Bowen Island Undercurrent June 4, 2020

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KIDS REFLECT ON COVID: IDLC students’ expressions

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Meet Liam Edwards

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Diesel spills in Snug Cove BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

ing in pandemic conditions, looking at supporting community preparedness as well as how to improve the EOC itself.

From food security, to health, to safety, to concurrent emergencies, the EOC is looking at what could affect Bowen in coming months and years to come.

“That planning process involves a lot of stakeholder interviews and discussions with locals…about what they [see] as future potential issues and solutions,” said McGowan.

It wasn’t the sweet scent of spring islanders could smell in the Cove last Thursday.

The Coast Guard said that it received call at 4:45 p.m. May 28 notifying of a spill of approximately 30 litres of diesel in Snug Cove. “The owner of the vessel advised they had a valve malfunction resulting in transfer of fuel to an already full tank,” said the Coast Guard.

As the fuel went into the bilge instead of the fuel tank, the bilge started up automatically and the diesel was pumped into the water, Oydis Nickle of Union Steamship Company Marina (where the boat was) said. “[The boat owner] immediately scrambled, realizing what was happening and shut it down,” she said.

The Coast Guard said that it advised the owner of his responsibilities and he put out absorbent pads to recover diesel from the water but a sheen remained.

An hour after the spill, Nickle was informed (and she too called the spill response line) but by that point, it was too late to deploy the booms that the marina has she said.

“Diesel fuel disperses very rapidly,” said BIM’s manager of environment, Bonny Brokenshire to the Undercurrent. “It’s one of those things that you have to get it right away...It’s very hard to contain once it’s dispersed.”

The Coast Guard said that it requested a National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) flyover of the area. “The overflight found 4.6L of non-recoverable sheen on the water, in and around the marina. The sheen was expected to dissipate,” it said.

Nickle said that in her six years at USSC, something like this hadn’t happened (though occasionally there are “bilge burps” she said.)

One of the concerns for Nickle and other islanders is that the Cove is teeming with birds this time of year.

Brokenshire said that while the fuel is toxic, it’s not concentrated and it’s different from crude oil. “It’s a very, very light oil, like fuel,” she said. “So it’s not like a tanker crude oil that coats seabirds or waterfowl.”

“Flight and thermoregulation are not necessarily affected from a diesel type spill.”

Brokenshire said that if the birds seabirds and fowl are still swimming around, although they’ll have likely ingested the diesel, their bodies are probably processing the toxin.

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MERIBETH DEEN PHOTO

A NEW SIGN: Coral Louie of the Sign Studio made the current “Bowen Island Welcomes You” sign and now, thanks to local

initiative, she’s made a new sign with the island’s original name to accompany the old landmark.

What’s next? Planing for pandemic future BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

As businesses reopen and folks in B.C. expand their bubbles a little, emergency planners are among those preparing for the expected second wave of COVID-19.

Bowen Island Municipality activated its emergency operations centre (EOC) May 18. The virtual hub has lead the municipal COVID effort, including communicating crucial information to islanders online and in weekly email-

outs. While the hub is no longer the all-consuming beast it was at the height of this wave, it’s not idle.

Earlier in the pandemic, the EOC started working on advance planning, at that point preparing for what would happen if and when things got worse, said Jennifer McGowan, BIM’s emergency program coordinator has the EOC lead.

That advance planning has now turned into second wave planning.

This planning includes making sure the municipality can continue function-

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Event Calendar June 8, 2020 5:00 pm Committee of the Whole

6:15 pm Regular Council meeting Municipal Hall is closed to the public.

All meetings are on Zoom and open to the public.

Property taxes due July 2, 2020

Property tax notices were mailed to Bowen Island property owners on May 21, 2020. If you have not received your tax notice, Businesses are opening up. Residents and visitors are making please contact us at 604-947-4255 or bim@bimbc.ca. decisions about where to go and what to do. How do we work together to stay safe in our recovery?

Property tax payments, deferments and home owner grant claims are due by Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 4:30 pm.

If your property taxes are paid through your mortgage company, you still have to claim your Home Owner Grant by the due date.

You can complete your application online on our website.

Please note, BIM no longer processes deferral applications or renewals. You can apply for this online at: gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment For those who do not qualify for the deferral program and are experiencing challenges paying their property tax by July 2 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the penalty schedule has been amended to give some relief. Please visit our website for more information.

Questions? Please contact us or go to our website at:

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-taxes

Parking lot closed to make way for housing project Stop the spread of COVID-19 STAY CLOSE TO HOME

Opening up Bowen & staying safe together

The parking lot at Bowen Island Trunk Road and Senior Road will be closed as of Monday, June 8, when the developer who has purchased the land begins mobilization on construction of a new housing project.

The parking lot on Miller Road remains open for parking up to 12 hours, and we’re working on more options for public parking in Snug Cove.

For more information on free public parking in Snug Cove, please visit our website at:

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/parking

The Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation and the Community Economic Development Committee are hosting a Zoom Town Hall to hold this important community conversation. Join in to ask your questions to a panel of local business owners, tourism, health professionals, and emergency planners.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://bit.ly/2M9urT2

Meeting ID: 837 2248 2074 Password: 801756 One tap mobile +15873281099, +16473744685

We’re all in this together!

Stay tuned for Community Recreation re-opening Bowen Island Community Recreation is moving ahead with a phased approach to providing recreation services to the Bowen community. We know that access to recreation and parks is key to building community resilience, physical and mental health, and social connections. All things we need right now in these challenging times.

Recreation and Parks leaders from across the province are working together with guidance and direction from the Provincial Health Officer to establish and implement the necessary protocols for a safe return to social and physical recreation activities needed to boost community health and resilience.

WASH YOUR HANDS

Bowen Island Community Recreation is looking forward to reopening safely with physical distancing and enhanced cleaning measures in place to get you back to the things you love to do in a safe manner.

