Merritt Herald June 5, 2025 by Merritt Herald

PAGE 5

AI DATA CENTRE

Read the details about the upcoming AI data centre coming to Merritt later this year.

BODY OF MIGUEL MACK FOUND

The body of a Merritt man believed to have been the victim of homicide has been found more than two years after he went missing.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Miguel Mack, has been found. This is not the outcome any of us had hoped for,” Miguel Mack’s brother Elijah said in an announcement on his social media accounts, Monday.

“We want to thank everyone who shared information, searched, prayed, and supported our family during this heartbreaking time. Your kindness and care meant so much to us Please keep our family in your thoughts as we navigate this unimaginable loss.”

RCMP homicide detectives have said they believe Mack was killed. The 24-year-old man was last seen on Feb. 27, 2023, and he was reported missing several days later after his family became concerned.

“There are people out there with knowledge of Miguel Mack’s disappearance and we are asking those individuals to come forward and contact the police,” RCMP Insp. Brent Novakowski said earlier this year in a media release.

Large-scale searches involving dogs, helicopters, drones and many volunteers had, until recently, turned up no sign of Mack. Editor’s note: The Herald is currently waiting for a response from the RCMP for further details. The Herlad will be updating this story as it develops.

PAGE 12-13

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVOR

A local survivor of residential schools in Williams Lake and Kamloops released a memoir on his experiences.

PHOTO Elijah Mack-Stirling - Facebook

The body of Merritt man believed to be the missing Miguel Mack has been found according to his brother Elijah Mack-Stirling.

KATHY MICHAELS Castanet

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

PARENTS TAKE ON B.C. GOVERNMENT OVER EDUCATION FUNDING

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald

A perceived lack of provincial support putting budget pressures on NicolaSimilkameen School District 58 (SD58) has caused local parents to join in a province-wide movement to advocate for more funding.

One parent of two SD58 students in Princeton, B.C. took it upon herself to travel to Victoria. to join a rally for more provincial investment into public

education.

Emily Wolbeck is a parent of two kids going to Vermillion Forks Elementary in Princeton. After finding out about some of the budget cuts to teaching staff and changes to school curriculum at Merritt Secondary School (MSS), Wolbeck decided it was time for the voices of rural families from both Princeton and Merritt to be heard in the province’s capital.

“I know we’re two different communities. We have two different sets of struggles,”

she said. “But the thing is, we are a unit and we’ve got to work as a unit. I think what we’re trying to do as a District Parent Advisory Council is we’re trying to get together and unify our voices so that when we have concerns, we share those concerns among us.”

She said the issues one community has will eventually ripple down to another. She gave an example of Merritt switching Grade 12 math and science courses to be completed online. Princeton already implemented that system, and Wolbeck’s warning Merritt families that it will be a “huge impact” to student learning.

“Very few people can succeed and do well with online-learning when you’re talking about chemistry, math and physics in my opinion,” she said.

For Princeton, the lack of public transportation provided by the school or city is their major issue.

While Wolbeck was the only parent from SD58 there, she said she felt like she had the whole DPAC there with her.

“I felt like I had the whole group of moms from our DPAC behind me, encouraging me, supporting me,” she said.

Outside of the parliamentary building, Wolbeck joined parents and children from many different districts also battling budget problems like Surrey and Kamloops. While each district is facing issues unique to themselves - such as Surrey cutting pre-school development programs and Kamloops losing many educational assistants - they are all united in advocating for more funding across the province.

“There’s unity in our voices. We’re all moms, we’re all dads, we’re all parents,” Wolbeck said.

She said meeting other parents allowed them to exchange ideas and problems that can be applied to different districts.

Recently, the provincial government announced it is adding $300 million more to the budget leading to a figure of $9.85

billion until 2027/28. Currently, the $9.58 billion is allocated to education and childcare.

The Province said the increased funding will be used to hire more teachers in both mainstream and special-education, psychologists and counsellors.

This is a 1.1 per cent increase from the 2024/25 school year, a number Wolbeck and others say is not enough.

“We do need an increase in education dollars now we are. The current government has put $300 million more in their budget to earmark towards education. It’s still not enough,” she said.

Wolbeck pointed to the kindergarten to Grade 12 enrollment numbers province-wide, which are at an all time high at 604,000 students. Since 2021, the number of students has been trending upwards from 558,000.

“We’ve never had this amount of kids enrolled in public education as we do now. So, yes, there should be an increase in money to go towards our kids because it’s still not enough,” she said.

Across Canada, districts are allocated funds based on how many enrolling students they have. SD58 is on the higher end of B.C.’s average, getting $15,663 per student according to data from the 2023/24 school year, though only about half of that money is going towards brick and mortar schools at $8,900 per student.

While provincial enrollment is trending upwards recently, schools in SD58 have been seeing declining enrollment and are anticipating that trend to continue.

SD58 board chair Gordon Swan said enrollment has dropped about 5 per cent from the 2024/25 year to the 2025/26 year in standard kindergarten to Grade 12 learning.

Swan said the school district was relying on their budget surplus, knowing it would soon run dry.

“We knew eventually, over 10 years, we EDUCATION: continued on page 4

PHOTO/EMILY

Emily Wolbeck (right) with Boundary-Similkameen MLA Donegal Wilson (left).

EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTMENT

PARENTS: continued from page 3

would drain down that surplus if the funding formula didn’t change. It hasn’t changed,” he said.

School districts are required by law to provide a balanced budget each year meaning they cannot run a deficit.

To provide that budget many cuts were made in both Merritt and Princeton including;

- Teacher - 5.62 FTE Reduced Overall

- Educational Assistants - 8.0 FTE reduced

- Tradesperson - 1.0 FTE reduced

- Clerical - 1.5 FTE reduced (includes the 1.0 FTE eliminated in January at Board Office)

- Transportation reduced to Collettville

- Custodial Costs from closing unused classrooms at Princeton Secondary and Diamond Vale.

- Grade 7 Band in Merritt

- Summer Reading Program

- Reduction of 0.3 FTE at MSS for French Immersion (based on enrollment)

- Teacher Mentorship Program

- Reduction of Noon Hour Supervisor hours

- Vice-Principal Position - reduced in February 2025

- District Funding for Food Program Coordination - moves to be a school cost

Parents aren’t the only ones lobbying for more funding. Swan said the board is constantly in talks with the Province about further funding to public education.

“We think the government needs to look at education as an investment, and right

now it’s (viewed) as an expense,” he said.

Wolbeck said her trip to Victoria has already gathered support for the cause within the legislative assembly.

She said she had met with MLA Donegal Wilson of the Boundary-Similkameen riding and that she was very receptive to the stories coming out of SD58. Wolbeck had also met MLA of the Fraser-Nicola riding Tony Luck during her time in Victoria.

“I felt like the two of them have incredible hearts for listening to what we are truly experiencing as parents,” Wolbeck said.

