate ourselves. Passion begets curiosity, which in turn stokes the fires of learning as it motivates us to seek knowledge, evaluate it, test it and apply it. From there we keep or discard it based on our own work. Apply a blob of colour, a pencil stroke, or shave away a curl of wood—then stop and evaluate. Is it helping or hurting? Is it moving closer to the vision or farther away? I like to think of Fernie as a big canvas— each of us holding a brush ready to create a masterpiece. Together we decide what colour goes where. Which line connects which shape. We can choose to carefully apply our marks, or we can elbow our way in and splash red across the middle with little regard for everyone else’s corner. We can move together and foster unity, or we can throw our hands up and watch the division grow. It can be frustrating to go through the official channels of feedback, and the temptation is to jump onto Facebook and lash out. Social media is a powerful tool for engaging people, pulling heart strings, and rallying change but with power, as they say, comes responsibility. We have to remember that Fernie is a small town—that all of us are neighbours at some level. We come

All Kinds of Beauty Mural, Photo by V Croome from diverse backgrounds, a variety of countries, and subscribe to a myriad of different philosophies. Moving forward in a small space with this rag-tag bunch takes some grace and compassion, and Facebook is rarely the best tool for exercising grace and compassion. It’s too easy in this faceless world of social media to feel anonymous or protected from consequence, but the truth is our opinions are broadcast further, our comments read more often, and social consequences greater. It’s easy to forget that the person on the other side is a real person, a neighbour, trying to do their job or just having a bad day. Finding our way forward as a community sometimes means putting down the axe and picking up a brush. As we navigate this strange time, emerging from one of the more confusing eras in modern memory, all of us are feeling

tender and edgy. I know from being a parent of teenagers that when I’m on edge my tendency is to take my anxiety out on my kids, but it’s not really fair. It’s my burden, not theirs. So too in our little town, as we relearn to live elbow to elbow, to share space literally and figuratively, we may have to take some deep breaths before speaking. We may have to relearn which tools are the appropriate ones for creating positive change. Our instinct might be to tear down, to criticize, to stand inflexibly in our ideals, but the truth is that none of us live alone—we need each other. If we are keen to keep our community growth pointed on an upward arc, we need to find the right tools and apply them with tact, dignity, and grace for each other. Our family, our business, our lives have been invested in this place for ten years now. It’s been a wonderful, wild decade. We’ve been honoured to see Fernie grow

and change, sometimes in fits and starts, as we sidle along cheering and encouraging. In the past few months I’ve seen first-hand and heard tell of more conflict and division than I’ve ever seen here before. I’d love to see us turn back to the spirit I’ve seen—the one I tried to capture in the mural All Kinds of Beauty. A space for all of us. Each one with a voice and a contribution. A community masterpiece in progress. To create that masterpiece, let’s set down the tools that divide, and learn to use the tools that build. Take a second to smile, to care, and to try to see what’s going on for our neighbour before calling them out. Let’s try to let everyone do their jobs and use tact and compassion to engage accountability. In the words of Bruce Cockburn, “grow up you, grow up me, grow together.”

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EVENT CALENDAR

MONTHLY EVENTS Wednesday 1.9.2021 Wednesday Social @ Station Square, 5:30pm Thursday 2.9.2021 Last Scott Downhill Race Series – Youth and Adults @ Fernie Alpine Resort Friday 3.9.2021 11 Year Anniversary Sale @ Gear Hub Sports, 9am-6pm with 20-80% off storewide Sunday 5.9.2021 Last Fernie Mountain Market @ Rotary Park, 10am-2pm 46th Annual Fernie Lions Demolition Derby @ Railway Ave, accessed behind TJs Autobody and starting at 12pm Monday 6.9.2021 Labour Day Last day of Operation @ Fernie Alpine Resort Tuesday 7.9.2021 First Day of School @ BC Schools Tuesday 7.9.2021 – Wednesday 8.9.2021 Singletrack 6 Mountain Bike Race @ Fernie Trails, cheer on riders as they ride the first two days of this epic event on our trail network! Day one in town, day two at FAR and the provincial park.

Friday 10.9.2021 – Sunday 12.9.2021 6th Annual Chautauqua Festival and Fall Fair @ Fernie Museum and City Hall grounds

Thursday 23.9.2021 to Sunday 26.9.2021 Fifth Annual Elk Valley Pride Festival @ Fernie Pride Society, ferniepride.ca

Saturday 11.9.2021 Junior Tennis Tournament @ Fernie Tennis Coaching, James White Park 9:30am-3:30pm Dirt Diggler DH Mountain Bike Race @ Fernie Mountain Bike Club, bikefernie.ca

Friday 24.9.2021 Drag Queen Story Time @ Fernie Heritage Library, 11am Tea and Talk @ Fernie Heritage Library, 1:30pm Rainbow Reads with Jane Byers: Small Courage: A Queer Memoir, A Story of Finding Love and Conceiving Family @ The Fernie Heritage Library, 7pm

Sunday 12.9.2021 East Kootenay Shine and Skate @ Cranbrook Skate Park, 9am-5pm. Paint ‘N Sip @ Cirque Restaurant, 1-3pm Wednesday 15.9.2021 Group Show: Recalibrate Opening @ H Squared Gallery with Topo Pots potter Janet Ng Q&A, 7pm Thursday 16.9.2021 Fernie and District Arts Council AGM @ The Fernie Arts Station, 6pm Friday 17.9.2021 – Sunday 19.9.2021 Fernie Gravel Grind @ ferniegravelgrind.com

Friday 10.9.2021

Saturday 18.9.2021 Topo Pots Demonstration @ H Squared Gallery, surface decoration on clay from 11:30am to 3:30pm Last Day of Operations @ Island Lake Lodge

International Suicide Awareness Day Event @ Annex Park, 6pm @ ElkValleySuicideTaskForce

Tuesday 21.9.2021 EVSTF Grief Support Group Starts @ Fernie Fox Hotel, 6:30pm-8pm. Bi-monthly.

