GATEWAY TO THE NORTH - APRIL 2017

GATEWAY

Your community voice for the north!

WEDNESDAY April 19, 2017

NEWS AND EVENTS FOR PRINCE GEORGE AND CENTRAL INTERIOR

Northern FanCon to offer creative career fair Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca

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Fans filled Kin 1 eager to check out the booths and vendors during the second day of Northern FanCon 2016.

ilm and television fans thinking of taking the next step and pursuing a livelihood in the industry will get a chance to learn how to break into the business at this year’s Northern FanCon. Along with the celebrities, cosplayers and gamers who make up the three-day ode to science fiction, fantasy and super heroes, a “creative corner” will be open to all who’ve paid admission to the event, set for May 5-7 at CN Centre in Prince George.

There, a host of B.C.’s film industry professionals will offer up advice to aspiring screen writers, editors, directors, sound engineers and special effects designers. It will also focus on key trades such as lighting specialists, costume design and carpentry.

Likened to a career fair, it will give visitors a chance to ask questions at various booths, as well as attend workshops led by industry experts. Aaron Harrison, who works on the Arrow series as a

prop maker and armour designer, will be among them.

Northern FanCon lead organizer Norm Coyne is also a co-producer of a film based on a Stephen King story about Sherlock Holmes. Part of it will be shot in Barkerville in April and while laying the ground work, Coyne discovered how hard it was to find the help he needed.

“There’s a supply shortage of experienced and available local talent on both sides of the lens,” Coyne said. His next step was to approach Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond in her capacity as Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training. In turn, the ministry has provided $20,000 to help cover the cost.

“I know these guys are going to make it a great success and I’m really excited for the opportunity for young people – and some not so young people – might take a look at for their own careers,” Bond said.

For Coyne, it’s about developing a “creative class” in northern B.C. “To me, it’s actually making sure we affect people in different ways, just not by coming and getting an autograph,” he said.

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GATEWAYnews

Gowns for ‘angels’

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Seamstress creates outfits for stillborn, deceased babies

Christine HINZMANN Citizen staff chinzmann@pgcitizen.ca

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aggie Janssen volunteers to make dresses, suits, bunting bags, hats and booties for a special group of babies.

The tears shed as the outfit goes on and photographs are taken are tears of grief and goodbye. The babies that wear the Prince George seamstress’ outfits died, while in their mother’s womb or shortly after they were born.

“When moms come to pick up the clothing we always have a good cry,” Janssen says, with a soft smile.

“Some moms will come to me and say ‘but the baby was not to term’ and I look at them and say ‘but it was a baby, sweetheart, it’s a baby’ and I hold them and we bawl for 20 minutes. We have a good cry and we talk.”

Janssen has a Facebook page called Angel Gowns by Maggie, so people can find her if they need her.

“I want people to know that if they are in that situation that I’m here,” she says, glancing at her antique treadle Singer sewing machine she uses on occasion.

Stillborn babies at all stages of gestation and neonatal deaths – babies who die shortly after birth – are not as rare as one might think.

— see ‘IT’S ABOUT, page 4

Citizen file photo

Maggie Janssen is a seamstress who creates clothing for stillborn and deceased babies.

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‘It’s about a mother’s love’

Citizen file photo

Some of the baby clothing made by Maggie Janssen hangs on a rack in her shop in Prince George.

— from page 3 There was 131.4 neonatal deaths per 1,000 during the fiscal year from April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015 within the Northern Health Authority region, according to a report provided by Perinatal Services BC. Janssen endured several miscarriages during her first trimesters and said she understands the pain experienced by mothers who lose their babies.

Janssen, who’s been married to Peter for 43 years, now has two adult sons and they each have two children of their own.

About six years ago, Janssen met a lady who knit and crocheted little hats and wraps for dead babies. She quickly got on board to join the cause for three years, but it just got too expensive for her to continue.

Then, she connected with another lady who created dresses and suits for dead babies out of donated wedding gowns.

Janssen reached out to the original founder who provided the service, Michelle Matthews from Washington.

“Michelle was a nurse and she told me she had gotten tired of babies going to the morgue wrapped in paper or wrapped in just a towel so one day she went home and got out her wedding dress and cut it up and sewed the garments and took those back to work,” Janssen says.

