Pique Newsmagazine 3039

PARK PLANS Construction at Meadow

IN SPIRIT Sisters in Spirit vigil returns after

SING THE BLUES Grammy nominee Guy Davis plays Arts Whistler

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‘Pála7lhkalh’—We are one

Members of the Xet’òlacw Community School in Mount Currie share what the land means to them. - By Roisin

Initiative Reporter

14 PARK PLANS Whistler’s elected officials heard an update on plans for Meadow Park’s redevelopment this week, with construction set to begin this spring.

15 IN SPIRIT The Sisters in Spirit vigil returns to Whistler after a four-year hiatus to mark National Day of Action for MMIWG2S.

Cullen // Local Journalism

24 CELEBRATION SPACE

A new powwow celebration space is beginning to take shape near Mount Currie and Pemberton thanks to the efforts of dozens of volunteers.

40

16 SPEAK YOUR TRUTH Admission at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is free on Saturday, Sept. 30 for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

PEAK

PRODUCTION

The Whistler Mountain Ski Club’s Nicholas Katrusiak feels he is peaking at the right time as he joins the Canadian ski cross NextGen team.

44 SING THE BLUES American blues musician and two-time Grammy nominee Guy Davis plays the Maury Young Arts Centre as part of Arts Whistler Live!

COVER I have a hard time making connections with others, yet it’s easy for me to see how the whole world around me is so connected. There is so much to learn from each other. As hard as it is to listen, there is no learning without it. To anyone listening, thank you for teaching the rest of us to see. - By Jon

Parris // @jon.parris.art

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT

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Reporters

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Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, LESLIE ANTHONY, ANDREW MITCHELL, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY

President, Whistler Publishing LP

SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com

Opinion & Columns

08 OPENING REMARKS This National Newspaper Week, editor Braden Dupuis reflects on the recent evolution of Pique Newsmagazine

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers weigh in on housing and climate action, celebrate local seniors, and mourn the loss of two longtime ski patrollers.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST With the leaves beginning to turn, columnist Brandon Barrett digs in to the baffling popularity and proliferation of pumpkin spice products.

62 MAXED OUT Canada’s MPs inadvertently honouring a Nazi in the House of Commons is a national embarrassment—and the subsequent apologies don’t quite cut it, writes G.D. Maxwell.

to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact (edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com). If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil. ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information. This organization replaces the BC Press council (and any mention of it).

ISSN #1206-2022

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Environment & Adventure Lifestyle & Arts

30 THE OUTSIDER Red Bull Rampage has provided more than a few standout moments in the Utah desert, writes Vince Shuley—but the ladies deserve a seat at the table.

42 FORK IN THE ROAD Behind everything you eat, there’s a story, writes columnist Glenda Bartosh. Make sure you choose a good one.

48 MUSEUM MUSINGS Looking back on the 100th anniversary of the 1923 Neal Carter and Charles Townsend expedition.

We (still) have fun here

SEVERAL YEARS BACK, when Pique Newsmagazine and the Whistler Question were still two separate entities, and the world around us felt like a much different, somehow more stable place, we adopted a recurring phrase here in the newsroom.

It came about as we attempted to subtly convince a potential reporter of how cool and attractive our workplace was.

“We have fun here,” we told her, in a message accompanied by a short video of a

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

small-scale, newsroom Nerf gun war.

The phrase stuck, even if it was often deployed ironically. But it was true.

In my 35 years on Earth I have worked a whole lotta terrible jobs, heartily disliking most. This is not one of them—and it’s because of the people.

Our little newsroom was weird and often out of step with perceptions of political correctness.

We cursed and called each other names; threw candy at each other’s mouths from across the room; hung photoshopped images on the walls next to our awards, and flying cats and year-round Christmas lights from the ceiling; adopted a mannequin body from the Re-Build-It Centre next door on a whim. Soon the mannequin had a horse mask for a head, and it was not uncommon for Horace (because what else do you name a mannequin with a horse head?) to sport a new outfit every other week. Eventually, someone added a female mannequin body to the display. We held a bake sale to fundraise for her head—a white unicorn.

Horace and Eunice, Pique’s unofficial mascots, have lived happily in the newsroom ever since, to the point that they’ve almost become part of the team—an odd-yetendearing symbol of the punk-rock irreverence at play in the newsmagazine’s ethos.

Then COVID came along and changed everything.

There is one specific moment, about a month or so into our extended Work From Home days, when everything was awful and empty and uncertain, that will stick with me forever. I was laying on the couch in the middle of a lazy COVID afternoon when I was struck by the realization that what we once had was certainly gone forever—a most dismal and unceremonious end to the “good old days,” and proof positive that you truly don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.

Because our weird little newsroom went home one day and never really came back.

The pandemic proved a catalyst for many changes at Whistler’s community newspaper. We lost good staff, who were either temporarily laid off or left for new opportunities. We lost print advertisers, who left our pages and did not return. We changed from an all-handson-deck, paper-heavy production process to a streamlined, paperless endeavour carried out entirely on computer screens each week. To top it all off, our office was remodelled and reorganized to accommodate our new reality, so even the physical space we occupy was

Because despite all the aforementioned changes our publication has undergone since COVID, the fundamentals remain solid—as evidenced by Pique’s showing at the 2023 Canadian Community Newspaper Awards, in which Whistler’s community paper was once again named the best in Canada in its circulation class.

As much as I’d like to take credit for the national recognition, it’s not that simple. Pique’s success is the product of a passionate, committed team—not just the one in place today, but those that came before as well.

I inherited an immaculately well-run ship from former editor Clare Ogilvie—the real driving force behind Pique’s current editorial accolades—from whom I also had the immense benefit of learning directly for seven years.

And Clare, in turn, took up the mantle from founding publisher and editor Kathy and Bob Barnett, whose trailblazing journalistic vision we have to thank for the unique structure of this publication—its personality, its attitude, and its design are what make it stand out in a (depressingly dwindling) sea of newsprint.

Question team.

The relatively minimal turnover in our newsroom is a testament to the quality of the publication itself, but also the workplace culture we fostered for so long.

And yet, on a long enough timeline, change comes for absolutely everyone and everything.

So as familiar faces move on to tackle new opportunities, new names will move in to take their place.

Roisin Cullen, Pique’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter, is already doing great work up in Pemberton; you can expect to see another new byline in the pages of Pique in the weeks to come.

As with any period of change, you may notice some bumps in the road—I only ask for patience and understanding as we navigate this latest transition.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for ways to support local news during National Newspaper Week (and beyond), you can sign up for our newsletter at piquenewsmagazine. com/account/mailinglist; make a one-time or recurring donation; or, better yet, become a regular print advertiser in one of the best newspapers in the country. We hand-deliver

different coming out of the pandemic.

I’m reminded again of one of my favourite quotes from a Whistler local, upset over a development planned near their house: “The possibility that our lives may change scares me.”

Too relatable.

Change is not always easy, or welcomed, but it is an unflinching inevitability of life— and it doesn’t always have to mean doom and gloom, even if that’s how we might originally perceive it in the moment.

That legacy is carried on today not only by editorial, but by Pique’s amazing artists, designers, salespeople, and even its delivery drivers.

This week, Oct. 1 to 7, marks National Newspaper Week in Canada, so it’s not for nothing that we meditate on the business of local news—or change, for that matter.

Next week we say goodbye to reporter Megan Lalonde, who is moving home to Ontario after seven years with the Pique/

Asking -$2,800,000

33-4644

close to 10,000 copies of this paper every single week—that’s a whole lotta tourists who will see your shiny new ad!

So, yes—change is coming for us all. No real sense being afraid of it, or lamenting the loss of the “good old days.” Best to just accept it and face it head-on.

At the end of the day, we still have fun here. We still do award-winning journalism here. And while the bylines may change, those two core tenets never will. ■

As with any period of change, you may notice some bumps in the road—I only ask for patience and understanding as we navigate this latest transition.

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All are welcome at upcoming

Lil’wat powow

Hello on behalf of the Indigenous Strong Powwow set for Oct. 6 to 8, held in Lil’wat Nation, B.C., I. R. No. 10.

This powwow is a fun family event, hosted by Lil’wat Nation volunteers, and it’s held every year on Thanksgiving weekend. It is open to all public and nationalities.

There will be hand drumming, dancing in beautiful regalia, food, vendors with amazing crafts, 50/50 draws and other fundraising activities.

We provide a brunch on Saturday and Sunday, and suppers for both days also, with a turkey dinner on Sunday.

The powwow starts on Friday night from 7 p.m. til’ 11 p.m.-ish. On Saturday and Sunday, Grand Entry is at 1 p.m., followed by a supper break at 5 p.m. and then another Grand Entry at 7 p.m.

We are seeking donations for this spectacular event. If you would like to sell your products, to be a vendor please contact me via email cinamon.j65@gmail.com, text 604-9672499, or on Facebook @CinaMon Jonz.

Our powwow is to recognize and honour the survivors of the Indian Residential Schools and their families. Our colour is orange, and we celebrate our strengths in a positive, nonalcoholic event.

Remembering the ‘best of the best’

I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two longtime Blackcomb ski patrollers who recently left this world far too soon; and to borrow a few words from the many who have paid tribute to them in various ways.

Both Ken Pope and Wayne Flann were undeniably the “best of the best.” They were

strong, enduring threads in the fabric of Blackcomb from the very earliest days, and the deep respect earned by each of them over the many years since is unsurpassed. Their individual contributions to safety in our mountains will never be forgotten.

Losing two such valued colleagues, mentors and friends in such a short period of time leaves a huge hole in our community and our hearts. At this time of such loss, my thoughts are with everyone who had the privilege of knowing Poper and Wango.

Hugh Smythe // Whistler

Why is government so ineffective on housing?

I, too, could not resist your call for explanations, and I wholeheartedly agree with Ms. Chiasson’s recent letter (Pique, Sept. 15, “Untangling the Sea to Sky housing knot”). This is a complex issue, so I’ll try to be as concise as possible— each paragraph could be its own article.

Zoning is the tool used to prevent rentals from being built, not just here in Whistler, but pretty much everywhere in Canada.

Zoning is approved by elected officials. In Whistler, half of our councillors got in with votes from approximately 15 per cent of eligible voters. Our elected officials hang with that 15 per cent, who are predominantly homeowners.

In Whistler, all six councillors and our mayor are homeowners. I suspect that most high-level RMOW staff are also homeowners. This is the same at every level of government.

The Vancouver Sun reports that: “the stark reality is one in three Liberal cabinet members own several dwellings. Indeed, so do almost four in 10 MPs in Ottawa. Canada’s politicians, including at provincial and civic levels, hoard investment properties at roughly double the rate as the public.”

I’m not suggesting a Dr. Evil-style conspiracy; I’m just suggesting that if everyone in your social circles is accumulating wealth and shares the same concerns (who doesn’t put their family’s wellbeing above all else), where are your sympathies going to lie? In the status quo, Whistler property owners are doing “just fine,” thank you.

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Kukwstumkacw, thank you. Lucinda Gabriel // Mount Currie

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Meanwhile, old-timers are cashing out, using that wealth to drive down affordability in places like the Sunshine Coast, and spending the rest on lifestyle, i.e.: burning fossil fuels to take more vacations.

While officials talk around “affordability,” I’ve never heard mention of the need to drive down real estate values to improve affordability! So we must accept that no level of government is committed to affordability—but that should not preclude support for purpose-built rentals.

Zoning in Whistler is reinforced by our Official Community Plan (OCP), which can be summarized as: “2002 was great, let’s do whatever we can to keep it that way.” I think it’s fair to say that our OCP was largely created and updated by the 15 per cent of eligible voters mentioned above.

Many capitalists argue for the free market until it comes to real estate (and bailouts). Why don’t we let the market decide what is built? Zoning!

In Whistler, even when proponents try to build affordable housing, it is upended by NIMBYs and their wildly successful playbook: see projects proposed for Garibaldi Way and Nancy Green Drive for recent examples.

Council might have liked to have more say on those development applications, but RMOW staff got there first, and made sure those projects were smaller with fewer rental units by the time they hit the council table. Do RMOW staff want to hear complaints from their neighbours about upcoming plans for change? No, it’s much easier to side with the status quo. Also, the senior bureaucrats are likely homeowners, too, and they are comfortably housed and accumulating tax-free wealth, thank you—no appetite for change there.

In Whistler, it’s so tiring to hear the refrain, “We don’t have the capacity to build as fast as the erosion of suites in rental housing” from councillors like Cathy Jewett (this is her quote, but it could be any of them).

While more than $200 million is spent annually on housing construction in Whistler, developers are simply not allowed to build rental buildings—if the market was left to

decide, you can be assured we would have rentals, and lots within walking distance of the Village. Instead, we get empty monster homes.

Never one to come with only hopelessness and critique, I propose a solution. We place a moratorium on zoning; for the next eight years, we eliminate all zoning (not building code) and see what the market can do for us. After eight years, if we decide that this is contrary to the greater good (that it has not yielded better housing options), then we revert back to our current ways. What’s the worst that would happen... traffic?

As a political scientist, I’m inclined to explain this at a macro level, too. Throughout the 1970s, the Government of Canada built subsidized housing, and it’s fair to describe that era of Canada as a “social” democracy. Today I would describe Canada as a “capitalist” democracy, where greed and profiteering are “smart,” hoarding of wealth is called “real estate,” and the greater good is an afterthought: see also our response to climate change.

Will officials in Whistler prioritize the 78 per cent of the population (eligible voters) who didn’t vote for them? Sorry folks, that’s not how Whistler’s democracy works.

“Leadership isn’t doing the right things when they’re popular [with those who vote in our local government],” said former Vancouver city planner Brent Toderian.

“That’s easy. Leadership is doing the right things when they’re NOT popular, and helping to make them popular by showing they work.”

Brendan Ladner // Whistler

Rapid loss of Whistler’s glaciers is a sign of what’s to come

The recent article about the unrelenting thaw of our local Wedgemount Glacier chilled my soul (Pique, Sept 15).

Reading that 700 metres of ice have vanished in a mere 50 years, I shared an image of the column with a friend. A person whose beliefs align with climate skepticism.

I received a nonchalant response. “Ice comes and goes. How much snow, how much rain, how

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many cloudy days and all that. Things change all the time. And why is a smaller glacier a bad thing? More liquid water and ground exposure can only be good for life on Earth, no?”

This unconcerned observation transported me to a vivid childhood memory. Two children playing on a see-saw. Immersed in gleeful giggles, they rise and fall in a harmonious balance under dappled sunlight through leaves.

Suddenly, one cheeky child with a mischievous glint abandons their seat, causing the other to come crashing down. Landing with a painful bump, the unfortunate child clasps their buttocks and rolls away in pain.

Drawing a parallel, the glaciers of our planet have undergone periods of serene growth and gradual retreat. The most recent cycle terminated in a leisurely 8,000 years.

The present cycle starkly deviates, condensing the timeline of glacial termination to a mere 200 years. It’s a shift as swift and impactful as the child’s unanticipated fall from the see-saw.

The rapid demise of our glaciers forewarns of impending global repercussions: vanishing snow, depleting freshwater, rising sea levels, disruption of ecosystems, food insecurity, and the onset of catastrophic wildfires.

The urgency to foster meaningful dialogues, forge sustainable lifestyles, and safeguard ecological balance is more imperative than ever.

As we venture into this era of environmental precariousness, we must be honest about what we need to do. We must end our addiction to fossils.

Fossil gas that heats our homes. Fossil planes that fuel our tourist economy. Fossil plastic we often use once before discarding. Fossil vehicles, some of which we use for discretionary travel, while others we currently depend on for food production and delivery.

Just as our glaciers are changing, big changes are coming for our society. It is our collective duty to fortify our commitment to nature’s preservation and avert our descent into a future shadowed by irreversible and ominous consequences.

Eddie Dearden // Whistler

Celebrating Whistler’s ‘seasoned’ population

Pique’s “Nothing but a number” cover story on Sept. 8 was very timely, with National Seniors Day to celebrate on Oct. 1.

Accompanying David Buzzard’s usual wonderful photos was writer Brandon Barrett’s judicious use of language to describe those like me who have roamed the Earth past the hallowed (venerated?!) 60-year mark.

Before highlighting the Mature Action Community’s (MAC) terrific advocacy towards Whistler being officially recognized as an “AgeFriendly B.C. Community,” he referred to the “resort’s seniors” in their “golden years” as an “aging community” … “wanting to age gracefully in place.”

Brandon’s apt choice of descriptors for us had me ruminating about the monikers often used for those my age and older. After all, if civil society is measured by how we treat our

least fortunate, that test could be extended to how it respects its older members, too.

