Protesters hold up signs on Saturday morning at the corner of Highway 16 West and Ferry Avenue during a rally in opposition of the proposed name change to Kelly Road Secondary School.
Students protest name change
Arthur WilliAms Citizen staff
Approximately 100 students from Kelly Road Secondary School took to the streets last week to protest the proposed name change for the replacement school currently under construction.
Students waved hand-made signs and chanted “keep our name,” while passing drivers honked in support.
“I woke up this morning and people had all over their feeds they are changing the name of the school,” rally organizer and Kelly Road student Gloria Butcher said. “I just thought, ‘no it’s not.’ Kelly Road is part of the community and doesn’t need a name change. I want to graduate from Kelly Road, just like my father.”
Last Tuesday, the School District 57 board of trustees unanimously approved a motion by trustee Trent Derrick to engage in the renaming process, after the board was approached by two Lheidli
T’enneh First Nation elders. Elders
Kenora Stewart and Clifford Quaw, accompanied by Lheidli T’enneh Chief Clay Pountney, requested the new school be named Shas Ti Secondary School. The name means ‘grizzly path” and would reflect the area’s past as a grizzly bear habitat.
The new $44.3 million school will hold 900 students and will replace the original Kelly Road built in the early 1960s.
Butcher said it doesn’t matter what the new name is, it was suddenness and lack of consultation students were unhappy with.
“We just woke up and found out,” she said.
“I think it would be different if they’d held a vote in the school.”
Many student athletes with the Kelly Road Roadrunners just got new jerseys, which all would have to be replaced, she added.
Alexander Gogolin said student opposi-
tion isn’t about racism or anti-Indigenous sentiment.
“I’m Cree, but I disagree with the name change. Kelly Road has been the name for over 50 years,” Gogolin said. “My sister graduated from Kelly Road, and I want to graduate from Kelly Road too.”
Graduating from Kelly Road is a family tradition for Tristan Sitoski, who has five family members – including his grandmother and grandfather – who attended the school.
“I don’t think it’s right it’s going to change without giving people any say,” Sitoski said.
Grade 11 students Mackenzie Crerar and Farrah Normand said changing the name won’t affect the members of the school board, but it does matter to the students who attend there and take part in sports and extra- curricular activities.
“They can tell us it’s not going to change anything, but it will change the character of the school,” Crerar said.
New name proposed for Hart high school
ted ClArke Citizen staff
The Prince George school board is considering naming a new school being built to replace Kelly Road Secondary School to reflect the Hart Highway area’s history as a traditional grizzly bear hunting ground.
Prince George school district vice-chair Trent Derrick forwarded the motion to begin those discussions, which was unanimously approved by trustees at last Tuesday’s public meeting following a presentation by the chief and elders of the Lheidli Tenneh First Nation who suggested the school be named Shas Ti Secondary School, instead of Kelly Road. Shas ti, in the Dakelh language, means “grizzly path.”
“Part of reconciling is looking at the past before the past that some people know - I know we have our stories and those stories kind of haven’t been told,” said Lheidli T’enneh chief Clay Pountney.
“I know name changes have happened before and a lot of people are very attached to Kelly Road. We don’t want to stir the pot, so we want to find a way to make it work. With the new school being built, it was a neat idea to kind of look at it and say, let’s look at how we used to name things and see how that will work with the community.
“We’re not trying to rattle too much but we think it’s a really cool name and a really cool idea to be going in that direction.”
Elders Clifford Quaw and Kenora Stewart told trustees about the centuries of tradition the Lheidli T’enneh people had picking berries along the trails between the Salmon River and the Cranbrook Hill campus where UNBC now sits and how they used that area to hunt grizzly bears for their hides.
Quaw was encouraged by the board’s willingness to consider the name change and said it will involve a gradual process to gather community support.
See NEW NAME, page 3
citizen Photo by James Doyle
City budget boosted $1.4 million
City council has approved a $1.4-million package of measures aimed at making downtown Prince George a safer and cleaner place while also boosting the property tax levy by 1.29 per cent.
The jump will come on top of an already-approved 2.15-per-cent increase, raising the increase to 3.44 per cent.
In all, five enhancements were approved at the end of an hour-long discussion:
- $400,000 for full-time security guards at the Four Seasons Leisure Pool, the Tourism Prince George office on First Avenue, the Civic Centre during events, and periodic security at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena and Canada Games Plaza area, plus $50,000 for security-related hardware such as locks and fobs.
- $236,000 to maintain the downtown homeless service hubs at 181 Quebec St., across from the Ketso Yoh men’s shelter, and at the Association Advocating for Women and Community building at 144 George St. They provide outreach
new name
from page 1
“I’m really glad to have this recommendation and they backed us up in what we’re doing, it means a lot to the Lheidli T’enneh,” said Quaw.
“You’re going to have push back. They’re going to have a lot of people questioning, ‘Why do you want to change it now. Kelly Road has been here for so many years.’
“The Lheidli T’enneh have been here for thousands of years,” he said. “It’s truth and reconciliation, and the truth is hard to digest. Reconciliation generally starts with each person and the school board to say the Lheidli T’enneh have been here longer than Kelly Road and all the schools combined.”
Derrick said the board needs to be proactive in strengthening its relationships within the Indigenous community, which makes up nearly 30 per cent of all students in School District 57.
He welcomes the opportunity to continue discussions with partner groups about the name change proposal.
“Truth and reconciliation is not an empty phrase but a living spirit, a connection binding us together for the betterment of our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren children,” said Derrick.
“Shas ti is the grizzly trail, the long history of the grizzly living in the Kelly Road area and the long history of the Lhiedli T’enneh people respecting the trail of the grizzly bear and the trails it walked.
“It is a great story that needs to be told from generation to generation and we have a chance to honour the long history of the Lheidli T’enneh and make a statement that this board will be different in its relationship with the Lheidli T’enneh, and
services, as well as storage, laundry, showers and washrooms and, at AWAC, sleeping facilities.
- $273,249 for two seven-member RCMP patrols at six hours each per week for nine months.
- $189,051 to upgrade two bylaw compliance assistants to bylaw enforcement officers and add two more bylaw enforcement officers to increase the service to seven days per week and over extended hours from the current 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-to-Friday schedule.
- $274,495 to hire an equipment operator on a year-round basis and two labourers for nine months of the year to clean up camps and deal with needles and other types of litter.
The steps won’t provide the complete answer to the city’s social ills, Mayor Lyn Hall warned.
“There is no one solution,” Hall said.
“By implementing one or all of these this evening, it does not say that we’re going to cure this. What this is, is really our best shot at getting an upper hand.”
that’s why I made this recommendation.”
Trustee Bob Thompson, who represents Robson Valley, said the name change is more than a symbolic gesture.
“I think the time for talking about reconciliation is over and now is the time to take action and I think we need to pursue this,” Thompson said.
There has already been one example of a school name change when Carney Hill Elementary School on Victoria Street became an aboriginal choice school in 2012 and was renamed Nusdeh Yoh School. The name change required 18 months of consultation and a vote to settle on the name Nusdeh Yoh, whose English translation means “the house of the future.”
In 2015, the city changed the name of Fort George Park to Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
“Many people will ask that question, ‘Why are we doing this?’” said trustee Ron Polillo, “We knew this was coming forward to the board and I’ve given it a lot of thought and I would like to offer my support to move forward in that process to rename the school.
“But I think we all know it won’t be easy and we have to be prepared for that. We have to be very clear in our message why we’re doing it and why it’s important. I’m proud of this board and this district to take this bold move and I look forward to beginning that process.”
Board chair Tim Bennett also knew the proposal would create controversy and that was evident Wednesday when about 100 students at Kelly Road staged a noon-hour protest to express their objections.
“We know that Kelly Road has a history and a legacy in tis district and that there is going to be people questioning this decision, but I also think it’s the right thing to do,” said Bennett. “I look forward to
Other council members expressed similar positions.
“I believe that all of this amounts to the cost of doing business and the cost of being in a community and dealing with people who cannot pay their share and who bring with them a variety of issues,” said Coun. Susan Scott. “That’s part of us, it’s part of who we are as an entire community and how we respond says a lot about us.”
Coun. Frank Everitt made note of BC Housing’s plan to build 50 units of supportive housing and 50 units of rental homes for low-income people at 805 First Ave., the current home of NR Motors. He said the whole package must be adopted to be effective and support the BC Housing effort.
An application to rezone the site passed third reading following a public hearing later the same meeting.
While residents don’t want to see a 3.44-per-cent increase to the levy, Coun. Cori Ramsay noted 140 people showed up to the community meeting on the
opportunities to stand in front of our public and allow Lheidli T’enneh elders to share their stories in pubic that they shared here (Tuesday) evening to engage our students in the process of developing a new identity for that building.
issue in December, “to tell us there is a problem and it needs a solution.”
Coun. Kyle Sampson voted against two of the items while the rest drew unanimous support. Coun. Brian Skakun was absent from the meeting.
Sampson suggested staff could work within the existing budget when it comes to hiring private security and the crew to clean up the camps.
City manager Kathleen Soltis said staff has been trying to fund some of the services from within their budgets but are unable.
“We’re pushing the boundaries and those budgets are going over,” Soltis said. Coun. Murry Krause supported Soltis, saying council has already gone through the budget.
“We have a need in our community that needs to be dealt with and I think if we’re going to do it, we might as well do it right,” Krause said.
Staff may not necessarily spend all the money allotted, Krause added. “They will find savings if they can,” he said.
Citizen staff
Hearing on sex charges postponed
Mark NIELSEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
An arraignment hearing for Indigenous leader Ed John on sex-related charges dating back more than 45 years was adjourned Wed., Feb. 26 at the request of Crown counsel.
John faces four counts of rape - the term then used for what is now known as sexual assault -alleged to have occurred between March 1 and Sept. 15, 1974 in Prince George, Cluculz Lake and Fraser Lake, and involving one person, whose name is protected by a court-ordered publication ban.
During a brief hearing in Prince George provincial court, Crown counsel Michael Klein told the court he is waiting for a piece of information that may advance discussions between Crown and defence
counsels and asked for more time.
Judge Michael Gray agreed to adjourn the matter to March 25 but in the process urged Klein to have the matter ready for the hearing on that date, noting the charges were first sworn on Nov. 8, 2019, meaning the case is now four months old.
He also made note of a Supreme Court of Canada decision that sets a ceiling of 18 months from charge to end of trial for criminal cases going through the provincial court system or 30 months for those heard in Supreme Court or after a preliminary inquiry.
John did not appear for the hearing and Klein and defense counsel Tony Paisana, who made no comment on the matter, participated by phone.
It’s the fourth time a hearing on the matter has been postponed since the
charges were sworn in. The B.C. Prosecution Service appointed Klein special prosecutor in February 2019 to look into the allegations.
At arraignment hearings, the accused tells the court whether they will plead guilty or not guilty to the charges and how they wish to proceed.
If the offence is indictable - which carries a more serious sentence - the accused has the right to choose his or her mode of trial. The choices are trial by provincial court judge, B.C. Supreme Court judge alone or B.C. Supreme Court judge and jury.
If the accused chooses to be tried in Supreme Court, a preliminary inquiry is held in provincial court to determine if there is enough evidence to order the accused to be tried in Supreme Court.
If the accused pleads guilty, the sentencing may happen that day or be adjourned to a future date while a presentence report and victim impact statements are prepared for the hearing.
John is a former leader of the First Nations Summit and former B.C. cabinet minister. He is also a hereditary chief of Tl’azt’en Nation in northern B.C. and a lawyer who holds honorary doctor of laws degrees from the University of Northern British Columbia and the University of Victoria.
John completed his eleventh consecutive term as an elected leader of the First Nations Summit’s political executive in June 2019. He did not seek re-election but continued as an advisor on contract with the organization, one of the largest Indigenous organizations in the province.
Judge reserves decision in child sex assault trial delay
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Alaska Highway News
A former B.C. Ministry of Child and Family Development manager sentenced for child pornography in 2018 wants a number of related sex charges thrown out of court due to trial delays.
Edward Owen Berry, 57, was found guilty and sentenced in 2018 to eight months in jail and two years probation for possessing child pornography. He was also charged in 2016 with sexual assault, sexual interference of a
person under 16, and exposing himself to a person under 16.
Berry’s lawyers were in Fort St. John court seeking a stay of proceedings on the 2016 charges, arguing the prosecution has caused an unreasonable delay. The trial has lasted 54 months, well over the 18-month limit set by the Supreme Court of Canada.
It’s the second time in two years his lawyers have sought to have the case thrown out.
The court dismissed a first application in January 2018.
Crown prosecutors say they have
acted in good faith, and said the latest claim of a delay was “being used as a sword” and caused by the defence’s late request for some of Berry’s medical records.
“Had late applications for records not been made, we would have finished this trial in June of 2018,” said prosecutor Tamera Golinsky, noting a timely verdict could be reached by this June.
Berry’s lawyers argued the Crown had ample opportunity to anticipate delay.
Jonathan Desbarats said the records were necessary to refute evidence presented at the beginning of trial.
