a lt e r n a t i v e + l o c a l + i n d e p e n d e n t //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
thejasperlocal.com
wednesday, july 1, 2015 // issue 52
MOOSE CABOOSE // THIS CURIOUS CALF STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE THE SOUNDS OF PHOTOGRAPHER VALERIE DOMAINE’S PADDLE DURING AN EVENING STROLL WITH MOM ALONG MALIGNE LAKE JUNE 20. // VALERIE DOMAINE
Athabasca Falls Station set to be demolished THE FIRST OF THREE FORMER WARDEN STATIONS IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK TO BE DECOMMISSIONED WILL FALL TO THE WRECKING BALL THIS SUMMER.
Athabasca Falls Warden Station and its adjacent buildings, located approximately 30 km south of Jasper, are to be demolished by August 31. The project is currently out for tender. Bidders have until July 7 to submit a proposal for the job. The work is part of Jasper National Park’s Warden Station Decommissioning Project, which will also see the agency divest itself of the Sunwapta and Snaring Warden Stations. Those demolitions are set for 2016 and 2017, respectively, according to an April 2 addendum to the original document.
The Athabasca Falls Warden Station was built in 1950. Up until recently, Parks Canada staff maintained a constant post there. At Sunwapta Station, Resource Conservation staff lived there up until 2012. Snaring has been unoccupied for approximately two years. Meanwhile, Wapiti Campground is set to undergo a dismantling of its own. The campground’s outmoded theatre, which hasn’t been in use for 15 years, is set to be torn down. The scope of the demolition includes removal of the theatre itself, all lighting, posts, benches, stairs and asphalt, and also includes rehabilitating the site and seeding the grounds. That tender closes August 4; Parks Canada wants the work done by September 30, according to Public Works and Government Services Canada.
bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
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page A2 // the jasper local // issue 52 // wednesday, july 1, 2015
editorial //
Local Vocal BEFORE JOHN WILMSHURST WAS MARCHED OUT OF THE PARKS CANADA WARDEN COMPOUND ON JUNE 11, the people who were sent to inform him of his immediate termination reportedly told him that he should collect all of his personal items, because he wouldn’t be coming back to the office. Dr. Wilmshurst allegedly took his PhD diploma and his CEO Award of Excellence off the wall and nodded a stoic goodbye to his stunned colleagues. The scene must have been like something from a bad Bond movie, with faceless henchmen from political headquarters dispatching of one of the most wellregarded leaders in the organization. Wilmshurst—the beloved Chief Park Warden, the adamant defender of wildlife, that rare scientist who could articulate a vision of ecological integrity to the most hard-line recreationalist—was getting turfed. Morale in the public service sector was immediately decapitated; meanwhile, high on a stormy mountain, one could imagine a developer breaking out the Scotch. Wilmshurst’s steady track record, likeable personality and quiet leadership earned him great respect amongst his peers; it also earned his agency rare PR points for Parks Canada. His humble yet intelligent, persuasive yet collaborative communication style was a welcome change for members of the public used to the insipid, rehearsed diatribe which define so many of Parks Canada’s open houses. All of these were reasons why watching Wilmshurst get escorted off the property was so bizarre and hurtful for his colleagues, not to mention for his family. But as hard as it was to learn how Wilmshurst’s firing played out, and since at the moment it is impossible to have a definitive answer as to why it took place, the real question is: What will this firing mean for other Parks Canada personnel? On the surface, it seems to say Watch your step, Toe the party line and Stuff your science where it can’t be seen. As has been demonstrated by the axing of more than 2,000 federal environmental monitoring and related science positions since 2009, the Conservative government doesn’t have a lot of patience for research which does not support its policy of revving Canada’s economic engine—environmental concerns, climate change indicators and public health questions be darned. Wilmshurst will carry on. His talent and integrity will see him through this injustice. And although his dismissal will leave a huge hole in the local field unit, it is yet another sign of a much larger gulf, one which has implications for the country as a whole. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
It’s all about money in our parks Does Parks Canada recognize the path they are going down? It is with deep sadness that I learned of the recent dismissal of Dr. John Wilmshurst as the head of Resource Conservation in JNP. John was dismissed last week “without cause,” which in government “new speak” means that he was not dancing to the tune that the current administration is playing on the jukebox. In recent years Parks management has shifted their priorities from ecological integrity to enhancing attractions and developing visitor experiences in the Parks. This shift is thought to make national parks more relevant to Canadians and provide attractions which will bring more
visitors and their money to the parks. It’s all about money! In this shift they have fallen into the trap of dreaming up an ever-increasing stream of new ideas to attract more visitors without considering if these activities are even appropriate to the parks or what the impacts on the park, animals and environment might be. The Harper government and Parks Canada have been putting science under the microscope for years now and only support science when it supports the current political agenda. Often staff members who dare to speak up are muzzled or sidelined by management. John Wilmshurst is one of these people.