The DPAC member stated that talking to provincial MLAs is the way people can raise their concern over education.

“As parents, we need to raise our voices as much as possible with our MLAs, so that our MLAs, you know, even though they’re part of the official opposition, that they can raise our concerns,” she said.

The PAC for Merritt Central Elementary is encouraging more community members to take part in the council or just attend meetings.

Wolbeck wants the districts to have enough money to make the cities of Merritt and Princeton more attractive places to live.

“I want our teachers to have opportunities that any other district could have. I want this to be a place where they come and want to live and grow and work and raise their own kids and stay in the community.”

MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING OFFERED FOR MERRITT FLOOD VICTIMS

MICHAEL POTESTIO Castanet

The Kamloops chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association is launching a new therapy service for people in the Merritt area in the wake of the 2021 flood. Beginning this fall, the CMHA will offer free mental health training to residents, Indigenous communities, organizations and service providers, thanks to funding from the Canadian Red Cross. The training will be led by certified facilitators teaching a variety of courses such as mental health first-aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), trauma informed care, anxiety, depression and suicide awareness and workplace boundaries, the CMHA said in a press release.

CANNABIS STORE

The CMHA is also inviting public input on what types of mental health education and support would be most beneficial to them, and are encouraged to email that insight to community.education@ cmhakamloops.ca.

Brett Mineer, CMHA Kamloops’ communication and engagement co-ordinator, said community feedback will help build resiliency in Merritt as people continue to recover from the trauma of natural disasters.

“We want to ensure the training we provide is relevant and impactful,” Mineer said in the press release.

CMHA Kamloops promotes mental wellness through education, advocacy and community-based programming.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INDUSTRY FINDS HOME IN MERRITT

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald

Merritt will be welcoming the blooming industry of artificial intelligence, as the small city will soon be home to a new AI data centre.

On May 28, telecom provider Bell Canada announced it is opening six AI data centres in B.C. creating what they call “the country’s largest AI compute project.”

According to data from Statistics Canada from October, 2024, B.C. currently has the third most data centres in the country with 35 facilities. The western-most province trails only behind Ontario and Quebec in its number of data centres.

Bell Canada said in a May 28 media release that the project is a huge step in allowing Canada to keep up and “compete” in the global AI development race.

The media release made a point that this project is going to increase Canada’s “sovereignty” in the AI market, giving the country its own infrastructure.

The initiative is part of building a platform called the Bell AI Fabric.

According to Bell, the AI platform will be used by government, research institutions and Canadian enterprises.

The six facilities will provide 500 megawatts (MW) total of hydro-electric powered AI computing capacity.

In comparison, BC Hydro facilities in the Lower Mainland have a capacity of 1,104 MW.

The AI data centres will take advantage of a relatively new technology, a language processing unit (LPU) developed by American AI technology developer Groq. The LPU technology is specifically designed to enhance AI capabilities.

Merritt will be the second location to receive a data centre as part of this program. The first two centres in Kamloops and Merritt will have capacity for seven MW of power, with both facilities planned to open within the year.

Larger capacity facilities are planned to open as soon as next year.

The B.C. government is currently using AI in a multitude of public sectors. On their website updated in May, the provincial government said they have over 50 AI projects in production or in-planning.

Some of these projects include; the improvement of online education, increasing the ability to predict wildfires, mapping and predicting traffic patterns in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions

from cars.

Diana Gibson, B.C. minister of jobs, economics development and innovation, announced her support for the Bell AI Fabric project in the May 28 press release.

“B.C. has a robust and rapidly growing AI sector, and the supercluster of data centres will drive innovation, create jobs, and further strengthen our province’s position as an emerging world-class AI hub,” she said.

Bell Canada said there will be 15 to 25 permanent jobs available at the data centre upon its completion and construction of the facility would bring around 150 jobs.

Specific positions that will be available at the data centre will include; technicians, maintenance specialists, IT operations personnel and network engineers. Some of these positions will require specialized skills and education, but Bell Canada said there will be opportunities for training.

They also said they will be using local contractors for facility maintenance and procurement.

The City of Merritt’s chief administrative officer Cynthia White stated there is also talk of adding a complementary business beside the data centre that could harness the excess heat generated by the facility.

She said the data centre will be located on Airport Road. across from the now shut-down Esso fuel station. She also said while the data centre is coming, the development permit is not yet in.

The concept of harnessing energy is not a new one. In 2023 it was reported that AI facility QScale’s Q01 Campus in Lévis, Quebec was aiming to turn up to 96 MW of their waste heat into power for 15,000 homes in the Francophone province by the end of 2024. The results of the project have not been reported since.

A part of the Bell program is a partnership with Kamloops post-secondary institution Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

“Thompson Rivers University is proud to partner in this groundbreaking initiative, positioning Kamloops and British Columbia at the forefront of sustainable AI innovation. This collaboration will create unprecedented opportunities for students, researchers, and our community,” said Shannon Wagner, vice-president of research at TRU.

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

THE INBREATHED SPIRIT OF PENTECOST

NARAYAN MITRA

You Gotta Have Faith

On the Sunday closest to the 50th day after Easter, delineated this year on June 8, falls the Church’s observance of Pentecost Sunday.

Many Christian denominations observe that Sunday to commemorate the ushering of Jesus’ promised Holy Spirit upon the Church.

The record of the inbreathing of the Holy Spirit by Jesus into his disciples is found in John, chapter 20: “When Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

This is the first message to the assembled disciples after Jesus rose from the dead on the first Easter Sunday.

Nothing is more wonderful in the New Testament than this message when we take it in all the surroundings of his utterance.

The words, “believe” and “receive” are two of the leading words in John’s gospel (cf. 1:12; 20:31). Believing is receiving and receiving is believing.

The simplest act that God enable and asks us to do is the act of receiving.

When Jesus said, “Peace be with you,” all we have to do is receive it. When he said, “I send you as the Father sent me,” all we have to do is to receive the commission.

When Jesus inbreathes his Spirit, all we have to do is to breath in what he breathes out. It is reception throughout.

On the day of the first Pentecost, as narrated in Acts 2, we find the same thought brought before us.

When they were all with one accord in one place, “suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind.” In the original manuscript in Greek, it is not “wind,” but “breath.”

Here was God breathing, breathing a rushing mighty torrent of breath. By that torrent the disciples were all filled.

What do we do in an act of breathing?

Two thing happen: (1) we create a vacuum; (2) we fill the vacuum. We cannot breath in if we did not breath out. The lungs must be emptied of air before we can take in fresh air.

Similarly, if we want the Holy Spirit to fill us, we have to abandon every other dependence and appropriate His sufficiency.

Now, what are the effects of breathing?

They are comprehended in this – what is in the air outside comes into the lungs inside. The same life-giving properties get inside us. Like, when we put an iron bar in the fire, presently the fire is in the iron.