“I don’t enjoy this finger-pointing exercise. I feel that defence is being held to an unreasonable standard of perfection,” he said.
Berry was arrested in December 2014 after child pornography was discovered on a computer recovered from a fire at his apartment in Prince George. Hundreds of images were recovered, along with 120 videos, depicting several exposed teenage boys and youth. He was further charged in 2016 as part of that investigation.
Judge Brian Daley has reserved his decision until the end of this month.
ToM SUMMEr
Cell service extended
Citizen
staff
One of the longest sections of Highway 16 without cellphone service now has wireless service, thanks to a $1 million investment by TELUS.
Construction of the new cellular site along Highway 16, 60 kilometres west of Terrace, was completed in December. The cell tower provides service to a 20km section of highway and closes one of the biggest gaps in the company’s wireless network along the highway.
“This investment will ensure that residents and visitors alike can travel this stretch of highway with a sense of security, knowing they can call for assistance in the event of a roadside emergency,” TELUS president and CEO Darren Entwistle said in a press release. “This connectivity is of critical importance, particularly during the treacherous winter conditions experienced in this part of our province. Moreover, our TELUS team shares the province’s vision of connect-
ing the entirety of Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George, and we look forward to collaborating with our government to bring additional coverage to the area in the future.”
TELUS said its network now covers 70 per cent of the highway between Prince George and Prince Rupert. The company has invested $350 million in expanding its network and services in northern B.C. since 2013.
“Cell coverage in areas of northern British Columbia and along the Highway of Tears is a priority and can be a part of safety planning for Indigenous women and girls,” said Chastity Davis, chairperson of the Minister’s Advocacy Council on Indigenous Women, in a press release. “This stretch of highway has long needed to have access to cell coverage and is one piece of a much larger solution that we must all be committed to addressing and investing in for the safety of Indigenous women and girls.”
Handgun, brass knuckles lead to guilty verdicts
Mark NielseN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Prince George man was found guilty of six weapons-related counts from a discovery of a handgun with ammunition and a set of brass knuckles in his pickup truck during a traffic stop 17 months ago.
Jason Dean Theroux, 51, was pulled over on Aug. 26, 2018 for driving with an exposed light bar. Popular among off-road enthusiasts, light bars must be covered whenever a vehicle is being driven on a public road.
RCMP noticed a child’s metal baseball bat in the centre console, raising concerns for officer safety and ordered Theroux to get out. As they opened the door, RCMP then found a set of brass knuckles perched atop a pair of gloves in the driver’s door-side compartment.
That sparked a more thorough search and, in the back seat behind the driver, police found a satchel that turned out to hold a computer tablet, an unloaded but unsecured .40-calibre handgun and ammunition capable of being fired in the gun. A Guy Fawkes mask was also found in the vehicle and shotgun ammunition was found in a large hockey bag the truck box. Theroux had denied knowledge of the handgun, as well as the laptop, but provincial court judge Cassandra Malfair found otherwise.
Although the pickup truck was registered in his ex-girlfriend’s name, the judge noted Theroux consistently referred to the vehicle as “my truck” while conversing with the police.
It was also noted the tablet’s homepage
identified the user as “Jay T”, subscriber information on the SIM card showed it registered to Theroux, complete with his home address and phone number.
Police also noted the battery was 100-per-cent charged at the time of Theroux’s arrest and had declined to 86 per cent the next day, leading Malfair to infer it had recently been recharged.
Theroux’s defence counsel had suggested the reason his SIM card was in the tablet was because it was a gift or incentive for taking on a cellphone subscription, and the tablet was actually owned by someone else, but no evidence was presented to support the argument.
In relation to the handgun, Theroux was found guilty of improper storage, possessing a restricted weapon without a licence, possessing a firearm without a registration certificate and knowingly occupying a vehicle in which there is a firearm. For the brass knuckles, Theroux was found guilty of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and possessing a prohibited weapon.
The handgun had been stolen from a Burns Lake home in 2017, but a count of possessing a stolen weapon was stayed due to a lack of evidence that Theroux knew it had been stolen.
A count of possessing for a dangerous purpose in relation to the baseball bat was stayed because Theroux maintained it was for his son’s use.
Theroux, who had no criminal record prior to the verdict, will be sentenced at a later date once a pre-sentence report has been completed.
Overdose deaths down
Arthur WilliAms Citizen staff
The number of illicit drug overdose deaths in Prince George dropped by more than half in 2019, marking the first decrease in deaths since 2013.
Between 2013 and 2018, the number of overdose deaths in the city increased from seven per year to 48 per year.
In 2019, there were 22 overdose deaths linked to illegal drugs in Prince George.
In the region served by Northern Health, overdose deaths had risen steadily from only six in 2009 to 96 in 2018 – a 1,600 per cent increase.
In 2019, there were 57 reported overdose deaths in the Northern Health
region, down from 2018 but still the third-highest year in the decade.
Northern Health’s overdose death rate of 23 per 100,000 was the secondhighest in the province and higher than the provincial average of 19.6 deaths per 100,000 population.
Northern Health medical health officer Dr. Jong Kim credited efforts by emergency responders – including increased availability of naloxone overdose treatment kits – and a decrease in the contamination of illicit drug supply.
“We are starting to see a decrease in the number of ambulance calls (for overdoses),” Jong said.
“We’ve some decreases since the summer of 2019. We’ll have to see, but
Driver banned for five years
A woman who drove over a toddler in a Prince George parking lot has been prohibited from driving for five years.
Barbara Joan Husband, 85, was issued the penalty in provincial court on Feb. 13 in relation a Dec. 19, 2018 incident along Ospika Boulevard near Massey Drive.
According to RCMP, Husband was entering the parking lot from the southbound lane and had been traveling against traffic flow for a short distance to bypass a meridian in the process. The child was standing near a parent who was tending to a younger child when the
toddler was struck by a small SUV.
One tire drove completely over the three-year-old’s midsection, RCMP said.
“Fortunately, the child was transported to hospital for treatment and miraculously, is expected to fully recover,” RCMP said.
In an email to the Citizen, the child’s father said she was in critical conditions when she was taken to hospital and rushed into trauma immediately.
“Fortunately she is stable now and we are hoping for a full recovery thanks to the amazing team of doctors and nurses at our hospital,” he said.
Alcohol was not a factor, RCMP added.
it’s a bit early to tell if there is a definite decrease in the number of (overdoses).”
Decreases in the overall number of overdoses tends to lag behind the decrease in deaths, he added.
In terms of prevention, Northern Health has actively been looking to increase access to addiction treatment programs – particularly for opioid addictions – Jong said, but has been facing difficultly recruiting and retaining physicians to work in the programs.
The downward trend in overdose deaths in Northern Health mirrors the provincial trend, which saw overdose deaths drop from 1,542 in 2018 to 823 in 2019.
Minister Judy Darcy, B.C. minister
of mental health and addictions, told a press conference the reduction in overdose deaths is a positive sign, but the situation remains a crisis in the province.
“That’s two to three people (dying) every single day in B.C.,” Darcy said.
“The numbers are still far, far too high. But it does show our initiatives are working.”
Since the NDP took office in 2018, 3,500 more people in B.C. have been able to access medication-assisted addiction treatment programs than under the former Liberal government, she said.
“Access to addiction treatment shouldn’t depend on the size of your bank account, but it often has up to now,” she said.
Citizen staff
Sentence issued for manslaughter death
mArk NielseN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A former Prince George man was sentenced Friday to slightly more than three years in federal prison for the manslaughter death of an adversary in a makeshift homeless camp.
Jeremy John Lowley, 47, was issued the term for the June 27, 2016 death of Patrick Mathewsie, who was 50 years old at the time.
According to an agreed statement of facts, the two had gotten into a fight that ended with Lowley on top. It did not stop there, however, as Lowley put his foot on Mathewsie’s neck and stomped with enough force to separate his skull from
his top vertebrae.
The incident occurred in the bushy area near the Highway 97 and Massey Drive off ramp. Clean up crews who had gone in found Mathewsie lying against the base of a tree and had assumed he passed out - his blood alcohol level was .373 - and left him alone.
But when a woman who had been an eyewitness to the fight later contacted police, his body was recovered a few days after. Lowley and Mathewsie were heavy drinkers and had been at odds over the woman.
Lowley also claimed Mathewsie had attacked him with a piece of two-by-four lumber a few weeks before although
there was no police report of the alleged incident.
Crown counsel Tyler Bauman had argued for four years, which is typically at the bottom end of the range for the crime, while defence counsel Brian Gilson contended two years was more appropriate, citing special circumstances that lessened Lowley’s moral culpability.
In issuing his decision, provincial court judge Peter McDermick went some way to agreeing with Gilson. Referring to case law in support of his position, McDermick noted Lowley’s troubled upbringing, evidence he suffers from a brain injury that impairs his judgment and that he entered a residential treatment
Proposed mine could deliver jobs
A proposed underground mine approximately 500 kilometres north of the city could bring hundreds of jobs to Prince George.
Centerra Gold sustainability and community development manager Joanna Miller updated the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board about the Kemess Underground project on Feb. 20. The Canadian mining company currently operates the Mount Milligan copper/gold mine west of Mackenzie and owns the shuttered Endako molybdenum mine 17 km west of Fraser Lake.
The proposed Kemess Underground copper and gold mine would be located
six kilometres from the now-closed Kemess South open pit mine, Miller said.
Between 1998 and 2011 when it closed, the Kemess South mine produced three million ounces of gold and 750 million pounds of copper.
The new Kemess Underground mine would use much of the same infrastructure as the former open pit mine, Miller said, reducing the cost and footprint of the mine.
“This (Kemess Underground) is a fly-in, fly-out operation. Kemess Underground will fly in and out of Prince George. We previously flew out of Smithers,” Miller said.
During the four to five year construc-
tion period, the mine would employ approximately 575 people, she said. Once complete, the mine would employ approximately 475 people full-time on a two weeks in, two weeks out rotation for the 11-year life of the mine.
The proposed design is for a block cave mine, she said, which means tunnels will be dug 200 metres to 500 metres beneath the surface and the mine will then dig up into the gold and copper deposit from underneath.
“It’s a bit of an interesting way to mine. There is no impact on the surface,” she said. “All that will be visible on the surface is a slight depression.”
Once operational, the mine will pro-
program in the Fraser Valley over a year ago and has remained sober since.
“He has undertaken significant, tangible and intrusive steps to become sober after a lifetime of alcoholism,” McDermick said.
In all, Lowley was sentenced to three years and 3 1/2 months. Less credit of 45 days for time in custody prior to sentence, the term was lessened to three years and 45 days.
Both Lowley and Mathewsie had extensive criminal records. In September 2012, Mathewsie was found not guilty of manslaughter in the July 2010 death of a man at a homeless camp at the corner of Winnipeg Street and 17th Avenue.
cess 25 to 35 tons of ore per day, Miller said.
The proposed Kemess Underground mine has now received all regulatory approvals and is just waiting on the Centerra Gold board of directors to approve starting construction, she added.
Miller also offered an update on the status of the closed Endako mine. The molybdenum operated from 1965 until it was closed in July 2015, because of low prices for the metal.
“As of right now we have no plans to restart that mine,” Miller said. “It does have about nine years of mine life left, and when the price of moly changes we’ll reopen that mine.”
Arthur WilliAms Citizen staff
LETTERS To The ediTor
Good move
I’ve been reading a lot of polarizing posts about the proposed name change for the new Kelly Road Secondary and wanted to voice an opinion that I think not a lot of people have been considering.
As a former student of Kelly Road who was blessed with a wonderful experience, I am sad to see the name of my school being changed. Kelly Road meant a lot to me. It’s where I met my friends, it’s where I made some incredible memories, it’s where I played basketball, it’s where I became inspired to study education to become a teacher myself.
When I first read that SD57 was considering changing the name, I felt sad but after some consideration I don’t think the school being named Kelly Road is what gave me those great experiences. What did give me those great experiences and what made the name Kelly Road important me was so much more.
It was the teaching staff and the care they put into their work, the time they spent with their students. It was the coaches, parents and family members who volunteered their time to teach me the value of being active and team player. It was being involved in the cafeteria program that taught me more about cooking. It was being able to walk into the GSA meeting and being fully accepted. It was the culture that the students and faculty created within the walls.
I think a lot of us are sad that Kelly Road might being taken down because we all had amazing and impactful experiences that lead to the name of our school meaning so much. And I, like many others, am confused as to why the name change seemed to come so abruptly. However, I feel as though this is a situation in which I need to check my privilege and not jump on the bandwagon of anger. After reevaluating my feelings on the impact of this situation, I’ve decided to let the changing of the name of the school mean nothing to me and recognize that to the Indigenous community of Prince George it means everything. Without getting too much into a gray area surrounding reconciliation, as an Indigenous student who really cannot identify anything from her culture due to the generational effects of the residential school systems, I can see how the small act of changing of a school’s name can mean so much. With the changing of the name from Kelly Road to Shas Ti, members of the Lheidli T’enneh community can feel recognized. Elder Kenora Stewart shared her story that was passed down about the grizzly bears that roamed the area and how those animals held great sentiment and value to their culture. And although it may be a small act of reconciliation, it is still a step in the right direction. That being said, I would like to say to the school district board members that this name change means absolutely nothing if it is not followed up with ad-
equate funding for the future Indigenous students or less privileged students of Shas Ti. As the name changes, the school district must follow through on funding programs like the Raven House that was in Kelly Road that I know many students benefited from. There needs to be an after-school program that gives students an opportunity to learn valuable life skills, like how to apply for a job, how to cope with anxiety, how to cook, how to prepare for college or university.