The Jasper Local //
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Published on the 1st and 15th of each month Editor / Publisher
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Local development//
wednesday, july 1, 2015 // issue 52 // the jasper local// page A3
A man of science, a source of inspiration research he and his colleagues were doing on the melting Athabasca Glacier. He predicted that the ice could be gone in his children’s lifetime, a statement supported by recently-published research out of the University of British Columbia. “The information that we’re getTaped to the office door were ting is pretty clear that climate dozens of messages of support is warming,” he told the camera. for a man who was no longer al“[Climate change] is definitely lowed to go through it. Dr. John something that’s happening and Wilmshurst was fired from his it’s happening because of our post as Resource Conservation activities.” officer on June 11. WILMSHURST AT THE VINE CREEK Wilmshurst was a well-regarded Neither Parks Canada officials PRESCRIBED FIRE // B. COVEY boss, as evidenced by the mesnor Wilmshurst would provide sages which adorned his former as a measurable management a statement about the firing, but office door. Words such as tool. The report’s authors were the messages, as well as a photo “inspirational” and “dedicated;” part of a Panel of Ecological of a smiling Wilmshurst which “integrity” and “kindness;” and Integrity, a committee created was also covered in well wishes, “defending” and “standing up” in 1998 after the Liberal governsaid a lot. ment promised to do a better job were peppered throughout the “Best manager I’ve had in 33 thank-you notes. of protecting Canada’s natural years,” one note read. Those last two verbs, at least acheritage. “A source of inspiration,” said “In Canadian national parks, eco- cording to theories some Jasperanother. “Still our Chief.” logical integrity has evolved from ites are putting forward, could be “Forever our leader.” telling as to Wilmshurst’s disa scientific idea into a manageAfter a seven year stint as a ment system. It connects science missal. The Jasper Environmengrasslands ecologist in Winto management,” Dr. Stephen tal Association presumes that nipeg, where he performed work Woodley, who was on that panel Wilmshurst was fired because he which won him a CEO Award of Panel on Ecological Integrity, chose to carry out his job accordExcellence from Parks Canada, wrote in 2010. ing to his high principles. Wilmshurst came to Jasper in Critics of the current govern“The faceless individual who 2008 as JNP’s Science Coordinament point out its unwillingness took this step is part of a butor. He occupied that post for to take meaningful steps to reaucracy that has become so four years before transitioning address climate change, despite poisoned with suspicion and into the role of caribou program scientific evidence calling for tolerance that anyone who does project manager—a project which stricter emissions targets, for their job according to what they spanned all of Canada’s mounexample. Meanwhile, Wilmshurst believe is best for a national park tain parks. When former Jasper has been featured in the national is now in danger of facing this Resource Conservation Manager media speaking to the potentially kind of draconian measure,” JEA Steve Otway retired in 2012, catastrophic effects of not adapt- Chair, Jill Seaton, has said. Wilmshurst was hired for the job, ing to curtail climate change. The Jasper Local has learned heading up approximately 50 In a 2014 story produced by the that JNP’s Integrated Land Use employees working in Jasper. Canadian Press and picked up Planner, Sean Cardiff, will act in Since becoming a biologist for by the CBC, Huffington Post, the Resource Conservation Manthe national parks, Wilmshurst’s McLean’s, and other major news ager position in the interim. speciality had shifted from outlets, Wilmshurst described bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com behavioural ecology to conservaDeep inside the JNP warden compound, through the entrance to the Resource Conservation wing and past a series of cubicles, on June 19, an office door was left ajar.
