Inside
◆ Girl Guide off to camp - pg 3 ◆ Editorial - pg 4
◆ Bear aware - pg 5 ◆ Classifieds - pg 10-11
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PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016
NEWS BRIEFS
Have your say when it comes to road repair BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier
Do you keep hitting those potholes on Ash Street? Or maybe it’s the bumps on Second Ave West? The residents of Fort St. James are invited to have their say and fill out an on-line survey regarding the roads that they think need repairing. Dave Stewart, superintendent of Public Works in Fort St. James says that he wanted to try something different this year. “I wanted to try something new. I think it’s important that people have their say. I want to get their opinion and find out if we were all headed in the right direction,” Stewart said. “If I don’t hear about the problem areas, then I won’t know how big of a problem it is. It’s all about getting a dialogue going. That is the main reasoning behind this.” To fill out the survey, Fort St. James residents can visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QHHSHZV
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Canadian artist visits Fort St. James BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier
For Roy Vickers, it’s all about telling stories, teaching, guiding and passing down history. “There’s a reason why we are always told, listen to our elders,” Vickers said. Vickers visited the Community Centre in Fort St. James on April 14. The community was invited to hear his stories and receive a sneak peak of his latest book, Peace Dancer which will be out in a few weeks. The free event was hosted by the Aboriginal Services Plan of the College of New Caledonia, Fort St. James Campus. Vickers is a Canadian artist best known around the world for his limited edition prints. He is also an accomplished carver, design advisor of prestigious public spaces, a public speaker, publisher and author of several successful books. Francois and Ruby Prince, from Fort St. James welcomed Vickers in song with The Grizzly Bear Song. “Every song has a story,” Vickers said. “And everyone has their own story. It’s the most important thing to share, to share your story with your children so that they can understand why you are the way you are, it’s so important.” There’s no doubt, Vickers emotional at times, spoke from the heart. “If you speak from the heart, hearts will hear you. If you only speak from the head, then only heads will hear you. Speak with emotion and truth. The truth has light,” Vickers said. For Vickers, knowledge isn’t just school based. It comes from history that is passed down from generation to gen-
eration. “Knowledge was handed down before schools. Schools were on the land. Wouldn’t it be something if we could if we could bring the schools back to the land today. It’s our responsibility to bring back these valuable teachings,” Vickers said. Vickers shared story after story with the community and even shared a song that encouraged all present to join in. Vickers is also recognised as a spokesperson regarding recovery from addiction and abuse. “If it wasn’t for the old people who taught me that life was a gift, I would have ended my life. It’s so easy to lose your way but it’s just as easy to find it.” Recovery is all about recovering the strength, truth and beauty you were born with, it’s not just about sobriety,” Vickers said. So what is it that inspired Vickers to be an artist? “It was discrimination that inspired me,” Vickers said. “Not racism. There is a difference. We are all one race. We are all human beings.” Vickers was open to answer questions and offered a book signing at the end of his presentation. Community members shared thanks with Vickers and he too was thankful have shared his stories with Fort St James. “We all make a difference in this world,” Vickers said. “You are at the centre of your family, your family is at the centre of your community, your community is at the centre of the country and the country is at the centre of the world. So, it all comes around. You can all make a difference in Canadian Artist, Roy Vickers, shared his stories with the this world.” community of Fort St. James on April 14. Photo by Barbara Latkowski
Rail safety is everyone’s responsibility Promoting rail safety is a year-round initiative at CN. We are constantly working to strengthen our safety culture by informing and engaging community members to help spread the word. This April 25-May 1, during Rail Safety Week, we are especially focused on the message “see tracks, think trains.” Every year we see far
too many injuries and fatalities as a result of easily avoidable accidents. Many tragedies take place every year as a result of trespassing – crossing or walking along railway tracks at any place other than a designated level crossing. The railway is not a safe place for kids to play, and it’s not safe for adults to take
shortcuts across it. The high risk of an accident is why CN Police across our system work to identify the highest risk areas for trespassing, and develop targeted strategies to reduce incidents. We’re counting on everyone in the communities we serve to follow the rules and discourage others from risky behaviours.
We also work hard to raise awareness of and prevent crossing accidents. Remember, trains can’t stop quickly, and can’t swerve to avoid a collision. That’s why it is so important to obey all railway crossing signs and signals, and to stop fully and check the tracks before driving through an uncontrolled crossing. By looking out for each
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other we can keep our communities safe. We encourage you to report any dangerous acts to CN Police, local police, parents, or your teachers. Trespassing on CN property is illegal. If caught, you could receive a fine of $115.00 – but you could also pay a far steeper price in the event of an accident.