Even though I loved Kelly Road, there was a distinct lack of student engagement once the bell rang. Schools must support their students and school districts must support their faculty.
I understand that many feel a deep attachment to their high school. I share this. I feel a deep sadness to know that my school will no longer be standing, to know that the school, my dad, my brother and so many of my friends went to will be gone. However, I feel as though I have been given enough to hold Kelly Road in my memories forever.
My hope is that as the school changes and become Shas Ti, the future students attending the high school will receive every bit of opportunity, acceptance and happiness that I felt walking the halls of Kelly Road. As Shas Ti begins to create its own memories and culture, I hope that the school district takes this opportunity to properly support and fund its future students and staff.
There is a chance now for SD57 to have a real impact and movement towards proper reconciliation with the Indigenous community of Prince George. Moving forward, we need to make the name Shas Ti mean something to the future students and faculty attending, just like how the name Kelly Road became something more to those that attended.
To those fighting for the name to remain the same, I want you to take a moment to think about the things that made Kelly Road so special. Was it just the name? Or was it the people inside the school who made it more? Kelly Road holds quite an impactful legacy to the people of Prince George. Let’s hold that legacy near to our hearts and let Shas Ti build its own. They deserve just as much as everyone else.
Madyson Campbell, Prince George
Keep the name
As a Grade10 student of Kelly Road, I do not agree with the proposed name change. Kelly Road is more than just a name, it has become a community and has been around for more than 50 years. Generations of families have gone to this school, including my own, and this news has upset many people. As part of truth and reconciliation I understand the suggestion, history, and why it was voted for, however I do not support it. We could talk about compromise and pleasing both sides of this situation. Or we could keep
the name as it is.
After hearing word of the move to change Kelly Road’s name, many were immediately angered. Our families have gone to this school in the past, and so have some of the teachers. Our aunts, uncles, parents, and siblings, had the privilege to say they graduated from Kelly Road Secondary School. Knowing my friends and I may never be able to say that, is truly heartbreaking. Not to mention the load of money recently spent on new jerseys reading “Kelly Road Road Runners” was spent for only short time use. The name change is not only angering, but financially, not a good move at this time.
As a part of truth and reconciliation, we must consider the possibility of the name change in honour of the land the school is currently on, the grizzly trail. Its importance to the Lheidli T’enneh people makes the school name suggestion that much more important. However, why can’t we both make some compromises, and come up with something meaningful for all? The Kelly Road name should not be erased, as if it was written in pencil. Instead, let’s talk about incorporating both names into the school’s new title, if a new title is necessary at all. What if we kept Kelly Road’s name and just added on to it? “Kelly Road, Shas Ti Secondary,’’ and put up a board in the new front lobby with the history of the land and story of the grizzly trail. It binds the two titles together and shows equal importance for both names.
The decision was only made last week to start the process of renaming but could we rename the new name? It may be just a name, but for some it’s a lot more.
Katherine Burnett, Prince George
ChanGe the name
Further to the Feb. 26 article “Kelly Road name change suggested”, to say that I am saddened and disappointed in most of the comments floating around out there regarding this proposed change does not fully encompass my emotions. I would like to say we have come a long way since 1820, 1920 and so on, but even though this is 2020, ignorance is still very much alive and well in Canada.
Why does the school’s name have to stay as Kelly Road Secondary School? Because that’s the way it’s always been? What is the significance of the name Kelly Road Secondary School? Is it named after some man named Kelly?
Canadians pay lip service to truth and reconciliation, but very few actually want to do the work necessary to achieve real and lasting healing in this country.
And yet, here are Lheildi T’enneh elders Kenora Stewart and Clifford Quaw, Lheidli T’enneh Chief Clay Pountney and SD57 Board Vice-Chair Trent Derrick proposing a positive change in our community that demonstrates reconciliation playing out in real life.
It is the courage of people like this to propose and support these kinds of changes that benefit all Canadians because it moves us away from the status quo that has been Canada for the past 200-plus years and moves us into 2020 and beyond. Why must things be as they are and have always been? I support the name change from something (as far as I know) arbitrary as Kelly Road Secondary School to Shas Ti Secondary School. The name is beautiful and recognizes a history that long predates Kelly Road, the Hart Highway, the City of Prince George and Canada.
This is what reconciliation looks like. For those who have used social media to spread your negative and ignorant comments about this name change, you should be ashamed of yourselves. I know I am.
Miranda Seymour, Prince George
terrible idea
Changing the name of the school in the name of reconciliation is ridiculous. Reconciliation (I mean the way it is playing out) in and of itself, is a joke; a huge faux pas by the Canadian government that does nothing more than foster racism and create separation.
We are all Native Canadians, no one is more special than the other. Why take from the majority and give to the minority? Rather, make it equal for everyone like a parent would with two children. The way the government handles reconciliation is putting our culture on the backburner and we are allowing it. This is only the beginning of things to come. Stories of grizzly bears? I think we all have equally important stories, no? And really? How many native kids actually went to Kelly Road over the years? That demographic was comparatively small in relation to us less important (culturally) white kids. It’s the way the Canadian government approaches/ defines the parameters around reconciliation that we need to address if we want to save the names of this and many other buildings/places in Canada. Canada has made reconciliation black and white - in the name of and, out of respect, change the name of the gym, some trails, what have you, add their name but don’t now rip away another history and culture without our permission or input. When making these decisions for Canada or for Prince George, it is inclusion we should focus on moving toward reconciliation and resolution - adding, not subtracting. And so I am not in agreement with the new name. Had there been a school on that land, owned by a band prior to the name Kelly Road which had it’s name changed to Kelly Road in the past, I would say go for it, give them their name back. But there wasn’t and never has been a native school there, so where is the logic in this?
Kelly Little, Prince George
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LETTERS To The ediTor
Ugly trUth
“Racist confession” (letter, Feb. 27) reminds me of a Seinfeld episode - a letter about nothing.
Mr. Receveur begins by announcing his racism, carries onward attempting to highlight his understanding of Indigenous issues at work, while making clear that he still didn’t quite “get it” since he notes he was often “raked over the coals” for provocations and protocol violations. He talks about his experience with residential school kids, anecdotally dismissing the well-recorded history of abuses that happened in these schools, because he once “knew some kids.” There’s a limp-wristed “not that I think this is okay” statement tucked neatly into the middle, to ensure we all know this racist is still reasonable. In conclusion, yes, still a racist, proudly, but feigning socially acceptable sadness.
Spectacularly showing of his flair for melodramatics, Mr. Receveur talks about Indigenous people “destroying the fabric of society” with what I imagine was a completely straight face. And the straw that broke this camel’s back? What horrors has he endured, what trauma, what hardship? The answer is that the school board agreed to consider a name change for a local high school that’s being rebuilt and, to add insult to injury, they’re considering an Indigenous name. This was just too much, and clearly all of society is now disintegrating.
History is written by the victors and the curriculum that most of us were taught is evidence of that. Many Canadians don’t know how much they don’t know about our country’s Indigenous history and assume that what they do know is gospel. What most of us think we know doesn’t pay any sort of justice to what has actually gone on in this country, not just for decades, but for centuries.
The truth is far uglier than most of us are aware of. One only needs to read the Indian Act to have a glimpse into exactly how poorly Indigenous people have been treated by our government and our society.
Society is hardier than Mr. Receveur gives it credit for. Were it fragile enough to come apart over protests, blockades and school name changes, we wouldn’t have lasted nearly this long. As a white individual, I don’t feel blamed, scorned or shamed by Indigenous folks and I wonder why some seem to feel so stereotyped. I suspect it has more to do with their own fragile egos than anything of substance.
Spun justifications don’t cut it. Racism shouldn’t be acceptable.
Heather Hillier, Prince George
Choose wisely
“When will the right protest?” by Nathan Giede (Feb. 20), confuses me. I suppose it depends on what Giede means by “right,” but in the name of some of the “pet causes” he lists (sacredness of the unborn, promotion of family, right to own firearms, and objection to the Charter) the right has often protested in Canada. The Aryan Guard (Alberta) often turns up to counter-protest at anti-racism rallies. In August 2017, the Canadian Nationalist Party held a rally at the University of Toronto to coincide with the Unite the Right rally at Charlottesville, Virginia. They were protesting Canada’s immigration and multiculturalism policies. Just last year, in June, they and the Yellow Vest movement hit Pride parades in Hamilton and Toronto. The CNP has party
status and runs federally in a few ridings, something Geide would admire as a (for the time being) “loyalist.” Their platform is anti-Islamic, anti-communist, anti-gay. In Quebec, the Parti Independentista has staged numerous events in support of independence and against immigration. Campaign Life has, for 42 years, rallied and marched against fornication, euthanasia, abortion and transgender rights. These are only recent activities of the right. There’s a solid history of right-wing protests in Canada going back through the Ernst Zundel and Keegstra trials (and the rallies connected thereto) to the Canadian Union of Fascists (1930s) and Lionel Groulx’s Ligue d’Action Francaise (1905). Groulx, like Giede, wanted Canada’s “sad constitution and the wicked elite that enforce it” burned. He would’ve especially hated the 1982 addition that Giede wants “torched while all the world watches.”
However, Giede needs to specify more clearly what he thinks the right stands for, before he encourages it to “block roads and sing chants.” When the revolution does come, a revolution that, he says, “I may very well join,” he could end up with some unwelcome companions behind the barricades. After all, the rightwing Association of German National Jews supported Hitler and helped him get elected, only to find out he had other plans for Jews. And the Russian trade unions supported the revolution until Lenin and Trotsky decided to eliminate them.
John Harris, Prince George
hospiCe amazing
A few months ago, our mom Jeannine was diagnosed with an assortment of bad things.
A frail 83-year smoker, the odd weren’t in her favour but she was fortunate enough to be referred to Rotary Hospice House, where she spent her last four months.
We’d had no experience with the Hospice House but thought it would surely be better than the hospital routine we’d become familiar with.
It’s hard to describe or quantify the attentive, compassionate care she received. Love and consideration flow through every room of this magical place.
Mom was sure that everyone therestaff and volunteers - are angels walking the earth.
We agree and want to say how grateful and honoured we are to have spent our last months with mom there with you. A huge thank you to all of you.
If you like to support fine, honourable local charities, please put Rotary Hospice House on your list.
Suzanne van Diepen Prince George
raCism systemiC
In response to “Racist confession.”
It’s really 2020 and people still don’t understand the meaning of “political correctness” and use it anytime they feel persecuted.
Need I remind you, political correctness is any prevailing political or cultural or social zeitgeist that supports the current political system or power system. If colonizers control a narrative, if white people control a narrative, the privileges of that system favour them. This is why equity, reconciliation and affirmative action is important. Don’t be sorry you
cant understand that, be glad you never had to. I still don’t either and I grew up privileged as hell.
Real political correctness is the fact that we exist in a system that rhetoric like this letter to the editor can be published and not be picked apart for being racist because it isn’t explicit in its racism. Real racisim is systemic, not just an isolated incident or slur. Same logic as changing a school name is not real reconciliation while we violate a United Nations constitution mandate but OK.
Just as reconciliation is more than superficial conventions, so is racism.
Don’t start with “you can be racist to white people in a predominantly white society.”
Yes, in a superficial sense, but y’all are missing the point of systematic emancipation. This is the logical fallacy of ignoratio elenchi - a red herring - a fallacy of illicit transference. It fails to address the issue in question.
Robin Sui, Prince George
BandUstan plan
The hereditary chiefs want to talk to Canada “nation to nation.” Fine. Let’s work out a way for that to happen.
South Africa faced similar issues a few decades ago. They created “Bandustans”, tribal homelands that had nation status (not that many other states recognized them). We could do the same here, with modifications.
Take the Wet’suwet’en Nation. The territory it now claims would become a nation, entitled to pass its own laws and police them. As as a separate nation, Canada and the provinces would cease any funding. The band could decide if it wished to be ruled by elected leaders or hereditary chiefs. Some Bandustans were more independent than others and that might be necessary here too.
So many problems solved!
First Nations people now living in urban areas could chose to remain in Canada and be equal to everyone else under law or to return to their homelands. The bands could decide who would be or would not be a member.
Pipelines and other such projects would be negotiated between the band and the companies. Given past and present performance, I cannot see too many companies investing much with any band, but one never knows.
This would apply only to bands without a treaty in place so areas covered by the numbered treaties and others would not change. British Columbia would have the most bandustans as Governor Douglas did not sign many treaties thinking all would become equal in a few decades.