How can anyone aged 60 be “middleaged” with so few 120-year-olds around? Would anyone under 30 respond positively to being part of the “juniors” crowd? Being called “elderly” might imply fragility and forgetfulness, while “old” often conjures up obsolescence and senility. But what about the idea of getting better and wiser with “full maturity”?

An extensive poll a few years ago in the U.S. questioned whether a 65-year-old would be considered “old.” While only 16 per cent of those polled over the age of 60 thought that to be true, 60 per cent of adults under 30 who were polled responded in the affirmative. (Not canvassed was whether there was any appetite for the only alternative to not getting older…)

With longevity comes the ability to fit more into one’s life, as so poignantly and succinctly represented by that dash mark between the dates of birth and death.

The aging process is only somewhat connected with one’s age in years… Those wonderful folks in Pique’s cover story are shining examples of local, active living, in stark contrast, I would argue, to the multi-billion-dollar anti-aging cosmetics industry. The biological aging process can indeed be positively impacted by a healthy lifestyle, through physical and mental activities, often in conjunction with like-minded souls.

Kudos to MAC and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) for how they are visioning the importance of “aging in place” in Whistler. Their collaboration in prioritizing housing and care needs as we age here is vitally important. Our sibling corridor communities are no doubt thinking the same.

Their actions are representative of what must occur globally. The United Nations is reporting that the world population over age 65 has tripled in the last 40 years, and predicts a doubling in the next 20, with those over 80 years of age expected to triple in number.

Celebrated since 2010 in Canada, National Seniors Day coincides with the U.N. International Day of Older Persons launched more than 30 years ago. It is a great opportunity to appreciate, celebrate and recognize older adults, many of whom have made and continue to make significant contributions to Canadian society.

Oct. 1 is a day to do something special for the older members of your family, community or workplace. How you celebrate it is up to you. It could be as simple as messaging a grandparent (but how about actually calling?!). Or better still, take them out, whether for a meal or a walk, and preferably for both. You never know, there is a fair chance that you will be more winded than us after the uphill portion…

You can call us what you want, but for those of us who have relished many years and even decades in our fabulous local communities, why not celebrate our multitude of seasons spent on the mountain slopes, or on the trails or lakes and rivers, using the most appropriate epithet I can think of… “Seasoned”?

Happy Seniors Day to all you Seasoned Ones!

Shrimpton // Whistler n

‘Tis the season for terrible pumpkin crap

I STILL REMEMBER the heady days when pumpkins’ association with autumn was limited to whipped cream-topped pie at Thanksgiving and crudely carved jack-o’lanterns at Halloween.

Not so anymore.

At a certain point over the past few years, we decided as a society that pumpkin-spiced crap was going to be our new collective obsession,

BY BRANDON BARRETT

turning what began as a cute, seasonal trend at your local coffee shop to an onslaught of sugary, orange bullshit proliferating our shelves.

So, how did pumpkin spice become the unofficial flavour of fall? Well, we (mostly) have Starbucks to thank.

Although so-called pumpkin spice—used to flavour pumpkin pie—can be found in cookbooks from as far back as the 1890s, it was the coffee giant that helped turn it into a global phenomenon.

Fresh off the success of its peppermint mocha, launched in 2002 and described by Starbucks as its first “blockbuster seasonal beverage,” the company’s brain trust was looking for the next seasonal craze.

Customer feedback showed chocolate and caramel flavoured drinks reliably performed best, and the scientists at Starbucks’ Seattle “Liquid Lab” came up with roughly 100 different beverage concepts to pitch to corporate, including the famed pumpkin spice latte (or PSL, as it became known among disciples).

As the story goes, the company was initially hesitant to put all its eggs in the pumpkin basket, but the prevailing philosophy was it needed something bold and unique to offer customers. In 2003, Starbucks tested the PSL in about 100 stores in Vancouver and Washington, D.C. It was a hit.

“Within the first week of the market test, we knew we had a winner,” Peter Dukes, who led Starbucks’ espresso beverage team at the time (yes, they have an espresso beverage team), told the company’s website.

Thus began the slow, inexorable march towards pumpkin-spice ubiquity. Twenty years later, and not only has Starbucks vastly expanded its roster of pumpkinflavoured products, but everyone from Krispy Kreme to 7-Eleven and even frickin’ Bed Bath and Beyond has since jumped on the pumpkin bandwagon. Today, there are pumpkin beers, baked goods, ice cream, chocolate bars, breakfast cereal, Jell-O, granola, even goddamn pumpkin-spice make-up!

The crazy thing is, even after 20 years, pumpkin spice sales are still growing.

According to NielsenIQ data, as of July 29, consumers spent US$802.5 million on pumpkin products over the past year, up from $536.6 million in the same period in 2019.

So, what gives? How are we spending nearly a billion dollars a year on pumpkin products? Does all this stuff even taste good? (Dear reader, it does not.) Does pumpkinspiced crap commonly include actual pumpkin in its ingredient list? (Dear reader, it does not.)

It’s a question Psychology Today tackled in a 2020 article, with researchers pegging pumpkin’s popularity to a handful of factors, both biological and cultural. Typically a combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, pumpkin spice (specifically, nutmeg) generally contains high amounts of myristicin, a naturally occurring compound related to peyote. Cinnamon, meanwhile, contains eugenol, which has a calming, sedative effect. Clove contains a chemical that relieves pain, similar to novocaine and lidocaine. And ginger, as most moms are aware, is often used to reduce nausea and can lead to a sense of relaxation.

Taken in large doses, each of these spices can cause serious health complications, but in the miniscule amounts found in a latte or muffin, it’s possible pumpkin spice comes with a mild psychoactive benefit. (Seems like there are far more efficient ways to get high on your own

supply, but hey, that’s just me.)

For my money, however, the bigger factor is an emotional one. The rollout of pumpkin products each year (and it’s happening earlier and earlier: Starbucks began offering the PSL on Aug. 24 this year, a week earlier than 2022) signals the unofficial start of fall, and after another hot and dry summer, the arrival of pumpkin spice, and the cooler weather it brings, is probably a welcome relief to many.

Pumpkins, of course, are deeply rooted in a sense of nostalgia, harkening back to epic Thanksgiving feasts of years past and the trick-or-treating that lit us up as kids every Halloween.

Psychology Today also likens it to a broader “bandwagon effect” we see pretty much every time we’re on our social media feeds these days.

“The seeming popularity and proliferation of pumpkin spice products may cause some people to feel like they should ‘get with it’ and be a part of the pumpkin spice craze,” the publication wrote.

So, as we head into fall and you find yourself wondering how you became such a desperate pumpkin junkie, you can rest assured in the hard truth that getting a handle on your addiction is now virtually impossible for a variety of physical, social and cultural reasons beyond your control. There’s gotta be a hotline that can help out there somewhere.■

Whistler officials hear update on Meadow Park redevelopment plans

CONSTRUCTION ON NEW SPRAY PARK, PLAYGROUND SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THIS SPRING

BY MEGAN LALONDE

WITH WORK ON Rainbow Park anticipated to wrap up by summer, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is refocusing its attention on another park in need of a refresh.

Locals can expect to see new temporary fences blocking off another section of park space a few kilometres up the Valley Trail when construction on Phase 1 of the Meadow Park Redevelopment Project gets underway this spring.

Whistler’s mayor and council heard an update about the Meadow Park Master Plan—and how public feedback helped shape that vision—during a presentation RMOW parks planner Annie Oja delivered to the Committee of the Whole (COW) at its Tuesday, Sept. 26 meeting.

In particular, Oja’s presentation revealed new details about what the new spray park and playground will look like once they are complete. Staff spent much of the summer solidifying design plans for those amenities after launching the Meadow Park Redevelopment Project a year ago.

The spray park and playground’s design will be inspired by the three tectonic plates and the “geological movements that have shaped the Pacific Northwest region,” said Oja. The playground will feature one area geared for younger kids aged zero to five, and

another zone better suited to kids between five and 12.

The need for park improvements comes down to a few factors, from aging infrastructure and a changing climate to regional population growth and a documented increase in the number of people visiting Whistler’s parks in recent years. Despite its popularity, the existing spray park “is at the end of its useful lifespan and does not meet current Vancouver Coastal Health requirements or Whistler’s Water Conservation Bylaw,” according to the RMOW’s website.

One climate-minded change that won’t be quite as obvious as a shiny new spray park is the conversion of Meadow Park’s irrigation system to a non-potable source—in other words, well water rather than the drinking water it uses today.

Planners are also exploring the possibility of a spray park “shut off” that would close higher-flow features when water restrictions are in effect, while still allowing potable water to feed lower-flow features, said Oja, allowing park users a place to cool off.

The spray park currently uses about 1 million litres of water annually, one-third of the volume Meadow Park’s irrigation system requires. Finding a non-potable source for those 3 million litres represents “big savings,” for Whistler’s water reservoirs, Oja explained.

“From here on out, the project will break into two components: there’ll be the construction of the spray park and playground, which will initiate in the spring of ’24, and the draft master plan next steps,” Oja told officials Tuesday.

Designs detailed in the draft master plan have changed only slightly since April, when the committee last heard an update

about Meadow Park after the first phase of community engagement. While the updated plans include more covered outdoor spaces, for example, previous proposals to expand the riverfront along the adjacent River of Golden Dreams and build a new, dedicated off-leash dog area won’t be included in the first phase of Meadow Park improvements.

The plans Whistler’s elected officials reviewed Tuesday were largely informed by the public feedback municipal staff gathered during a second round of community engagement this spring. A total of 270 respondents offered their thoughts about the Draft Master Plan through an online survey, while RMOW staff hosted pop-up events at the Meadow Park Sports Centre and Nesters Market in May.

Those efforts recorded a high level of local support for the project: 59 per cent of respondents said they were supportive of the project’s draft master plan, compared to the 25 per cent who said they were unsupportive of the plan and the 16 per cent of respondents who said their feelings were neutral.

Meanwhile, 66 per cent of respondents expressed support for the playground and spray park concept, compared to 12 per cent who didn’t like the ideas and 22 per cent who remained neutral.

“Overall, [staff heard] lots of excitement for a new spray park and playground upgrade,” Oja said, but “we heard that the park should be a park for the community and not a tourist destination. It’s one of the fewer quieter parks and a respite for locals.”

The community engagement follows the same format carried out ahead of the Rainbow Park upgrades, a project that has earned its fair share of criticism since officials

announced a months-long closure was necessary to accommodate construction.

The difference with Meadow Park’s redevelopment, as Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton explained following the Sept. 26 council meeting, is that the process wasn’t interrupted by a pandemic this time around.

“One of the challenges COVID presented is that we were doing this really exciting, thorough public engagement, and then COVID comes along and we can’t spend time in each other’s presence,” he explained. “What we’re seeing here is really a reemergence of [that] work.”

Another piece of good news? “Because the scope and footprint of the construction is quite a bit smaller than Rainbow Park, we will be able to contain it to [Meadow Park’s playground and spray park] area and keep the rest of the park open,” said Oja.

Though staff intend to keep both of Meadow Park’s baseball diamonds intact “with very minor modifications,” said Oja, plans are in place to test the feasibility of relocating baseball groups that typically use those diamonds to Spruce Grove this spring. “We’ll be able to monitor and circle back with the league after the season in 2024, to hear feedback on how that worked,” Oja explained, “and if it’s unsuccessful, we can flag [it] for future Master Plan reconsiderations.”

The Meadow Park Redevelopment project is entirely funded by B.C.’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI). Officials anticipate planning and building a new spray park and playground will cost just under $3.5 million. So far, the RMOW has spent $183,358 of that sum on design consulting services and installing an irrigation test well. n

PARK PLANS Construction on a spray park and playground replacement in Meadow Park is slated to begin in spring 2024.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RMOW

NEWS WHISTLER

Sisters in Spirit vigil returns to Whistler after four-year hiatus to mark National Day of Action for MMIWG2S

LINDA EPP PRESENTS TWO DAYS OF PROGRAMMING ON OCT. 4 AND 5 TO ACKNOWLEDGE CHALLENGES INDIGENOUS WOMEN FACE AND HIGHLIGHT THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS

BY MEGAN LALONDE

LINDA EPP hasn’t lived in Whistler since 2021.

That trivial fact isn’t stopping the activist from bringing the Sisters in Spirit Vigil back to the resort for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Epp founded the powerful event in 2015 to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited (MMIWG2S). That was one year before the federal government launched a national inquiry, formally acknowledging the dark reality First Nations communities had been calling attention to for decades: Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people are murdered, abused, and disappear at shockingly high rates.

“This is still happening,” Epp said, even if “the world is now more aware of what Indigenous people in Canada have gone through.”

Epp is a member of the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation, but was raised by a Canadian-German Mennonite family after she and her twin sister were separated from their birth parents during the Sixties Scoop. She landed in Whistler in 1997, where she stayed until the housing crisis and work opportunities prompted her return to Vancouver two-and-a-half years ago.

“I’m just so attached to [Whistler’s] community and the people—the Lil’wat and Squamish people, but the community members as well, and the allies,” she said. “I say Vancouver is my home city, but Whistler is my hometown … I’ve done a lot of hard work in the past there, and I think I can still continue to do so. Even if I’m in Vancouver, I think there’s still powerful work to do in the Sea to Sky corridor.”

As usual, Sisters in Spirit invites participants together on Oct. 4—the National Day of Action for MMIWG2S—to hear from individuals and families impacted by this epidemic, share in their heartache, and advocate for change.

This year, however, marks the first time Epp is expanding the event to take place over two days.

The Sisters in Spirit Vigil walk begins at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. All are invited to meet at the Welcome Totem Pole, in Whistler Village Common by Mongolie Grill and Shoppers Drug Mart, before journeying together down the Village Stroll. (Unless weather fails to cooperate, that is, in which case an indoor gathering at the Maury Young Arts Centre will replace the walk.)

It’s a heavy topic, Epp acknowledged— one she’s tried to lighten in previous years by concluding the walk with uplifting singing and drumming. “This year, I want to do

something even better,” she said.

Specifically, Epp wanted to wrap up the sombre National Day of Action by shining light on Indigenous success. So, she reached out to some friends to join her.

Sisters in Spirit will continue Wednesday evening with a presentation and Q&A with Lorimer Shenher at the Maury Young Arts Centre from 7 to 8 p.m.

The author, speaker, and advocate was the first Vancouver Police Department detective assigned to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous women in Vancouver. He detailed his role in that investigation in That Lonely Section of Hell, an acclaimed memoir that also recounts his years-long struggle with posttraumatic stress disorder resulting from his work on the case.

Wednesday’s event continues with a Spirits Rising Drumming Session at 8:30 p.m., led by Epp alongside Bill Helin, the Tsimshian/ Norwegian artist, author and children’s educator who has visited classrooms to share his ancestors’ teachings through story drumming since 1990. Their goal is “to elevate the women to come out of the ground and fly high among the Eagles, and have the ancestors welcome them,” Epp said.

With that in mind, the aptly-named Spirits Rising Fashion Show will follow on Thursday evening, Oct. 5. Locals and visitors are invited back to the Maury Young Arts Centre to celebrate the creativity of Himikalas Pamela Baker, a fashion designer who grew up on the Capilano Indian “Xwemelch’stn” reserve in West Vancouver and is known to take inspiration from her Squamish, Kwakiutl, Tlingit and Haida ancestry. Ten Indigenous models will take to the runway wearing 30 of Baker’s breathtakinglyintricate contemporary Indigenous textile designs.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. before the show kicks off at 7 p.m. The event will conclude with a post-show reception and Q&A with the designer.

In the lead-up to next week’s event, Epp travelled up the Sea to Sky highway to continue her tradition of hanging red dresses in a growing number of local businesses.

A striking symbol of MMIWG2S, the dresses “provoke discussion,” said Epp, “and not just with the locals, but the people that are coming into the community and that are tourists. Because in the beginning, in reality, it was considered political.”

Entry to Wednesday evening’s programming costs $5 per person, while tickets to Thursday’s Spirits Rising Fashion Show are on sale for $10 each. Tickets are available for purchase at the Maury Young Arts Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on both Oct. 4 and 5. Wednesday morning’s walk is free to attend. n

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Here’s how you can commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Day in Whistler

SLCC OFFERING FREE ADMISSION ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 will once again be a day of listening, learning and reflection at Whistler’s Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC), as guests are invited to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Admission is free, thanks to CIBC, with programming supported by the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).

“Visitors can hear the Guest Speaker Series, experience Spo7ez cultural sharing, carving demonstration, immersive crafts, First Nations-inspired cuisine and explore books for learning, authentic art and keepsakes,” reads an SLCC press release.

