The Chilliwack
Progress
Since 1891
Wed Wednesday dnesd day
13 Scene
Music
Arena tour for local musicians. Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
•
4
23
Market
Rugby High school
News
Sports
Real estate records fall in April. FOUNDED IN 1891
•
W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M
rugby action. •
W E D N E S D AY, M AY 1 1 , 2 0 1 6
Rally underlines right to ‘sacred salmon’ Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Salmon are integral to who they are as a people. That’s the essence of what Shxwha:y Chief Robert Gladstone had to say at the Pilalt Fishery Rally on the steps of the Chilliwack Law Courts Tuesday morning. The local chief was charged last March with one count of contravening the federal Fisheries Act by fishing for salmon, during a closed time. “A year ago when this happened, I wasn’t thinking of making a grandstand or a legal challenge.” Rather he was thinking about how as a boy he was taught by his elder all the ways and ceremonies of “the Indian people.” The lone salmon seized last spring by DFO, along with his gear, was destined for their sacred First Salmon ceremony, which Gladstone said he was taught to observe and revere by his grandmother. “That salmon is the body of Christ to our people,” said Gladstone. He was taught it was a relationship that’s existed for thousands of years. “We didn’t want to break any laws, and we’re not trying to break the rules. I just needed to make an old lady happy.” Following the wishes of the elders, “it’s the rule of our society,” Gladstone underlined. He’s ready for what awaits in the courtroom. “I believe that they are trying to make an example of me, and if that’s the case so be it. But I want it to be a good thing,” Chief Gladstone said. Continued: SALMON/ p7
Shxwha:y Chief Robert Gladstone waves to supporters outside the Chilliwack courthouse Tuesday morning. JENNIFER FEINBERG/ THE PROGRESS
Retail 85¢ Box $1.00
Chilliwack resident Jamie Cunningham shakes hands with truck driver and organizer Gordon VanLaerhoven, as he donates a box of food to the cause. JENNFIER FEINBERG/ THE PROGRESS
Truckloads of support from the ’Wack to Fort Mac Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Chilliwack responded to the Fort Mac disaster with a massive outpouring of generosity and support. Truck driver Gord VanLaerhoven came up with the idea to drive emergency supplies up to some of the 88,000 victims evacuated from Fort McMurray wildfires. He told The Progress he was hoping they’d have enough to fill one 53-foot tractor trailer with donations. He had planned to pay for the gas himself. Vanlaerhoven, 31, asked to borrow a company truck from his boss at Bulldog Transport, who said yes to the idea right away. “I never dreamed it would grow this big,” he said. Chilliwack came out in droves. The far end of the mall parking lot was a complete zoo by mid-afternoon Friday, and they realized it was going to fill more
than one tractor trailer. There was enough to fill four semi trucks, and the gas money was covered. “It was quite surreal,” VanLaerhoven said. “Especially after all of the bad stuff that had happened. This just made people feel so positive.”
He estimated they collected goods worth more than $300,000 and another $20,000 in cash. People jumped into action when he put out the call online for help and donations. They started filling the truck on Thursday from a staging area in the parking lot with the help of
Volunteers help to fill one of four semi trucks on Friday night with supplies for distribution in Fort McMurray. JENNIFER FEINBERG/ PROGRESS
a forklift and several volunteers. They continued all day Friday. In the end, the convoy of semi tractor trailers full of much-needed supplies headed out of town at about 5 p.m. on Friday night with people cheering them on along the road, and a police escort to the highway. They were Albertabound with tonnes of brand-new goods for the victims of the Fort McMurray wildfires. It was everything from dog food, diapers, and diabetic needles. There were bed-in-bags, and pillows to palettes of water, baby formula, wipes, non-perishables, toys and much more. It rejuvenated people’s spirits to see the outpouring of support, like Ann Derouin who posted on the “Chilliwack For Fort Mac” page about how great Chilliwack is: “What I saw volunteering today rekindled my hope in humanity. To see businesses, families, people on social assistance, seniors on fixed incomes, all come together to donate to the Continued: AMAZING/ p5
PLUS PST
12-12T JA13