The Free Press, January 30, 2014

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Family Literacy Day at the Fernie Heritage Library

Clinching the playoffs - Page 20 ARTS

From the hive to the canvas - Page 18 ELK VALLEY

Elk Valley Community Directed Funds - Page 4

Story time at the Fernie Heritage Library included children practicing their musical talents strumming colourful ukuleles and singing songs.

Photo by T. Hynd

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE East Kootenay

PREPARE FOR YOUR BIG DAY Reservations essential for the perfect wedding

SURVIVAL KITof Have you thought everything?

Cemetery committee turmoil leaves unmarked burial grounds in limbo By Nicole Obre Free Press Staff

A

full year after two community members brought forward their concerns about additional burial grounds outside of St. Margaret’s Cemetery, the first meeting of the Fernie Cemetery Committee was held on Tuesday, January 21. What was intended to bring those concerned together with the City to work towards a solution and monument, ended in turmoil and confusion. John Gawryluk and Corlyn

Haarstad have spent almost 15 years gathering data and records from the Fernie and District Historical Society, the City of Fernie, B.C. archives, newspaper articles, and obituary notices. They believe that inaccurate record keeping and the improper designation of cemetery boundaries has led to the misplacement and/ or removal of 385 people that died and were buried in Fernie. The pair have also confirmed the existence of what they believe to be four additional burial areas outside of St. Margaret’s Cemetery and within City boundaries. This includes a

small chain link fenced cemetery at the Silver Ridge Estates. They brought their findings to the City of Fernie in January 2013 to ask for help in working towards a solution. After months of waiting for a response, Fernie council decided in June 2013 to form a committee to deal with the issues. The City began advertising for interested volunteers to sit on the Cemetery Committee, whose mandate was originally stated as being a group that would “assist in identifying a suitable location for the placement of a monument to

honour those individuals who have been laid to rest in unmarked graves and address the issues surrounding the potential burial grounds outside of St. Margaret’s Cemetery.” Appointed to sit on the committee last August was Mayor Mary Giuliano and Councillor Joni Krats, two representatives from the Fernie Heritage Cemetery Restoration Society, a representative from the Fernie & District Historical Society, and three representatives from the community, Gawryluk and Haarstad, as well as Dan Ste. Marie.

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