Saturday 25.9.2021 Third Annual Lone Wolf Trail Running Race @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre, stagleaprunning. com Monday 27.9.2021 Fall GoByBike Weeks @ GoByBikeFernie, register online at logmyride.gobybikebc.ca Thursday 30.9.2021 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Make sure to stay up to date by visiting FernieFix.com/events. Send your events to krista@clarismedia.com for inclusion!

WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page Les Tiguidous @ AFRosFernie, outdoor activities with songs, stories in French ages 0-5. 10:15am Club All Play – Fernie Pickeleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am Le Club Baguette Junior @ Rotary Park, outdoor activities and games in French ages 7-12, 3:30pm Date Night @ Island Lake Lodge Tuesdays Storytime (ages 3-5) @ Fernie Heritage Library Live Instagram and Facebook Fernie Youth Art Collective @ The Arts Station, 6pm Ladies’ League @ Fernie Golf Club Fernie Options for Sexual Health Clinic Open @ Elk Valley Hospital, 6:30-8:30pm by appointment Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page Burger and Beer Night @ The Northern Wing Night @ The Pub

Wednesdays Club All Play – Fernie Pickeleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am Curbside Craft @ Fernie Heritage Library, pick up between 12-4pm, Tuesday through Friday Toddlertime (Ages 0-2 years) @ Fernie Heritage Library Live Instagram and Facebook Team Trivia @ The Fernie Men’s League @ Fernie Golf Club Women on Wheels Ride @ Fernie Bike Park, 6:30pm Wine Tasting Wednesday @ Island Lake Lodge Thursdays Bellies to Babies @ Zoom, 2pm Seniors’ League @ Fernie Golf Club Club Baguette Adultes - Practice Speaking French @ AFRos Fernie via Zoom, 7pm Pub Team Trivia @ The Pub Scott Downhill Race Series: Adults and Masters Race presented by Fox and Legends

@ Fernie Alpine Resort, 6:30pm Fernie Trails Alliance Work Party @ Fernie Bike Park Art in the Eve @ The Arts Station, 7pm Fridays Club All Play – Fernie Pickeleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am Storytime (ages 0-5) @ Fernie Heritage Library Live Instagram and Facebook Women on Wheels Ride @ Fernie Bike Park, 9:30am Fish and Chips @ The Pub Fish and Chips Take Away @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm Meat Draw @ The Fernie Club Cre8 @ The Arts Station Saturdays Saturdays in September @ Fernie Heritage Library Garden games, scavenger hunts and crafting from 1-3pm Shawarma Take Out @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm Meat Draw @ The Legion FERNIEFIX.COM

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Arts and Entertainment

AT PEACE AND YET ON FIRE

MIND CONTROL by Sadie Rosgen and SUPPORT OTHERS by Nikolas Sombrowski It’s not every day that I discover a collaborator like Niki Sombrowski. I first met Niki as a high school senior, working hard on his education, playing Junior B hockey for the Fernie Ghostriders. Once his season was over, he was looking forward to playing elsewhere. Like many of us, as the global pandemic spiraled out of control, our lives were put on hold. Niki came home to Fernie only to write his S.A.T.s that he hoped would land him at an American university and lend a hand to the various businesses his family owns and operates. When we connected about writing together, he was running the cash at I.G.S. He and I made some plans but as he got the call to play in Cranbrook for the BCHL pod season, we had to make other plans. Eventually we got together on my veranda in the heat of summer to write Italian sonnets (his suggestion, I might add). I have known a great deal writers and hockey players in my 38 years but never have I met one person that does them both with such joy and attention to detail. Perhaps he’s a renaissance man, or simply a young man who is as unique as the land he comes from.

MIND CONTROL by Sadie Rosgen Overwhelmed in every sense, the information highway is a vast and submissive playground. Often confused, internet trolls lurking in the background, teaming with impressive graphics and distraction, fascinating and dense. But behold, my cautionary tale for herein lies the observation of control; before you click, ingest, and are told, be aware that your mind can be bought and sold. Designed to radicalize, never meant to console. So massive and unrelenting, still, I am free to think. Therefore, do not police the contents of my mind, I vow to keep inventing. I compose the moments that push my imagination to the brink. For when I bargain for the time, peace and pleasure are what I find.

SUPPORT OTHERS by Nikolas Sombrowski Blinded by the absence of abundant noise, loneliness has stability, and the quiet has peace. Being alone is rational, never failing to cease. The unknown is terrible and almost certainly destroys. Like a wolf, abandoned by his pack, and although he is capable alone; unconsciously spitted. For is there ever a realization of being farsighted? If never lead directly along a track, though what purpose serves adventure if set by oneself? We find strength in a greater number, and tranquility when invited. So when others free you from yourself, you will never have to encumber. For experience is absolute, if it is never recited.

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DURING SEPTEMBER 2021

East Kootenay Canine East Kootenay Canine provides support to Search and Rescue Canine teams in the Elk Valley. These dedicated dogs and handlers volunteer countless hours to become a trained team in operation often at great personal expense. They are available 24/7 on search and rescue call outs and are certified through the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association (Winter) and the BC Search Dog Association (Summer). Fernie Cardlock will donate 4¢ per litre of fuel purchased here by Debit. Each month a community charity or fundraiser is selected for donations.

