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BRONZED: On Saturday, for the first time in more than two decades, Capilano University Blues players got to wear a medal around their necks at the CCAA Women’s Soccer Championships. The Blues were all smiles after winning a bronze medal in the finals at Squamish’s CapU campus on Nov. 9, with a 1-0 win over PACWEST rival Vancouver Island University.
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HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS DISRUPTING BIRD MIGRATION
Earlier springs and habitat loss are changing migration patterns along the Pacific Flyway
BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Birds are a familiar sight in Squamish, whether it’s the majestic bald eagles circling over the estuary or sandpipers darting along the shoreline.
But behind these beautiful scenes, a quiet shift is happening.
According to the 2024 State of Canada’s Birds report, many bird species are experiencing changes in their migration patterns due to climate change For Squamish, a crucial stop on the Pacific Flyway, these changes have both local and global implications
The Pacific Flyway is a major migratory bird route that stretches from Alaska to Patagonia in South America. It’s one of North America’s four main flyways, with millions of birds making the journey each spring and fall
“Birds are a window into how our ecosystems are changing,” says Christopher Di Corrado, a bird biologist based in Squamish
“And the signs are all around us.”
SHOREBIRDS IN DECLINE
Shorebirds like sandpipers and plovers, which rely
BIRDS: Continued on 2
heavily on the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary, are facing significant challenges
According to the report, shorebird populations are declining due to habitat loss both in Canada and along their migratory routes
“The estuary is a critical stopover for these birds,” says Rémi Torrenta, British Columbia projects co-ordinator for Birds Canada.
“It’s a place for them to rest and refuel. Without it, their chances of completing their migration drop significantly.”
Locally, efforts to protect the estuary have helped maintain its role as a haven for these species.
But the battle is far from over
Birds travelling from tropical regions are guided by light changes to start their migration.
“They might leave at the usual time,” said Di Corrado.
“But when they arrive in places like Squamish, spring may have come earlier. Insects—their primary food source—could emerge sooner, creating a mismatch Some insects provide better nutrients than others, so timing is crucial when birds need to feed their young.”
According to a study published in Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, warmer temperatures and changing weather are causing spring to arrive earlier each year.
This throws off the timing for migrating birds, who travel long distances expecting food like insects and plants to be ready when they arrive But now, by the time they get to these spots, much of their food has already peaked and started to decline.
This timing problem, called “trophic mismatch,” means birds struggle to find enough to eat, leaving them with less energy and making it harder for them to breed successfully
WATERFOWL
POPULATIONS ON THE RISE
Not all bird news is grim.
Waterfowl, including ducks and geese, have shown remarkable population growth.
Nationally, waterfowl numbers have increased by 150% since 1970, thanks to conservation initiatives like wetland protection.
Squamish’s Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area has played a pivotal role in this success.
“Waterfowl really benefit from the wetland conservation work happening here,” Torrenta says. “They’ve got a safe place to winter and plenty of food to sustain them.”
Locals might notice larger flocks of ducks and geese in the estuary during the colder months, a sign of how important Squamish has become for these birds.
BALD EAGLES THRIVE IN SQUAMISH
If there’s one bird that symbolizes Squamish, it’s the bald eagle.
Every winter, crowds gather across from Brackendale Eagles Park to watch these majestic birds as they feast on spawning salmon. Their recovery is part of a broader national
trend. Raptors, including eagles, have seen a 110% population increase, likely thanks to pesticide bans and targeted conservation efforts.
“The bald eagle population is a huge success story,” Di Corrado says. “And Squamish plays a big role in that, especially during the salmon runs.”
The estuary and surrounding rivers provide the perfect environment for eagles to thrive Every winter, from December to February, bald eagles gather at the Squamish Estuary to feast on spawning salmon
This group is Canada’s largest congregation of bald eagles and represents nearly 3% of the world’s bald eagle population, according to data from BirdLife International
WETLAND BIRDS SHOW MIXED RESULTS
Wetland birds, including the Great Blue Heron, are another group tied closely to Squamish’s estuary.
Nationally, these birds have experienced
mixed trends, with some populations stabilizing while others decline.
The 2024 State of Canada’s Birds report also highlights that while wetland bird populations have grown in some areas, habitat loss continues to threaten their future
“The Great Blue Heron is a common sight in Squamish,” says Di Corrado. “They’ve benefited from wetland conservation, but we can’t take that for granted.”
WHAT SQUAMISH CAN DO TO HELP
While climate change is a major factor, migrating birds face other significant threats.
Predation by cats is one of them “Cats are a massive problem for birds in North America,” Di Corrado says
“Keeping cats indoors is better for both birds and the cats themselves.”
Another common danger is building collisions.
Birds often mistake reflective glass for an open sky. “Window strikes are a major issue,” said Di Corrado.
“A recent study showed that these collisions kill more birds than we previously thought.”
In Squamish, local organizations are taking action.
“[Squamish Environment Society] has installed small black dots on downtown glass railings to prevent strikes,” Di Corrado says. “Homeowners can do the same by adding decals or UV-reflective films to their windows.”
Christopher suggests expanding these efforts—“Individuals can apply similar solutions at home, and municipalities could require developers to use bird-friendly glass with embedded UV films. These films are visible to birds but invisible to us.”
“Providing habitat, food, water, and shelter for birds—especially during migration and nesting seasons—is something everyone can do But the broader issue of climate change requires large-scale action,” he said.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
December 7 11am–2pm
PHOTO BY AAFREEN ARORA A bald eagle in Squamish
BIRDS: Continued from 1
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SAR HONOURED FOR DRAMATIC HELICOPTER RESCUE
James Dahmer and SSAR team save two climbers after a boulder strike on the Stawamus Chief
BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE
bchatterjee@squamishchief.com
For James Dahmer, a volunteer at Squamish Search and Rescue (SSAR), Aug. 15 was just another day on the job when he helped rescue two injured climbers on the Stawamus Chief.
While the rescue involved helicopters, ropes, and quick decisions, for Dahmer and his team at SSAR, it was all about training and teamwork
The rescue, which earned recognition at the Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine (CAWM) conference, held in Halifax from Nov. 1 to 3, showcased the skill and teamwork of SSAR and their partners.
SSAR is an organization that consists of a “group of volunteers who donate countless hours of personal time to train and respond to emergency situations,” reads their website.
“It feels great to put Squamish Search and Rescue in the spotlight for the work we do,” said Dahmer, who accepted the award on behalf of the team
“I’m proud to represent the technical skills we bring to the community.”
CLIMBERS IN DANGER ON THE STAWAMUS CHIEF
The rescue involved two climbers from Greece who were struck by a falling boulder while climbing in The Bulletheads section of the Stawamus Chief. Both suffered serious leg injuries.
“The first climber was hit and had bad leg
RESCUE STRATEGY: ROPES AND HELICOPTER SUPPORT
With little information about the climbers’ exact location, the rescue required careful planning and reconnaissance.
“Unfortunately, given the timeline, we had very little information of where they were,” Dahmer said
“We had to do a reconnaissance to see what their predicament was like It’s very time-consuming They were attached to the rock, injured, for up to four hours. When I arrived on scene, they were in quite a dire state—they had lost a lot of blood, they were very cold, and they weren’t able to have much of a conversation.”
“There was a language barrier as well.”
After securing the climbers, Dahmer carefully transported each of them to a nearby staging area.
“We must transport patients to the nearest road. We can’t go further than that. It’s mandated that the ambulance service transports patients,” said Dahmer.
In this case, critical care paramedics arrived with an air ambulance because the climbers needed to be sent to a trauma centre for surgery.
and planning.
“There’s probably 100 different sequences that need to occur in perfect fashion in order to do that,” Dahmer said.
“While I’m attached to the helicopter and waiting to lift off, I ran through the sequences many, many times in my head to ensure it was well rehearsed.”
“On route to the scene, I focused on finding the safest route in It was a complex, hybrid response of utilizing ropes as well as the helicopter,” he said
COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
Despite the complexity and urgency of the rescue, Dahmer believes, “There’s nothing heroic about us.”
“We’re regular people, just like anyone else.” Dahmer, who has been involved in public service since high school—including as a paramedic and with the Canadian Forces finds meaning in being part of something bigger.
“Always be part of something larger than yourself,” he said
injuries, and then the boulder hit the second climber,” said Dahmer
Lowered by a helicopter on a long line, Dahmer climbed down to the injured climbers
“The helicopter can’t attach to the rock, so I had to use a system where I could secure myself and the climbers safely,” Dahmer said. He then brought both climbers to safety, one by one.
