Wednesday November 1st, 2023
The Atlin Whisper “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.” Margaret Mead
Remembrance Day Service SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11TH 10:30 a.m. Yukon Time *Meet at the Flagpole at the Atlin RCMP Detachment* Service begins 10:45 a.m. COME OUT AND HONOUR THOSE WHO HONOUR US WITH THEIR LIVES AND SERVICE
Open letter to Chantelle Schulz, Vincent Esquiro, and the Joint Visioning Process team: Like all our neighbours in Atlin, we were invited to the community Joint Visioning Process (JVP) dinner at the Rec Centre on Tuesday October 17th, 2023. This was the first session we were able to attend, although we know it was one of many such dinners and listening sessions that have been held in town. In their comments, some people expressed fear and trepidation. We both had and have a very different emotional experience and response to the JVP sessions and to TRTFN negotiations over TRTFN territory. At the dinner, in being invited by the TRTFN to share our questions and comments about the future of this community and the future of its governance, we each felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Listening to Chantelle Schultz and Vincent Esquiro outline the work and negotiations underway, we felt renewed hope. We also shared a sense of deep respect and awe for elders Wayne Carlick and George Esquiro who spoke eloquently and powerfully about coming together, creating a future together. Here is a nation who—dispossessed for generations of land, language, rights, children, autonomy, and selfdetermination—are now at the negotiating table with the governments whose forebears took all those things from them. This would be the time for such a nation to double down on protecting its own citizens’ rights and futures. But instead, that very nation is taking this negotiating opportunity to consider what a positive, generative, healthy future for everyone in this place might look like—whether from the nation or from far beyond it. The TRTFN has responded to this time with a commitment to chart a way forward that considers not just TRTFN people, but all the people making their homes in this place. We feel gratitude that—yet again—the TRTFN is providing leadership and community care that considers the experiences of everyone living here together. Gratitude that the injustices of the past wrought upon the TRTFN are being responded to with their leadership that believes another way forward is possible. Gratitude that even though we have no ancestral roots in these lands, our love of this place is being responded to with care, and openness, and consideration, and our ideas, thoughts, and concerns are welcome and respected. The governance of the TRTFN is not for us to decide, but we do feel an enormous sense of gratitude that the leadership directions of the TRTFN are so generous and encompassing of all peoples, in a way that colonial processes have not been. This is a different way forward, and one that gives us tremendous hope. We have deep admiration for the work the TRTFN is doing in its negotiations and also, already and in spite of always limited resources, in community building. We talk about Atlin as a town being run on volunteers—so, too, is the entire cultural regeneration of a people in the TRTFN. The Tlingit community runs a government under colonial terms, and yet its many incredible leaders of all ages also run programs to reclaim a (stolen) language, relearn Tlingit laws and cultural responsibilities, innovate ways to protect land and wildlife, heal from so much (ongoing) trauma, and more. Programs funded for and by TRTFN have also been made open to others in town, whether counselling, foot care for seniors, or home care visits for those who are in need of extra hands. This broad-based community care has happened quietly and consistently over many years. Since we moved to Atlin, we have been met with nothing but generosity from the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and its many astonishing citizens. In cultural revitalization efforts, for instance, the wider community of Atlin has been explicitly invited to join into TRTFN ceremonies and gatherings, including powerful salmon ceremonies, canoe journeys, and the recent celebrations of Haa Ḵusteeyí. The dedication of TRTFN leaders to listening to the wider Atlin community was in full force at the JVP dinner on Tuesday. In the evening, rather than spending time with their families after grueling days, weeks, years in negotiations and navigating government bureaucracies at multiple levels, Chantelle and Vincent showed up to lead a conversation in the town about how to move forward together. They are asking for everyone’s input into envisioning what a thriving community could look like in this place, with the people who are here, and for everyone’s children. Their work days don’t end here in Atlin; unlike the Canadian and BC government representatives, they don’t return home to elsewhere: they are in government and they are also community
members—our neighbours—and invested in these local relationships in every way. They are negotiating among high-powered, highly funded governments from a position of institutional inequality (operating as a sovereign nation and yet abiding by Canadian legal and constitutional provisions), while also spending so much time thinking about how they can seek out and listen more to more voices. There were comments at the JVP dinner by some in Atlin who wonder about how non-Indigenous voices are represented in Atlin. First, as has been clear for generations, non-Indigenous peoples have long been represented by multiple layers of government who lay claim to this place: property rights, resource extraction rights, and more for non-Indigenous peoples here have all been defended by many layers of federal and provincial governments. This remains true, even now. Second, and perhaps more importantly, as was clear at the dinner, all Atlin community members have been invited to share their ideas, visions, and concerns directly with all the people involved in governance in this town. Specifically, TRTFN leaders have asked everyone for engagement and participation, and so in many ways, the answer to ‘who represents us’ is – we can each represent ourselves, by participating in these