The Jasper Local April 15, 2018

a lt e r n at i v e +

LOCAL + independent

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thejasperlocal.com

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sunday, April 15, 2018 // ISSUE 119

“I TOOK THIS SHOT ON THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY. HE WAS SITTING ON A SNOW PILE FROM THE PLOUGH IN A PARKING LOT. BEING A RESPONSIBLE PARK USER, I OF COURSE DID NOT HAND OVER ANY CHEEZIES, BUT I’M WILLING TO BET HE WAS WAITING FOR ONE...” // MARK BRADLEY, BOREAL NATURE PHOTOS

Museum to install permanent geology exhibit The Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives is hoping a new exhibit will become the bedrock of the institution.

“People would be able to touch the rock samples, kids would be able to climb on them,” she said.

Jasper Historical Society board president Warren Waxer and archives manager Karen Byers presented the concept to Parks Canada’s Planning and Development Committee on March 22. Byers said it would be an outdoor, hands-on exhibit.

PDAC member Dale Karpluk supported the educational aspect of the planned exhibit.

The museum is planning to create a geological education area, a permanent showpiece which will pay tribute to a Canadian geologist who conducted much of his field work in Jasper National Park.

Funding for the exhibit comes from a donation from the family of the late, preeminent geologist Eric Mountjoy.

Most of Mountjoy’s research has concentrated on JNP’s Miette area, and in particular on its exposed coral reefs from the Devonian period (395 million years ago).

“I think it’s a tribute to the work at the museum that you’ve got this funding,” she said. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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page A2 // the jasper local // issue 119 // sunday, april 15, 2018

editorial //

Local Vocal What’s in a name?

Town administrators and municipal councillors have been stumped when it comes to naming the Exchange Lands—that parcel of soon-to-be green space adjacent to the Elementary School and the Activity Centre. Since July of last year when the public sent in suggestions, council and staff have been trying to nail down a moniker for the multipurpose outdoor area that would bespeak the park’s key elements and features.

Council even approved an asset naming policy to help guide their decision; they figured the name should fall into one or more of the following categories: historical, geographical, natural features or aspirational.

It hasn’t helped much. What’s included in the “short list” of 22 names which fit under the new policy are pretty dull. Pyramid Park? Too cliché. Graduation Park? Too stuffy. Community Park? Too plain.

A couple of suggestions do jump out, but only for their face palming factor: Three Valley Confluence Recreational Reserve doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, and PAP (Pyramid Avenue Park) definitely gives me the “no” feeling.

Parks should keep its word and save the rodeo

In 1925 the joint efforts of the the indoor rodeo, which was a railroad, local businesses and difficult process.

Parks Canada resulted in the A few years ago we were given the I would have liked Fiddler’s Green a couple of years first rodeo tradition which our present location, which is working ago, before Jasper’s best known Green fiddler became a YouTube star for all the wrong reasons; and community has been proud of well. We kept our word; Parks ever since. In the 1960s Parks while it’s important to honour the fallen, Cenotaph is duty-bound to keep theirs!

Park feels stiff, like putting on a scratchy wool beret. Canada asked the rodeo executive However this is not the case as to move the rodeo from the area per Mr. Alan Fehr’s letter denying Personally, I like the idea of naming a park after next to Whistler’s campground. what we’re aspiring to be and as I ruminate on what this long-term agreement. The They promised us that another that best version of Jasper is, I keep coming back to rodeo only lasts for four days/ site, within Jasper National Park, our community’s diverse makeup and how we open evenings in August and is our arms to newcomers. I think of how our isolation would be made available, all part popular throughout Canada. makes us rely on one another while our international of the fine spirit of joint efforts by Surely visitor noise complaints influences give us a sense of “wokeness.” the town and Parks. We kept our is not justification to end the part of the agreement, utilizing What I’m talking about is pride in this community. tradition of 93 years? // CONT. on a3 As such, I think a new community park, created in The Jasper Local // Jasper’s independent alternative newspaper 2018, should reflect that community pride. And so, 780.852.9474 • thejasperlocal.com • po box 2046, jasper ab, t0e 1e0 here’s my suggestion for the Exchange Lands’ new name (drumroll): Pride Park. It’s simple and unique. Published on the 1st and 15th of each month It’s easy to say, easy to spell. And besides evoking Editor / Publisher the above community qualities many of us here hold Bob Covey.................................................................................... bob@thejasperlocal.com in high regard, it would be a perfect double entendre Art Director Nicole covey......................................................................... nicole@thejasperlocal.com with the nine-year-old Pride Festival, showing that we are proud of our diversity and we honour the work Advertising + sales Email us today...........................................................................ads@thejasperlocal.com being done to foster a sense of inclusiveness.

