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Letters to the editor for the week of October 4th, 2012

Sharing our Spirit Within
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Last weekend marked a very important milestone for the staff of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. Programming, planning and production came together for an outstanding presentation of First Nations culture with a special blend of traditional and new, of expected and unexpected.

And it was all done by the staff of the SLCC.

The staff, ambassadors of the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations, delivered food, culture, art and performances that had hundreds of guests learning about, appreciating and celebrating our Spirit Within, both the collective and individual spirit inside us all.

The carvers, weavers, fashion designers, performers and graffiti artists demonstrated their art to large crowds in Village Square including hundreds who each received a personal smudging ceremony. The art market, carving, wool weaving and amazing performances throughout the day at the SLCC truly celebrated the beauty and depth of the cultures that local First Nations have to offer. Confidence and courage was offered through the inspiring words offered by a highly accomplished First Nations artists and business leaders at Millennium Place to an audience mostly made up of local First Nations youth.

The evening festival was especially a crowning achievement for the staff, as they delivered on their goal to cater in-house, for the very first time, a large-scale event with food that demonstrated a delicious fusion of traditional and new. The pride on the staff's faces was clear and shining as they served tray after tray of First Nations fare to the delight of the very appreciative crowd. The selection of performances during the evening captured the attention of the guests with a blend of stories, dance, singing and beautiful regalia and masks. Later in the evening, more modern forms of performance art were offered by energetic Nation youth with acoustic, folk, hip hop music and beautiful fashions.

Support and help were provided by many but in particular the Whistler community should be proud that the RMOW was instrumental in making this event happen with test and development funding support through the FE&A program. This festival demonstrates the important opportunity offered by the SLCC of a compelling and significant place-based cultural tourism attraction for the resort of Whistler.

Readers of this paper should plan on attending the next installment of this festival; the success and impact of last weekend inspires growth, encourages expansion, pushes for even greater plans and celebrations.

Look to the ambassadors at the SLCC, they are inspired to help us all find our Spirit Within.

Casey Vanden Heuvel

Executive Director, Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

Explanation needed for hefty fine

I am a resident of North Vancouver and moved to B.C. from Quebec this past August. Last weekend, I visited Garibaldi Park with my mother, who was visiting, and my good friend, who is a resident of Whistler. We set out for a walk to Lake Cheakamus and we brought along my dog.

Being new to the area, and my girlfriend having never hiked in the park before, we were not aware that dogs are prohibited in Garibaldi Park. Arriving at the trailhead, we took in the beautiful view and set on our way — completely missing the small signs indicating that dogs were not allowed on the trail.

About three-quarters of the way, we were stopped by two park rangers who were sitting out of sight behind a tree eating their lunch, startling us with their immediate and harshly-toned questioning of "What are you doing?" "Do you know where you are?"

They told us dogs were not allowed in the park and that we would have to be evicted. We were surprised by the news as we were unaware of this law but I realized it was my own fault as a responsible dog owner for not looking out for the signs. As we went to turn around, one of the rangers told me that I would have to provide my personal information for the $115 fine he was about to issue to me. I tried pleading my case as a new resident of B.C., oblivious to the regulations against dogs in the park, but to no avail.

There are a number of reasons why we wanted to share our experience. First of all we were shocked and appalled by the heavy-handed attitude of one of the park rangers, as he spoke to us using an extremely condescending tone and scare tactics right from the get-go. It is inexcusable to treat people with disrespect; particularly when it is a federal government employee (the female ranger was friendly and professional). The second concern was the cost of the fine. When we asked why the fine was so significant, he stated that it was so that we would tell our friends. A $30-$40 fine is enough for us to learn our lesson and spread the word. But instead, a fine this stiff not only ruined our day and enjoyment of our walk in a B.C. forest, but we will certainly be telling our friends across the nation of our terrible experience.

My girlfriend, as a Whistler resident, felt extremely embarrassed by the whole ordeal. She felt that this experience was detrimental to tourism in Whistler and would leave a bad impression on any future visitors of Garibaldi Park who are not aware of the rules.

I should also mention that the park rangers were unable to give a coherent and logical explanation for not allowing dogs in the park — they cited "leaving smells, peeing and pooping, and other wild animals," as the reasons behind this regulation. I would like to rebut that when humans enter wild habitats they too take with them their smells, sometimes their urine and excretion, as well as their garbage and vandalism. It seems to me that humans, more than dogs, may pose more of a threat to wild habitats in Garibaldi Park.

I realize that this is an issue I will have to take up with BC Parks, but it's too bad that as customer service representatives on behalf of BC Parks they weren't able to offer me the information I needed.

I would also like to say that good dog owners should carry leashes with them and leash their dogs, where necessary, as well as clean up after their dogs in all public places. I abide by these rules and understand them. What I am not clear on is why dogs are not allowed in the park at all.

If BC Parks were able to provide a sound and logical explanation as to why I have to pay $115 fine as a first time visitor to Garibaldi Park for walking my dog in the woods, it would be greatly appreciated.

Nikki Johnston

Frustrated dog lover and frequent Whistler visitor

International Day of the Girl

The United Nations has declared October 11, 2012 as the world's first International Day of the Girl Child.