She rises from the sofa and makes her way over to a box she has on a shelf.

“This is where it gets really emotional, these are for the really tiny, tiny, tiny babies,” she says, gently cradling an empty bunting bag as if there were already a premie in it. The wrap is about six inches long from the top of the flannelette lined satin hood to the beribboned bottom. She gently

strokes the garment and sighs.

Janssen takes a deep breath to shake herself out of her reverie.

“This is not one of those conversations you can have at the coffee table,” she admits. “A lot of people don’t like it.”

Even though it is an emotional subject and Janssen volunteers her extraordinary sewing skills to this most difficult task, there’s a simple reason why she chooses to do it over and over again.

“I love people.”

In her living room, there’s a wardrobe filled with tiny gowns and suits lined up back to back on tiny hangers waiting for mothers to choose as the first and last garment their baby will ever wear.

The gowns that Janssen offers to mothers and donates to the hospital just have ties in the back so as not to make the garment any more complicated than it needs to be.

These gowns are what Janssen calls resting garments, that the babies are buried in. She says they are not meant for mothers to keep but instead for them to take comfort in knowing the baby is going to his or her final resting place in a gown made with love.

Janssen has a variety of gowns to choose from and many of the bodices are embellished with rhinestones and pearls.

“I’ve always loved the sparkle,” Janssen says with a gleam in her eyes. “I always wanted to be Elvis’s tailor. That was my dream.”

She takes a breath.

“It’s not always tears here, we can laugh, too.”

With every gown, Janssen creates she prays for the family and their lost baby.

“It’s not just a gown, this is for an infant,” said Janssen.

“It’s about a mother’s love and to me it’s all for the love of a child and each one leaves us on angel’s wings.”

GATEWAYnews

First Nations sign deal on Kemess mine Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

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he Tsay Keh Dene, Takla Lake and Kwadacha First Nations have announced their support for the Kemess Underground Mine and a revenue deal with the provincial government.

As municipalities collect annual income from industrial activities within their town borders, these three First Nations will receive regular income from this proposed mine. It was considered one of the final obstacles to getting the Kemess project to the starting line.

The three, who share the unceded traditional territory on which the mine would be built, worked together under the collective title of Tse Keh Nay during negotiations with the provincial government.

“Our agreements and collaboration with Tse Keh Nay underscore B.C.’s commitment to find innovative ways to partner with First Nations on economic development,” said John Rustad, the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation for the province.

“These partnerships create better projects, ensure First Nations benefit from development in their traditional territories and helps provide industry the confidence to invest and create jobs.”

Rustad The mine was initially blocked by the Tse Keh Nay when an open pit design was presented by the mining company of the day.

The environmental impacts of that proposal were such that the aboriginal users of the land refused to allow it to go ahead.

A new mining company proposed a new plan, a rare (in northern B.C.) underground extraction plan to get the gold and copper.

AuRico Metals Ltd. took the proposal to the Tse Keh Nay first for their feedback before actively engaging the provincial government on the exhaustive licensing process.

— see FIRST NATIONS, page 6

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First Nations to benefit from resource development — from page 5 The environmental protections of the underground system were acceptable to the indigenous caretakers.

“These agreements will provide the First Nations a share of mineral tax revenues from the mine after it begins production, and a commitment for ongoing collaboration and engagement on the long-term permitting requirements and operation of the mine,” said Rustad.

“This partnership reflects the province’s commitment to ensuring First Nations benefit from resource development in their traditional territories, and have opportunities for meaningful in-

put into how projects are planned, developed and operated.”

He added that the province and Tse Keh Nay “have also committed to work together through a government-to-government agreement” to help address other Tse Keh Nay interests related to the proposed Kemess Underground Mine, including collaborating on potential land management measures for culturally important areas near the mine; helping to identify training programs to help prepare Tse Keh Nay members for jobs at the mine; and involving the Tse Keh Nay in the safety, management and monitoring of the access road to the mine site.

It is important that we continue to work on a governmentto-government basis with respect to any proposed developments in lands that our people have traditionally occupied and used since time immemorial.

