PRINCE RUPERT VOL. 10 NO. 06
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
ALL NATIVE TIPS OFF
FREE
Brain leaves job to focus on mayor’s role
Feature
To begin full-time March 1
Heart of our city: Kate Toye Page A5
BY SHAUN THOMAS PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View
Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain has resigned from his position with the Prince Rupert School District and will be turning his full attention to his role at city hall. “I’ve been doing full-time mayor’s work at the moment and every day have been doing work with the school district. What would happen is I would go to work, but then be pulled out for city business and I didn’t - Lee Brain feel this was fair to my employer,” Brain said, noting he is done with his current job at the end of this month. “I’m doing it because it needs to be done ... we have so much going on in town that for us to hit the mark we could be hitting, I need to be available in a full-time capacity.”
“I’m doing it because it needs to be done.”
Community Organizers prepare for Homecoming Page A10 Kevin Campbell / The Northern View
Hannah McKay of the Gitxaala Nation’s Kitkatla Lady Warriors is guarded by Prince Rupert Rain’s Caroline Purnell during opening round Women’s Division action on Sunday at the 56th Annual All Native Basketball Tournament. The Rain dropped the Lady Warriors 93-27. For a look at the opening ceremonies, see Page A4.
See BRAIN on Page A2
Oil and gas money ruining All Native: Saints
Business
BY SHAUN THOMAS
Business Excellence nominees Pages A11-13
Sports Stewart picks up quick victory Page A17 D
SOL
PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View
The three-time defending All Native Basketball Tournament Seniors Division champions, the Skidegate Saints, are calling for an end to oil and gas industry support of the event which they say is compromising the overall tournament experience. In a letter dated Jan. 21 and signed by 14 members of the team, the Saints call on the tournament committee to reject “compromising” sponsorship from companies planning to export oil or liquefied natural gas from the North Coast — including current sponsors BG Canada, Pacific NorthWest LNG and Aurora LNG — as well as those planning to construct pipelines to carry the product to the terminal, such as current sponsor TransCanada. There are no companies associated with oil movement sponsoring this year’s tournament. The Saints, who will look for their fourth
125 X 100 LOT
straight title this week, claim the presence this sponsorship provides has ruined some of the enjoyment of years past. “Looking back at photos and memories from last year, we can’t help but be saddened by the propaganda of the oil and gas industry littered throughout the civic centre. These great memories are tainted with the sponsorship signs and imply an acceptance of the industry by all participants and communities,” wrote the team. “The co-opting of the All Native Basketball Tournament by the oil and gas industry is an attempt to gain a social licence for their illconceived projects and is yet another chapter in this continual assault on our culture and way of life ... we are in opposition to the fracked liquefied natural gas and oil projects that are being proposed and if playing in the tournament is associated with these projects, then we will have to consider not attending the tournament in the future.”
Part of the expenses incurred by the tournament come from a per diem paid to players and coaches still competing, a number that reached $45,000 in 2013, but the Saints say that is an expense they could do without. “We are not there for the fancy prizes or per diem, but for the pride of representing our nation,” the team wrote. When contacted by Black Press, 2014 Best Defensive Player Jason Alsop said the team has not yet had a response from the tournament committee. However, he had nothing further to say on the matter. “I think the letter speaks for itself and we have nothing else to add,” he said. All Native Basketball Tournament president Peter Haugan declined to comment on the letter or the request of the Saints to forgo sponsorship from oil and gas companies, but noted the tournament has turned down oil-related sponsorship in the past.
Gordon Kobza
The Power of Experience Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. As a licensed 1166 10th Ave East $329,500
realtor with over 25 years of experience, whether you are selling or buying, I am here to guide you through every phase of the process with skill and integrity. For a free consultation please call or e-mail me today. I look forward to helping you find the perfect home!
www.gordonkobza.com
250.624.9298 Suite 6 - 342 3rd Ave W. info@gordonkobza.com