InteriorNEWS THE
SMITHERS, B.C.
105th Year - Week 47
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
www.interior-news.com
PM 40007014
BANTAM SUCCESS
Smithers/Interior News
SPORTS/A13
DIABETES CARE Shelley Irvine helps diabetics manage.
COMMUNITY/A9
FORD RECOGNIZED Donald Ford receives Jubilee medal for community service.
OUR TOWN/A23
INSIDE A7 A13 A19 A23 B1 B11
SKY’S THE LIMIT The Harlem Crowns electrified the Moricetown crowd with high-flying acrobatics, but the message during half-time to ‘Steer clear from drugs through sport’ was the highlight.
Jerome Turner photo
FILL UP THE TRUCK
Kyahwood gets nod
By Jerome Turner
BV Wholesale wins in Terrace 5-0
LETTERS SPORTS COMMUNITY OUR TOWN THREE RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS
Single Copy • $1.34 ($1.20 + 14¢ HST)
SANTA’S MEALS for KIDS
Thursday, Nov. 29th Join
Kyahwood Forest Products, owned and operated by the Moricetown Band, received recognition at the B.C. Aboriginal Business Awards’ Gala last Monday in Vancouver for the community owned business of the year. The organization sent its general manager and a supervisor to the Gala to receive the award, but back at the mill the work continues. “We run three shifts around the clock seven days a week,” Gary McKinnon, Kyahwood manager, said. McKinnon knows exactly why the mill, which makes finger joint boards for side paneling, is so successful. “Everyone that works here knows we have a target per day and they never hesitate to stay as long as needed to hit that target.” Kyahwood is now fully owned by the Moricetown Band, where previously Houston’s Canfor mill was part-owner. The mill has had to overcome some difficult times, with the most recent challenge being the economic crash, which paralyzed the mill for around 14 months. During those months the community was noticeably depressed. “There was a huge rise in substance abuse,” Barry Nikal, Kyahwood manager, said. “As soon as the mill started up, that stuff disappeared almost immediately.” Community leaders are undoubtably proud of their accomplishment. “We probably have the lowest unemployment rate of any First Nation in the area because of our mill,” Victor Jim, Moricetown Band councillor, said. The mill employs over 70 people and most of them are from Moricetown, so that the capacity of the village rises steadily. “We do have people from outside our community working for us,” McKinnon said. “But we try to keep our people employed as much as possible.” Nikal, who was one of the original 13 workers, is a testament to the mill’s capacity to nurture its members. “I started out as a security guard when this mill began,” Nikal said. “We train all our people here to move up when possible.” See KYAH on p. A2
Sunday, Dec. 2nd 9:00 am - 12 Noon to help the Smithers Food Bank
see page A-28
Bring in a non-parishable food item to the Hudson Bay Lodge