Letters continued
tion biology tending towards wildlife management. His teams’ work have been guided by a seminal Parks Canada report in 2000 which helped usher in an era of using ecological integrity
He is a scientist and a man of integrity, principles and values. He stood strongly for the environment and national parks and felt that he had a moral and ethical duty to speak up.
He has paid the price for this integrity. Stand tall John and be proud, we are with you. Sincerely yours, Terry Winkler (Parks Canada employee until 2012)
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page B1 // the jasper local // issue 52 // wednesday, July 1, 2015
Local wildlife //
Rash of bear break-ins cue sweeping closures A series of bear break-ins deep in Jasper National Park’s backcountry has prompted Parks Canada to issue a closure spanning the entire south boundary trail.
from Jacques Lake to Highway 93N
On June 13 park officials discovered
reduce the potential for further
that a bear—or bears—had broke
human-wildlife conflict,” Skinner said
into the tack sheds of eight of 12
in a written statement.
warden cabins along the park’s
Since the discovery of the break-ins,
south boundary. A team of wildlife
Parks Canada staff have removed
specialists was dispatched into the
remaining wildlife attractants by
sites to gather information about the
helicopter. Temporary repairs are
bears. Setting up remote cameras and
being made to the warden cabins
analyzing data from GPS collars, which
and tack sheds to eliminate access
some of Jasper’s grizzly bears have
by wildlife. The remote cameras will
recently been affixed with, scientists
stay to gather further information
were able to ascertain that there were
and hopefully determine the animals
more than one guilty party.
responsible for the break-ins.
“Data indicate that more than one
“Since many of the operations cabins
grizzly bear has obtained food from
are in close proximity to official trails
the tack sheds, although the identity
and there is potential for visitors
of the original bear is unknown,” said
to encounter these bears in future,
Geoff Skinner, Resource Management
Parks Canada is working actively to
Officer.
positively identify the responsible
The grizzly bears have become food-
bears, assess their behaviour, and
conditioned, Skinner said. Because
determine the appropriate course of
of the potential safety risk they pose
action,” Skinner said.
to humans, on June 17, Parks Canada
Meanwhile, the team is bolstering the
implemented an area closure in and
tack sheds to keep out hungry bears.
surrounding the South Boundary trail
Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com
(Icefields Parkway). The closure includes Jonas Loop, Brazeau Loop, Poboktan Creek, Nigel Pass, Rocky Pass and all side and access trails. The closure will remain in effect until further notice, according to Skinner. “Parks Canada is taking action to
Grizzly bears have been breaking into PArks Canada operations cabins along the south boundary of Jasper Park. // Valerie Domaine
The South boundary trail is closed until further notice // N Gaboury
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Local photography//
monday, june 1, 2015 // issue 50 // the jasper local// page B2
Photo career starting to click for former Jasperite In mountain biking terms, action sports photographer Bruno Long is feeling the flow.
The former Jasperite has come a long way since he first started hauling his camera around with his ski buddies at Marmot Basin and getting his film developed at Tekarra Color Lab. Now based in Revelstoke, Long is a regular contributor to Powder and Backcountry Magazine, as well as a senior photographer with Bike Magazine. “Three years ago I was barely submitting, now my name’s beside some of the photographers I’ve looked up to for the past 10 years,” he said while visiting Jasper last month. But it hasn’t been all cover shots and exotic locales. To get to the point where he’s not cleaning campgrounds, bussing tables or stringing Christmas lights to cover the rent, Long has had to put a lot of time behind the lens. He’s marched the extra mile to get the unique angle, froze his fingers waiting for perfect light and logged an “absurd amount of time” in front of the computer researching, arranging logistics and looking for inspiration via other creative types. “You’ve got to treat it like a job,” he says. “If I can go to a
Bruno Long has been reaping the rewards of hard work behind the lens// bob covey
spot and get a photo published because I’m the only one who wants to go there and get it, that’s perfect, that’s exactly what I’m going for.” Between the point when he came to Jasper as a 19-year-old and now, where he’s being sought out by the big boys of action sports media, Long has learned a lot about the industry. The first rule of getting great photos, he said, is to always pack your gear. “It’s sort of like Wayne Gretzky said about hockey: ‘you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take,’” he said.