— Chief Donny Van Somer Chief John French of the Takla

Lake First Nation said that for his people “this is about translating our title and rights into: No. 1 strength among Tsay Keh Nay Nations; No. 2 good First Nation-Crown governance and No. 3 getting our share of the wealth from resource development in our Territories. We will use these agreements as incremental and empowering step to further our prosperous Nation.”

Chief Donny Van Somer of the Kwadacha Nation agreed.

“We are pleased that we have reached an agreement with the Province of British Columbia to share in the mineral tax benefits from the Kemess Underground project,” he said. “It is important

that we continue to work on a government-to-government basis with respect to any proposed developments in lands that our people have traditionally occupied and used since time immemorial.”

The Kemess Underground project is located about 430 kilometres northwest of Prince George in the Peace River Regional District.

It is about six kilometres from a previous mine site known as Kemess South that ceased operations in 2011.

After a five-year development phase, the $684-million project is expected to produce approximately 25,000 tonnes of ore per day over a 13-year period.

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First Nations Court coming to Prince George Barbara LATKOWSKI Citizen staff blatkowski@pgcitizen.ca

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Christina Draegen, northern regional manager of the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of B.C., is hopeful that a First Nations Court will be implemented in Prince George by the end of 2017.

irst Nations Court is in the final stages towards becoming a reality in Prince George later this year.

The initiative is in its final stages with a business plan being put together with no date set for final approval.

“We want to be optimistic that this will be approved for 2017,” said Christina Draegen, northern regional manager of the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of B.C. Currently, there are four First Nations Courts in B.C. – in Kamloops, New West-

minster, Duncan and North Vancouver.

“We are the hub of the north,”said Draegen. “It’s our time now. This is a reflection of the reality of the severe overrepresentation of our indigenous people in correction centres.”

Approximately 11 per cent of the population of Prince George is aboriginal.

Aboriginal adults accounted for nearly one in four (24 per cent) of admissions to provincial correctional facilities in 2013-2014, but the numbers are steadily increasing.

“Over the last three years, we’ve seen a 30 per cent increase of indigenous incarceration,” said Draegen.

— see ‘THIS SYSTEM, page 9

GATEWAYnews

‘This system is not working effectively’ — from page 8 “There could be various reasons for this, including fetal alcohol syndrome and mental illness,” Draegen added.

The goal of First Nations Court is to apply an aboriginal perspective to sentencing using a holistic and restorative approach, focusing on healing rather than punishment.

“We are a helping hand for justice. Our native courtworkers continue to witness how many people end up in a revolving door within the current criminal justice system which brings us to the conclusion that this system is not working effectively.

Something has to be done in an effort to improve outcomes,” said Draegen.

In First Nations Court, the accused must plead guilty.

“The difference between provincial court and First Nations Court is that provincial court is punishment focused while First Nations Court sees the person’s value while

supporting them through a healing plan,” Draegen said.

“We want to restore their inner spirit as many spirits have been broken because of history or intergenerational trauma including the legacy that residential schools have left behind.”

Once established, the First Nations Court will be based out of the Prince George courthouse.

During a hearing, all stakeholders will gather around a circular table to discuss the case, including the judge, defense counsel, Crown counsel, probation officers, family, chief, elders, a native courtworker and community resource and support workers.

“Once a healing plan is put in place, there will reviews and follow up with the client to see how they are doing,” Draegen said.

Elders play a big role in the client’s healing process.

— see POSITIVE OUTCOMES, page 10

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Positive outcomes seen — from page 9 “Many of our clients are stuck in oppressive behaviours and we want to stop these oppressive cycles. Elders can help them reconnect to their indigenous culture and values,” she said.

Steps to bring First Nations Court to Prince George began in 2015.

“We held three meetings in Prince George to gauge the community’s interest and we received overwhelming community support. This is a huge thing. We are influencing history. If it wasn’t for the collaborative efforts of our stakeholders and working group, we wouldn’t be experiencing such success in bringing our efforts to Prince George,” Draegen said.

“And from feedback from courtworkers in existing First Nations Courts, we know that this is making a positive influence with positive outcomes.”