If a vote were to be taken by First Nations to become independent or to remain in Canada, I doubt it would pass. Practicality would rule over idealism. For those that remained in Canada, hereditary chiefs would have the same powers as our Queen and elected leaders would govern the whole territory claimed.
Problems solved.
Willow Arune, Prince George
letter inflUenCe
I had to write this letter as I feel the judicial system has been influenced. My boyfriend went to court last month for assault allegations. As he was pulled aside for negotiations, he was advised that he couldn’t have gotten a worse judge as she mainly judges against men. He was then
advised to plead guilty to a lesser charge just to be done with it because if it went to trial she would make sure he got jail time.
During this time, the judge even commented that she heard that a letter to the editor had mentioned that that law isn’t hard enough on criminals and she was going to send a message. This is blatant that her judgment was influenced by an outside source where there was no evidence to prove the allegations.
I feel that this needs to be addressed because this case was not based on facts and actual law practices. As you are the source that she referenced, I thought you should know the impact you have. An innocent man had to plead guilty to something he didn’t do so a judge could maintain her reputation and the appease the public. It’s sad, really. I hope you share this because this is not how we should be ruling in our courts. Thank you.
Krista
Benham, Prince George
CUrling ConCern
Curling teams are coming from South Korea, China, and Italy, all countries that sadly are suffering fast advancing outbreaks of coronavirus.
Given the widespread advice by top government health officials the world over, including Canada, that coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate and that preventive steps need to be taken, including limiting travel, I query the need for a public discussion, locally, of what risks holding the World Women’s Curling Championship would bring, and whether the residents of Prince George wish to be subjected to those risks.
The city should immediately convene a public meeting to talk about this.
Ben Levine, Prince George
ColUmn praise
Great article, Neil Godbout. All of your opinion articles are common sense, factual, to the point and well-worded. My husband and I love to read them and have for years. They express our feelings well. I’d suggest you get into politics but would your word be heard? Not to mention we in P.G. would miss your column. Thank you, Neil, you’re a great writer.
Russell and Gwen Reese Prince George
JUst watCh yoU?
Now that our prime minister is back from his visit to Africa, maybe he can meet with his caucus and stop this road and rail blockage debacle.
Hey Justin, when the nation was faced with a national emergency,your father imposed the War Measures Act. The apple doesn’t fall from the tree - or does it?
Doug Strachan, Prince George
Keep the name
So if name changing isn’t such a big deal to some, I wonder if any of the reserves or buildings around P.G. would mind changing the names to, let’s say, white settlers or founders of our country. Seems like a simple answer.
The school should stay Kelly Road and the gymnasium and lunch rooms renamed Shas Ti and murals painted to inform students parents teachers and guests what the area was.
Roland Hill
Prince George
An Atheist’s creed
In the name of no one, entropy and materialism, so be it: I invoke the absence of divinity and of any profundity that is more than a coincidence of time and space to “help me in my unbelief,” as it was put long ago. I am not just dust, I am stardust, but from the beginning of time to the heat death of the universe, I confess my beliefs and actions have no meaning; we are all just trying to get along - consent and tolerance are my virtues, now and forevermore. Our universe, planet and species, are an accident - often an unhappy one. I believe that we are essentially the smartest animals, descended from microbes over millennia. The fact that statistically, I am more likely to write all of Shakespere from memory without ever having read him than our Terra was to exist with the climate and resources we need to flourish, begs no questions or justification. It was all pure chance, determined by the unalterable laws of physics.
Indeed, much of this is even anathema, for as so few of us the soulless are actually experts in these things, capable of reading the stars and divining the atoms,
We are living at a time when we are becoming more and more aware that the actions of humans have an effect on fellow humans, their financial well being, as well as the environment which supports our life on this planet.
More and more we are wondering whether the increase of human activity can continue at the pace we are increasing our consumptive habits, especially as the third world starts to catch up and is tending to adopt many of our harmful habits. Climate change, loss and degradation of arable land, loss of forests which replenish the oxygen we breathe, unsafe industrial air emissions, industrial and human water pollution, garbage landfills – these are just a few of the detrimental impacts of human activities which have altered the environment radically from the days of our forefathers. Today we are hearing more and more that we are approaching a point of no return as it relates to climate change - primarily attributed to human activity by many scientists - which is causing rising
RIGHT OF CENTRE
NATHAN GIEDE
all I can know for sure is that I have a name, mind, and body. To be clear, the mind is simply a side effect of brain activity, spurred on by external stimuli and internal hormones; how this squares with the idea of free will is not relevant - everyone’s viewpoint on these matters differ yet are still equally valid.
My name was given to me by my birthers or guardians - whoever took on the socially constructed idea of parenthood. Had I never been conceived or had I been eliminated after my conception would have borne no consequence, moral or otherwise. My body is made up of cells that simply followed the blueprint of my parents combined DNA; its aesthetics, mechanics, and hardiness are the result of evolution - I am made in the image of
the beast which survives best.
My dignity comes from our socially constructed hierarchy called the state, which alone awards rights and privileges. What is bound or loosed in said hierarchy is determined by votes at the ballot box, guided by tolerance and consent. Many arguments are entertained about the limits of tolerance and consent, some of them even pointing out inconsistencies in our choices, personal and political. So far we have managed to hold out against challenges to the consensus.
At times I empathize with the poor and envy the rich. But morally there is no argument for the virtue of the former or the vice of the latter. We will all be buried in the same ground, we are all made of the same genetic stuff, we are all operating on the same “fuzzy logic” in our minds. Perhaps we can equalize things at the ballot box, redistributing from the winners of the lottery of life to the losers of it, but we understand this is only to quell unrest in our population.
Thanks be to nothing, I am not tied to wretched ideas of nature or telos. Upon
SuStainable Strategy
ECO JO GRABER
seas, more frequent flooding, more frequent and larger wildfires, loss of habitat for animals, loss of bees, and on it goes with a new revelation getting our attention almost weekly.
So, what are we doing about it? Can we do anything about it? Who is in control? Is there a strategy in place which will allow us to maintain life on this planet as we know it now? Are we living sustainably?
Sustainability is most often defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It has three main pillars: economic, environmental, and social.
What is a sustainable strategy?
On a global basis, the United Nations
tax the robotS
A few weeks ago, I was invited to discuss forestry on Shaw TV spotlight with John Brink. I was excited to discuss the current state and future of forestry but we ended up talking a lot about automation. Most people are frightened by the idea of robots taking over our jobs so I think it is something that deserves to be discussed. Imagine a future where everything from fast food jobs to surgeons are now replaced by robots. If this makes you uncomfortable, I understand. Automation is going to affect nearly every single industry so we need to prepare. One of the world’s leading experts on AI, Kai-Fu Lee, estimates that 40 per cent of jobs could be automated by 2035. Whether your a truck driver or a lawyer, people are actively working to create a robot to replace your job, so how do we prepare? I think we need to talk about taxing these robots at a level that is equal to the income tax revenue of jobs lost to auto-
SENSIBLE SOLUTIONS
MACKENZIE KERR
mation and artificial intelligence. As the tech industry dramatically increases their already astronomical profits, we need to make sure that they are paying their fair share to support our communities and not just lining the pockets of CEOs and venture capitalists. Small businesses must be exempt from this tax because ultimately, it’s going to be them who suffer the hardest. This revolution in technology is already started and it’s building up speed. We need to make sure that no one is left behind and that our local economies are not decimated.
I was first introduced to this idea by Amnita Kuttner, a Green candidate in
adopted 17 sustainable development goals five years ago. The short version can be described as: no poverty; zero hunger, food security, sustainable agriculture; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialization, fostering innovation; reduced inequality within and among countries; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; sustainable use of ocean resources; sustainable use of land based ecosystems; peaceful and inclusive societies, justice and strong institutions; strengthening partnerships for implementing the goals.
On a local basis, for example, the forest industry harvesting in the Prince George TSA initially adopted Canadian Standards Association CSA Z809 Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) standard. It had both performance requirements and management system requirements. The certifica-
reaching any age where I can express myself, I may choose any form of the hundreds of lifestyles that are available to me. Our abilities have evolved with us, so I may choose to be a parent or not, or even to be my biological sex or not. Any who question my choice may well have committed a tort and are liable for damages. But we are certain that this will not incentivize abuse or misuse.
And if life is not fulfilling enough or the meat world my mind inhabits begins to fail me, I shall not fear, for I may walk into the shadow of death, shepherded by an expert. It is such a pity to miss one’s own funeral, but providentially this problem is now solved; surrounded by who or whatever I want, with my favorite playlist reverberating over my trinkets gained, his syringe and his vial comfort me. I look forward to my sending off and the peace that comes from oblivion.
There will be no surprises, no further shore, no last trumpet. My body shall not rise again but be broken into its elements, put to use by the Earth. There is no reason to mourn - so don’t.
tion requirements include the recognition of environmental, economic, social and cultural values. One of the key obligations was the conservation of biological diversity. A vital component of that standard was the inclusion of a public advisory group in developing workplans with measurable objectives. These were checked in the field by an independent auditor for compliance. The results were shared with the advisory group and the public. I strongly believe that a key component of evaluating any major development undertaken by any level of government, industry and other corporations and organizations which potentially impact our social, economic and environmental well being must include a public component for early input as well as monitored oversight in the planning stages, implementation, as well as ongoing operating stages. Transparency in how business is conducted by those we buy our products and services from, as well as those we elect, is imperative to a well functioning society.
Burnaby, but they are by no means the only one talking about this issue. Bill Gates is another example of a highly educated professional in the field that agrees we need a robot tax to help blunt the impact of job loss by automation. We can use this tax revenue to sustain our social services and invest in areas that human labour should not be removed from, such as child care and support for the elderly. We can already see the beginning of AI and automation taking over fields such as transportation, warehouse jobs, harvesting timber and our sawmills. It’s not just blue-collar jobs, either. AI can be used for jury selection and analyzation during trials, even going as far as determining details from past cases in record time. The question is won’t lawyers panic when they can’t bill more hours? Some don’t think so. Experts believe they will use it to their advantage and clients will come back because of the fast conflict resolution.
Gates made a great point in an article about the robot tax. He said we should be excited about this innovation because when we fear change we can’t move forward with a positive outlook. We need to manifest the positive future we want to see. If we want smaller class sizes, better care for our elders, more time to spend with our families then we need to approach AI with that outlook. Let’s take advantage of the inevitable change that is coming and use it to make our lives easier and more rewarding! This will take careful policy creation to make sure that the governments tax these tech giants for their robots, the same as if they were real humans.
If you have read this whole article thinking AI meant artificial insemination instead of intelligence, welcome to the farmers club! It took me a while to get used to it too but it’s a terrible mistake when you mess it up. At least you get a few laughs.
Viruses are small and devastating
Plants and animals appear to make up most of the living material on Earth. This is not actually the case.
We are biased in our view of the living world by size. Larger objects capture our attention while smaller organisms pass unnoticed. As a consequence, the 75 per cent of the biomass which is bacteria and other singlecelled creatures is largely invisible, living under the radar. But we are ultimately dependent upon micro-organisms for many aspects of life as we know it. For example, our gut microbiome allows us to digest our food while bacteria in the soil provide nitrogen for all living creatures. Even the oxygen we breathe is largely a result of composite microorganisms.
There is one class of micro-organisms, though, which can be generally classified as good for nothing parasites – viruses. Simply put, viruses can only reproduce through the machinery of a host organism. They are tiny capsules containing little more than DNA or RNA and they survive only by hijacking another organism’s metabolism. Recent outbreaks of disease, such as the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, demonstrate just how effective viruses are at achieving their “goal” –reproduction – and how devastating they are to the host organism resulting
RELATIVITY
TODD WHITCOMBE
in thousands of deaths.
Viruses are not a recent evolutionary phenomenon. They have been around for billions of years infecting everything from single celled proto-bacteria to giant creatures such as tyrannosaurus rex and the blue whale. No species is immune to viral infection.
For much of human history, they went entirely un-detected. It was only in the 1800s that we began to gain an understanding of the microscopic world. Pasteur’s germ theory laid the basis for a new approach to medicine although not all diseases.
The discovery of viruses could be credited to a German chemist and agricultural researcher Adolf Mayer. He was interested in the cause of tobacco mosaic disease. He crushed the leaves of diseased plants and was able to infect healthy plants with the extract demonstrating the diseases was transmittable. However, he was unable to find any bacteria in the extract nor was he able to cause the disease with any known bacteria.
A few years later, in 1892, Dmitri
Ivanosky, a Russian student, undertook a similar experiment but used a filter specifically designed to sieve out bacteria. The resulting extract still caused tobacco mosaic disease so he hypothesized the presence of a toxin in the solution.
It wasn’t until 1898 that Martinas Beijerinck recognized the living liquid virus was too small to be caught by filtration. And it wasn’t until 1939 that the tobacco mosaic virus was first imaged using the newly invented electron microscope.