“Just being motivated to bring your stuff along is half the battle.” The kit Long usually bikes or skis with would seem cumbersome to most amateur shutterbugs, but he insists a body and three lenses (a 16-35mm, 50mm and 70-200mm) constitutes packing light. His goto camera, a Nikon D610, is a “semi-professional” body—smaller and lighter than its more expensive cousins. And he sacrifices speed for lightness on his lenses, too; the F4 models of his zooms are considerably less bulky than the F2.8 models. “You don’t need to have the most professional gear to learn how to be a photographer,” he insists. However, you do need to hustle, and know how to tell a story. Finding a niche is key; for Long, he tries to focus on the details. “I’m trying to tell a story with my photos,” he said. “I like to focus on the small things, the in-between moments.” Long helped shine a light on Jasper’s unique trail community with his photo essay Ahead of the Track in Kootenay Mountain Culture magazine. He said he hopes to update that story in the future, because, like his own photography, the trails project has evolved in a few short years. “It’s been a good ride,” he said. Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com
“It’s sort of like what Gretzky said about hockey: ‘You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take.’” Action sports Photographer and former Jasperite, bruno long, always packs his camera gear along. If that perfect light shows up, he wants to be able to take the shot. // bruno Long
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page b3+B4 // the jasper local // issue 52 // wednesday, july 1, 2015
LOCAL FEATURE // OUR POTENT PARK
STOPPING TO s p i h e s o r e h t l l e sm UNVEILING THE FOREST’S HEALING POTENTIAL Holder’s depth of knowledge comes
participants
from growing up with her grandmoth-
to Holder fo
er, who was a prominent Cree medicine
knowledge
woman. While standing underneath
background
GRANDMOTHER’S
a spruce tree, Holder recounts watch-
Holder’s pra
FACE.”
ing her grandmother cure a man with
medicine sy
severe lung illness by smearing warm
in locally-av
spruce pitch over his chest and laying
strong relat
a piece of tanned hide over top, before
walk demon
placing hot stones to allow the medi-
begin to cul
cine to penetrate to where it was need-
with the pla
ed. Other stories that Holder recounts
The next tim
are more comical, such as one of the
flower or str
Cree names for rose hips: ‘Itchy bum
your eye wh
berry.’ The name refers to the week-
stop moving
long after-effect of eating too many
Over many
rose hips without removing their seeds.
may eventu
At one point along the walk a couple
and perhap
“WHEN WE ENTER THE FOREST, WALK AS IF WALKING ON YOUR
Brenda Holder is sharing an aboriginal saying with a small group of locals and visitors near a trailhead behind the Sawridge Hotel. Holder, a medicine woman from Cree
780.883.0773
swilson.jasper@gmail.com
and Iroquois lineage, is leading a “plant walk,” one of the events scheduled for National Aboriginal Day. Holder’s reverence for the forest stems from her culture’s understanding of the forest as a provider. “Underneath this forest canopy lies a grocery store, a hardware store and a pharmacy all at once,” she says. Early into our walk Holder piques our curiosity with a plant called yarrow. She crushes a feathery leaf and holds it beneath each of our noses, encouraging us to experience the plant through our senses. The aroma reminds some of sage, others of mint or citrus. Holder remarks on the complex healing properties of yarrow, telling us of how the root is a pain killer, the leaf and flower can either staunch or help blood flow, and that overall, yarrow is a powerful antiviral.
