PAGE 5
$2 MILLION DISTRIBUTED
K’en T’em distributes $250,000 to each member band, boosting Nlaka’pamux economic growth. PAGE 15-31
The Herald presents a special Truth and Reconciliation edition honouring Indigenous voices and stories in the Nicola Valley.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 merrittherald.com | x.com/merrittherald
City council hears average renters can’t keep up with costs; 471 new units needed over next five years
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
The city of Merritt was recently presented with a plan to make its housing market more affordable.
Talking about using potential funds from Merritt’s disaster funding from 2021, the city brought in development team Urban Matters to discuss strategic directions for housing.
During a Committee of the Whole session by the City of Merritt from Sept. 11, housing market analysts Urban Matters came to city council advising them of directions to take with housing decisions.
AVERAGE: continued on page 3
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HOUSING: continued from page 1
Two representatives from Urban Matters, community planner Daniel Sturgeon and social planning consultant Anne Burrill, showed data that housing affordability is an issue plaguing Merritt like other municipalities.
“We just wanted to bring information to the community that some of this data [shows] our rental houses are not affordable,” said Merritt Chief
Administrative Officer Cynthia White.
White said the issue hurts low-earning families and individuals in the community.
Sturgeon and Burrill said the average renter and homeowner in Merritt is not making enough money to reasonably afford today’s rental prices.
They said, ideally, around 30 per cent of one’s pre-tax monthly income should go towards housing in an affordable situation.
Contact Laísa or Ty at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call
Today’s rental market shows that the average monthly price of renting a two-bedroom apartment is around $1,886 and the average Merritt renting household makes an average of $46,400 a year using statistics from the last census in 2021.
Sturgeon noted that there are some controls the city can leverage to combat rising housing prices and work towards building more afforadle housing units.
“It’s going to require multiple partners,” he said. “It’s not going to be the C ity of Merritt alone. It’s you with other partners, sitting down and talking about and looking at solutions and the changing nature of these roles as we move into the future.
The presenters noted there five levels of government that can help w ith housing.
Sturgeon said communication with other levels in the housing industry is key, and that the city could be a “convenor” or “facilitator” when it comes to housing projects.
capital grants and loan insurance. First Nations can also play a variety of roles in development.
Mayor Goetz and Coun. Adam Etchart said the city has explored some of these options, including with the provincial and federal options.
Goetz said he has not seen help from the federal government regarding housing, and the province comes in with rules that increases the cost of a building when they are involved.
Etchart said it has been hard for the city to find developers who want to build affordable housing.
“We just wanted to bring information to the community that some of this data [shows] our rental houses are not affordable.”
— Cynthia White, City of Merritt CAO
They said local government and municipalities can control zoning and planning. The provincial government can provide coordination as well as financial assistance. Health authorities can help with personal care in housing and the federal government can provide
Other issues in Merritt’s housing sector were raised by Goetz, such as the increase in pricing making it unaffordable for people to yo ung families to buy, as well as the issue of guaranteed insurance, as he said some homeowners weren’t covered by their provider after the 2021 flood. While these issues are present in Merritt, White said the issue is a portion of the housing affordability crisis h appening in other cities, such as Vancouver.
“We’re very affordable compared to them,” she said.
Merritt’s need for housing is expected to grow, with a projected need of 471 new units within the next five years according to Urban Matters’ statistics.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
The Canadian Conservatives have proposed a bill that would arm courts with harsher responses against offenders of intimate partner violence.
If passed, the bill, presented to the House of Commons last Thursday by the shadow housing minister and MP of KamloopsThompson-Nicola Frank Caputo, would treat any murder of an intimate partner as first degree muder, regardless of intention.
“Intimate partner violence is a unique evil. It turns the place where you should be the safest and most loved - your home - into a prison of repeated victimization,” Caputo said in a press release.
But in one case, you know, hitting somebody on the street is very different from the relationship of violence or a party of trust and economic dependence. So in my view, it’s very important that we draw a distinction between the two,” he said.
The proposed bill would also give unique powers to the court in cases of intimate partner violence.
The Conservatives’ bill, if passed, would allow for the detention of anyone accused of intimate partner violence at any time for a risk assessment for a maximum of seven days on the discretion of a judge.
The bill would also create new offences for the assault and harassment of a partner.
The Nicola Valley ATV Club would like to thank each and every business and individual who contributed to our Stumbles Forest Service Road ATV/UTV Staging Area project. Without your consideration and assistance this project simply would not have happened. THANK YOU!
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Gold ($500 and over):
Thompson Nicola Regional District, Home Hardware, Nadina Logging Ltd., Nicola Motorsports
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Bronze (Up to $200):
Best Valu Glass, Purity Feed, Nicola Post and Rail, Second Avenue Signs, ATVBC
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“As a former parole officer and Crown prosecutor, I have seen first-hand how our laws on intimate partner violence are grossly inadequate to address the seriousness of this insidious crime.”
In an interview with the Herald, Caputo said there is no difference between harm against an intimate partner and harm against a random stranger in the current judicial system, prompting his bill in response.
“The charge of assault is exactly the same.