“We’re supported greatly by Squamish Fire Rescue We kind of blend our jurisdictions to support each other for these calls,” Dahmer added.
The climbers were taken to Vancouver General Hospital, where their condition remained serious.
“They ended up in Vancouver General. They went through several rounds of surgery. They required a couple of units of blood and stuff like that. So, they were in considerably dire state when I saw them,” Dahmer said.
The rescue required precise co-ordination
Dahmer also highlighted the ongoing need for community support and funding for SSAR
“We always need funding, but we’re committed to keeping our community safe,” he said
*Please note that this story was corrected after it was first published. The original name of the conference was incorrect. The correct name is: Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine (CAWM) conference. The Squamish Chief apologizes for this error.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
PHOTO BY MEGAN ELIZABETH James Dahmer accepts his award.
Graham Laschuk
NEWS BRIEF
LOCAL FACING TERRORISM CHARGES CHOOSES JURY TRIAL
A Squamish woman charged with alleged ISIS-related terrorism offences has pleaded not guilty and chosen a B.C. Supreme Court jury trial.
The RCMP’s Federal Policing Integrated National Security Enforcement Team said in July it had arrested and charged 51-year-old Kimberly Polman.
Court documents indicate she left B.C. July 21, 2015, information that is in count one of charge documents.
The charges allege Polman left Canada to knowingly participate in the activity of a terrorist group for the purpose of enhancing the ability of such a group to perform its activities. That is alleged to have happened in Richmond
A second count alleges she participated in the work of the Islamic State between July 25, 2015 and July 27, 2019 That is alleged to have happened in the Syrian Arab Republic
Articling student Brittney MacBean, appearing on behalf of defence lawyer David Ferguson, told Judge Patricia Stark Oct. 24 that Polman’s defence team needs further time to review Crown disclosure in the case.
Polman was repatriated to Canada in October 2022 and was placed on a series of
bail conditions.
MacBean made the judge and jury election before Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Reginald Harris Nov. 7.
The defence has not requested a preliminary hearing at this time, MacBean told Harris. Such hearings are held to determine if enough evidence exists to go to trial. They are covered by publication bans
Polman’s next appearance on the charges is Nov. 27 in B.C Supreme Court, Harris said
Repatriation
A federal government parliamentary question period briefing note dated Oct. 25, 2022 for then-minister of public safety
Marco Mendicino said Polman and another woman were repatriated from a camp in northeast Syria on received information that their health was deteriorating. The other woman is Oumaima Chouay, who was repatriated with her two children
She was arrested in Montreal on her return to Canada on Oct. 25, 2022
Chouay was charged with leaving Canada to participate in the activity of a terrorist group, providing, making available property or services for terrorist purposes and conspiracy for leaving Canada to participate in the activity of a terrorist group.
PHOTO BY STEVE JACOBS
FALL’S GLORY: The Squamish Valley Golf Club is looking even more colourful this week Have a beautiful photo to share? Send it to news@squamishchief.com
PROPOSED HIGHER DENSITY BRACKENDALE HOUSING PROJECT SPARKS CONCERNS
Neighbours voice upset over a proposed redevelopment project, which aims to replace a single-family home with 32 co-housing rental bedrooms in two buildings
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Some Brackendale residents are concerned about a development that contains 32 bedrooms set to replace a single-family home in their neighbourhood.
The single-family home on the property, at 41824 Government Road, sold for $1,900,000 in March of 2022.
According to the District, the proposal is for two buildings, each with 16 bedrooms, with self-contained washrooms, a shared living room and one kitchen space. The two buildings would be privately owned and proposed as market rentals designed to provide co-housing opportunities
District staff said the property is a double lot and is large enough to support two buildings within most zoning parameters
The applicants are asking for a variance to allow two principal dwelling units on the same lot
“Typically, we would see a subdivision application to divide the two lots, with a single unit dwelling on each. This is one of two
council approval
The second variance is about parking.
The zoning bylaw currently allows a maximum of five parking stalls per dwelling
“The parcel has space to accommodate more parking on-site to address street parking concerns and provide more parking on-site for co-housing residents,” Boguski said.
The variance is to increase the allowed parking on the site from 10 stalls to more. The exact number is currently undetermined and is being reviewed as part of this application.
Tim Clayman, who lives near the property, says he wants residents throughout Squamish to know about the development because he says it could happen anywhere in town
A set of townhouses is almost finished being constructed next door to the property, and the area is a mix of single-family, duplex and triplexes, which are more suited to the character of the community, Clayman said
reasons why a variance application is under review,” said District spokesperson Rachel Boguski.
The property is being redeveloped by the Melbourne Group, Grant Gillies, according to
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the District’s website.
Construction of one building is allowed under current rules and is under Building Permit review. A second building—which is what the variance application is for—requires
The planned project is a road too far, he says He holds the municipality responsible for the upset the project has caused him and others who live nearby.
PROPERTY: Continued on 6
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PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF The property, at 41824 Government Road
PROPERTY: Continued from 5
CONSULTATION?
Clayman has several issues with the project, including that he and others he has talked to had no idea the proposal was on the table.
“The only way we found out about the true size and scale of the development was when watermain work was going in We were chatting to the road crew, and they mentioned that they were putting in a four-inch water pipe, because there was a 32-unit condo development going in And we were really, really shocked to find that out,” he said
Fellow area resident Dustin Perry is also concerned about the project since he found out about it from a friend, he says
“I find it incredibly unethical that I was not made aware of this proposed development,” he said, noting he has received other alerts from the municipality.
Clayman added that the District should be working toward a solution that gets residents on board, turning them into advocates, not opponents.
“This development, however, pushes limits far beyond what most residents consider acceptable, ultimately undermining support for housing diversity,” he said.
Clayman says the project was initially communicated by the District as a single-family residence.
“This issue has generated a great deal of frustration and confusion within the community, as there has been little-to-no transparency from the District regarding the actual scope of the project,” he said
“The development’s high density, combined with the District’s failure to communicate effectively, has raised serious concerns about zoning loopholes and their impact on the character and livability of residential neighbourhoods like Brackendale.”
For its part, the District says standard procedures with development signage and posting to the Development Showcase were done in this case.
An FAQ page has been developed by muni staff to clarify some of the public feedback the District has been receiving, and that information has been added to the Development Showcase. The FAQ page is also being shared with everyone who has provided comments on the project, Boguski said
“It’s important to note that this variance application to add a second detached dwelling unit is still in review, and is not approved It is normal procedure to have community questions and further information shared with the community as the project undergoes its review,” Boguski said
A public information meeting by MDG Investments has been scheduled for this project on Nov. 14, at the Brackendale Art Gallery at 7 p.m.
In terms of the “single-family home” confusion, Boguski said the development sign on site refers to a single-unit dwelling.
“While the District does not have a “singlefamily home” use, we recognize that sometimes the terms are used interchangeably in conversation and understanding,” she said. The FAQ page now explains this, she added.
TRAFFIC AND PLANNING CONCERNS
Jessi McLennan lives on Depot Road, near the project. A parent of a school-aged child, one of her main concerns about the project is the increase in traffic it would cause in the area, so close to a school zone
“Living on Depot Road, we already see how incredibly busy our road has gotten with no real enforcement of speed limits,” she said “My main concern was just increased traffic and increased cars coming in and out very close to a school zone.”
She, too, is also concerned about the seeming lack of a plan and upper limit for how many people can be put in single buildings.
“I’m completely fine with increasing the number of housing in Squamish I have kids, so I hope one day my children will actually be able to live in Squamish So, it’s not that I’m opposed I’m just very concerned that they literally have no plan ... and letting developers basically [come] in and build what they want without any community involvement or consideration to what or how that will change a community,” she said, adding that if it were an apartment block going in, more would be expected of the builder, in terms of infrastructure and the like, but in this case, that doesn’t seem to be required.
CHANGES AREA CHARACTER
Perry said the development goes against the values of Squamish residents. He grew up in Point Grey and moved to the Sea to Sky 13 years ago, trying Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish before purchasing a home in Brackendale in 2016
“I chose Brackendale because it was the only spot I found—not to say there aren’t others—in the Sea to Sky that resembled a truly Canadian small town where kids still play hockey in the streets, neighbours are friendly to each other, it is safe to walk, and there is space,” he said
“This new development flies in the face of this.”
Perry said he doesn’t see how this project would benefit the current residents of the area.
“Incoming residents wouldn’t have it much better as there is no street parking where the proposed development is. It is located in a school zone, and further to that, it is very close to the BAG, which has already impacted street parking in the area, with overflow from their lot.”