STAY 6 FEET APART

For more information regarding phased reopening of our programs and facilities, please visit:

www.bowencommunityrecreation.com @BowenRecreation on Facebook General Enquiries

Contact Us

Phone: Fax: Email:

Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca

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Thursday, June 4, 2020 • 3

ISLAND NEWS

Meet Liam Edwards, BIM’s new boss BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Liam Edwards made his first Facebook account to try to find housing on Bowen. Even after moving here, Bowen Island Municipality’s new chief administrative officer is still looking for long-term housing for his family.

And it’s with that introduction to one of Bowen’s hot issues that Edwards started his tenure in BIM’s top job May 25.

While previous CAOs have commuted to Bowen, Edwards says it’s important for him to live on-island. “I’ve always been of the mind to live in a community where I work,” says Edwards.

“If I’m going to be successful at this job, I figure I need to really be part of the community to understand the needs of mayor and council and of community in general.”

Edwards hasn’t spent much time on Bowen but both he and his wife have lived on Gulf Islands and like the island lifestyle (Edwards is quick to point out that every island is unique and has its own flavour.)

While having spent much of the last three decades out West, Edwards and his family spent the past four years in Halifax and Edwards worked remotely, leading a team in B.C. from afar. (So the virtual all-staff meeting on Edwards’ first day was nothing new for him.)

As he explains it, with the province Edwards wore three hats.

Under the first hat, Edwards was in charge of all local government finance. He and his team would draft and amend legislation relevant to local governments’ finances and worked with every city, town and regional district on their financial matters. All audited financial statements and all long-term borrowing (except in the case of City of Vancouver) would come to Edwards’ office and to him for approval.

“Any significant financial implication for a community would generally go through me,” he explains.

The second hat was working with communities on their infrastructure needs. This could mean drinking water, waste water, energy, recreation, or anything in between. Edwards and his team helped with funding and planning, as well as dispute resolution over servicing agreements.

“Often it was around water,” he explains. “[Drinking water and waste water] always became the hottest issues in terms of trying to help two communities resolve a dispute over shared services.”

The third hat was as deputy inspector of municipalities, essentially a statutory approving role, explains Edwards. While the province is less involved in approving specific bylaws these days, there are still some instances when there are sig-

CelebrateWorld Oceans Day MERIBETH DEEN

Contributor

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO / UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

Liam Edwards started as Bowen’s chief administrative officer May 25. He and his family moved to Bowen from Halifax a few weeks ago. nificant financial implications that communities need provincial approval. In those cases, the bylaws would go to Edwards for approval.

Though this job is a shift from Edwards’ previous one, the plan was always go into local government––it just had to be the right time, right community and right place.

“I really loved my job with the province because the sphere of influence and impact was really significant and you could see it anywhere you went in the province,” says Edwards. “But you’re still that that much more removed from actually really being on the ground.”

“Local government is, to use the colloquialism, where the rubber hits the road,” he says.

Edwards acknowledged the work of his predecessor, Dennis Back, in helping the community navigate the firefighters dispute, the departure of former CAO Kathy Lalonde and then COVID. When asked about priorities over coming months, Edwards says he looks to the staff. “It’s immediately apparent how strong the staff are here and how competent and capable they are,” he says.

“I can tell already that Bowen Islanders have a high expectation of their services providers and rightfully so, they pay taxes and so there’s an expectation that they get a good value for those dollars,” says Edwards. “And the team here take it very seriously.”

“I come from a lot of experience in infrastructure and finance,” says Edwards. “And I can see already that Bowen’s current slate of initiatives

is very ambitious. And so taking on more, I think might be pretty challenging.”

Before even starting this job Edwards faced a challenge: moving across the country during a pandemic.

“Our plans for getting here changed so many times,” says Edwards. He, his wife, his nine-yearold daughter and five-month-old puppy were going to fly and then they weren’t. They were going to rent an RV and then realized they could be taken for tourists. At one point they were going to buy a truck and camperize it.

“What a crazy experience that would be to drive across the country in a pandemic,” muses Edwards. “But at the end, we decided no, that’s just too much.”

The family ended up flying across the country a few weeks ago. “It is very strange moving to a new community in COVID. Even so I appreciate the welcoming of Bowen because we were really worried about what it would be like showing up on island,” says Edwards “It is still really challenging because while people are welcoming, I think it’s going to take a lot longer for us to integrate.

But the family has tried to get out as much as possible in their weeks since arriving. “We feel really at home here. It’s really grounding.”

“So far, I’m impressed with the volume and the magnitude of the things going on Bowen and I really look forward to just becoming more a part of the community and understanding the local terminology.”

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Monday June, 8 is World Oceans Day. You can also take a virtual dive into this little corner of the ocean with a night of storytelling, Celebrate Howe Sound / Átl’ka7tsem’, hosted be Fiona Beatty and Bridget John on Zoom.

The themes for the evenings’ stories include; connection to place, adventure, species and habitats, and culture. Bowen Islanders including Pauline Le Bel, Bob Turner, Diana Izdebski as well as Bonny Brokenshire and her daughter Taya have submitted videos sharing their stories.

The webinar is free to attend, and all registrants will receive a recording that you are free to share. If you are unable to attend the live broadcast, registering for the event will allow you to watch the recording at your convenience. To register, look up Celebrate Howe Sound / Átl’ka7tsem or go to the news tab at howesoundguide.ca.

Bowen best-seller LEN GILDAY

Marine Atlas

The Bowen Island Conservancy released 300 copies of its Marine Atlas of Nexwlélexwem/Bowen Island in early May. Quinn and Jared of Phoenix on Bowen have done a fabulous job taking telephone orders and organizing contact-free pickup. People are getting The Marine Atlas for themselves and as a gift for anyone with curiosity about our marine world. Students and teachers are using the Marine Atlas to guide outdoor classroom activities when schools are closed. Within three weeks, most copies have been snapped up. Atlas authors Len Gilday, Will Husby, and Bob Turner, working with editor Susan Munro, are now preparing a second printing. The Marine Atlas should be back on Phoenix’s bookshelves very soon. Please stay tuned for further information.

