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Recognition of First Nations needed, says anthropologist
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Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Formal recognition by B.C. cities that they are founded on unceded aboriginal territories would go a long way toward lasting reconciliation with First Nations, said Dr. David Schaepe. Recognition of this kind by city officials would boost the “fairness” in the relationship, he said. Schaepe was commenting on the move by City of Vancouver to proclaim 2014 as a Year of Reconciliation, acknowledging lasting impacts of the residential school system. The goal was to “heal from the past, and build new relationships between aboriginal peoples and all Vancouverites, built on a foundation of openness, dignity, understanding and hope.” City of Vancouver’s decision to formally recognize that it was founded on unceded territories of three First Nations might just encourage other local governments to do the same, Schaepe said. Although everyone is in the midst of an election campaign right now for local government, he emphasized that his interest in these issues is not political, per se. “This might however be an ideal discussion topic to be raised during the current election campaign,” said Schaepe. Maybe during candidates’ meetings that often get scheduled during elections. “I say this as someone with a background in aboriginal rights and land claims issues. Not as a politician, but as an academic and someone who has worked in the Sto:lo community for two decades.” Schaepe is director of Sto:lo Research and Resource Management Centre, and senior archeologist for Sto:lo Nation. He’s also an adjunct professor at SFU’s School of Resource and Environmental Management, and an instructor of Land Claims at UFV. Any opportunity to raise the profile of that relationship with reconciliation
Hot summer blamed for Sardis Park fish kill Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Visitors to Sardis Park were shocked Thursday morning to see hundreds of dead fish on the banks of the pond. City of Chilliwack staff were dispatched to the park after the phones started ringing at city hall. Early findings from the investigation showed that low levels of dissolved oxygen were to blame for the die-off of between 500 and 700 fish, which were identified as largescale suckers and sculpin.
The water-testing and cleanup were conducted with the assistance of the City of Chilliwack’s senior environmental watercourse specialist. “The testing revealed that the dissolved oxygen levels were not sufficient to support fish life,” according to the city press release. There were no trout or salmonids amidst the suckers and sculpin. It turns out that a minimum of two milligrams per litre is required to sustain fish, and the dissolved oxygen levels in the middle of the pond were at an average of 1.6 mg per litre.
“In order to increase dissolved oxygen levels in the pond, operations staff filled the pond with dechlorinated water and monitored the inflow at the pond to confirm that no chlorine residual was present.” The remaining fish quickly congregated around the inflow stream and appeared to rally. “Staff will continue flushing until the dissolved oxygen levels improve.” The long dr y summer and fall conditions may have played a significant role in the decreased oxygen levels, say officials.
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Kennedy Prachnau (11), along with (in background) Carter Fawcett (9), and Parker Prachnau (9), fill an order of 175 pumpkins for a customer for an upcoming Halloween party. With the recent warm and sunny weather, Prachnau Farms on Lickman Road has been busier than normal lately. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
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With the water level in the pond so low, and with little to no outflow movement, the water may have become stagnant, causing the deterioration in the dissolved oxygen levels. “The City of Chilliwack has never experienced fish mortality like this at Sardis Pond and will continue to monitor the situation in the days to come,” said the release. Officials expect the fish to repopulate naturally, and will not be replacing them, they confirmed yesterday. jfeinberg@theprogress.com twitter.com/chwkjourno