If it does get built, Perry said there must be a push for resident-permitted parking in the area.
Ultimately, Perry said this project should not go ahead.
“If council wants to densify Squamish, they should do so downtown or at least close to downtown.”
He added he has seen “significant deforestation” in Squamish since he moved here
“I don’t understand the environmental logic of this The property in question looks like a clearcut now.”
He said he is “growing very tired of the direction of this town despite being in a very comfortable position with a beautiful house. I don’t want to live in a town similar to Kelowna, and I feel like Squamish is heading in that direction.”
MORE HOUSING BUT NOT HERE
Clayman concurred.
PROPERTY: Continued on 7
PROPERTY: Continued from 6
“When people move into a neighbourhood and make what is certainly the biggest investment of their lives, they base that decision off what information is available, and the information available is an Official Community Plan and zoning regulations. And in this case, there’s no mention of the possibility of this happening,” he said
He says the issue has broader implications for all of Squamish
“It holds for RS-zoned neighbourhoods across Squamish,” he said
“Allowing this to progress without a defined plan effectively opens the door for unlimited density. While increased density is fine, it needs a plan to support it Without an upper limit, responsible planning becomes impossible.”
The District confirmed that single-unit dwellings are permitted in RS-2 zones.
“All development in the District of Squamish is required to conform to the appropriate regulations and bylaws or processes to amend them ... and in this case, the allowed single-unit dwelling floor area ratio, setbacks, lot coverage on the site etc.,” said Boguski.
“The District does not have the ability to differentiate between someone who would like to build a large home with many bedrooms for themselves versus a large home with many bedrooms for rent Homeowners of all different housing forms have the freedom to rent their homes, have multiple roommates, allow multi-generational families in one home, etc.”
Clayman said new communities that are
being built, such as Oceanfront Squamish, seem to be well planned, and that plan is well communicated with the public, but when it comes to established neighbourhoods, that is not the case.
Further, he accused the District of ignoring Brackendale’s flood safety and debris flow risks.
The District said this is not true
“This project is regulated by the BC Building Code, Building Bylaw, Zoning Bylaw, and Floodplain Management Bylaws, amongst others and will need to comply with the standards and restrictions imposed by each,” Boguski said, noting this single-unit dwellings project still needs to conform to DPA 2
Protection from Flood Hazard She said a report was drafted by a professional engineer to support the project under the current hazard mitigation policy and is currently under staff review
“This housing form is not uncommon in Squamish, as this type of housing has been built and is in operation in both Brackendale and the Dentville community already.”
Ultimately, Clayman would like to see a pause in the development.
“The council needs to hold a high standard in how they treat the people that they’ve been elected to serve. So hit pause and communicate what’s happening to the community to allow for meaningful engagement.”
The Squamish Chief has been unable to connect with the development company for comment but will update this story if and when we do
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
LEST WE FORGET: The rain took a break for the Diamond Head Branch 277 Squamish Legion’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11, at the cenotaph at Stan Clarke Park About 200 locals turned out to show their respect.
Does the District’s draftFinancial Plan alignwith your communitypriorities? What have we missed?
Comments arebeing compiled prior to presenting What We Heard toCouncil on November 26.
• CIPP Relining at WWTP –Request forQuotations squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district
ABOUTALOCALTAKINGFLIGHT
A Q&A with Rae Simpson, an aeronautical engineer who lives a storied life
Rae Simpson sits at his long wooden dining room table, a vibrant painting featuring Black Tusk by Squamish’s Andy Anissimoff behind him
He and his Swiss wife Ursala bought the painting in Whistler back in about 2014; there are a few other Anissimoff paintings in the bright, spacious home on Thunderbird Ridge.
Simpson acknowledges he isn’t very “arty”; the art they have is the influence of Ursala, but he knows what he likes.
“The guy is great,” he says of Anissimoff.
The active Simpson—who has logged 6,500 kilometres of cycling on his new knees, which he had replaced last October—is nursing a leg injury from a fall off his bike at the end of a recent lengthy cycling trip abroad
The always-busy Simpson, an aeronautical engineer, has had a storied life so far, and his adventures continue
Working backward through the years, he has been, among other positions, an instructor at a test pilot school, a senior air accident investigator for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, a civil aviation inspector for Transport Canada, the chief flight test engineer for the De Havilland Canada Dash 8 for Bombardier Aerospace
He was a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force for many years and worked as operations staff for NATO, developing concepts and
requirements for aerospace combat operations.
The Squamish Chief sat down with the affable Simpson for a more than hour-long chat about his life, his outlook and his thoughts on Squamish
What follows is a version of that conversation edited for length and clarity.
Q: You grew up in Toronto, right?
A: I came to Toronto from Scotland when I was just about nine years old My parents emigrated, and so I grew up in Toronto. I went to the University in Toronto, and by that time, I was in the Air Force.
Q: What sparked your interest in airplanes and the Air Force?
A: From a young kid, I had a bent towards engineering types of things, and maybe mathematics. My dad had been an accountant. In the 1950s, growing up in Toronto, the news that you saw was things like Atlas rockets being tested and exploding on launch pads in Cape Canaveral. There was the International Geophysical Year [This was an international scientific project that lasted from 1957 to 1958, after the Cold War. More than 60 countries participated in sharing science.] Where we lived in Toronto was on the flight path to Malton Airport [now the Toronto Pearson International Airport], so when the Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow was flying, I saw it fly over my house.
My summer job was in a mail room, where everybody else doing the job was a
Notice of BylawReadings forZoning Amendment
6p.m., November 19,2024inCouncilChambersatMunicipal Hall
District of SquamishZoning BylawNo. 2200,2011, Amendment Bylaw(39210DiscoveryWay)No. 3105,2024
AFFECTED LANDS
39210Discovery Way,Squamish BC
PROPOSED BYLAWAMENDMENT
Thepurposeofthe proposed Bylawistoamend theexisting Specialized HighwayCommercialZone(C-9) to remove therestrictions onthe sale of perishableand non-perishable food items.
BYLAWREADINGS
Council will consider first,secondand thirdreadingsofthe proposed Bylaw at theirRegular BusinessMeetingon November 19,2024 at 6p.m in Council Chambers at MunicipalHall,37955 Second Avenue,Squamish BC.
NO PUBLIC HEARING
In accordance with Provincial legislation,Section 464(2) of the LocalGovernmentAct,localgovernmentsare notrequired to hold public hearings relatedtorezoningapplications that areconsistent with thelocalgovernment’sOfficialCommunity Plan (OCP)
HOWTOVIEWTHE PROPOSED BYLAW
Acopyofthe proposedbylaw andrelated informationthathas been or may beconsideredbyCouncil,can be inspectedonlineoratMunicipal Hall: •Onlineat: squamish.ca/showcase •Municipal Hall at 37955SecondAvenue, Squamish,British Columbia,fromNovember 14,2024toNovember 19,2024 between 8:30 a.m. and4:30p.m., Monday through Friday Enquiries regardingthe proposed amendment bylawmay be made to the Planning Departmentat604-815-5002orbyemail to planning@squamish.ca. Dated this 14 dayofNovember2024atSquamish, BritishColumbia.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
Rae Simpson at his home
ABOUT A LOCAL JENNIFER THUNCHER
A LOOK INSIDE PARADISE VALLEY HEALING CENTRE
The centre offers a mix of therapy, meditation, and medical supervision
BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Tucked away in the middle of the forest, opposite the Paradise Valley Campground, lies the Paradise Valley Healing Centre, which offers a blend of therapies to “support individuals recovering from trauma and addiction.”
Drawing on a combination of Western medicine, Eastern philosophies, and creative expression, the centre aims to “help people find emotional balance and healing.”
“Most of the people that come to the centre have unresolved trauma and emotional pain,” said Nirmala Raniga, founder of the centre.
“We focus on creating an environment where they can heal from addiction and psychological trauma, integrating Western medicine and Eastern practices like yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda.”
ART THERAPY FOR EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION
One of the key elements of the centre’s approach is art therapy, which provides a way for participants to “express emotions that may be difficult to articulate.”
“Trauma is often trapped in the brain as a sensory experience,” said Raniga
“Art therapy allows people to access those parts of the brain that may not have words but still need to be soothed and released.”
The centre offers art sessions where guests engage with colours, forms, and textures to explore their emotions. “It’s not about creating a perfect drawing,” Raniga said.
“It’s about expressing what comes out and then discussing what those images might mean.”
Research done in Washington shows that art therapy has been found effective for individuals dealing with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression Its non-verbal nature “helps participants access suppressed memories and emotions, promoting emotional regulation and stress relief.”