Finally, those convicted of intimate partner violence would only be allowed to be released by a judge within the preceding five years.
Caputo said the section of the bill which would “modernize” the collection of evidence, meaning evidence would be allowed to be detained for up to one year instead of the current three months.
“I hope this (bill) will strike up a conversation among people to recognize the insidious nature of intimate partner violence,” Caputo said.
WOLFGANG DEPNER
The Canadian Press
British Columbia Health Minister Josie Osborne says the province is “doing very well” in its recruiting drive of health care professionals from the United States, but admits that it will take time to convert that interest into staffing positions.
Osborne says more than 140 health-care workers from the United States — including 80 nurses and 38 doctors — have accepted positions with B.C. health authorities since the launch of its campaign in March 2025.
Osborne, who was speaking at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ annual convention in Victoria, says the figure “bodes well” for the campaign, which has
produced some 1,400 job applications from U.S. health workers.
The campaign included a digital advertising blitz launched in June at an estimated cost of $5 million aimed at health-care workers in the states of Washington, Oregon and California.
Osborne says it is not surprising that many U.S. health workers are looking to B.C. when they see the “erosion of rights, disregard of science and the denial of universal health care” in their own country.
Premier David Eby pledged last year that government would recruit 45,000 new health care workers over the next four years to help fill gaps.
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LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
K’en T’em Limited Partnership (KTLP) has distributed $250,000 to each of its eight member Bands, marking the first time since its creation that the organization has returned direct financial benefits to its owners.
The funds, which can be used at the discretion of each community, signal a step toward greater economic independence for the Nlaka’pamux people.
The CNA participating Bands—Ashcroft, Boston Bar, Coldwater, Cook’s Ferry, Nicomen, Nooaitch, Shackan, and Siska— each have full discretion over how to utilize these funds, with decisions resting entirely with the leadership of each community.
The announcement underscores KTLP’s commitment to supporting the Nlaka’pamux people in creating sustainable business opportunities and self-sufficiency through economic growth.
“This distribution is a clear sign of what we can achieve together,” said Chief Christine Walkem, Chief of Cook’s Ferry and chair of the K’en T’em board.
“K’en T’em was built by our people, for our people. The strength of this partnership means every Band shares equally, and every Band decides how best to bring this support home.”
The roots of KTLP can be traced to a single agreement with Highland Valley Copper, which has since grown into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.
The organization now owns and operates several businesses, including Cantex, a company acquired in 2024, and has expanded its operations into sectors such as mining services, environmental work, culture and heritage, and media.
Chief Fred Sampson, Chief of Siska and vice-chair of the K’en T’em board, reflected on the deeper significance of the funds.
“It’s about more than a cheque. It’s about taking control of our economic future and showing that when we work collectively, we can stand on our own two feet,” he said.
The $2 million being distributed across the eight bands is just the beginning of what, according to K’en T’em, it’s what the organization envisions as a sustainable, self-sustaining future.
Chief Greg Blain, Chief of Ashcroft and director on the K’en T’em board, emphasized the forward-looking potential of the initiative.
“We’re proving that we can not only participate in business on our lands but lead it. This is only the beginning of what K’en T’em can grow into,” he said.
Learn from:
Nelson & Danielle Patry, Ranchers
Julia Smith, Grazing Mentor
Ryan Comeau, Covers & Co
Emma Holmes, Agrologist
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BONNIE DIXON Healthy Conversations
Today’s world can feel chaotic. We see it in the news, on our streets, in comment sections online, and even in cars, trains, and planes.
With so much tension around us, the question becomes: what can we do to turn the tide? One powerful answer is simple - be kind.
Being kind doesn’t mean being passive. It means choosing not to fuel the fire. Instead of jumping into a heated argument, take a breath. If you’re in conversation,
let a “talking stick” approach guide you - listen without interrupting.
Offer comfort with a gentle word or gesture. Sometimes the most powerful act of kindness is simply asking, “How are you, really?”
Allowing others space to cry, to be angry, or to express their frustration is not easy. When I was young, my instinct was to retreat, to run away from people in distress.
But with time, I’ve learned it’s okay, even healing – to stay present with someone in crisis.
That said, if you ever feel you are in danger, remove yourself if possible.
In person, walk away. Online, stop engaging and move on. Protecting your own well-being is an essential part of kindness too.
In today’s world, it may seem easy to be dismissive of others’ opinions.
On the internet, peoples’ opinions and unsoclictied pieces of advice and posted in your face in a seemingly infinite social media well.
The feeling can get overwhelming, leading to eventual apathy.
I can atest to this myself. Reading people’s impassioned opinions on whatever the subject of the day is makes me exhausted.
But for myself, I try to remember there is truth behind every statement, and some value to be taken out of all advice.
Within our newspaper, we try to reflect different viewpoints, highlighting stories from each industry.
In the past few weeks, I’ve been able to explore and gain insight in topics that I’ve never been able to see first hand before.
Take this issue, for instance. Our Orange Shirt Day feature covers numerous interviews and accounts from residential school survivors.
Growing up in a predominantley Asian neighbourhood, I had never got the chance to talk to someone who went through the residential school system.