The effect of putting the iron in the fire is that which is peculiar to the iron.

The result of our receiving the Holy Spirit is briefly comprehended in this – that which is peculiar to the Spirit becomes peculiar to our own spirit.

We find it spread out through the New Testament.

In the book of Acts, the atmosphere that enveloped the disciples was the holy atmosphere of God.

They breathed it. They were filled with it.

In Romans 8, St. Paul says: “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” This breath of God that came to him was the breath of life.

In the rest of the book of Romans 8, we find that in the 39 verses there are 29 references to the Holy Spirit.

In those verses the Holy Spirit is represented as the Spirit of life, teaching us like a baby to walk and talk with God.

“In those verses the Holy Spirit is represented as the Spirit of life, teaching us like a baby to talk and talk with God.”

— Narayan Mitra, Pastor at Merritt Baptist Church

“Abba” is the Aramaic word for “papa.” And, what is papa?

It is the first infant prattle which can only deal with consonants and vowels that do not even need teeth for pronunciation.

As the Spirit teaches us to walk and to talk, He directs our spiritual intelligence to the right objects. That is

spiritual-mindedness.

Then, the mind is fixed upon divine things, just as an affectionate mother turns the growing intelligence of the child to the things that are best calculated to awaken and nourish the finest order of thought and affection.

We could follow it all through the New Testament and show that there is not an Bible epistle which does not manifest to us some new and glorious revelation of what is is to have the Spirit possess and control us.

The life that is impossible to us in the natural and carnat states becomes possible in the spiritual state.

If we have the Holy Spirit of God, His power is ours. Let us not care about feelings. It’s a fact irrespective of our feelings.

In the days of the underground railway in America, Canada used to get poor slaves from South by secretly hiding them in cellars and then conveying them at midnight from one hospitable house to another across the land.

One such slave had once found his way to Canada. When he stepped on English soil, he became a free man.

As his train moved into Toronto, Harriet Tubman, herself an emancipated slave who had helped hundreds of slaves to freedom, went in and saw the fellow crouching in a corner of the train.

“Joe, you food,” she said. “What are you cowering there for? You are a free man on free soil. Praise the Lord, Joe!”

This is the similar work of the Spirit that He does as He enters our souls.

LETTERS to the Editor FIGHT FOR FUTURE

Dear Editor,

By hosting the G7 Summit from June 15 to 17, Canada’s new government is making a clear statement about its commitment to global leadership.

At a time when rising health threats and deepening inequalities continue to affect millions, it’s critical that our government upholds strong, values-driven partnerships with fellow G7 nations.

Together, we must continue championing the Global Fund and build on Canada’s current commitment of $1.21 billion over three years to help win the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

This is a pivotal moment for global leaders to turn words into action and demonstrate that health equity matters.

As someone who closely follows international news, I’ve seen how the absence of health security devastates lives, especially in vulnerable communities. In Syria, for example, the war has led to the collapse of health infrastructure.

Parents have been forced to watch their children die from treatable illnesses due to a lack of medical supplies and healthcare workers. Many families have been displaced and separated while seeking safety.

This cannot be the future we accept. Canada, and the global community, must work together to build a more equitable and secure world—one where everyone has access to the healthcare they need.

– Bernice Ko Vancouver, B.C.

ROLL ON DEMOCRACY

Dear Editor,

If ever we get the chance to decide together our common future, we will not let any of us get a far larger part

of the wealth and leave a large group with just enough to survive.

Of course such a call for real democracy can hardly be understood these days, as everyone seems convinced, despite all evidence, that “representative democracy” is democracy. This has been repeated so many times, over such a long period of time, in the mainstream media, that even several progressive forces are buying it.

I can already hear strong reactions. Oh, but this real democracy is not possible today, we are far too many. Nonsense! First, the technology is there; second, and more importantly, most decisions should be taken by the concerned people, directly or indirectly, not by absolutely everyone. Plus, we should realize that real democracy would eliminate a lot of issues raised by the actual absence of democracy in terms of peace, fairness and environment.

Most of what we can do now is listening to the rich and powerful ones, laughing at us, despising us, protected by this fiction of democracy – the representative democracy. A time will come, I hope, for our own collective future and the future of our planet, that democracy, real democracy, will prevail.

– Bruno Marquis Gatineau, Que.

PROPORTIONAL VOTING

Dear Editor,

The B.C. Government has formed a special committee to explore ways to make our political system more democratic, and how to motivate more people to engage in the political process.

In the last federal election, an incredible 49% of Canadians voted against a party or candidate they did not like, rather than vote for a party or candidate they wanted to elect.

During elections in Denmark, where they have used Proportional

ballots for decades voter turn-out is usually more than 80%, and ninety-some percent of the ballots cast in an election usually helped elect an MP.

A proportional ballot is the only ballot that can destroy the incredible lock on power our political leaders have assumed over the politicians, by hi-jacking the nomination process, to control who is allowed on the ballots.

The ballot also separates the party vote from the candidate vote, by listing the parties on the left side of the ballot, and the candidates on the right side of that same ballot. It’s like using two ballots, completely independent of one another.

Voters mark the left party-side of the ballot, to make sure each party gets the ‘seats’ they should have according to the popular vote.

They mark the right side to vote for any one of those the candidates, regardless of party association.

Using a Proportional ballot politicians are no longer free to respond to the demands of the party leaders. To get (re)-elected they have no choice but to cater to the needs and demands of the voters.

B.C. has had three referendums on electoral reform, parading and promoting a ranked, run-off, preferential ballot just like the ballot Trudeau was promising Canadians, and never delivered. Only the last referendum included proportional ballots.

A proportional ballot will consistently produce truly democratic governments where the people make all the decisions, that are then implemented by our politicians who will be performing like the Trustees they are.

– Andy Thomsen Kelowna, B.C.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Are there enough sports opportunities in Merritt for kids?

Have your say at merrittherald.com

If faced with more financial pressures, would you rather our school district close a school than cut staff?

SCHEWCHUK TOPS 200

Local freelance writer Murphy Schewchuk is looking at what could be his best month ever this June.

Shewchuck, a member of the Canadian Authors Association, just had his 200th maganize article published.

Entitled The Canadian West, the piece was the opener for the June issue of the California-based MotorHome magazine, which was a special issue on western Canada.

The publication has also used eight of Murphy’s photographs - one of them seven times.

JUNE 3, 1987

BASEBALL TEAM QUALIFIES FOR SUMMER GAMES

The Merritt Summer Games Baseball Team will, for the second consecutive year, represent Zone 2 in the Summer Games in Delta, July 23-26.

The local team, made up of four players from the Sanders Colt team and ten players from the Lions Juvenile team had to fight back with three wins on Sunday to advance.