Canada has led the international community in adopting this day, along with the support of Plan Canada. This day will make a difference in the lives of girls and young women as citizens and as powerful voices of change in their families, their communities and their nation.

As part of the Canadian delegation, Marie Kenny, president of the Federated Women's Institute of Canada, was present for the Honourable Rona Ambrose's (Minister of Status of Women Canada) statement to the UN General Assembly, which included launching the "International Day of the Girl Child."

The Pemberton Women's Institute has chosen to make this day a yearly celebration in our community and introduce information and support throughout the year

Why?

• Young women from 15 to 19 experience nearly 10 times the rate of dating violence as young men.

• Nearly 70 per cent of victims of Internet intimidation are women or young girls.

• Girls and young women are nearly twice as likely as young men and boys to suffer certain mental health issues, such as depression.

• Issues of body image and self-esteem remain prevalent among girls.

We, The Pemberton Women's Institute, which is part of a large international rural women's group — ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World), FWIC (The Federated Women's Institute of Canada), and the BCWI (The British Columbia Women's Institute) — are looking forward to working with the local groups in our community to promote information about law, nutrition, health care, education, training and freedom from violence and abuse.

We feel, because we are a women's organization that we have the compassion and knowledge to make a difference with the girls. Please check out the posters that will be distributed around town.

For further information on how you might celebrate the day with your friends, please go to the Status of Women website under International Day of the Girl.

Linda Ronayne, Valerie Megeney and Judith Walton

Pemberton Women's Institute

Pet First Aid? You're Kidding!

If a dog or cat were to suffer an accident, at home or while out for a walk in the city or in the countryside, would you have the confidence with your present knowledge to know how to act swiftly in order to minimize the animal's suffering? Would you have the skills or supplies necessary to save the animal's life, or at least know how to make them comfortable prior to reaching a veterinarian? Would you know how to improvise if you had no supplies?

Panic can consume some of us unfamiliar with emergency procedures especially when help is nowhere close. Having the skills to act appropriately can mean the difference between life and death.

Accidents are sudden by nature, and the mere shock of seeing one can immobilize the bystander, thereby wasting valuable time.

Doggy daycares, dog walkers, cat-sitters, groomers, and others working with dogs, cats and other animals, are currently more aware of the importance of Pet First Aid. More of them are seeking Pet First Aid courses for the protection of the precious lives in their care, and often the business owners ensure that all of their employees are trained in this important skill.

These trained people may suggest to the owners to seek veterinarian help immediately, or make other suggestions, if they are concerned about other aspects of the animals' health or wellbeing.

Early detection of disease or illness makes great economic sense too. Those who may be considering future employment in the pet care industry, or pet owners, should take the most up-to-date training available in Pet First Aid. Early detection may be crucial to the pets' health and comfort.

First Aid "Fur" Pets is offering the Walks 'N' Wags certificate course at WAG in Whistler, on October 13. Contact firstaidfurpets.com to register.

Heather Rankin

Richmond

Splashing good time

Whistler's BC Rivers Day celebrations Sunday, Sept. 30 were a splashing good time in the sunshine after all.

On behalf of the Whistler Fisheries Stewardship Group I would like to say thanks to the Whistler Sailing Association for providing sailing demonstrations, Whistler Eco Tours for offering guided voyageur canoe rides, Susan Holden for warming up the festivities with harmonious vibes, the Edgewater Lodge for their great hospitality and the Rotary Club for signing up to be the welcoming committee.

In addition, a sincere heartfelt thanks goes out to all the individuals that volunteered their time to co-host the event with interactive displays, arts and crafts, fun activities and with of course set up and take down. The day would not have been possible without generous support from the community.

I am very grateful to be part of such an amazing community nestled in a magnificent natural environment. Finally a special shout out to thank all those who work hard at keeping that way.

Julie Burrows

Whistler Fisheries Stewardship Group

Super Service from WAVE

After arriving at post #1 on Sept. 26 to catch the bus to Pemberton, I noticed that the shelter was deserted, normally there are at least 10 or 15 people there, so I figured I had missed something.... and not just the bus..... I asked another driver about the scheduled departure time. He told me: "Yes sir, you are late, he left two minutes ago."

Apparently I had not kept up with the latest schedule change. However, he did not hesitate and immediately got on his radio and asked the Pemberton driver (Mark) if he could come back to the Gondola Transit. The Supervisor on Duty (Terry) overheard the conversation and took charge. He directed Mark to continue to Meadow Park and wait there while he came to the Gondola exchange to pick me up and drive me to the waiting Pemberton bus at Meadow Park.

Now, that's service.

I've read a few negative comments about Whistler Transit over the last few months, so I thought that they deserve some praise too. Way to go Terry and Mark and the unknown driver of Connector 1 who set all this in motion. Terry also provided me with a Rider's Guide but unfortunately the Pemberton schedule is not included in it, so I guess I can use that as my excuse for missing the bus..... As a bonus, the other commuters were not too upset having to wait for my personalized arrival.

Thanks very much for the excellent level of customer service from a Pemberton commuter.