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Arts and Entertainment

THE RENTAL FIX

Enola Holmes by ANDREW VALLANCE Sherlock Holmes is one of England’s most famous cultural exports. This genius detective was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, British medical doctor and writer. Doyle was a prolific writer whose works included fantasy and science fiction stories, plays and historic novels. He created the character of Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson.

The mother is portrayed expertly by Helena Bonham Carter, an actress known for her roles in both small independent films and large-scale blockbusters, which earned her a string of acting accolades including Academy, Emmy and Golden Globe awards. She has not shied away from playing quirky women including roles in films directed by Tim Burton such as Corpse Bride (2005), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), and Dark Shadows (2012). The role of the suffragette mother in this film suites Bonham Carter to a “t.”

Sherlock Holmes is a perfect representation of the way in which upper middle-class Victorian men wished to be seen by society. He is calm, rational, scientifically minded and, most important, a gentleman. But in his stories Doyle never gave many details about Holmes’ family. He mentioned Mycroft, Holmes’ older brother, but said nothing about his mother, father or other siblings. Enola Holmes is a film that remedies the situation by dealing with the adventures of Sherlock’s younger sister. The story deals with Enola’s attempt to find her missing suffragette mother, save a young nobleman from being killed by a mysterious hitman, and challenge the deeply entrenched British class system. The film is an adaptation of a young adult series of detective novels written by American author Nancy Springer, two books of which were nominated for the Edgar Awards for Best Juvenile Mystery. Enola is portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, who at the age of twelve gained recognition for playing Eleven in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things (2016). She made her feature film debut in 2019, in Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

The movie also features Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) as a decidedly feminist Sherlock Holmes and Sam Clafflin (Snow White and the Huntsmen) who plays a decidedly traditionalist and stuffy Mycroft .

“This is a good movie, and an effective introduction to the concepts behind feminism.” In this film, Enola is the 14-year-old sister of an already famous Sherlock Holmes who is twenty years her senior. When their mother disappears, the brothers attempt to send Enola to a finishing school, but she runs away to London where she establishes a clandestine detective agency specializing in missing persons investigations.

Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) makes an appearance as the matriarch of a well-respected aristocratic family, and Adeel Akhtar (The Big Sick, Four Lions) plays the bumbling Inspector Lestrade. This is a good movie, and an effective introduction to the concepts behind feminism. Enola is self-possessed, forthright and resourceful, a feminist hero indeed. It is action-packed, funny and heartwarming. It is currently available on Netflix. I liked this one quite a lot. Two thumbs way, way up. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

FERNIEFIX.COM

Community

FEATURE RESIDENT

Kerry Peters by KRISTA TURCASSO through the School District’s ABED Program. In this role, Kerry works with students of Aboriginal Ancestry (students who self-identify as First Nation, Metis, or Inuit), providing support for them mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally in order to help them reach their full potential. Additionally, Kerry works with teachers to incorporate Aboriginal content into the curriculum.

Our family has been a part of École Isabelle Dicken Elementary School (EIDES) since our eldest started school in 2018. While it was evident the school fosters an inclusive environment, what was surprising was the integration of Indigenous education, beginning in Kindergarten. The girls regularly share the Ktunaxa stories and lessons they learn from Ms. Peters, and I’m grateful for the material that comes home with them. More often than not, it’s the first time I’ve been exposed to the story, language, lesson, or culture and while I find it fascinating, it also makes my heart full that to them it is just the norm.

Kerry was commuting from Elko to Cranbrook for her first two years in the Valley and was looking for a position closer to home. When she saw one listed in EIDES and Jaffray Elementary/Junior Secondary School, Kerry applied and got the job. “It was a great move. I have students from Kindergarten to Grade Ten and have always loved that broad age range,” she says. “I have over 80 Aboriginal Students on my case load between my two schools that have self-identified as having First Nation, Metis or Inuit ancestry. I had my first Inuit student identify this year in Fernie, that was exciting!”

Curious who this Ms. Peters is, and also keen to learn more about her role in the public school system, Kerry (Ms. Peters!) and I set a coffee (and hot chocolate) date and had a wonderful conversation. Originally from Sarnia, Ontario, a place Kerry considers her hometown, her ancestors were from Owen Sound. “I wasn’t raised with an Indigenous background, but have Indigenous roots,” she tells me. After high school, Kerry was a dedicated mom and homemaker, and decided to return to school as an adult to pursue a three-year program in Child and Youth Care. After a couple of years in the field, she was drawn to a job listing for a Tutor Escort to work with Indigenous students, “and now it’s been twenty years that I have been working with this population,” she shares. “I felt connected to it, comfortable and it felt like it was where my home and place was. I still feel that to this day.” Ten years ago, Kerry moved to the Elk Valley and began working in Cranbrook as an Aboriginal Education Support Worker

Submitted Photos

Kerry tries to be very inclusive and mindful in this role. Working with teachers, Kerry may be invited into classrooms to present information on Indigenous people, their history and cultures. She has had amazing guests present to classes or the entire school, including Joe Pierre Jr. Nasuʔkin on Ktunaxa Legends, Amy Cross with a Metis Presentation and Dancing, the Ktunaxa elders among others. The education begins in Kindergarten with the Learning Journey Series over six weeks. “It’s really great, the animals teach them about social skills like sharing and caring,” Kerry says. “I approach each level differently. Children’s stories for the little ones, videos for the middle grades… we adapt as best we can and there are a lot

