KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK THURSDAY
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DECEMBER 8, 2016 | Volume 29 No. 148
WEATHER
Flurries, cold High -10 C Low -10 C SUN PEAKS SNOW REPORT Mid-mountain: 82 cm Alpine: 113 cm Snow phone: 250-578-7232
MUSICAL CHEER
LIGHTING UP THE NIGHTS
The Mah kids deliver donation — and sweet tunes
Annual Wildlights are back this weekend
A7
A17
Gottfriedson offline after posting photo CAM FORTEMS
STAFF REPORTER
cam@kamloopsthisweek.com
DAVE EAGLES/KTW
Students like Adin McBride used any means available to keep warm as they walked to and from school yesterday. The Arctic deep freeze is here to stay, with The Weather Network saying sub-zero highs will be the norm until at least Dec. 21.
ARCTIC FRONT SETTLES IN
PLUNGING TEMPS LEAD TO EXTREME WEATHER ALERT
JESSICA KLYMCHUK
STAFF REPORTER
jklymchuk@kamloopsthisweek.com
An extreme weather alert has been issued in Kamloops as an Arctic front sweeps the province, but a lack of funding has limited the availability of overflow shelter beds. The alert, which allows authorities to “assist persons at risk due to extreme weather conditions,” was activated Monday
as the temperature reached a low of -9 C. The mercury dipped to -16 C yesterday, with wind-chill readings much colder. Emerald Centre has 42 beds at 271 W. Victoria St., but is denying no one overnight shelter. Christa Mullaly, executive director of the Kamloops Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, said beds have been full on several occasions, with a surplus of 15 to 20 people, espe-
cially in the last week. “Although we didn’t have our ideal overflow situation set up with New Life Community for this first cold snap, we have still been able to accommodate everyone that has presented so nobody has been turned away,” Mullaly said. Emerald Centre’s extreme weather response has been in effect since Nov. 1. See SHELTERS, A6
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A contrite Shane Gottfriedson said he has closed all his social-media accounts and will seek further guidance from elders following an embarrassing image he posted online. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) B.C. regional chief resigned his position as head of the organization’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women portfolio after posting an image of his bare legs on a bed with a superimposed cartoon image of googley-eyes and red lips near his groin. “This is not a reflection of my view of women, nor does it reduce my commitment to missing and murdered women of this country,” Gottfriedson said via text from Assembly of First Nations meeting in Gatineau, Que. On Tuesday, Gottfriedson apologized to the assembly, saying “I can tell you right now this is not one of my greatest moments. “I want everyone in this assembly to know that I will resign my position as a portfolio holder for the murdered and missing women and girls. My heart tells me that’s the right thing to do because all along in this process, I’ve been saying we need to change our attitude in how we conduct ourselves. So I want to say, again to our women’s council, and to all the women, I am very sorry if I offended you.” After speaking with elders and his board of directors, the former Tk’emlups Indian Band chief decided the apology needed to be followed by action.
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“I have closed all my social-media accounts and recognize that my actions affect not just my own reputation, but the legitimacy of the office of the B.C. AFN.” The Native Women’s Association of Canada issued a statement about the photo: “This is a public profile held by a member of the AFN who, as the portfolio holder for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIW), must be thoroughly familiar with the cultural and political implications of this content. We know how this would be dealt with in our offices. The AFN’s reaction to this incident will be strongly indicative of how they put their own policies into action.” Gottfriedson uploaded the THE PHOTO IN photo to his QUESTION Instagram account on Saturday, Dec. 3, and deleted in on Monday, Dec. 5. He said he will continue to seek guidance from elders and engage in cultural work to “make things right.” There is no suggestion it will alter his work as regional chief. “My focus will be on my mandate in my work on sustainable economic development and the justice file as well,” he said. Gottfriedson is in Gatineau until today as AFN chiefs and delegates gather under the theme “Advancing Reconciliation.”
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