4 • Thursday, June 4, 2020

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VIEWPOINT EDITORIAL

Confronting our complicity

For at least the third time in 2020, we’re in a historical moment.

We saw the Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders and solidarity demonstrations across Canada bringing the issue of Indigenous land rights and title to the fore. In March COVID interrupted daily life, devastating many––especially those already marginalized. But now is not the time to look away.

The Black Lives Matter protests are making sure we ignore racial injustice no longer, and as uncomfortable is it is to confront our complicity, now is not the time to look away.

If white Canadians are feeling smug about our relationship with racism––it was just under a year ago that the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls found that Canada is complicit in racebased genocide in a 1,200-page report. We said we’d do better then. What have we done? How many of us read that report?

On Bowen we’re quick to say “not here, not us” when people, often people of colour, speak up about racism on-island. People who’ve experienced racism have had to defend their own experiences.

I’ve spent a lot of time this week wondering how to address Black Lives Matter, as someone with a platform but someone who is white. It’s not my voice you need to hear right now.

Please follow Black people, influencers, thinkers, journalists, storytellers on social media and add their works to your reading and viewing queues.

There are lists galore are circulating these days of books to read about the relationship between racism and whiteness: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo White Fragility: Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism by Robin DiAngelo Why are all the Black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum (thank you to a Bowen Islander for suggesting this one).

They Said This Would Be Fun: Race, Campus Life, and Growing Up by Eternity Martis (for a Canadian perspective).

Hundreds more resources are a Google search away.

After reading even just one of these books, listening and hearing stories of Black people and people of colour, maybe we can start saying when it comes to racism yes Canada, yes Bowen, yes us.

Then we can do better. (And be open to being told how we can do better!)

Bronwyn Beairsto Editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Your property taxes and how they’re spent DEAR EDITOR: Just out of curiosity, I thought I’d examine the colourful document sent out as an explanation of taxes.

It is divided into three parts: A pie chart showing the distribution of total 2020 property taxes.

A pie chart showing the allocation of the Municipality’s portion of these taxes, and A list of platitudes called “Guiding Principles for Planning and Budgeting Decision Making.”

I wouldn’t say I’m trying to make sense of the overall document but it raises some questions for me.

Pie chart one shows a breakdown of the $9,695,500 total take as follows: Police - $428,500, Translink - $560,500, Metro Vancouver - $126,900, BC Assessment $111,600, Provincial School - $2,485,900,

Islands Trust - $303,000 and the Municipality - $5,695,500.

Two questions come to mind 1) what do we get again for the $303,000 paid to Islands Trust? And 2) Is the $126,900 paid to Metro Vancouver for Metro Parks or something else?

The reason I wonder is that in the municipal pie chart there is an item of $340,746 for parks and environment.

Pie chart two shows the breakdown of the $5,695,500 that the municipality disburses in the following manner: as mentioned above parks and environment - $340,746, library $283,955, capital renewal - $1,192,611, fire and protection - $624,701, recreation and community - $511,119, roads and infrastructure - $738,283 (13%), general government and planning (I purposely list these together)- $1,987,685 (35%).

Some of these disbursements seem vague

to me but what is clear is that general government and planning get a much bigger piece of the pie, namely 2.7 times that of roads and infrastructure and given the shortfall for water systems, sewage treatment and housing, I wonder if administration isn’t just a wee bit top-heavy.

Next we have the seven guiding principles, which I think are just a cut and paste, because I have doubts about the following three guiding principles: We will be responsive to the needs of our citizens. We will maintain our infrastructure in a proper state of repair, and We will live within our means.

But to be fair given that all these statements start with “We will” perhaps it’s referring to future intentions.

Just wondering.

Richard Best

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HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

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EDITOR BronwynBeairsto editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

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PUBLISHER Peter Kvarnstrom publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com

2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

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Thursday, June 4, 2020 • 5

‘Opening up Bowen’town hall Saturday CONTINUED FROM P. 1

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

Geoff McKay of Cormorant Marine was the last of five essential service or public sphere workers to receive $100 in recognition of his continued work during the pandemic. Thank you Geoff and everyone at Cormorant Marine for your work!

Shorter-term measures for BIM could include cross-training staff, entering into mutual-aid agreements with other governments so BIM can continue to provide essential services, said McGowan. Then there’s talking to local services, such as the pharmacy, General Store and Ruddy Potato for how to support them.

McGowan is meeting this week with local physicians and maybe B.C. Ambulance to talk about what’s needed in the health sector, including how much personal protective equipment BIM should be buying and medical devices that could be of benefit to the community. Then, there are aspects such as food security, that are multi-year initiatives.

While there’s been talk of demobilizing the EOC for weeks, McGowan said it’s still serving a purpose in communication, safety planning and support for reopening and recovery.

On that note, this Saturday, Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation and the Community Economic Development SUN to THURS FRI & SA. Committee are holding a “Opening Up DEPARTS ed Bowen & Staying Safe Together” virtual SNUG COVE 11:15PM ns suspend5AM ru town hall at 10 a.m. For more information HORSESHOE BAY 12:30AM muter m o visit bowenislandmunicipality.ca/news/ c d n a t igh Afternoon Commuter Runs S releases/zoom-town-hall-opening-upLate n bowen-and-staying-safe-together.

Mon - Fri Horseshoe Bay - Snug Cove

OPINION

We are all in this together but not equally ROB WYNEN

Contributor

I’ve wanted to write something about this strange new COVID world we are navigating over the past two months. It has been difficult. I have started about five different articles, abandoning all as the due date for the Undercurrent hit.