Draegen remains determined in taking

When identity is restored, it builds inner strength.

We deserve to break free from oppression, have an improved quality of life and empowered future.

— Christina Draegen whatever steps necessary to get the local court started.

“I’m passionate about my people. I am proud of our culture and I want to continue to promote reconciliation,” said Draegen.

“When identity is restored, it builds inner strength. We deserve to break free from oppression, have an improved quality of life and empowered future.”

GATEWAYnews

Valemount ski resort gets gov’t approval

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Citizen staff ackers of Valemount Glacier Destinations ski and sightseeing resort and the provincial government have signed a master development agreement, signaling Victoria’s approval of the project.

The 60-year agreement is a land-use contract between the two.

It allows construction and development to proceed toward an opening in December 2018.

The project’s first phase will cost an estimated $100 million.

To be located just west of Valemount, it will feature year-round glacier skiing and gondola access for alpine sightseeing with access to mountain top elevations of more than 3,000 metres (9,850 feet), including the summits of Mount Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Twilight Glacier, Glacier Ridge and Mount Arthur Meighen.

It will also feature the largest vertical drop in North America – and third largest in the world – of more than 2,000 metres (6,726 feet), and a base-area village with residential, hotel and commercial space In all, 800 full-time jobs that will be created and supported through the construction and operation of the resort.

“Its glaciers, scenery and year-round snow sports potential, with the biggest vertical in North America, will make it a great tourism destination in British Columbia and a complement to Jasper National Park,” said Valemount Glacier Destinations Ltd. president and CEO Oberto Oberti in a statement issued last month.

Agreements signed with the Simpcw First Nation allow the Simpcw to share in revenues generated from the resort, which is located in its territory. It should also create an economic boon for Valemount, a community of 4,500 people east of Prince George near the Alberta border.

Valemount mayor Jeannette Townsend called the resort an “exciting, unique opportunity for our community to attract global tourists and help build a prosperous future.”

Call 250-562-3301 to advertise in Gateway today

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GATEWAYnews

CP file photo

A grizzly bear fishes along a river in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola, B.C., on Sept. 10, 2010. The Conservation Officer Service is warning residents to keep their garbage locked up and away from hungry bears.

Trouble bruin Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca

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oth the Conservation Officer Service and Northern Bear Awareness are emphasizing a need to keep garbage out of reach as bears start to emerge from a long winter’s sleep.

“They’re hungry and searching for food,” deputy chief conservation officer Chris Doyle said Thursday during a teleconference with reporters.

“The Conservation Officer Service is already receiving complaints of bears in conflict (with people) and insecure garbage continues to be a strong attractant for bears,” Doyle said.

— see BEARS WILL, page 15

GATEWAYnews

Bears will remember food source locations — from page 14 “So we’re reminding residents and businesses to do their part by containing garbage and other attractants in bear-proof containers or buildings,” Doyle added.

It’s an offence under the province’s Wildlife Act to negligently store items that may attract dangerous wildlife, Doyle added.

Northern Bear Awareness Society president Dave Bakker said there have been only a handful of sightings in the last month or so, “but we’re in the beginning stages of them getting out and about.”

Bakker stressed getting ahead of the game by starting to store garbage in a garage or shed where bears can’t get at it. Likewise, he suggested bird feeders be taken down and cleaned up, or put in areas where they can’t be reached.

“Bears are very intelligent, they don’t forget, and if you had a bear visiting your particular area last year, chances are that bear is going to come back because it remembered where a food source was,” Bakker said. “They don’t entirely rely in their sense of smell, it’s also ‘hey, I remember where that was.’”

A single homeowner’s failure to take the proper steps means inviting a bear not just into a yard but into an entire block, he said.

“If there’s one garbage can that’s left out and all the others are secured in a shed or whatnot, that bear is going to visit the whole neighbourhood because it’s found food in one area and it says ‘well, I’m going

Bears are very intelligent, they don’t forget, and if you had a bear visiting your particular area last year, chances are that bear is going to come back because it remembered where a food source was.

— Dave Bakker, Northern Bear Awareness Society to check here, check there, type of thing,’” Bakker said.