of participants impulsively pick a few yarrow leaves to remember its distinctive smell. Holder, while respecting their enthusiasm, gently reminds them of national park policy forbidding the picking of plants. Holder herself has a harvesting license which allows her to continue her aboriginal practice of gathering from the forest. During the hour-long walk in the sparse stands of trees wedged between busy summer traffic and a hotel, we encounter a diverse number of medicinal plants, making time to observe and learn about nine of them. Returning to the Sawridge parking lot, several
If we listen,
est will teac
FERN YIP // i
Brenda Hol to give her
a Modern W
Friday,
at the Her
Saturda
at the Her
Saturda
at Pine Bu
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feature //
// N.GABOURY
ILLUSTRATIONS + STORY BY: FERN YIP
s express their gratitude
or generously sharing her and stories from her rich
HEALING PLANTS
WITH FERN YIP
d.
actice of the Cree aboriginal
ystem, which is so rooted
vailable plants, informs her
tionship with place. The
nstrates how we can all
ltivate a deeper relationship
ant world.
me a brightly-coloured
range plant form catches
hen you are out exploring,
g and take a closer look. seasons of observation you
ually come to know a plant
ps, also how it can heal you.
, Holder assures us, the for-
ARNICA (ARNICA SPP.)
ch us.
FOLKLORE: I’ll share one of the many personal anecdotes I have with arnica. On a bike trip from Seattle to Baja, Mexico I developed an aggravating knee injury near San Francisco that caused me pain at every turn of the pedal. I applied arnica for two days religiously; both pain and injury disappeared shortly afterwards.
info@thejasperlocal.com
lder will be back in Jasper “Traditional Medicine for
World” talk in July:
July 3, 7 pm
ritage Firehall
ay, July 4, 1:30 pm
ritage Firehall
ay, July 4, 7 pm
ungalows
FOUND: Arnica’s cheery yellow flowers are noticeable in
mountainous valleys and meadows all the way up to the subalpine where there is ample moisture. Several different species exist in the Jasper region.
MEDICINE: For anyone active in the mountains arnica is a godsend. It speeds the healing of any strain, sprain, or bruise, especially if applied immediately after the initial trauma. Arnica is highly effective for these injuries because it is anti-inflammatory and a pain killer. It also increases circulation by dilating blood vessels, encouraging the healing properties of blood to injured tissue. You can find arnica prepared as a cream, salve, or ointment. PRECAUTIONS: Only apply topically (ie. on top of the skin) and not on broken skin. Taken in high doses internally, arnica can cause dizziness, tremors, and heart irregularities. Avoid if allergic to members of the Asteraceae family.
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page B5 // the jasper local // issue 52 // wednesday, July 1, 2015
local community //
Small bikes, big turnout at JPCA event Seventy five cyclists creaked and squeaked their way to the Jasper Park Cycling Association’s first ever Clunker Ride.
Tighem, who was serving up burgers and dogs as part of his ongoing fundraising campaign for MS. The highlight of the evening was the kids’ bike race. Not kids on bikes, rather, kids’ bikes. Participants raced against each other on tiny two-wheelers in an elimination series. The eventual winner was a bike riding reporter who, in
be more challenging than staying upright on the mini-bike after a couple of IPAs. The JPCA hosts trail maintenance sessions every second Wednesday evening and provides a voice for cyclists in Jasper. They work with Parks Canada and the Jasper Trail Alliance to improve cycling experiences in Jasper National Park.
The Jasper Park Cycling Association held its first ever Clunker Ride event at Jasper House Bungalows June 24. // bob covey
The all-ages event invited bikers of all stripes to enjoy BBQ and beverages at Jasper House Bungalows. The group left from town and rode along Jasper’s easy trail network before receiving a warm welcome from Jasper Fire Chief Greg Van
the interest of providing objective coverage on the JPCA through his news stories, had decided against purchasing a membership to the association. Defending that position amongst a stronghold of passionate cyclists would prove to
To learn more about the Jasper Park Cycling Association or to purchase a membership, visit jasperparkcycling.com or find them on Facebook. Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com
Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com
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Local paddling //
wednesday, july 15, 2015 // issue 51 // the jasper local// page B6
Athabasca showdown // The 22nd annual raft Olympics were another splashing success as four teams battled for the Mark Oddy golden paddle. Jasper Raft Tours eventually took top boat this year, logging the best results in the sprint, flip, throwbag and slalom events. The rubber met the river at Old Fort Point on June 25. Defending champs, Maligne Tours, organized the event. // valerie domaine
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