Many seem out of date by the time they would go to print, some are depressing, while some have elements of blame attached, not a unifying message. If I am truthful with myself, I would also add that this new world is just so confusing I don’t have much of a clue what is happening or where this train is going. I’d -better find out what way is up and down ebefore trying to write something to make ssense of all this chaos. r An observation I have made both on -island and at my workplace is how difeferently people are reacting to the “new norm”, a term that scares the heck out ,of me. Some obey every health directive esent out by the province and welcome -more restrictions while others have treated the entire experience we are all going rthrough as a hugely exaggerated reacetion to a virus that claims fewer lives ethan many diseases that barely make it to newsprint. I saw this last week swhile waiting outside of the General oStore. Behind me was a woman wearing a bicycle helmet with a large plastic shield glued to the front. She was twearing rubber gloves and a mask as well. Just as I was about to enter, a group of girls walked by, holding hands, giggling as they made their way to the ferry.

The contrast could not have been starker. The woman behind me was visibly uncomfortable and angry. “How could they be so uncaring, what is up with some people?” she said to me.

While this virus has impacted us all, it has impacted many of us in very different ways and our behaviour in these times will predicate our reaction to this crisis.

While we are all in this together, we are not so equally. In a recent YouTube address George W. Bush is quoted “the suffering does not fall evenly” and in my observations he could not be more correct.

I recently caught up with a friend on island, she seemed quite chipper, chipper is not a feeling I have had a lot of lately. I asked her how she was mak-

ing out during this unprecedented time, portionately affected. The “disease of her reply was that she was doing great. isolation” has been blamed on a sharp “Hey, my garden is in full bloom, it is 30% increase in drug overdose deaths in so peaceful out lately and my pension B.C., a death toll two times higher than cheques still keep coming in, I have no those passing away from the virus in B.C. What I have become to realise much complaints”.

This was a very different conversation more clearly during this time is that we than I had a week earlier with a local would do well to be more understanding shop owner. “Rob, I am going to lose it of the different circumstances we all find ourselves in. all.” He was a younger While I am still working business owner, and like most younger business “While this virus and own my own home, the shutting down of most of owners he had invested has impacted us the economy has not hugeall he and his wife had in the business. They impacted my bottom line, all, it has impacted ly yet. had two kids at home, driving them crazy, and many of us in very The young shop owner on the other hand may never had little clue on how different ways...” recover and will likely never they would pay not only come back to his bottom line. the rent on their shut –Rob Wynen While the elderly lady behind down business but also me at the General store may on their rental home.

He was not doing well, I be at a significant risk from can’t imagine the stress he and his family this new virus, the young teens may not share this risk, but they are greatly must be going through.

The differences are also stark when impacted with school cancelled and a looking at the impact of this “new norm” very uncertain future. Ultimately, like in countries across the world. An epi- with most decisions, our actions will to demiologist on the CBC brought home a great degree be determined by our this sobering fact when she pointed out perception of the cost and benefits for that if the global lockdown continued for us, which explains some of the differing six months, not an unlikely scenario, the reactions to the pandemic as the costs prediction is for over 1 million children and benefits of our actions are not equalto die in Africa. It was not deaths to the ly shared. It behooves all of us to keep in coronavirus, which has remarkably not mind how this pandemic is affecting us impacted Africa to the degree experts all very differently.

By understanding why others may be predicted, but due to increased rates of Malaria and other diseases. The lock- reacting to this crisis in very different down had halted many health programs ways may help us all to not come to quick across Africa with devastating conse- judgements when others don’t act in the quences. Just to put this in perspec- same manner as we feel is necessary. It tive, we have not had one death from is often not a result of not caring. We are Coronavirus in Canada of a child under all struggling through this by the seat of the age of 20. Is it any surprise that in our pants, some are just struggling much many of these countries the “stay home more, some have much fewer options. be safe” message wasn’t resonating? With barely enough water to drink the “wash your hands frequently” was also not a message that on Bowen Island gained traction in many of these countries. Those struggling with health issues have also been dispro-

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6 • Thursday, June 4, 2020

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Island Discovery Learning Community students express COVID thoughts Quarantine

Island Discovery is so fortunate to have the wonderful Saffron Gurney as the program’s Art teacher. She has done an amazing job of supporting and inspiring the students in their art development through this unique spring term. She has been impressed by the thoughtful, ingenious expressions of creativity by students over these past few months. She wonders if student connection to personal interest has somehow been strengthened perhaps.

Quarantine, a wave of worry. Not knowing what will happen tomorrow or what to do today. Living in this world of unknown.

Quarantine feels like the rise and fall of a rollercoaster, strapped in and safe, while being terrified of the fall.

Submitted by Amy Nosek, IDLC

“Tents For My Hamster” Ema Heffelfinger, 9 years old.

It is shaped like a wall, to protect you from catching the illness outside. Living with certain freedoms, but not enough freedoms to feel free.

Quarantine remembers what life was like before, and reminds us not to take things for granted. We long for future days without restrictions of where we can go or be, and who we can see.

Quarantine is a memory from a time before physical distancing came to be. What life was like before, and what life is like now is very different. Quarantine has been looming for a long time, we just didn’t know it.

––Sorcha Joseph (from language arts assignment from teacher Gillian Bentall)

“The Four Corners” Mavis Buda, Age 9 “This piece is about our planet and how every living thing is connected to each other. It was inspired by an open online class with the Vancouver Art Gallery about Shuvinai Ashoona at a time where teaching has gone online because of COVID.”

“Faded” Rhyanna Redekopp, Age 10 “Many elements of self isolation have been really good, but sometimes we can feel a bit faded during this time.”

“Lego City Baby Cheetah Camp”

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Thank you for your support of local journalism now and always.

bowenislandundercurrent.com SARAH HAXBY PHOTO

Sue Clarke received last year’s ACEbc award for her dedication to keeping the Bowen Island Foodbank open and serving the community.

Thursday, June 4, 2020 • 7

2020 Masterworks Presentations Can a 14-year-old be expected to conduct a public presentation similar to a TED talk?

IPS students have been doing so for over 20 years through a program called Masterworks.