more resources now compared to when we first started.” I ask her how she supported students this spring when the remains of 215 children at a former Residential School were discovered. “When I first heard about it, I was watching it on the news like everyone else. On Sunday I got a hold of the principals at both schools and we posted information on Facebook about wearing orange t-shirts on Monday. I went to Walmart, and there was an entire stack of orange t-shirts. I grabbed as many as I could (over 60) and brought them with me to school. The best first step is to talk about it… to acknowledge the horrific events that have happened. Join one another and walk together in this journey. “I went on the PA system (TEAMS in Jaffray) and was careful with my wording, as we have little ones in the audience. I said that many of you will know we are wearing orange shirts in memory of the 215 children who didn’t make it safely home from the Kamloops Residential School. I have a t-shirt for every classroom. You can hang it on the bulletin board or decorate it respectfully. And I finished with I am grateful I can come to a school every day and speak my language. I am grateful I can come to school every day and wear the clothes I choose to wear. I am grateful I can come to school every day and feel safe. I kept it very neutral.” We share our relief that the Government officially passed in legislation that September 30 will be a federal statutory holiday - the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. “You know, it is one of the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action,” she tells me. She thinks it might be about *ten that have been accomplished. “It’s a process and step by step we have to make that change,” Kerry says. Over her twenty years working in this field, Kerry has seen growth and change. “The kids are more accepting of each other and understanding of the Indigenous

culture and ways of life. And they have more of an interest. There are also more community connections with the Elders and Knowledge Keepers.” She continues to list the new initiatives in school, from the Ktunaxa words of the week to the amazing sacred sitting stone circle in the back field to the advancement of technology in the ABED Programming. Kerry also shares that she is also very passionate about writing. “When I first started in the Valley there was a lack of materials on Indigenous Social/Emotional Skills so I wrote my own stories to use. I am still requested at times to present my stories and activity sheets. However, now there are many valuable Indigenous resources and materials to choose from which attests to how the Indigenous ways of learning is becoming more embedded into the curriculum.” Which is Kerry’s hope, that Indigenous learning and ways become a natural part of the curriculum. That we continue to acknowledge the past and take action and walk the journey together. “It’s okay to stumble and make mistakes, we are all learning,” she says. And wow, have I learned so much during my time with Kerry. Especially how much gratitude I have for the comfort and understanding and knowledge she provides to our children, and to me during this interview. Hu sukiⱡq̓ukni (thank you) Kerry.

3. Do you remember your first general impression of Fernie? I thought it was a beautiful little town and was really drawn to the downtown and little shops… and the mountains! 4. What keeps you here? I think the people and I love my job and the connections I’ve made here. 5. Do you have a favourite Fernie pastime? I love walking around Maiden Lake and through the town. 6. What time of the year do you love most in Fernie, and why? Probably spring because that’s when everything is starting to bloom and grow and I can go on little hikes with the kids and look at the new birth and growth. 7. Where do you see or hope to see Fernie in five years? I would like to see the Indigenous celebrations in the community grow and evolve. 8. How do you start your day or what is one of your daily rituals? I just try to wake up, I’m not the biggest morning person! I have to have a hot chocolate or something to get myself awake. And then just giving thanks to the Creator every day.

1. When did you first arrive in the Valley and what brought you here?

9. Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.

I arrived in 2011 and I guess romance and career opportunity brought me here.

I’ve always aspired to be the next American Idol or on The Voice… but I don’t sing very well.

2. Who did you first meet? I loved going to the little shops so it would have to be the shop owners… the ladies at the little one that sold fudge! Also, I first started as a noon hour supervisor at EIDES so I met Dawn Voysey!

10. Quote to live by: Richard Wagamese – “All that we are is story. From the morning we are born to the time we continue on our spirit journey. We change the world with our story…” (Look up the full quote, it is beautiful!) *According to bctreaty.ca, as of June 30, 2021 14 calls to action have been completed. FERNIEFIX.COM

Recreation and Outdoor Life

BACKYARD ADVENTURES

Loving the Grind by DANYAL TAYLOR

I first met Dylan Bailey and Jena Greaser at Gearhub through different filming projects. Dylan and I went out onto the trails to film a promotional video for the Fernie Enduro, a local human powered downhill race event. I first met Jena, a bike instructor where we filmed an instructional bike series in collaboration with RideTheory, a mountain bike lesson organization in town. I only started mountain biking two years ago and it has been a whirlwind of a journey. The first trail I tackled in Fernie was Swine Flu (whoops!), which led to a couple of good cuts and bruises. But since then, I’ve started to enjoy biking even more than the winter activities. Now, before you think ‘traitor!’, keep in mind there are few activities where you learn a new set of skills, jargon and throw down more money on gear than you ever have on a car. There’s a reason people invest time, money and energy into the sport, and why the mountain biking community is so prolific in places like Fernie.

The video project with Dylan was the first time I had ever heard the word ‘Enduro.’ It begged the question - what did it mean? I soon realized there was a lot more to mountain biking than I knew, with slang like singletracks, double tracks, gravel, staged racing and the Gravel Royale. Dylan is originally from Ontario, while Jena was born and bred in the USA. Both had visited Fernie quite a few times before committing to the move. They’ve ridden competitively since 2015 and met at the Canada Cup in 2016 on a group ride between race events. “There is a huge variety of race events - XCM, XCO, XC, Enduro, Single Track, and multi-day stage races like the Gravel Royale,” said Dylan. These staged events are typically on dirt roads or trails where you camp between stages. They both have quite the résumé from their time as competitors, between them winning Canadian and Provincial championships in their respective categories - so they know their stuff.