The cultural museum is currently closed due to unexpected flooding from a broken pipe, but will reopen at 10 a.m. on Sept. 30. The museum will again be open on Sunday, Oct. 1 for regular operations, including guided tours. The SLCC Ambassadors will take Monday, Oct. 2 to rest and be with family, and the SLCC returns to regular operations on Oct. 3.

“The SLCC welcomes community members and guests to show support by wearing orange

to honour the children, survivors and families of Residential Schools for Orange Shirt Day/ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30,” the release said.

The RMOW, meanwhile, has several new installations to mark the day, including Survivors’ Flags, honouring the survivors of residential schools, in municipal buildings, and a new weaving exhibit at the Whistler Public Library. Transit will also be free on Sept. 30.

The weaving exhibit was created in September 2022 by celebrated Squamish Nation Artist Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph, in collaboration with members of the Whistler community, the RMOW said.

The Fitzsimmons Bridge will also be lit orange on Sept. 29 and 30 to mark the day.

The RMOW encourages the community to get involved by visiting the SLCC on Sept. 30, participating in Orange Shirt Day (shirts can be purchased online at slcc.ca/shop), and continue learning with a selection of curated books at the Whistler Public Library (read more at whistlerlibrary.ca/blog/national-dayfor-truth-and-reconciliation).

Businesses can also take part by picking up Truth and Reconciliation toolkits from the Whistler Chamber or Municipal Hall.

“These are for Whistler businesses and

include an orange heart decal to display in their business window, and letters from SLCC Executive Director, Heather Paul, and the mayor,” a municipal communications official said in an email. “They share information with businesses on how they can recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, including posting the decal year-round as a beacon of hope, and a reminder that this learning journey continues.”

Here’s part of the SLCC’s schedule for Sept. 30. Find more info at slcc.ca/visit.

GREAT HALL, ENTRANCE, THEATRE & GALLERIES

10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.: Self-guided tours, film series in the theatre, crafts for all ages.

10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.: Feature exhibitions: Gallery 2 –100 Years of Unity Squamish Amalgamation; Gallery 3 – Unceded – A Photographic Journey into Belonging.

10 A.M.: Curator tour of the Unceded Exhibition with Tsawaysia Dominique Nahanee.

10 A.M. TO 1 PM: Live carving demonstration with Brandon Hall.

10 A.M. TO 4 PM: Kids crafts, colouring and temporary tattoos.

10 A.M. TO 12 PM: Craft rope bracelets (all ages).

2:15 P.M.: Moment of silence.

2:30 TO 4:30 P.M.: Craft dreamcatchers (8+ years).

MEZZANINE PATIO & LONGHOUSE

11 A.M. TO 1 P.M.: Guest speakers series – Truth and Reconciliation.

11:30 A.M. TO 2 P.M.: Satellite Thunderbird Cafe in the Longhouse.

1 P.M.: Spo7ez Cultural Sharing.

1:30 P.M.: Break

2:15 P.M.: Moment of silence.

3 P.M.: Guided Interpretive Forest Walk in the Salish Stroll.

THUNDERBIRD CAFE

10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.: Enjoy First Nations-inspired cuisine at the Thunderbird Café.

11:30 A.M. TO 1 P.M.: Satellite Café in the Longhouse.

ART GALLERY & GIFT SHOP

10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.: Explore authentic handcrafted Northwest Coast First Nations art, and explore the SLCC’s extensive range of books for your knowledge and learning. n

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Vancouver man sues Whistler Blackcomb seven years after falling from chairlift

SNOWBOARDER ALLEGES NEGLIGENCE FOR FRACTURED SPINE AND OTHER INJURIES SUFFERED AFTER SLIPPING FROM EMERALD CHAIR

BY MEGAN LALONDE

A VANCOUVER MAN is suing Whistler Blackcomb, claiming the resort’s negligence is to blame for injuries he allegedly sustained after falling from a chairlift almost seven years ago.

According to a notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court Sept. 13, plaintiff Bryan Phu Manh Tran is seeking damages for the pain, suffering and costs he has incurred since Dec. 3, 2016.

The incident made headlines in December 2016 thanks to a video capturing the dramatic fall. Footage showed lift attendants setting up a “fireman’s net” to catch the snowboarder as he dangled from Whistler Mountain’s Emerald Express Chair. The rescue subject eventually let go, falling several metres before hitting the side of the net and landing on the snow-covered slope.

In a Pique article published following the incident, representatives for Whistler Blackcomb confirmed a 14-year-old male suffered injuries to his lower back after apparently slipping from the chair, and said the restraining bar was not lowered at the time. The snowboarder was reportedly brought to the Whistler Health Care Centre and released shortly after.

A statement of facts filed on behalf of the plaintiff this September makes no mention of a restraining bar, but claims Tran was seated on a chairlift and “conducting himself in a safe and prudent manner” when he fell to the ground.

The lawsuit says Tran suffered a fractured spine and a concussion as a result of the

fall, as well as other injuries to his head, neck, shoulders, pelvis, knees and legs. The incident led to long-term physical effects including an altered gait, chronic pain and fatigue, psychological injuries, and an increased risk of degenerative changes like dementia, according to the lawsuit.

“The injuries have caused and continue

Whether it’s a tickle in your throat or a newfound pain in your knee, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure Which is to say don’t wait, act now and see your physician These same tenets apply to homeowners with upcoming mortgage renewals in a rising-rate environment – specifically newer homeowners who got their mortgages during the 2020/2021 low-mortgage rate era Enter Pemberton’s BlueShore Financial team, specifically certified financial planner and financial advisor Kelsey Phare and advisory associate Jordana Shier This is a pair of financial experts who’ve grown up in the Pemberton Valley, who regularly help their local clients navigate and achieve financial goals of any size and scope

“You need to start planning now for what you may see in the future when your mortgage renewal comes up, ” Phare says “We call this the payment shock, so instead of waiting until the day it’s going to happen, look at it now, start planning and start making adjustments ”

These five tips will help you gain financial independence and stability both today and in the future

PLAN AHEAD

Clients need to look at what potential rate changes may occur in the coming years and get familiar with them now in order to assess how those numbers may impact their mortgage payments

“I usually review payment calculators with various higher interest rates – four, five or six per cent – to take away the payment shock and get a feel for what those rates might look like,” Phare explains “That really helps clients get familiar with the future payment so they can prepare for it ”

ADJUST ON THE FLY

“I help clients look at whether there are any places they could make adjustments today to create additional cash flow now, ” Shier says “We’ll look at your current budget and assess additional income sources: you could rent out a room or another area of your property, consider part-time work options or sell items you no longer need ”

to cause the plaintiff pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent physical disability, loss of physical, mental, and emotional health, loss of earnings, past and prospective, loss of competitive advantage, loss of opportunity to earn income, loss of income earning capacity, and a shortened working life,” the notice reads, in addition to “past and future loss of housekeeping and home maintenance capacity, care, and support services.”

The lawsuit names four defendants: the resort, its land owner and a pair of property management companies it says were in charge of inspections and maintenance on the premises.

The court filing goes on to list 30 specific ways Tran says the mountain operator or its staff contributed to the incident by breaching their duties to keep him safe. His accusations include failing to provide adequate supervision when loading and unloading the chairlift, hiring incompetent employees, failing to employ a reasonable inspection or maintenance system, and failing to rescue Tran in a timely manner.

None of these allegations have been proven in court. No official responses to the lawsuit were filed as of Sept. 21. Reached by email, a representative for Whistler Blackcomb confirmed the resort was unable to comment on ongoing legal matters. n

START SAVING NOW

Phare and Shier help clients prepare for the future by focusing on today For example, if your cash flow allows it, start tucking away $300 a month – this will prepare you for when payment amounts increase or help establish an emergency fund for the future Interest-bearing options abound on this front: term deposits, GICs, or high-interest savings accounts HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN

“If these options don’t apply to you, then you may be able to look at flexibility within the mortgage products that you have in order to reduce payments,” Phare says “We can give you personalized expert advice for a financial strategy that’s right for you ”

CONSULT AN EXPERT

A financial plan shouldn’t be a one-time, one-size-fits-all solution “No matter what life stage you ’ re in, we always recommend reaching out to an expert for advice A financial advisor can help you develop an effective plan that is customized to your unique needs and goals, and can be adapted as your life changes over time,” says Shier BlueShore Financial’s Pemberton branch has been a long standing part of the community since 1998 With a commitment to helping clients achieve financial wellness, BlueShore offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management, insurance and commercial lending solutions

“We’re not a typical big bank: we ’ re local, we know the area, we ’ re easy to deal with and we ’ re focused on building relationships,” Phare says “We’ve always been about the people, and fostering financial wellness within our community”

For more information and to find your local branch, visit www blueshorefinancial com

LIFT LAWSUIT A notice of civil claim was filed in Vancouver this September on behalf of a plaintiff who alleges Whistler Blackcomb’s negligence caused him to slip off a chairlift in 2016.

PHOTO BY CARTERDAYNE / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Financial advisor Kelsey Phare and advisor y associate Jordana Shier share advice with a client at their location in Pemberton

Photo by Dave Buzzard

w w w blueshoref inanci a l com

BlueShore Financial’s combination of customized solutions, expert advisors and dedication to long-term client relationships work together to foster financial wellness

THANK YOU!

FOR HELPING US BUILD THE NEW OUTDOOR SPACE AT WHISTLER SECONDARY IN SUPPORT OF OUR YOUTH, SCHOOL & COMMUNITY!

On behalf of the current and future students of Whistler Secondary Community School (WSS), their families, caregivers, teachers and staff, the WSS Parent Advisory Council (PAC) gratefully acknowledges the tremendous support of our community non-profits, local families and businesses, who helped create the new Whistler Secondary School Outdoor Multi-Purpose Room (OMPR). Officially opened on September 26, this new 42'X22' space creates sheltered access to the outdoors for students and staff during school, and will be available for community use during non-instructional days.

HEARTFELT THANKS TO ALL OF OUR PROJECT DONORS & SUPPORTERS! WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU!

Grants & Donations valued at over $184,020 generously provided by:

Whistler Secondary School PAC - $50,000

Whistler Blackcomb Foundation - $50,000

Den Duyf Family - $25,000

Whistler Secondary School - $20,000Fairmont Chateau Whistler Community Fund - $20,000

RMOW Community Enrichment $5,000

McElhanney Cares - $5,000

Whistler Community Foundation $4,000

CUPE 2010 - $1,000

WSS Grad Class 2023 - $1,000

WSS Families - $3,020 (to date)

In-kind Donations valued at over $33,540 generously provided by:

Jensen Construction Group (value $11,000)

Cardinal Concrete, a division of Lafarge Canada Inc. (value $10,000)

Corona Excavations Ltd. (value $6,000)

Horizon Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering Division of Ram Consulting (value $2,500)

TKT Contracting Ltd. (value $1,240)

Metro Testing & Engineering Ltd. (value $1,100)

Blacktail Reinforcing Inc. (value $850)

Whistler Aggregates Ltd. (value $800)

Bromley Projects Ltd.

Thank you to our dedicated project team:

WSS PAC Capital Projects Committee:

Project Lead - Carson Hamm, Fundraising Lead - Shauna Hardy & PAC Chair Sarah McCullough

WSS: Principal - Anna-Lisa Granbois, Vice Principal - John Hall & Administrator - Ann Robson

School District No.48 (Sea to Sky): Superintendent/CEOChristopher Nicholson, Secretary Treasurer - Danielle Haverstock, Director of Finance - Elena Meden & Director of OperationsIan Currie

Project expertise contributed by:

Alpine Paving Ltd.

Barry Hicks Contracting

Summit Concrete Specialties Ltd.

Twin Peaks Engineering Ltd.

Whistler Welding Services Ltd.

Peak Cutting and Coring Inc.

Sabre Rentals Ltd.

GFL Environmental

Resort Municipality of Whistler

RMOW reports back on implementation of new accessibility measures in Whistler

WHISTLER WAS ONE OF 10 B.C. MUNICIPALITIES AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES TO RECEIVE ACCESSIBILITY FUNDING THIS YEAR

BY BRANDON BARRETT

THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler (RMOW) this month reported back on its progress so far, as well as goals still ahead, as part of its Accessibility Action Plan, a provincially mandated initiative that asks municipalities to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility within their communities.

Coming into force last September, the Accessible British Columbia Act identifies local governments across B.C. as accessible organizations, and, as such, they were required to form an accessibility plan, an accessibility committee, and to implement a tool to receive feedback on accessibility issues by Sept. 1, 2023.

At the Sept. 12 regular meeting of council, municipal accessibility coordinator Sarah Tipler outlined progress made so far this year and highlighted actions planned for 2024, a significant year for the RMOW as Whistler prepares to host the 2025 Invictus Games, which will bring together hundreds of athletes from 20 nations to compete in adaptive winter sports.

Between that, an aging local population,

and new funding available for accessibility improvements through both the provincial and federal governments, Tipler said there is already plenty of momentum behind the RMOW’s efforts, similar to the lead-up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Whistler.

“The Accessible Canada Act and Accessible British Columbia Act have made the provincial and federal governments more aware,” she explained following her

presentation. “There’s some funding around that wasn’t available before, which of course facilitates getting more things done. Now governments and libraries are required to have a mobility action plan, so that momentum is helping, along with Invictus coming, that’s helping, along with the community aging.

“There’s a lot more momentum, similar to 2009.”

The RMOW was chosen this year as one of 10 B.C. municipalities and Indigenous

communities to receive provincial funding administered by the Rick Hansen Foundation. That money facilitated accessibility training for municipal staff, and Rick Hansen Foundation certification for three municipal sites—the Maury Young Arts Centre, the Myrtle Philip Community Centre, and the public washrooms at Olympic Plaza—along with $82,500 in funding for improvements at those sites. Part of that money will go towards the construction of a new accessible washroom at Myrtle Philip, which is also funded in part by a federal Enabling Accessibility grant.

Assessments of existing sites and systems also took place this year, with the ArcGIS Fields Map app used to collect and assess “most of the accessible infrastructure” in Whistler, according to the RMOW’s report, including accessible parking stalls, crosswalks, curb cuts, ramps, parks, washrooms, and signage.

Tipler noted the RMOW has extended the timing of light signals at crosswalks within the village to improve accessibility, but there remain some issues at intersections along Highway 99.

“It’s on Highway 99 where I think are some of the bigger challenges,” she said. “We’ve had some concerns, like the crossing

SEE PAGE 22 >>

LET THE GAMES BEGIN Accessibility on Whistler’s slopes and in the village itself will take on a greater importance as the resort prepares to host the 2025 Invictus Games.

PHOTO BY NATHAN BILOW / GETTY IMAGES

William Wayne Flann

March 30th, 1955 – September 21st, 2023

Father, Skier, Avalanche Expert, SAR Volunteer, Community Builder.

Wayne arrived in Whistler in the fall of 1979 in search of deep pow and psychedelic experiences, and found both. Sometime that first winter he earned the nickname, Wango, which is some unknown iteration of Go Wayne Go because he was just so damn fast. This was the birth of a Whistler legend.

Wayne had two goals: Be the most successful ski bum and have a great family. He accomplished both.

Wayne had a remarkable career in the ski industry right until the end. He started at Blackcomb Mountain in 1979 as a ski instructor and then as a coach before earning a spot on the Ski Patrol in 1983. He went on to become the Avalanche forecaster in 1989 and oversaw the development of the expansion plan into Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park which was one of his proudest accomplishments. Wayne was a pillar in the development of both the infrastructure and culture of Blackcomb Mountain. More recently, Wayne guided for both Whistler Heli-ski and Extremely Canadian.

But his work at Whistler Blackcomb was just one element of his commitment to mountain safety. Wayne was also a trauma paramedic, film industry safety consultant, and thirty-three-year Whistler Search and Rescue Volunteer, recently earning the honour of a lifetime member.

Wayne published the iconic Wayne Flann Avalanche Blog daily for the past 12 seasons and became the trusted source for avalanche information, weather forecasting and the community sharing of critical avalanche information. The blog was also a place for Wayne to showcase his love of the mountains through his beautiful photography.

Wayne had extensive knowledge and expertise in avalanche safety, snow science, rescue techniques and all things associated with mountain snow sports. His SAR and Ski Patrol colleagues share that they were continually impressed with his deep talent, vast knowledge, mental strength, and rock-steady attitude. He was deliberate and resourceful, with exceptional situation awareness. They attribute him

as an essential part of thousands of critical mountain rescues over the past 40 years.

Wayne had a deep love for his motorcycles and the freedom of the road and recently completed his bucket list adventure of riding from coast to coast. He had the opportunity to visit his many lifelong friends along the way and to spend time with his family in Campbellton.

