50
e Home WelcothmAnniversary House Mile
ee
Pre ss
f 100 District o
se
ile
0M
$1.30
©10
Hou
Fr
July 18-26 2015
ST
June 11, 2015
Includes G
Two Sections, 40 pages
100milefreepress.net
‘Be honest about our history’ says NDP candidate Gaven Crites Free Press
LOCAL GIRLS SHINE AT GYMNASTICS EVENT A20
LIFE OF LOCAL PIONEER HONOURED B1
INSIDE
opinion A8 letters A9 entertainment A23 sports A19 community B1 classifieds B8
The voice of the South Cariboo since 1960 How to reach us: Ph: 250-395-2219 Fax: 250-395-3939 www.100milefreepress.net mail@100milefreepress.net
A meeting between the NDP candidate campaigning to represent this riding in the upcoming federal election and Canim Lake Band leaders was made more poignant with the long-awaited and much-anticipated release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report on the same day (June 2). The TRC, which for six years investigated the notorious history of residential schools in Canada, made 94 policy recommendations to help achieve reconciliation between First Nations people and the rest of Canada. The report documents thousands of deaths, physical and sexual abuse, substandard education, malnutrition, and a government policy of “cultural genocide” in the residential school system, led by church and government officials, which saw the removal of First Nations children from their families in an attempt to suppress and destroy aboriginal culture. “Canadians are a very compassionate and just people, but we also have to seize this moment to be honest about our history,” says Bill Sundhu, NDP candidateforKamloopsThompson-Cariboo. “We know the history of the country, Continued on A5
Chris Nickless photo
Richard Wright and Patrice Bowler had a lot of fun during the auction at the Theatre Royal fundraiser for the Cache Creek flash flood victims in Martin Exeter Hall on June 5. The dedicated Newman & Wright Theatre Company cast finished an afternoon performance in Barkerville at 2 p.m., put on a great performance in 100 Mile House that evening and arrived back in Barkerville at 2 a.m. The event raised more than $6,800. See more photos on page A13.
Barkerville benefit a boon
Carole Rooney Free Press
The devastating flash flood that recently hit the Village of Cache Creek prompted some folks to hold a benefit auction and concert in 100 Mile House on June 5. The idea was conceived by Richard Wright and Amy Newman (Newman & Wright Theatre Company). Live entertainment was provided by Newman & Wright’s Theatre Royal cast, along with speakers from Cache Creek, 100 Mile House, Quesnel and Barkerville. Wright says the event raised more than $6,800 for flood victims and their families. “We were really pleased to do
it and we felt it was a great success. All the cast was excited by it and it was a fantastic audience. “They really did a bang-up job of it and that excitement also helped [in the success] I think.” The benefit show happened in “large part” due to 100 Mile House Free Press publisher Chris Nickless, Wright adds. While several people had told Wright it was a good idea, he says Nickless was the one who immediately seized and ran with it. “It wouldn’t have happened without him.” Nickless says it was an “unbelievable” show with great performances and a terrific turnout. “A huge thanks has to go to
the Theatre Royal for going above and beyond to make this benefit show happen.” He notes the troupe was performing their regular show in Barkerville until 2 p.m. the same day, and was on stage at Martin Exeter Hall for the benefit by 6 p.m. and then back home at 2 a.m. before another show later in the day. Many 100 Mile House and area, Wells and Barkerville merchants contributed to the auction items, and several local volunteers helped make the show a success. Wright says in-kind donations totalled more than $10,000 for the cast’s time, the Red Rock Grill’s sponsorship, Barkerville’s personnel and a vehicle, and other
show supports. However, he adds hearing some Cache Creek residents are having difficulty getting financial aid from the province was “disappointing and distressing.” One family was rejected because they had not moved into their new house yet, which was badly damaged in the flood, but had just sold the home where they were living, he notes. Village of Cache Creek fundraising committee chair, Councillor Wyatt McMurray, says legislation is the issue, not the Disaster Financial Assistance program staff that is doing the best it can to assist the victims. Continued on A4