What’s in a name? In this case, the same as what’s in our constitution: a whole lot of Pride. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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// Local energy

sunday, april 15, 2018 // issue 119 // the jasper local// page A3

SIGNS OF SPRING// DORA BERRY FINDS HER FIRST CROCUS PATCH OF THE YEAR DURING A HIKE TO BUFFALO PRAIRIE APRIL 12. WINTER HAS HAD A LONG GRIP IN JASPER THIS YEAR BUT A CLOSE LOOK AT THE MONTANE REGIONS WILL GIVE HIKERS A REASON TO SMILE. // N COVEY

Valemount to get Canada’s first geothermal power plant A $1.5 million geothermal energy demonstration project will soon be piped into the village of Valemount.

Natural Resources Canada is funding the purchase of three 150kW modules which will turn the earth’s heat under the B.C. community into clean electricity.

“The demonstration geothermal turbines will provide a concrete example of how geothermal energy can be developed in Canadian communities,” said Catherine Leroux of Natural Resources Canada.

Dubbed “Sustainaville,” the project’s goal is to transform Valemount by providing geothermal power to greenhouses, hot pools and commercial buildings.

Borealis GeoPower, a Calgary-based geothermal energy company, has held exploration permits in the Canoe Reach area of Kinbasket Reservoir since 2010.

To fund Sustainaville, the company won a bid from the federal government’s Energy

Innovation Program. The financing allows Borealis to partner with Climeon, a Swedish heat power company recognized for its innovation in climate solutions.

Ultimately, if the drilling in Valemount is successful, more units can be added to increase the amount of electricity produced.

The overarching goals of the project, however, are much more broad.

“The demonstration geothermal turbines will provide a concrete example of how geothermal energy can be developed in Canadian communities,” Leroux said, noting that there are more than 200 project replication sites identified for further exploration.

Local Valemounters have been cautiously optimistic about the news.

“The federal government is interested in small replicable projects,” said Korie Marshall, president of the Valemount Geothermal Society. “It makes sense that they would want to fund small power producing plants.”

bc // With files from The Rocky Mountain Goat

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// LETTER CONT.

We are so fortunate to live in Canada and this marvellous national Park. As Canadians we find the tradition of the outdoor rodeo as much as part of our way of life as Hockey Night in Canada.

Parks Canada: we kept our word, now is your

responsibility to keep yours by allowing us to preserve the tradition of the annual rodeo in Jasper National Park, not only this year but in years to come.

Sincerely, Harry Home, Jasper

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page B1 // the jasper local // issue 119 // sunday, april 15, 2018

Local community//

BEAMING WITH PRIDE:

JASPER’S PRIDE WEEKEND HOSTS 40+ EVENTS The ninth annual Jasper Pride Festival is about kick-off, and organizers expect the town to become an absolute circus.

“It’s the busiest night of the year,” Whistle Stop bartender Craig Mumby said about the annual Pride Festival kick off party. “It’s nuts.”

of Commerce) meeting the hotels are just about at capacity for the festival,” says Bezaire.

“It’s going to be a great party. The board and festival managers have really taken it to the next level this year.”

Bezaire, in addition to his role on the board, is the Jasper TD Bank manager. Jasper TD Bank is hosting a meet and greet at Evil Dave’s restaurant on Friday April 20, at 4 p.m.

From guided bike tours, glacier adventures, trips up the Jasper Like most of the festivities, SkyTram and parties at an array of the meet and greet is a way of JASPER PRIDE FESTIVAL BOARD MEMBERS ARE GETTING READY TO PARTY // BC local venues, Jasper Pride Society reaching out and furthering board member Greg Bezaire says more connection within the LGBTQ2 important to inclusivity,” he said.

