smithers interior news, march 09, 2016

By Alicia BridgesSmithers/Interior News

Hereditary and elected Wet’suwet’en leaders from Burns Lake, Hagwilget and Moricetown gathered to reconcile differences within the Nation at a meeting in Smithers last week.

The meeting at Hudson Bay Lodge on Friday and Saturday was attended by chiefs and councillors from the Burns Lake Band, Hagwilget Village Council, Moricetown Band, Wet’suwet’en First Nation band, Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band, Skin Tyee Nation and the Office of the Wet’suwet’en (OW). The gathering, organized by Wet’suwet’en First Nation Chief Karen Ogen, was the first time leaders from the six bands and the OW had come together for several years.

Hereditary Chief Na’Moks, whose English name is John Ridsdale, said the meeting was held to improve communication between groups within the Wet’suwet’en

Nation, which he said had been divided by government conduct.

“I believe the way that industry and government have conducted themselves, they put a wedge in between us and now we have to remove that wedge,” he said.

Although some Wet’suwet’en leaders have disagreed over deals with industry and government, Na’Moks said this meeting was focused on reconciliation. The program included a series of presentations on case law and landmark rulings on First Nations rights and land title.

“It’s a good reminder to everybody that there is case law and communal decision-making,” said Na’Moks.

“If at one point industry or government does want to bring us to court, the fact is if we make a decision as an entire nation then there’s absolutely no foot for them to stand on.”

Moricetown Band Chief Duane Mitchell believed the meeting was a positive first step towards repairing relationships within the Nation.

NAVERONE WOODS CASE DELAYSPolice watchdog says rash of shootings delayed probe into Woods’ death.

NEWS/A2

HAZELTON REC CENTRE Committee hopes to break ground on the new facility by this fall.

THREE RIVERS/A25

WATSON IN FLYERS HALL OF FAME Smithers-raised NHL star Jimmy Watson re� ects on his career after HOF induction.

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CIHL playoffs MVP Brendan DeVries (left) stands beside captain Ian Smith, holding up the playoffs trophy, and Randall Groot. The Steelheads won the CIHL playoffs MVP Brendan DeVries (left) stands beside captain Ian Smith, holding up the playoffs trophy, and Randall Groot. The Steelheads won the � nal battle 5-3 against the Williams Lake Stampeders last Saturday. Smith announced he might retire as captain this season, after 12 years. Story, A8.� nal battle 5-3 against the Williams Lake Stampeders last Saturday. Smith announced he might retire as captain this season, after 12 years. Story, A8.

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Wet’suwet’en meet to settle differences Bulkley Valley weighs in on Paci� cNW LNGBy Chris GareauSmithers/Interior News

With Friday’s deadline for public comment fast approaching, the business community, politicians and individuals have weighed in on their support or opposition to the Pacific NorthWest LNG project on Lelu Island off Prince Rupert’s coast.

The Smithers District Chamber of Commerce sent a letter of support on Feb. 17 to the Canadian Environmental

Assessment Agency (CEAA). Smithers councillor Phil Brienesse wrote a letter against the project’s location and brought it to council Tuesday night for a vote on whether to send it to CEAA (visit interior-news.com to see the result).

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen suggests moving it to nearby Ridley Island, which is already the planned site for BG Group’s Prince Rupert LNG project. Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson also opposes the location of the project.

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A2 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 9, 2016

By Alicia BridgesSmithers/Interior News

An investigation into the death of a Hazelton man who was shot by transit police was delayed due to a rash of deaths involving officers, according to B.C.’s police watchdog.

Naverone Woods, 23, died after he was shot in an altercation with South Coast B.C. Transit Authority officers at a Safeway store in Surrey, southeast of Vancouver.

The officers were responding to a report of a man with a knife causing a disturbance when the incident occurred on Dec. 28, 2014.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO), which investigates deaths or serious assaults involving police, has been looking into the circumstances of Woods’ death for more than a year.

IIO spokesperson Marten Youseff said the delay was caused by “a rash of officer-involved shootings and police-

involved fatalities throughout the province.”

He said there were 20 fatalities, including 12 shooting deaths, in the year starting September, 2014.

“These incidents require the expenditure of enormous resources,” said Youseff.

“That workload has made it impossible to keep up with our timeliness goals.

“We have an influx of new investigators starting at the IIO this week and this will, over time, improve our timeliness.”

The office has hired nine new investigators and a team director to cope with the increased workload, bringing the total number of investigators to 30.

Youseff said there was not enough historic data to tell if the spike in cases was part of an upward trend in officer-involved deaths and serious injuries across the province.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said in a written statement that training police in how

to interact with “persons in mental health crisis” was a priority.

In 2012, the same year the IIO was established, the Province launched the BC Crisis Intervention and De-escalation training program for all front-line police officers.

It aims to give police officers skills and knowledge to respond “effectively and compassionately” in crisis situations.

It is not yet known what role, if any, mental illness played in Woods’ case.

More than a year after his death in Surrey, the IIO has completed its investigation. It is now being reviewed by the organization’s chief civilian director, Richard Rosenthal.

“If he finds that an officer may have committed an offence under any enactment, he is required to refer the matter to Crown,” said Youseff.

“If he can independently clear the officer, he will report publicly on his reasoning.”

Woods’ Hazelton family

has been contacting the IIO for updates throughout the investigation.

Tracey Woods, with whom Naverone lived for three years, said the organization had updated its estimated timeline for completing the investigation several times.

“It’s a little frustrating and right now everybody is at the point where we won’t even ask each other if we’ve heard anything because we know we’re going to get the same answer: No,” she said.

Woods said the investigation process had been a learning curve for her family, who had not expected it to last this long.

“We just want to know that it’s still being worked on because we’re not going to quit asking for answers,” she said.

“We just really want to have a little bit of closure knowing that either way, if the officer did commit an offence something will be done, and if nothing is found to come of it then we know that these steps were followed.”

Police shootings delay case: IIOBC

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Crime down, youth driving offences up By Alicia BridgesSmithers/Interior News

Overall crime in Smithers decreased last year but youth traffic crimes and shoplifting spiked, according to figures from the local RCMP detachment.

Last year’s crime statistics show a 13.4 per cent decrease in overall Criminal Code offences, and an 11 per cent drop in property crime.

Violent crime also dropped by 10.1 per cent, and drug and alcohol-related files dived by 13.7 per cent.

Smithers RCMP Staff Sergeant Rob Mitchell revealed the figures as part of an update to town council on Feb. 23.

He attributed the reduced crime figures to three separate factors: Strategic targeted enforcement, involving police partners and social services, and a focus on prevention.

Regarding strategic enforcement, he said the detachment had started moving one or two uniformed police officers from regular duties to

focus on specific criminal activities, such as trafficking or breaking and entering.

Smithers police also increased their focus on impaired driving and motor vehicle collision, and boosted its presence at problem sites

and community events. Sgt. Mitchell said

working with social services had also contributed to the drop.

“Crime is exacerbated by a variety of social issues, most notably alcohol and drug use/dependencies,” he said in a statement to The Interior News.

“Victim Services plays a major role in supporting victims of domestic and sexual assaults in particular, and helping them through the court process.”

Crime prevention measures, the third factor in the overall drop, included school-based education about anti-violence and bullying work, responsible driving and the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Although overall youth crime decreased by 21.4 per cent, youth involvement in traffic offences skyrocketed by 192 per cent.

Impaired operation of a motor vehicle amongst youth also increased by 43 per cent.

In response to concerns raised by Coun. Shelley Brown, Sgt. Mitchell told the Feb. 23 council meeting the jump in impaired driving offences reflected the detachment’s greater focus on traffic enforcement.

“I think we are picking up a greater number of people in general, that are either breaking the motor vehicle act or driving while under the influence of alcohol,” he said.

“I think that’s why there is generally more traffic offences being captured for both adults and youth.

“I share your concern because I was disturbed to see these numbers, especially when the overall youth crime rate is actually down.”

Sgt. Mitchell attributed the increase in shoplifting to business-owners improving their security.

“There are better theft detection systems in place, most businesses now have some form of video surveillance, they have some form of alarm system with respect to clothing,” he said.

Substance abuse, improving police and community relations, domestic violence and traffic concerns were Smithers RCMP’s four priorities in 2015.

The RCMP will meet this month to identify its priorities for the next fiscal year, which starts April 1.

“I think we are picking up a greater number of people in general,”

-Staff Sergeant Rob MitchellSmithers RCMP


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New Baby?New to Town?Ram head missing after conviction

Conservation is looking for this ram head.Contributed photo

By Chris GareauSmithers/Interior News

Jordan Patrick Garbitt of Moberly Lake, B.C. was convicted in Dawson Creek Provincial Court Feb. 24 for hunting a stone sheep ram in Spatzizi Provincial Park without limited entry hunting authorization.

The conviction stems from a two-year investigation where it was alleged that Garbitt and two other hunting partners flew into Coldfish Lake and killed a stone sheep ram in September 2012. Garbitt, who is a Treaty 8 First Nations man, claimed the ram was killed within the Treaty 8 area, of which Spatzizi Park is not a part.

The judge sentenced Garbitt to a $1,000 fine and ordered that he pay an additional $3,500 to the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund. The judge further ordered that Garbitt was prohibited in hunting anywhere outside of the Treaty 8 area for a period of one year, and that the ram was to be forfeited to the Crown. In court, Garbitt told the judge that the ram, which was a finished wall mount, was stolen.

The Conservation Officer Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating this ram and would like to remind the public that rewards are

sometimes available from outside agencies where assistance is provided to an investigation. The ram is permanently marked with government PIN identification number H955, which is drilled into the rear of the left horn of the sheep. The horns of sheep have their own characteristics and can sometimes be identified similar to fingerprints.

Any information can be provided to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service by calling the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

CEAA salmon science disputedCoun. Brienesse said it was

important for town council to weigh in because of the impact wild salmon has in Smithers.