Viruses are very small. An influenza virus is 130 nm while a rhinovirus is only 30 nm. Compare this with a red blood cell at 8,000 nm in size or a human skin cell at 30,000 nm and it is easy to understand why they went unnoticed for so long.
It is a virus’ simplicity which allows it to be so small. It is essentially little more than a stretch of either DNA or RNA, single-stranded or doublestranded, wrapped up in a protein shell called a capsid. It lacks the machinery we normally associate with life – the ability to transcribe DNA into RNA and to translate RNA into protein. It is little more than a blueprint.
Virus reproduce by infecting a host cell, injecting their genetic coding, and taking over the molecular machinery (sometimes to the exclusion of the cell’s natural function). Its sole
Confidence in the Wet’suwet’en
Swiss physician and author Paul Tournier said, “The worst thing is not being wrong, but being sure one is not wrong.”
I wrote a column several weeks ago stating that I support the Wet’suwet’en in their opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline being built through their territory. What I have come to realize is that a number of Wet’suwet’en support the project and it has not only become a divisive issue across the country, it has become a painfully divisive issue among the Wet’suwet’en people. My goal as a teacher and as a writer is to always encourage respectful and honest dialogue and I do not believe that I accomplished that goal with my previous stance.
It is tempting to side with those who support our own opinions, but this is a Wet’suwet’en issue which needs to be decided by the Wet’suwet’en. Just as I have no right to tell the people living beside me what kind of trees to plant in their backyard, I have no right to tell my neighbours what to do with a natural gas pipeline.
This is also a complex and multifaceted issue. There are no treaties regarding Wet’suwet’en territory. The land is unceded; it is and always has been Wet’suwet’en. In addition, the
LETTERS con’T
worth saving
As I stated in a letter last year, the students, teacher, parents, and alumni of Kelly Road secondary school do not want a name change.
Kelly Road is a part of the Hart culture. We have the Kelly Road craft fair, the Kel-
LESSONS IN LEARNING
GERRY CHIDIAC
B.C. government recently accepted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which states, “Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.” (Article 26).
One must also be aware that the Indian Act of 1867 was and still is an assault on Indigenous culture and wellbeing. Traditional lines of leadership were ignored and replaced with the methods of decision making imposed by the Canadian government. This has made it very difficult to establish a process for resolving disagreements.
Despite the challenges, I know that I can place my confidence in the Wet’suwet’en to resolve this issue. Working in the school district with the largest number of Indigenous students in British Columbia, one which emphasizes Indigenous leadership, I have had the privilege of working
ly Road burger bash and the Kelly Road fine arts night etc. We have brand new jerseys, mascot and equipment, which costs hundreds of dollars, with the Kelly Road name. Changing the name would require all new jerseys for well over 10 different sports teams.
I’ve talked to many different people with different roles in the school and they all are against it. If the name were to change, everyone would still call it Kelly
purpose is to make many, many copies of itself which are then released either into the host or the environment through the host.
It is usually during the release phase where we notice the effects of a virus as it tends to destroy cells, resulting in discharges into the lungs or nasal passages or through the blood vessels. An effective virus is neither instantly nor completely lethal. It needs host organisms and time to reproduce, so it does not kill everyone who is infected right away.
Which brings us to the coronavirus which has world health experts worried. COVID-19 appears, so far, to be both high infectious, which means a large number of people will likely develop the disease, and only moderately lethal, resulting in death in about one per cent of the cases.
If its infection rate is maintained, it is estimated 60 per cent of the world’s population could catch the disease. With a one per cent mortality rate, this would result in around 48 million deaths, far more than previous pandemics such as the 1918-1919 Spanish Flu.
When a virus can be spread by touch or contact with a contaminated surface hours after an infected individual has been present, a global disaster is a real and present danger. All by an organism far too small to see.
with and learning from some of the finest educators I’ve ever known. Two things they’ve taught me give me great confidence.
First, though they vary by name and tradition, the Seven Sacred Teachings form the basis of what could loosely be called an Indigenous code of ethics. These include humility, honesty, respect, truth, courage, wisdom and love. These are the guiding universal principles which one can always turn to when faced with difficulty and uncertainty. They govern the way people are to treat themselves and one another, and they are central to the beliefs of the Wet’suwet’en.
Secondly, the traditional way of communicating among Indigenous peoples in this region is the talking circle. This is far different from the adversarial method of debate in European cultures, where each side tries to prove the other wrong. In a talking circle, people look at one another and truly listen. It is a way of coming to a place of healing and peace, and it has been effectively used for thousands of years.
Despite the efforts of my teachers, I am no expert on Indigenous culture and I have only begun to understand the depth and beauty of their way of
Road. A name change is unnecessary and is upsetting a lot of people. Please take our feelings into consideration before making decisions about our school.
Gloria Butcher, Prince George
DeCision supporteD
I am so impressed with the courageous decision the school board had made to support changing the name of Kelly Road
life. To my Indigenous neighbours, I say thank you for welcoming me into your territory and patiently guiding me. To my Wet’suwet’en neighbours in particular, please accept my apologies for imposing my views and taking a side on what is perhaps the most difficult and divisive issue your community has ever faced. Know too that I have full confidence that you will find the best way forward.
Future generations of Canadians will study this moment in their history books. I don’t know what the best decision is regarding the Coastal GasLink pipeline,
To my Indigenous neighbours, I say thank you for welcoming me into your territory and patiently guiding me. To my Wet’suwet’en neighbours in particular, please accept my apologies for imposing my views and taking a side on what is perhaps the most difficult and divisive issue your community has ever faced.
I have full confidence in you to find the best way forward.
Future generations of Canadians will study this moment in their history books. I don’t know what the best decision is regarding the Coastal GasLink pipeline, but I do know how that decision has to be made.
School to better reflect the natural history of the area.
I wasn’t aware that the area I live in was once a grizzly bear trail, or that that there was a tree in the area that bore the mark of a grizzly that was nine feet off the ground. We know so little about the Indigenous history of the area. This is a small step to help overcome our ignorance. Sandra Kubert Prince George
Cougar back after diabetic attack
Ted Clarke Citizen staff
When he needed them most, the Prince George Cougars had Brendan Boyle’s back.
Because of the team’s awareness that the 18-year-old forward is a Type 1 diabetic and the quick response of the Cougars’ training staff, who knew the proper procedures when he went into diabetic shock in his hotel room on Jan. 12, the morning after a game in Saskatoon, Boyle got the help he needed to mitigate a life-threatening incident.
It started when Boyle’s roommate, Blake Eastman, woke up and saw him having a seizure in his bed. Eastman immediately called Cougars athletic trainer Mike Matthies and he and equipment manager Chico Dhanjal rushed to the room and called for an ambulance.
Diabetic shock is brought on by having too much insulin, a hormome produced in the pancreas which regulates blood sugar levels. Boyle’s blood sugar had dropped too low, a condition called hypoglycemia.
“It was pretty obvious he was in a state of diabetic shock, he had an incident earlier in the week that was more minor and that almost prepped us for the situation,” said Matthies.
‘Luckily we’d talked about it a lot because we wanted to be prepared. There is a glucagon injection you can purchase but honey does the same thing. You can put it in under his cheek and it will go into his bloodstream quickly, because obviously he couldn’t chew or swallow in that state.”
First aid protocol for seizures recommends trying to keep the patient away from hard or sharp objects so they don’t injure themselves as their bodies thrash uncontrollably with jerky movements. Don’t try to hold the patient down or restrict movements, try to put them on their side to keep the airway clear and don’t put any object in their mouths to keep them from biting their tongue. Eventually the seizure will stop on its own and the person will regain consciousness.
“Chico was very helpful, he calmed everything down and was talking to Brendan the whole time,” Matthies said. “He was already in a diabetic shock state and there’s really not much you can do at the time other than try to get his blood sugars up. I had a feeling all it was was his blood sugar being low and just continued to check his pulse. You just talk to him and wait for it to stop.”
Boyle had two seizures that morning. The first one that lasted 15 minutes, followed by another that went on for about 10 minutes. Diagnosed with diabetes at age 14, he’d never before experienced a seizure.
The paramedic crew arrived within a few minutes and, after the seizures stopped, Matthies, Dhanjal and one of
the attendants held Boyle while the other paramedic inserted an intravenous line. The still subconscious Boyle fought to get free and it took a concerted effort to subdue the six-foot-one, 179-pound athlete.
“He was still confused and disoriented so when someone’s trying to reef their arm in a position they don’t like, he didn’t want us to put him in that position,” said Matthies. “We’ve come to realize he’s a very strong individual.”
Along with glucose tablets, a tub of honey, and tongue depressors to apply the honey, the Cougars’ training staff has a glucometer with them close by at all times to check Boyle’s blood sugar levels. The team has a stretcher equipped with a defibrillator, IV equipment and Matthies keeps his medical bag with him on the bench. Boyle wears an insulin pump and recently had a sensor attached to his shoulder which allows him to check his blood without the need to prick his finger.
“His sugar had dropped a bit lower (a few days before in Regina) but it was
during the day, so he was more conscious,” said Matthies. “He just appeared unresponsive, staring into space and not acting himself. He’s a happy, cheery guy and he’s very vocal about it so you know when he’s acting a way that’s not characteristic of Brendan there’s something we need to look at.”
Matthies is trained to a first responder level and he and Dhanjal refresh their first aid skills before each season begins. All Cougar players who room with Boyle on roadtrips and his billet parents know what to do if he ever shows signs of diabetic stress.
“It’s scary because I’ve known Boyle and his family for three or four years now and it’s tough,” said Dhanjal. “The best thing is we get trained really well with the league and first responders but they don’t train you for real-life stuff like that. Cudos to Mike stepping in there nice and calm and Blake doing a great job of letting us know what’s going on and it worked out in the end.”
Boyle knows when his sugars are drop-
ping too low. His hands feels shaky and he sweats profusely. When his sugar level is too high he lacks energy. A high reading before a game means he will use his insulin pump for the first period and then check his blood between periods.
Boyle, one of the top face-off specialists on the team, missed three games after that incident and had a few sore muscles but otherwise had had no ill effects. He’s from Regina and had his family with him at the hospital in Saskatoon.
“I was lucky enough to have great guys to help me out, obviously Mike and Chico did a great job and so did Eastman, my roommate,” said Boyle, who scored his third goal of the season in the Cougars’ 6-3 loss Saturday in Kamloops. “It’s good to have people around you you can trust when situation like that happen. I can’t thank those guys enough for the help they gave me and getting on top of it right away.”
The Cougars host the Vancouver Giants Friday and Saturday at CN Centre, their final regular season home games.
Citizen Photo by James Doyle
Prince George Cougars forward brendan boyle chases down the loose puck while being checked by Kelowna Rockets defender ethan ernst during an october game at Cn Centre.
speed skater a cut above
Ted Clarke Citizen staff
Ben Konwicki knows he’s one of the fortunate ones.
He lives in Prince George, which just happens to be one of of the three B.C. cities with an outdoor speed skating oval.
As a member of the Prince George Blizzard Speed Skating Club, he’s been training on that volunteer-maintained outdoor rink every season for six years now, whenever conditions will allow it. All that hard work cutting laps on the 400-metre oval paid off for the 13-year-old Konwicki three weeks ago when he became a national champion.
He won every race he entered at the the Canadian Youth Long Track Championships in Red Deer and last month in Fort St. John he joined forces with the Zone 8 team at the B.C. Winter Games and was a frequent flier to the medal podium.
In long track, Konwicki took gold in the seven-lap mass start event and snagged bronze in the Olympic-style 500-metre race. In short track, he placed second in the 400m and the 2,000m points race.
There was more in store for the Grade 8 Kelly Road Secondary School student at the closing ceremonies in Fort St. John. Konwicki was selected for the W.R. Bennett Award from more than 1,000 athletes who competed in 15 sports at the three-day Games. He became the first Cariboo-North East (Zone 8) athlete ever to win the Bennett award, which is based on past and current athletic achievements in one of the BC Winter Games sports as well as leadership qualities and community involvement.
“It was a great experience, it was one of my first big team competitions where it’s not just you, it’s everybody as a whole,” said Konwicki. “It’s kind of like a miniOlympics, the first really big stepping stone for me to get to that point.”
Konwicki first became interested in speed skating when he watched Canadian skaters Charles Hamelin, Gilmore Junio and Denny Morrison compete and win medals at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
He eventually wants to move to Calgary to train with the national team in the Olympic Oval program. He has his sights set on
the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island and due to the fact he was born in October he is also eligible to compete in the 2027 Canada Winter Games. The cutoff birthday cutoff for speed skating is July 1 and Konwicki has competed in the 12-year-old age category in the 2019-20 season, which ends with the provincial short track championships in Abbotsford, March 14-15.
Konwicki was the lone Blizzard skater at the youth long track event in Red Deer, Feb. 8-9, and won the overall 12-year-old male title in his first-ever national competition. Skating on the refrigerated outdoor oval used for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, he won the 300m mass start, 1,500m mass start and seven-lap mass start events and also claimed gold in the 500m Olympic race.
“That was so unexpected, I didn’t think I was going to place that way,” he said.