The only thing that came ahead of his passion for the mountain was his deep love for his kids. Wayne leaves behind 4 incredible children: Evan, Rhiannon, Cody and Shira. They are each exceptional and independent young adults with knowledge and passion for the mountains.

Wayne was born in Campbellton, New Brunswick and graduated with a degree in Recreational Management from The University of New Brunswick.

He is survived by his mother, Eleanor Flann, sisters Brenda Monk (John) and Cindy Flann, and his partner Julianne Budd. He is also survived by his in-laws, Lawrence and Beverley Herscovici.

He is predeceased by his wife, Alyna Hope Herscovici-Flann and his father, George Flann.

There will be a celebration of life for Wayne in early December in Whistler. Location and exact date to be determined. This coincides with the traditional date of Wayne’s annual Scotch party that he has held for the past 40 years.A final farewell to a man who helped make the Whistler community so remarkable. Further details will be shared in the Facebook group (Wayne Flann remembered), through social media and in The Pique.

Wayne chose a life of adventure, excitement and community in the mountains and as in life, Wayne made personal choices in death. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Whistler Community Services or Whistler SAR. If you or someone you care about is suffering mental health challenges, please get help. Whistler Community Services is available.

We have created a Memorial Facebook Group where we would love everyone to share their stories, pictures and anecdote’s about Wango.

B.C. man accused of child exploitation crimes pleads guilty in North Vancouver court

THE FOUR CHARGES STEM FROM A WHISTLER RCMP INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED IN 2021

BY MEGAN LALONDE

A MAN IN HIS MID-20S pleaded guilty in a North Vancouver courtroom earlier this month to four counts of child exploitation crimes he was accused of committing in Whistler and Vancouver three-and-a-half years ago.

Keron Mark Salang-Oy, born in 1998, conceded on Thursday, Sept. 14 to one count each of distributing and possessing child pornography, and two counts of telecommunicating to lure a child under the age of 18. All four offences occurred in 2020, between April 14 and Aug. 20, according to court documents.

The charges laid in September 2021 stemmed from a Sea to Sky RCMP investigation launched in May of that year, when the RCMP’s BC Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (BC ICE) shared information with Mounties in Whistler about a Facebook user caught uploading and sharing exploitative images of youth. Those uploads occurred in Whistler the previous April, confirmed Cst. Katrina Boehmer, media relations officer with Sea to Sky RCMP’s Whistler detachment.

Whistler’s General Investigation Section (GIS) took the lead on the investigation. After

local investigators began probing those initial reports, their investigation ramped up when BC ICE reached out to the detachment with more information about other instances of child exploitation materials being uploaded and shared in Whistler, as well as other jurisdictions within the Lower Mainland, Boehmer said.

Sea to Sky RCMP confirmed Salang-Oy was living in the Lower Mainland at the time of his arrest.

BC ICE is a specialized unit responsible for coordinating the provincial RCMP’s

ACCESSIBILITY FROM PAGE 20

to Nesters where people feel rushed and not always provided with the support they need if they have a visual impairment and need an audio signal there.”

Support for seniors programming in Whistler was also extended in 2023. In the past year, local seniors advocacy group the Mature Action Community delivered the Making Connections dementia program, which facilitates social and recreational programming to support those living with early-stage dementia, along with their caregivers and family.

response to online child abuse crimes in British Columbia, working alongside the National Exploitation Crime Centre and other child exploitation policing partners.

“This investigation was a multijurisdictional effort and it included the involvement of both BC ICE and Sea to Sky Whistler GIS investigators,” Boehmer explained in an email. “Reports of child exploitation are taken very seriously by the RCMP, and individuals who prey on young children should be aware that because of closer working relationships within and

between law enforcement agencies around the world, perpetrators will be apprehended and held accountable for their actions.

“We would encourage anyone who is aware of child exploitation that is occurring to contact either BC ICE or their local detachment,” she added.

After submitting his guilty plea, Salang-Oy appeared in court briefly on Sept. 19 as officials determined a date for subsequent proceedings. He’s due to appear in North Vancouver Provincial Court next on Dec. 12, when a judge will hear a pre-sentence report. n

Among the initiatives on deck for 2024 are: the continued assessments of existing locations and public facilities; the development of “Know Before You Go” videos for key facilities and accessible routes, which will enable people with disabilities to better prepare for their trip to the resort; identifying intersections that could benefit from countdown signals; and the incorporation of accessibility features and commitments into the RMOW’s request-for-proposal template.

Staff also plan to introduce a survey that would be conducted every three years to track

Whistler’s accessibility performance and better understand existing barriers.

“I really appreciate the work you’re doing across the organization,” Mayor Jack Crompton said to Tipler at the council meeting. “It’s nice to be able to see that laid out in the way it was and I’m excited to be able to look back two, three, four years from now and see the improvements that have been made that, I think, are going to be so important to allow people to live and be a part of this community.”

For more info, visit whistler.ca/ accessibility. n

CALL FOR FUNDING APPLICATIONS

Applications are now being accepted for our October 1st, 2023 Spring Funding Deadline.

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support to community groups and charities whose activities provide benefit to residents of the Sea to Sky Corridor in the areas of health, human services, education, recreation, arts & culture and the environment. Special emphasis is placed on children, youth and family programs For more information, eligibility requirements and to complete an application, please visit our website at whistlerblackcombfoundation.com. Or contact Mei Madden, Executive Director at mmadden@whistlerblackcombfoundation com

St’at’imc powwow arbour built by volunteers from around the globe

THE ARBOUR IS LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE OF PEMBERTON AND WILL HOST POWWOWS AND CEREMONIES FROM NEXT SUMMER ONWARDS

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A NEW POWWOW celebration space is taking shape near Mount Currie and Pemberton thanks to the efforts of dozens of volunteers.

A product of registered charity the St’at’imc Northern Tribe Powwow Society and the Timber Framers Guild, the arbour will host powwows and ceremonies as early as next summer.

More than 60 people from the U.S.-based Timber Framer’s Guild camped on the site for the last few weeks, learning skills and working together as a team, and volunteers came from all corners of the globe, from Hawaii to Cardiff, to help out with the ambitious build.

“They built our arbour. We are so grateful and thankful that they came in to help us. At the same time people were learning,” said St’at’imc Northern Tribe Powwow Society’s Chris Thomas Wells.

Wells expressed his gratitude to landowner, Brian Lester, who made everything possible, adding the arbour—a series of covered, wooden structures on concrete slabs arranged in a massive circle in the shadow of majestic Mount Currie—was desperately needed as a place of gathering.

“We needed a place of ceremony and a place to hold powwows. A powwow brings people together. We sing and dance,” Wells said.

“It will be utilized from all around. Everyone is welcome to use this arbour and be part of this journey.”

Wells stressed the final touches will be put on the arbour in the coming months. “We were very happy with the finished product. It is amazing and so beautiful,” he said. “There is still a little bit to go. It’s going to be covered all the way around.”

Pemberton’s Mark Mendonca, of Grimm’s Gourmet and Deli, is the director of the society. He would like to see the arbour used to display local art and bring people to the area.

“It has been a pleasure to work with everyone on the project itself,” said Mendonca. “We have to put a roof on. We will have water

and electricity. We will groom up the property and that will be it.”

But the arbour is already making an impression.

The first time Allison Aurand of the Timber Framers Guild saw the finished product, she was overcome with emotion.

“When I drove into the site, I had to stop,” she said. “It was so beautiful.”

Some volunteers came for a day or two, while others stayed the whole time, Aurand added.

“The volunteers had the opportunity to work with really experienced instructors who can pass on their knowledge about timber framing,” she said.

Chris Koehn joined the Timber Framers Guild back in the ’80s, but found this project particularly special.

“This one really touched me in the heart in the province that I now call home,” he said. “I think it has exceeded everyone’s expectations.

We have been invited up for the first powwow in August. I’ll be there.”

Most volunteers set up camp on site while they were learning from the instructors. Thankfully, the team had time in the evenings to share a few beers and partake in a makeshift Olympic Games.

“The events included axe-throwing and brace-throwing,” Koehn said. “We had a math challenge and tried to see how square we could saw chunks of timber without instruments.”

Volunteer Elena Jordansson travelled from Seattle to learn from the experts.

“Everybody was incredibly generous with their knowledge. They were kind and patient,” she said. “I wanted to learn, but that seemed kind of impossible or beyond me. It made perfect sense when it was taught by somebody who knew what they were doing.”

Meanwhile, Welsh woman Clare James felt impelled to come to Canada for the very first time to work on the project. “My husband

has some timber framing experience,” she said. “I was particularly interested in this because it was a First Nations project. It’s been the best introduction to Canada. This is the best thing we have ever done.”

The goal for the arbour is directly linked to the St’at’imc Northern Tribe Powwow Society’s vision: to observe self, connect to culture, and unite communities for this and future generations across all walks of life.

The society’s mission is to host authentic homecoming powwows for all grounded in protocol, culture, respect, humility and knowledge-sharing by celebrating the natural medicines of dancing, drumming, singing and ceremony.

The society cannot wait to see the arbour in action.

“Thousands and thousands of people are going to use this,” Wells said. “Our powwow next year is going to be pretty big. We are going to be fundraising to bring it together.” n

TEAM BUILDING Volunteers pose for a group photo at the site of a new powwow arbour near Mount Currie and Pemberton.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Takeout in the Boonies owner forced to close shop due to rising food costs

CHRISTINA SMITH RECENTLY MADE IT TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF POW WOW PITCH FOR INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS BUT IS STRUGGLING TO RE-LAUNCH HER BUSINESS

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

LOCAL FAVOURITE First Nations eatery Takeout in the Boonies is no more, says its owner, citing the rising cost of food as a major factor.

Located an hour out of Pemberton down the In-Shuck-ch/Lillooet Lake Road, the business was the brainchild of Christina Smith, who has had a passion for great-tasting food from a young age.

Smith was selling freshly made pizzas and bannock from her home, providing a takeout option to the locals of St’at’imc territory and workers travelling through the area.

The business recently made it to the semifinals of the Pow Wow Pitch for Indigenous entrepreneurs, and picked up an honourable mention after making a significant impression on the judges.

Smith said her business was born of a love of a food.

“When I was younger, I used to make pizza in school,” she said, adding she completed a small business and entrepreneur development course in 2012.

“That’s when I started my business. Before

that I made pizzas for fundraisers involving my children and adopted children,” she said.

Takeout in the Boonies had its grand opening in 2014, but has seen its fair share of obstacles since then.

Lately, much like other small business owners around B.C., Smith has felt the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis.

“Things built up. I’m trying to start my business back up, but catch up on all my bills as well,” she said. “There were a lot of issues.”

The cost of supplies has just kept rising since Smith first started cooking up a storm.

“Food prices are so crazy,” she said. “Last year, I had to up my prices. Then the grocery costs went up again. Cheese is especially expensive. I grate my own cheese, because it costs more to buy cheese that has already been grated. I can’t even put ham and pineapple on my basic menu anymore because of how expensive it is.”

Smith’s experience in the Pow Wow Pitch competition has only spurred her on more. Her dream is to be able to run a food truck in the area. However, right now it’s hard to see the business getting back in the black.

“I want to re-open,” said Smith. “Right now, we are not profitable. I was thinking about reaching out for donations just to restock. I’m struggling to make ends meet.”

Smith has always enjoyed taking in students and teaching them how to make her traditional recipes, and working from home meant she had more time to spend with her own kids when they returned from school in the evenings.

“I wanted to a create a job for stay-athome moms,” she said. “The school bus leaves at 7 a.m., and they don’t get back until 4:30 p.m. Our kids are gone, but we still have stuff to do at home. It’s hard to find work in such a remote area, but it’s my home.”

Smith told Pique she often offers food on credit to customers, as it’s important that everyone helps each other out.

“We will provide them with lunch and just tell them to get us back in the next few days,” she said. “I’ve a bit of a fan-base because they know my pizza is good.”

Smith was determined to have the first drive-thru in the area, a saving grace for loggers and truckers passing through. In recent years, she had to take orders over social media. “Only certain houses have phones,” said Smith. “I’m really hoping to have one. Right now, I don’t have a cellular plan. I just try to find Wi-Fi wherever I can.” n

PASSION PROJECT Christina Smith says her fan-favourite business, Takeout in the Boonies, a recent semifinalist in the Pow Wow Pitch contest, is closing due to rising costs.

PHOTO BY ROISIN CULLEN

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Planetary boundaries, climate strikes underscore need to end fossil fuels

AS SCIENTISTS WARN that we’ve pushed the planet “well outside the safe operating space for humanity” and young people march for their futures, the fossil fuel industry campaigns to keep its products, and the world, burning.

Industry’s push for continued global energy market dominance accounts for the climate emergency in the most cynical way. Most of its proposed climate “solutions” are expensive ways to enable continued digging, fracking, pumping and profiting as the world overheats. Rather than helping rapidly transition from products proven to be fuelling an accelerating crisis, companies

Sisters in Spirit/Spirits Rising rit/S

Arts Whistler joins forces with Linda Epp (Sechelt Nation) of EPPic Connections to present two days of programs that focus on the challenges and achievements of Indigenous women in Canada today

SISTERS IN SPIRIT VIG

October 4

11am to 1 pm, FREE

Location: Meet at Welcome Totem Pole, Whistler Village Common

Join in a procession and gathering to advocate for and honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls on the National Day of Action

SPIRITS RISING GATHERI

with Lorimer Shenher,Bill Helin and Linda E

October 4

7pm – 9pm, Tickets $5/person

Location: Maur y Young Arts Centre

Retired VPD detective Lorimer Shenher shares his insights from working the missing women s cases that led to Robert Picton s arrest. The evening will end with a group drumming and singing session with Bill Helin & Linda Epp.

SPIRITS RISING FASHION SH

The Designs of Himikalas Pamela Baker

October 5

7 pm – 8:30 pm, Tickets $10/person

Location: Maur y Young Arts Centre

Experience a night of glamour and elegance with mind-blowing designs from Himikalas Pamela Baker, a creative force in Indigenous fashion

Learn

We’ve had decades to transition to a clean energy economy, but industry and its front groups, media allies, PR companies and “captured” politicians have slowed progress to the point where rapid and far more disruptive change is now needed.

An assessment in Science Advances found six of nine “planetary boundaries”— global system thresholds—have been crossed and we’re on the brink of two others. Four of the most vital biological boundaries are at or near the highest risk level. This means “the systems have been driven far from the safe and stable state that existed from the end of the last ice age, 10,000 years ago, to the start of the industrial revolution,” the Guardian reports.

BY DAVID SUZUKI

are backing away from renewable energy and doubling down on polluting products such as oilsands bitumen.

Touting fracked methane gas as a “natural” transition fuel, and promoting expensive, largely unproven technologies like carbon capture as solutions to rising emissions—and asking taxpayers to subsidize them—are some ploys industry is using to stay alive and make money, no matter the consequences to human lives and planetary health.

Executives admit that technologies such as carbon capture are designed to help preserve their interests. “This gives our industry a license to continue to operate for the 60, 70, 80 years that I think it’s going to be very much needed,” Occidental Petroleum head Vicki Hollub said of carbon capture at a conference this year.

“We are going to pay an oil company

Although the boundaries don’t mark irreversible tipping points, “they are points after which the risks of fundamental changes in the Earth’s physical, biological and chemical life support systems rise significantly.”

Boundaries have been exceeded in biosphere integrity, climate change, novel entities (synthetic chemicals and substances, nuclear waste and weapons, etc.), land system change, freshwater change and biogeochemical flows. We’re also reaching critical points for ocean acidification and atmospheric aerosol loading. The only one we’ve retreated from is “stratospheric ozone depletion,” thanks to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer—demonstrating that international cooperation works!

“If you want to have security, prosperity and equity for humanity on Earth, you have to come back into the safe space and we’re not seeing that progress currently in the world,” said former Stockholm Resilience Centre director Johan Rockström, who led the team that developed the boundaries framework.

to pump crap out of the ground and then pay them to put some back in—it’s plainly obvious this isn’t a climate solution,” Project Drawdown executive director Jonathan Foley said in the Guardian

The industry is also on a global campaign to sell “natural” gas, often using misleading or false information in the face of research showing, for example, that heat pumps are far more cost-effective, efficient and less polluting than gas—even in cold winter months!

We’re experiencing the consequences of continued reliance on fossil fuels: heat domes, droughts, floods, insect infestations, water shortages, more extreme and unpredictable weather, climate migrants… Industry’s own scientists warned as far back as the 1950s that using oil, gas and coal as intended could cause such impacts.

Why aren’t we seeing that progress?