A review of 37 studies also found that art therapy helped reduce stress in about 80% of participants, showing how creative activities can effectively support mental well-being INCORPORATING AYURVEDA
FOR BALANCE
The centre also integrates Ayurvedic principles and the traditional Hindu system of medicine
“Ayurveda teaches us that we are all made up of the five elements—space, air, fire, water, and earth—and these manifest in three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha,” said Raniga.
The centre’s vegetarian meals are designed to balance these doshas. “The foods we eat affect not just our bodies but also our emotions,” she said. Guests are also encouraged to practice self-massage using dosha-specific oils. “For example, we recommend sesame oil for Vatas
and coconut oil for Pittas,” said Raniga
In addition to a vegetarian diet, daily routines include yoga and meditation “A typical day starts with yoga at 7 a.m. and meditation at 8 a.m., followed by group therapy,” she said
“The focus is on creating balance, not just in the mind but also in the body.”
A 2015 study found that Ayurvedic medicine can benefit people with coronary heart disease. This makes sense since yoga and meditation key parts of Ayurveda—are known to help lower blood pressure, reduce stress and improve heart health.
WESTERN MEDICINE MEETS EASTERN PRACTICES
While the centre’s foundation is rooted in traditional practices, it also offers medical support
“We have a centre physician, a psychiatric nurse, and access to a consulting psychiatrist,” said Raniga
“Our clinical team ensures that every guest receives a bio-psychosocial assessment and tailored care.”
However, the centre is not a detox facility, and the intake process ensures that clients are ready to participate in the therapeutic program.
“We make sure individuals don’t require detox services before admission, as that’s outside the scope of our care,” Raniga said
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
Paradise Valley Healing Centre has provided services for more than 14 years and offers treatment to those in need through partnerships with Vancouver Coastal Health and Sea to Sky Mental Health Services.
“We provide 12 free treatment beds each year one per month—for individuals from Squamish who cannot afford care,” said Raniga
Despite the availability of services, Raniga notes that many people are unaware of the centre’s presence “Sometimes people don’t know what’s available in their own neighbour-
hood,” she said
“It took me three years to rezone the property and get the necessary licensing, but I knew it was important to provide this kind of care.”
Reflecting on the need for holistic care, she emphasizes the importance of emotional healing. “When we don’t walk through our emotions, we get stuck in them,” she said
“Addiction and unhealthy coping often arise from that emotional pain It’s essential that people reach out for support—and that families support their loved ones, too.”
The centre offers programs ranging from one to six weeks, with prices starting at $7,500 and increasing based on program length. Additional weeks are $5,000 each, and GST applies.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
The Squamish business beat was sparked by locals asking for more such coverage This business was chosen because it is within Chatterjee’s region and helps expand residents’ understanding of what is available in Paradise Valley, a region that has traditionally not gotten the same coverage as Squamish proper If you would like to be considered for this beat, email news@squamishchief.com
TheSquamishChief is amemberof theNationalNewsmedia Council, whichisanindependent organization establishedtodealwithacceptable journalistic practicesand ethica behaviour. If youhaveconcerns abouteditorial content, please contactEditorJenniferThuncherat jthuncher@squamishchief.com. If you are notsatisfied with theresponse andwishtofilea formal complaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free1-844-877-1163for additional information
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EDITORIAL
WEILER’S BIGGAMBLE
Sea to SkyMemberofParliamentPatrick Weiler is taking abig gamble,being oneofthe prominent facesofthe “Trudeau resign!” brigade.
Weiler read alettersignedby24MPs to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Oct. 23 at theLiberal Partyof Canada’s national caucus meeting, calling forthe leader to resign by Oct. 28.
On theone hand,itwas abrave thingtodo.
He is riskinghis politicalcareer, andsomemay say hisconstituency’spower—itishardtosee how, were Trudeautowin again, Weiler wouldn’t be punished somehowfor this attemptatunseating him—for what he clearlythinksisthe best thingfor hisparty
Weiler cansee thewriting on thewallthatTrudeau seemsblind to.Rightly or wrongly, people want change
Trudeau’sSunny Ways doesn’tfeelsosunny anymore, as most of us struggle to payour bills, and our adultkidscan’t live in thesamecommunities we do,given thecostofhousing.
Thesense is that Trudeauistone-deaf to what mattersmostwhentimes aretough—“Theeconomy, stupid,” as Bill Clinton’sstrategist JamesCarville said in 1992.
Weiler is readingthe tealeavescorrectly.
Thesite338Canada,which makes respected electoralprojections,isforecasting 99%oddsofthe Conservative PartyofCanadawinning thefederal election (had it been held on Nov. 10).
Yet, in response to theletterWeilerread, Trudeau said,no, thankyou.Ishall stay.
Giventhatonly24MPs outof152 signed theletter, he feelshecan afford to ignore them.
“Ruh Roh.”
And, whileittakes bigcojones forWeilertostand up againstTrudeau,itisalsoopportunistic anddisloyal.
Weilergot on this ship thanks in largeparttoits captain, whohethenabandonedwhenthe seas got rough, to save hisown baconfromfryingatthe polls.
Now,mostofthe inkbeing spilledis aboutthe rift rather than what theLiberalswillorwon’t do for voters.
Meanwhile, theorganized Conservative ship speedspast, with itscourseclear andnodissension (that we cansee)onboard.
Weiler hastowearthat, too.
So ultimately,now Weiler is in aprecarious situation
He will either be forced to campaign with voters, knowinghelikelycan’t do alot forusdue to his rebelliousness andthatheisstill on asinking ship.
Or, with theelectionabout ayearaway, maybe, Trudeauwillultimatelyresignand reinvigorate the party, upliftingWeilerwithit.
Anything is possible in politics,as we have seen of late.
Butthe waythingsare headed,itis much more likelyWeilerwillbebackbeing oneofus civilians within theyear, watching PrimeMinisterPierre Poilievresteer anew ship.
RATS:THE UNDERRATED PETS
YOUTHCOLUMN AUNI DAYTON
While dogs oftensteal thespotlight in Squamish as belovedcompanions, rats aresurprisinglyloveableand intelligent pets.Often misunderstoodand unfairly associated with disease, domestic rats have proven to be clean, social,and surprisingly trainableanimals Icurrently ownthree rats namedPicasso,Dali, anddaVinci,and Ihavebeenlucky enough to ownratsfor much of my life
Oneofthemostendearing qualitiesofratsis theirsocialnature. Unlike solitary pets like hamsters,ratsthriveinthe companyof others Accordingtothe RSPCA, it is always best forthem to be adoptedinbondedpairs or groups,sothat they canstaysocial. They form strong bondswith theirhuman companions andenjoybeing handledand played with.Their smallsizemakes them portable,allowingownerstotakethemon adventures around Squamish or simply cuddle withthemonthecouch.Ratscan be carriedin purses or pocketsand canevenbetrained to ride onyour shoulder. Intelligence is anothertrait that sets rats apart. Theseclevercreatures canlearn complextasks,
from navigating mazes, performing tricks and drivingminiature cars,toplaying sports like basketball.Ratsoften learntheir namesand can be taught commandwords.Theycan even learn to recognizecertain writtenwords.Their abilityto solveproblemsand remember informationistruly remarkable,makingthemsomeofthe most intelligentanimals.Studies have even shownthat rats canoutperformhumansoncertain cognitive tests.
Despitetheir intelligence,ratsare surprisingly low-maintenancepets. They requirea basicdietof ratpellets,fresh fruits,nuts, andvegetables. A cleancagewithplentyofbedding andtoysisalso essentialfor theirwell-being, as they enjoy snugglingand stayingbusy.
Rats also have very distinct personalitiesand exhibitadorablebehaviour like runningtowards theirowners, chirping when they arerelaxed, gently nibbling or lickingtheir favouritehuman’s fingers, or relaxing theirearstoshowtheir joy. It canalsobefunny to watchhow they interact with theirrat friendsastheyoften do cute things like hopping up anddown, play fighting,orrunning around like adog that hasthe zoomies. Theonlydownsideofowningarat compared with adog or catistheir shorterlifespan. Rats only live foraroundtwo to four years. Unfortunately, accordingtoFourPaws
(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)
RATS: Continued from 12
International, the short lifespan of rats is often lessened further by their high risk of respiratory infection or cancer These risks make it important to do your research and consider the pros and cons before adopting a rat.
COUNCILLOR WRONG ON SUE BIG OIL
Regarding Coun, Greenlaw’s letter on why she supports the Sue Big Oil movement in The Squamish Chief last week, there is little doubt that her concern is well-founded. Whether Sue Big Oil is a solution requires more scrutiny.