Danyal Taylor Photo There is an immense roster of off-road racing events across Canada and it takes a lot of training to get to the podium level. Between the 23 - 26 August, TransRockies hosted the Gravel Royale; a 375km gravel race between Panorama and Fernie travelling through the beautiful and rugged Canadian Rockies. “In general, all of your gains are made in the off-season. As you get closer to the event you begin to take longer rides and interval timed climbs,” said Dylan. It covers four stages and over 7000m of elevation gain. “I’m not superhuman,” Jena jokingly said. “It takes time and preparation to compete at a high level. What is important is to make sure you don’t fade. A lot of athletes will go all out all season, and the last few events their fatigue will catch up to them.” I was curious why they deviated from the tar and asphalt to gravel and dirt. “It’s the sense of adventure.You are travelling through nature and you get to go out into the woods and ride your bike which

I always love to do,” Jena reminiscences. “Road racing you are often stuck with a group of riders, and you get a really bad road rash,” said Dylan. While they are fierce competitors on the trail, once the day is completed and they head to camp to rest for the next stage, everyone becomes friends, recounting the gnarly day just past. Jena ended with, “We have really found our tribe.” So, as a newcomer into the biking scene, how can someone get started in these events? “If you haven’t done any sort of bike race before, just sign up for something small then you have a goal to work towards,” Dylan shares. We are so lucky and fortunate that there are a number of these events throughout the Kootenays. More-so locally to home is the Fernie Enduro and Gravel Grind which cater to every level of rider. So why not sign up for one of their races with a few buddies and have some friendly competition? I think I might have to next year.

L CAL

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Recreation and Outdoor Life

HITTING THE TRAILS

Trails for All by JULIE KELLY, FTA Our trail network is designed to be inclusive for all non-motorized users including bikers, runners, walkers, and hikers. Our member and supporter clubs including Fernie Mountain Bike Club, Fernie Nordic Society, Stag Leap Running and Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club represent all the various trail users. We have definitely seen an increase in trail users over the last few years. Specifically, an increase in runners. Here is what Abi Moore, President of Stag Leap Running Co. had to say: “Trail running has been a popular sport in Fernie for many years, but it has certainly dramatically increased in popularity over the past few years. I think this is mainly due to the easy accessibility and low-cost of the sport, group runs available for all levels, the abundance of multi-use trails available year-round, and the increase in events and races on the Fernie calendar. The local trail running scene is lit with newbies, veterans, Fernie-style elites, and the newly formed group of ‘leisure athletes - all playing together on the trails, supporting one another, and lifting each other up and over the endless ascents.You do not have to be a pro to come to Stag Leap’s weekly Run Club - with a variety of groups to cater to all speeds and needs, it’s as much about the social as it is about the kms. While events have been a little on hold, they are coming in hot this fall, with The Lone Wolf on September 25 and the Fernie Half Marathon and 10km on October 3rd - both offering both locals and visitors alike, the chance to don a bib, toe the line and enjoy the glory of the finish line.

Raven Eye Phtotgraphy Photo/Stag Leap Running Co. But in all honesty, the best part about trail running isn’t the need for speed, racing, or winning, it’s about exploring amazing trail networks on foot, soaking in the muchdeserved mountain-top vistas and making new trail buddies. It really is a social, fun and life-changing sport for all - and you can take it with you wherever you go!” With an increase in usage, more trail maintenance is required. A tremendous amount of work has gone into the trail network this past year thanks to our volunteers and paid trail crew. Some recent highlights include brushing on the Fairy Creek trail, tread improvements in the alpine sections and additional signage on Mt. Proctor, and Heiko’s to Rocky Road was brushed and avalanche debris removed. In addition, Lazy Lizard, a favourite for all trail users, got a new connector trail to Island Lake Lodge. This was a great collaborative project between the FTA and Island Lake Lodge. The new trail connects to the lower parking lot was constructed, the old trail decommissioned, with Island Lake providing labour and the culvert and

the FTA providing project management, labour and signage. This month’s route is suitable for any kind of trail user. From the old barn off Coal Creek Rd. follow the Montane trails for an easy warm up. Cross the road and stay left navigating the switchbacks on lower Uprooted. Once you cross River Rd., it’s your choice, stay right on New Roots for an easier climb or Uprooted for a little more punch. Now that you are warmed up, start the main climb up Hyperventilation. More switchbacks to navigate and a few punchy sections at the top. Stay left and enjoy the views and fall colours from the top. The Hyperextension descent starts off with some tight trees, rooty sections and short steeper sections. Roots Extension has some rolling sections and loose sections to keep you on your toes. The route ends at the bottom of River Rd. Head back to the barn or hit some more trails. Time: 1.25 - 1.75 hours Distance: Approx. 10km Difficulty: Blue/Black FERNIEFIX.COM

Health and Lifestyle

FAMILY WELLNESS

Inclusion in Health Care by DR TAINA TURCASSO, ND RM I’ve written about the important of inclusivity in a health care setting in the past but the demand for health care workers to actively work to be more inclusive has increased significantly over the last two years, or at least our awareness of it has. As we become more and more aware of the impact of a less than inclusive model of health care on certain groups of patients, it becomes apparent that it can actually be a matter of life or death for some of these folks and thus requires our urgent attention. This is especially relevant for racialized, Black, and Indigenous peoples, those at the lower end of the socioeconomic gradient, women and gender-diverse people, people with disabilities, and other equity-seeking communities. As I build my own small practice in Fernie, I am trying to do my own work to ensure that every aspect of my practice is inclusive but it truly is work. It takes more than just a passive interest in creating an inclusive space and experience for your patients. It takes intention, time, creativity, and a commitment to revisiting your website, forms, office space, etc. and make any necessary changes. It takes advocating for your patients when they are being mistreated. It takes checking your own biases (we all have them) by constantly doing the inner work to see where they may lie. In an effort to ensure that my approach to creating an inclusive clinic and experience for my patients, I have put together a comprehensive list of items to work through that I plan to review quarterly to create the best and most importantly, safest, experience for them. I encourage everyone to work through this list (or something similar) whether or not they work in

“As we become more and more aware of the impact of a less than inclusive model of health care on certain groups of patients, it becomes apparent that it can actually be a matter of life or death for some of these folks and thus requires our urgent attention.”

