HEALTHY LIVING CHALLENGE Keremeos Mayor first to sign up See page 3
DIGGING OUT AND UP Another week battling winter conditions See page 10
PIPING IN THE HAGIS Okanagan Falls Legion holds Robbie Burns night See page 10
Review E H
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www.keremeosreview.com
Vol.16 Number 6
Thursday, February 7, 2013
PM Agreement #40012521
“Idle No More” rally in the park
Meeting in Memorial Park calls for collective action on environmental issues By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com
Members of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band staged an “Idle No More” rally on Sunday, February 3 at the gazebo in Memorial Park. The grass roots, non-political meeting attracted members from throughout the Similkameen community, including local politicians Electoral Area “B” Director George Bush and Keremeos Councillor Arlene Arlow. “This is for our youth,” declared event organizer and band Environment Coordinator Carrie Terbasket - Benson as the proceedings began shortly after 11 a.m. “It’s about the land, the environment, Photo by Steve Arstad our water.” A number of native drummers were also present, adding ceremony to the rally in between speakers, who were for the most Tessa Terbasket speaks to those gathered at Sunday’s Idle No More information and hand drum rally staged in Memorial Park part, band members. as co-organizer Carrie Terbasket-Benson looks on in the background. Tessa Terbasket noted that environmenthe white man’s tendency to make up environmental should have limits, beyond which the money genertal concerns were everyone’s responsibility, laws that can be changed, while First Nation’s views ated wasn’t worth the envirionmental damage done “not just an Indian thing.” She spoke of the loss of the pristine nature of the of the environment have their roots in the history of - was challenged more than once. One speaker talked of a prophecy handed told by Simikameen - how it was no longer safe to drink their people, and are unchanging. his grandmother of a time when “all races would be “These little gatherings plant a seed,” said another, water right out of the Similkameen River, like her speaking more broadly about large environmentally standing up to fight for the land and water. ancestors did. Think with your heart,” he told the gathering in controversial projects like the proposed Northern “Why aren’t we being proactive?” she asked. conclusion. “The government doesn’t seem to recognize the Gateway pipeline. Event organizer Carrie Terbasket - Benson said “I like money too, but not at the cost they want.” rights we have,” added another native speaker. The rally appeared to centre on concerns about she was pleased with the meeting, which took place “We’ve got to stop this (environmental degradation) or we won’t be here long, and it’s starting to the future of the valley’s quality water supply, and in in below freezing weather. She hopes to build on a broader view, the world wide appetite for develop- Sunday’s initiative with further rallies to build awareshow all over the world.” LSIB Band Chief Robert Edwards extended wel- ment of environmentally harmful infrastructure. The ness of native environmental and federal government come to all who attended the session. He spoke of idea of development at any cost - that development issues with the coming of more springlike weather.