The fault lies largely with the fossil fuel industry, which has used false and deceptive information to sow doubt and confusion about the ever-increasing evidence of its role in the crisis—often contradicting its own scientists—to slow or stall climate action. But we’re also living with outdated economic systems based on a limited understanding of nature and our place in it.

Enough is enough. We must listen to scientists, youth, Indigenous Peoples and environmentalists. We have to reject industry deception and embrace new ways of seeing and being that respect nature and its limits.

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington. ■

Executives admit that technologies such as carbon capture are designed to help preserve their interests.

The ladies of Rampage deserve a seat at the table

I’VE HAD MIXED feelings about Red Bull Rampage for a few years now. There have been standout moments in the Utah desert that seemed to set the stage for the future of the sport, like in 2013 when Cam Zink landed the biggest stepdown backflip to date of 23.7 metres (78 feet). Another mind-blowing moment was in 2015, when New Zealand

BY

freerider Kelly McGarry landed a backflip over a 22-metre (72-foot) canyon gap and captured the whole thing on his helmetmounted GoPro.

There have been dozens of other genredefining moments at Rampage, from Canadian freeride icon Wade Simmons winning the inaugural event in 2001 (on a bike that would barely survive a week in the Whistler Bike Park these days) to slopestyle veterans Brandon Semenuk and Brett Rheeder winning two Rampage titles each in the last four years. And I couldn’t talk about this event without giving a shoutout to Nelson, B.C.’s Kurt Sorge, who’s earned three Rampage titles since 2012.

As much as there’s been to celebrate with Rampage, there have also been the years when I questioned the motivations for it. In 2013, writer Mitchell Scott published a very

different and visceral opinion in an article titled “RAMPAGE: CATCH-22.” It described not just the perilous risks riders were taking, but how those risks needed to be amplified 10-fold in order to achieve a podium finish.

Riders aren’t forced to compete at Rampage, and never have been. But if you want to make it to the big league sponsorships of the sport, you have to put your neck on the line at Rampage. The media reach of the event has helped the sport break into the mainstream while propelling its winners’ careers into the stratosphere, so… worth it?

in Virgin, Utah, without the added pressure of the world watching.

At the 2022 event, Casey Brown rode Rheeder’s 2015 Rampage line and made it look very smooth. The intent of Formation— to serve as an incubator for female freeride talent—was clearly working.

Earlier this year, Red Bull announced that Formation 2023 was cancelled. Disappointing, yes. But all eyes were glued on the soon-to-be-announced Rampage invite list, hoping this would be the year the energy-drink giant would invite a few

selection panel invites the best 18 riders globally to compete. We are exploring with industry experts how we might develop a women’s category at Red Bull Rampage.”

Rampage is a difficult live event to run. Wind wreaks havoc on the athletes and can make an already hazardous venue life or death. Organizers will often reduce the competition from two runs to one on account of the wind windows, making every minute critical for viewership.

Would adding a handful of women to the roster reduce the visual appeal of the event? I don’t think so. I would rather see Brown or Verbeeck complete the run of their lives and make history than watch another mediocre men’s run from athletes who probably should have retired after their last near-death crash.

The point of all this preamble is that everything I’ve mentioned so far about Red Bull Rampage and the athletes that compete has been 100-per-cent male-dominated. And if you’re not aware of the level of women’s freeriding these days, it’s not all your fault. Unlike World Cup racing, media coverage of women’s freeride events has been lacklustre at best.

A non-competitive event called Formation kicked off in 2019 with the aim of changing that. It even had Red Bull backing it. Formation was a group of freeride women who gathered at one of the older Rampage venues, dug their lines, shaped their jumps, and sent it. The goal was to get these highly skilled female riders more comfortable in the exposed and hazardous terrain that one finds

women to compete alongside the men, to give the rising stars of female freeride some well-deserved Rampage airtime.

Unfortunately, it was not the year. Familiar male faces, some new blood, and some old fossils (in freeride terms) made up the invite list. A few high-profile athletes declined to compete. But no women.

In a recent interview with the Pinkbike Podcast, Vaea Verbeeck, one of the leading female freeriders in the world, revealed Red Bull wants to bring back Formation and develop it towards a proper—albeit separate— competition. After quite a bit of public backlash across the mountain bike industry last week, Red Bull released this statement: “Red Bull Rampage is the most difficult freeride mountain bike competition in the world. For this reason, a

Since announcing the male-only invite list, Red Bull has borne the social media brunt of its decision to keep Rampage status quo in 2023. The female riders lobbying for inclusion have made it clear they are huge fans of Rampage, and that they’re not asking to take the spots of male competitors. They’re not looking for token appearances or a watereddown, female-only event. They simply want to show the world that female freeriders are ready to put their own necks on the line for Rampage glory.

It might take more money and it might take some convincing of white guys sitting around a boardroom table, but the people have spoken. The ladies of Rampage deserve a seat at the table.

Vince Shuley is looking forward to seeing the 2024 Rampage start-list. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

“We are exploring with industry experts how

we

might develop a women’s category at Red Bull Rampage.”

- RED BULL

VINCE SHULEY

LET THEM RIDE Hannah Bergman showed she’s more than Rampage-ready at Formation in 2022.

PHOTO BY NATALIE STARR / RED BULL CONTENT POOL

Members of the Xet’òlacw School in Mount Currie land means to them

By Roisin Cullen // LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

REPORTER community

“IT’S A CEREMONY THAT HONOURS THE SALMON FOR THEIR RETURN. We are people of the rivers. Salmon is our staple food. What we are teaching the children is that you are always protecting the next generation. We have to be thankful to the salmon for giving its life,” says Xet’òlacw principal Rosa Andrew.

Making sure future generations will be cared for is part of Andrew’s life work and mission.

“We have to be thinking of the generations that are yet to come,” she says. “One of our protocols is to only take what you need, never take more than you need. We always remember that the salmon has to replenish itself to return four or five years later for the next generation.”

Having an elder present at the ceremonies is incredibly important. “Through the ceremony, we bring in an elder to come and talk. Spirituality is not a religion for us,” Andrew says. “It’s something we live. When we do the ceremony, it’s important for the children that we have that spiritual connection to all of creation. We need this to honour not just ourselves, but everything around us.”

The Lil’wat Nation’s traditional territory encompasses 781,131 hectares of “beautiful, resource-rich land that includes temperate coastal regions, old growth rainforest and arid areas,” according to the Nation’s website. Lil’wat Nation traditional territory extends south to Rubble Creek, north to Gates Lake, east to the Upper Stein Valley, and west to the coastal inlets of the Pacific Ocean.

Xet’òlacw Community Currie share what the

Canada’s Indian Act was first introduced in 1876—a collection of colonial dictates with the overarching goal of eliminating First Nations culture in favour of assimilation to more Eurocentric Canadian values.

Under the Act, a reserve is defined as a “tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in His Majesty, that has been set apart by His Majesty for the use and benefit of a band.”

According to the Government of Canada, the Lil’wat currently oversees 10 reserves, covering roughly 2,700 hectares—mostly situated around the Mount Currie area.

The Lil’wat is one of 78 B.C. First Nations that have chosen not to participate in the BC Treaty Commission process.

“We have never given or sold any of our land to any government or nation. Although settlers and colonial governments marginalized us from the land, we never relinquished our right to our home,” reads an excerpt from the Lil’wat Nation Fact Book published in 2007.

“As we fought to restore and preserve our rights, we earned a reputation for political protest and resistance. In 1911, the Lil’wat people joined other First Nations to sign the Lillooet Declaration. This document outlined the demands for the reinstatement of our right to our traditional lands.”

Making sure the kids learn their own language, culture and identity is paramount for Andrew and her staff.

“We are people of the land. We want the kids to learn that a part of our protocol is to be stewards, caretakers of the land,” she says. “The idea we have in this school is that we are trying to undo what Canada has done to us. Canada has confined us to reservations.”

A natural education

ON AUG. 23, THE LIL’WAT AND N’QUATQUA FIRST NATIONS made a surprise announcement, saying they were “shutting down” access to the popular Joffre Lakes provincial park.

In a joint statement, the Nations said they made the decision to shut down the park so they can harvest and gather resources within the territories, known as Pipi7iyekw.

“While successes have been gained through our partnership in terms of implementing a cap on the number of visitors and a Day-use pass permit, access to the resources by Líl’wat and N’Quatqua has not been prioritized,” the Nations said in a follow-up statement.

The two First Nations also said their goals have been on hold for many years and were left “overshadowed by importance placed on tourism” at Pipi7iyekw—Joffre Lakes Park.

The surging popularity at Joffre has made its share of headlines in recent years. The park

For four decades now, the Xet’òlacw Community School in Mount Currie has held its annual salmon barbecue.

This year, the feast was hosted on Sept. 15, an important opportunity to not only gather as a community but to honour the salmon for giving up its life.

accommodates up to about 200,000 visitors per year, with 1,053 day-use passes available every day.

So some might be surprised to learn that many younger members of the Lil’wat Nation have never seen Joffre for themselves.

That changed during the recent Joffre closure, when some students from Xet’òlacw got to visit the park for the first time.

“We are teaching the children that they don’t have to stay on reservation,” says Andrew. “We are the rightful owners to this traditional territory. All of our chiefs signed a declaration in May 1911 saying we never ceded, surrendered or gave up our rights to our traditional territory. Now, we are taking the kids off the reserve and onto our traditional territory. We are letting them know that we have a right to our culture. We have a right to our identity.”

The children’s rain boots are stacked up in the corner of their classroom. Any chance to get out on the land is immediately snatched up, an essential part of the education provided at Xet’òlacw. After a recent visit to the park, Charlotte Jacklein’s Grade 8 class understood why Joffre Lakes is such a hit with tourists. They all had time to explore the area on their own and reflect on its importance during their “solo.”

Ashton said visiting the lakes while they were quiet was very important to him. “I loved when nobody was at Joffre Lakes because it was clean,” he tells Pique. “It is beautiful.”

Nash was worried about the effect tourists have had on the wildlife that call the park home.

“I like Joffre Lakes because it’s colourful and beautiful,” he says. “When you go there the birds land on you because they are so used to tourists feeding them. They might forget how to feed themselves. I like it when it’s quiet. When it’s busy, there’s a lot of garbage.”

Hallie enjoyed making an ísken, a traditional winter home with her friends. Meanwhile, feeling a connection to animals and a sense of independence was what stood out for Ray-anne.

“I love the outdoors because of the animals. I have made fires all by myself and found toads,” she says. “I went to Joffre Lakes and saw the cool lakes.”

Andrew feels things need to desperately change as the country gets set to commemorate its third National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30.

“It was the parents who had the courage to say: ‘You will not hurt our children anymore,’” she says. “Our children will not be ashamed to speak our language. Our children will not be ashamed

to practise our culture or our spirituality. We are teaching them that they are the rightful owners. The problem is that Canada does not want to accept that we are the rightful owners. We never ceded. We never surrendered. Canada still sees itself as a power over who we are as a people. “Canada still thinks that I am a Canadian citizen because they gave me this status card with a number on it. I am not. I am so connected to the land, and that’s what I’m teaching the children here.”

Xet’òlacw has a prime role to play in undoing intergenerational trauma—but it can’t do all the heavy lifting on its own.

“It is a safe space for the kids to learn,” Andrew says. “We are teaching the kids here in school, but Canada has to do its part by undoing the genocide that they have done to our people and to decolonize. I think the problem that Canada is having is that if they acknowledge that we are

In honour of survivors and of those who never returned, SD48 is taking steps to address the ongoing legacy of Residential Schools and to learn and teach the truth about Canada's history.

unceded, unsurrendered, then that takes away Canada’s baseline.”

Canada’s residential school system famously had the overarching goal of killing “the Indian in the child”—which has understandably led to a deep mistrust among First Nation parents, even today.

“A lot of the parents of these children are the products of the intergenerational effect of what happened,” says Andrew. “We are very fortunate to have had ancestors who kept asserting that we weren’t Canadian. Canada even went so far as to divide us. They were divided into these reservations. They didn’t even stop there. They divided our language. We are one— ‘pála7lhkalh’—as St’át’y’emc Nation.”

Loud and clear

AT THE TAIL END OF THE WORST WILDFIRE SEASON IN B.C.’S HISTORY, the importance of taking a more traditional approach to stewardship and sustainability is not lost on Andrew.

A culture built on consumerism, capitalism and materialism is causing catastrophic damage to the lands we hold dear, she says.

“The message is coming out loud and clear. What is Mother Earth saying? It is burning,” she says. “Look at the depletion of our animals. Look at the depletion of the salmon in our rivers, the forest fires, the floods. Mother Earth is speaking out loud and clear.”

That message urgently needs to be heeded, Andrew adds.

“They continue to take and take. It’s very individualistic,” she says. “In our community, it’s communal. We need to survive as a nation, not just as a community.”

Although she didn’t fit the mould of contemporary Canadian academia, the education Andrew received in Mount Currie was more than enough to pass an entrance exam for Capilano University or its counterparts. This is when she truly saw the need for change—and the change she needed to make.

“I was very fortunate to have a grandmother and a mum who really fought to make sure I knew who I was. I knew my identity. I knew how to survive off the land,” she says. “I was very fortunate to learn from my Elders. I ended up graduating with a high self-esteem, high confidence, and wanted to continue my education. I couldn’t get into their schools because my way of learning wasn’t accepted yet. I didn’t have their English. I didn’t have their way of learning. That was all they accepted.”

Andrew was determined.

“I went back home and had my family. I came back to this school as a custodian. I worked my way up and got a Class 1 driver’s licence. I then decided that I didn’t want to stay a bus driver for the rest of my life,” she says. “I went back to school and got my teaching degree. I taught for

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nine years, but realized I couldn’t make the changes that needed to happen here. I went back for my master’s. Now, I am the school principal. It can be done.”

A living language

ANDREW STRESSES THIS WAS ONLY POSSIBLE because she was able to learn her language and culture from Elders. When her grandfather’s children returned from residential school, he insisted English would not be spoken in their house. He wanted them to stay connected to their culture.

A psychology professor Andrew had in university helped change her own outlook on life, she says.

“I wrote an essay about my grandparents and alcoholism,” she recalls. “I said in the paper that my grandparents were passed out on the ground. I told them that I hated them and that I would never be like them. The professor pulled me aside and said it wasn’t my grandparents that I hated, but the system that caused them to be the way they were. They had their children taken away.”

That system impacted First Nations people for generations, in wide-reaching ways. Under the threat of being taken to residential school, Andrew’s husband was hidden in a cabin in Whistler when he was just five years old.

“My husband is a fluent speaker,” she says. “When the Indian agents came to our reserve to take the children, his uncle took the boys to Whistler. There’s a little lake where Nesters is now … There was a little cabin there. That’s where they were hiding.”

Today, students at Xet’òlacw now all have the opportunity to speak Ucwalmícwts—the Lil’wat’s traditional language—something many of their ancestors were denied. In Grade 8, Skil’ is writing her own book in Ucwalmícwts, and is rarely seen without her thesaurus.

“I love writing in my language,” she says. “I speak fluent Ucwalmícwts. I’ve been making my own book for three months now. I’m on the second chapter in my story. I hope to do more and hopefully I can be a writer when I grow up.”

Ucwalmícwts is directly tied to the land itself, Andrew explains.

“It’s a rich language,” she says. “We are so connected to the land. You can’t separate us from the land. Somehow, I feel like Canada knew that. That’s why they took us off our traditional territories and put us on reservations.”

It is important the kids feel no sense of shame in who they are and where they came from, Andrew says.

“One really important thing is for our children to know that it’s not their fault,” she says. “It’s not their fault. It’s not for them to be ashamed that they don’t know how to speak their language. That’s for Canada. Canada needs to be ashamed for what they have done to our people.”

The principal looks forward to what the future will hold, and the wonders her “survivors” will achieve in all aspects of life. These survivors will pass on their language, their culture and their identity to future generations.

“They are survivors,” says Andrew, of the students. “They are strong. Our ancestors are strong, they survived. Even the children that are in the ground are strong. They are still there, speaking loud and clear.” n

Dana Claxton is a critically acclaimed artist who works with film, video, photography, single/multi- channel video installation, and performance art. Her practice investigates indigenous beauty, the body, the sociopolitical and the spiritual. Her work has been shown internationally and is held in public, private, and corporate collections including the National Gallery of Canada, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Vancouver Art Gallery, Mackenzie Art Gallery, Audain Art Museum, Eiteljorg Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Forge Project, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery.

Dana has received the VIVA Award (2001), Eiteljorg Fellowship (2007), Hnatyshyn Foundation Visual Arts Award (2019), YWCA Women of Distinction Award (2019), Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts (2020) and the Scotiabank Photography Award (2020). She is the winner of Best Experimental film at the IMAGINATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival (2013).