discussions. We have all been invited to work together to imagine something better for all of us for the future. We, too, have fear. We have fear of a rapidly changing climate that is changing this place under our feet. We have fear that unrestrained extraction and harvesting will catch up to us. We have fear that the fires we’ve stoked in so many ways will race through these boreal lands in the ways we’ve seen elsewhere in recent years. We have fear for the wild creatures around us, who have been pushed to their limits, and that those we assume to be abundant and unlimited and ours for the taking won’t be able to survive us— the moose, the caribou, the trout, the lynx, the wolves. But these fears can be best addressed through this shared process of imagining how to protect the lands, the waters, the other-than-human beings, and the people who all share this place. We can increase our resilience, protect the wild places and beings around us, support our most vulnerable neighbours, and increase everyone’s well-being through this process. The discussion at the JVP dinner included many references to rights – but of course, as the TRTFN is so clear about in its discussions of governance and Tlingit laws, rights are always paired with responsibilities. What are our obligations to one another, to this place, and especially of non-Tlingit community members to the TRTFN? We can list a few: to learn the history of this place and especially of Tlingit peoples; to learn the history of Canadian injustices and violence against Indigenous peoples; to learn about the land use planning process and land use plan, as well as current JVP undertakings; to become familiar with the materials that have been so carefully compiled and beautifully presented about negotiations; and to participate in community meetings. But some of our questions for the next stages are: What do the TRTFN negotiators and leaders want those of us in the community to do? What additional obligations do we have, given those rights that are being respected and accorded to everyone? How can we be prepared to be involved, how can we help develop imaginative future solutions and strategies, how can we be good neighbours in this place?
Thank you, JVP team, for all your work, leadership, and creativity in this process.
With respect, Kate Neville and Kate Harris
PSI CHORD RECORDING STUDIO Robin Spurgin by Paul Lucas I poked my head in the sound booth and that smell, one of my favourite smells of all time, hit my nostrils - ozone and hot dust - the result when vacuum tubes work their magic and heat up the local environment. “Can we hear that back, Robin?” I shouted over the squealing tape. “Sure, come on in,” he replied with some sort of crooked smile, which made me think we might have a good take. --Robin Spurgin started Psi Chord Recording Studios in, I’m guessing, the early 60’s. He was a recording engineer (and non-judgmental producer if you were wandering in the sonic wilderness without a clue) of the old stripe. A man who really knew sound. Our first recordings were done on his Scully four track. I loved that machine. I loved all the stuff in that studio. It was all tube - amps, preamps, compressors - everything. Not a slider to be seen. All knobs. And that plate reverb in the plate room (the earliest and one of the best reverbs in history) was huge. Psi Chord was funk incarnate. And if there were any doubts, all you had to do was walk through that double door into the main room and look around. There was this carpet. I’m pretty sure it had been there since he opened the place. Maybe before. At one time it might have been green, but it was difficult to tell because it had soaked up more funk than any piece of fabric in human history. My guess is if you strained the goo from those flattened fibers, mixed it with a little water and gave it a few shakes, you could start your own civilization right there in the tub. The sound that came out of that place was big and fat and juicy. It was a combination of analog recording equipment and Robin’s expertise. For many of us, Psi Chord was our first real encounter with professional recording. It was a heady experience to record those first tracks in an actual studio. The whole thing - tracking off the floor, adding vocals and overdubs (a real test of engineering skill on four track) and mixing, was magic. We all felt like rock stars, particularly after that 45 (yes a 45) showed up with the damn label and everything. It was a rite of passage for us young punks. One we will never forget. Robin was a great engineer, a natural mentor, and a gentleman. He guided us through all this with consummate grace. Next: My favourite Vancouver club of all time - the Egress. ‘A GUITAR PLAYER ON THE YUKON BORDER’ is available at local bookstores and Amazon.com
LANDFILL *WINTER DAYS* *Effective – Sunday, November 5, 2023* SUNDAY & MONDAY 11 AM - 4 PM … PST
CLOSED at temperatures -28 C & below ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLOSED ON ALL BC STATUTORY HOLIDAYS
Remembrance Day (Saturday) - Open Nov 12, 13 Christmas - Closed Monday, Dec 25th …… Open Dec 24, 26 New Year - Closed Monday, Jan 1st …… Open Dec 31, Jan 2 Family Day - Closed Monday, Feb 19th …. Open Feb 18, 20 Easter (Good Friday) - Open Mar 31, April 1 Operated by the Atlin Community Improvement District
“We Have Our Life”
We have our life Let’s keep on living We’ll do some taking But much more giving. The gift of life Shining night and day Is deep within Lighting up our way. Jeff Salmon
Land Act: Notice of Application for a Disposition of Crown Land Take notice that Tlingit Homeland Energy Limited from Atlin, BC, has applied to the Ministry of Forests (FOR), Smithers, for a Licence of Occupation for Aggregates/ Quarrying situated on Provincial Crown land located in the vicinity of Pine Creek. The Lands File for this application is 6409445. Please visit the website at https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ to view the application and submit comments online. Alternatively, written comments can be directed to the Senior Authorizations Specialist, FOR, at Bag 5000 – 3726 Alfred Ave, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0. Comments will be received by FOR up to November 25, 2023. FOR may not be able to consider comments received after this date.
Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. For information, contact the Freedom of Information Advisor at Ministry of Forests’ Office in Smithers.
Message from the Atlin community representative on the G2G Forum. The G2GF oversees several Joint Initiative (JI) Working Groups, each of which address important issues on the land base, including mining and mineral exploration, protected areas, fish and wildlife management, as well as research and monitoring. The latest G2G Forum took place on October 26-28 as a virtual meeting. We reviewed the meetings that had taken place the previous week, such as the TRTFN Joint Visioning Process where the Unity pillar was discussed with representatives from ACID and Atlin community present. I was also asked to update the Forum on the Town hall meeting with our MLA Cullen. I listed off the topics that had been discussed and concerns raised by community members. Link to the Government News release on Reconfiguration or look for BC Gov. News: Oct. 19, 2023 TRANSFER OF NATURAL RESOURCE MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES VICTORIA – Regulatory orders confirm transfers of natural-resource responsibilities between ministries to align with government priorities of reconciliation, resource stewardship and strong, sustainable economic development for people and communities. Andrea Scarth made a presentation at the Forum re AHEP. “Multiple decision makers need to have all the facts and they are not ready to make the decision yet.”. I asked if there would be decommissioning/reclamation work done in case the project is not going ahead. She didn’t have an answer for me. We will get more information later. The discussion about how to get the information out to the Atlin Community is ongoing. As your Atlin Community representative, I would like to hear from you about topics that are important to you so I can be the conduit of Atlin Community interests at the Forum. Please send me your questions or issues relating to the scope of the G2G by emailing infoatling2g@gmail.com
Åsa Berg
TRTFN Joint Visioning Process - Update, October 2023 From October 17-19th, 2023, representatives from TRTFN, BC, Canada, and the Yukon Government came together in Atlin BC for a three day session to conclude the TRTFN Joint Visioning Process (JVP). This session was the culmination of two years of work to develop TRTFN’s vision for the future, which includes 10 pillars of work: Thriving Culture, Tlingit Language, Education, Healthy Ecosystems, Infrastructure, Holistic Wellbeing, Good Relationships, Unity, Self-Determination, and Financial Sustainability. Each pillar includes a vision statement, outcomes, and milestones, which were crafted through interviews and meetings with various groups and individuals within TRTFN, as well as several community engagement sessions held between 20212023. The vision is intended to be a living document that will continue to evolve as TRTFN continues to engage with leadership, staff, and citizens, prioritize the milestones, and work collaboratively with the governments of BC, Yukon, Canada, as well as with the entire Atlin community. Three Atlin residents participated on the first day of the JVP session, including Annette Giesbrecht and Glen Harper from ACID and Åsa Burg as Atlin’s G2G forum representative. Day one included a fulsome overview of the Joint Visioning Process and information on each pillar of TRTFN’s vision, as well as a facilitated discussion on the Unity pillar. Following an individual review of the content within the Unity pillar, TRTFN and Atlin representatives were invited to share what milestones they felt were most urgent and impactful in support of the vision for Unity, as well as proposed additional milestones for consideration. Representatives from BC, Canada, and Yukon were asked to share what they could do to support the achievement of the milestones in pursuit of the vision for unity. Preliminary next steps were discussed and all parties have committed to continuing these conversations in the coming months. On the evening of Tuesday, October 17th, over 80 residents of Atlin attended an all-community dinner at the Atlin Recreation Centre to hear an update and ask questions about the Joint Visioning Process. Kate Davis (Sa̱nala Planning) provided a brief overview of the JVP and then Chantelle Schultz (TRTFN), Vincent Esquiro (TRTFN), and Tlell Glover (Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, BC) shared opening comments. Chantelle explained that while the JVP will come to an end, the work will be ongoing. She described the JVP as the information gathering phase, an important step to knowing what is most important; now is the time to do the work. The team then invited attendees to think about what it means to be a united community, and emphasized that this was an opportunity for folks to ask questions about ongoing negotiations processes. “Since we were here last Sept, the theme of sharing more info with the community was at the forefront, our teams have heard that loud and clear and have been working hard to bridge those gaps.” – Tlell Glover Representatives from Canada, Yukon, and BC government representatives were asked to stand up and identify themselves for community dinner participants who were interested in speaking directly with them. Chantelle Schultz circulated the Fall 2023 TRTFN Negotiations Magazine (available for download from the TRTFN website) to everyone in attendance and encouraged a full review of the updates and for any questions to be sent to the TRTFN negotiations team.