Grade 9 students at IPS will be publicly presenting via

LIVE STREAM June 8 -11 SARAH HAXBY

Contributor

Let us know who you think has done something to deserve an award this year. Perhaps by volunteering, being especially kind, helping others, making the island more beautiful through gardening, helping to preserve the natural ecology, helping a neighbor, there are so many ways big and small, time consuming and brief, in which we can make Bowen Island a better place.

For decades, ACEbc (The Association for Community Education in B.C.) has recognized people who have helped to make their communities even better with “ACE” Awards. As ACEbc is in the process of adopting a new name, there’s also a new name for these awards: the Community Spirit Awards.

They are sponsored by the Bowen Island Community School Association.

The CSA is comprised of enthusiastic Bowen volunteers with a long tradition of helping support the community school as an island hub. The school is to support lifelong learning and to be a key connection point as a school, recreation centre and site of many perennial events and cultural activities. The

community school model was adopted on Bowen Island in 1974, making BICS one of the oldest community schools in B.C. An important annual tradition of community schools across B.C. is to recognize and celebrate people who make a difference in each of their communities. During these challenging times we might not be able to gather together in person for the annual volunteers’ tea, goodies and service recognition awards but we are still going to recognize people and organizations that make a positive difference in the community by distributing the Community Spirit Awards and sharing the stories of how the recipients have made our community better.

Do you know someone who has made a difference in the community that has rendered exemplary service, support and leadership in the development of community, education, learning, or service? Do you have a story to share about a volunteer, teacher, staff or community members who has made a positive difference in our community? Please nominate them for a recognition award by sending a short email describing why you are passionate about the recipient receiving an award to shaxby@wvschools.ca by June 11.

Bowen Island Museum & Archives Summer employment for a motivated student who is able to work independently. The Bowen Island Museum & Archives is looking for a summer student to work from home to scan, digitize and make searchable the island newspaper, Undercurrent, from 1975 to 1988. We will provide a scanner. You will need to have a computer that is compatible with an HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer series.

Due to Covid 19 uncertainties this is a work from home position with ongoing support from the archivist.

The position is for 35 hours per week, 5 days per week for a total of 8 weeks. The rate of pay is $15.50 per hour.

Please send resumes to bihistorians@telus.net or call 604 947-2655 for more information.

Funding for this position is provided through a Canada Summer Jobs grant and requires we hire someone between the age of 15 to 30.

islandpacific.org/masterworks

time

presenter

presentation

faculty advisor

external advisors

June 8, 9:00am

Indra SokolSnyder

The Identity Problems of Adoptees

Jen Zdril

Martha Mendoza, Andrea Bastin

June 8, 10:00am

Logan Clarke

How to Save the World by Saving the Bees

Amanda Szabo

Magali Chemali

June 8, 11:00am

Jay Graham

Amanda Szabo

Liz Watson, Bob Doucette

June 8, 1:00pm

Leila Nabavi

Howe Sound - Atl'ka7tsen Marine Ecosystem

Megan McPhee

Bob Turner

June 8, 2:00pm

Danae Jan

Born this Way or Made this Way?

Pam Matthews

Karen Snyder

June 9, 9:00am

Jada Madeline Scott

Teaching French as a Second Language

Kari Marentette

June 9, 10:00am

Hunter StefaniThompson

The Future of Medicine

Pam Matthews

Dr Hugh Black, Dr. William Black

June 9, 11:00am

Rose Willis

Undecided- Making Good Decisions

Jen Henrichsen

Andrea Rayment, Karla Saruk

June 9, 1:00pm

Tobin Fayle

Wolves in North America

Kari Marentette

Sophie May Watts

June 9, 2:00pm

Colin McLean

Catching Light - Evolutions in Chemistry

Adrian van Lidth de Jeude

Harry Ross

June 10, 9:00am

Teagan Avery

Fairy Tales - Their Place in our Culture and in Child Development

Andrea Earle

Katalina Bernards, Simon James

June 10, 10:00am

Sam Stringfellow

Taking a Bite out of the Apple Empire

Jason English

David McCullum, Rick Stringfellow, Richard Kemble

June 10, 11:00am

Trevor Hagglund

Forming Social Bonds through Magic the Gathering

Jason English

Adam Ovenell-Carter

June 10, 1:00pm

Georgia Carter

Anxiety in Teens

Jen Henrichsen

Andrea McLennan, Sharon Selby

June 11, 9:00am

Jacob Wiebe

A Journey through West Coast Modern Architecture

Jen Henrichsen

Chris Lee

June 11, 10:00am

Franny

The Evolution of Style

Adrian van Lidth de Jeude

Caroline Hurd, Liz Nankin

June 11, 11:00am

Nicko Olson

The Evolution of Sound in Film

Scott Herrington

Justin Aucoin, Adrian Juric

June 11, 1:00pm

Ailsa Ross

Exploring the Process of Writing a Fantasy Novella

Andrea Earle

Deb Blenkhorn

around the World

Get the Live Stream links at islandpacific.org/masterworks

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MATTERS

ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL

Laura Meagher

DISC OVE R US CELEBRATING YEARS

Community award season

The public is welcome to attend.

Live stream links available at

islandpacific.org

8 • Thursday, June 4, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Reclaiming a name and a sign: Nexwlélexwm

As of National Indigenous Peoples Day, a new sign with an old name will greet people coming to the island PAULINE LE BEL

Knowing Our Place

MERIBETH DEEN PHOTO

Squamish People called this island Kwilàkm and Nexwlélexwm long before settlers attached “Bowen” to its shores. est, and salmon were so abundant you could walk across the streams on their backs.

The name Nexwlélexwm has been referred to by both Louis Miranda and August Jack Khatslano, 20th century Elders who shared their knowledge of Howe Sound/Atl’ka7tsem with historians. No one is certain about the meaning of the word, which appears in the Squamish/ English Dictionary.