She is Professor and Head of the Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory with the University of British Columbia. She is a member of Wood Mountain Lakota First Nations located in SW Saskatchewan and she resides in Vancouver Canada.

Dana comments, “I am grateful for all the support my artwork and cultural work has received. I am indebted to the sun and my sundance teachings – mni ki wakan - water is sacred. ”

The Audain Prize for the visual arts is one of Canada’s most prestigious honours. Worth $100,000, the prize is awarded to a senior artist in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the arts. Recipients of the Audain Prize are highly acclaimed Canadian cultural icons. Since 2004, the Audain Prize has been awarded to 19 of British Columbia’s leading visual artists, selected each year by an independent jury.

Presented by

Sponsored by

Courtesy of the artist.

Nicholas Katrusiak named to Canadian ski cross NextGen team

THE WHISTLER MOUNTAIN SKI CLUB PRODUCT FEELS HE IS PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME

BY DAVID SONG

FOUR YEARS of determination and ski cross training have paid off for Nicholas Katrusiak, as he has been named to the Canadian National NextGen Group. Earlier this March, the Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) alum linked up with fellow NextGen athlete Emeline Bennett to win mixed team silver at the FIS Ski Cross Junior World Championships, and he is thrilled to be trending upward.

“I’m super honoured, obviously, to have been picked,” said Katrusiak. “It just feels like a lot of hard work coming together over the last couple of years, this year especially. I really, really kicked it up a notch. I saw the improvements in my results, and now I’m seeing the improvements in this team.

“It’s definitely not the end goal, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Katrusiak has already hit some bumps in the road during his career. The 18-yearold suffered a concussion during his first European Cup race in 2022, which knocked him out of action for more than a month.

Morale was low as he watched his teammates compete from the sidelines, but he powered through his physiotherapy sessions and felt good upon his return.

The Whistlerite missed out on the individual small final at this year’s Junior Worlds in Passo San Pellegrino, Italy, finishing ninth. He regrouped quickly though, helping Bennett defeat the French pair and giving eventual champion Switzerland a run for its money.

“Last year, I was skiing well, but I just wasn’t skiing well at the right time,” Katrusiak opined. “This year, I really think I just flipped a switch, and I started doing what I needed to do when I needed to do it. I just proved to myself that what I was doing was the right thing.”

BUILDING SKILLS

Much like Bennett and numerous other ski cross athletes, Katrusiak started out as an alpine racer. His first brush with his current sport came as a young preteen, where he and his friends would pass time on a small track at Blackcomb Mountain. He soon outgrew that particular track, but not the new interest ignited within him.

As a 13-year-old, Katrusiak participated in his first ski cross final at Big White Resort. By his own admission, he was “totally blown out of the water” and “absolutely destroyed,” but that didn’t stop him from having fun. In the

process, he met some mentors who took him under his wing and showed him that ski cross was a real career possibility.

Katrusiak continued with alpine skiing for some time after that, but began dedicating himself to ski cross at 14 years of age. He cut his teeth on the Western Canada Ski Cross Series with races in Big White, Fernie and as far east as Edmonton. The youngster flashed potential, claiming the overall U16 title, and was hooked.

By the time COVID-19 restrictions relaxed enough for him to return to action, Katrusiak had progressed to the Nor-Am Cup level and joined the Alberta-based Evolve Ski Cross Club to further level up his skills. He committed fully to Evolve after graduating high school, but does not plan to give up alpine skiing anytime soon.

“Ski cross is a lot more similar to alpine than people think,” Katrusiak said. “Obviously, it’s still skiing and you’re still turning, so it’s all the same basic functional movements. I’m still learning a lot, but I feel like I got the basics down pretty quickly.

“What a lot of people don’t think about is when they switch to ski cross, they just completely stop training alpine, which is not the way I did it or wanted to do it. I still like training alpine, and I think it’s a really good thing to train because you still need to build those skills. If you don’t train them, you’re going to eventually lose those skills.”

ALWAYS LEARNING

Katrusiak’s support system has his back. Ski cross was barely a blip on the winter sports radar during the ski-racing heyday of his mother, Diane, but he credits her and his father Richard for being open-minded. The three, plus his older brother Alex, essentially learned about ski cross together during Katrusiak’s formative years.

He also has nothing but good things to say about his WMSC coaches and the community that sport has brought into his life.

“Everybody’s very intense [in alpine],” he said. “Obviously I still have friends that come from alpine, but in ski cross, people are more laid back and everyone is super supportive—especially of new people because it is a smaller sport. They’re kind of like: ‘let me help you so that I can get you into the sport.’”

Despite being on the NextGen team, Katrusiak still has two more years as a junior athlete ahead of him. He plans to go to another Junior Worlds and hopes to be a consistent top-25-or-better presence on the European Cup circuit. Beyond that, it’s all about gaining experience.

“This [next] year isn’t really resultsbased for me,” Katrusiak explained. “It’s more just getting time on track with guys that are a lot better than me and learning from them. That’s the biggest goal for this year: to learn a lot.” n

TUCK AND ROLL Nick Katrusiak tucks to absorb a jump during a ski cross race.

Allie Spence fundraising for her Youth Olympic dream

THE LOCAL LUGER IS WORKING TO QUALIFY FOR THE 2024 YOUTH OLYMPICS IN GANGWON

BY DAVID SONG

AT 14 YEARS OF AGE, Allie Spence is hard at work trying to earn a spot on Canada’s junior development team by way of October selection races at the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC). A berth in next January’s Youth Olympic Games is on the line, as is a significant chunk of funding, as she tries to follow in the footsteps of other Sea to Sky lugers like Embyr-Lee Susko and Midori Holland.

Allie’s older sister Payton had been gunning to join her in Gangwon, South Korea, but the skeleton racer’s own march to the Youth Olympics has stalled out due to a medical issue. Nonetheless, the girls remain united in their goal to represent the Maple Leaf as many times as they can.

Rival athletes and the learning curve presented by international competition are not the only obstacles faced by young sliders. The Spence siblings have been doing bottle drives and working various jobs (including at the WSC) to fundraise for their burgeoning careers, and the pressure is on.

“It’s quite stressful,” admitted Stacey Spence, mother to Payton and Allie. “You’re working really hard to try every avenue to fundraise, and you’re trying not to do things that everybody else does. It’s very uncomfortable to continuously ask for support, but I’m trying to have them be responsible enough to take this on themselves.

“The girls walk around, going to businesses to ask for their bottles, and I’m just driving the truck to collect them. I’m trying to have them be responsible for getting their own funding as well, so it’s not so much on [my husband] Jeff and I.”

DISCOVER SLIDING

The Spence clan is originally from Muskoka, Ont. In 2019, they packed their bags and moved to Squamish after a brief stint in Colorado. It didn’t take long for Payton, Allie and their older brother Connor to notice one of the WSC’s youth-oriented “Discover Luge” sessions. Allie took to it like a fish to water, while age considerations funnelled the others towards skeleton (and eventually, to bobsled for Connor).

Stacey has gotten used to long hours at the track. With skeleton and bobsled typically happening in the morning or afternoon, and luge at night, her kids may alternate training runs throughout any given day. This summer, they routinely made the drive up to Whistler for early morning flat-ice conditioning and late afternoon dry land sessions—on the same day—in addition to two trips to Calgary for more training at WinSport’s Ice House facility.

Payton can’t tell you exactly why she loves skeleton so much, only that the speed and adrenaline have her hooked. Allie feels the same way about luge. Pursuing adjacent

sports have no doubt helped the pair to grow closer—and to vent about everyday challenges on track.

“Allie and I can kind of complain about the same corners, which makes it a whole lot better,” Payton remarked. “I’ll be talking about how much I hate, say, corner 16, and she’ll go: ‘oh, I hate corner 16’ and we’ll bond over that. And then I’ll say something like: ‘I hate corner four’ and she’ll go: ‘I can’t even go up to corner four, so lucky you!’”

A DIFFERENT KIND OF SPORT

Payton competed in her first IBSF North American Cup skeleton race here in Whistler, following that up in mid-March with two top-eight results during Omega Youth Series competition in Lake Placid, N.Y. She’s pleased with her progress and credits her coaches (especially Joe Cecchini) for helping her gain confidence and looks to return to action when able.

Stacey is almost always present, which is why she trusts her kids with the WSC’s experienced team.

“I love the people who work at the Sliding Centre. I trust them 100 per cent, and the medics are great,” she said. “When you’re there for every session, you can see how everything works and flows, and who’s working that day. You develop friendships with them, and through the friendships, you just trust them.”

Although the three sliding sports of skeleton, luge and bobsled continue to fly under the public’s radar—Stacey has talked to numerous longtime Whistlerites who are unaware of the WSC’s existence—they are also distinct among the Sea to Sky corridor’s many athletic options.

“It’s not like signing your child up for hockey or figure skating,” she commented. “It’s a whole different kind of sport. It’s a lot of fun. It’s very rewarding for my girls and they put a lot of hard work into it. They train with the youth bobsled athletes too, and they’ve made such a great little team.

“They’re definitely sports that people should try.” n

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BORN TO LUGE Sea to Sky youth luger Allie Spence sits on her sled. PHOTO

An important public service announcement: Reading pays off!

BEHIND EVERYTHING YOU EAT, THERE’S A STORY. MAKE SURE YOU CHOOSE A GOOD ONE

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN... may I have your attention for an important and timely announcement.

What with fall in full swing, that delightful and most book-ish time of year replete with festivals and readings popping up like chanterelles, including Whistler’s evergrowing, ever more popular and all-round wonderful writers’ festival about to kick off (thank you, dear Stella Harvey, mille fois, for starting it all!), there’s no better time to nudge,

BY GLENDA BARTOSH

nudge, nudge you, dear readers, into taking a breath and extending your reading habits for just a wee nanosecond or two to improve your health and well-being, maybe even your happiness, until the end of time.

Yessiree, life is more complicated and time-consuming than ever. The latest etiquette advises us not to simply pick up the phone and yap, but rather text first to set up a time to call, unless it’s to the closest of family or friends. And folks are needing encouragement, and guidance, on how to talk with strangers. (Please do—

IS

studies confirm it decreases loneliness and increases happiness. Duh. Besides, who knows? You might even glean new fodder for your latest fiction efforts.)

But I assure you, ladies and gentlemen—if you take half a minute and actually read that label on your so-called cheese, or the box those tempting new crackers come in, you’ll learn any number of things that will help you make the kinds of food choices that will keep you and your loved ones healthier and happier. Now there’s a corny cliché of an ending, but a really good solid one.

GO CLEAN OR GO HOME

I’ve been saying it to hubby, or anyone else within earshot, for years: “I need clean food!”

Not sure what exactly I mean by that, so let me work it out by writing it out.

Admittedly, food isn’t usually dirty, and even if it is, like the carrots we’d steal raiding gardens in Edmonton, a quick wipe on a nice lawn or such usually takes care of everything. Now, by simply reading the label on her lovely rosemary flatbread, I’ve been introduced to a kindred “clean food” spirit, one at Vicky’s Artisan Bakery.

Yes, there really is a “Vicky”—Vicky Min—who’s fluent in Mandarin and Japanese and has been managing her family-run bakery out of Markham, Ont., for years. And the little gold medallion on her product’s packaging proclaiming “Clean & Simple Ingredients” speaks to exactly what I mean. The ingredient label moreso: Eight simple ingredients, most of which you could eat on their own. Durum semolina. Poppy seeds. Sesame seeds. Rosemary. Olive oil, not some dreaded palm oil or

hydrogenated shortening. No hidden sugar, or worse, glucose/fructose. No multi-syllabic chemical preservatives. (Remember that old hippie saying? If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it.)

Actually, Vicky’s LinkedIn account says it better than I could: “Our ingredients are so simple and clean that each of them can be found in your kitchen.” She also explains her flatbreads and crisps are so good—and they are—she hesitates to tell people they’re vegan. (You get the implication there, right? Sorry, I love the vegan impulse, but have you ever read the ingredient lists for some processed vegan products!?)

Another great example of “go clean or go home” comes straight out of Whistler: Nonna Pia’s Balsamic Glaze. Yummy, and check out the label: Two ingredients: balsamic vinegar from Modena, Italy, and granulated cane sugar. Period. No added thickeners. No GMOs. No BPA in the bottle itself. No nasty nada.

And, like there really is a Vicky, if you read the label you’ll learn Nonna Pia is real, too. She was founder Chef Norm’s mom (Norm Strim in real life), who was known for her wisdom, nurturing and great cooking. Nonna Pia is what the grandkids called her. You’ll also learn about Norm’s lovely wife, Natasha, for whom he wanted to name his very good products, but she “burns salads” (joke) although they can be rescued by a dash of Nonna Pia’s Balsamic Glaze.

THERE’S A STORY IN EVERY LABEL

From Pan Ducale’s Crostini box, you’ll learn this product from Abruzzo, located on the east

coast of central Italy, is oven-baked, never fried, plus they’re made with only five ingredients.

Even a box of Christie’s HoneyMaid Wafers, better known in my world as graham wafers, tells a story: Another nice, clean ingredient list plus a good recipe and a 1-800 number that’s actually answered by a real person. If you want to clarify something just call the nice folks at Mondelez, like I did to clarify if they ever use palm oil in them. No. And you don’t have to text first.

If you read labels, you can decide if you want Campbell’s chicken noodle soup with the MSG and about 34 per cent of your daily sodium intake in one serving, or Amy’s low-sodium minestrone with about only 12 per cent of your daily sodium. (I know, not quite apples and apples, just comparing two soups.)

The bottom of Que Pasa tortilla chip bags sport all kinds of little quips and sayings, including the best quote from the inimitable author and social commentator, Fran Lebowitz: “Food is an important part of a balanced diet.” (Add winking emoji.) And Coligny Creek egg cartons carry a lovely illustration of their barn along with a little anecdote containing this cheeky remark: their happy hens lay exceptional eggs for people who appreciate “a good egg” with moral standards. Cute.

So you see ladies and gentlemen of the book-ish season? Every day will bring you more and more reasons to keep reading. For fun. For enlightenment. And for good health.

Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who’s forever grateful to Stella Harvey for her tip to use a dab of olive oil on a paper towel to clean the smudges off stainless steel fridges. n

READING

GOOD FOR YOU! Stella Harvey, novelist and founder of the Whistler Writers Festival, pictured above lurking around her fridge door, would be the first to tell you to keep reading—in the kitchen and your favourite grocery store.

PHOTO COURTESY STELLA HARVEY

MEADOW PARK SPORTS

CENTRE SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH

Two-time Grammy nominee Guy Davis to play Oct. 7 at Maury Young Arts Centre

THE AMERICAN BLUES MUSICIAN IS PART OF THIS YEAR’S ARTS WHISTLER LIVE! OFFERING

BY DAVID SONG

GUY DAVIS’ INAUGURAL trip to Canada took place sometime in the mid-1990s. He made his first friends north of the border in Calgary, but soon began exploring British Columbia. The New Yorker has travelled all over the province, including out to Vancouver Island, but it’s been a long time.

That’s why he’s heading back to the Sea to Sky corridor for an Oct. 7 show courtesy of Arts Whistler Live!

“I want to reconnect,” says the two-time Grammy Award nominee. “A lot of what I’ve been doing over this past part of a decade is going to seem new to the folks I see out there.”

Davis is known most prominently as a blues musician, but he’s not limited to one genre. Also in his repertoire are many classic songs and a full array of banjo music—Davis first heard the banjo at a children’s summer camp run by John Seeger (brother of American folk musician Pete Seeger) and asked his father for one immediately.

Nowadays, Davis tours with a six-string guitar and a five-string banjo, leaving behind the 12-stringer he used to take on the road.

GIVING HIS ALL

It’s only fitting that Davis has made a life in the performing arts world. His parents were the late Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis: actors and writers who, like their only son, used their careers as a platform for social activism. Despite achieving considerable renown, Ruby and Ossie hesitated to commit to long Hollywood projects that would keep them away from family, so they spent much of their lives onstage at various churches, schools, hospitals, and civic centres.

One vital lesson Davis learned from his mom and dad was to always put his best foot forward.

that that is what I’ve got to do.”

Indeed, Davis is an earnest musician who loves to engage with audiences. He’s always been fascinated with sound, no matter how strange, and as a boy would hold the handle of a butter knife out over the edge of a table and press it down before letting it vibrate. It was an amazing phenomenon to him—less so to his mother.

At the same time, Davis was never one for formal music education, and quit playing piano well before his two sisters did. He figures he’s had maybe five guitar lessons in his whole life. Somehow, the 71-year-old is now the only

THE MAGIC OF STORIES

Davis is, at his core, a storyteller. Music is his medium, and the lessons found in history and social injustices are frequently part of his message. He’s always been drawn to blues, in large part because of the genre’s origins in the Jim Crow era of the United States. From his perspective, blues is fundamental to African American subculture, and its themes represent the survivors of segregation.