Keeping with the festival’s theme, than 40 events make up this year’s community, Bezaire says. this year’s brew is a citrus wheat ale.

Bezaire noted TD was the first large Jasper Pride Bezaire says his own Hints of lemon and lime, Citra hops, institution in Canada to have an Festival, cousin struggled in and pure, natural Rocky Mountain ”We want to give back because all-inclusive hiring policy. TD Bank which runs high school due to a water give the beer a unique profile. of the value we see the Pride remains the title sponsor for the third April 19 – 22. lack of inclusivity in the The brew will wet patrons’ whistles (Society) contributing to our consecutive year of Jasper Pride.

By school.

To Bezaire, those when it debuts on Thursday, April 19, community, illustrating Jasper “We want to give back because of comparison, difficulties emphasized the according to the brewpub’s general as a safe and inclusive place.” the value we see the Pride (Society) last year’s importance of gay-straight manager, Justin Melnyk. contributing to our community, festivities alliances (GSAs). Without “We’re excited to kick it off. We give illustrating Jasper as a safe and had just over an initial introduction to allies, he the funds back to the Pride Society,” inclusive place,” says Bezaire.

20 events, he says. says it’s difficult for people to know says Melnyk. He estimates last year’s This year’s Pride Party theme is “Under Pride activities also include skiing, they have supports within their own donation totalled $3,000. the Big Top.” The circus flavour will be family and youth events. New this community.

Fork and Spoon, a mini-food fest, will “sprinkled throughout” the weekend’s year is the addition of a comedy “He looked at high school as survival, see additional food service partners festivities, Bezaire said. show, motorcycle and food tours, just trying to make it through. He feature their products with a donation art exhibitions and special offers at The Jasper Brewpub will quench wasn’t trying to get good grades, he given to the Pride Festival Society. the Jasper Sky Tram and Pursuit’s was just trying to survive,” Bezaire said. festival goers’ thirst when it debuts For a full Pride weekend itinerary, visit (formerly Brewster) Columbia Icefields a special Pride Beer for the fourth “GSAs help support the community, jasperpride.ca/events.

Centre. consecutive year. and its people. There is no group more evan matthews // evan@thejasperlocal.com “We heard at a (Jasper Park Chamber

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Local poetry //

sunday, april 15, 2018 // issue 119 // the jasper local// page B2

MY HEART IS A STRAY DOG A POEM BY: WILLIE SAUNDERS

My heart is a stray dog, hiding in the shadows It’s wet and it’s hungry. It’s dirty and rude It’s hunting affection. It’s seeking protection.

It’s looking for shelter, it’s searching for food.

And I did what I did And I do what I do It hunts when it can, where it can, what it can It’s shy—now it’s skittish, now playful, now bold Now dancing with breezes and warm summer sunshine Now shivering alone in the dark in the cold And I did what I did And I do what I do Take it in if you want to. If you really really want to.

It’s loyal and trusting. Are you the same?

Because if you betray, it will bite, it will fight.

It will run, it will hide in the shadows again.

And I did what I did And I do what I do LOCAL BARD AND MUSICIAN WILLIE SAUNDERS IS JASPER’S 2018 MAYOR’S POET IN COUNCIL. SAUNDERS RECITED THE ADJACENT POEM TO COUNCIL APRIL 10. // BC

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page b3+B4 // the jasper local // issue 119 // sunday, april 15, 2018

FEATURE // STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVID HARRAP

LURE OF THE FLAME:

Retreating to the fireside for the telling of myths and legends ACCORDING TO CHARLIE BROWN, THERE ARE THREE THINGS IN LIFE THAT PEOPLE LIKE TO STARE AT: A FLOWING STREAM, A CRACKLING FIRE AND A ZAMBONI CLEARING THE ICE. The streams were frozen, the Zamboni was in for repairs, that just left the fire.

As the sun dropped, the snow started to freeze and we walked around collecting firewood without sinking in. Evening fell soft and silent as clouds passing. The gathering dusk, and the first sign of night as an early star came out. We didn’t know which one; we didn’t care, for their names mean little when they’re so far away. If it were the lights of some great city we might want to know the name, for we might want to go there. But who goes to the stars other than dreamers and music makers? Anyway, we were wide awake, our stomachs were rumbling, and we’d left our flute at home under the bed.