During the open mic Q&A portion of the evening, several Atlin residents echoed concerns shared at previous JVP community dinners about not understanding what TRTFN was negotiating and their fears of what
changes these processes may lead to. Similarly, the need for more shared learning and honest dialogue about the unique and shared histories of the community was brought forward once again. “I feel fear of being overrun by processes and changes without being adequately informed. Atlin doesn’t have the resources to deal with that, we need to be on the same level [as TRTFN] with funding, we need professionals, a binding peace between BC and TRT” – Markus, Atlin resident “I want to be able to stand for everyone in this room, as an artist, a cultural coordinator, and as an Elder. I want to continue bringing things to our Nation that help them to heal, that shows you where we are in our history today, that our community supports each other, our children play together, and that we get healthy together.” - Wayne Carlick, TRTFN Culture Keeper “I understand what it’s like to be left out, not be consulted about anything and everything decided for you, we don’t want that.” - George Esquiro, TRT Elder In recognizing that not everyone had the chance to share at the dinner, and to ensure all questions and concerns are addressed, the JVP team encourages folks to direct their questions in a place they can most effectively be answered and discussed. Please feel free to reach out directly to: Vincent Esquiro, TRTFN Assistant Negotiator assistant.negotiator@gov.trtfn.com vincentesquiro@gmail.com Kate Davis, Sa̱nala Planning, Planner kate.davis@sanalaplanning.com Thank you to David Ross for preparing a delicious meal for the community, and to Amun Dawson and Max Wesley for all their help with set up, meal serving, and clean up, and to everyone else who contributed to the evening and stayed late to fold up chairs and tables
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Canada
NORTHERN HOMES REAL ESTATE
Surprise Lake Road 6 acres along the Spruce Creek with a fabulous meadow surrounded by the woods and the roaring creek, room for several guest cabins if you chose. Main house is 2 storey and a main level cozy self contained mother-in-law cottage is perfect for guests. So much potential to expand. $350,000 Watson Avenue Two adjoining lots totalling 75x100’ providing ample room to build a new home while restoring a colorful and historic building, if you chose. No neighbors or roads to the north so lots of privacy. $225,000 4th Street 400 sq.ft., one bedroom cabin plus a large workshop on two adjoining 50x100 lots, fully fenced. Quiet location with lots of room for expansion. Great potential for expansion. $249,000 43.6 Beautifully maintained, inside and out, this cosy two bedroom home is so private featuring a second cottage with sleeping loft (often used as a B&B), a third cabin for guests, great garage/workshop, plus various other craft/workshops and fencing. Mountain views in every direction plus a short walk to Atlin Lake sandy beaches. Just waiting for you! Viewing by appointment ONLY. $597,000
Pearl Street 1700 sq.ft. historical building suited for combination comfortable living plus retail. Living room, kitchen, two bedroom and huge third room to adapt to your needs! Recent extensive foundation and roof restoration plus interior renovations utilizing the original wood and fixtures. This is the original Atlin and your opportunity! $395,000 Historic Rant This 3 bedroom bungalow appears to have been one of the Eaton catalogue pre-packaged houses, either original or salvaged with what appears to be solid beautiful Douglas Fir wood throughout just begging for restoration. With a fabulous view of the mountains and lake this is big enough for a young family. Plus, within walking distance of all amenities. An adjoining lot perpendicular to this homesite is also available. You could live here while building a dream home on the adjoining lot. $175,000 Warm Bay Road This gem is off grid, well maintained and absolutely the perfect retreat. Two bedrooms, large open dining/living room, galley kitchen and spacious pantry. Storage in walk out cellar plus numerous out buildings. Bonus is a warm spring flowing through year around! $230,000 Second Street 100x30 foot lot, sloping between the lake and mountain view. Great central location waiting for you. Develop your new home at your own pace. $135,000 4th of July .78 acres of Crown Land Lease, gated, partly cleared, the perfect spot to keep your RV and recreational necessities there for year around enjoyment. Lease term to 2042 $53,500
Call Myrna at (250) 775-1019 Please text or email a message (rather than voice mail) myrnablake1@gmail.com .or myrnablake1@zoleo.com when I am travelling Go to
northernhomesbc.ca for more details.