Four other Blizzard skaters - Pareesa Jones, Christopher Earl, Nolan Vansickle and Theo Clarke - raced for the 10-member Zone 8 team.
“This was the first Winter Games we’ve done dual-discipline, short track and long track,” said Zone 8 coach Taryn Vansickle. “Usually the Winter Games are short track but because of the facility they added the long track component. Some skaters from outside the north had never seen or skated on a long track surface. It was really exciting to see how these kids did.
“Several of the (Zone 8) skaters did personal bests in every distance, even though they were not in the top bracket of skaters. They’re still getting faster.”
One male and one female athlete from each of the eight regions were picked for the Coast Capital Savings Leadership Bursary and Nolan Vansickle was the CaribooNorth East male athlete selected.
Morrison, a three-time Olympian who won long track medals in 2006, 2010 and 2014, was on hand to conduct a pre-competition clinic to go over some of the basics of long track with the B.C. Games skaters.
Zone 8 finished fourth in the overall medal standings with 53, winning 21 gold, 18 silver and 14 bronze. Vancouver-Coastal topped the medal count with 111.
track events set for Masich
The BC Track and Field Championship Jamboree will be held in Prince George in 2021.
The Prince George Track and Field Club is the official host in partnership with the city and the event will be held at the newly refurbished Masich Place Stadium.
Zone 8 representative Cathy Johnston along with the Prince George Track and Field board got the official approval from the BC Athletics Bid Committee last week.
More good news comes to athletes of all ages as the club also announced the 2020 BC Masters Championships will be held in conjunction with the Spruce Capital meet from June 12 to 14.
“We are hoping hosting these highlevel events will rally the community volunteers to be ready for the 2022 BC
Summer Games,” Elena Thomas, president of the Prince George Track and Field club, said.
While the provincial jamboree will be held in 2021 in Prince George, Nanaimo will hold the event in 2022 and 2023.
The date for the 2021 BC Track & Field Championships Jamboree has been tentatively set for June 25 to 27, 2021.
Some of Masich Place Stadium’s new or renovated features include a resurfaced rubber eight-lane track, a synthetic infield turf with a built-in shock pad, and revamped jumps and throwing areas. Work is also currently underway to refurbish Masich Place Stadium even further by upgrading amenities including the field lighting and irrigation, replacing the score clock and PA system, enhancing washrooms and improving the bleachers and other site furnishings. This work is currently underway at the stadium.
Citizen staff
CAC names new artist-in-residence
Citizen staff
Prince George artist Erin Stagg has been named the Community Arts Council of Prince George and District’s artist-inresidence for 2020.
Stagg is a self-taught acrylic painter, who is best-known for her paintings of the B.C. landscape.
“I grew up with the outdoors being my safe space,” Stagg said in a press release. “Now, I want to give other people a glimpse into the everyday beauty that you can find in our exceptional country.”
Stagg, who is Métis, has been a professional artist since 2015 and her art business was named the P.G. Chamber of Commerce’s Top Indigenous Business of 2019.
Her work has been displayed in galleries from Prince George to Seattle, and is found in private collections in Canada,
the U.S. and Europe.
The artist-in-residence program offers the artist a no-cost studio space at Studio 2880, at least one feature gallery exhibit and additional support and promotion.
“This past year was really a unique experience in having art instruction focusing on youth being a core element of Donna Morrison’s residency, and when we reviewed the applications for this year, Erin’s unique style really stood out to us,” Community Arts Council executive director Sean Farrell said in a press release.
“Erin is an ambitious artist with a strong desire to develop her career. As a Métis artist and member of the Northern Indigenous Arts Council, we are excited that Erin will make the Indigenous connection to nature a central feature of her residency.”
Erin Stagg has been named the 2020 Prince George and District Community Arts Council’s Artist-in-Residence.
Miracle Theatre’s The Birds and The Bee is enjoying a successful extended run that will continue until March 11 at ArtSpace, located above Books & Company.
Anne Laughlin, producer, and Ted Price, director, know the continued demand means more funds raised for the Children of Prince George Fund, which is under the trusteeship of the Prince George Community Foundation.
From last year’s production of Halfway There, they raised more than $84,000 and the goal is to reach $150,000 with proceeds from The Birds and The Bees.
Tickets are available for the additional performances at Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave., or by calling 250-563-6637.
History awards handed out Miracle Theatre fundraiser play held over again
The Exploration Place has been awarded the Jeanne Clarke Local History Award for Service for its exhibit Mary Gouchie: Hubodulh’eh, which was held Sept. 15 2019 to Jan. 6, 2020. The award honours Gouchie posthumously. The exhibit’s focus was on the prominent elder’s commitment to language revitalization of the Lheidli T’enneh dialect of Dakelh that Gouchie helped to document with the written and spoken language. Curt Garland was honoured with the Publication Award (Local) for his book Uphill Both Ways, which describes his experience from owning a single truck to present day successes with Lomak Bulk Carriers and the Hester Creek Estate Winery.
MirAclE ThEATrE
Until Wednesday, March 11 at 8 p.m. every night except Mondays with shows on Sundays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at ArtSpace, above Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave., Miracle Theatre presents the comedy The Birds and the Bees, a full-length professional theatre production. Proceeds from the show will be donated to the Children of Prince George Endowment Fund under the trusteeship of the Prince George Community Foundation. This new endowment fund for local charities was established with $84,039 donated from Miracle Theatre’s last production. Tickets are $34 each at Books & Co. or call 250-563-6637. For more, visit www.miracletheatre.ca.
YMcA MEgAThon
Saturday, March 7 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the YMCA of Northern BC, 2020 Massey Dr., everyone is invited to join the YMCA Megathon 2020. Join the Northern BC YMCA in building a healthy community and take a fitness challenge and collect pledges to raise money to support YMCA Strong Kids. Participate in a variety of fitness classes and be a hero for local children. We believe health is a right, not a privilege. One in five children receive financial assistance to participate in YMCA camps and programs, thanks to our YMCA
Tyler McCreary accepted a Publication Award (Regional) for his book Shared Histories: Witsuwit-en-Settler Relations in Smithers, British Columbia, 19131973. The book talks about the development and eventual destruction of a Witsuwit’en settlement along the fringe of Smithers, British Columbia.
Ross Hoffman, a UNBC professor of First Nations Studies, accepted the Publication Award (Regional) for Song of the Earth: The Life of Alfred Joseph. Song of the Earth chronicles the life of Alfred Joseph, a Witsuwit’en hereditary chief who grew up in Hagwilget, on the Bulkley River near Hazleton. Alfred Joseph was the leading plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision in Delgamuukw-Gisday Wa v. British Columbia, which relied on the testimony
AROUND TOWN COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Strong Kids Campaign. Call 2405629341 or visit nbc.ymca.ca
SEEdY SATurdAY
Saturday, March 7 from 9:30 to 3 p.m at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 3590 Dufferin Ave., Seedy Saturday - From the Ground Up, sees a local seed swap, seed and bulb sales, exhibitors, vendors, workshop activities for young and old. Admission by donation. There is a lunch concession by Sassafras Savories. Call 2506407242 or email communications@ ddbotgarden.bc.ca
ShowcASE rEciTAl
Saturday, March 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Vanier Hall, 3901 Griffiths Ave., the 69th Annual Prince George Music Festival will showcase their most memorable performances from junior participants as selected by the adjudicators. Admission is by donation. The gala concert will take place later that same evening from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for
of Joseph and other hereditary chiefs to establish Indigenous rights to land title.
The final Publication Award (Regional) went to journalist Jessica McDiarmid for the book Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Brenda Wilson accepted the award on behalf of McDiarmid, who was unable to attend.
Wilson is the sister of Ramona Wilson, who disappeared from Smithers in 1994 at the age of 16. Tragically, her remains were found 10 months later.
The Jeanne Clarke Award is presented annually to individuals or groups for outstanding contributions in the preservation and promotion of local and regional history in the categories of publication and service.
children and seniors available at Books & Company or at the door.
AcTivE living MArkET
Saturday, March 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pine Centre Mall, 3055 Massey Dr., the Spring Active Living Market for the City of Prince George showcases sport, arts, cultural or educational programs available to residents. This is a great opportunity to do all spring and summer program shopping at one time and place. Find out more at www.princegeorge.ca/ recreation
Email marta.gregor@princegeorge.ca or call 250-561-7798.
hiSTorY TAlk
Sunday, March 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum, 850 River Rd., Ghost Towns on the East Line author Ray Olson will offer Power Point presentations, stories, discussions, and great fellowship. Olson is a dynamic speaker with many interesting stories and images to share. There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be served. For more information visit www.pgrfm.bc.ca.
woMEn’S dAY BrEAkfAST
Tuesday, March 10 from 7 to 9 a.m. at
Area pair picked for Big Brother Canada show
Citizen staff
Two contestants from northern B.C. are part of the cast of Big Brother Canada’s eighth season.
Prince George resident Micheal Stubley, 25, will competing for the $100,000 grand prize alongside fellow northerner Rianne Swanson, 29, of Chetwynd.
The spin-off reality TV series, based on the U.S.-based show Big Brother, features 16 contestants scheming and competing in challenges to avoid being eliminated.
According to a biography posted on Global’s website, Stubley is an infantryman in the Canadian Forces who recently took part in special forces training. Swanson is an operating room nurse.
the Ramada Prince George, 444 George St., everyone is invited to the 2020 International Women’s Day Breakfast hosted by the Ramada Prince George and MLA Shirley Bond. This event will feature stories from two inspirational women from the Prince George community. Tickets are $30 and available for purchase at the Ramada Plaza. Proceeds will support community programs. Contact: 250-561-5685.
BluES concErT
Wednesday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St., Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne will host a workshop to give the history of Boogie Woogie music, followed by a concert at 7 p.m. by Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne and the Last Calls who are Joe Daniels, Colin Hines and Justin Gendreau, with special guest Brin Porter. $25 admission. For more information visit www.ominecaartscentre. com.
MuSic AT TriniTY
Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m. at the old Knox United Sanctuary, 1448 Fifth Avenuethere is live musical entertainment offered featuring the Prince George Ukelele Group, the Elder Citizens Recreation Association Gospel Singer and other guests. Admission is by donation.
Citizen staff
Citizen staff
Citizen Photo by James Doyle
Former UNBC star back for fundraiser
Ted Clarke Citizen staff
Kady Dandeneau won’t be totally certain until the team is announced in May or June but there’s a 99 per cent chance she will be playing for Canada this summer at the Paralympics in Tokyo.
“It’s not announced yet but I think it’s safe to say I’ll be on it,” said Dandeneau, the keynote speaker at the Timberwolves Legacy Breakfast next Wednesday morning at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.
“It’s the dream of athletes, the pinnacle of a career to become a Paralympic athlete, and that’s what everyone is striving for. Anytime you’re ever able to represent your country and you get to be those select few who gets that opportunity it’s an honour. I’m hoping to get out there and wear the maple leaf and do Canada proud.”
The former star of the UNBC Timberwolves basketball team is entering her fourth season with the national team program, having adapted her game as a sit-down shooter in a wheelchair after her career as a standup athlete was cut short by a knee injury.
Dandeneau currently attends the University of Illinois at Urnbana-Champaign, where she is in her first year of a two-year masters program in kinesiology. She graduated UNBC’s biomedical program and was recruited to Illinois on an athletic scholarship. She plays in the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Association for the U of I Fighting Illini women’s team, and they’re shooting for the NIWBA national championship in Wichita, Kansas, March 19-21. Dandeneau chose Illinois to continue her studies because the coach of the team, Stephanie Wheeler, is the former Team USA coach who won the Paralympic tournament in Rio de Janeiro in 2018. Dandeneau’s career as a small forward with the Timberwolves spanned six seasons, from 2007-13. She twice led the T-wolves to provincial championships (2008 and 2012) when the team played in the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association and was a two-time BCCAA all-star and CCAA all-star. She was leading the league in scoring in January 2010 when she collided knee-on-knee with an opponent and suffered an ACL injury which sidelined her for five games. Dandeneau came back for the final regular season games and while practicing for the playoff she suffered a catastrophic injury which tore her ACL, damaged her MCL and broke part of her femur. She’s had three knee operations and one hip
surgery to repair the damage, and her condition will get progressively get worse with time.
Dandeneau decided to take the 201112 season off and came back to play two more seasons at UNBC but she was unable to play to the level she reached before her injuries. She returned to her home in Pender Harbour, where national wheelchair basketball team coach Tim Frick also resides, and in 2015 he convinced her to give the wheelchair game a try.
“I basically had to relearn a sport I was pretty good at it and I had to start at square one and that was pretty frustrating at first,” she said. “You know what you want to do but I just couldn’t do it because I didn’t know how to work a chair. But I stuck with it and I think I’ve gotten lot of good things out of the sport.
I’m enjoying it and I’m much closer to where I want to be as a player.”