On Saturday, Vernon thumped Kelowna in the opener 8-1. The locals then took on Vernon Saturday evening. Vernon Isberg pitched very well for Merritt, but was pitted against one of the best left handers in the Interior, Kevin Cross.

CLAIM YOUR BC HOME OWNER GRANT Homeowners Grants are managed by the Province of BC. You will

impact the mailing of property tax notices and payments. The deadline for payment will not change. Penalties will apply to late payments. If you do not receive your Property Tax Notice, contact City Hall.

BC PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL PROGRAM:

Eligible BC homeowners, including seniors and families, may wish to participate in the Province of BC’s low-interest Tax Deferment Program. If you are participating, ensure you have no balance owing on your account. Property tax arrears, including unpaid utility bills from the prior year, are reported to the province. 4

LNIB COMPLETES LOCAL WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION PROJECT

KRISTEN HOLLIDAY

Castanet

The Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation has completed a wildfire risk reduction project north of Merritt, reducing forest fuels and debris to help protect communities.

The LNIBDC partnered with Shulus Forest Enterprises LP, Forsite Consultants Ltd. and the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. for the project, which involved harvesting and post-harvest fuel reduction work.

“Our natural resource are a significant part of who we are as First Nations people, and our connection to the land is important,” said Stuart Jackson of the Lower Nicola Indian Band in a statement.

“When we have the opportunity to lead the way in forestry work and our members have the opportunity to do the work, we collectively experience significant and positive environmental, economic and social outcomes as a society.”

The wildfire risk reduction treatments happened in the Steffens Estates subdivision, located north of the Lower Nicola Indian Band’s Mameet Indian Reserve #1 — about 17 kilometres north of Merritt.

In a news release, FESBC — which contributed more than $544,000 for the project — said the Steffens Estates area borders private land and residences, and was identified as having a high fuel hazard rating, posing an increase wildfire risk. The fuel reduction project started in September 2022.

A plan was developed for a 68.6-hectare area of land. Crews performed timber harvesting to thin out the forest, then small equipment was used for more fuel reduction treatments.

The project scope was expanded beyond the initial cut blocks. Fuel management prescriptions were completed for nearly

200 hectares of high-hazard forests which were located near private homes.

Adam Sullivan, senior planning forester and team lead for Forsite, which was contracted to help create the fuel management prescription, said the work included thinning mature trees to open up the forest canopy.

Crews pruned branches and hand-cut smaller trees to remove ladder fuels — branches which would allow a fire to climb the tree from the forest floor.

“This greatly improves the ability for BC Wildfire Service crews to defend the area from a wildfire, and improves the changes of firefighters being able to protect homes,” Sullivan said.

The project was completed last year.

Don Gossoo, LNIBDC general manager, said they are happy with the results from the project, which has reduced fire risk, created jobs and economic opportunities and provided a safeguard for the community.

“What we’ve done is not eliminate the potential for wildfire, but we’ve certainly reduced the risk of a very intense wildfire,” Gossoo said.

“The majority of Indigenous employees that we have out here are at one with nature. To them, it’s not about what we take, especially as it relates to harvesting, it’s about what we leave.”

Project partner Shulus Forest Enterprises LP has secured more funding through FESBC to complete 80 more hectares of treatment adjacent to Steffens Estates, along with completing wildfire reduction work near critical communications infrastructure on Iron Mountain, south of Merritt.

The work is expected to occur every two years with a planned completion date of March 2027.

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PHOTO/LOWER NICOLA INDIAN BAND

Prescribed burns from Lower Nicola Indian Band.

CLC STUDENTS LEARN TO BEAD

PHOTOS/CONNIE MOOJELSKI

(Left) Kayla Dunlop, (top-right) Justice Robertson, (bottom-right) Isaac Joe Manuel bead Indigenous style medallions which took them all summer to complete.

Left:

Grade 12 student Sarah Parno draws a portrait of a girl. Right:

Grade 8 Student Envy Rauch submits a sketch of a cat.

MERRITT RCMP OFFICER AWARDED KING CHARLES III MEDAL

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald

One of Merritt’s finest from the local RCMP detachment was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for their dedication and service to their community.

Thirty RCMP members made the trip to the Kelowna Springs Golf Course last Wednesday, May 28 to be awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Those 30 police-force members who went down to Kelowna got just a fraction of the medals given to RCMP members in B.C. in which over 350 were allocated to RCMP.

Merritt’s own, Staff Sgt. Joshua Roda was one of those members. Roda, who spoke to the Herald about his award, said he felt humbled by the experience.

“I’m very appreciative for receiving it,” he said. “I just feel very humble.”

Growing up Roda was surrounded by other RCMP members as neighbours. In a prior article, Roda cited them as one of his main inspirations to become an RCMP member. Today, he’d like to think he has made them proud.

2025 marks Roda’s 17th year as a member of the RCMP. During his time on the force, he’s worked in Chilliwack, Agassiz, Vancouver Island and Maple Ridge in all kinds of roles before leading the RCMP detachment in Merritt.

“I feel blessed and honoured to be a leader here and to be in the position I’m in. I love being able to lead this detachment and work with the great people that I do, and it’s my job as a leader to try and support (his crew) and make their lives better in any way that I can,” Roda said.

The staff sergeant has led Merritt’s detachment for over five years now. According to him, it was that leadership through multiple crises that earned him the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Roda led the RCMP through the COVID-19 pandemic. Not soon after the pandemic, Merritt was hit with numerous natural disasters in 2021, the time of the devastating atmospheric river event as well as numerous ravaging fires that broke out, where he and the detachment played a major role in evacuating the city. He and his other squad members had also put their lives on the line during numerous day-to-day calls,

some including police shootouts.

While those experiences had turned Roda into the leader he is today, he also feels that going through that with his squad has created a special bond between them.

“I think the public doesn’t fully understand what a police officer has to go through in their day-to-day work, or when they go through a major incident like a shooting,” he said. “The only people that are going to understand what you’re going through are people that have gone through that as well, or went through it with you. So it brings you very close to the people that you work with.

“We’re a family here (at the detachment). We’re all very close, we support each other because oftentimes we’re the only people that can support each other.”

This is not to say Roda doesn’t value strong relations with the community. He believes it’s important for RCMP members to be active members of their community as well. Roda himself, along with another Merritt RCMP member, coaches one of the youth soccer teams in town.

“There’s quite a few of our members that coach soccer teams, coach baseball teams. I think it’s important that we give back and volunteer our time and be part of our communities,” he said.

Aside from that, his biggest goal is to keep the community safe. While being the main role of the job, Roda feels like it has gotten harder to do so in recent years.

He said he and the detachment are dealing with many of the same offenders time and time again, a sentiment echoed by police forces across the country.

“It’s been hard in the last five years. I think we’ve seen a big shift in society with our criminal justice system,” he said. “We’re seeing a lot of repeat offenders get released on bail that should never be out on the streets.”