It is appealing to suggest “recovering” these costs from the enormous profits of the petrochemical industry as if the industry has put it all aside in case it is asked for. However, past profits have been paid to shareholders—that means to the Canada Pension Plan, corporate pension plans, and individual investors—either directly or through mutual funds.
In other words, we have already collected these funds.
Future liability will be paid like any other expense of producing a product— added to the cost and passed on to the consumer (us) every time we purchase anything that derives from fossil fuels. Or maybe it pushes the company into unprofitability or bankruptcy Who does that cost? Us again when our pension plans and investments lose value.
And it is appealing to demand “reparations” as if Big Oil was some independent entity deliberately doing battle with us Or try to draw a parallel with tobacco because they deliberately deluded us, so we’d continue with our addiction. Make the users pay; make those who profited from it pay. For Big Oil and fossil fuels, we are the users, and the ones to whom profits are distributed.
Through Sue Big Oil, Greenlaw wishes to hold our provincial and federal governments accountable. That’s what elections are for. Legal action is for
LETTERS POLICY
While rats may not live as long as dogs or cats, they offer a unique and rewarding pet ownership experience Their playful personalities, intelligence, and affectionate nature make them a delightful addition to any family If you’re considering a pet, don’t
extracting a monetary penalty for misdeeds.
The only source of money the provincial and federal governments have is through income or consumption taxes—us So, whatever we (the District of Squamish) get as a settlement from higher governments will again be paid for by whom? Us
Not to mention that lawyers will do all these legal shenanigans. They will get their cut paid for by us long before we collect any benefit from a lawsuit.
Suggesting a parallel with tobacco misses the point that if tobacco disappeared instantly from the face of the Earth, apart from some withdrawal symptoms from the smoking community, the world would function just fine or better than before. Do the same with Big Oil and our economic supply chain shuts down. Road vehicles, ships, trains, planes—they all rely on fossil fuel Electric vehicles and machines require Big Oil products to manufacture and operate. Crops can’t be fertilized. No machinery to harvest them. No synthetic fabrics. No concrete, great limitations on industrial and home construction products And more to the point, nothing in the Sue Big Oil movement to create solutions or replacements for our present use of fossil fuels.
Finally, selling this as “a low-risk, low-cost” initiative with a financial contribution capped at $1 per resident is misleading According to the suebigoil.ca website, that contribution is to lobby local governments to join a class action lawsuit that would appear to be pursued by an affiliated non-charitable organization. So, Squamish council is spending taxpayer money to pay an outside organization to lobby it—hardly an
overlook the rat. With a little understanding and care, these often-misunderstood creatures can become beloved members of your household
Auni Dayton is a Squamish youth and member of the Youth Council, who recently interned at The Squamish Chief.
ethical approach
The impacts of climate change are enormous, but that doesn’t mean we’re in trouble; it means we have a challenge. There is no easy way forward. This complex issue has developed since we learned how to light fossil fuels on fire Its solutions cannot be local; they must be global I humbly suggest to the council that your job is to spend our tax dollars to work with other levels of government on real solutions to impending problems, not to grasp at some superficial, over-simplified “feel-good” scheme.
Rae Simpson Squamish
GET THOSE APPLICATIONS IN
Editor’s note: This piece was written collectively by local teens Ivanna Gomez and Calvin Winter
Calling all Grade 12 students—now is the time to prepare for your future
Whether you’re aiming for university, vocational training, or specialized skills programs, start by researching schools, gathering required documents like transcripts, and paying close attention to application deadlines.
As a current grade 12 student, I understand firsthand the significance of submitting applications early, navigating the stress of researching ideal programs and finding the right school fit.
I also relate to the challenges of balancing applications during the school year and the anxiety that comes with making decisions that could impact future career paths, especially when it comes to hitting “submit.”
LETTERS: Continued on 14
The Squamish Chief welcomes letters to the editor of up to 400 words. Letters should be exclusive to this publication and are meant to respond to a local story in The Squamish Chief or raise an issue happening in town Please include your name, neighbourhood and daytime phone number The deadline is 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for Thursday’s edition. Full names and neighbourhood will be published with the letter The publisher reserves the right to refuse and edit letters for length and clarity or to address legal concerns Email letters to: editor@squamishchief.com
JOIN US ONLINE
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
When is too early to set up the Christmas tree?
Have your say at squamishchief.com
Would you like to see an organized fireworks display on Halloween again?
MOST READ STORY
Missing Squamish man has been located
TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK
This week,reporter Indigo Lemay-Conway checked out the Seek Bespoke Market. Find this and many more local videos on our page, @squamishchief on TikTok
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LETTERS: Continued from 13
have already received a letter of acceptance to the university of my choice, and I would like to help others as there is still lots of time for admissions.
This is a step-by-step guide to help with the process, as we want to facilitate you taking the first step towards your future Most schools offer online portals for easy submission, so make sure you apply to at least three institutions to maximize your options.
To apply for post-secondary schools in B.C., use EducationPlannerBC.ca. Here you can search for the school you would like to apply to. You can start your application at any time and come back to it later, as your progress is saved on your account. It may seem like a lot, but for most universities, it is much easier than one would think as most post-secondary
Continued from 9
pensioner. One of them said to me, “You’re so interested in airplanes. What’s it like to fly them? If you’re that interested, why don’t you find out?” So I did, and I learned to fly them and joined the Air Force. A whole bunch of stuff flowed from that I ended up spending 33 years in the Air Force.
Q: What are a couple of things you experienced in the Air Force?
A: I got my wings in 1967. I was posted to fly F-104s, which were being used in Germany at the time by Canada in the strike reconnaissance role I thought it was a neat airplane And I thought Europe would be a neat place to live for a while— all of which was true And so I went over there. I was over there for four years as a reconnaissance pilot. We also had a nuclear strike role in those days. I’m convinced that Canada played a pretty meaningful role in those days in NATO It certainly was very enjoyable. When that was finished, I was really interested in getting into test flying, and I was lucky enough to convince the Air Force to send me to the test establishment; the Air Force has a test establishment to do the necessary testing on in-service aircraft or any potential new airplanes. A short time after that, I went to the United States Navy for a year to go to their test pilot school
Q: What was that like?
A: You know, the militaries at the working level work really well together, and that might distress some readers who think that means that we’re in cahoots. But, no. At the military level, people are thinking about the mechanics of what was going on or the science that they were working with, not the politics and where their country stood Yes, they knew they were part of that, but they just don’t get into it So, if you were on one side and I was on the other, we would talk about the way we fly the airplanes or the way we maintain the
schools in Canada will only ask for programs of choice, personal information, what classes you have taken and your grades in them, sometimes even less than that! UBC is one of the only schools that asks for more information on extracurricular activities, a mini essay on who you are and what you are most proud of, and about why you want to study your selected program. Each university has an application fee to submit your application, but do not let the cost of application fees be a barrier—if it is an issue, then please ask your school counsellor or principal to fund it or ask community members— guaranteed it can be fully funded.
A few weeks after you have sent in your applications, you will get an email asking to have access to your transcript To get your transcript and send it to a post-secondary institution, go to BCeID.ca and create an
account with your PEN (personal education number). Then you can send an electronic copy of your transcript to up to 25 schools for free
If you have already applied, you may be asking yourself, now what? Now it is time to think about funding your education. Scholarship applications can be made at the same time as your university application. Applications should also be made both to the schools you apply to and directly to community organizations. There is an incredible amount of funding out there, just for asking, including full tuition and accommodation scholarships! To find scholarship opportunities, simply search online using terms like “university scholarships in B.C.”
This will provide you with a list of various local and provincial organizations that offer
scholarships with diverse eligibility requirements. Ensure you use your grades and extracurricular activities to apply for as many scholarships as possible If you aren’t very academically inclined, no need to worry, as many of these scholarships do not require exceptionally high grades or extensive extracurricular involvement.
If you have any questions or are feeling overwhelmed with the application process, make sure to ask your older peers, recently graduated students, teachers, counsellors, and family members for support, as they likely have all gone through similar situations.
We hope that reading this letter has helped you feel more at peace, and has encouraged you to get those applications in Ivanna Gomez & Calvin Winter Squamish
airplanes, or the way that we maintain the hygiene in barrack blocks; it was all so close to the same, with the one exception—you wouldn’t be told things that were not allowed to be told to foreign people. While I was there as a student, there was a test going on that needed some support, and I was initially assigned to it with an American guy, but we ended up with only a single-seat airplane to fly. I flew the thing as a Canadian and did what I was told In the discussions and the briefings and so on,
they said, “You know, we can’t tell you what we’re doing.” I said, “OK, I’ll fly the test points and fly them safely.” I still have friends from that course Those friendships are long-lasting
Q: With your work with the Transportation Safety Board, what do you wish the public knew?