Dandeneau, who rates at 4.5 (minimally disabled) on the 1.0-4.5 classification spectrum, started out playing for the BC Royals co-ed club team and BC Breakers women’s team in Vancouver. By 2017, her star qualities as a deadly-accurate shooter had returned and she made the senior national team. Dandeneau helped the Canadian women to a fifth-place finish at the 2018 world championship and last year led Canada to gold at the ParaPan American Games in Lima, Peru.
Her co-ed club team, the Toronto Rollin’ Raptors, won the Division 2 National Wheelchair Basketball Association championship in Cleveland, Ohio and placed third with Team BC at the Canadian championship. In each of those events she was selected the tournament MVP.
“I’ve gotten to go to lot of places and travel a lot so it’s been pretty cool ride so far,” said Dandeneau. “Just getting a second chance to play basketball after a devastating injury, I couldn’t ask for more. I had a great time at UNBC. I loved the school and loved the program. The city of Prince George was always so supportive of the UNBC program and it was so much fun playing home games because we always had the best crowds. People would say hi to me and congratulate me for a great game when I was grocery shopping. It just goes to show what kind of community Prince George has and I’m really excited to come back and in a small way give back to them.”
The Legacy Breakfast is the Timberwolves Alumni Association’s biggest annual fundraiser. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. and the breakfast starts at 7.
Keep the Name, poll FiNds
The recent debate whether to rename Kelly Road Secondary School to Shas Ti (Grizzly Path) Secondary sees the Prince George Citizen online poll put the question to our readers.
We asked “are you in support of the proposed name for the new high school currently under construction in the Hart?”
The nays have it with 64 per cent and 1,268 votes saying “no, it should be Kelly Road - the same name as the old school, followed by “no, there should be more public consultation before a new name is chosen,” with 21 per cent and 420 votes.
On the flip side, 12 per cent and 245 votes came in for “yes, Shas Ti (“Grizzly path”) Secondary is a great way to acknowledge the Lheidli T’enneh,” and trailing was “yes, since the old building is being demolished, the new building should have a different name,” with three per cent and 52 votes.
There was a total of 1,985 votes. Remember this is not scientific poll.
Next question is “do you support the 3.44 per cent increase in city taxes for 2020?”
To make your vote count visit www.princegeorgecitizen.ca.
Mr. PG now a senior
SENIORS’ SCENE
KATHY NADALIN
I recently met with Clasina Van Adrichem and her Monday afternoon Catholic Women’s League knitting group from the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish. I heard news that they were doing a very special knitting project for our very own Mr. PG. I discovered that Erica Fortch, Edna Cutway, Clasina, Georgia Roque, Barbara Wallace, Helen Dery, Sally McLean, Sue Wardlaw, Nichole Lavoie and Joy Cotter were preparing a nice surprise for Mr. PG’s 60th birthday party.
These creative ladies quickly pointed out and suggested that Mr. PG will soon be a Prince George senior and that he deserved a page in my Seniors’ Scene column to officially welcome him into the ranks as a senior in our community.
This idea for my column and the work that these ten creative seniors were doing intrigued me immediately. Here is the story.
The ladies are volunteers and they have been meeting as a group at the Fort George Manor for two hours a week for the past two years.
They knit or crochet prayer shawls, hats, mittens, slippers, blankets, lap blankets and socks for the needy, the shut-ins and those who are ill or in distressed circumstances.
Clasina said, “We all donate the yarn and we distribute the items as needed. All of our completed items are a work of prayer and love.
“We laugh and our conversations are lively and fun while we work. We start out all of our meetings with a dedicated prayer, followed by a special prayer for the people who will receive our gifts.”
The ladies are currently knitting scarves for the Mr. PG stuffies that are available for sale at Exploration Place located at 333
this knitting group is working on a special surprise for Mr. pG’s 60th birthday.
Becott Pl. in the Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Once the scarves are knit, they will be attached to the Mr. PG stuffies and packaged complete with a special limitededition collector pin that is being created for the 2020 World Women’s Curling Championship being held from March 14 to 22 at the CN Centre in Prince George.
To celebrate the 60th birthday of Mr. PG, Exploration Place has recently completed a new exhibit all about our iconic Mr. PG mascot. The exhibit celebrates his first public appearance on May 8,1960, at a Rotary International conference that was being held at the late Simon Fraser Inn.
Mr. PG was first created in 1960 depicting a big wooden lumberjack to promote our forest industry and to represent the city of Prince George.
Over the years Mr. PG was featured on a postage stamp, mentioned in songs and appeared in parades winning second prize
in the Pacific National Exhibition. He also appeared in the 1963 Grey Cup parade in Vancouver.
Mr. PG has evolved to greater heights over the years. The now 8.13 metre (27 feet) mascot - still symbolizing the importance of the forestry industry to our city - stands at the intersection of Highways 16 and 97 greeting visitors to northern B.C.’s largest city.
For more information on the Mr. PG exhibit, head to Exploration Place and contact the head curator Alyssa Leier or the assistant curator Chad Hellenius. Alyssa and her staff assembled the Mr. PG exhibit and she can tell you all about the many artifacts being held at the museum that did not make it into the exhibit.
***
March birthdays that I know about:
Caroline Nadalin, Frank Manfredi, Elaine Hughes, Karen Nielsen, Lois Keim, Rita Sexsmith, Janice Arndt, Linda Meise,
United Way campaign UnderWay
The United Way of Northern BC is launching a fundraising campaign focused on small and medium businesses on Thursday.
Under the 365 Small Business Circle campaign, businesses donate $1 per day to support the United Way’s programs.
“We are thrilled to be officially launching the 365 Small Business Circle across northern B.C. With this initiative, we are answering the call for opportunities for small and medium businesses to be able to give back in a very meaningful way in their communities,” United Way of Northern BC executive director Trista Spencer said in a press release. “We are so grateful to our amazing (Small Business Circle) partners in each community – The Oakroom Grill in Prince George as our first-ever... member, and SJA Promotions in Fort St. John as our second member leading the way for
the northeast region of northern B.C.”
The Oakroom Grill will host an open house on Thursday from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. for entrepreneurs looking to find out more about the program. To RSVP via Facebook, go online to https://www.facebook. com/events/2577754219000349/.
“As we welcome members to the circle, we will continue to expand the benefits and develop new opportunities to make this a meaningful connection for the collective,” Spencer said in a press release.
“We’d love to see people at one of our launch events and look forward to sharing this initiative across the region.”
For more information about the 356 Small Business Circle program, go online to www.unitedwaynbc. ca/365sbc/, email info@unitedwaynbc.ca or call 250561-1040.
Doreen Denicola, Kathleen Soltis, Julia Cook, Peggy Vogan, James Dow, Carol Anderson, Colin Arthurs, Eric Davidson, Rose Dorish, Gloria Sintich, Carl Wikjord, Ted Horvath, Ethel Drake, Sandy Houston, Andrea McKenzie (Jr.), Rita Thibault, John Meyer, Esther Swanson, Jo-Ann Pickering, Betty Burbee, Lynn Kedl, Carolyn McGhee, Howard Lloyd, Mavis Bartell, Leonard Paquette, Anna Herbert, Liz Haley, Lil MacGillivray, Alzora Hick, Alice Olesen, Margaret Pearson, Reg Pointer, Robert Krekoski, Janet Dahlberg, Joan Fogarty, Ray Bouffard, Susan Hunter, Bettie Doherty, Alan Dixon, Molly Eberle, Lydia Karl, Gil Rand, Hollis Wood, Clay Danstrom, Debbie Nadeau, Jean Lebrun, Betty Neufeld, Maria Orr, Cherryl Caron and Sue Collison.
Anniversaries: 63 years for Robert and Evelyn DuBois, 54 years for Bob and Myrna Krekoski and 41 years for Bill and Shirley Bond.
Mr. PG party planned
A birthday party is in the works for Mr. PG.
A lunchtime celebration will be held at his home at the junction of Highway 16 and Highway 97 on Fri., May 8 to celebrate his 60th year. On Sat., May 9, a scavenger hunt based out of The Exploration Place will be held in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
Mr. PG will also be featured on the cover of the Spring Active Living Guide, and as part of the Women’s World Curling Championships, the City’s Civic Appreciation event, and numerous other local activities. For these events, the city is working with Tourism Prince George to produce a portable Mr. PG photo backdrop.
The Exploration Place is also planning to refurbish an old Mr. PG phone booth that is located in the Explorers Learning Garden adjacent to the museum, according to a staff report to city council.
The mascot first appeared publicly on May 8, 1960, to welcome delegates to a Rotary International conference at the Simon Fraser Inn. Since then, he has appeared on parade floats, as a phone booth and on a Canada Post stamp.
CL ASSI FIEDS
We thought of you today, But
For
of losing you
That will never go away.
Sadly missed & Lovingly remembered Arne & Lynn
with your
OSCAR ANDERSON passed away February 24, 2020 at the age of 74. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 7 at 2:00pm at College Heights Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Spirit of the North Health Care Hemo Dialysis Unit.
Ross Fitzgerald
June 13, 1938February 26, 2020
On February 26, 2020 we lost Ross Fitzgerald at the age of 81 after a year-long courageous battle with cancer.
Ross was born on June 13, 1938 in Rocky Mountain House, AB to Josephine and William Fitzgerald. Predeceased by Margaret and Jack, he leaves behind his sister Sharon.
He was a loving husband to Cathy for 59 years, proud father to Caroll, Robin and Steven and their partners Wayne, Charlie and Jennifer, and will be dearly missed by his 10 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.
He married Cathy in 1960, and started his lifelong career at BC Electric, then the Power Commission which later became BC Hydro. His career took him and his family to Victoria, Blue River, Vernon, Prince George, Nanaimo and Vancouver, where he retired after 37 years as the Manager of Corporate Safety.
Never one to slow down, Ross then applied his considerable skills and experience helping leaders build better organizations in the public and private sectors through his consultancy work.
Ross was always committed to the communities he lived in, fundraising for needed facilities, staging events like the Corporate Cup, and leading community planning processes. The BC Hydro Power Pioneers was an important focus of his post-Hydro years. He played a huge role in helping chart a vision for their future.
A lot of his and Cathy’s spare time was spent on the track, in the gym, officiating, coaching and cheering on their kids and later their grandchildren. He was an accomplished football player in his younger years, and was an avid runner, competing in many road races and the Vancouver Marathon.
Ross made an impact on many lives and took delight in helping people to achieve their potential. Nowhere were his lessons more profound than in his final year where he fought so hard to stay with his wife and family.
Ross’s departure leaves a big hole in our lives, but he has left us all so much stronger.
The family would like to thank the amazing third floor team at Cowichan District Hospital for their compassionate care and support. Should friends desire, contributions in honour of Ross Fitzgerald may be made to Cowichan Hospice House at cowichanhospice.org. A celebration of life will be planned for later in the spring.
REMEMBRANCES
A Celebration of Life for our beloved Bonnie, who passed away peacefully at home on February 4th, will be held on Saturday, March 21st, 2020 beginning at 1:00 pm at the Bon Voyage Inn, 4366 Highway 16 (West), Prince George, B.C.
Bonnie, a long-time resident of Prince George, was born and raised in Williams Lake, the greatgranddaughter of two pioneering families: The Pinchbecks and Laing-Measons. Thirty years ago, she met the love of her life, Donald J. Mueller and together, their home became the central gathering place for family and friends, which included her five children and Don’s three and their growing families. Bonnie was the heart and soul of the family, a kind, loving and supportive friend to so many, and her passing has left a deep chasm which can never be filled. Left to mourn are her loving husband, Don, children Debbie (Alan), Edward (Tami), Alfred, Cindy, Dan (Liliana), Jason (Rhonda) and Sherry (Bob), and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bonnie’s family thanks you sincerely for all your prayers and support during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prince George Hospice Society at 1506 Ferry Avenue, Prince George, V2L 5H2 or thru their website: www.hospiceprincegeorge.ca
Adam Wojciechowski
February 22, 2020
Adam Wojciechowski of Kamloops, B.C., passed away on February 22, 2020 at 83 years of age. Survived by his loving wife, Beth, children; Jacquie (Lloyd) Schachtel, Tamara (Dean) Facchini, Michelle (Andrew) Watson and Donna Wojciechowski, step children Dean (Jocelyne) Steliga, Deanna Steliga, and Lyle (Chrystal) Steliga; grandchildren; Avery (Simon) Hoffmeister, Delaney Schachtel, Megan and Callie Watson, Jonas Facchini, Kristopher, Elizabeth, Devin, Haylee, Kevin and Kira Steliga; and great grandchildren; Daphne, Konnor and Freija. Survived by his sister Ann Yaholnitsky. Predeceased by; (brothers) Zig and Victor, (sisters) Bessie, Louise, Joey, and Alexandra.
Adam was born in Entwistle, Alberta, served three years in the Air Force, worked at the pulp mill in Hinton and then went to CANFOR Pulp Mill in Prince George. He retired to his acreage on Buckhorn Road in Prince George and from there moved to Lillooet. He finally settled in Kamloops in 2002. He loved sports and enjoyed golfing and curling and was a fan of the Kamloops Blazers - he had wanted to see them make the playoffs this year.