He said this is the biggest challenge for policing in recent years.

“It’s very difficult, from a policing perspective, to deal with the same offender 20 times for the same offense and see no outcome from the courts,” he said. “I think it’s affecting communities and we want the public to know that we are doing our best to put the bad guys in jail.”

PHOTO/JOSHUA RODA

Merritt RCMP Staff Sgt. Joshua Roda getting the King Charles III coronation medal in Kelowna.

LOCAL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

SURVIVOR RELEASES MEMOIR

TY LIM

reporter@merrittherald

Arnie Narcisse is a survivor of Indian residential schools in both Williams Lake and Kamloops. Last week, he launched his book on the matter, which tells the story of his time in residential school.

Leading up to the release of the book, the Herald visited Narcisse in his home in Lower Nicola where he took us to his sweat lodge. There, he played a drum and sang his Song for the Missing Children, which he made for the kids who never came home from residential schools.

He told the Herald many of the same points he brought up in his book. About how residential schools took away the identity and culture of Indigenous peoples.

He ended the meeting saying, “in these days, it’s hard to be a good Indian.”

This saying is the same one used in the title of his book Hard To Be A Good Indian (2025). While the contents of the book had existed in some way for a number of years - being told to students in Lower Nicola Indian Band school or elsewhere - Narcisse hadn’t turned his story into a published book until now.

His story is not unique. The federal government states that around 150,000 kids attended residential schools before the last one was closed in 1996 in Saskatchewan.

In his book, Narcisse talks about the

cruel conditions at the Williams Lake Mission school and the Kamloops Indian Residential school, in which he started attending when he was just seven years old and stayed in the system until he was 18.

Narcisse talks about how his language, Stlatlimcin, was taken away from him, how they were starved and abused at the Williams Lake Mission school, and how the trauma from being taken away from one’s family and stripped of identity has caused intergenerational trauma to his mother, him and other family members.

John Chenoweth, Ppresident of Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and member of the Upper Nicola Band, thought the book was an especially important work for Indigenous communities. He gave Narcisse the use of their auditorium for free for the book’s launch which was on the same day as Narcisse’s birthday, May 28.

He said one thing he would like to do better at NVIT is to learn from Indigenous elders more.

“Our future is going to be based on our communication with our elders,” he said at Narcisee’s book launch. “We have a lot of (residential school) survivors in this community, we have a lot to learn.”

He spoke on the intergenerational trauma residential schools had impacted attendees and their families.

PHOTO/MALCOLM PERRY

Cover photo of Arnie Narcisse’s book, Hard To Be A Good Indian (2025)

PHOTO/TY LIM

Arnie Narcisse singing his song, Song for the Missing Children

MORE BOOKS IN THE WORKS

He said he felt weird telling his children he loved them before, because since the era of residential schools, the idea of love was stripped from their culture.

He said going forward, with reconciliation, he believes Indigenous peoples are going to be treated more fairly within the legal system.

Also at the book launch was Leroy Slanzi, an author and the principal of the Lower Nicola Indian Band school.

He had previously read Narcisse’s book in 2019, when the Indigenous writer read it to kids at LNIB school.

It wasn’t until this year that he surprised

Narcisse, taking a manuscript of his book and coming back with a box of published copies.

“(The book) it’s going to save a lot of people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous,” Slanzi said at the book launch.

In 2017 a study from Public Health Reviews showed that over 98 per cent of residential school survivors they surveyed suffered from mental health issues. These symptoms included PTSD, substance abuse disorder, major depression and dysthymic disorder.

Since leaving residential school, Narcisse felt the impact throughout his life, sharing

details of alcoholism that he was able to be pulled out from by his loved ones.

“There are three things that make it hard to be a good Indian,” said Narcisse at the book launch. “Government policy, residential schools and alcohol.”

Speaking on love, he has since started trying to regain that sense of love, at least within his own family. He agreed with Chenoweth that the idea of love had been taken away from them. But now, he says they’ve been able to show that love, telling it to each other everyday.

Narcisse’s family was also present at the book launch. His grandson Garrison Mountain Chief, had read a passage of the book to the crowd.

Narcisse’s story ends on a positive note.

During his time in residential school, he had come to be “articulate” in English, something he later used during his time in government when he worked as the chair of the Aboriginal Fisheries Board in which he fought for Indigenous fishing rights.

“Despite everything the government of Canada and the Catholic church did to kill the Indian, I held on to just enough (traditional) knowledge,” he said.

“This story here, I think the importance is that it shows the human spirit and the ability to adapt.”

Narcisse plans on writing at least two more books in the future; one about alcoholism and the other about his knowledge of Indigenous fishing rights and practices.

LOCAL RODEO YOUTH GROUP LOOKING FOR HOMETOWN SUPPORT

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald

Passion for something is usually born and fostered in one’s youth, for the kids at Shulus Equine Therapeutic Development Society that passion is horse riding. The youth group is looking for community funding to help get their kids and horses to the Williams Lake Stampede later this month.

Phil Dumont, founder of the Shulus Equine Therapeutic Development Society, started the program in order to give guidance to all kinds of kids, even those who may be struggling in life.

These kids, if the chance is taken, could even have the opportunity to enter rodeo competitions, facing off against fiercely trained opponents. Kids in the program are also expected to provide guidance and camaraderie amongst one another.

championship rodeo riders.

Dumont made examples of two of the kids in the program, who he said had made major strides in not only horse riding, but knowing how to stay on the right path in life as well.

“They’re just amazing how they, in one year, set themselves onto a course that is just beyond anybody’s belief,” he said. “I know the other (kids), they’re all on the same path. It’s just a matter of getting those steps together.”

“This program does work. You know, it changes their attitudes to be leaders for the future.”

While his horse riding program is relatively new, Dumont said he had a program like this beforehand that created

“The Merritt boys (would) come in and they cleaned up. They won every single race. They won every single tournament,” Dumont said.

The previous program would slowly end, as the riders would either age out or lose passion for the sport. Dumont said some of his riders had a rough life after the glory of the rodeos faded. He said one fell into alcoholism, selling his won prizes and even Dumont’s possessions for booze. Another, Dumont said, committed suicide.

“Where we’re at today, it’s all because of the past,” Dumont said. He said has learned what went wrong with those riders, that he didn’t teach them how to cope with a life of winning.

As Dumont’s original horse riding program had finished, he recently found himself roped back into coaching, as kids

would come asking if they can ride his horses. He let them, and as more of the kids’ friends would come by and ride, the Shulus Equine Therapeutic Development Society was born.

Now, Dumont wants to impart his knowledge on a new generation of riders, this time guiding them through life as well.

“We want to prepare them now as young kids, give them all the people that come in and talk to them and tell them, ‘this is going to happen, that’s going to happen. You get into a relationship, this is going to happen,” he said.