Gary Pumps Ltd.
Please note that requests for same day water delivery must be received no later than 11 am of said day. Thank you!
Water delivery and Sewer Removal are available Monday through Friday Home Heating Fuel, Bulk Fuel and Bulk Oil Available
Atlin Mountain Inn FALL Food Hours (Sept 15-Dec 1st) Sunday: Restaurant: Dinner 6pm-8:00pm Monday: Restaurant: Dinner 6pm-8:00pm Tuesday: Restaurant: Dinner 6pm-8:00pm Wednesday: Restaurant: 6pm-8:00pm Thursday: Restaurant Closed Friday: Restaurant: Dinner 6pm-8:00pm Saloon: Open 5pm to close-Pizza 5-8pm
Phone 250-651-7463 Email garypumpsltd@gmail.com Mailing address is Box 147, Atlin BC V0W 1A0 Office hours – Monday to Friday 8 am – noon With thanks, Gary McNeil and Jody Smallwood
Saturday: Restaurant: Dinner 6pm-8:00pm Saloon: Open 5pm to close Every Day!! Self-serve cafeteria in the restaurant 8am-8pm
Atlin Pet Care 287 Tatlow Street
Your pets home away from home!
Winter store hours (Starting Sept 20) Please take note that we will be closing on Sundays Monday - Friday 9:30am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 5pm Sunday Closed Also closed on all Statutory holidays. Will operate on MST this Fall/Winter. ~Weekly freight truck run on Mondays and freight runs available upon request~
Indoor/Outdoor Runs Heated Kennels Boarding-Grooming-Pet Supplies Emergency Care-Veterinarian Referrals SPCA AGENTS George Holman 250-651-7717 or Marj Holman 250-651-7758
Atlin Christian Centre Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Service and Sunday School Sunday 11 a.m. Come join us!
St. Martin’s Anglican Church 10 a.m. Sunday
overflows with
250-691-0128
Everyone welcome!
cheerful.
Mountain Shack Café Restaurant Fast Fancy Food Great Service 110 Discovery Avenue In Atlin, B.C.
EAT IN OR TAKE OUT Wednesday thru Monday 250-651-7789
MOBILE WELDING SERVICE AVAILABLE Contact: Alain Vanier 250-651-0037
Reasonable Rates!
The soul that perpetually kindness and sympathy will always be
Sewing Machine Cleaning, Repair, & Setup Terry 250 651-7769
Parke Godwin
Smallwood Enterprises Ltd We provide Concrete, Drain Rock, Screed gravel, Sand, Topsoil and Septic systems. We also provide Equipment Rentals, Excavations, Covered Storage, Firewood and Snow Removal. Please call (250) 651-2488 or email bobscontracting2020 @gmail.com
Atlin Community Library Due to the Courthouse repositioning, will be closed from August 13th onward. Reopening date unknown, but watch for announcements.”
The next Whisper is Wednesday November 15th Submissions are due no later than Sunday 6pm November 12th The Purpose of the Atlin Whisper is to encourage, build-up and inform the people of Atlin concerning ongoing community events and happenings. The Whisper is not a political mouthpiece.
Compiled and edited by Lynne Phipps. Paper for printing courtesy of Northern Homes Real Estate Printing courtesy of Dani McNeil and the RCMP Atlin. Delivery by Bobbie Whelan and Gary Hill. Classifieds, news, upcoming events Contact 1-867-334-7949 or lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com if you have, pictures or articles you would like to submit. Please note that submissions should be sent in either WORD or JPEG whenever possible. PDF must first be printed and then scanned back into the computer in order to format it into the paper. This costs in both paper and ink. We know that at times a PDF is the only way, which is okay when necessary, but otherwise, as the Whisper is a FREE community service we appreciate your support in helping to keep the costs down as much as possible. Thank You!