A Memorial gathering for family and friends will be held at the Mt. Paul Golf Club, 615 Mt. Paul Way, Kamloops from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2020. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Kamloops Funeral Home 250-554-2577
Condolences may be sent to the family from www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
It is with relief and sadness that the family of Douglas George Swift announce his passing on February 20th, 2020. He was initially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008 and after a long, debilitating journey, died peacefully, his wife Jean at his side.
Doug is survived by his wife Jean, of 53 years, daughter Kim (Rob), granddaughter Claire and brother Phillip (Margaret). He was predeceased by his son Mark in 1987, his parents George and Joanne Swift and his sister Brenda.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday February 29th, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Grace Anglican Church, on 2640 Goheen Street, Prince George.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or charity of choice.
RICHARD BRUCE
2x48.0
PGC001970
BRUCE,David January24,2020
Itiswithimmensesadnessthatweannouncethat husband,fatherandgrandfather,DavidBruce,passed awaysuddenlyandunexpectedlyonJanuary24,2020,at theageof76.DavewasaformerteacherinEnglandand PrinceGeorge,anavidoutdoorsman,ananimallover (especiallydogs),butaboveall,hewasalovingand dedicatedfamilyman.Hispassinghasleftaholeinour family.Hewillbeforeverinthememoriesofhiswife Colette;sons,Steven(Leslie)andRichard(Shandrea); grandsons,GrahamandLincoln;andotherfamily memberJenna.Davedidnotwantafuneral,butinlieuof flowerswouldhavewelcomeddonationstothePG HumaneSociety.
Ann Ek
It is with great sadness that the family of Ann Ek announces her passing after a brief but courageous battle with cancer on February 26, 2020. Survived by Kristy (Richard), Darryl (Lisa) & Don, 3 grandsons Cameron, Ethan & Connor. Siblings Ellen (Art), Marilyn (Gordie), Cindy (Barry), Patrick, Corrine (David) & Maxine (Les), many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews & friends. Predeceased by Mom & Dad, sister Darlene (Gary).
As per Ann’s request there will be no funeral but a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the BC Cancer Society or the PG Hospice House.
Her spirit will live on in those who’s lives she’s touched.
Bonita Mary (Bonnie) Mueller
DOUGLAS GEORGE SWIFT
VINCENT DAY
2x48.0
PGC001971
DAY,JaniceJ.
January16,1952-February15,2020
Itiswithdeepsadnessthatweannouncethesudden passingofJaniceJosephineDayonFebruary15,2020. Janiceissurvivedbyherlovinganddevotedhusband, Dennis;hersons,PatrickandVincent(Sherry);and grandchildren,Anna,Nick,Hunter,andDawson.Shewas auniquesoulwhospokehermindandlivedlifeonher ownterms.Thereisnodoubtthosewhometherwill rememberher.Sheoftensaid,"weareallinthistogether". Indeed,togetherwearemissingourfamilymatriarchwho livedlifewithpassionandpurpose.Atherrequestthere willbenoofficialservice.Wewillfulfillapromiseto spreadherashesinaspecificmeaningfulplaceinnature thathasmanyfondfamilymemories.
AGNES MAGDELENE LAMANES
August 25, 1928 -
January 11, 2020
It is with sadness that the family of Agnes Lamanes (nee Prazma) announce her passing at the age of 91.
Agnes is survived by her son Brian (Ruth), granddaughters Tara (Eric), Mandi, great grandsons Jack and Mason; brothers Jim, Jerry, Sylvester (Vivian), Tony (Jeannie); sister Lydia and several nieces and nephews.
Agnes was born in Gerald, Saskatchewan. She married George Lamanes in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan in 1951. They moved to BC and settled as longtime residents in Prince George.
Agnes enjoyed writing, sewing, invisible mending, gardening, flowers and spending time with her family.
A private celebration will be held at a later date.
L William Charles Mills (Bill)
May 25, 1938February 22, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce Bill passed away at UNBCH surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine, his daughters, Stephanie (Buc) and Leanne (Brad), his grandchildren, Ryleigh, Wyatt and Alana, his sister, Brenda (Henry) and his brother in law Norm, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Bill’s passions were travel, skiing, and his family. He had many memorable trips with Lorraine and his girls in the summer and enjoyed countless hours of skiing in the winter. Trips to Mexico and many cruises were always something he looked forward to. For many years he enjoyed skiing with his family. Purden Mountain was his second home for decades, where he instructed and ran the rental shop. He always had a story or a joke and could strike up a conversation with anyone he met. He was loved and will be missed by all.
A memorial will be held in early May.
November 1, 1957February 22, 2020
Our beloved Marina left us far too soon after a brief battle with cancer.
She is survived by her parents, Walter and Merlyn Evans, sister Debra (David) Romano, brother Randy (Kimi) Evans, and nephew, Joseph P. Mercier.
Marina was a fearless rebel at heart, traveling the world at a young age, often alone, from the chicken buses of Nicaragua to the sandy beaches of the Canary Islands, and beyond.
She deeply loved her family, friends, and dogs, Cujo and Cajun. Her compassion for others extended from fundraising for the needy in Nicaragua to providing Christmas hampers for some of her less fortunate neighbours at Cluculz Lake.
A heartfelt thank you to Marina’s friends from near and far who comforted her.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the SPCA can be made in Marina’s honour.
BERRY, Georgia Eloise
May 21, 1927-February 24, 2020
Georgia passed away peacefully at hospice house. Predeceased by husband Alf, brother Les, sisters Hazel and Cappy. Survived by Murray (Marge), Myrna (Randy), Leslie (Dave), Nancy (Frank), Judy, Jack (Carol), siblings Florence and Grant, 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Rotary Club Hospice House.
Frances CHROSCINSKI
Feb 28, 1944Feb 26, 2020
I was asked to write the obituary for my Baba and had no clue where to start or how to put my feelings for my baba into words. So I started with the Webster’s dictionary looking up baba. According to that baba means a rich cake soaked in a rum and maple syrup. Another dictionary says it’s a term used for a special person. I suppose both are fitting for my Baba, my grandma.
As a Ukranian the only thing more important than food was family, and most often they went together. Most days often saw Baba crafting…making porcelain dolls, sewing, embroidery, knitting, drawing and colouring. That’s what she enjoyed doing most in her down time. And when there was company over, the cards were always out! Baba loved playing cards and she was good at it. It wasn’t until her last days that she admitted to me she cheats, I guess I need to take over that legacy now haha.
Baba hid her feelings well, stubborn Ukranian, but she was one of the most caring, sentimental people I know. She loved her kid’s, grand children, great grandchildren, and siblings more than words could ever express.
Baba is now dancing up in heaven with Opa, together forever and always.
In loving memory of LEO and MILLIE CONKLIN
Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us everyday, Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Missing you both very much – your family.
Brenda Marina Evans
Edward Fischer Nov 14/35
Ridley Terminals Inc. is currently seeking the following positions for their marine bulk handling terminal, located on the north coast of BC, approximately 16 km from the City of Prince Rupert. Committed to a safe and healthy workplace, Ridley Terminals Inc. provides an excellent working environment for individuals who have a high degree of initiative and are able to assume responsibility.
Heavy Duty Mechanic, Permanent Full-Time
The successful candidate must have an Inter-Provincial ticket (Tradesman Qualifications with l/P standards) with experience in an industrial environment. Good welding and cutting skills are required as well as demonstrated evidence of troubleshooting experience in mechanical, hydraulics, electronics and pneumatics. Experience with Caterpillar equipment an asset.
Journeyman Millwright, Permanent Full-Time
The successful candidate must have an Inter-Provincial ticket (Tradesman Qualifications with I/P standards) with minimum 5 years experience on an industrial site as a journeyman. Troubleshooting experience in mechanical, hydraulics and pneumatics would be considered an asset.
Equipment Operator, Permanent Full-Time
The successful candidate must have experience operating heavy equipment in an industrial environment. Minimum of Grade 12. Equipment operator training through a recognized training school an asset. Valid BC Class 3 driver’s license with air endorsement. Candidates should also have an excellent health, safety and environmental record. The ability to work with a team to achieve results is essential.
These positions offer a very competitive salary and benefits package. Ridley Terminals Inc. provides an excellent working environment for individuals who have a high degree of initiative and are able to assume responsibility. The ability to work with a team to achieve results is essential. Candidates should also have an excellent health, safety and environmental record.
For a complete job description go to: www.rti.ca.
Qualified candidates are invited to mail their resumes by March 8, 2020 to: Ridley Terminals Inc. P. O. Bag 8000, Prince Rupert, BC V8J 4H3 Attention: HR
Ridley Terminals Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals of Aboriginal descent are strongly encouraged to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.
BLACK
R0011800274
3.00x84.0-4C
PG23 / 615595
MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT
Hampton Canada Services Ltd. is currently searching for a full time Maintenance Superintendent to join our Fort St. James Forest Products operation. The Maintenance Superintendent reports directly to the Canadian Regional Operations Manager and is responsible for day-to-day comprehensive maintenance activities for the operation.
The successful candidate will have strong communication, mathematics, organization and problem solving skills. Red Seal certification in industrial mechanics (Millwright) is preferred. Good hand-eye coordination and a strong understanding of mechanical and engineering concepts are required. You should be detail oriented with an ability to meet deadlines and oversee teams, and have advanced knowledge of Microsoft applications (specifically Excel). Familiarity with financial and production metrics, dimension sawmill and planer operations (including maintenance requirements), capital projects and budgeting would be an advantage.
Core responsibilities include: coordinating activities such as cleanup, training, staffing, and tracking the maintenance needs for the facility, working closely with each department to ensure machine centers produce what’s needed to fulfill our customer obligations and ensure that the facility is properly maintained and protected from losses.
We offer competitive compensation, benefits and the potential for advancement and provide equal opportunity for employment.
Resumes will be accepted until March 31, 2020. We wish to thank all those who apply; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please forward your resume to: Anne Currie, Human Resources Assistant Hampton Canada Services Ltd. 503-291-5591 (Confidential Fax) #HRCanada@hamptonlumber.com
Fort St. James Forest Products, Fort St. James BC r0011800274
BLACK PRESS - CLASSIFIEDS
R0011796961
3.00x84.0-BW
PG11 / 615595
RIDLEY TERMINALS INC. ACCOUNTING ANALYST (FULL TIME)
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Ridley Terminals Inc. has an opening for a full time Accounting Analyst.
The successful candidate must have a minimum of three years accounting experience. A degree or diploma or in final stages of completion in Business, Finance, Accounting or a related discipline would be an asset. Professional accounting designation - CPA, CA/CMA/ CGA would be an asset. Experience with computerized accounting systems as well as, proficiency with MS Office (Excel and Word) is essential. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, attention to detail and accuracy and good organizational skills are also required. A complete job description is available at www.rti.ca
This position offers a very competitive salary and benefits package. The ability to work with a team to achieve results is essential. Candidates should also have an excellent health, safety and environmental record. For complete job descriptions go to: www.rti.ca. Qualified candidates are invited to forward their resumes by March 5, 2020 to:
Ridley Terminals Inc.
P. O. Bag 8000, Prince Rupert, BC V8J 4H3
Attention: H.R. Manager
Or by e-mail to: jobs@rti.ca Or fax to: (250) 624-2389
Ridley Terminals Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals of Aboriginal descent are strongly encouraged to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.
Hay/Bales For Sale
Equipment
- CLASSIFIEDS
Certified Millwright
Babine Forest Products is currently searching for a Certified Millwright to join our Burns Lake operation.
The successful candidate will have substantial knowledge of machines and tools, including their design, use, repair and maintenance. You will have experience installing equipment, machines, wiring or programs to meet specifications. You will be confident in determining the appropriate tools or equipment needed to complete a job and must be able to troubleshoot efficiently and be proficient with mathematics.
The demands of this position require that you; are in good physical condition, are able to visualize how something will look after it has been moved or rearranged, have the ability to see details at close range, have excellent manual dexterity and coordination.
Preferred qualifications would be a minimum of 5 years in an in a sawmill environment and certification from a recognized institution. Good verbal and written communication is also necessary for this position.
Babine Forest Products, working jointly with First Nations, provides equal opportunity for employment including First Nation status privileges. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and the potential for career advancement. Hourly rate for this position is per the USW Local 1-2017 Collective Agreement.
Resumes will be accepted until March 23, 2020. We wish to thank all those who apply; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please forward your resume to:
Anne Currie, Human Resources Assistant
Babine Forest Products Limited 503-291-5591 (Confidential Fax) #HRCanada@hamptonlumber.com
Babine Forest Products Limited, Burns Lake BC
The Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) for K1D (Fort St. James Community Forest) is available for review and comment. This is a new FSP that applies to three areas (Witch, Murray Ridge and the Cunningham) within Supply C within the Fort St. James Forest District. This plan can be reviewed Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the KDL office located at 561 Stuart Drive. Questions or comments are received by: John-Paul Wenger, RPF at jwenger@kdlgroup.net (250) 996-8032 ext. 33
Business Personals