“We want to leave a legacy. And that’s exactly where we are today, we want to leave something for these kids to enjoy in their lives.”

Angus Muir, pastor at the Shulus church and a keen supporter of Dumont’s horse riding program, said he’s seen the kids

change and find community through the program.

“Not all of them would even come in and sit down at the table, even though we provide food, some wouldn’t eat. Some of them wouldn’t even come in,” he said. He spoke of how the girls had managed to form a friendship with each other, helping each other even in times of dire need, like when one went missing. He also said he had seen a girl here who had curbed her alcohol addiction with the help of the program.

“Those are the stories that give me huge hope for this group,” Muir said. “They were truly empowered and to me, that’s what it’s about, because when they feel empowered like that, they have purpose in their life.”

Merrisse S., 18, has been in the program for a few years now. She said the program has helped her with her social anxiety.

“I used to be super shy, yeah, I joined this program. I had major social anxiety. And then I started being more open to everybody,” she said.

She said she loves to compete in the rodeos.

“I love being in the arena. It’s so fun, the energy there is so awesome,” she said. “I remember this one I went to Chase, and then the announcer said, ‘Merrisse is up next. She came all the way from Merritt.’ I was like, ‘oh my goodness,’ I felt so happy.”

The next competition the group is looking to go to is the Williams Lake Stampede for which they leave on June 22. The group is trying to raise $6,000 for travel costs. They have held a car wash in Merritt to raise money and are looking at more fundraising opportunities.

NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS

PICKLEBALL CLUB LOOKING TO ADD A NEW SET OF COURTS

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald

The growing Merritt Pickleball Club is looking to expand their courts.

After petitioning city council, the City of Merritt will be looking into supporting Merritt’s Pickleball Club in looking for ways to design and expand a new set of courts at 2050 Merritt Ave.

The city will also be drafting a letter of support for the pickleball club, making it

MERRITT OTTERS SET TO MAKE SPLASH IN LOCAL SWIM MEET

Merritt’s local swim club, the Merritt Otters, are looking to make a big splash at this year’s June swim meet, which marks the 50th anniversary of the program. The club, which was founded in 1975,

easier for them to get grants for what could be a costly endeavor.

Merritt’s pickleball club said the reason for their expansion is that their membership has outgrown their current facility of four outdoor courts, which hosts up to 16 players at a time.

Merritt Pickleball Club board member and one chairperson on the MPS Expansion Committee Karen Goetz said the club has “well over 80” members,

will host its annual hometown swim meet on June 14 in the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre.

Otters coach Ashley Cavaliere said there will be around 20 kids from the club competing this year.

Ashley and her sister, Bianca, were previously members of the Merritt Otters Swim Club. Now, they have returned this year to give back and coach.

“I swam for the team for 12 years, so I really wanted to get back to the club,” Bianca said.

The two had heard the club had gone through hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling to maintain membership. Now, the sisters are seeing more and

nearly doubling since she joined two years ago.

On any given day, she said the courts could have around 32 people playing and waiting.

“Our club is growing, it’s grown a lot, and we would like to expand our courts,” she said.

Since the club is leasing the building it is currently located in, they needed permission from the city before going through

more kids signing up for the club.

Many of these kids will be participating in their first big swim meet and are eager to show their improvement over the year.

“There’s a lot of discipline involved (in swimming). You’re on a team, but at the end of the day, you’re swimming by yourself against other individuals, so the coach can only do so much. It’s kind of the discipline that keeps you in it, just really pushes you to want to be better and do more,” Bianca said.

With this crop of kids, Bianca said discipline was in abundance.

“There’s been a lot of dedication in a lot of the swimmers. It’s really nice to see some of those swimmers coming in day-in

GOT SPORTS? Contact Laísa or Ty at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call 250-378-4241

with an expansion.

“(The expansion) It’s very low-cost to the city. It’s a community-driven project that aligns with the strategic recreational goals so I don’t have any problem with it,” said Merritt City Coun. Manuel Olguin.

Technically, the leased building is also partly used by the Merritt Lawnbowling Club. Since the club doesn’t exist anymore due to an aging membership, the pickleball club are one of the sole users of the property, other than groups temporarily renting the facility out.

The expansion will be aimed at a part of the property reserved for the lawn bowling club, which is just besides the current pickleball court. There will be four new courts in the expansion each facing away from the sun. The pickleball club is currently also looking at the possibility of creating a gathering area in the middle of the two sets of courts for players to mingle.

An expansion of courts could be a costly endeavor. Paul Wilms, president of the pickleball club, said the current set of courts cost over $125,000 to build. He also pointed to a build in Penticton earlier this year, where two sets of courts cost $354,000, half of which was federally funded.

“Can we justify more courts with the members we have? I think we can. We’re a growing community, and so we’re getting a lot of Lower Mainlanders moving up here, and we’re seeing a lot of younger players too. Our average age has dropped really significantly, yes, over the last year. So I think we will easily justify it,” Wilms said. Wilms said the price to play is very affordable as well. Membership for the Merritt Pickleball Club is $130 per year.

and day-out for all the hard practices and really giving it their all.”

While the June 14 swim meet will be the biggest competition of the year for the Otters, both sisters recognized that it’s important to not stress the kids out about it.

“Just go into the race knowing that you’re gonna try your best, and whatever happens, happens,” Ashley said, talking about advice she’s going to give to her students.

Bianca said the team should focus on having fun and lean on each other for support.

“Having fun in between races can really get rid of a lot of nerves.”

Pickleball games being played at 2050 Merritt Ave.

PACIFIC FOREST RALLY DASHES THROUGH NICOLA VALLEY

THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU

Crossroads Community Church

2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911

Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Merritt Baptist Church

2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Orme)

Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464

Merritt Lutheran Fellowship in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899

Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919

Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

St. Michael’s Anglican Church

1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772

Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.

Trinity United Church Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735

Service Time every Sunday - 10 am

Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall)

Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268

Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church

1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502

Service Times: Sunday 10 am

CLASSIFIEDS

HOURS: FullTime–35hrs/wk

DESCRPTION: ReportingtotheSocialDevelopmentCoordinator,theCommunityConnections Navigatorwillberesponsibleforhelpingcommunitymembersnavigatechallengeswhile supportingthewellbeingofindividualsandfamiliesinaholisticmanner.TheCommunity ConnectionsYouthNavigatormustuseacollaborativeapproachwitheachcommunitymember tosupporteachpersoninachievingtheirgoals.