Robert Wezenbeek

Pemberton

Whistler Transit — a bunch of good guys!

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to the bus driver and Stacy Robertson from Whistler Transit for returning my wallet to me on Saturday morning.

I had not even realized my wallet was missing when Stacy came by my work to return it about an hour after I had left it on the bus.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

You guys are truly genuine caring people and I hope Karma is returned to you in the same way. What great ambassadors you are for Whistler Transit!

Kerri Jones

Whistler

MPs vote on Motion 312 a concern

I was deeply disappointed to learn that our MP, John Weston, chose to vote in support of a motion to re-open the abortion debate and threaten a woman's right to choice. The motion (312) was a private member's initiative that sought to create a special committee of the House to review the Criminal Code provision that states that a child's rights begin at the moment of birth.

The motion was widely considered to be an indirect attempt by the Conservative MP, Stephen Woodworth, to revive the abortion debate. Notwithstanding a firm commitment by the Conservative Party of Canada and Prime Minister Harper to not introduce abortion legislation, the party allowed the contentious motion to be presented to the House of Commons on September 26.

As a free-vote, MPs were not forced to vote along party lines. The prime minister, and many leading conservatives, spoke against the motion; however, 96 per cent of the support (87 of 91 yes votes) came from Conservative MPs. Opposition to the motion came from all parties, with many MPs citing their responsibility to protect basic human rights, such as a woman's right to control her own body. Other MPs claimed that a point of personal conscience couldn't trump questions of fundamental rights. Of interest, some MPs who personally supported the motion, voted against it because their support would not represent their constituent's interests.

Motion 312 would have broken a promise by the Conservative Party to not reopen the abortion debate. Any retraction of Canada's laws allowing abortion would erode a century of hard-fought progress on woman's rights and their equal place in Canadian society. The interests of the West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky constituents would have been better represented by opposition to the anti-abortion motion.

Doug Hooper,

Bowen Island

Hard to take fitness bill seriously

On Sept. 24, local MP John Weston passed a new Fitness Bill that encourages local governments across Canada to open sports facilities for free public access, on the first Saturday of June each year.

Weston added, "We should be aiming to be the fittest nation on earth. People from all parties and backgrounds are realizing that together we can improve people's health; reduce health care costs, and benefit the economy."

I find it troubling that a fitness buff such as Mr. Weston, a regular participant in the GranFondo and the Whistler Half Marathon, fails to (or chooses not to) connect the dots that affect our overall health.

Everything is hitched to everything else on this earth, and frankly, I no longer trust our federal Conservative government to manage our overall health and safety.

Free use of a playing field once a year is easily negated if Canadians are living without clean air or water, or if the health of corporations (imaginary people) is more important than public health (real people).

Case in point. On Feb. 4, 2013, Canadians will lose their right to purchase many herbs and vitamins when UPLAR (Natural Health Products Unprocessed Product Licence Applications Regulations) goes into effect. Under Bill C-38, Health Canada (Canada's FDA) will have legal authority to pull unlicensed herbs and vitamins off the shelves, with jail time and fines against the sellers. Vitamins currently available in health food stores will be replaced with low-dosage, inferior products made by pharmaceutical companies. Health Canada alone will determine whether a product is safe or effective.

An ill-informed government agency has no role in deciding what we use as medicine, or the natural, unadulterated foods we choose to consume.

The current Conservative government is failing the health and safety of Canadians by refusing to label GMOs found in our food, and by gutting Canada's stringent environmental laws to favour mining and oil interests above the common good, such as fisheries. Its push to approve the controversial Northern Gateway Pipeline Project at all costs will devastate our pristine coastlines and coastal communities forever.

Our elected officials need to start thinking less about their six-figure pensions and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and focus on the long-term well-being of the people they represent.

You can't become the fittest people on earth when the food and water you're consuming is making you sick, and our farms and rivers are turning into wastelands for fracking residue and tailings ponds.

If our MPs are serious about reducing our country's health care costs, they need to place their neo-conservative ideology aside and reinstate the hundreds of jobs cut by the Harper government at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, so that the recent E. coli disaster doesn't repeat itself.

Pina Belperio

Whistler

Thank you from Big Brothers Big Sisters

It is rather fitting that Thanksgiving is on the way because BBBS has a lot of people to thank this fall.

Thank-you to Casper, Luke and the rest of The Keg/Brandys team for putting on a SOLD OUT golf tournament. I thank each an every participant for supporting our programs as we hope to support 150 children this year in the Sea to Sky corridor. The support from this community continues to impress me!

Thank-you to Creekbread for holding a benefit night for us. It is incredible that each week there is an opportunity to donate to non-profit organizations. Keep up the great work!

Thank-you to Nesters for assisting us with snacks at our programs and fundraisers!

We are still recruiting adult and teen mentors in the Sea to Sky corridor. If you are interested in having fun, while making a difference for our community, it only takes one hour per week to become a friend to a child in need of a little extra attention. Build a friendship by playing games, doing art and crafts or just hang out. Visit beamentorseatosky.com or email: seatoskyinfo@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca for more information.

Lindsay Debou

Mentoring Coordinator

Whistler