Stock Photo populations you expect to see in your community and in your clinic and find out what may make their health care concerns and experiences different.

Clinic Space and Marketing

healthcare, but it is especially important if you do.

Go over every aspect of your clinic materials, including intake forms, website, clinic space, and brochures/information sheets. Do they make everyone feel welcome and included? Is there any terminology that may be considered exclusive? If so, update them and keep doing so as your awareness evolves. Is your staff diverse? Have an awareness of who you are giving job opportunities to, particularly if you are a larger organization.

It All Starts With You

Welcome/Access

What are your biases? What current practices do you currently have that discriminate against marginalized communities such as those listed above? Education is fundamental, beginning with completing coursework in cultural competence, anti-racism, and antidiscrimination. Learn about the different

Do marginalized groups feel welcome by your clinic? Is it apparent on your website or in other marketing information that you welcome diverse populations and have a special interest in working with ALL people? Does everyone have access to your care? Do some outreach to local

Indigenous communities and organizations that represent people targeted by noninclusive clinics and health care and listen to what they say they need and let them know what you have to offer their community.

Feedback Give everyone who sets foot in your clinic space an opportunity to provide feedback by way of a structured feedback form. Include specific questions about all aspects of your care and their experience, including diversity and inclusivity.

Institutional Diversity/Inclusivity In health care we are often using standardized forms and documents and receive results in a pre-set format. It is our responsibility as practitioners to challenge the creators of these documents and forms and hold them accountable when it comes to using inclusive terms and ensuring that all aspects of the forms are applicable to any and all people. It may be helpful to look back further at your school or wherever you received your training. Examine your coursework and syllabi if you have them and provide feedback about potential areas of improvement. As we are flooded with information about how marginalized groups are receiving inadequate care in many sectors of health care, it is our responsibility as health care providers to not only ensure that we are not contributing to the problem but actively working to resolve it. EVERYONE should have access to the fundamentals of good health, including access to clean water, healthy food, shelter, and health care. None of this has to be done overnight, but start now with some education. Find an online course or seminar. Read a book. Think about one thing that you can do this month to create a more inclusive environment for your patients or even for the people in your life.

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Health and Lifestyle

THIS IS LIFE

The Story Behind the Behaviour by TYLA CHARBONNEAU Have you ever been in an interaction with someone or watched odd behaviours from a distance and thought to yourself, “What is wrong with that person?” We all have. It is an honest response to witnessing something that we do not understand. I recently watched Prince Harry and Oprah’s Apple TV show called The Me You Can’t See and for pop culture psychology I was impressed at its honest look at mental health. In the first episode, Harry proposed that when we question another person’s behaviour we should automatically ask ourselves, “What happened to them?” instead of our go question of what is wrong with them. This is such a simple reframe that allows us to evoke empathy and compassion for the experiences of others. While it may be easier for us to conceptualize someone else as a jerk or terrible person, please consider that no one behaves in these ways without a reason for doing so. Individuals simply do not wake up and think, “I am going to be real mean to someone today,” or “Wouldn’t it be fun to have a meltdown in public for everyone to see.” Taking time to reflect on what another person may have been through, or even better asking someone their story, allows us to gain alternative perspectives on a situation. It also creates space for people to be seen who might not otherwise be, and possibly get the help they need. Anyone who has been through significant trauma may feel the need to control situations in order to feel safe. Those who have been holding in pain for a very long time may break and have an angry outburst with a stranger as a way of letting it all out. A friend who is struggling to keep it all together may be short with you or avoid you all together because

Buck, a leadership expert, suggests that in conflict or tense situations the best thing, and arguably the most difficult thing we can do is to ask the person to tell us more and then really listen to what they have to say. We can use a combination of empathy and understanding for the other person and also let them know it is not okay for them to treat us or others in that way, using empathy first.

Submitted Photo

“Taking time to reflect on what another person may have been through, or even better asking someone their story, allows us to gain alternative perspectives on a situation.” they simply cannot handle pretending for another moment. I am not suggesting that we blindly tolerate or accept negative behaviours from others but rather we consider why the behaviour exists without judgment prior to distancing ourselves from the human. Dr. Michelle

September is a time for beginnings and as we begin this next cycle of our lives, I encourage you to try the following exercise. The next time you feel compelled to question what is wrong with someone challenge yourself to come up with at least five reasons for the behaviour. You can include your first instinct, but then consider all other possibilities. For example, you see someone yelling at their kids in a public place.You can think they are not good at parenting.You can also consider the following: that person just lost their job and are worried about how to feed their kids, they are struggling with mental health, they tried every effective communication strategy they could that day, it did not work and you witnessed them in their worst moment, or they have no one else in their life to help support them and they really are doing the best that they can. Be the person who chooses to see the story behind the behaviour and not the simply the behaviour itself. The content provided in this article is for information purposes only. It is not meant as a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you find yourself in distress, please reach out to your local physician who can provide mental health resources in your community.