That said, Davis also believes in the power of storytelling to unite people regardless of race, religion, class or any other demographic trait.

“There are stories of racism that can be told, I believe, without making white people feel isolated and terrible about it,” he opines. “I think that if you tell it in human terms, all people will get some sense of what it is to be a human being, and what it is to be denied the opportunity to live as a human being.”

“People who come to see you deserve every bit of energy that you can put into your performance,” he says. “I remember years ago, sitting in the antechamber of a humongous civic gymnasium that had a dividing wall. I sat on the outside of that wall—the stage area was on the inside—and I watched people walk in from the street. I made up my mind that those people who are investing their time and their money in me deserve every bit of what I got to give them.

“I’ve never seen my folks give less than a full-hearted show, and … it [dawned] on me

one of them making his livelihood in music.

He’s truly a self-taught talent who has spent thousands of hours sitting on his bed, playing notes over and over.

“Like [American guitarist] John Fahey said: ‘the music goes back through the guitar right into your belly, right into your spine and travels up and fills your body.’ Fahey died younger than he should have, and I think that fact gives even more weight to his words,” Davis says. “People would show me things: patterns, chords, what have you, and I just found it great to play by myself and feel the voice of the guitar.”

Of course, it’s not all about the hardhitting stuff with Davis, who balances out his more convicting material with softer songs like “We All Need More Kindness In This World” and funky tracks like “Kokomo Kidd.”

“Stories, to me, have always been magic,” he explains. “I’m not talking about that spookydooky kind of magic, like making a bunny rabbit appear out of a hat, but the kind of magic where you hear words that cause you to visualize everything that’s being spoken about, and there’s an emotional connection. It’s a kind of magic that can actually be healing.”

For tickets and more information, visit artswhistler.com. n

BLUES BROTHER Guy Davis is a two-time Grammy Award-nominated blues musician and banjo player from New York.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

“People who come to see you deserve every bit of energy that you can put into your performance.”

- GUY DAVIS

Book Review: Everyone Here is Lying, by Shari

Lapena

BY DEE RAFFO

IT’S HARD TO FEEL for a character when, right out of the gate, they slap a nine-year-old girl. However, as this thriller of a page-turner unravels you might start to feel for the father left horrified by his own actions.

This is Shari Lapena’s seventh novel. A lawyer and English teacher turned thriller writer, she’s the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Couple Next Door, which sold four million copies worldwide. Ever since, Lapena has been dubbed the “mistress of dysfunctional family stories,” and after reading her latest novel I wholeheartedly agree.

Everyone Here is Lying (July 2023) transports us into the seemingly safe, if somewhat salacious, neighbourhood of Stanhope.

We meet Dr. William Wooler fresh out of a motel room, where his lover, a neighbour and work colleague, has just pulled the plug on their tryst. Devastated, he returns home to find his petulant daughter, Avery, home early from school. She presses his buttons and wham, he loses control.

Just hours later, Avery’s mother reports her missing to the police.

Who took Avery Wooler? For these past weeks, this question kept me guessing well into the night. I was skilfully drawn into this tight-knit neighbourhood; the kind of place where everyone smiles at each other while throwing them under the bus behind their backs. A suburban snake pit.

Maybe William is telling the truth about slapping her and leaving her alone in the house. That is his way—he loses it and then retreats in shame. Maybe someone else took Avery. She thinks again about the Blanchard boy. William says someone saw Avery getting into his car on the afternoon she disappeared—if that’s true, then William is innocent and Ryan is the guilty one.

Shame and guilt run rampant in Stanhope. Families are left reeling as accusations are hurled back and forth across the streets, with the detectives barely keeping up.

In an interview, Lapena mentioned her background in law gave her a “what if” mindset, always thinking about the worstcase scenarios and what could go wrong. We see this in action in Everyone Here is Lying as the starting setup is a parent’s worst nightmare—but things just continue to get worse as more secrets are exposed.

William Wooler is now a pariah. He used to be respected in this town. How quickly things change. His wife hates him. Her face as he told her what he’d already admitted to the police—the disbelief, disgust, rage, hatred.

As time ticks away for Avery, her mother starts to unravel, but it’s her perseverance that pushes one of the neighbours into making a

mistake, one that proves to be fatal, but not in the way you might expect.

This is a twisty, turny, domestic noir where the characters might not be overly likable, but are unfortunately somewhat relatable. As Lapena slowly exposes the layers of dishonesty, nasty assumptions, and outright betrayal, you can’t look away from the car crash unfolding on the pages.

Rather than a clue-based whodunit, the novel is a series of surprises (the last one is a doozy), which makes it a fun, pacey read.

Some reviewers of this book didn’t enjoy the somewhat open-ended conclusion, but it has certainly left me thinking, and I guess that’s the point. Although something like this would never happen in my Whistler neighbourhood… right?

“Life doesn’t end up in a nice, tidy package,” Lapena said in a previous interview. “Something new is always going to happen, so I like you to finish the book thinking, what’s going to happen next?”

Shari Lapena is the internationally bestselling author of the thrillers  The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House, An Unwanted Guest, Someone We Know, The End of Her, and Not a Happy Family. She lives on a farm outside of Toronto. Everyone Here Is Lying is her seventh thriller.

Dee Raffo is a writer who lives in Whistler. Although she mostly writes about her mountain home, she’s also a screenwriter whose credits have appeared on CTV.

Join the Whistler Writers Festival on Saturday, Oct. 14 for Reading Event 11: Thrills

and Chills: Mystery and Crime Writers Panel. Moderator/author Amber Cowie investigates four new thrillers by award-winning authors, Lapena, Eve Lazarus, Emelia SymingtonFedy and Iona Whishaw. Held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. Find tickets at whistlerwritersfest.com. n

FAMILY TIES Catch award-winning author Shari Lapena at the Whistler Writers Festival on Saturday, Oct. 14.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE

MAPPING THE MOUNTAINS

SEPT

29-OCT 4

MAPPING THE MOUNTAINS: THE 1923 CARTER/TOWNSEND MOUNTAINEERING EXPEDITION

On Sept. 9, 1923, Neal Carter and Charles Townsend set out on a two-week journey through Wedge Mountain and Avalanche Pass. During their trip, the two avid mountaineers kept detailed records, took incredible photographs, and identified several features with names we still use today. Come experience the stories behind their adventures!

> Sept. 14 to Nov. 14

> Whistler Museum and Archives

> By donation

THE WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET

A feast for your senses, the Whistler Farmers’ Market features local produce, tasty food, local artisans, live entertainment and family activities. Markets happen every Sunday until Thanksgiving on Oct. 8, with the addition of a Saturday market Oct. 7.

> Oct. 1

> Upper Village

> Free

KARIN BUBAŠ: GARDEN OF SHADOWS AT THE AUDAIN ART MUSEUM

This special exhibition is a mix of old and new work by Karin Bubaš, centred around the tension between the summer and winter season. Monochromatic photographs taken in cold arctic conditions (such as icebergs in Iceland, frozen waterfalls and snow-covered forests) are juxtaposed against the bright hues of summer, with fields of dahlias, sunflowers and rose gardens.

> Sept. 23 to Jan. 29

> Audain Art Museum

> $20

MAKING CONNECTIONS DEMENTIA FRIENDLY SOCIAL CLUB

MAC’s Making Connections is a weekly program for people with early stage dementia and their caregivers on Wednesday mornings.

More like a social club, this program starts with 45 minutes of gentle fitness, followed by games and brain-stimulating activities, and socializing over a light lunch.

The goal is to slow cognitive decline in the afflicted and allow caregivers to bond, share experiences and develop their own support network.

Register at whistlermac.org under the events tab, Making Connections Program.

Prepay by e-transfer to treasurer@whistlermac.org.

> Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

> Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church

> $5

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at

WILLS & ESTATES BUSINESS LAW REAL ESTATE LAW

Upcoming events with

A W A R E

in partnership with the Resort Municipality of Whistler

C L O T H I N G S W A P

S W A P ! D o n ’ t s h o p .

H U O C T 1 2 , 6 - 8 P M

Early mountaineering in the Coast Mountains

BY REBECCA MACKAY

E v e r y o n e c a n b u y E v e r y o n e c a n s e l l

G O B Y B I K E

R e g i s t e r n o w a n d r i d e t h i s f a l l t o w o r k , t o s c h o o l , f o r f u n o r f o r e x e r c i s e

O C T 1 6 - 2 9

R E P A I R C A F E

B r i n g y o u r b r o k e n i t e m s t o b e r e p a i r e d b y s k i l l e d v o l u n t e e r s

S A T O C T 2 1 , 1 0 A M - 3 P M

W H I S T L E R P U B L I C L I B R A R Y

E v e n t d e t a i l s a t w w w a w a r e w h i s t l e r o r g

THIS SEPTEMBER marks the 100th anniversary of the 1923 Neal Carter and Charles Townsend expedition. These two avid explorers climbed several of our local mountains, starting with Wedge Mountain and ending with the “most exciting” Diavolo Peak. It was a two-week journey from Sept. 9 to 20. Many of these climbs were recorded as first ascents, in which Carter and Townsend named some of the peaks, ridges, glaciers, and lakes they encountered.

During this expedition, the pair took photographs and detailed notes. A collection

the first official Garibaldi Park map in 1928. However, these were not the only two that contributed to this major development. A group of Vancouver mountaineers formed the BC Mountaineering Club (BCMC) in 1907, and focused on exploring the Coast Mountains. As far as they knew, there were no records or maps of the mountains they set their sights on, and they assumed they were largely unexplored.

The mountaineering community in Vancouver started off small, consisting of both men and women, and grew over time. The BCMC welcomed newcomers through its summer camps, at which both Carter and Townsend joined in the early 1920s.

By this time, the BCMC had covered

of these photographs was given by Carter to Myrtle Philip, who hosted them at Rainbow Lodge. They used the lodge as their startingoff point and rest stop in between destinations.

Though small, each image has detailed labels and notes on the back. Combined with Townsend’s comprehensive accounts in “The B.C. Mountaineer,” we can get a pretty good picture of their venture. Carter and Townsend traversed difficult, untracked terrain and changing conditions, but also witnessed spectacular views and were even treated to an eclipse.

It was not just for kicks that these two went out to explore the area. There was a strong purpose amongst mountaineers at the time to map the region and share what they had learned with others. Carter was a talented cartographer, and created topographical maps from this trip and several subsequent ones. His insight into the region assisted in

much of the area surrounding Garibaldi Lake. William Gray, president of the club in 1912, developed a sketch map that showed Black Tusk as the northernmost part of the district.

From years of exploring the Garibaldi region, the group was captivated by its natural environment and grew interested in its preservation. Logging and mining companies had establishments throughout the corridor, so the group campaigned to the provincial government to protect this area. In 1920, the Garibaldi district became a park and, before the decade was out, was designated as a Provincial Park.

The latest temporary exhibit at the Whistler Museum, Mapping the Mountains, takes a closer look at Carter and Townsend’s 1923 expedition and its cartographic results. Visit the Museum to learn more and see closeups of some photographs until Nov. 14. n

There was a strong purpose amongst mountaineers at the time to map the region and share what they had learned with others.

CHAOS THEORY Neal Carter on Chaos Glacier (formally Turner Glacier), on Mount James Turner (Sept. 12, 1923).

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

1 FORTY YEARS OF FIRESIDE Members of Nordic Drive’s Fireside Lodge joined DJ Foxy Moron on Saturday, Sept. 23 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the lodge that was rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original structure in 1980. A group of BC Hydro employees initially launched the ski club in 1965. PHOTO SUBMITTED 2 WIT-SEND IT These local gals were among a hard-charging field of competitors who put their skills to the test in “The Witsend,” Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association’s (WORCA) first-ever women’s-only enduro race, on Sunday, Sept. 24. PHOTO SUBMITTED 3 SUN WORSHIPPERS Even as temperatures dipped down, these sunflowers in the Pemberton community garden were hanging on strong this September. PHOTO BY RÓISÍN CULLEN 4 FIELD TRIP High school students from Whistler Waldorf School took their learning beyond classroom walls during their Outdoor Ed week this month. “With this adventure under their belts, students are now eagerly looking forward to their winter camping adventures, where they’ll get to do it all over again, this time in the magical snow,” noted Jen Dodds, director of advancement at Whistler Waldorf School. PHOTO SUBMITTED 5 FINE-LOOKING

FOLIAGE The view of Blackcomb Mountain from the Peak 2 Peak Gondola was looking bright—or at least

Resort Municipality of Whistler

NOTICE 2024 Council Meeting Dates

Council will meet in the Franz Wilhelmsen Theatre at Maury Young Ar ts Centre, 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia, star ting at 5:30 p.m. on the following Tuesdays in 2024:

January 9 February 6 March 5

January 23 February 20

March 19

April 9 May 14 June 11

April 23

May 28

Free Will Astrology

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 29 BY ROB

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Author Diane Ackerman says it’s inevitable that each of us sometimes “looks clumsy or gets dirty or asks stupid questions or reveals our ignorance or says the wrong thing.” Knowing how often I do those things, I’m extremely tolerant of everyone I meet. I’m compassionate, not judgmental, when I see people who “try too hard, are awkward, care for one another too deeply, or are too open to experience.” I myself commit such acts, so I’d be foolish to criticize them in others. During the coming weeks, Aries, you will generate good fortune for yourself if you suspend all disparagement. Yes, be accepting, tolerant, and forgiving—but go even further. Be downright welcoming and amiable. Love the human comedy exactly as it is.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus comedian Kevin James confesses, “I discovered I scream the same way whether I’m about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.” Many of us could make a similar admission. The good news, Taurus, is that your anxieties in the coming weeks will be of the “piece of seaweed” variety, not the great white shark. Go ahead and scream if you need to—hey, we all need to unleash a boisterous yelp or howl now and then—but then relax.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Here are famous people with whom I have had personal connections: actor Marisa Tomei, rockstar Courtney Love, filmmaker Miranda July, playwright David Mamet, actor William Macy, philosopher Robert Anton Wilson, rockstar Paul Kantor, rock impresario Bill Graham, and author Clare Cavanagh. What? You never heard of Clare Cavanagh? She is the brilliant and renowned translator of Nobel Prize Laureate poet Wisława Szymborska and the authorized biographer of Nobel Prize Laureate author Czesław Miłosz. As much as I appreciate the other celebrities I named, I am most enamoured of Cavanagh’s work. As a Gemini, she expresses your sign’s highest potential: the ability to wield beautiful language to communicate soulful truths. I suggest you make her your inspirational role model for now. It’s time to dazzle and persuade and entertain and beguile with your words.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I cheer you on when you identify what you want. I exult when you devise smart plans to seek what you want, and I celebrate when you go off in high spirits to obtain and enjoy what you want. I am gleeful when you aggressively create the life you envision for yourself, and I do everything in my power to help you manifest it. But now and then, like now, I share Cancerian author Franz Kafka’s perspective. He said this: “You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, be quite still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice. It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”

June 25

July 9 August 6 September 10

July 23 September 24

October 8 November 5 December 3

October 22

November 19 December 17

Notice of the 2024 Council Meeting Schedule is given in accordance with sections 94 and 127 of the Community Charter.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let’s talk about changing your mind. In some quarters, that’s seen as weak, even embarrassing. But I regard it as a noble necessity, and I recommend you consider it in the near future. Here are four guiding thoughts. 1. “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” —George Bernard Shaw. 2. “Only the strongest people have the pluck to change their minds, and say so, if they see they have been wrong in their ideas.”