The making of the sign took over three years. It began on a Sunday afternoon on Mai Yasue’s front porch––her twice monthly DiversiTea––to put forward social justice issues. Because of the work I was doing in reconciliation, all fingers pointed to me to follow up on the Squamish language sign.

Rina Freed of Source Environmental Associates generously offered to contribute to the cost of the sign. There followed correspondence with members of the Squamish Nation, receiving their permission and their blessing, as well consultation with Bowen Island Municipality, which is contributing to the cost and will install and maintain the sign.

Come with me as I step into The Sign Studio at Artisan Square to meet Coral Louie, the maker of the sign.

It’s a magical place. The floors are covered by gorgeous original carpets made of oilcloth. There’s a wall of photos of the many signs Coral has made, including Alderwood Farm, Tir-na-nOg and Paradise Grill. And enormous rounds of wood cut from

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Masses are live streamed every day.

Times posted at holyrosarycathedral.org

Administration Office: 604-682-6774

CATES HILL CHAPEL

www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661 Carter Rd.)

now offering worship services via Zoom. a link available on website.

Pastor: Phil adkins

CHECK FOR SERVICE NOTICES

▼

BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove 5:30 am* 6:30 am 7:30 am 8:30 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 11:30 am 12:30 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm< 5:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm> 8:00 pm 9:00 pm 10:00 pm

VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay 6:00 am 7:00 am 8:00 am 9:00 am< 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 2:25 pm 3:30 pm 4:30 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm> 8:30 pm 9:30 pm

Leave Horseshoe Bay

Now offering a youtube channel of reflections and hymn/songs with Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Lynn Williams. youtubewatch?v=tejV7Y6jo

an island Sequoia tree, waiting for an assignment. Coral’s signs are routered or sandblasted.

Coral built the original “Bowen Island Welcomes You” sign, making her the natural choice for this one.

A Norwegian couple – Jeff and Martha – commissioned that sign.

They loved the island and wanted to make a contribution.

“John Reid donated the log, cut from his land,” recalls Coral. “John Willis, and his brother Bill, rolled the 25-foot log onto a trailer using peavey poles and rollers and then moved it across the island. John Willis put it through his mill and put it on blocks so I could work on it.

He even made a tarp roof so I could work during the rain.”

Coral grew up in Burnaby, lived

Schedule in Effect: June 3, 2020 to July 1, 2020

Leave Snug Cove

For thousands of years, the Squamish People called this island by two names: Kwilàkm and Nexwlélexwm, names passed down through the generations. Only very recently has it carried the name Bowen, after a British soldier who never witnessed the beauty of the forest here, never observed the sun rising from behind the Coast Mountains, never bathed in the warm glow of a sunset reflected in the waters.

To reclaim this important part of our history, we’ve built a new sign. The name Nexwlélexwm (pronounced more or less: Nooch-layle-qwam) will greet islanders and visitors as they step off the ferry in Snug Cove. For those who might be concerned, let me reassure you the current Bowen Island sign will remain.

June 21 will mark the historic unveiling of this sign with Bowen’s original name.

Because of the current regulations around social distancing during the coronavirus, we are not able to have a large gathering to celebrate the unveiling. The ceremony will be live streamed so you can stay home and be part of it. You will be able to find a link at bowenlibrary.ca and at thehearth.ca to view the live stream video.

How we name something––a person, a place, an object––says as much about the namer as the named. This historic naming speaks to the island’s desire to acknowledge the presence of the Squamish People, an important gesture of reconciliation honouring the care they have taken of the land and waters here. When we say Nexwlélexwm, we place ourselves in the world that existed before settlers, when the island was canopied in ancient for-

up north in Peace Rover country, where her children were born. She moved to Bowen in 1984. “Reidun van Kervel and I opened the sign studio at Artisan Square 26 years ago.

Before that we worked in Reidun’s house for several years. We had trouble getting in the door!”

“I feel lucky,” Coral tells me, “to have met a lot of people here. I wouldn’t do something like signs anywhere else. It’s a way to keep a studio going and stay creative.

A privilege to work with people I know.” The post office pays her bills, she adds. You may have been greeted by Coral’s smiling face at the post office where she works three days a week.

Coral shows me the sign. It’s handsome, sturdy, befitting its name and importance. Made from a Douglas Fir log. A beach log. “I used to work with Peter Dean, a carpenter”, Coral explains. “He would be out in his kayak combing the beaches around the island. When he came across a log on the beach, he’d phone me and ask if I could use it. This log was gathered about ten years ago.”

Squamish Nation Elders will preside over the unveiling and though we’re keeping the gathering small, we are making a video of the ceremony so that everyone may witness the historic event. This will include a language lesson to teach everyone how to pronounce the new name. If you want to get a head start, check out Khelsilem’s video on Youtube: “How To Say Bowen Island in the Squamish Language.”

The unveiling of the sign is part of the Knowing Our Place reconciliation initiative, which I began three years ago with the dedicated support of the Bowen Island Arts Council and the Bowen Library. A grant from Heritage Canada will pay for the celebration and the video.

Stay tuned for the showing of the video to launch soon after the event.

Crossing Time: 20 minutes Distance: 3 nautical miles Note: This is a non-reservable route * exCepT SuN aND july 1 > exCepT SaT < exCepT WeD are (DC) WeDNeSDay SailiNgS Will be replaCeD by DaNgerouS Cargo SailiNgS. No oTher paSSeNgerS permiTTeD.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 4, 2020 • 9

COVID keeping island family from their new son BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

One of Bowen’s newest residents doesn’t even know he’s coming here.

Over Christmastime, Islanders Michelle and Matthew Harrison were matched with a five-year-old boy from an undisclosed country in Africa (the country doesn’t want its name mentioned). The couple was on an adoption list for about three years before the match came through.

“We were supposed to travel in March-April to go and get him and our family was going to go for a month and spend time in his country and work on bonding with him and just be together as a family,” said Michelle (the Harrisons have another 13-year-old son). But then COVID hit.