The only way to have a fire succeed on top of snow, and not have it drown, is to have a thick base of wood or brush on which to build the fire. In time the fire will sink, but its rate of descent is slowed.

Rather than having our fires suspended in mid-air—floating on water actually—we always tried building the fireplace right on the ground; sometimes we would have to dig a pit over a metre deep just to hit bottom. But tonight we got lucky: we had bare ground and a large rock to build the fire against.

Liam found a dead tree trunk for the bench then set about building the fire.

He took the stub of a candle, set it on the ground, then piled over it dead twigs covered with witches’ hair. He touched the candle with a match and the tinder went up like Chicago, the time when Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over the lamp. Liam fed the fire with larger pieces and put two logs across from one another to hold our little metal grill. When the fire was down to cooking embers he slapped on the pork chops for supper.

After dinner we stoked up a big fire. The snow turned radiant with a mimic flame.

Through the trees came the light of a big moon, and cold shadows strewn across the creek. The fire rock threw the hotness at us, and for once we enjoyed a tropical heat. Many of our winter fires had barely beaten back the frost-line, their comfort

“Fires are for dreaming and poetry, for the losing of yourself in your thoughts, for the speaking of wisdom and the telling of stories.” being purely psychological.

We stared into the fire and saw all sorts of things. If you look carefully you always can. We saw worlds in the flames, a constellation of livid embers in the blackness. Liam saw volcanoes and

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burning caves, I saw pouring molten metal and blast furnaces full of red-hot clinker.

We saw Northern Lights and boiling suns, a circus with roaring lions and dancing bears, and the flushed and sweating face of Bottle Bill, the old bottle collector who lived in our building.

Fires are for dreaming and poetry, for the

losing of yourself in your thoughts, for the speaking of wisdom and the telling of stories. But people don’t go in for fires much these days. If they do, they imprison them behind fireproof glass in black iron boxes with shiny knobs. And you sit around these boxes with the strange flickering lights, and someone says, Isn’t it wonderful having a fire. And you think, This isn’t a fire, this is television.

Fires are fuel for the imagination. For unlike television (what you see is what you see) they provide a sense of wonder and magic. Dancing fairies, raging elephants, erupting volcanoes, burning bridges, sure, just about anything you care to imagine.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy’s face turned by the dancing orange flames to a mirror of golden awe, eyes so intent they shone like opals. Mesmerized by the magic of fire. Charlie Brown was right.

In my looking into flames a whole lost world moved: my childhood home and my brother and I standing naked in front of the living room fire drying ourselves after the bath; sitting in our pyjamas, toasting bread by the living room fire; sleeping by our camp fire in the haunted woods so the bogeyman wouldn’t get us; riding on the footplate in the roasting hot cab of the Sheffield Express Master Cutler, the fireman stripped to the waist, shovelling coal into the roaring gullet as we sped like a flaming arrow along the silver rails; feeling the heat from the bonfire on Guy Fawkes Night as the legs of Guy’s stuffed trousers caught fire; sitting by the braziers of the railway watchmen, warming our hands, eating baked potatoes they shared with us, listening to the stories they told…

“Look Dad!” Liam broke the trance as a great shower of sparks from the orange logs flew upwards into the night.

“Wriggling golden tadpoles!”

Dreamy eyes, peaceful faces, hands absently poking a stick at the embers, sparks spiralling crazily in all directions, the lick of coloured flames at the heels of darkness. The lure of the fire, life retreating out of the cold to the fireside, for the telling of myths and legends.

Sitting for hours, talking, thinking, staring into flames—there is nothing better to a father and son camped in the mountains.

Jasper’s David Harrap is the author of The Littlest Hiker in the Canadian Rockies.

He often carries the distinct aroma of campfire smoke and no matter if he’s near an open flame, always has a glint in his eyes.