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Bits and Bytes

THE ANSWER GUY

PC Mover by KEVIN MCISAAC

It has been a long time since I’ve written about backing up your files. My last backup protection column written back in 2012 didn’t even consider threats like ransomware. Here we are in 2021 and the amount of data everyone has on their phones and computers has increased by orders of magnitude and the threats to that data have changed. To be fair, some of the threats have lessened to a degree. If you have an iPhone and turned on iCloud backup then you at least have two copies of your photos and possibly other files on your phone. The challenge with iCloud that I keep seeing is that people run out of free space and then start deleting things rather than

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your phone and all of its contents in the event of a hypothetical catastrophe like dropping it off the back of the boat while filming your oldest kid wakeboarding behind you.

Stock Photo create more space or look for an alternative backup. I’ve written about iMazing in the past. It will work if you want a method to backup

For best practices, I’d like you to remember 3-2-1 backups. 3 copies of important documents.

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2 different formats. 1 copy off-site. Let’s look at these starting with copies. For the lion’s share of your files, two copies are sufficient. If you can live without it keep two copies. If you can’t because it’s the only image you have of your grandma with your firstborn, or it’s copies of invoices for which you haven’t yet been paid, etc., then you want three copies. I have personally tried to recover backed-up files off of disks and CDs and it found them corrupted. If it’s essential have three copies.

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Today, rather than speak about specific tools, here are some best practices for backing up your files. The method doesn’t matter that much as long as you can achieve the end goals. If you’re looking into purchasing some backup tools to be sure you don’t lose all the work you’ve got sitting in your My Documents folder, the two tools I like are SyncBackSE or SyncBackPro (for cloud backup) from 2BrightSparks and ToDo Backup from EaseUS.

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Different formats are important for another reason: formats become obsolete. I have tons of files stored on 3.5” floppies and Zip disks. Remember Zip disks? Probably not. They were huge then they were gone. Those files might as well be in Sanskrit for all the use they are to me now. I know,

you’re thinking your backup on DVDs is future-proof. When was the last time you bought a computer with an optical reader built-in? Optical disks are on their way out. Make sure you have your backup in two different formats. One on DVD is okay. Have another on a network drive, or in the cloud, or at least on a USB drive. Having a copy off-site is paramount. If all your copies are sitting in the same office they are subject to the same threat. A quick look around the province this summer at the number of fires and the damage they’ve caused. Would your data have survived? Use iCloud. Use Google Drive. Get an Amazon account and create some S3 storage. Burn some USBs and take them to your office. It doesn’t matter where, but do have at least one copy of your very important documents stored in a different physical location than where those files are normally kept. Follow the 3-2-1 practice of backing up and your data will be well protected.

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Bits and Bytes

ASTROLOGY

September 2021 by ASHLEY KRISTINA September has a theme of practicality and organization as the sun travels through Virgo and enters Libra on the Equinox. The planets and major asteroids that are retrograde at this time are Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Pholus, Nessus, and Mercury goes retrograde 09/27. Recall that retrograde results in an internalization, slowing down, returning to, and review of various themes on earth. I suspect we will continue to have a slow time and possibly another (4th) wave of this virus come October. Venus travels through Libra and enters Scorpio on 09/10, and Mars travels through Virgo and enters Libra 09/14.

Mercury travels through Libra and goes retrograde 09/27 -10/18 and spends almost nine weeks travelling through Libra. The first two weeks of September are best to be spent cleaning and organizing, while the second two can get a bit more passionate and intense, with themes surrounding partnership and one-on-one relations of all kinds. The New Moon occurs September 6 at 14º Virgo and the Full moon occurs September 20 at 28º Pisces, ending the moon cycle.

Aries The first two weeks of this month are full of motivation and practical movement.

Patience continues to be a virtue as many planets continue their retrograde movement.

Taurus Virgo is a supportive energy for Taurean energy, as it is also a earth vibration. Mars in Virgo helps to get you moving in the area of service to another, which for most people is their work arena. A month to put your head down and do the work.

Gemini This is a relatively boring month for your energy as so many planets sit retrograde and then the forward moving planets are moving mostly through Virgo and Libra. Virgo energy is pure, practical, observant, judgmental and critical. Notice how communication might obscure the last week as mercury enters retrograde.

Cancer It’s a very good time to kick start a health routine: exercise, healthy eating/juicing, meditation, and going to sleep early. Focus on your health and work this month. With focus you can make huge energetic moves this month.

Leo It’s a good time to work, clean, organize, and start new routines. Health and service are the realms of Virgo energy. A fall detoxification program is an appropriate focus this fall.

Virgo Happy birthday to the second and third decan Virgos.Your energy is supported by the planets this month as many planets move through Virgo and Libra. It’s a relatively mundane month and a great time to just get what needs to be done, done (which makes you happy).

Libra Happy birthday to the early decan Libras. Love may feel intense and passionate for you as Venus enters Scorpio. It’s a month to balance your energy on practical affairs, but with a theme of passion. Mercury is highlighting your need to communicate.

Scorpio Observe the passion and intensity that can occur in the general energy as Venus enters Scorpio on 09/10. It can help align you to recognize your own energy. The next few months are very aligned for you to fly to great heights, especially in the sectors of career, love and home.

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Sagittarius Team up with the Geminis in your life or both of your energy’s might feel bored to tears this month. Ha! At least write down the to-do’s and do them. Have fun in the mundane, it’s a spiritual practice in itself.

Capricorn A supportive month for your energy to get the work done, house cleaned and organized. This includes the figurative and the literal house. Time spent in meditation is so cleansing. A dedicated hour every day to sit with no distractions is beneficial.

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Aquarius A month to get your finances in order, especially with regard to organizing tax documentation and budgeting. It’s important to trust your intuition this month in regards to finances. Mercury goes retrograde 10/25 so be aware of possible miscommunication.