“Shortly after that borders started closing and the border to the country closed,” she said. “We haven’t been able to get to him. We don’t know when we’re going to get to him.”

While it looks like there could be flights in June, questions of borders and differing quarantine protocols add a layer of uncertainty. As it stands, it looks like just Michelle will go and she could spend two and a half months in quarantine as she travels to and from her son’s country.

“There is another mom who will be traveling with me who’s also picking up her children,” says Michelle.

“So that’s a bit of a saving grace because we’ll have each other to

travel with.

“We’ve never met but we talk every day.”

Under the original plan, the family was supposed to spend their new son’s fifth birthday together but instead they held a birthday party for him here. “It was sort of this bittersweet,” said Michelle.

“I think the one thing that I’m thankful for is that he doesn’t know about us yet,” she says. They don’t tell the children until the parents’ travel is booked. “It’s this really sad thing of him not knowing that there’s somebody out there waiting for him.

But also…his little five year old brain isn’t waiting on somebody who’s not coming and doesn’t know why they’re not coming.”

“We know that he’s safe. We know that he’s well taken care of. We know that he’s nurtured,” said Matthew.

“But it’s just prolonging and prolonging...a whole life to come live [here].”

“The crazy thing is, he’s our son,” said Michelle. “On paper and every document he is a Harrison at this point.”

“I always say to people, if your son was in another country and you couldn’t get to him, you would do everything you can to fight to get him.

“We can’t get him.”

But there’s still the anticipation.

“I’d say there’s a celebration and a euphoria,” said Matthew. “We feel so close to him. And the photos and the videos we’ve gotten…a day doesn’t go by that we don’t mention him 100 times.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HARRISONS

Matthew, Ethan and Michelle Harrison were set to travel to pick up their adopted son and brother but then COVID hit.

“Michelle’s unbelievably diligent every morning just looking through all the news items and talking to people.

“I think kind of quite literally, it’s going to be one morning Michelle’s going to go right, that’s it, I gotta go,” said Matthew. “And then be gone for two and a half months.”

“There’s also the idea that I’m leaving my husband and my other son here,” said Michelle. “I’m leaving one son to get the other but we don’t really have choice.”

The Harrisons connected with a family who adopted a little boy who is their son’s best friend––the two have grown up together and slept side-by-side. “He has a little friend

here waiting for him, he doesn’t even know his friend is here, but his friend here knows that he’s coming,” said Michelle.

This other boy’s family travelled to get him just before COVID hit and met the Harrisons’ son. “We get all these little nuggets of gold from them about what he’s like and his personality” Another little girl nearby was adopted from the same place.

“There’s three of them that, they’ll be able to speak their language together,” said Michelle.

“He’s got his brother, his family and his best friend and he doesn’t know he has any of those things,” said Matthew.

The Harrisons’ older son is “unbelievably stoked” about being a brother, said Matthew. “It’s going to be Christmas morning times 1000 when his brother gets here, but holy smokes this is the longest Christmas Eve of all time.”

But the Harrisons note the racism that will differently affect their two son’s lives (their new son is Black.)

“I’m so glad people are speaking up and fighting for racial justice,” said Michelle. “And I hope that in my son’s lifetime we see change towards this because he is one of those people who will be affected.”

“We don’t realize that we have white privilege until one day it hits us on the head and we see it,” she said. “We don’t think that we’re contributing to it in any way, because we’re not out there doing racist things…in some ways we do it without doing it by not saying anything about it.”

“I think about having a Black son and the difference that his life will look like from my other son, and that makes me sad and angry, and the whole gamut of emotions but then I think, Okay, so let’s do something about this.”

“For my nephews, for my brother-in-law for the black men around you, for my son, for all those people who are disadvantaged and can’t speak up for themselves for all the people who are affected by this, for all the mothers who lose their sons and all the little black boys who turn into black men. We have to stand up and fight because it’s time. It’s time.

It’s been time for way too long.”

Bowen businesses ask...

Protect our customers.

Patient of the Week LINUS Linus was adopted from Texas about a year ago and came to his loving home heartworm positive. Heartworm is very prevalent in certain locations in the U.S., Mexico and parts of Canada. It can cause many lifelong issues so it is always a good idea when adopting from an area with heartworm to get your animal tested.

It is far easier to prevent than to treat so talk to your vet when adopting from these regions. Linus has recently started getting treatment for his heartworm and we are excited to get him healthy!

Safeguard our staff.

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or email reception@bowenvet.com

Respect our community.

We’re all in this together!

10 • Thursday, June 4, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Bowen Island Community

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bowenislandundercurrent.com

FICTION CORNER Editor’s note: the following the sixth in a series of segments from Island Pacific School student Hannah Florendo’s short story continuation of Peter Pan.

Gwennie goes to Neverland HANNAH FLORENDO

Contributor

“We’re coming with you,” said James. “Will we be able to fight the pirates too, Peter?”

“Do you have suitable weapons?” asked Peter. “No? Well, you will not be able to fight, that’s for sure.”

“Not even a little?” said James pleadingly.

“I guess I shall lend you both a dagger, but be careful to stay out of Hook’s way, he’s mine to fight, and he has started coating his hook

in poison, so it will kill you instantly if he so much as scratches you with it.”

That is when Gwennie screamed. Annie, getting bored with all the talking that was going onhad flown so close to the ship that all one of the pirates had to do was reach out and grab her and that is exactly what a pirate had done. A lean pirate with stringy black hair, an eyepatch and a rusted but still usable cutlass, had grabbed Annie and was holding his cutlass to her throat.

Annie was kicking and crying, scratching

and biting, wailing and just making a horrible mess of the pirate’s plans to capture the small flying thing and bring it to his captain.

So this is what children look like, thought the pirate, forgetting that he himself had been a small child a long time ago who had gotten lost and brought to Neverland, then had the luck to be taken in by Hook. What a brat. It is so, so...here the pirate had to stop and think a moment. What was this thing that was making his ears hurt and scratching his face up? “A brat.” he decided aloud.