A: I wish they knew how difficult it was to really pin down underlying causes of things. And, human factors are the biggest thing that we want to get at, and the public—and I’m going to blame the press on this one—they love to say, “Well, this was pilot error,” and they stop there. Well, OK, what have we learned? What was the mistake?
We look at how decisions were made and potential unintended consequences. You look at resources that you’ve got; you look at the risk that’s involved. Is the decision an instantaneous one, or is it one that we made last month as to what we were going to be doing with the airplanes next year? All of those decisions have their consequences
Q: Knowing all that you do and given all that you have seen, how do you feel getting on an airplane as a passenger?
A: I’m curious and wondering how they’re making decisions. But I’m confident. When was the last time you got up and planned to make a mistake? Never happened? No It doesn’t happen in airplanes, either Now, I’m sure people show up in the office, in your office, just like in the flight ops department, where somebody says, “I didn’t sleep very well last night.” And maybe that’s because they stayed up too late doing good things or bad things. But there’s almost always somewhere in the loop, something that closes around and prevents somebody from becoming catastrophic in those ways So flying doesn’t bother me at all. I enjoy travel I don’t enjoy going through security at airports anymore, though
Q: How did you end up here in Squamish?
A: We ended up in Squamish because one
daughter [the couple have three children between them, two in Ottawa and one in Whistler] was a ski racer, and she, in the process of ski racing, fell in love with another ski racer who is Whistler-based, and in due course, they became a couple As we were contemplating where we were going to go after retirement, staying in Toronto was not one of the answers. We’d been thinking about other places in the mountains. We bought this house in 2009, rented it out for a few years and then moved here.
Q: What do you make of the changes in the community since you moved here?
A: I think that the changes in town are totally inevitable Whether or not our council wants us to become a bedroom community for Vancouver, there’s an awful lot of our community that has been that for years, and I guess maybe that’s part of the price you pay for having a nice Sea to Sky Highway, thanks to the Olympics and so on The way in which we’re developing distresses me a bit because I think there’s a lot of well-intended opposition to some of the development, but the consequences of the way that the opposition is taking place have, I think, unintended outcomes. If you look at the floatel as an example. There are an awful lot of things about it that I think could have made Squamish better off had it unfolded differently.
The opposition to the floatel hasn’t changed the fact that there is a floatel. And sadly, I think a bit of the opposition to it has been done in a disingenuous manner, where we say we’re opposed because we don’t want workers in town. And then, we do want workers, but we want the housing to be built in town What you’re really trying to say is that we don’t want any of this We just don’t have the guts to say it, or maybe we don’t have the authority to say it, in which case, we may as well look at what’s happening and say, “How do we get the best benefit out of this?”
PHOTO COURTESY OF RAE SIMPSON Rae Simpson, during his fighter pilot days, in Germany.
LOCAL:
JOIN THE MOVEMENT: HOW YOUR WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS CAN HELP PROTECT NATURE
Learn about the ongoing collaborative efforts to enhance ecological connectivity for wildlife, benefiting both nature and the community
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Individual citizens have the power to help wildlife in ways they perhaps don’t anticipate
An impactful local multi-year project by the Squamish Environment Society and the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative is an ongoing example of that.
The project was sparked in May of 2019 when a resident questioned the Squamish council of the day over what she saw as a lack of action on the need to create and support wildlife and habitat connectivity.
Inspired by the question and the possibilities, folks at the Squamish Environment Society, the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society, and their partners launched the Wildlife Connectivity project.
WAIT, WHAT IS CONNECTIVITY, ANYWAY?
“Ecological connectivity is the ability for animals on land or in water to move freely from place to place,” the World Wildlife Fund site explains
This ability to move helps them find food, breed, and establish new homes
“The unimpeded movement of animals and the flow of natural processes sustain life on Earth.”
The project focus area is the Átl’ka7tsem/ Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region.
The ultimate aim is to help land managers, such as the District of Squamish and other policymakers, have a plan and make decisions that consider and respect the connectivity that wildlife needs in the region
Examples of how information that results from the larger project, according to the Finding Refuge overview report, could include:
• Development of growth management strategies and neighbourhood-level plans that use green infrastructure networks to effectively link wildlife corridors across fragmented areas of the valley bottom;
• Updates to environmental development permit areas to enhance sensitive ecosystem and riparian area management in ways that safeguard pathways of connectivity for the broadest possible range of native species;
• Restoration of critical habitat and the mitigation of pinch points and barriers that may inhibit the movement of vulnerable species along established wildlife corridors. Eventually, the information will be available for a broader audience, said the Squamish Environment Society’s Gwen L’Hirondelle.
“We will have this available to help school kids, researchers, whoever, and the amount of effort that is spent at that point presenting, and forming and sort of diversifying the applications for which these things are going to be useful, is really the key to success,” she said.
Within the connectivity project is its goal to identify wildlife movement corridors, which enable animals to move between habitat parcels to find food, shelter, and chances to mate.
The team has spent two years working on the science behind the development of wildlife corridors for our region Currently, wildlife ecologist and landscape modeller with the Squamish Environment Society, Kate Andy, is working to model core habitat areas and networks of connectivity for mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, both regionally and locally.
For the local modelling, the project needs wildlife observations from regular folks.
EVERYONE CAN BE A CITIZEN SCIENTIST
One great way locals can help with the project is to accurately log what they see using the iNaturalist app or website.
Meg Toom, a wildlife conflict specialist with Serratus Wildlife Services and member of the Wildlife Connectivity Core Project Team, said she was using iNaturalist in her
PHOTOS BY BRIAN AIKENS Left: A local coyote; Right, a bobcat in Squamish
work but never imagined it could be used in this way to inform models and maps.
“The general public ... might be just doing it because it’s fun to do, but not necessarily realizing how it’s feeding into this project,” she said
The information is used in an anonymous way and is for the betterment of wildlife, notes L’Hirondelle
“The object of all this is to promote the long-term health of species. We’re trying to coexist,” she said
While there are plenty of Sea to Sky observations uploaded to iNaturalist already, Andy says that much of that data cannot be included in the species distribution model because it wasn’t research grade.
To be useful to the project, the information must be from 1985 or later, and the location must be accurate to 30 metres or less.
(Find out more about making sure your location is accurate on iNaturalist.)
For those who uploaded information that didn’t meet the specifications, it is still possible to go back and update it
“The goal of the modelling effort is to really pick out pieces of land that are really important for wildlife species. And the way in which we do that is, fundamentally, we need to know initially where wildlife are. So those observations from the community are key for this [they’re] really driving this whole process,” Andy said
And the observations don’t just have to be
pictures. They can be audio recordings or sightings that are evidence of wildlife.
“With our great big woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, the square hole in the dead tree is considered evidence of that species. A beaver dam is considered evidence of beavers,” noted L’Hirondelle.
Andy said the project already has observations for black bear, black-tailed deer, western toad, and Pacific tree frog
“We are actively seeking more data from many species, especially bobcat, coyote, wolf, and cougar Our focus at this time is on mammals, amphibians, and reptiles Any wildlife observation, including observations of species that we already have models for, are valuable to us For example, having more observations of black bears will improve our models.”
(Questions about how to improve observations or for those who want help uploading wildlife sightings can be directed to wildlife@ squamishenvironment.ca.)
“We’re starting to identify patterns of environmental conditions that are hosting these species. So, where we find them, what are the conditions of the environment where we see wildlife,” Andy said By “conditions of the environment,” she means what the environment looks like and what resources there are.
“What types of plants are available for the animals to eat? Is there a lot of mountainous terrain that certain animals can’t really navigate through,” Andy added, as examples of conditions
MAPS
The modelling informs maps being developed to show landscape characteristics over the past 40 years, as well as predicting future conditions.
While the project is making great strides, as the Squamish Environment Society’s Finding Refuge report notes, more than 25% of wildlife habitat within the biosphere region “has either been permanently lost due to human settlement, or significantly disrupted by the cumulative effects of resource development and outdoor recreational activities.”
Climate change is exacerbating this
The best case scenario, which the motivated project members believe is possible, is to help create ecosystem resilience
“The idea behind resilience is yes, there’s a lot of change happening. But if we give nature and we give wildlife the space that they need and deserve, then we can actually start to see some recovery,” Andy said.