“Wild salmon are so important to our area for economic reasons, for cultural reasons, for food security reasons, that it is going to have an enormous impact on the town if there should be a detrimental effect to salmon,” said Brienesse.

“I think that’s our job as councillors, to protect the interest of things that we already have in our community. We definitely want to encourage economic growth, but we don’t want that to be at the detriment of already vibrant economic sectors and

things that are important to our community for other reasons as well.”

His letter references a science publication by geologist Patrick McLaren that says building the LNG tanker trestle would likely disrupt the balance that keeps the eelgrass of Flora Bank in place. The eelgrass is an important habitat for most of the juvenile salmon that grow into the salmon swimming up the rivers of the Northwest, including the Bulkley River.

The CEAA environmental report says the project would not have a negative effect on the salmon after mitigation was put in place, including a suspension bridge to avoid the eelgrass.

The Chamber letter says it

is “confident that provincial and federal institutions have established strict environmental regulations and development standards to ensure our values and environment are protected.”

Chamber president Colin Bateman said he does not want to see negative environmental effects that would “rob Peter to pay Paul.” He added that many business owners were worried to “stick their neck out and say what they actually believe in” because of the possibility of boycotts.

“There’s a few obstacles that they have to overcome, but when you look at the amount of revenue that it could bring into Smithers and the surrounding area, it’s quite substantial,” said Bateman.

From LNG on Front

NEWSwww.interior-news.com A5 The Interior News Wednesday, March 9, 2016

RECREATION SITES AND TRAILS BCNotice to all Contractors-Request for Expression of Interest

Recreation Sites and Trails BC, Nadina-Skeena District is seeking qualified contractors for the upcoming season.

Submissions will form a select invite list. From this list, quotes will be requested on various projects that come up throughout the 2016-2017 fiscal year. Projects may include but are not limited to:

• Site/trail maintenance in remote areas (Kispiox and Morice areas)-installation of outhouses, signs and tables; carpentry services; painting; garbage removal; cleaning; brushing

• GPS’ing trails, creating maps (GIS)• Site/Trail planning, layout, design• Structure design and installation (bridges, platforms, boardwalks, kiosks etc)• Danger tree assessment and abatement• Equipment rental

Applicant contractors should have a 4x4 vehicle to access work sites and provide all tools and equipment necessary to carry out works. Some projects may require transporting of large heavy structures such as large kiosks. A means to load, transport and unload these items is not provided, so applicants must be ready to use adequate improvisations to carry out the work and not damage structures. Standards will be provided and must be followed for each project. All contractors must have WCB coverage and carry adequate liability insurance.

Interested contractors must submit details of their company, including hourly rates. A list of equipment/tools and skills would be appreciated. Please highlight qualifications and experience, especially previous experience with recreation or Parks projects. From the list above please specify what project types you have experience with.

The Nadina-Skeena District manages public recreation on Crown Land from Burns Lake north and south, to the Morice-south of Houston and including Granisle and Babine Lake, Smithers region then west to the Hazeltons and Kispiox areas.

Please send or drop off your expression of interest and company information no later than March 4, 2016 to: Joanne Williams, Recreation Sites and Trails BC,

Bag 6000, 3333 Tatlow Road, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0Phone 250-847-6360

RECREATION SITES AND TRAILS BCAmended Notice

to all Contractors-Request for Expression of Interest

Please send or drop off your expression of interest and company information no later than the, amended date of March 14th, 2016

to: Joanne Williams, Recreation Sites and Trails BC, Bag 6000, 3333 Tatlow Road, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0, Phone 250-847-6360

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Third Lake Kathlyn meeting set as school closures debatedBy Chris GareauSmithers/Interior News

The Bulkley Valley School District 54 board has announced a third public consultation meeting on the proposed closure of Lake Kathlyn Elementary School.

It is scheduled to take place at the school on April 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Public input can also be given to the board through the District website at sd54.bc.ca by email, or by written submission.

The second meeting was in Moricetown at the multiplex Tuesday evening.

Lake Kathlyn in the legislatureThe potential closure of Lake Kathlyn

Elementary was brought up in the B.C. legislature last Thursday by Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson.

He and his NDP colleagues who represent other communities where B.C. schools are going through the same closure consultation process challenged Education Minister Mike Bernier on the Province’s order that school districts find a total of $54 million in administrative saving over the next two years.

The Opposition blame this order for putting school boards in the position of having to close schools like Lake Kathlyn.

School District 54 must cut $380,000 over the next two years. Closing Lake Kathlyn is estimated to save $210,000 per year, depending on how many teachers would stay on at other schools. Most, if not all, are expected to move to Walnut Park Elementary in the event of Lake Kathlyn closing.

“I think the telling remarks in [Bernier’s] answer was that he was saying school districts had a choice around what they wanted to do with their budget and school closures, and yet these were government mandated cuts,” said Donaldson.

Bernier pointed in the legislature to dropping enrolment as the reason for school closures. Lake Kathlyn’s enrolment has dropped 42 per cent since 1998,

currently sitting at 81 students or 38 per cent of the 215-student capacity.

“We continue to respect the fact that they are locally elected school trustees to make decisions at the local level. Schools are closed because of a lack of students, not because of a lack of funding. We have 70,000 fewer students in the province of British Columbia,” responded Bernier to Donaldson in the legislature.

“At the same time as having 70,000 fewer students, we are at the highest level recorded for funding in schools: over $5.2 billion in the public education system, in the province of British Columbia, going to school districts. We respect the decisions that they make to make sure that that money is going into the classrooms to help the kids of British Columbia.”

Bernier also said Thursday was the first time the topic was brought to him by Donaldson.

“I’m all for productive meetings and finding solutions,” Donaldson told The Interior News.

“So if the Minister is willing to entertain using part of the $100-million that was put into a fantasy fund to save face for the Premier to fund administrative savings in school districts, or if he’s willing to discuss using some of the surplus, or if he’s going to discuss not giving millionaires a tax break in order to generate more revenue, then I’m willing to sit down and discuss how those can be implemented.

“But he’s indicated on all three fronts that they’re not willing to discuss removing

the $25-million cut [for this year] that they’ve place in administrative saving coming up in the budget. I’ve asked about that and he’s indicated they’re not willing

to talk about that.”The school board will decide on Lake

Kathlyn’s fate at a special meeting at the school on April 12 at 6:30 p.m.

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OPINIONSA6 www.interior-news.com The Interior News

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B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith,B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

We acknowledge the � nancial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

NEWSInteriorTHE

2010C A N A D I A NCOMMUNITYNEWSPAPERAWARD 2013

C A N A D I A NCOMMUNITYNEWSPAPERAWARD 2014

There was a very stark contrast in priorities that played out in the provincial legislature last week.

Education Minister Mike Bernier was asked a number of questions by us regarding the Christy Clark government decision to claw back $54 million in so-called administrative savings from school districts.

Under the BC Liberals’ administrative savings plan, school districts had no choice but to collectively come up with $29 million last year and $25 million this coming fiscal year.

For SD 54, that equates to $380,000 over two years they must cut. And as school trustees and management revealed at a packed public meeting I recently attended, closing Lake Kathlyn elementary would result in savings of $210,000 a year.

This scenario is being played out all over

the province as school boards scramble to come up with the cuts demanded by the government, and closing schools is put on the table.

It’s not as if school districts are loose with the purse strings. Our education spokesperson Rob Fleming pointed out to the minister that a report that recently came out from the B.C. Association of School Board Officials showed that B.C. school district administrative spending is 30 per cent below the Canadian average and has the lowest per-pupil cost anywhere in Canada.

And meanwhile school districts have been absorbing increased expenses like BC Liberal hikes to the MSP tax, hydro rates and other costs, compounding the pressure schools are facing.

And now for the contrast.The Christy Clark budget includes

a $264-million surplus, a $100-million taxpayer-supported LNG fantasy fund called the Prosperity Fund, and a continued tax break worth $236 million a year for the wealthiest 2 per cent in the province.

And that is why in question period last week I asked why the government is forcing school districts to close schools to provide a tax cut for the wealthiest in the province.

If this government had its priorities in order, it would scrap the 100-million tax-dollar infusion into the Prosperity Fund that was all about the Premier saving face, and use that money to ensure schools like Lake Kathlyn don’t have to be closed due to a BC Liberal-mandated administrative savings plan.

– Doug Donaldson is the MLA for Stikine.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Web pollDo you agree with Smithers RCMP’s four priorities of substance abuse, improving community relations, violence, and traf� c concerns?

No30%

Yes70%

Publisher Grant Harris, Editor Chris GareauPublished by Black Press Ltd. 3764 Broadway Avenue, Smithers BC V0J 2N0

Tax break to millionaires as school closures considered contrasts priorities

VIEW FROM THE LEGISLATURE

MLA Doug Donaldson

www.interior-news.com A7 The Interior News

THE INTERIOR NEWS, P.O. Box 2560, Smithers, B.C. 3764 Broadway Ave. • Phone 847-3266Fax 847-2995 NEWS: [email protected] • ADVERTISING: [email protected] TEAM

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Wednesday, March 9, 2016

THE EDITORTO:

Letters to the editor policyLetters are welcomed up to a maximum of 250 words. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, brevity and legality. All letters must include the writer’s name, daytime telephone number and hometown for verifi cation purposes. Anonymous, or pen names will not be permitted. Not all submissions will be published. Letters may be e-mailed to: [email protected].

LETTERSProspering together: economic impact and the Wet’suwet’en title of our territory

Editor:

About 3 per cent of the people in British Columbia belong to First Nations, but almost 100 per cent are influenced in one way or another by what is and is not happening to us Wet’suwet’en.

This is not only because we are all neighbours in the province, but also because we must share its land resources. We must live together in a way that will allow all of us to prosper in the future. This has always been true, but never more so than now.

We as Wet’suwet’en, who have always claimed Aboriginal title to our traditional territory, land and resources, and all First Nations people now have a more educated and articulate population to express our claims. The Canadian Constitution of 1982 and the Canadian courts have recognized and backed these claims. A large part of the general population has shown some degree of support. We have become more aware of how we Wet’suwet’en and other First Nations people have been treated in the past and how our social and economic conditions are now well below the Canadian average by just about any measure. We as Wet’suwet’en people have no treaty with the federal and provincial governments at this time.

The government has some treaties in British Columbia, but now these Aboriginals are suffering by their social and economic conditions. Why? The Canadian government had a chance every four years, and that is a problem for the treaty Aboriginal people. Yes, treaty may sound good for making process as a way to provide justice to the First Nations people, to set up a formal legal framework for business and other activities, and to provide a degree of certainty where none has existed before.

Not all are happy about it, however. Fears and concerns have been expressed on all sides. That being said, the Wet’suwet’en and other First Nations people are worried that at the end of the process we may not have enough access to resources to ensure our communities will survive both culturally and economically. Now other British Columbians are afraid that at a time when all resources are scarce, a disproportionate amount of money, attention, and special rights will go to us, the Wet’suwet’en, and other First Nations people, to the disadvantage of the rest of the population.

When people’s pocketbooks and livelihoods are likely to be affected, emotions often run high. More extreme views, not always based on fact, seem to be the ones to get media attention, which only worsens the situation. I have more to say but this should open some eyes, or get attention.

Kneekap H. NikalSmithers

An appeal to Foreign Affairs Committee

Editor:

Below is a letter I sent [Feb. 28] to the chair and members of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Committee. I believe people in the Bulkley Valley care about this issue.

Dear Chair and members of the Foreign Affairs Committee,

I, as do many Canadians, believe that it

is utterly wrong for Canada to be exporting military equipment and armaments to Saudi Arabia — a country which Amnesty International has repeatedly criticized for committing gross violations of human rights, such as the use of torture, beheadings, floggings, extreme discrimination against women, persecution of any citizen who expresses support for democracy, etc. Saudi Arabia ranks 145th out of 152 countries in the world for denial of equality to women.

I believe that it is not only wrong on a moral, ethical and human level, but that it is also against Canadian law for the Canadian government to be permitting the export of these weapons. Canadian law forbids the Canadian government from permitting export of weapons to countries that are committing gross human rights violations. By supporting and arming such horrific violations of democracy and human rights, we are also feeding oppression, hatred, violence and war.

Please fulfill your responsibilities as our country’s Foreign Affairs Committee and place this issue at the top of your work agenda.

I request that each one of you please respond to my following questions:

1) Do you believe the conduct of Saudi Arabia in carrying out beheadings, torture, extreme discrimination

against women, denial of freedom of speech, and other abusive practices constitute gross human rights violations?

2) Do you think the Canadian government should obey the law that forbids the Canadian government from exporting weapons to countries that are committing gross human rights violations and should stop the export of armaments to Saudi Arabia?

3) Do you agree to put the issue of Canada’s export of armaments to Saudi Arabia at the top of your agenda by creating a special sub-committee on this matter?

I urgently request your response to these three questions and look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Kathleen RuffSmithers

Rural B.C. bearing carbon tax brunt

Editor:

People in rural B.C. are bearing the brunt of B.C.’s carbon tax. I calculated I pay $300 a year in carbon taxes (about $200 a year carbon tax on natural gas heating and $100 a year on vehicle gas), or about $2,000 in the last

seven years.People living in the city in an apartment and

using rapid transit would be paying very little carbon taxes. Why are those of us who happen to live in a rural area of B.C. being singled out to carry the brunt of the questionable battle against climate change? The government’s claim that it is revenue neutral is gimmicky. It’s not neutral to me. I fail to see how taxing my use of natural gas heating and a vehicle is going to make any difference at all to climate change. Why are we in rural B.C. being discriminated against and singled out to pay more than most other Canadians?

Wayne MerkTelkwa

SMITHERS CURLER HONOUREDCurler Matthew Steventon (back row, far right) received a $500 Coast Capital Savings Leadership Bursary for the 2016 BC Winter Games. The bursary recipients were chosen from over 100 applicants for their signi� cant achievements in sport and education, and for their leadership contributions to their schools, community, or sport associations. Steventon’s team earned bronze at the Games.

Contributed photo


SPORTS

1st Smithers ScoutsWe are restarting Cubs in Smithers. Come and support our group! Please call Trevor at 250-877-7012 or email [email protected] Bulkley Valley

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Smithers Bantam Player of the Week

Name: Marcus MacDonald #33 Position: Center Height: 5ʼ7” Weight: 130lbs Age: 13 Years playing hockey: 75 facts about Marcus MacDonaldFavourite player Dan Hamhuis, Before a game I always get dressed, Best hockey memory fi rst time I scored a goal, My greatest hockey infl uence is my brother Braden MacDonald, #1 fans are my parents

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By Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

The Steelheads are the Central Interior Hockey League champions.

They won decidedly 5-3 last Saturday against the Williams Lake Stampeders, giving them two straight wins in a best-of-three series.

“Feels great to win,” said head coach Tom DeVries. “They’re a scary team, they’re so skilled, and we just seem to play them right, and limited their chances and we just scored at opportune times and it was a great game for us.”

The Steelheads kept ahead of the Stampeders, finishing the first period 2-1, then 4-2 in the second.

Each team netted one in the third, but the Stampeders’ goal came too late.

With 1:16 left on the clock, they still stood two goals behind.

The game concluded and the Steelheads threw their gear all over the ice, gathering to cheer, as

captain Ian Smith held the trophy high in the air.

“It was really good. It was a huge team effort last weekend in Williams Lake and today was no different,” said Smith. “We had all lines going, we had everyone contributing out there.”

Smith also announced he will likely retire as captain.

“It’s probably my last game in the CIHL,” he said. “I’m going to retire. I’ve played 12 years in the league. I’m ready to hang ‘er up, maybe. We’ll see.”

“I would say the biggest memory I’d take away from this is just all the time and bus trips and playing with different guys for so many years, and just everyone coming

together. This team was like no other.”

C e n t r e m a n Brendan DeVries also garnered the title of CIHL playoffs MVP.

“Losing last year sucked in a good series against Terrace,” he said. “But to beat them this year, and to top it off with winning the league, it’s just awesome.”

“I’ve never won too much in my career or in my life, so it’s just great to win here.”

DeVries, who also was the regular season’s top scorer, says he has no secret to his success.

“I just try to play hard, try not to make too many mistakes, just pass the puck around and try to make the plays out there,” he said.

DeVries would miss the team’s captain.

“This season, he played so good in the last bunch of games,” he said. “He’s a tough dude to play against and he’s a good buddy of mine.”

The Steelheads will play in the Coy Cup provincials in Terrace March 22-26.

Steelheads � nish season with CIHL triumph

Forward Mark Arnold, just before he nets the third goal for the Steelheads.Xuyun Zeng photo

1st 2nd 3rd Tot.

2 2 1 5

1st 2nd 3rd Tot.

1 1 1 3

Smithers

Williams Lake

Mar. 5 results

Shots on goalSSH: 37 WLS:44

1st PeriodWLS 17:45-F. Johnson (D. Richardson, K. Wilkinson)SSH 15:24-I. Smith (M. Arnold)SSH 07:03-Z. Davies (I. Smith, B. Crump)2nd PeriodWLS 17:17-N. ZurakSSH 10:41-M. Arnold (J. Janzen)SSH 05:28-B. DeVries (Z. Davies, R. Groot)3rd PeriodSSH 19:12-A. DeVries (B. DeVries, Z.Davies)WLS 01:16-K. Bond (D. Gore)

Ian Smith, in 2003

www.interior-news.com A9 The Interior News Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Does it take a PhD to know Lelu Island is a terrible place to put an LNG plant?

Nope. But over 100 of Canada’s most reputable scientists agree it’s a bad idea and puts our Skeena salmon at risk. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is currently reviewing a proposal by the Malaysian state-owned corporation Petronas to build an LNG plant on Lelu Island, located at the mouth of the Skeena River. It risks damaging the critical salmon habitat of Flora Bank. Its fracked gas wells, pipeline and liquefaction plant will make Pacific Northwest LNG one of Canada’s top three sources of greenhouse gases.

Your voice matters. To submit your comments by March 11, visit skeenawatershed.com


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By Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

Former Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Jimmy Watson believes two ingredients will lead to success in hockey: “Always give it your best, and have fun playing the game.”

Watson joined his brother, Joe, in the Flyers’ Hall of Fame last Monday before the game between the Flyers and the Calgary Flames. He reiterated that those two elements had led him to this point.

“That’s what I’m always told by my mother and father,” he said. “They didn’t even ask me, a lot of times, the score of the games or how I played the games. They would just say to me, ‘Jim, did you do your best, and Jim, did you have fun playing?’”

“Because they knew ... if you follow those two things, you’re going to do well.”

Everything else will take care of itself, he said, and looking at the crescendo of Watson’s career, it seems that way.

“It’s an enormous honour and a thrill for me,” he said. “Initially, I was just trying to make the hockey team and become an NHL hockey player, and as time went on, I was able to have a good career in Philadelphia, lo and behold, I make the Hall of Fame.”

“Greatly, I feel very satisfied in all my efforts, that they were able to get me to this point.”

For a defenceman who has earned two Barry Ashbee Trophies, he believes good hockey play revolves around a team effort.

“You get your awards individually when you do become a good team player,” he said. “It’s certainly nice to go in there with my brother, but Joe and I are the type of guys that are just team guys.”

“Whether we get there or not is not as important as the fact that we know in our own hearts ... that we had a great group of guys and a great time.”

Watson recounted his deep love for the Bulkley Valley, from the days of playing hockey on Lake Kathlyn, backyard rinks and other ponds, to studying at St. Joseph’s School.

“I was a beneficiary of discipline because of love from all of the sisters and priests at St. Joseph’s. It was critical to me,” he said. “It helped instill in me discipline, which you need to have in every aspect of life, but particularly for hockey, to play at a high level.

“The discipline is what helps you get there — it enables you to keep working hard, and keep yourself together, keep thinking straight.

“So I really owe a lot that to the people that taught me, counselled me at

St. Joe’s.”Watson believes hockey builds

character.“Namely about being a good team

player, about perseverance, hard work, team play, things like that, and I think every parent out there wants that for their child, and hockey certainly gave that to me,” he said.

Smithereen Jimmy Watson makes a speech at his induction into the Philadelphia Flyers’ Hall of Fame.

Contributed photo

Watson inducted into Hall of Fame

Bantam tournament to pack SmithersBy Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

Prepare to meet people from all over British Columbia next week.

Smithers Minor Hockey President Suzanne Rourke expects over 400 people to come to the Bantam championships, who could spend around $350,000 in hotels, food and shopping.

“The hotels are

probably pretty full, I know we don’t have any space,” said Colin Bateman, manager of the Aspen Inn.

The Civic Centre will host eight B.C. teams and one Whitehorse team, who will play 20 games starting this Sunday to next Wednesday, and admission is by donation.

“That’s a generous stand on our part,” said Rourke. “We wanted to ... have the

doors open and have the capacity there for anyone in the community to attend.”

The event will feature raffles of items, and a draw with a $9,999 prize.

“The raffles are a way of us to offset the cost of the event, which can be up to

$25,000-$30,000,” she said.

Costs include rental of the rink, and hiring impartial referees from out of town.

The final schedule will be accessible on the SMHA website and Facebook page.

The SMHA is also looking for volunteers

to help film the matches. They need 10 volunteers.

The championship is put together by the Bantam Hosting Committee, which includes Rourke, co-chair Darcie Frocklage and other volunteers.

www.interior-news.com A11 The Interior News Wednesday, March 9, 2016

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SPORTS

SPECIAL OLYMPICS RESULTSAlpine skier Torben Schuffert competed at the Corner Brook, N.L. Special Olympics nationals last week and took � fth in the giant slalom category, sixth in slalom and sixth in the super giant slalom category last week. He is the youngest alpine skier at 14 years old, the next youngest is 17.

Contributed photo

Everest Challenge raises money for athletesBy Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

Over 70 skiers gathered at the foot of the Hudson Bay Mountain’s chairlift last Saturday, ready to skin up the mountain to raise money for para-athletes.

The Extreme Everest Challenge raises money for the Live it! Love it! Foundation’s adaptive sports program that aims to allow people of all abilities to participate.

“I don’t think we ever had as good skiing conditions,” said

organizer Dave Walter. “The weather was cooperative. We had fresh powder to ski on, both days!”

At 1 p.m. last Saturday, the skiers started climbing up the chair’s line and continued on the Ptarmigan ski run.

“The reason we do Ptarmigan is it’s about as steep and direct as you can go without having to zigzag back and forth,” said Walter.

Each run would see skiers skin 423 metres up, and ski down.

The challenge of the event was to climb up the mountain

18 times, to replicate climbing up the 8,848m Mount Everest. People could choose to do fewer runs.

“Some people do it solo, and some people do it in groups,” he said. “It’s a team relay that way, if you’re doing it in teams.”

Over the last three years, Walter said that the event has raised nearly $20,000 for the foundation.

The event pays homage to local doctor Rod Leithton who broke his back in a mountain biking accident, but that did not stop him from keeping active.

Money raised at this event

goes to a Revelstoke sit ski camp to help handicapped athletes keep active.

“They do get a lot of local support ... but there are a lot of expenses in running a camp and the money we donate to them is what pays for the rest of the expenses.”

The event also sponsors the Living Right Award, a $1,000 grant which celebrates people who are handicapped but have taken steps to keep active.

Photos of the event can be bought from Photistry.com. 25 per cent of the proceeds will go to the foundation.

BIG WINS IN BIG WHITE Last weekend’s Like Me Snowboard Series � nals saw Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club’s Tosh Krauskopf taking second in the slopestyle U-13 boys category. In the boardercross event, Krauskopf went on to take � rst in the U-11 boys category. Luke Pali and Toan Krauskopf took second and third respectively. In the ladies U-13 cat-egory, Katie Peterson took � rst.

Warren Pali photo

At 1 p.m. last Saturday, participants set off to skin up the Hudson Bay Mountain.

Curtis Cunningham/Photistry.com photo


SPORTS

CONGRATULATIONS!

See photos, videos, and results at BCGAMES.ORG

Thank you to the coaches, officials, volunteers, and families who support these growing champions.

59 athletes from the North West competed at the 2016 BC Winter Games bringing home 13 medals.

Otters swim hard in spring regional meet

The Bulkley Valley Otters hosted its annual Spring Sprint Swim Meet two weekends ago, and while it would be more than a little difficult to describe the results of the host team, some numbers might help: 73 first, second and third place finishes by way of 95 per cent personal best times.

Four swimmers showed their overall strength in winning high point medals. Kanna Kurihara, 8, picked up her first ever medal, a silver, in the U-9 girls division while on the other end of the scale, Gabby Correia, 19, had a silver in the girls senior division and Tanner and Bailey Espersen, both 17, won gold and silver respectively in the men’s senior category.

There were nearly 100 swimmers from clubs in the Northwest in attendance. Overall, the team paced a very close third place while Prince Rupert, the largest team in the region, was no surprise in winning the team honors. The meet also featured members of the local Special Olympics squad.

Many Otters were in their first regular competition but showed no butterflies other than swimming down the pool.

Head coach Tom Best was exuberant in showering praise upon the coaching staff.

“There really aren’t enough words to describe how well they have done with these kids. I’m not talking about how fast the kids swam, I’m talking about how well they swam,” he said. “We saw what we should see for kids at this level — good technique and enthusiasm for the sport.”

“I see these things at every practice but it’s just as important to see them at a competition,” he added.

The meet also featured a special event called the Eliminator, which was a test of endurance and speed.

Tanner Espersen took the honours in men’s while Kleanza Cathers from Kitimat was the women’s winner.

The meet was also noteworthy for its different set up.

“Every meet we go to has the same events and nothing different,” said coach Best. “For example, we had a lot more relays. Why not? The kids love these races so why shouldn’t we have lots of them? We also have the 25-metre swims in all of the strokes available for all swimmers.”

He also had to give a lot of praise to the meet organizers.

“This was the first time running a meet and they did an outstanding job. The learning curve was quite steep but they did an excellent job,” said Best.

The following swimmers performed all personal best (PB) times: Alex Berendregt, Owen Berendregt, Jean-Luc Belanger, Fergus Hobson, Josiah Hunter, Helen Koo, Kanna Kurihara, Anson LePoidevin, Eli Maksymec, Claire McAuley, Klara Moon, Breyer Moyle, Keely Moyle, Andrew Oevering, Zane Stokes-deYoung and Brilee Woodworth.

Three other swimmers also deserve to be mentioned. Leo Strimbold had five out of six PBs (and missed his sixth by a mere .01 second) and River Stokes DeYoung each had five PBs while Kole Lepoidevin had four out of six. Kole and River’s performances are noteworthy since they are experienced swimmers who expect PBs once or twice per season.

– contributed by the Bulkley Valley Otters

SSS basketballers take home lessonsBy Xuyun ZengSmithers/Interior News

Smithers Secondary School Junior Girls basketballers lost four games in the Langley provincials last week, ending up 16th out of 16.

They lost to Surrey’s Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary 63-25, to Vancouver’s Lord Byng Secondary 32-30, Courtenay’s Mark Isfeld Secondary 34-20

and Cranbrook’s Mount Baker Secondary 57-31, playing one game daily from last Wednesday to Saturday.

“We didn’t meet our goal of winning a game,” said School District 54 superintendent and coach Chris van der Mark. “We dropped the first game to the number one ranked team Lord Tweedsmuir.”

He was hoping that the team would win the second game against Lord Byng Secondary, which

would put them in a mid-range position.

“Girls battled pretty hard in our second game — probably our best game — we played the number nine ranked team,” said van der Mark. “We lost by two, we lost at the buzzer with four seconds left.”

“You win that game and you are looking at a ninth or 10th place. You lose that game, and you go farther down the pecking order.”

Smithers Secondary basketballers at last week’s Langley provincials.

Contributed photo

He said divisions had formed between some groups several years ago, before he was elected as Chief of the Moricetown Band last year.

“It seems like it was two different communities, two different people, but we’re all one, we all have the same language, we’re all Wet’suwet’en, but this was a good step of coming back,” he said.

Mitchell said it was a relief to see the Nation uniting after years of disagreement.

“We have to do this ourself, we have to fix this ourself so it’s down to our hereditary chiefs, to our elected council and chiefs and to our people so our kids can have an easier time when they take

over,” he said. Hereditary chief Madeek (Jeff Brown) believes

adhering to traditional Wet’suwet’en customs is the best path forward.

“The only way we are going to be able to come to any agreement is through the feast hall,” he said.

“We’re having feasts, but you don’t get everybody at a feast. Sometimes they only go whenever is possible for them to be there but that is our governance.”

The leaders resolved to meet again in other Wet’suwet’en territories to help keep the relationship strong.

By Alicia Bridges Smithers/Interior News

Anybody can speak up against violence towards women. That’s the message from former BC Lions footballer J.R. LaRose, who was in the Northwest last week to host a series of school presentations and public events urging the public not to tolerate the abuse of women.

His tour was part of the Be More Than A Bystander initiative, which is a partnership between the Ending Violence Association of BC and the BC Lions Canadian football team.

LaRose offered tools, language and practical ideas about how to speak up against abuse.

Having witnessed abuse against his own sister and mother, the footballer said he wished he had the skills to speak out when he was younger.

“I remember being a bystander, not knowing what to do as a young kid, and I think so many of our kids are going through similar situations to what I’ve been through as a child,” he said.

“I want them to be more than a bystander and speak up.

“It’s important that we be a voice; in order to create changes we need leaders to go against the grain and stand for what’s right.”

LaRose said fear that speaking out would get his mother in trouble had stopped him from confronting the abuse when he was a child.

“I wanted to call [authorities] but I didn’t, I was just too afraid,” he said.

“Knowing the stuff that I know now, by not doing anything I enabled the abuse to continue to take place when I could have done something.”

Speaking before his presentations in the Northwest, LaRose told The Interior News he planned to give the public strategies for how to confront violence against women.

Alerting police, school counsellors and other authority figures were among the ways people could help if they were not confronting the abuser, he said.

LaRose said believing the violence was “none of their business,” and fearing for their own safety, were among the reasons people did not speak up.

He said people often approached him after the presentation to share their own experiences.

“They didn’t realize how easy it is to actually do something,” he said.

“That’s one of the things that we really harp on is that it’s not a superhero approach to this.

“You don’t have to be a pro athlete, you don’t have to be a superhero to do anything, it’s as little as just speaking up, saying something to somebody.”

Be More Than A Bystander is an annual program, through which BC Lions players travel the Province to promote respectful relationships to youth in Grades 8-12.

The footballers also advise amateur football coaches on how to speak to their own players about violence against women and girls, as well as recording public service announcements encouraging

people to speak up. LaRose hosted school

presentations in Smithers and Hazelton last week, as well as public talks in Moricetown, Gitsegukla and Kispiox.

Northern Society for Domestic Peace executive director Carol Seychuk said her organization had been trying to bring the program to the Northwest for several years. She said it delivered a much-needed message that the public should

break tradition by confronting violence against women.

“As a society we’re not comfortable, necessarily, speaking up, and we’re not socialized, necessarily, to speak up against things that we don’t believe are okay,” said Seychuk.

“That goes for violence against women, it goes for racism, sexual assault.

“Sometimes it’s just a matter of having a couple of tools,

and sometimes it is a matter of combining all of our voices and saying that it’s not OK and saying that we need to all stand up and say something.”

Seychuk said it was also important for the public to be outspoken against violence in order to push for societal change.

“It validates that it’s not their fault and that it’s wrong and that we do need to speak out and that it’s okay to do that,” she said.

www.interior-news.com A13The Interior News Wednesday, March 9, 2016

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J.R. LaRose was in Smithers last week to encourage people to speak up about violence against women through the Be More Than A Bystander program.

Alicia Bridges photo

Former BC Lion speaks up against violence

Soccer season saved Meeting a positive step forward: leadersFrom TURN on FrontBy Chris Gareau

Smithers/Interior News

After a scare that the soccer season may be cancelled when only two people stepped forward to fill Bulkley Valley Soccer Society board positions, volunteers quickly moved to save the season for close to 800 kids.

Outgoing president Colin Bateman said the 10 people now on the board will decide which

roles they are taking on at a meeting today.

“People really stepped up to the plate ... people who have been working with soccer for quite a while,” said Bateman.

The board now consists of secretary Patricia Barnaby, treasurer Tanya Krekoski, field upgrade representative Bill Price, divisions coordinator Tamara Gillis, Bradley Gazely, Louis Moonman, Cindy Thummerer, Dan Imhof, Joanne Berarducci and Stewart Dickson.

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51,510 Kilometers

SALE $29,785Reg. $32,9952014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

85,764 Kilometers

SALE $13,849Reg. $18,995

2012 Buick Verano w/1SD

105,429 Kilometers

SALE $12,842 Reg. $13,995

2013 Chevrolet Cruze LT Turbo

61,069 Kilometers

SALE $12,857 Reg. $14,995

2015 Chevrolet Spark LT13,381 Kilometers

FIRST TIME EVER!! 0.9% on select certi� ed used.

All payments bi-weekly @ 6.9 % OAC

0% Rebates

Cash Pricing

Clearance Budget Friendly

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTMSRP $48,270SALE $39,770

0% 2015 Chevrolet

Silverado 1500 LTMSRP $61,085SALE $53,165

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT

MSRP $58,335 SALE $49,835

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1/2 Ton Crew LTMSRP $45,850SALE $37,350

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1/2 Ton Ext. Cab LT

MSRP $46,725SALE $38,225

2015 Chevrolet Cruze 1LTMSRP $23,515SALE $18,515


$249

$315 $335

$295

$235

$219

$139

$235

$111

$103

$91

$155 $159

A14 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 9, 2016 www.interior-news.com A15The Interior News Wednesday, March 9, 2016




Sale $3,169Reg. $5,995


155,759 Kilometers

Sale $11,874Reg. $16,995


192,445 Kilometers

Sale $7,460Reg. $11,995


251,139 Kilometers

Sale $16,990Reg. $19,995


18,184 Kilometers

SOLDReg. $18,995


SALE $27,842Reg. $32,995


SALE $17,388 Reg. $18,995


51,510 Kilometers


85,764 Kilometers

SALE $13,849Reg. $18,995


105,429 Kilometers

SALE $12,842 Reg. $13,995


61,069 Kilometers

SALE $12,857 Reg. $14,995


FIRST TIME EVER!! 0.9% on select certified used.


0% Rebates

Cash Pricing



0% 2015 Chevrolet



MSRP $58,335 SALE $49,835



MSRP $46,725SALE $38,225



$249

$315 $335

$295

$235

$219

$139

$235

$111

$103

$91

$155 $159





Sale $3,169Reg. $5,995


155,759 Kilometers

Sale $11,874Reg. $16,995


192,445 Kilometers

Sale $7,460Reg. $11,995


251,139 Kilometers

Sale $16,990Reg. $19,995


18,184 Kilometers

SOLDReg. $18,995


SALE $27,842Reg. $32,995


SALE $17,388 Reg. $18,995


51,510 Kilometers


85,764 Kilometers

SALE $13,849Reg. $18,995


105,429 Kilometers

SALE $12,842 Reg. $13,995


61,069 Kilometers

SALE $12,857 Reg. $14,995


FIRST TIME EVER!! 0.9% on select certi� ed used.


0% Rebates

Cash Pricing



0% 2015 Chevrolet



MSRP $58,335 SALE $49,835



MSRP $46,725SALE $38,225



$249

$315 $335

$295

$235

$219

$139

$235

$111

$103

$91

$155 $159





Sale $3,169Reg. $5,995


155,759 Kilometers

Sale $11,874Reg. $16,995


192,445 Kilometers

Sale $7,460Reg. $11,995


251,139 Kilometers

Sale $16,990Reg. $19,995


18,184 Kilometers

SOLDReg. $18,995


SALE $27,842Reg. $32,995


SALE $17,388 Reg. $18,995


51,510 Kilometers


85,764 Kilometers

SALE $13,849Reg. $18,995


105,429 Kilometers

SALE $12,842 Reg. $13,995


61,069 Kilometers

SALE $12,857 Reg. $14,995


FIRST TIME EVER!! 0.9% on select certified used.


0% Rebates

Cash Pricing



0% 2015 Chevrolet



MSRP $58,335 SALE $49,835



MSRP $46,725SALE $38,225



$249

$315 $335

$295

$235

$219

$139

$235

$111

$103

$91

$155 $159



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ON N

OW A

T YO

UR B

C CH

EVRO

LET

DEAL

ERS.

Che

vrol

et.c

a 1-

800-

GM-D

RIVE

. Che

vrol

et is

a b

rand

of G

ener

al M

otor

s of

Can

ada.

Offe

rs a

pply

to th

e pu

rcha

se o

f a 2

016

Silv

erad

o 15

00 D

oubl

e Ca

b Tr

ue N

orth

Edi

tion,

Col

orad

o 2W

D 2S

A, a

nd le

ase

of a

Silv

erad

o 15

00 D

oubl

e Ca

b 4W

D 1W

T, eq

uipp

ed a

s de

scrib

ed. L

icen

se, i

nsur

ance

, reg

istra

tion,

adm

inis

tratio

n fe

es, d

eale

r fee

s, P

PSA

and

taxe

s no

t inc

lude

d. D

eale

rs a

re fr

ee to

set

indi

vidu

al p

rices

. Lim

ited

time

offe

rs w

hich

may

not

be

com

bine

d w

ith o

ther

offe

rs, a

nd a

re s

ubje

ct to

cha

nge

with

out n

otic

e. O

ffers

app

ly to

qua

lifie

d re

tail

cust

omer

s in

BC

Chev

role

t Dea

ler M

arke

ting

Asso

ciat

ion

area

onl

y. De

aler

ord

er o

r tra

de m

ay b

e re

quire

d. *

Base

d on

per

cent

age

grow

th

in to

tal C

anad

ian

sale

s of

mid

- and

full-

size

pic

k-up

truc

ks, c

alen

dar y

ear t

o da

te (J

anua

ry to

Sep

tem

ber,

2015

), as

repo

rted

by C

VMA.

† $

10,0

00 is

a c

ombi

ned

tota

l cre

dit c

onsi

stin

g of

a $

3,00

0 m

anuf

actu

rer t

o de

aler

del

iver

y cr

edit

(tax

excl

usiv

e) fo

r 201

6 Si

lver

ado

Ligh

t Dut

y Do

uble

Cab

, $1,

000

Owne

r Cas

h (ta

x in

clus

ive)

, a $

820

man

ufac

ture

r to

deal

er O

ptio

n Pa

ckag

e Di

scou

nt C

redi

t (ta

x ex

clus

ive)

for 2

016

Chev

role

t Silv

erad

o Li

ght D

uty

(150

0) D

oubl

e Ca

b 1L

T eq

uipp

ed w

ith a

True

Nor

th E

ditio

n, a

$1,

600

cash

cre

dit a

nd a

$3,

580

man

ufac

ture

r to

deal

er c

ash

cred

it (ta

x ex

clus

ive)

on

Silv

erad

o Li

ght D

uty

(150

0) D

oubl

e Ca

b LT

or L

TZ, w

hich

is a

vaila

ble

for c

ash

purc

hase

s on

ly a

nd c

anno

t be

com

bine

d w

ith s

peci

al le

ase

and

finan

ce ra

tes.

By

sele

ctin

g le

ase

or fi

nanc

e of

fers

, con

sum

ers

are

fore

goin

g th

is $

3,58

0 cr

edit

whi

ch w

ill re

sult

in h

ighe

r effe

ctiv

e in

tere

st ra

tes.

Dis

coun

ts v

ary

by m

odel

. ~ V

isit

onst

ar.c

a fo

r cov

erag

e m

aps,

det

ails

and

sys

tem

lim

itatio

ns. S

ervi

ces

and

conn

ectiv

ity m

ay v

ary

by m

odel

and

con

ditio

ns. O

nSta

r with

4G

LTE

conn

ectiv

ity is

ava

ilabl

e on

sel

ect v

ehic

le

mod

els

and

in s

elec

t mar

kets

. Cus

tom

ers

will

be a

ble

to a

cces

s On

Star

ser

vice

s on

ly if

they

acc

ept t

he O

nSta

r Use

r Ter

ms

and

Priv

acy

Stat

emen

t (in

clud

ing

softw

are

term

s). O

nSta

r act

s as

a li

nk to

exi

stin

g em

erge

ncy

serv

ice

prov

ider

s. A

fter t

he tr

ial p

erio

d (if

app

licab

le),

an a

ctiv

e On

Star

ser

vice

pla

n is

requ

ired.

‡ V

ehic

le u

ser i

nter

face

s ar

e pr

oduc

ts o

f App

le®

and

Go

ogle

® a

nd th

eir t

erm

s an

d pr

ivac

y st

atem

ents

app

ly. R

equi

res

com

patib

le s

mar

tpho

ne. D

ata

plan

rate

s ap

ply.

¥ Le

ase

base

d on

a p

urch

ase

pric

e of

$34

,192

, in

clud

ing

$893

ow

ner c

ash

(tax

excl

usiv

e), $

3,00

0 m

anuf

actu

rer-

to-d

eale

r del

iver

y cr

edit

(tax

exclu

sive

), an

d a

$1,0

00 b

onus

cre

dit f

or a

new

elig

ible

201

6 Si

lver

ado

1500

Dou

ble

Cab

4WD

1WT.

Bi-w

eekl

y pa

ymen

t is

$149

for 2

4 m

onth

s at

0%

APR

, on

appr

oved

cre

dit t

o qu

alifi

ed re

tail

cust

omer

s by

GM

Fin

anci

al. A

nnua

l kilo

met

re li

mit

of 2

0,00

0 km

, $0.

16 p

er e

xces

s ki

lom

etre

. $99

5 do

wn

paym

ent i

s re

quire

d. P

aym

ent m

ay v

ary

depe

ndin

g on

dow

n pa

ymen

t or t

rade

. Tot

al o

blig

atio

n is

$8,

723

plus

app

licab

le ta

xes.

Opt

ion

to p

urch

ase

at le

ase

end

is $

25,4

72. P

rice

and

tota

l obl

igat

ion

excl

ude

licen

se, i

nsur

ance

, reg

istra

tion,

taxe

s an

d op

tiona

l equ

ipm

ent.

Othe

r lea

se o

ptio

ns a

re a

vaila

ble.

Dea

lers

are

free

to s

et in

divi

dual

pric

es. L

imite

d-tim

e of

fer,

whi

ch m

ay n

ot b

e co

mbi

ned

with

oth

er o

ffers

. See

you

r dea

ler f

or c

ondi

tions

and

det

ails

. Gen

eral

Mot

ors

of C

anad

a Co

mpa

ny re

serv

es th

e rig

ht to

am

end

or te

rmin

ate

this

offe

r, in

w

hole

or i

n pa

rt, a

t any

tim

e w

ithou

t prio

r not

ice.

††

Offe

r app

lies

to e

ligib

le c

urre

nt o

wne

rs o

r les

sees

of a

ny m

odel

yea

r 199

9 or

new

er c

ar th

at h

as b

een

regi

ster

ed a

nd in

sure

d in

Can

ada

in th

e cu

stom

er’s

nam

e fo

r the

pre

viou

s co

nsec

utiv

e si

x (6

) mon

ths.

Cre

dit v

alid

tow

ards

the

reta

il pu

rcha

se o

r lea

se o

f one

elig

ible

201

6 m

odel

yea

r Che

vrol

et c

ar, S

UV, c

ross

over

an

d pi

ckup

s m

odel

s de

liver

ed in

Can

ada

betw

een

Mar

ch 1

and

Mar

ch 3

1, 2

016.

Cre

dit i

s a

man

ufac

ture

r to

cons

umer

ince

ntiv

e (ta

x in

clus

ive)

and

cre

dit v

alue

dep

ends

on

mod

el p

urch

ased

: $50

0 cr

edit

avai

labl

e on

201

6 Ch

evro

let S

onic

, Cru

ze LT

D, M

alib

u LT

D, A

ll-Ne

w M

alib

u (e

xcep

t L),

All-N

ew V

olt,

All-N

ew C

amar

o, Tr

ax a

nd 2

017

Volt;

$75

0 cr

edit

avai

labl

e on

ot

her 2

016

Chev

role

ts (e

xcep

t Cor

vette

, Col

orad

o 2S

A, S

ilver

ado

Ligh

t Dut

y an

d He

avy

Duty

); $1

,000

cre

dit a

vaila

ble

on a

ll 20

16 C

hevr

olet

Silv

erad

o’s.

Offe

r is

trans

fera

ble

to a

fam

ily m

embe

r liv

ing

with

in th

e sa

me

hous

ehol

d (p

roof

of a

ddre

ss re

quire

d). A

s pa

rt of

the

trans

actio

n, d

eale

r may

requ

est d

ocum

enta

tion

and

cont

act G

ener

al M

otor

s of

Can

ada

Com

pany

to

ver

ify e

ligib

ility.

This

offe

r may

not

be

rede

emed

for c

ash

and

may

not

be

com

bine

d w

ith c

erta

in o

ther

con

sum

er in

cent

ives

. Cer

tain

lim

itatio

ns o

r con

ditio

ns a

pply.

Voi

d w

here

pro

hibi

ted.

See

you

r GM

Can

ada

deal

er fo

r det

ails

. GM

Can

ada

rese

rves

the

right

to a

men

d or

term

inat

e of

fers

for a

ny re

ason

in w

hole

or i

n pa

rt at

any

tim

e w

ithou

t prio

r not

ice.

> P

urch

ase

pric

e ap

plie

s to

new

201

6 Ch

evro

let C

olor

ado

Exte

nded

Cab

Bas

e m

odel

s at

par

ticip

atin

g de

aler

s in

Can

ada.

Pur

chas

e pr

ice

of $

23,1

15 in

clud

es F

reig

ht b

ut e

xclu

des

licen

se, i

nsur

ance

, reg

istra

tion,

dea

ler f

ees

and

taxe

s. D

eale

r may

sel

l for

less

. Offe

r may

not

be

com

bine

d w

ith c

erta

in o

ther

con

sum

er in

cent

ives

. GM

Can

ada

may

mod

ify, e

xten

d or

term

inat

e th

is

offe

r, in

who

le o

r in

part,

at a

ny ti

me

with

out n

otic

e. S

ee d

eale

r for

det

ails

. ¥¥

Base

d on

GM

test

ing

in a

ccor

danc

e w

ith G

over

nmen

t of C

anad

a ap

prov

ed te

st m

etho

ds. R

efer

to v

ehic

les.

nrca

n.gc

.ca

for d

etai

ls. Y

our a

ctua

l fue

l con

sum

ptio

n m

ay v

ary.

Excl

udes

oth

er G

M v

ehic

les.

Col

orad

o: 2

016

Chev

role

t Col

orad

o 2W

D w

ith a

vaila

ble

Dura

max

2.8

L Tu

rbo-

Dies

el fu

el

cons

umpt

ion

base

d on

GM

test

ing

in a

ccor

danc

e w

ith G

over

nmen

t of C

anad

a ap

prov

ed te

st m

etho

ds. R

efer

to v

ehic

les.

nrca

n.gc

.ca

for d

etai

ls. Y

our a

ctua

l fue

l con

sum

ptio

n m

ay v

ary.

Excl

udes

oth

er G

M v

ehic

les.

^ H

orse

pow

er: C

ompa

rison

bas

ed o

n w

ards

auto

.com

201

5 Sm

all P

icku

p se

gmen

t and

late

st c

ompe

titiv

e in

form

atio

n av

aila

ble

at ti

me

of p

ostin

g. E

xclu

des

othe

r GM

veh

icle

s. To

win

g: R

equi

res

avai

labl

e Du

ram

ax 2

.8L

Turb

o-Di

esel

eng

ine.

Bef

ore

you

buy

a ve

hicl

e or

use

it fo

r tra

ilerin

g, c

aref

ully

revi

ew th

e Tr

aile

ring

sect

ion

of th

e Ow

ner’s

Man

ual. T

he w

eigh

t of p

asse

nger

s, c

argo

and

opt

ions

or a

cces

sorie

s m

ay re

duce

the

amou

nt y

ou c

an to

w. P

aylo

ad: R

equi

res

Crew

Cab

Sho

rt Bo

x 2W

D m

odel

with

ava

ilabl

e V6

eng

ine.

Fo

r com

paris

on p

urpo

ses

only.