David harrap // info@thejasperlocal.com

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page B5 // the jasper local // issue 119 // sunday, april 15, 2018

Local pride //

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sunday, april 15, 2018 // issue 119 // the jasper local// page B6

local health //

SHAPES AND SIZES:

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel uncomfortable in your own skin? Or where no matter what you do you’re not satisfied with the body you live in? Because I have. And I bet that everyone reading this is nodding along too, or cringing and gritting their teeth.

Body love and body positivity are popular these days, so much so that there’s even a hashtag for that! #bopo. But having these conversations in real life can be uncomfortable. So maybe it’s time to shift our mindset from “love your body” to “accept and respect your body.” Maybe then real conversations can ensue.

WHAT IS BODY IMAGE?

Simple - it’s about liking the way that I look...right?

Not so fast. What if a positive body image wasn’t just about looking in the mirror and loving what you see? But instead, spending very little time thinking about how your body looks, because you are too busy living your AMAZING life?

On the flip side, a negative body image could then be described as being so preoccupied with thoughts about your body that it is holding you back from living according to your values. Your self-worth is tied to appearance.

If we get down to the core of body image, it’s not about the body at all. It is in the mind, and oh-so subjective! All shapes and sizes are affected by body image, and these thoughts can change from day to day, or hour to hour, depending on what else is going on in our worlds.

To shift towards a more positive body image, or body acceptance, we have to start with the acknowledgement of reality. The reality that the body you have is yours, and me mine, and that bodies will usually rebel against our best efforts to change them.

your mom just how healthy and happy you are by fitting into that dress. Or maybe you’re up for a promotion at work and instead of feeling excited and confident, you’re drowning in calorie counts and weekly weigh-ins to feel worthy.

Sometimes it is just easier to attack the way that we look and blame body image distress for all our hardships, instead of digging deep and actually feeling all those complicated emotions. But here’s the catch, if you take the easy way out and avoid those emotions, then how do you expect to understand and address them? And so the body bashing cycle continues...

HOW CAN I SHIFT MY MINDSET TO BODY RESPECT?

Taking the first steps towards body acceptance can be overwhelming, so first acknowledge that negative body thoughts are not your fault. We are all victims of diet culture, a culture where looking a certain way has unfortunately been equated with worthiness.

Next, broaden your definition of beauty so that you can stop comparing your body to some sort of wacky standard. (Hint, usually this involves reorganizing your social media accounts.) The value of diversity cannot be understated in education, arts, personal strengths, and community engagement, so why should it be any different when applied to bodies?

Get curious instead of judgmental each time a body bashing thought pops into your head. Try to brainstorm what else could be going on that is contributing to these negative thoughts.

TALK ABOUT BODY IMAGE with your community. The wise and articulate Brené Brown writes that shame needs three things to grow: secrecy, silence, and judgment. Empathy from your trusted loved ones is a very powerful antidote to body shame.

WHAT IS YOUR BODY TELLING YOU?

Start doing things now, you know the things that you’re waiting to do until you love your body?

Go on that trip, call up that girl, apply for that promotion, show up to that yoga class.

BUT YOU’RE A NUTRITIONIST...

WHAT ABOUT FOOD?

Food is a key player in body image. First, in order to respect your body, you need to meet its basic needs, and nourishment is one of them. Second, nutrition is often used as a tool to try and alter our bodies (even though these efforts are often in vain, and upwards of 95 per cent of all diets fail in the long run). And last but definitely not least, food is frequently used as a coping mechanism or a way to self-sabotage when we are having a “bad bodyimage day,” which can quickly lead to an unhealthy relationship with food AND your body.

Imagine how your life would change if you had freedom from body image distress? What would you do with the space and energy you create in your mind?

SPECIAL THANKS FOR INSPIRING THIS ARTICLE: Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C (jenniferrollin.com) Vincci Tsui, RD (vinccitsui.com) Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW (ted.com/talks/brene_ brown_on_vulnerability)

Kirsten Oilund is a registered dietitian and the owner of Jasper Nutrition Counselling. She is an avid runner, boot-camper and adventurer. She has been known to plan an elaborate campfire spread. Email her at kirsten@jasper-nutrition.com

Often when thoughts turn to body bashing it is a signal that something else is going on in your life that you need to pay attention to, but don’t really want to. Maybe you’re gearing up for a family reunion and all you can think about is showing

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