MONDAY APRIL 7, 2014
HOCKEY SCHOOL
CONTEST
Win two scholarships to the Niedermayer Hockey School. See LOCAL NEWS page 3
WHL PLAYOFFS
MADNESS IN THE HAT
Kootenay Ice, Medicine Hat Tigers tangle in Round 2 See SPORTS page 7
THE BULLETIN PROUDLY SERVING KIMBERLEY AND AREA SINCE 1932 | Vol. 82, Issue 64 | www.dailybulletin.ca
Ktunaxa lose Jumbo court challenge Proposed B.C. ski resort doesn’t violate grizzly bear spirit rights: judge C AROLYN GR ANT editor@dailybulletin.ca
The Ktunaxa Nation has lost its legal challenge to the Jumbo Glacier Resort in B.C.’s Supreme Court. The First Nation took action after Glacier Resorts was given a green light from the Ministry of Forests and Lands in March 2012 for construction in Upper Jumbo Valley, 55 kilometres west of Invermere. Arguing the proposed resort violated its charter rights to religious freedom, the Ktunaxa asked the court to rule the project would desecrate sacred land and practices. Ktunaxa Leader Kathryn Teneese says the First Nation is “obviously disappointed” in the ruling and has not yet made a decision on how to proceed. “We felt we invested a
lot of time, energy and resources in trying to bring the best case forward,” she said Friday. Teneese says that the Ktunaxa knew it would be difficult to have the court understand just what exactly was being brought forward. “I think that the idea of the development interfering with our spiritual and religious beliefs has not been dealt with before. It is outside of the box. The court is being asked to understand the connection of First Nations, all First Nations across Canada, to the land. “Essentially, the court is saying we recognize the impact on your spiritual beliefs but don’t know how to deal with it.” “If the Grizzly Bear Spirit leaves Qat’muk, the Ktunaxa say they will no longer be able to receive physical or spiritual assistance and guidance from that spirit,’’ the judge said in his 124page ruling. “Their rituals and songs about the Grizzly Bear Spirit will lose all meaning and efficacy.’’ See KTUNAXA, page 3
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CAROLYN GRANT PHOTO
There were cheers aplenty Saturday at the Kimberley Alpine Resort as Paralympic gold and silver medalist Josh Dueck was given a hometown hero’s welcome. Officially welcoming Josh home were Ted Funston, KAR, Lloyd Steeves, Kimberley Disabled Skiers Association and Mayor Ron McRae.
Gold medalist welcomed home C AROLYN GR ANT editor@dailybulletin.ca
Josh Dueck received a warm welcome home to the ski hill where it all began on Saturday when he appeared at Spring Splash. Dueck spoke briefly to the crowd telling them he still felt he had to pinch himself to see if he was dreaming. He’d come a long way, he said, from ten years ago when he was faced with life in a wheelchair.
He also said that it was small town community roots and support from home that kept him grounded through all the hype and pressure of the Paralympics.’ “Kimberley will always be my hometown,” he said. Dueck was officially welcomed by Mayor Ron McRae, who presented him with a lucky loonie to match the one struck by the Canadian Mint in honour of Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The hometown of every medal winner re-
ceived a commemorative plaque. Dueck’s will hang at Kimberley City Hall. He was also welcomed by Lloyd Steeves of the Kimberley Disabled Skiers Association, who gave an update on the race season at KAR and KAR manager Ted Funston who presented Dueck with special gifts for his new baby daughter Nova. The gifts included a Kimberley Alpine Resort onesie and Nova’s first ski pass, which Funston said he hoped would be the first of many.
Caldwell Agencies
290 Wallinger Avenue, Kimberley ❘ 250-427-2221 ❘ www.caldwellagencies.com
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