Pisces Virgo is your opposing energy so September is always a half way point, or a balancing point for you. It’s an internalized time with an abundance of inner messages coming through. The north node sits in Gemini, dealing with communication and the importance of these various realms of communication: verbal, non-verbal, written, intuitive, telepathic…

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Bits and Bytes

THROUGH THE LENS

The Annual Education Issue: Inclusion, Through Your Lens Photo by John Pelechosky, pele-photocreations.com When I spend time in Fernie, I always look forward to go hiking with my canine companion and camera in hand, in search of unforgettable adventures. Polar Peak was the destination of choice and after a bit of a scramble, I made it to the top. Surrounded by the rugged Rocky Mountain landscape, I took it all in. The view was magnificent! Spending time enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer, I quickly noticed the bushes beside me start to rustle. I paused and waited for a moment … to discover a family of ground squirrels emerging from the foliage. They were scurrying around, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine, and eventually the activity tapered off when the mother began to feed her offspring. I kept very still and eventually was able to capture this image entitled Lessons Learned.

Photo by Emily Park Photography @emilyparkphotographyfernie Back to school is a time for parents scrambling to see if they have school shoes that fit their children after a summer of fun and growth! Never too busy a time to get those first day of school photos though! I cherish the ones of me and my sisters in our school uniforms on the front step of the house I grew up in. So much nostalgia!

Bits and Bytes

S OCIA L PAGE

Out in the Community: Q. Why is inclusion important to you? Jim Anderson Inclusion is important to me as I only ever have part of the story.

Alisha Rella Inclusion is important to me because it levels the playing field so that everyone has an equal opportunity in life to pursue their dreams.

Jude Smith There are too many stories of situations where a lack of inclusion has serious impacts. It seems like there is news almost every day from different parts of the world that cause disastrous consequences based on not being inclusive. Working in the creative sector I can say that being involved in multi-cultural teams with people from all walks of life has only ever had a positive effect. Why would you even consider silencing other people? Different thoughts, ideas and perspectives give context to everything.

FYI The Elk Valley Pride Festival is on this September 23-26! This fantastic weekend in Fernie hosted by the Fernie Pride Society celebrates, supports and connects the LGBTQ2+ communities in the Elk Valley. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the many events taking place over this weekend including a Bike Parade, Flag Raising, Drag Brunch, workshops, Interfaith service, Drag Storytime, Rainbow Reads author event, Beers and Queers and more! Stay up to date at ferniepride.ca and follow them on social media! With some events postponed, and annual events taking place, September is a busy month on the trails! First off is the Project 9 race… on September 9 with riders racing the up, down and overall times! Shortly after, the 14th annual Dirt Diggler DH is held at the Mircrowave Towers, where bikers are challenged to the epic Dirt Diggler trail. The following weekend is the Fernie Gravel Grind – new last year as a virtual event and a weekend affair September 17-19, this takes gravel bikers on some beautiful routes in a community focused, inclusive event. Last but certainly not least, the Stag Leap Lone Wolf! This looped race keeps on going until the last runner is standing! We hope you’ve been riding and running – it could be an exhausting month! September is full of events! The Fernie Museum is hosting the popular Fernie Chautauqua and Fall Fair September 1012. This annual festival celebrates Fernie’s heritage, community, arts and crafts, music, entertainment and cuisine while the Fall Fair, hosted Sunday highlights local produce with the Mountain Market and Blue Ribbon SEPTEMBER 10 - 12, 2021 events. Visit ferniechautauqua.com for details.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN FERNIE A celebration of community,

The last few weeks of summer operations arecreativity, and history in the happening at Island Lake Lodge, offering one (or a tradition of the Chautauquas few) last chances to enjoy hiking, a spa treatment, a of the 1920s. meal on the patio, canoe on the lake, or treat yourself to one of their special evenings – date night Monday or Wine Tasting Wednesdays! Visit islandlakelodge. com for more details. Fernie Alpine Resort will also be closing for the summer this month, make sure to Photo ILL/facebook get in those last rides, hikes and après before they close and start preparations for winter! skifernie.com FERNIEFIX.COM

Fernie Fun

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Spot the Difference

FIND THE

Can you find five differences between these two pictures? Have a picture to submit for Fernie Fun? Send it to info@clarismedia.com.

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Answers Last Month

Bike Dirt Park, Splash Park exercise equipment, ball diamond, disc golf basket at FSS

A glimpse into the remarkable stories of people and places in the Columbia Basin.

Stunning Gazebo Enhances Space at Jaffray Hall

Full story on

For more than 80 years, the Jaffray Community Hall has been home to indoor gatherings like weddings, dances and bingos. The addition of the a spacious, timber-framed gazebo ensures ourtrust.org/stories outdoor events don’t get rained out. With support from Columbia Basin Trust’s Community Outdoor Revitalization Grants, the community was able to build the gazebo, complete with a new concession, kitchen and washrooms, plus a firepit and shade trees.

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Wine Tasting Wednesday - A creative and locally inspired tasting menu featuring four specially created courses with wine! Really...is there anything better? - $99 per person.

Stay With Us - We all need a break from the routines of life these days. From our Mountain Romance to Hiking and Dining, we have accommodation packages to suit all needs. You Deserve Some Spa Time - Fall is the perfect time to unwind and take a moment for you. Massage, body scrubs, pedicures and packages are available in our beautiful day spa.

Avoid disappointment - Check our website for restaurant hours, menus and all other info. Call us for Tamarack Dining Room and Spa reservations.

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Fernie Fix September 2021

Articles inside

FERNIE FUN

EVENTS CALENDAR

BITS AND BYTES

RECREATION AND OUTDOOR LIFE

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE

COMMUNITY

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

EDITOR’S FIX

THE INCLUSION ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURE