News Leader News
USIB hosts archaeology forum
Upper Similkameen Indian Band (USIB) hosted the 2005 British Columbia Archaeology Forum last weekend. Brenda Gould and Charlene Allison greeted participants at the Snaza'ist Visitor Centre in Hedley on Friday evening, giving them a tour of the centre and distributing the forum packages.
Those who arrived Friday evening attended a reception at Hitching Post Restaurant, where Herman Edward was invited to play the native flute of North America. The reception featured wines from N'Kmip Cellars, North America's first aboriginal owned winery located near Osoyoos.
Ninety-five participants registered for the forum, which included presentations at Hedley OAPO Hall on Saturday, and tours of either the pictographs or the Mascot Mine.
On Saturday morning, Chief Richard Holmes gave the official welcome to participants. The welcoming speech was followed by a number of presentations. Simon Fraser University Archaeology Department began with a report of the university's activities. A number of SFU students were among the participants.
Other presentations included reports from the Archaeology Branch, Tmixw Research on Coyote Legends, Parks Canada, Millennia Research, Pitt and Alouette Rivers research, University of British Columbia update on their archaeology lab, and USIB's Darius Kruger reporting on excavations done in 2005 in the Similkameen Valley.
Saturday evening featured a dinner, with comedian Opie the Cool Warrior providing entertainment.
On Sunday, participants enjoyed the tour of their choice.
The event helped promote the Similkameen Valley, as well as offering a venue for the annual forum. This was the first time USIB had hosted the event.
USIB had many sponsors:Golder Associates, BC Association of Professional Archaeologists, Goldcliff Resource Corp., Ben Nendick Excavating, Weyer-haeuser Princeton, Tolko Industries, Terra Archaeology, Arrow Archaeology, Town of Princeton, Ministry of Forests (Merritt TSA), USIB Forestry Department, Dr. Daniel Dodds, Chuchuwaya Bingo, Hedley Country Market, Mountain Mist Giftshop, Unusual Gifts, Nickle Plate Restaurant, Hitching Post Restaurant, Wild Goat Gift Shop, Monica Gewurz, AEO Screens, Snaza'ist Visitor Centre, and USIB Archaeology Department.
RALLY ATTRACTS SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY
A teacher support rally took place at the Cenotaph on Tuesday, October 11 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM sponsored by CUPE Local 847, CUPE Local 608, HEU, Steelworkers Local 1-423, BCNU, BCGEU, Independent Senior Citizens, UFCW, CUPW, Similkameen News Leader and the Princeton District Teachers' Union.The main goal was to rally support for the teacher strike that began October 7th and to provide information to the public about the many concerns that are plaguing the educators in this province.
Over a two-hour period, the rally was attended by over 200 teachers, parents, and others interested in the ongoing situation. The event served up barbequed hot dogs and raised approximately $200 for the Princeton Crisis Centre.
A popular attraction was the "Quote Garden." One particular quote drawing a lot of attention was Louis D Brandeis's: "If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable." Another area of interest was the "Walk of Shame," a chronology of legislation and actions by the BC Liberal government that has affected teachers' working conditions and children's learning conditions.
Representatives from various sectors of the education system were invited to speak. Gordon Comeau, chairman of the local school board, confirmed the Board's opposition to the legislated settlement and stated that the Board had forwarded a letter to the Premier requesting that a process be set in place that would allow future teacher bargaining to result in negotiated settlements.
Dina Campbell-Slowikowski, School District #58 trustee, stated "the government has made sure that BCPSEA could not negotiate a fair settlement, and living through a 15-month legislated contract has damaged teacher morale, especially in small rural areas where you are isolated from what's going on in the penthouse suites where the deals are made."
Pam Jones, local CUPE president, called on the government to "get back to the bargaining table and negotiate a collective agreement so that the teachers can get back to what they do best, teach students and we can get back to what we do best, clean schools, transport students to school and assist teachers in the classroom."
Other speakers included local MLA Harry Lali, PDTU president Robert Tarswell, and teacher Gordon Bibby. Entertainment was provided by the gracious Patty Harrower and the "As Long As It Takes" singers consisting of Kim Walsh, Joanne Gabriel, Gordon Bibby and Georgina Tarswell.
COMMUNITY LIVING MONTH - EVERYONE BELONGS!
by Lynn Pelly Executive Director
Many exciting things are happening in our Community Living programs!Our new building arrived in September and we are anxiously awaiting the on-site completion so we can organize an open house to show the community our latest option in housing for the developmentally disabled. This building was funded by the Victoria Foundation, as part of the restructuring dollars available to service providers during the transition from MCFD to Community Living BC. Our proposal to replace the older, multi-level apartment building known as Mary Anne Apartments, with a one level, four bedroom group home, located in the same area as Mary Anne Court and Mary Anne House, was approved primarily because it will allow us to house more people with the same amount of money. We believe it will offer an attractive option for those of our residents who would benefit from a family-style setting as opposed to independent living.
Our move to the former health unit site has been a great success and a wonderful partnership between the Town and our Society. The participants and staff are enjoying the spacious, bright building and its priceless location beside the river and Rotary Park. A wide variety of activities occur here, Monday through Friday, as well as many out in the community. Several of our clients receive personalized support to assist them with life skills and training opportunities.
Several staff and two of our participants were able to attend out of town conferences this year and came back excited and eager to implement many of the things they learned. The focus of the newly formed Community Living BC is person-centered support. This allows greater input from the person receiving services and service providers will need to be more receptive to the needs of the people they support.
Several of our clients attended summer camp in the Okanagan and, even more exciting, locally at the Castle, thanks to the generosity of the owners and Jim Manion. From dawn to dusk, the smiles and laughter were non-stop. Marshmallows, hot dogs, pizza, pop, water fights, ghost stories and perfect weather were a great combination. A trip to the pumpkin patch in Keremeos, the vintage car 'show 'n' shine" in Penticton, a Kelowna Rockets hockey game (or better still, a Posse game!), swimming in Tulameen or cosmic bowling...whatever the activity, our folks enjoy the moments!
Community participation continues to be our goal and with the assistance of all community members this can, and does, occur and benefits everyone. We will continue to facilitate the integration of our residents and participants into community living, to encourage their participation in community events, allow them to experience new opportunities, facilitate job placements for those who are capable and interested, advocate on their behalf and celebrate their accomplishments. Their hopes, dreams, abilities and challenges are no different than yours or mine. They have good days and bad, can be cantankerous and demanding, helpful and compassionate...just like everyone else! Nurture them as you would any member of the community, make allowances as you do for others and always, before you judge, walk a mile in their shoes.
Celebrate Community Living month with us. Take a moment and ensure that each of these wonderful people who call Princeton home know that they are valued members of our community.
"If you only look at what is, you might never attain what could be."