TOGETHER IS BETTER
The project partners include the Squamish Nation, the District of Squamish, the SquamishLillooet Regional District, and the Squamish Community Forest, which has recently joined the project. Various provincial agencies responsible for managing crown land are also involved.
“All of our project partners have been incredibly supportive,” said Toom L’Hirondelle concurred, adding that it is to the animals’ benefit that regulatory bodies work together as they are.
“These corridors don’t know anything about
administrative boundaries. So, we’ve got the reserve lands in the Squamish Valley. We’ve got the provincial parks. We’ve got the District of Squamish lands, community forest lands, and then the SLRD. So with everybody on board using the same maps and models, then we stand a better chance of providing effective corridors,” she said
NEXT STEPS
The project team is next going to begin work with its partners to help identify ways for them to use the maps of potential corridors in their land-use planning processes, to help conserve wildlife and other species, Toom said The project timeline has been extended from three to four years, set to end on March 31, 2026
“Our work is also incorporating an adaptive approach which allows for policies to be reviewed and updated to reflect changing conditions and requirements,” said Toom, adding that similar work done elsewhere has shown that projects are more likely to be successful at bringing about change if extra time is provided at this stage.
FUNDING
Most of the project’s funding to date has been provided through the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society. It has also received funding from the SLRD, the DOS, and four private foundations, as well as almost $60,000 in private donations The project is still actively fundraising.
Find out more about the project on the Squamish Environment Society website.
UFC FIGHTER JAMEY-LYN HORTH WESSELS REFLECTS ON RECENT VICTORY AND SURPRISE UPCOMING FIGHT
Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels will take on Miranda Maverick
on Dec. 14 in Tampa
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
She came, she saw, she conquered!
Local MMA superstar Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels was victorious in her UFC bout against Ivana Petrovic on Nov. 2, and now she will have another shot in the octagon—much sooner than expected.
“I’m going great, no injuries and I’ve already gone back to training as of Monday night,” Horth Wessels told The Squamish Chief.
“I got out of that fight unscathed, and I’m very fortunate for that, because that’s not always the case. I’m excited to be home to celebrate and get back on the mats and start training again.”
HORTH WESSELS VS PETROVIC
Horth Wessels went up against German fighter Petrovic for her first fight in almost a year, coming out victorious in a split decision—30-27, 28-29, 29-28.
“It was pretty much 11 months to the day since my last fight, to that fight,” Horth Wessels said
“I wouldn’t say [I had] ring rust, but it was good to get that sort of nervousness feeling out. I don’t tend to fight as often as I’d like to, so there was a little bit of extra nerves with a big crowd on home
soil, but it was super exhilarating and super exciting
“I definitely left everything I had in the gas tank in there. And that was the big change from the last fight to this fight I didn’t want to leave any stone unturned. I didn’t want to leave being like, ‘Oh, I could have done a little bit more in there.’ So for me, that was a big difference, to be able to bring that out of me a little bit.”
Heading into the fight, Horth Wessels said she planned to fight more aggressively compared with her last fight, which she narrowly lost against Veronica Hardy back in 2023.
“Looking back on the fight camp, the theme of the camp was to be aggressive. We knew that she was going to do what she was going to do, push forward, hold on into the clinch and try to shoot and grapple and hold me down,” Horth Wessels said.
“So, we were very much prepared for that fight. We knew it was going to be a bit of a dog fight, and it was a nice opportunity for me to showcase a different side of me, the aggressive side that I hadn’t gotten to show in the fight before
“My fight camp told me that they knew I had it in me to have that pressure and push forward as best I could. And you know, that ultimately is what won me the fight, the aggression and pushing forward, trying to finish it every
opportunity.”
While a win always looks great on your record, Horth Wessels said the victory was important for her mental game too.
“I think it was definitely important for my own mental part, too, as well Coming out of my last fight, it was super close, and so just trying to establish myself and get comfortable,” she said
“I have very [few] fights on my record, so I’m starting to just figure out where I belong Every fight is going to be a hard fight; every fight I had before I came here was a hard fight, but it’s just a different level, and I’m just trying to figure out where exactly I fit in right now.
“But it taught me that I know I’ve got the dog in me, you know, I can do those things, I can grind and fight that way.”
THE NEXT BATTLE
When The Squamish Chief first spoke to Horth Wessels earlier in the week, she said she was aiming to take a fight as soon as possible—at least by early next year
But the UFC gods had other plans, instead throwing her back in the octagon on Dec 14 against U.S. fighter Miranda Maverick Horth Wessels will replace 12th-ranked women’s flyweight contender Tracey Cortez who withdrew from the UFC Tampa main event due
to injury
“I was surprised to be offered the fight, but we didn’t hesitate,” Horth Wessels said
“My coaching staff is always looking for the next move, and seeing her opponent was out they had already started watching tapes.
“I think it’s another tough fight. Every fight is going to be this way in the UFC. But I am excited to get back in there, and all the pressure is on her.”
Squamish locals have been rallying behind Horth Wessels throughout her fighting career, travelling to different cities and gathering at local venues to cheer her on. It’s because of this that she credits a part of her success to the magnitude of support from her hometown.
“I definitely feel the energy from the people who are around me and, you know, it probably sounds like a broken record, but Squamish shows up, and they’ve always been so supportive of me and my career
“I’m super fortunate and grateful to have this much energy and driving force behind what I do It was super cool to see all the photos and the videos of people celebrating and at the viewings.”
Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels will have her next UFC fight on Dec 14 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.
THERISEOFNINJA SPORTS:LOCAL GYMFORMSCOMPETITIVE TEAM
TheNinja Gymisbuildinga competitionteam, showcasingathletes’ diversetalents as they preparefor theirdebut event
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Squamish’s TheNinja Gymhas itsfirst competition team.
Thelocal team,which came together last month, is part of the Canadian NinjaLeague.
Theathletesare headed to Chilliwack to competefor thefirst time as ateamatacompetition at EliteNinja DevelopmentonSaturday, Nov. 23
Thepopularityofninja sports balloonedinNorth Americawiththe American NinjaWarrior TV Game Show—which sees competitorsrace throughelaborate obstacle courses
Starting in 2009,the show hasrun for16seasons
Head coachofthe Squamish team, ShaunStephens-Whale, notesthere’s been aculture builtaroundthe show
Thereare thousandsofninja gyms around theglobe,and aWorld Ninja League,ofwhich theCanadian League is asubset.
Forcompetition,anobstacle course is broken into betweenfive and 15 differentobstacles that an athletehas to getthrough in sequence
Thehomegrown team wassparked afterthe Squamish gymhelda competition in September.
“Itwas fantastic. What we found, though, is that alot of ourcompetitors came from outside of town,” Stephens-Whale said,addingthat only about5% of thecompetitors
were from within town
“I wasabit shockedbythat. I personally know of howamazingly talented people in this town are, and Ithought that we should definitely showcase whatSquamishhas to offer So we createda competition team.”
Thekey to beingonthe team is beingcapable,ofcourse, butalso showingenthusiasm.
Thegoalistocompete within the LowerMainlandatfirst andthen beyond,according to
Stephens-Whale.
“The athletes come from really diversebackgrounds,which is interestingbut notsurprising becauseI’d sayninja is oneofthe most well-rounded sports youwould encounter,”saidStephens-Whale, whoisalsoone of theownersofthe localgym
He said some membersofthe team have abackgroundinother sports, such as gymnastics,hockey, and mountain biking,among others
“[Ninja] involves alot of different movement types. It involves alot of explosivestrength, co-ordination, bodyawareness as well as grip strength,” he said Forhis part,Stephens-Whalehas competed in mountain,obstacleand towerrunning Hisinterestinninja as asport wassparked by theU.S.TV show—which he watchedclosely “I just thinkthe sportissuper cool, andIloveall thedifferent components.Itinvolvesalot of different skills,and so it’s always funtotrain, anditnever gets tiring.”
In addition to Stephens-Whale, membersofthe Squamish competitive team are: Emiliano Sotelo,Jasper
Thecompetitionsare dividedby age. Forthe upcoming Chilliwack competition, thelocal team will be mostly competinginthe younger categories.Stephens-Whaleand fellow coachChris Carter will competeinthe adultcategory.
“I’m really excited to seehow everyone does.Our athletes have definitely been workinghard,” Stephens-Whale said,notingthe team practicestwice aweekand each member hashomeworkinbetween “I thinkthey’re goingtobeready to throwdown.”
Theseasonfor thesport followsthe school year of Septemberthrough June
Anyone interested in thesport or the team canget in touchwiththe gym.