—Enid Blyton. 3. “Sometimes, being true to yourself means changing your mind. Self changes, and you follow.” —Vera Nazarian. 4. “The willingness to change one’s mind in the light of new evidence is a sign of rationality, not weakness.” – Stuart Sutherland.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “The soul moves in circles,” psychologist James Hillman told us. “Hence our lives are not moving straight ahead; instead, hovering, wavering, returning, renewing, repeating.” In recent months, Virgo, your soul’s destiny has been intensely characterized by swerves and swoops. And I believe the rollicking motion will continue for many months. Is that bad or good? Mostly

BREZSNY

good—especially if you welcome its poetry and beauty. The more you learn to love the spiral dance, the more delightful the dance will be.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you have ever contemplated launching a career as a spy, the coming months will be a favourable time to do so. Likewise if you have considered getting trained as a detective, investigative journalist, scientific researcher, or private eye. Your affinity for getting to the bottom of the truth will be at a peak, and so will your discerning curiosity. You will be able to dig up secrets no one else has discovered. You will have an extraordinary knack for homing in on the heart of every matter. Start now to make maximum use of your superpowers!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Have you been sensing a phantom itch that’s impossible to scratch? Are you feeling less like your real self lately and more like an AI version of yourself? Has your heart been experiencing a prickly tickle? If so, I advise you not to worry. These phenomena have a different meaning from the implications you may fear. I suspect they are signs you will soon undertake the equivalent of what snakes do: molting their skins to make way for a fresh layer. This is a good thing! Afterward, you will feel fresh and new.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): According to legend, fifth-century Pope Leo I convinced the conquering army of Attila the Hun to refrain from launching a full-scale invasion of Italy. There may have been other reasons in addition to Leo’s persuasiveness. For example, some evidence suggests Attila’s troops were superstitious because a previous marauder died soon after attacking Rome. But historians agree that Pope Leo was a potent leader whose words carried great authority. You, Sagittarius, won’t need to be quite as fervently compelling as the ancient Pope in the coming weeks. But you will have an enhanced ability to influence and entice people. I hope you use your powers for good!

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Singer-songwriter Joan Baez has the longevity and endurance typical of many Capricorns. Her last album in 2018 was released 59 years after her career began. An article in The New Yorker describes her style as “elegant and fierce, defiant and maternal.” It also noted that though she is mostly retired from music, she is “making poignant and unpredictable art,” creating weird, hilarious line drawings with her nondominant hand. I propose we make Baez your inspirational role model. May she inspire you to be elegant and fierce, bold and compassionate, as you deepen and refine your excellence in the work you’ve been tenaciously plying for a long time. For extra credit, add some unexpected new flair to your game.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian author and activist Mary Frances Berry has won numerous awards for her service on behalf of racial justice. One accomplishment: She was instrumental in raising global awareness of South Africa’s apartheid system, helping to end its gross injustice. “The time when you need to do something,” she writes, “is when no one else is willing to do it, when people are saying it can’t be done.” You are now in a phase when that motto will serve you well, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I invite you to spend quality time gazing into the darkness. I mean that literally and figuratively. Get started by turning off the lights at night and staring, with your eyes open, into the space in front of you. After a while, you may see flashes of light. While these might be your optical nerves trying to fill in the blanks, they could also be bright spirit messages arriving from out of the void. Something similar could happen on a metaphorical level, too. As you explore parts of your psyche and your life that are opaque and unknown, you will be visited by luminous revelations.

Homework: What’s your best secret? Is there a way you could capitalize on it? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com.

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates

In-depth

Pauline Lysaght, Corporate Officer

Resort Municipality of Whistler Whistler ca /councilmeetings

Victoria Shilston

SENIOR PROPERTY MANAGER

Accommodation

LONG-TERM RENTALS

E victoria@mountaincountry.ca

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Whistler Resort is growing its Housing portfolio and sourcing additional Chalet and Condo Rental contracts for our Hotel Team Members. Our leaders are mature, career driven drivers that know the word respect. Contract terms for property Owners are stress free with no commissions and includes representation from our 4 person fulltime Housing Department working with you 24/7; maintaining all aspects of the tenancy including quarterly inspections. A great next move for Whistler property Owners that have tired with the Airbnb game or Property Fees. Let’s see if we can make a match and develop a long-term relationship here. General inquiries please email mark.munn@fairmont.com

Newmodernstudiosuiteforrentin Sunstone,Pemberton.Privateentry. Unfurnished.Cooktop,W/D.Mt.Currie views.$1600permonthinclusive. Mustprovidereferences.1-yearlease required.N/SN/P.Suitssingle professional.Parkingfor1car. AvailableOct1st.604-905-9723 kristina_waldie@hotmail.com

TheCrystalLodgeislookingforlongtermrentalsforstaffhousing.Weare ideallyseeking2-4bedroomunits thatcansleep2employeesperroom. Wearecurrentlyholding4other leases,andcanprovideexcellent landlordreferences.

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WANTED:Ahomeforthenextfew years.Formerlandlordswillconfirm measclean,quietandresponsible.I havetenantinsuranceandnopets.I’m 42yrsold,Canadian,single,nonsmoker,non-partier.Iworkasa cameraoperatorandvideotechnician. WhenI’mnotawayforwork,Ilivea quietlife,chasingsnowonthepeaks anddirtonthetrails.

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Yourfriendlyattitude,excellentcommunicationskills,andabilitytoanticipateguestneedswillbecrucialinensuringapositivestay.Inaddition, candidateswithmaintenanceskills andavaliddriver’slicensewillbegivenpreference.

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Thisisauniquehotelpositionforthe individualwhoappreciatesthatno2 daysarealike!WorkingfortheOperationsManager,youwillbespending partofyourdaysinareservation/guest servicesroleandpartofyourday workingwiththehousekeepingcrew assupportandqualitycontrol.Previoushotelexperiencewouldbebeneficial.Full-timeandstaffhousingavailable. 604-905-4135 admin@mvawhistler.com mvawhistler.com

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Free Housing

Join our team of Plumbers and Gas Fitters Hiring 3rd and 4th year apprentice or journeyman candidates with experience in service/repair work.

• Offering competitive wages

• Providing fully stocked truck, tools, and phone

• Extended health plan available.

• We can hire skilled foreign workers and support permanent residency applications.

• Short-term accommodation availablefree of charge. Long term housing options available as well.

Send your resume to: Dough@spearheadsph.com

SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Great opportunity for a super motivated/organized person to excel in the field of lock technician services and access control solutions.

The successful individual will have experience in carpentry and/or building maintenance. Any experience in low voltage electrical and/or hotel card access systems will prove very beneficial. Good communication and customer service skills as well as a strong work ethic are essential to this position. Please reply to Service@alpinelock.com with a resume and cover letter outlining your suitability and qualifications for the position.

No drop-ins or phone calls please, apply only by email.

Resort Municipality of Whistler

Employment Opportunities

• Equipment Operator

• Building Official

Resort Municipality of Whistler

Employment Opportunities

Become part of a creative team and surround yourself with art.

The Museum is currently seeking:

Visitor Services Lead

Permanent, Full-Time $25 per hour

• Provide friendly and helpful customer service to ensure an exceptional Museum experience

• Sell admission tickets, memberships, and Shop product

• Maintain and create visually appealing merchandise displays

• Program Leader – Myrtle Philip Community Centre

· Lifeguard/Swim Instructor

· Legislative and Privacy Coordinator

· Skate Host

· Program Leader

• Youth Leader

· Wastewater Treatment Plant Process Supervisor

· Lifeguard/Swim Instructor

· Solid Waste Technician

• Guest Service Coordinator

· Labourer I – Village Maintenance

· Accountant

· Youth and Public Services Specialist

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/careers

Mirae Campbell Photography

Administrative Clerk (Regular, Full-time)

Looking to contribute to your local community? Consider a career in local government. Join the SLRD’s team of dedicated staff who work together to make a difference in the region. HeadquarteredinPemberton,theSquamish-LillooetRegionalDistrict(SLRD)deliversawide rangeofregional,sub-regionalandlocalservicestoitsresidents.TheSLRDisaBCRegional Districtconsistingoffourmembermunicipalities(Squamish,Whistler,Pemberton,Lillooet)and fourelectoralareas.Servicesincludelanduseplanning,solidwastemanagement,building inspection, fire protection, emergency preparedness, 911 services, recreation, water and sewer utilities, regional transit, trails and open spaces as well as financial support for various community services. The region contains some of the most spectacular forests, waterways, and mountains intheprovinceandaffordsanendlessrangeofopportunitiesforoutdooradventure,makingitan exceptional place to live, work and play.

The SLRD is seeking an experienced, organized and customer-service focused individual to fill the fulltimepositionof Administrative Clerk. TheAdministrativeClerkpositionisresponsibleforproviding arangeofclericalandadministrativedutiesinsupportoftheLegislativeandCorporateServices Department and for acting as the first point of contact for in person, phone and electronic enquiries to the SLRD. This is an office-based role located at the SLRD Administration Office in Pemberton. Qualified candidates possess a completed high school diploma and additional business, computer and/ or public administration courses with a minimum of 1 year of office administration experience. Qualified candidates also have proficiency with Microsoft Office programs and an aptitude for office technology. The ideal candidate is a self-confident and effective communicator who enjoys engaging with people, demonstrates attention to detail, and has customer-service always in mind. The successful candidate will positively contribute to a team-oriented environment and must build and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of groups including SLRD staff, the public, elected officials and other external contacts.

For further information, please refer to the full job description at www.slrd.bc.ca/employment. Salary will be determined commensurate with experience. This position also offers a comprehensive benefits package, participation in the Municipal Pension Plan, a compressed work week (9-day fortnight) and learning and career development opportunities.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume (preferably in .pdf format) by email to careers@slrd.bc.ca. This posting will remain open until filled, with application review commencingon October 10, 2023.

We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Ziptrek Ecotours is now hiring for a:

NORTH AMERICA MARKETING MANAGER

This is a salaried, year-round position. Excellent compensation, great perks & benefits.

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Ziptrek Ecotours is now hiring for a:

GUEST SERVICES MANAGER

This is a salaried, year-round position. Excellent compensation, great perks & benefits.

Apply for details and to apply online by scanning the QR code now

Please note, we currently do not offer staff housing.

Blackcomb Façade Technology is hiring Glaziers and Fabricators to join our team of smart, engaged and fun people in Whistler. Working on world class projects with the best contractors and architects. Only new construction, no service work.

We are looking for candidates who have the ability to read construction drawings, proficiency with tools, and a penchant for finding solutions.

Blackcomb Façade Technology offers:

• Top Wages

• Extended Health Benefits

• Leisure Benefit

• RRSP Contribution Matching

Resumes and job descriptions: careers@blackcomb.tech

www.blackcomb.tech/careers

We are currently hiring for the following positions

Send your resume to connect@whistlerbuilder.com

www.whistlerexcavations.com

The Sea to Sky corridor’s top civil construction company.

We are currently recruiting professionally minded people to join our team.

Required:

Heavy Duty Red Seal Technician or Apprentice

Heavy Duty Technician

*Competitive wages, extended health benefits (after 3 months)

Please send resume to: Email: info@whistlerexcavations.com

Sachi Sushi is hiring experienced Japanese Chefs in Whistler.

• Preparing Sushi and cooking other Japanese traditional food.

• Plan menu and ensure food meets quality standards.

• Estimate food requirements and estimate food and labour costs.

• Instruct Kitchen Helpers and Cooks in preparation, cooking, and presentation of food.

• Assist Head Chef and supervise cooks and kitchen helpers.

• Inspecting ingredients for quality and freshness and supervising all food preparation.

• Create new menu, recipes, and specials.

• Work as a team and ensure orders are completed in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

• Completion of secondary school and 2 years of cook/chef experience

Full-time, Permanent or Temporary

All season, 30+ hours per week • $27.50 per hour

Language of work is English

Benefits: 4% vacation pay

Start date: As soon as possible.

Address: 106 – 4359 Main Street, Whistler, BC, V8E 1B5

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ACROSS

DOWN

With apologies

CANADIANS are a sorry lot. Being sorry is twisted into the DNA of the country and its inhabitants. Sorry is probably the second most used word—conjunctions notwithstanding— in Canada after eh, eh? Sorry.

Justin Trudeau has almost made a career out of apologizing. Certainly he’s set the high mark for Canadian Prime Ministers. Many would say that’s not much of an accomplishment and the high mark for JT may be a fairly low bar, not to torture the language any more than I have to. Sorry.

BY G.D. MAXWELL

As a field of academic/pseudoscience study, the art of apology is well-researched, assuming research is the right word. In the world of spin doctors—”communications” experts—the apologist is a thriving subset, focusing exclusively on coaching people who need to apologize on ways of doing so effectively, while hopefully allowing them to retain the position they’ve put in jeopardy by saying/doing something for which they need to apologize, if not resign.

Apologies come in many guises. There’s the all-too-familiar heartfelt apology used by men of power who’ve been caught fooling around. Looking remorseful for having been caught—though rarely for actually diddling their intern—they’re a bit choked up and flanked by a supportive spouse who just happens to have a good divorce lawyer on speed dial. They seek forgiveness, promising it’ll never happen again, meaning getting caught, not diddling.

There’s the powerful, “I’m sorry, I screwed up and I take full responsibility,” apology. Unfortunately, the responsibility being taken is often the act of apology, not fixing what their screw up has harmed, or actually falling on their sword.

There’s my second favourite, the pre-emptive apology. Nearly 28 years ago— December 8, 1995 if you must know—in the pages of the one-year-old Pique, I wrote: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologize, in advance, to whomever gets stuck proofreading my stuff.” In retrospect, it seems like a weak apology. But I never expected there would still be someone having to proofread my stuff a quarter of a century later. If there’s a saving grace, I’ve mostly learned Canadian spelling.

And then, there’s my favourite—the threatening apology. I’m not sure it’s a real, as in academically-recognized, form of apology, but I’m partial to it. It goes like this. “I’d like to apologize for what I said/wrote about you. I was admittedly shooting from the hip. Had I actually dug a little deeper into the facts of the matter, I wouldn’t have called you what I called you. I’d probably have gone right to hitting you with a baseball bat now that I know what a low-life you really are. Please accept my apology... if for no other reason than I’m not sure where I left my bat.”

The lawyers suggested I not send that

apology. I suggested we get better lawyers. Impasse.

In the world of apology, there are two places where people tend to drop the ball. The first is simply not apologizing. The second is following through on their apology.

The single most important element of apology is for the apologizer to accept responsibility. Let’s face it—without that, there is really no apology. But accepting

the former SS soldier, who was brought to tears by the ovation, possibly thinking all was forgiven. Oops. Sorry.

As soon as the truth of the matter was brought to his attention, Speaker Rota apologized over the weekend. He rose in the House of Commons on Monday and apologized again, accepting full responsibility for the oversight.

This is, of course, where the follow-

By not taking the initiative immediately, by drawing out the outrage of much of the country and sniggering of some of the world, the damage done escalated beyond what the incident demanded.

It reached the Kremlin, where Mr. Putin is gleefully saying, “See! I told you I was fighting Nazis in Ukraine.” It has offended Canada’s and the world’s Jewish community. It has made President Zelensky—whose stop in Canada was supposed to set a high mark for his fundraising trip—look like a doofus.

And it has even made the Prime Minister look bad. Just when you thought with everything making him look bad nothing could make him look worse. While he’s apologized for pretty much everything he can think of—much of it his own doing—JT was uncharacteristically quiet about this event, with the notable exception of denying having any part in inviting the SS war hero.

responsibility is necessary but not necessarily sufficient.

Okay, we all know what I’m talking about. Yeah, Nazis in the Commons.

Last Friday, during a state visit to the House of Commons by Volodymyr Zelensky, president of all Ukrainians, Speaker Anthony Rota introduced a 98-year-old constituent from his riding of Nipissing-Timiskaming, a riding I believe was named by Dr. Seuss. Much to the chagrin of, well, everyone, the old man was introduced as both Ukrainian and a hero of the Second World War. Both of those facts might have been true, but the hero part would only have been true if the Germans, for whom the fêted “hero” fought, had won the war.

There are now embarrassing photos and videos of every member of Parliament and President Zelensky standing and applauding

through failed to follow through. The second most important element of an effective apology is the recovery, or, if you prefer, the offer to repair the damage done.

While there is a well-known formula for comedy—tragedy plus time equals funny— there is likely to be no time long enough for introducing a former Nazi to the gathered legislative body of Canada and a respected world leader as a hero to be considered funny. It was a mistake—and I truly believe an honest, if inept, mistake—of such grave consequence there was only one remedy that would begin to atone for having committed it. Mr. Rota should have apologized and stepped down from his role as Speaker.

Mr. Rota was dead Speaker walking until his inevitable resignation Tuesday afternoon. This was not a case of better late than never.

U.S. President Harry Truman had a sign on his desk that said, “The buck stops here.” The bucks alluded to were the currency of responsibility, not greenbacks. Though eschewing any responsibility in the matter, the Prime Minister is the Big Kahuna, Canadianwise. He has the pulpit to offer an apology on behalf of the House and Canada.

But with all his practice, he left it up to Mr. Rota to, “consider his future as Speaker ... I’m sure he (Mr. Rota) is reflecting now on how to ensure the dignity of the House going forward.”

That ship sailed earlier in the week, dithered away by indecision, a desire perhaps to retain his position and an incomplete understanding of the power of apology.

Sorry, Anthony. Sorry Justin. Your apology, and lack thereof, sucks. ■

The single most important element of apology is for the apologizer to accept responsibility. Let’s face it—without that, there is really no apology.

FENG YU / ADOBE STOCK

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