SpecificDutiesandResponsibilities:

PerformsalldutiesandresponsibilitiesinaccordancewiththeColdwaterIndianBand policies,standards,andprocedures,andasdirectedbytheFinanceCoordinator.Maintains confidentialityinallmatterstotheaffairsoftheColdwaterIndianBand.

provide an opportunity fora dying persontotelltheir story,ittellsthem that their life had value.

www.merritthospice.org Email:merritthospice@shaw.ca

Sandy Ronald Aljam

November 18, 1961 ~ March 28, 2025

“Ron” Sandy Ronald Aljam, aged 63, of Merritt, passed away on March 28, 2025. Born on November 18, 1961, Ron was known for his gentle spirit, deep knowledge, and for the love for the outdoors. His strengths and happiness has left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Ron graduated from MSS and continued his education at BCIT, NVIT, and UCC, where he honed his skills in forestry. This background paved the way for his esteemed career as a Fire Chief and in Public Work’s for the Coldwater Band, and as a Fire Warden for the Nicola Valley area. He was passionate about fire fighting and dedicated much of his time to recruiting volunteers for the Coldwater Volunteer Fire Department.

1.Provideinformationandlinkagetoappropriatecommunityservices;

MarieDelinaChartier

April11,2025

2.Guideandmotivateduringimportantperiodsofdevelopmentintheirwellnessjourney; 3.AcceptreferralsfromCommunity,SocialWorkers,othercommunityservicesandetc.;

4.Outreachandengagementinthewiththecommunity;

Mrs.MarieDelinaChartier(neeNormand)passed awaypeacefullyinMerritt,BConApril11,2025,at theageof92.

6.Advocateforparticipants’needs;

5.Developandmaintainparticipantdrivenintegratedwellnessplans;

7.Supportparticipantstobuildcapacityinareassuchascommunication, self-advocacy andrelationships;

8.Participatewithteaminprovidingdeliverableactivitiesorinformation.

9.Participateinteammeetings;

10.Maintainaccuraterecords;

11.Otherrelateddutiesasassigned.

RequirementofCommunityConnectionsNavigator

Sheislovinglyrememberedbyherfamily -Daughters: Rose(Glen)Theriault,ofBurnaby, BCandHelenRenaud,ofMerritt, BC;Sons:Arthur(Rea)Chartier, ofMcBride,BCandRoy(Pat)Chartier ofKamloops,BC;herGrandchildren:Elysia(Richard)Drobottand great-grandsonAiden,ofBurnaby, BCandLaura(Brendon)Christyand great-grandsonHudsonofMerritt,BC(familyofHelen);Debra(Gary) Pijnenburgandgreat-granddaughter Tala,ofPrinceGeorge,BCand Charles(Mandy)Chartierandgreat-grandsonBrody,ofMarlboro,Alberta (familyofArthur);Ezra(Haley)Theriault,ofBurnaby, BC(familyof Rose).

•DiplomaorDegreeinSocialWork(otherrelatedfieldswillbeconsidered);

•ExperienceworkingwithFirstNationsCommunity;

•AccesstoreliablevehicleandcurrentDriver’slicense;

MarieChartierwaspredeceasedbyherlovinghusband,Noel JChartier, in2001andhergrandsonRichardChartierofKamloops,BCin2024. (familyofRoy)

•PassableCriminalRecordCheckandDriver’sAbstract;

•Ableandwillingtoworksomeeveningsandweekends.

Mariewas alovingmother,grandmotherandgreat-gran,eldestsister, friend,greatlistener& counselor,wholikedtogarden,cook,bake,was verycaringandsupportivetoherfamilyandfriends.

Deadlineforsubmissions:January26th,2024

ACelebrationofLifewillbeheldonFriday,June13/2025,attheMerritt Cemeteryat10:30am,wherehersonArthurChartierwillsaya prayerand readScripture.

Onlythoseapplicantsselectedforaninterviewwillbecontacted.

PleaseforwardResumeandCoverLetterto:

CynthiaL.Jager,SocialDevelopmentCoordinator,cynthia@coldwaterband.org POBox4600,Merritt,BC,V1K1B8

Ron worked hard at creating the Recycling and Composting Programs for his Coldwater Communities, because of his love of the environment, which is still in operation today.

Ron’s hobbies ranged from hunting, photography, traveling and hockey, in his younger days, Ron enjoyed skating on the pond during the winter, training horses, showcasing his adventurous spirit and love for nature.

Ron leaves behind a loving family, including his granddaughter, llyanna. His siblings, many nieces, nephews, extending to great-great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Sandy and Elizabeth (nee Harry) Aljam, his wives Lorinda Aljam (nee Collins) and Cheryl Aljam (nee Porter) and his daughter Dawn Porter.

He will be remembered for his dedication to his communities and his joyful approach to life. He made a significant impact through his professional endeavors and his personal passions, leaving a legacy that will be cherished by many.

Maureen

LeslieMaxwell Simmonds

When?

NOTICEOFPUBLICHEARING

Thursday,January18th,2024,at1:30PM

ColdwaterIndianBand JobPosting FINANCEOFFICER

/ACCOUNTSRECEIVABLE

TheBoardofDirectorsoftheThompson-NicolaRegionalDistrictgivesnoticethatitwillholdaPublicHearing intheTNRDBoardroom,4thFloor-465VictoriaStreet,Kamloops,BC,toconsiderproposedBylaw2822.

WhatisTemporaryUsePermitTUP68,Bylaw2822,2023?

Withsadnessweannouncethepeacefulpassingof MaxSimmonds,fathertoJoy(Dave)Crego,Bonnie (Arne)Huse,andBrenda(Nolan)Winser.

Itwouldenable Traveller AccommodationUse (“short-term rental”)withinanexistingsingle-family dwellingat6592MonckParkRd,at NicolaLake(PID:026-485-541), shownshadedontheadjacentmap, zoned LR-1:LakeshoreResidential zoneforuptothreeyears.The specificTUPconditionsarestipulated ontheproposedpermitwhichforms partofBylaw2822.

HewasgrandpatoDerek(Susie),Jennifer(Mike),Jonathan,Veronica,Joshua, Felicia,andgreatgrampatoJesse(Meaghan),Kyla(Josiah),Ethan,Zaden, Vennex, Trexton,andNevaeh.

HewaspredeceasedbyhiswifeJean,hissonDavid,andgreatgranddaughter Micah.

MaxwasborninLeross,Saskatchewan.AtNorthwestBibleSchoolin Edmonton,hemetJeanHale.Aftermarryingin1953,theywentintofulltime ministryaspastorandwifewiththePentecostalAssembliesofCanada.

Maxleavesbehindthepeoplewhoseliveshehaslovedandtouched,evertobe remembereduntilwemeetagain.

We,hisfamily,wanttoacknowledgetheamazingcareandkindnessshownto DadbythestaffattheMerrittHospital.

HismemorialwillbeSaturday,June7,2025,at2:30atCrossroadsCommunity ChurchinMerritt;B.C.

HowdoIgetmoreinformation?

LandAct:NoticeofApplicationforaDispositionofCrownLand

ReportingtoandunderthegeneraldirectionoftheFinanceManager,theFinanceOfﬁcer/ AccountsReceivableisresponsibleforassistingwithavarietyofaccountingsupportfunctions, includingprocessingaccountsreceivablefortheNcəɬetkᵂuColdwaterIndianBand.

