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Cranbrook
Vol. 70, Issue 93
Proudly serving Cranbrook and area since 1946
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Dedicated to healing and culture Robert Williams Presented with the City’s 2015 Sustainable Community Builder Award Monday
B A R RY CO U LT E R
A member of the ?Aq’am (St. Mary’s) band has been named 2015 Sustainable Community Builder Award by the City of Cranbrook.
Robert Williams is a Ktunaxa elder, specialising in archaeology and GIS, whose vision led to the creation of Tipi Mountain Native Plants. Tipi Mountain is the pre-
mier native plant nursery in the Southern Interior/Kootenays. With Tipi Mountain, Williams is known for his leadership in environmental stewardship practices,
and can always be found at the forefront of restoration and reclamation programs, working to ensure plants and animals are left with a habitat to benefit future
generations. “Robert’s dedication to the lands surrounding the entire region is unparalleled,” wrote ?aq’am Chief Jim Whitehead in a nomination letter. “Whether ensul’ing that careful practices are carded out in all aspects of land development, archeology or reclamation, he is a leader in good stewardship practices.” Williams has spearheaded numerous events that bring healing and reconciliation to those around him, and facilitates healing circles for individuals to come together and council each other in a holistic setting
free from judgement. “Robert has dedicated many·hours of his time in an effort to better the lives of members in the community of ?aq’am, as well as First Nation peoples in the territory at large,”wrote Jody Gravelle, Chief Operating Officer for the ?Aq’am Band. As an example, Williams volunteers his time with healing circles, which help individuals find peace from past abuses. He “takes the lead in counselling and supporting those who ask,” Gravelle wrote.
See WILLIAMS, Page 3
Man pleads guilty to home invasion RCMP
BARRY COULTER PHOTO
The Great Jackson Pollock Paint-Out was one of the featured events at the inaugural Back Alley Arts Festival in downtown Cranbrook Saturday, May 28. A production of the Cranbrook Arts Council, the event was organized by youth for youth ages 15-25. See Page 10 for a special photo feature.
An Alberta man has pleaded guilty to a home invasion earlier this year in Cranbrook, where a shooting took place. On February 4, 2016, Cranbrook RCMP responded to a home invasion between the 200 and 500 block of 20th Avenue South, where a 35-year-old male had been shot. Initial reports indicated that four unknown males had forced their way into the residence, assaulted several occupants of the house and shot one person. Since February, Cranbrook RCMP members have been working non-stop with partner agencies in both B.C. and Alberta to determine all involved in this shooting and several arrests have been made. James Doyle, of Fort McLeod Alberta, pleaded guilty to Break and Enter With Intent to Commit an Offence. He received six months in
jail and a lifetime weapons prohibition. Three others are still before the courts. A 21-yearold from Lethbridge, Samson Mandefro, is charged with Break and Enter, Aggravated Assault and Robbery. He remains in custody. Two other Calgary residents, a 25-year-old man and a 28-year-old man, are currently in custody in Alberta on charges stemming from that area. Once they are dealt with before the courts in Alberta they will be transferred to B.C. where they will face charges ranging from Break and Enter with Intent, to Aggravated Assault and Robbery. Cranbrook RCMP are still actively investigating and believe more arrests are forthcoming. Anyone with any information regarding these crimes is asked to contact the Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).