Bakker is hopeful the abundance of natural food bears enjoyed last year will continue this year, which should also help keep them away from the city’s homes.

Doyle also raised the problem of so-called “bear jams,” caused when motorists slow down or stop to watch the bears as they feed along highways, where vegetation will often green up sooner than in other places.

“These bear jams create hazards for other motorists as well as the bears,” Doyle said.

“Bears are often approached or fed and they also, at times, dart out into traffic and at times get struck by motor vehicles.”

Doyle asked drivers to refrain from stopping to view the animals, “and of course, to never approach or feed a bear.”

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Artist honours murdered mother with carving Christine HINZMANN Citizen staff chinzmann@pgcitizen.ca

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Lenard Paquette Jackson, a carver, works on an eight-foot totem to honour his murdered mothers’s memory as well as dedicating it to all women who have been lost to violence.

o honour his murdered mother and those who face a similar fate across the globe, master carver Lenard Paquette Jackson, of the Cree Nation, is letting his work send out its message.

“I want to honour my mother who was murdered when I was two and a half years old and other women from around the world who have been murdered, terrorized, and beaten. It’s time for us to stop that. Women should be treated with kindness and respect. They are the life givers.”

Paquette Jackson has almost completed a totem which holds many images symbolizing hope, light and life including an eagle and its baby, a mother grizzly with her cub, a frog and a human.

Paquette Jackson’s mother, Rita Alice Paquette, was murdered in Slave Lake, Alta. in 1956.

“That’s the story I want to interpret into this totem pole,” he said. “I never knew my mother and she needs to be remembered.”

The artist will turn 65 on May 15 and looks forward to then being officially considered a First Nations elder.

He has plans to share his culture proudly with the world, not only sharing his artistic

talents by displaying his totem poles, drums and masks but also preparing full dance regalia so he can perform at events around the country.

“Elders are our most important commodity in the world,” he said.

“Elders really hold their presence about them and should be respected.”

Paquette Jackson is seeking sponsorship that would allow him to showcase the many facets of his talent.

Paquette Jackson creates small drums to share part of his culture with the community.

“The little drums are used for healing purposes and long ago the medicine man might have used them,” he said, shaking one of three small drums like a rattle.

“It’s important to have rhythm because that’s what art is, it’s rhythm and motion.”

He picks up another rattling drum in demonstration and offers more information.

“A shaman might bring a rattle to your home so he can shake out the evil,” he said.

“Evil can come in many forms, it can come in the form of a beautiful woman, it can come in the form of a really nice dog, same with a man.”

Paquette Jackson finds a beat with a little drum and sings a spontaneous song about the creator.

— see ‘IT’S A VERY page 17

GATEWAYnews

‘It’s a very humbling gratitude gift’ — from page 16 “I was singing to the creator, to honour the creator because he’s the only one,” Paquette Jackson said.

“He blessed me with this beautiful gift I have and it’s not a selfish gift, it’s a very humbling gratitude gift.”

Paquette Jackson grasps a copper sculpture and raises it up to the light.

Copper ornaments symbolize wealth and high ranking and some people hang them on the wall while others will use them as ornamental jewelry and wear them around their necks, Paquette Jackson said.

He spends time in the Two Rivers Gallery where he’s carving a commissioned wooden sculpture he’s in the Maker Lab. Beside that space is the open area called the Atrium where all the children’s classes and school programs take place.

Paquette Jackson spends much of his time

there guiding children who come to the Two Rivers Gallery.

“I don’t know what it is but I have this incredible ability to draw the children to me,” he said.

“They just want to learn and they are so creative. In the 1950s and 1960s native people never had the opportunity to share their knowledge but now we’re accepted more and we must educate the children and introduce them to all cultures of people.”

Paquette Jackson’s sun mask temporarily rests within the walls of the Canfor gallery at Two Rivers.

It’s part of an exhibit which marks the 150th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada. The exhibit features work from artists from throughout the province.

The sun mask ultimately symbolizes Kukum, which means grandmother.

— see PASSING ALONG, page 18

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Passing along culture key

Citizen file photo

Carver Lenard Paquette Jackson believes in sharing his culture.