It is with heavy hearts that we sadly announce the passing of our beloved son, Brandon John Baker, who passed away on September 27, 2024, after acourageous battle withcancer.
Brandon’s zest for life was evident in his adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors. An expert downhillmountain biker and skier, he thrived on the thrill and challenge of the mountains. Beyond the mountains, Brandon also enjoyed golf, ocean kayaking and agreat game of chess
Brandon will be deeply missed and forever loved by his family, friends, his dog and best friend Hobbes, and all of those who had the privilege of sharing his many adventures.
Acelebration of Brandon will be held in the Spring of 2025 at his mountain bike trail (Diesel Wolf) in Pemberton, BC.
Rest in peace, oursweet boy. May your journey be smooth, your trails endless and your spirit forever free.
He is lovinglyrememberedand will be forevermissedby hiswife, Dixie; hischildren, Adam (Kat), Alena(Duane), Linnea, Matt (Nadine),and Annie; andhis grandchildren, Savea,Emmett,Lily,Zander,Elliot,andOscar
Amemorialservice will be held on November 29that11:00 a.m. at theSquamishFuneralChapel. Guests arewelcome to wear colour;semi-formal attireisappreciated andblack is not required. Forfurther details,including aeulogy,please visitthe SquamishFuneralChapelwebsite underObituaries. Virtualattendancefortheserviceisavailable.Pleasecontactthe SquamishFuneralChapelformoreinformation.
RalphLink
It is with profound sadnessthat we announce the passing of Ralph Link,who left us peacefully on October30, 2024,atthe ageof72. Ralphsuffereda heart attack in hissleep, leaving behind alegacyoflaughter,countless stories, and many cherishedmemories.
Ralph was alarger-than-life characterknown forhis infectious sense of humor.Hehad aremarkabletalent forconnecting with people, buildinganextensive circle of friends wherever hewent. His generous spirit and warm-hearted nature will be missed by all who hadthe pleasureofknowinghim.
Aproud father and grandfather,Ralphissurvivedbyhis beloved daughter and son, as well as his fourgrandchildrenand his (ex) wifeand friend
With agift fortackling bigprojects and with awide range of interests,Ralphwas fearless at takingonany endeavor,bothathome and in hisprofessionallife. He transformed oldhousesinto homes numeroustimes, fixed anything, andmade things happenwith hishands-onapproach (and his excavator). Always eager to experiment with new ideas, Ralph’sability to tackle complicated engineeringprojectswas legendary-a testament to hisinnovative spirit anddetermination. He wasa mentor to many people he workedwith, always ready to sharehis knowledgeand experience. After spending20yearsinBritish Columbia, Ralphreturnedtohis native Ontario (in Kingston), where he continued to touch lives with his uniquefriendship and generosity He waslikea pebble thrownintoalake;the ripples of his impactextendedfar and reached many shores.
As we rememberRalph, we celebrate his incrediblespirit andthe lasting impressions he left on our hearts. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Therewill be gatherings in both BC and Ontario to honor Ralph’slife, with details to be determined shortly.Ifyou areinterested in these details ,orwish to send amessage to thefamily please contact us at estateofralphlink@gmail.com
Her Journey’sJust Begun
Don’tthink of her as gone away, Herjourney’sjustbegun Life holds so manyfacets, Thisearth is only one. Just think of herasresting, From thesorrowsand thetears, In aplace ofwarmthand comfort, Wherethere arenodaysand years. Think howshe must be wishing, Thatwecouldknowtoday, Hownothing but oursadness, Canreallypassaway. And think of herasliving, In theheartsofthose shetouched, Fornothing lovediseverlost; Andshe waslovedsomuch. by E. Brenneman
CELEBRATE CHANUKAH CHRISTMAS DINING EASTER EXCITEMENT FEAST FESTIVE FIREWORKS FOOD FRIENDS GAMES GUESTS HALLOWEEN HOLIDAYS INDEPENDENCE INVITATION KWANZAA NEWYEAR’S DAY PASSOVER PRESENTS THANKSGIVING TOGETHER VACATION
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Employee Health &Wellness Plan available
HYDROVAC OPERATOR – ValidClass 1orClass 3with airbrakesrequired. Manualtransmission. Ground Disturbance II. 2years operatinghydroexcavation equipment preferred. $35-$40.45 per hour
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, Squamish – Minimum 5years or 5,000hours operating experience on excavator.Full-time, Monday –Friday.$33-$42per hour
HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC - Commercial Truck&Transport,Transport Trailer,Class 1or 3air brakes preferred. 4x10or5x8 schedule.Red Seal certifiedreceive $200/month tool allowance. $39.70-$47.90 per hour.5%premiumonhourly wage forLead Hand position.
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Great opportunity to learnon-the-job. Stamina forphysically demanding work andperseverance to brave inclementweatherrequired. Previous experience preferred but not required. Training provided. $25-$32per hour
SNOWPLOW OPERATOR, Whistler –Valid Class 5BCDriver’sLicence required. Mustbeavailable from November15through March 31.On-the-job training provided. Wage depending on experience. $28-35.02 perhour
ACROSS
1. Certain exam
5. Drove toofast
9. Food container
12. PBS scienceshow
13. Roof edge
14. Be in debt
15. Fastener
16. Neat
17.Intersected
18. Born first
20.Ham spice
22.Olympic sled
24.Bloodhound’sclue
27.Had being
30.Hairless 32. Fishing string
Forever
Inheritance 37.Arouse 38. Angelic headgear
40.Doze, with “off”
41.Catcher’splace
42. Out of control
44. Observe
47.Flight path
51.Fruit-filled pastry
53. Banister
55. Likewise
56. Important span
57.Eyeball
58. Black-tie event
59._ your request
60.Land document
61.Molt
DOWN
1. Single time
2. Teacher’slist
3. Eager
4. Boutonniere’s site
5.Tennis unit
6. Package
7. Rotten
8. Dealer’scar
9. Funnyman
10.Fill with wonder
11. Aftertaxes
19.Deep red
21. Electrical unit
23. Slash
25. Atop
26.Hollowplant
27.Cleanse
28. Choir member
29.Beach clothing
31. Appetizing store
34. Neighborhood
36. Flyalone
39.A shorttime
43. Hauls
45. Walked
46. Confine
48. Dull
49.Florida Key, e.g.
50.Kermit’skin
51 Verve
52. Ill temper
54. Commanded
Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling
HOROSCOPE WEEK OF NOV14, 2024 -NOV 203, 2024
ARIES March 21-April 19
Communication maybe difficult this week.You won’t be able to reachcertain people.However,suddenly they’ll be the first to contact you,and yourphone will be ringingoffthe hook
TAURUS April 20-May20
You’ll be quitepopular this week,and you’llhavea lot to share. Your social life will be very active, whether in person or online.Expect yourpartner to spoil you with acts of kindness.
GEMINI May21-June 20
Shoppingwilltakeupsome of yourtime this week, and you’ll be inspired to redesignyourhome.You mightevenbetempted to buysomeearly Christmas decorations
CANCER June 21-July 22
Your imagination will knownobounds this week! However, youmight getintoabit of aslump You’ll immerse yourself in creatingaworkofart or indulge in binge-watchinga TV series.Creativityiskey
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Youmay not alwaysthrive in crowds,but you’llcome acrossinspiringindividuals who’ll motivateyou to take on new challenges. Expect to develop meaningful new friendships
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Youmay procrastinate this week,but yourloved ones will help you getyour priorities straight while keepingthings light. You mayhaveanew leaseon life after this experience
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Aspontaneoustripisonthe horizon, even if you think it’s unrealistic.Onthe job, you’ll work with adiverse clientele that will bringyou abundance.Keepanopen mind when opportunities arise.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
You’ll need to takeonmany responsibilities at work and home.Yourhardworkwill be acknowledged, and you’ll be rewarded for yourefforts Recognition and gratitude arecomingyourway
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Change is coming! Go with the flow, and your worries will fade away.Sentimental projectswillhappenfaster than expected. Be open to opportunities
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Youmustaddress financial, professional or personal matters; negotiations may become tense. Youmust strike the rightbalance in all aspects of yourlife to find peace
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18
Love will takeupa bigpartofyourweek. Preparetoberomanced! Expect an awkward, perhapsunexpectedand unreciprocated confession of love from acolleague
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
Take some time off to recoverfromacold. Spend afew days at home and bringsome work home with you over the weekend to catch up.Themoonwill boost yourimagination, inspiration and intuition.
HOWTOPLAY:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3box contains the numbers1through 9only once. Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. Youalready have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeat the numbers1through 9in the same line, column or 3x3box
