RCMP Report

Released by:

Cpl. Jeff Witzke

Columbia Valley RCMP

The past two weeks, January 23 through to February 5th, The Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 97 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the file our officers responded to.

In the early morning hours on February 2nd the Columbia Valley RCMP were called to a collision in the Kootenay National Park near Hectors Gorge. Members attended the scene which involved a SUV and transport truck. Of the three occupants in the SUV the driver was critically injured and sadly passed away on scene, the passenger sustained non-life threatening but serious injuries and thankfully the third passenger an infant was uninjured. The occupants of the transport truck were uninjured. The highway was closed for the majority of the day allowing the scene to be analyzed. The investigation is still ongoing however at this point the police are not expecting to forward any charges. The RCMP would like to acknowledge the local bystanders that pulled over and

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

“I so appreciate the area in which we live, said Invermere mayor Al Miller. “Acknowledging the Indigenous land, we live on is like giving thanks for being able to live here in this area. We’re only here for a short time and I think it’s very important to acknowledge that while we are here, we are on these different unceded territories across Canada. I think not only is it important to acknowledge the histories that these lands hold, but also learn more about them. To listen to our fellow Indigenous Peoples about it. There were too many atrocities that happened, and that is why it is so important to give this recognition now and going forward.”

“I feel that Indigenous lands should be recognized at every important event, not only in the Columbia Valley, but across Canada,” said Columbia Valley Métis Association president, Monica Fisher. “Every person in our valley should know whose traditional territory they live upon and be able to say the names of the First Nations properly. I feel that it humbles us as a collective and honours the people who were here prior to our existence.”

Fisher, an employee of Rocky Mountain School District 6, said land acknowledgements are made at all school events and assemblies, in some classrooms daily every morning. There are many local lessons that can be combined, for example teaching that the hoodoos in Fairmont are on unceded Ktunaxa territory and were formed through the melting of glaciers, according to geologists .

“I think it shows respect. Something that I as an assisted with first aid. educator and a resident of the community do find frustrating is when we have large scale events and land acknowledgements are not made,” said Fisher. “It feels like at this time, it should be common knowledge that land acknowledgements are important, but we also want them to be done authentically, and with that purpose. I think making these acknowledgements shows the growth of where we’re at in Canada, of finally recognizing that non-Indigenous Peoples are visitors to the land,” said Fisher. “We need to be able to humble ourselves and recognize that people were here before us. That puts that humility piece in place. For me personally, it helps me take care of the land better.”

On January 28th the Columbia Valley RCMP conducted an impaired driving enforcement night. Extra members were scheduled and focused on check stops throughout the valley. As a result, 3 drivers were issued Immediate roadside prohibitions (2- 90 Days and 1 – 3 Day).

The Columbia Valley RCMP had two reports of online extortion in the past 2 weeks. In both instances the complainants were using Snapchat where they were friended and convinced to share some incriminating photos on themselves. The complaints were then told to send money or their photos would be sent to their family and friends.

These types of extortion have been ongoing for several years involving numerous forms of social media platforms. The RCMP would like to remind social media users to be very mindful while using these platforms and never share any information or photos with anyone, especially people you’ve just recently met.

Jenna Jasek, School District 6 vice principal for Indigenous Learning and Equity, is not only an educator with the Rocky Mountain School District but within the community as well. She is the co-founder of the annual Every Child Matters Year-long Learning Challenge, which first launched in October 2021.

“We need to reflect and acknowledge that we are on unceded traditional First Nations territory that was taken away from the First Nations people without consent,” said Jasek. “In addition to recognizing that Turtle Island (what some Indigenous Peoples refer to as North America) was here long before settlers arrived, Indigenous Peoples have lived and cared for these lands since time immemorial. I believe there also needs to be a second part of the land acknowledgement where you share your personal responsibility to the land and Truth and Reconciliation.”