THURSDAY JUNE 28, 2018 VOL. 44, NO. 24
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Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
NEW POLICE OFFICER
Greg Copeland joined the Bowen RCMP last week.
ISTANBUL & I
A local woman is working in Istanbul which has an ongoing immigration crisis
CANADA DAY TRADITION
How a local artist pulls together a community art project every July 1
Muni Morsels: rural funds; frisbee golf
Teaching canoeing and culture at BICS By Bronwyn Beairsto EDITOR
By Bronwyn Beairsto EDITOR
The following are brief reorts of items discussed at Monday night’s council meeting. City mouse and country mouse: Islands Trust is asking the province and the federal government to designate all islands in the Islands Trust as rural. Funding for rural communities is different, and often greater. “Bowen is an island, Bowen is rural, Bowen should qualify for these programs,” said Councillor Maureen Nicholson. This is a prescient issue as applications for B.C.’s Rural Dividend Fund are due July 31. The fund has up to $100,000 on the table for Bowen and BIM wants money to create an economic development policy, including research into local demographics.“It may help in the long run provide us with some of the information we’re woefully short of,” said Councillor Michael Kaile. Puttering the course: wheels are turning to get Bowen Island a disc (frisbee) golf course. Bowen Island Municipality staff are working with proponents to design a course on the 2.3 hectare chunk of land beside Veterans Park. Volunteers would largely be responsible for setting up and maintaining the course, though an estimated $1200 dollars a year would be allocated for safety maintenance.
Squamish storyteller Rebecca Cambell Duncan addresses the crowd gathered before the library for National Indigenous Peoples Day (officially called National Aboriginal Day) June 21. PHOTO: LEN GILDAY
Volunteer needed to organize the Terry Fox Run Shelagh MacKinnon’s departure from Bowen is leaving yet another void – organizer of the Bowen Island Terry Fox Run.
Bowen’s held a run every year since 2001. Through the fundraiser, island contributions to cancer research have amounted to over $26,000.
“Thirty-eight years have passed since that cold April morning when Terry Fox set out on his Marathon of Hope on the easternmost edge of our nation. In the ensuing years, millions of Canadians have followed
in his footsteps to forge a uniquely Canadian event,” the Terry Fox Foundation said in a press release. The foundation is recruiting for the now vacant volunteer position.
“Our greatest strength is the extraordinary team of Terry Fox volunteers that span from coast to coast, a human chain linked by a common purpose – to make a positive difference in the fight against cancer.
“The Terry Fox Foundation will work closely with the volunteer chair and provide support, training
and materials to ensure the success of this year’s run. If you are an enthusiastic and organized individual who possesses exceptional leadership skills, who is passionate about making a difference in the world, contact us today and join the mission to change lives for the better,” said the foundation. Anyone interested in taking on the role is asked to contact Donna White, director for B.C., at donna. white@terryfoxrun.org or call her at 1-888-836-9786.
On one of the lowest tide days of the year, a black and white canoe launched into Snug Cove. Holding nine students, a few parents, educational assistants and Squamish elder Bob Baker, wooden paddles propelled the canoe from shore. Standing on shore, drumming and watching the silhouette of her students, was Jada Harry. The Aboriginal Success Teacher has been working with Metis, Inuit and First Nations students in the West Vancouver school district since 2014. Her job encompasses all of the elementary schools in the district, eight in total, and on this day, she has nearly 50 students. Harry says that this is a huge change from just five years ago. Her student numbers were in the 20s, and her job was more as an academic aid, and mostly with at-risk youth. Now the program has shifted to be about culture sharing and relationship building. Harry is married into the Squamish Nation and operates on traditional Squamish territory, but her students are of diverse backgrounds. The only requirement is that they self-identify as Indigenous. “Since my role has changed to culture sharing, it’s amazing to see how the kids have built relationships and tolerance. They notice when I’m not there,” she says. Harry has a class each week with students where students can bond with one another and do activities. Coninued on page 5
Canada Day WEEKEND! FRIDAY The New Shackletons 7-10 pm. $5 cover SUNDAY Leroy Stagger & the Rebeltone Sound 8 pm - late $10 tix at pub.