See

the

Owne

r’s M

anua

l and

the

labe

l on

the

vehi

cle

door

jam

b fo

r the

car

ryin

g ca

paci

ty o

f a s

peci

fic v

ehic

le. +

Silv

erad

o 15

00 LT

Z 2W

D Do

uble

Cab

Sta

ndar

d Bo

x or

Cre

w C

ab S

hort

Box

LTZ

2WD

with

the

avai

labl

e 6.

2L V

8 en

gine

and

Max

Trai

lerin

g Pa

ckag

e. B

efor

e yo

u bu

y a

vehi

cle

or u

se it

for t

raile

ring,

car

eful

ly re

view

the

Trai

lerin

g se

ctio

n of

the

Owne

r’s M

anua

l. The

wei

ght o

f pas

seng

ers,

car

go a

nd o

ptio

ns o

r acc

esso

ries

may

redu

ce th

e am

ount

you

can

tow

. Bas

ed o

n W

ards

Auto

.com

201

5 La

rge

Pick

up s

egm

ent a

nd la

test

ava

ilabl

e co

mpe

titiv

e in

form

atio

n at

tim

e of

pos

ting.

Exc

lude

s ot

her G

M v

ehic

les.

Col

orad

o: R

equi

res

avai

labl

e Du

ram

ax 2

.8L

Turb

o-Di

esel

eng

ine.

Bef

ore

you

buy

a ve

hicl

e or

use

it fo

r tra

ilerin

g, c

aref

ully

revi

ew th

e Tr

aile

ring

sect

ion

of th

e Ow

ner’s

Man

ual.

The

wei

ght o

f pas

seng

ers,

car

go a

nd o

ptio

ns o

r acc

esso

ries

may

redu

ce th

e am

ount

you

can

tow

. ++

Silv

erad

o: w

ith a

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VIEW FROM THE PORCH

Lorraine Doiron

Library and museum team up for documentary screeningThe Olympics, an awesome

celebration of athletes and countries! Athletes who have

become refugees and cannot compete for the country they have fled as a result of war or persecution and have not secured citizenship elsewhere are now going to be allowed to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

They will compete under the Olympic flag and the Olympic anthem. This is the first time an entire sanctioned team of refugees will be assembled. The International Olympic Committee is sending a message of

hope for all refugees in the world with the creation of this team: Nothing is impossible!

March 23, 7 p.m. at the Old Church there will be a partnership screening by the library and museum of the Indie Flix documentary Kerouac: King of the Beats. Free admission and refreshments.

Did you have a chance to watch the Oscars? I did not know that the Oscars were created in 1927. The first ceremony took place May 16, 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. They used to announce the winners three

months ahead of time and the actual ceremony only took 15 minutes. Now it seems to take all night.

As I age I want to do it properly — funny, eh? Website McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (mcmasteroptimalaging.org) is supposed to be a reliable, evidence-based health information place to find out the latest scientific evidence to provide credible insights on healthy aging. It uses plain language to explain the most recent research about nutrition, exercise and heart disease.

Our valley will play host to the

Canadian Ski Cross championships for the second year in a row. This is the final event of the season, a culmination of athletes coming together in the chase to be crowned Canadian Champion for the 2015-16 season. You have a chance to watch, meet skiers and get autographs over the course of the event. Teams arrive March 14, with an official awards ceremony and autograph session March 19 at Bovill Square.

Closing with: “No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched.” – George Jean Nathan


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TOBOGGANING, BULKLEY VALLEY STYLE Christina Becker captured this image during a Sunday afternoon tobogganing over the Christmas break. The Interior News will publish one of the entries to our My Valley Winter photo contest every week until the competition ends on April 6. For information about how to enter visit interior-news.com/contests.

Christina Becker photo

Opera cabaret theatre in drag

Registrations are now open for our Spring Art Workshops taking place in March and April. All materials are supplied, so these workshops are ideal for anyone wanting to give something a go for the first time without having to invest in expensive art supplies. All courses are taught by local artists with excellent credentials.

The workshops are for adults and youth over 16 of any experience level. Spaces are limited and go fast. Full course details are at smithersart.org.

Workshops– Throwing and hand-building with clay with

Susan Clay-Smith:March 15-17, 6.30-9.30 p.m.April 4-5, 6.30-9 p.m.$125 members / $140 non-members– Painting for Dummies 1 with Shannon

Goodhead:April 9, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.$30 members / $35 non-members– Painting for Dummies 2 with Michelle Gazely:April 30, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.$30 members / $35 non-members,(10 per cent discount if you sign up for

Painting for Dummies 1 & 2: $55 members / 65 non-members)

– Watercolour Basics with Brenda Cobill:April 17, 24 and May 1, 1-4 p.m.$90 members/$100 non-members– Beginning Silversmithing: Hot Connection

with Monica Strimbold:April 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.$75 members / $80 non-membersRegister at the Gallery or by phone with

a credit card: (250) 847-3898. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12-4 p.m.

– Submitted by the Smithers Art Gallery.

Spring gallery workshops open Maria (Joel Klein) gets the audience involved in her campy cabaret

portion of the evening at the Old Church in Smithers Saturday.Chris Gareau photo

By Chris GareauSmithers/Interior News

Described as musical, campy, funny and even heart-warming, Cocktales with Maria: Green with Envy was as varied as the genres it delved into Saturday night in Smithers.

A sold out audience of 75 at the Old Church watched a drag cabaret opera that combined classical opera with new music and first-person tales of West Coast gay sexual experiences.

It was obviously not for those with sensitive sensibilities, but the honesty mixed into the entertainment

was a hit with those in attendance, according to Bulkley Valley Concert Association president Miriam Colvin.

“I’m laughing at moments because it is quite explicitly talking about sex, which is something we often don’t do in our community, and to the range of moments where I put my hands on my heart because I was touched by the tenderness of a story of a first crush,” said Colvin.

Also there was Belladonna, a local fire-eating drag queen who has been performing for three years.


ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20Without your knowledge, you have made it to the top of a very in� uential person’s list. This can only mean good things for your future, Aries. Be proud of yourself.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21Friends and family who seem meddle-some may have more noble motives, Taurus. Give these loved ones the bene� t of the doubt and be glad they care so much.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21Gemini, a big project means you will be working with others in the week ahead. Put your best foot forward and be receptive of others’ ideas and sug-gestions.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22Cancer, you are full of energy this week, but for whatever reason you are still holding back. Don’t be afraid to unleash that energy and get to work. Others will be impressed.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23Mull an invitation before responding this week, Leo. You can � nd both pros and cons to accepting the invitation, and taking the time to consider it will ensure you make the right call.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22Virgo, a healthy sense of ambition will move a project along much more quickly than you or others had imag-ined. Once the work is done, you’ll have plenty of time to relax.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23A person from your past may come into your life, Libra. He or she stirs up old emotions, and you may need to take a step back in a current relation-ship. Think things over carefully.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22Scorpio, your ambition is growing, but you are already beginning to feel overwhelmed. You may need to put the brakes on any new endeavors for a little while.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21Any business transactions you make this week can have a lasting effect on your � nancial status, Sagittarius. This means carefully considering every purchase.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20Capricorn, expenses are piling up, and soon your stress levels may be ris-ing as a result. You can use a dose of good news, and it’s coming this week.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18Someone is rubbing you the wrong way, Aquarius. Just walk away and don’t let this person get under your skin. Taking the high road will serve you best in the long run.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20Pisces, the week ahead is full of prom-ise. Your energy levels are soaring, and you are poised to meet new peo-ple and make things happen.

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ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

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CLUES DOWN 1. Portico 2. Delicacy 3. Punish with an arbitrary penalty 4. Household god (Roman) 5. Public television station 6. __ Lilly, drug company 7. Degraded 8. Free from danger 9. Low bank or reef of coral 10. Exclamation of surprise 11. Lies down in rest 12. Give an education to 16. Provides 17. Fat from a pig 18. Belonging to a thing 22. Branches of a bone 25. Having a cheerless aspect or disposition 27. Edema (archaic) 28. Bo __, “10” 29. Un� edged or nestling hawk 30. Surrenders 32. Type of dessert 34. Planted with trees 35. Washington town 36. Listen in 37. Inwardly 38. Chinese province 40. Garrison 41. Converts thermal energy to mechanical work 42. Holy people 44. Lowest point between two peaks 46. Boundaries 48. Utter obscenities 51. ___ and cheese 52. Member of the cuckoo family 53. Type of microscope 54. ___ and Barbie 56. Michigan

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Ewk Hiyah Hozdli dancer Mavis Pete-Dennis (left) dressed as a grouse, and young Wet’suwet’en dancers (right) at Hobiyee, the Nisga’a New Year celebration, in New Aiyansh last month.

Lillian Dennis photos

Hobiyee marks eulachon arrival

Wet’suwet’en dancers marked the Nisga’a New Year at the annual Hobiyee event in New Aiyansh from Feb. 27-28.

The Ewk Hiyah Hozdli Dance Group, which is based in Smithers, performed traditional Wet’suwet’en dances as part of the annual celebration.

Hobiyee marks the arrival of the oily eulachon fish prized by the Nisga’a Nation.

The Wet’suwet’en dancers also held an event called Stories In the Snow in Smithers on Feb. 12.

The evening of singing, dancing and storytelling helped raise money for the dance group to travel to Hobiyee.

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COMMUNITYA24 www.interior-news.com The Interior News Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Witch hazel’s brew a cure for non-campaign smells

SPICE OF LIFE

Brenda Mallory

What’s that smell?

I do not mean to mention anything about the rot and rancor coming from the presidential campaign south of the border. What I really want to talk about is the smell I noticed coming from one of the ears in my big old female dog. I know from past experiences that witch hazel will help. I would put a little on a soft cloth and clean the ear flap. Only problem? I don’t have any witch hazel.

A bit of witch hazel rubbed on a dog’s fur will help odour from that area. Also works like the dickens to clean a collar.

Witch hazel is one of those things we can use for so many other health reasons. It’s quite cheap as well.

Witch hazel is a topical astringent. It is antiviral, antibacterial, and helps with inflammation of the skin.

You could use the witch hazel to take off makeup or soothe a sunburn. It also can be used to combat acne. Stretch marks? A little dab will do you for that problem as well. Varicose veins? Rub some on there too.

I gather it works on diaper rash. It will help with those scrapes and cuts. If your hair seems a bit dry and flaky, massage witch hazel into your hair.

One of the most interesting things I found out about witch hazel was how it treats ticks on dogs. A dab

on the tick will make the beast loosen its grip. How about that? Could have used that idea this past summer.

Witch hazel can be used to clean stains in your bathroom. Mix up a batch of witch hazel, baking soda and lemon juice. I gather that works and it does not smell. Those of us who have a septic system will appreciate something that will not harm the system.

I know many of you will poo poo this easy,

inexpensive product in favour of some chemical product that costs a great deal more.

Where to get witch hazel? You can get a big bottle from the drug store. There are many more uses for this stuff. It could be well worth your while to check some sites for further information.

I really have to leave this for now since the super Tuesday political business is with us. Fascinating TV — if you like that

sort of thing.Thanks for the calls

and comments this past week. I have had questions about the local transfer station. Will it ever open again? I do not have any insider information about that. It would be a good idea to contact your elected officials to see if there is an avenue forward to getting our shed back in working order.

You can call 250-846-5095 or email [email protected].


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By Alicia Bridges Hazeltons/Interior News

Smithers and Hazelton high school students nailed down eight silver and gold medals at a trades competition in Terrace on Feb. 19.

The students overcame competition from six other high schools to place in their respective categories at the Skills Canada B.C. Regional Competition.

Hosted by the Northwest Community College, the test of skills includes categories such as automotive, carpentry, culinary, electrical, hairdressing and welding.

Students from Hazelton (HSS) and Smithers Secondary Schools (SSS) won four medals each.

In the carpentry contest, HSS student Lucas Erni won gold ahead of SSS student Philip Gust, who received the silver medal.

SSS student Veronica Portsch won the culinary category, while HSS student Asia Milton came in third.

HSS students Melinda Matthews and Linda Boyd won silver and bronze respectively in the hairdressing contest, while SSS student Calvin Turko came second in the welding class.

The gold medal winners qualify to compete against trades students from across B.C. at the provincial contest in Abbotsford on April 13.

Also representing SSS, Kyle Stegleider won silver in the automotive category.

HSS Grade 12 student Lucas Erni said the competition taught him to calm his nerves and work under pressure.

His task involved making a sawhorse using plywood, a material he was not experienced with.

“I was quite stressed in the beginning and [the judges] liked that I wasn’t as nervous at the end,” he said.

“I think that was the biggest thing for me to overcome.”

Since he first enrolled in carpentry three years ago, Erni has built cabinets, coffee tables and an aquarium stand to fit his own fish tank.

He plans to pursue a career in carpentry after he graduates this year.

“I just like working with wood and seeing the end project after you’ve worked on it for a while,” he said.

NWCC director of trades Jill Long said the skills competition was a chance for students like Erni to showcase their talents and gain exposure to career and training opportunities.

“The skills on display here are those that will be critical to support our economy in the next 20 years,” said Long.

“Based on the talent we’ve seen in this competition, I think the future looks bright for northwest B.C.”

Rec centre could break ground this fallBy Alicia BridgesHazeltons/Interior News

A $300,000 architectural design for the proposed Upper Skeena Recreation Centre (USRC) is being drawn up in the hope the project can break ground this year.

The USRC Owners’ Committee last week voted to commission detailed drawings of the $15-million project, which will ensure it is ready for construction this fall.

To start building this year, the committee also needs the federal government to approve its application for $10 million in gas tax funding.

That decision, which was already delayed by last year’s federal election, is expected to coincide with the release of the Trudeau government’s first federal budget on March

22. Peter Newbery is the chairperson of

the Heart of the Hazeltons fundraising campaign to build the USRC.

He said the committee’s decision to prepare the designs was a “calculated leap of faith” based on the expectation the funding would come through.

“Nothing can go to tender until those designs are in place so the determination was made by the owners’ committee to go ahead with that step,” he said.

“There had been so many delays in this process that we could see summer coming on and more delays.

“If we got the decision, say at the beginning of the summer, and had delayed on doing the detailed design drawings, they take about another six months to put together so it would put us into next year to

start construction.” He said the project could not be put out

to tender until the detailed designs were completed.

The committee also voted to start developing a recreation program in partnership with the Social Planning and Research Council (SPARC) of British Columbia.

Its goal is to include measures for seniors’ recreation, and to take programs to the various communities in the Hazelton area.

Newbery said the committee was yet to approach the Hazelton and New Hazelton municipalities with the details of the plan.

“We’re only just at the point now of beginning to talk about what the structure of this consultation would look like,” he said.

The USRC was among the main

infrastructure requests brought up at a meeting hosted by Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen in Hazelton last week.

Similar meetings seeking public input on future infrastructure spending were also held in other communities across Cullen’s riding.

The NDP member said he considered the recreation centre the “number one” infrastructure project for his riding.

“I’ve never seen a project like it, where you have all levels of government involved and excited to promote this, with so many side-benefits,” he said.

He said it could also be a model for other communities, and a working example of native and non-native collaboration.

Smithers, Hazelton kids excel

Hazelton Secondary School Grade 12 student Lucas Erni shows gold medal-winning skill in the Skills Canada B.C. Regional Competition.

Contributed photo

See ARENA on A27


THREE RIVERS REPORT My Valley Winter Photo ContestShare your pics & win great prizes!Share your pics & win great prizes!

We know that you have amazing photos of life in the beautiful North stored on your cameras and smartphones. Now is the time to share them!

Send us pictures of winter living in the Bulkley Valley, and we will print them in The Interior News every week until the contest ends on April 6. Local professionals will then choose the contest winners, which will beannounced on April 13. Great prizes are up for grabs!

Enter by emailing your images to [email protected]. Or, you can enter by clicking “Contests” at the top of the Smithers Interior News Facebook page, or by following the “Contests” link on our website at www.interior-news.com/contests.

All entries must include your full name, the title of the photograph, a short caption and a contact number. Pictures must be at least 1MB in size, be submitted by the owner, and be allowed to be printed and shared by The Interior News during and after the competition. Any image created principally on computer software or manipulated on com-puter software beyond generally acceptable adjustments for proper repro-duction (such as cropping, sharpening, adjusting brightness and colour) is not acceptable. Adding or subtracting elements to or from an image, or combining multiple images into a single image, are not permitted.

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Wolves spotted in Kispiox town areaBy Alicia BridgesKispiox/Interior News

Kispiox residents should not be alarmed by recent wolf sightings, but take precautions to avoid encounters, according to Smithers-based conservation officer Michal Bartos.

The Ministry of Environment and Conservation received three reports of wolf sightings in the Kispiox village area on Feb. 12, 24 and 25.

Residents have been using social media to spread the word about the sightings, urging people to beware the Toomitts and Foster Street areas. Bartos said the Ministry of Environment welcomed calls to report sightings, but it would not act unless there was a public safety concern.

“Say for example they are preying on domestic pets or they’ve had a near-miss encounter with people, chances are we’re not attending unless there is something more of a public safety complaint that comes in that way,” he said.

He said none of the wolves reported to the Ministry had been behaving dangerously or abnormally, and that it was normal for wolves to be in the Kispiox area.

Bartos said the best way to avoid attracting wolves to the village was to ensure food, garbage or fishing waste was not left out in the open.

If people do find themselves confronted by a wolf, he said they should not try to run or approach the animal.

“Make yourself big, make noise, make that animal know that you are around and you are not prey, and don’t go by yourself walking through wooded trails,” said

Bartos. Wolf sightings were more

common at dusk, dawn and at night in wooded areas, he added.

Bartos also warned the public against trapping in the village area, saying it could put domestic dogs and other pets at risk.

Although he said it was legal for hunters with permits to trap wolves during the current season, which ends March 31, they should stay well away from residential areas.

“That way they are away from the local, domestic-type pets and they are a little further away from the community,” he said.

Bartos also recommended tying pet dogs or keeping them inside when wolves were known to be in the area.

“If they do roam around, they can attract the notice of a wolf and ... they might move a little closer which can create a confrontation,” he said.

He said wolves would usually avoid people and move on to a new area if there was no food or garbage for them to feed on.

Kispiox Band spokesperson Blanka Jecminkova said the band had not issued a public warning because it was normal for wolves to be in the valley at this time of year.

She said people were very aware of how to react if they came into contact with wolves and other wild animals.

“All people in the valley, and even the local band, they know how to handle the wolves, or what to do,” she said.

“So there are no official warnings or anything, maybe it would be good for visitors from the big cities, but people living in the bush, they have quite good experience handling the wild animals.”


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Cullen added it was hard to predict whether the project would secure the $10-million from the federal government.

“I don’t know what’s in the budget and I don’t know what focus the government will take, but this ticks the boxes that the Liberals have hinted at so if they follow through on what they say their plans are then we should be in good standing,” said Cullen.

Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson said he had also been pushing to make the issue a priority at the provincial level by raising it in the legislature and discussing it informally with Transportation Minister Todd Stone.

“Just so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle and just so the project is at the forefront of the minds of the cabinet members,” said Donaldson.

From BREAK on A25

Arena plans

Drivers can expect 20-minute delays at Hagwilget Bridge starting this week.

Repairs to the bridge will continue all the way through August.

The delays will be between 9:30 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays. There should be no delay during lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

Any night closures from Sunday to Thursday, 10 p.m.to 6 a.m. will be announced by Drive BC.

One sidewalk will remain open to pedestrians at all times.

Bridge delays begin

Hagwilget Bridge connects Hazelton and New Hazelton.

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smithers interior news, march 09, 2016

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