That was when Gwennie swooped down, grabbed Annie and kicked the pirate as hard as she could. Her kick hit him square in the face with a solid-sounding thump-crack as his nose broke. Annie clapped her little hands and the pirate clapped a hand to his face to try and stop the torrent of blood that was pouring

Thursday, June 4, 2020 • 11

from his nose.

Gwennie dropped Annie up higher where she was out of reach of the pirates, told her to stay where she was, and plunged back down to wreak more havoc on the pirates.

Peter and James were already into the fray, James mimicking Annie and punching and kicking, while Peter had his knife out and was mowing pirates down as quickly as they came at him. Gwennie lunged at a pirate who, realizing too late that he had made the wrong decision, was trying to back out of the action.

At the last moment she pulled up out of her dive and hit him square in the face as well. His eye turned black faster than Gwennie thought was possible, and as he howled and clutched dramatically at his face, Gwennie saw a row of small bodies tied to the mizzenmast.

To be continued...

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Average of four similar spills a year: Brokenshire CONTINUED FROM P.1

The long-term effects of diesel on the birds, however, are unclear said Brokenshire.

The municipality probably reports on average four similar type diesel spills a year, said Brokenshire.

“There is a possibility that some of these smaller scale diesel fuel spills happen without being reported or seen,” she said.

To report a spill, or the risk of a spill, call the province’s spill line: 1-800-663-3456.

noTICe oF annUal GeneRal MeeTInG You are Cordially Invited to Attend The Board of Directors of the Bowen Island Community School Association hereby give notice that the Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held online on wednesday, June 10, 2020 5:00 – 6:00 PM for the following purposes: • To receive the financial statements of the Association • To receive reports of Board Members • To elect Board Members of the Association to fill required vacancies on the board; and most importantly • To welcome new members of the community and invite them to learn more about the Community School Association!

To receive a link to the aGM Zoom meeting please email: bicsCsa@wvschools.ca

Thursday, June 4, 2020 • 12

Rotarians keeping busy during COVID HILARY BUTLER

Rotary Club of Bowen Island

Zoom is the new normal in the world and the Rotary Club of Bowen Island is no stranger to this medium. We have reduced our meetings to two per month, but we really miss our social dinner meetings that usually come between the two. However, it is true that it is easy to get things done this way, and on rainy evenings we are happy to be ‘in place’ and perhaps drinking a glass of wine or eating our dinner while participating in lively discussions.

Here is an update on our various projects.

AEDs: There are now 23 outdoor AEDs in place, as a result of the efforts of the Rotary Club, the Bowen Island Municipality and Amanda Ockeloen of Lifesavers First Aid Training. We are encouraging representatives from those communities that do not presently have an AED to contact us to find out how the system works. Our contact people are Allard and Amanda Ockeloen.

House numbers: Those blue number plates with a small Rotary logo on them are to be seen everywhere on the island.

Islanders risk missing a vital delivery if you do not have a clearly visible sign at your gate. Check at the pharmacy for a flyer to find out how to acquire one or contact Sheila Webster.

BIRD: We have worked closely with BIRD in their initiative to acquire a new bin, and as a result of our volunteer work spearheaded by Ross Patterson, we were able to fund a large portion of the new bin cover. It will soon sport a Bowen Rotary logo on it.

We will be volunteering at BIRD again this year so that we can support our various projects.

Rotary Run for Rwanda: Our tenth annual run/walk will not look like those of previous years. Thirteen young women in Rwanda rely on us to fund their education and we cannot let them down so this year’s event will be a virtual run. That means that participants will run or walk 5K or 10K in their own time and on their favourite route and send in their times. Prizes will be draw prizes rather than place prizes. We hope that Bowen will step up to the mark for this event, as 100% of registrations and donations go straight to help out these young girls at high school and university in rural Rwanda. Our contact person is Hilary Butler.

SENIORS’ WEEK JUNE 1-7

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROTARY

Rotarian Ross Patterson with one of Rotary’s blue plates that identify island home numbers.

Rotary Trails Guide: A new edition will be published this month. In the meantime, islanders are encouraged to pick up copies at the Pharmacy or Ruddy Potato. Many people do not know that there are good hikes everywhere on Bowen Island, apart from Crippen Park and Mt. Gardner.

NERP: Several of our members are NERP volunteers, and our club is offering support to the NERP in their various initiatives.

International Projects Banderas Bay, Mexico: We have raised funds to help support the building of a women’s shelter in this area of Mexico. Ross Patterson has spent time and effort on this project.

Costalegre, Mexico: One project for repairs in an elementary school in the Barrio area has been completed, and we are sending a further donation for repairs at a middle school in El Ranchito.

Apart from projects, we have a good program of guest speakers at all our meetings, so Bowen Islanders are encouraged to reach out if you would like to try us out! We are open for new members! Our website is www.bowenrotary.com. Have a look!

We're looking for your stories, pics and bios for our annual grad edition publishing June 25th

A Message from B.C.’s Seniors Advocate to Seniors Seniors’ Week is traditionally a time when we celebrate the contributions of the one million British Columbians who are over the age of 65. During these uncertain times it is more important than ever to take the time to celebrate annual traditions such as Seniors’ Week as we recognize the wisdom, kindness and experience of the seniors in our province.

Every day in B.C. there are seniors who are pitching in, caring for each other and supporting their communities. To the many, many seniors who are caring for the other seniors in their lives, and to the volunteers who are helping seniors during the pandemic, I say thank you.

Please be safe, and if you need assistance call 2-1-1 or visit bc211.ca and take comfort in knowing that your community is here to support you.

www.seniiorsad dvocatteb bc.ca

Please email Bronwyn editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com your grad pic and bio (100 words max.) by June 22 4 pm.

And, if you have any school memories or pics to share, please email those too, thanks!