— from page 17 “Everybody knows who grandmother is,” he said. “She just wants to love everyone. This is the soul character of everything living on the Earth.”

The rays of the sun symbolizes clans of the area, beaver, bear, frog, grouse and caribou, he added.

“Since the beginning of time our elders have told stories of our history through the life cycle of neso, which means two,” he said.

“Everything comes in two, woman, man – life giver and provider, animals, birds, ants, everything.”

The sun mask is wrought with symbolism that encompasses man and nature, the creator and how the universe comes together.

Paquette Jackson wants the opportunity to share his knowledge with as many people as he can.

“Passing along as much of our culture is so important,” he said.

“It’s something that should never be lost.”

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Man convicted for neglecting horses Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca

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provincial court judge found a Prince George-area man starved his horses to the point of emaciation

when finding him guilty of animal cruelty charges in relation to a herd of thoroughbreds seized from his property six years ago.

In a lengthy decision, provincial court judge Victor Galbraith also found that even

if Stephen Thomas Johnson, 58, did not initially notice their state, he failed to act when warned of their condition by SPCA constables.

In all, 15 of 22 horses on Johnson’s ranch were seized on March 15, 2011, and taken to Prince George Equine Rescue after SPCA constables first visited the property two months earlier.

Evidence presented during the trial showed a handful of the horses with swollen limbs, poor hooves and problem teeth.

But Galbraith found there was no evidence to show the trouble had reached the level where the animals were actually lame or in distress as a consequence.

“I find that the level of care may well have fallen below what the SPCA deems appropriate, but not to such a degree that it would constitute an offence,” Galbraith said.

In all, 15 of 22 horses on Johnson’s ranch were seized on March 15, 2011, and taken to Prince George Equine Rescue after SPCA constables first visited the property two months earlier.

However, Galbraith did find Crown prosecution proved the core of its case that the horses were not being fed enough.

On that aspect, Galbraith accepted testimony from two veterinarians who performed “hands on” assessments of the animals’ condition.

— see HORSE OWNER, page 22

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Horse owner ignored vetrinarians’ advice — from page 20 Two of those assessments were carried out when the horses were still on Johnson’s property and two afterwards.

They variously found horses in thin, poor condition with protruding ribs and vertebrae and no palpable fat. One horse in particular would have had trouble performing everyday bodily functions and its immune system compromised to the point of being susceptible to disease.

The veterinarian believed it would have taken months of poor care for it to reach that state.

All of the horses seized rated 2.5 or less on the Henneke scoring system for assessing a horse’s

body condition. The veterinarians agreed the system is subjective but they worked to be accurate within 0.5 to one point.

In part, Johnson’s defence relied on testimony from a fellow horse owner, Howard Jackson, whose testimony was based primarily on photographs although he had visited the property to check on his own horses kept there.

Summarizing his testimony, Galbraith said Jackson told the court the horses were in less than perfect condition but nothing unusual for thoroughbreds kept over the winter in ranch conditions, given that they’re less hardy than other breeds.

Jackson also noted some of

He characterized some veterinarians, at one point, as ‘city girls with no agricultural background who live in a fantasy land.’

— Judge Victor Galbraith the horses were running on the day of the seizure, a sign in his experience they were not starving.

Galbraith found Jackson’s opinion “rather extreme” in the sense that he doesn’t consider a horse

starving until it can’t stand up on its own.

Galbraith acknowledged Jackson’s decades of experience raising horses but also noted he lacks formal medical or scientific training and showed a lack of respect for veterinarians.

“He characterized some veterinarians, at one point, as ‘city girls with no agricultural background who live in a fantasy land,’” Galbraith said.

While he appreciates that Jackson may not agree with some veterinary practices, Galbraith found his “utter dismissal of persons who are trained professionals does concern me.”

And Galbraith noted that at no

time did Jackson conduct a handson check of the animals like the veterinarians had.

Jackson was at the centre of a controversy in November over the alleged state of horses he had pastured near the airport.

Johnson represented himself and the trial took up more than 40 days over the course of four years.

Johnson was found guilty of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal and failing to provide necessities for an animal under the Criminal Code and causing an animal to continue to be in distress under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. A sentencing hearing will be held in May.

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