AreaofResponsibility:

TakenoticethatWaterBoyTruckingLtd.fromMerrittBChasapplied totheBritishColumbiaMinistryofForests(FOR),Thompson-OkanaganforanexpansionofanexistingrockquarrysituatedonProvincial CrownLandlocatedoverunsurveyedCrownlandbetweenDistrict Lots4426and4427,KamloopsDivisionYaleDistrict(KDYD).

•Assistsinimplementingefﬁcienciesandoperationalimprovementsastheyapplytothe accountsreceivablefunctions;

•Maintainsandupdatescustomerﬁles,asrequired;

•Processes,veriﬁes,andpostsvariouspaymentreceiptsandresolvesdiscrepancies;

•Ensurethatthegeneralledgersandsub-ledgersfortheBandanditsafﬁliatedcompanies areaccuratelymaintainedandreconciledmonthly;

Allpersonswhobelievethattheir interestinpropertymaybeaffectedby theproposedbylawshallbeafforded areasonableopportunitytoprovide inputatthePublicHearing.AnyonewhowishestopresentattheHearingvirtually(viaZoom)mustcontact LegislativeServicespriortonoononJanuary16th,2024,toarrangevirtualaccess.Anyonemayalsomake writtensubmissionsonthematterofBylaw2822(viatheoptionsbelow),whichmustbereceivedatouroffice priortonoononJanuary16th,2024.Theentirecontentofallsubmissionswillbemadepublicandformpart ofthepublicrecordforthismatter.

FORinvitescommentsonthisapplication.TheLandsﬁleisFile Number3410347.Writtencommentsconcerningthisapplication shouldbedirectedtotheSeniorLandOfﬁcer,ThompsonOkanagan, FORat441ColumbiaStreet,KamloopsBCV2C2T3.Commentswill bereceivedbyFORuptoFebruary26,2024.FORmaynotbeable toconsidercommentsreceivedafterthisdate.PleasevisittheApplications,CommentsandReasonsforDecisionDatabasewebsiteat http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ formoreinformation.

•Updatesandmaintainsaccountingjournals,ledgers,andotherrecordsdetailingﬁnancial businesstransactions(e.g.,disbursements,expensevouchers,receipts,accountspayable) usingtheXyntaxAccountingsoftware;

August7,1926 ~May25,2025 VALUEADDED LUMBERREMANUFACTURINGPLANT

•Summarizesreceivablesbymaintaininginvoiceaccounts,coordinatingthemonthlytransfer ofinformationtoaccountsreceivable,verifyingaccuratetotals,andpreparingsubsequent reports;

Beadvisedthatanyresponsetothisadvertisementwillbeconsideredpartofthepublicrecord.Accesstotheserecordsrequiresthe submissionofaFreedomofInformation(FOI)request.Visit http:// www.gov.bc.ca/freedomoﬁnformation tolearnmoreaboutFOI submissions.

•Performsmonthlybankreconciliationsinatimelyandaccuratemannerthatadheresto NcəɬetkᵂuColdwaterPolicy, Procedures,andLaws;

CopiesoftheproposedBylawandallsupportinginformationcanbeinspectedfrom8:30a.m.to4:30p.m., Monday-Friday(exceptstatutoryholidays)atouroffice,fromDecember22nd,2023,until1:30p.m.onthe dayoftheHearing;orpleasecontactusviaanyoftheoptionsbelow.

•RespondstoinquiriesfromtheFinanceManager,financedepartmentstaff,Band Administrator,andDepartmentCoordinatorsregardingfinancialinformation,financial results,andreportingrequests;

•AssistsinthedevelopmentandimplementationofnewProceduresandPoliciestoenhance workﬂow;

•Providestrainingandassistancetoﬁnancedepartmentstaff,asrequired;

•ProvidesaccountingsupporttoA/P, payroll,generalledger,andreconciliation;

•ProvidesinformationandaddressesqueriesfromIndigenousServicesCanadaregarding FundingAgreementsandpaymentsowedtotheNcəɬetkᵂuColdwaterIndianBand;

NorepresentationswillbereceivedbytheBoardofDirectorsafterthePublicHearinghasbeenconcluded. A.Krause,GeneralManagerofDevelopmentServices

•Providesinformationtotheexternalauditorasrequired;

•Maintainstheworkareacleanlyandprofessionally;

•Performsotherrelateddutiesasrequired.

Qualiﬁcations&skills:

•MinimumofGrade12educationorequivalent;

•Post-secondaryeducation(diplomaordegree)inaccountingandcompleting2-3years ofanaccreditedaccountingprogram. Workingtowardsthecompletionofanaccounting designationorpossessionofaCA,CGA,CMA,CPA,orAFOA)ispreferred;

•Minimumof3yearsofexperienceinanaccountingenvironment;

PRODUCTIONWORKERS (FT/PT)

•Wages:starting$20to$28 (dependsonexperience& attendance)

•Steadydayshiftwork

•Studentswelcometoapply

•Noexperiencenecessary

•Willtrain

•ExperienceinaFirstNationsenvironment,includingexperiencewithfundingagencies (ISC),payroll,ﬁnancialreporting,andbudgeting,preferred;

•PossessstrongcomputerskillsusingMicrosoft365,Excel,andXyntaxaccountingsystems;

•Excellentanalyticalandorganizationalskillstoachievedesiredresults;

•Culturalcompetence,tact,andconﬁdentialityindealingwithavarietyofpeopleand information;

•Reliability, dependability, self-motivation,andtheability toworkindependently;

•Goodinterpersonalskillsandtheabilitytoworkinateam-orientedenvironment;

•Goodcommunication,problem-solving,andteamworkskills;

•Theabilitytoadapt,undertakemultipletasks,andrespondtochangingprioritiesisimperative;

•PossessstrongcomputerskillsusingMicrosoftproductsandXyntaxaccountingsystems;

•SatisfactoryCriminalRecordsCheckandBondable;

• ValidDriver ’s Licenseandareliablevehicle.

SalaryRange: MinimumPay$32.60.

Position: 7Hoursperday,MondaythroughFriday,withabeneﬁtspackage,a4-month probationaryperiod,andaperformanceevaluation.

Pleasesubmitadetailedcoverletterandresumeexplaininghowyoumeetthejobposting requirements.

Applicationswillbeaccepteduntil4:00pmonJune19,2025.

Attention:ColdwaterHumanResourcesCommittee

ReliableTowingMerrittLtd. 2900PooleyAve thefollowingvehiclewillbeauctionedon January18,2024fornonpayment 2008ChevroletUplander VIN1GNDU33W88D159142 Debtor:ErinBrar Amountowing:1,869.50

Email:kristopher@coldwaterband.org