Sure, we had heard of everything that happened, learning about it in schools, but we rarely had the chance to hear about these stories in the words of the
Crisis counselors remind us that the average person doesn’t need to “fix” the situation. What helps most is a steady presence: listening without judgment, staying calm when emotions rise, and validating feelings rather than dismissing them. Small acts of kindness in those moments—offering water, making eye contact, or simply saying, “I’m here”—can mean more than we realize. Many of us grew up in homes where emotions were overwhelming or ignored, so kindness in conflict doesn’t always come naturally.
But as Maya Angelou wisely said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Kindness is not weakness. It’s strength. It’s how we begin to shift the tone of our conversations, our communities, and our world. Today, try it – be kind.
survivors.
Furthermore, some of these survivors have healed themselves mentally. Some imparted knowledge on how to live our own lives happily.
While lifestyles can differ drastically between people, there’s always shared experiences. Still, listening to those who’ve been through something you haven’t is always beneficial. You never know when their words and advice will have meaning for you, but they usually do.
In my view, being open-minded leads to creating a well-rounded person.
This applies not only to lifestyles but to anything in life.
Don’t throw away other people’s words because it may not apply to you now. Store that knowledge, it will reveal itself when it is needed.
Editor,
This fall, the Government of Canada will present Budget 2025, outlining its strategy to address the extraordinary challenges facing our nation.
This is our last chance to ensure that Budget 2025 reflects a clear commitment to international assistance. During the election, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised not to cut international aid.
Now, we must hold him to that promise, because millions of lives depend on it. Carney has already called for significant operational spending cuts across federal departments.
That alone is cause for concern. If this trend continues, it could come at the expense of those most vulnerable to poverty and disease around the world!
Canada has the resources and global influence to make a difference. We’ve seen it in our investments in the Global Fund, which supports countries in delivering life-saving prevention, treatment, and care programs for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
That commitment must not only continue, it must grow.
As global health threats rise and inequalities deepen, we call on Canada to remain a champion of the Global Fund and to build on our strong legacy of leadership to help win the fight against fatal diseases.
Millions of voices around the world are silenced. Canada must be the amplifier.
– Bernice Ko, Vancouver, B.C.
Editor,
In 2023, the rate of TB disease among Inuit was over 37 times that of the overall Canadian population.
While public awareness has been increased in recent years, with campaigns such as “Think, Test, Treat TB” from CDC, and World TB Day from WHO, we need to meaningfully address the disproportionate burden of TB in this community as well.
These high rates are a direct contribution from the unjust social conditions that the community faces of
poverty and food insecurity. T
o eradicate TB for good, Canada must establish strategies for access to diagnostic tests and treatments.
As members of the UBC chapter of Students for Partners in Health Canada, we hope you participate in helping us take further steps by joining Results Canada for their #LeadOnTB on Parliament Hill on Sept. 25, 2025.
– UBC Students for Partners in Health Canada, Vancouver, B.C.
Editor,
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, even though it’s both preventable and curable.
Every year, more than 10 million people fall ill, and over 1.2 million lives are lost. Behind those numbers are stories of real people, with real lives.
Canada has long been a leader in global health, supporting the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
This partnership has saved millions of lives and reduced TB deaths by more than a third in countries where the Fund invests. But progress is fragile. Drugresistant TB, conflict, displacement, and health system strains threaten to erase hard-won gains.
As the Global Fund holds its Eighth Replenishment, Canada faces a choice: retreat in the face of rising challenges, or double down on solutions that work.
A strong Canadian pledge will not only help end TB, AIDS, and malaria, but it will also show that Canada stands for equity, solidarity, and a healthier future for all.
We have the tools to beat diseases like TB. What we need now is political will. I urge Canada to renew its commitment to the Global Fund and ensure sufficient resources in the upcoming federal budget to finish the job.
– Adil Mukhi, Mississauga, Ont.
SEPTEMBER 28, 1988
An indoor swimming pool at Central Park would cost an estimated $2 million, according to a report from the recreational facilities committee leaked to the Herald this morning. The report has not been officially sent to city council, and Merritt Mayor Harry Kroeker last night ruled out any possibility the question of an indoor pool would go to referendum during the civic elections on November 19.
SEPTEMBER 28, 1988
Plainclothed conservation officers were wired with concealed tape recorders during a visit to the Douglas Lake Cattle Company last July.
That information was made public during a trial in Merritt Provincial Court last week into 27 charges under the Water Act and the Federal Fisheries Act that the company and ranch boss Arnold Nielson illegally diverted water from the Nicola River with deleterious effects on the fish and fish habitat.
Merritt conservation officer Dave Crack told court the july incident had nothing to do with the charges and was actually an investigation into a separate matter. Crack said tape recordings were made during a January investigation of fish stocks in the river following the alleged construction of a berm last November that diverted river water into an irrigation ditch at the ranch.
As per the Local Government Act (RSBC 2015) Part 16, Division 7, the following parcels of property shall be offered for sale by public auction unless the delinquent taxes with interest are paid by Monday, September 29, 2025.
If the amount of delinquent taxes, taxes in arrear and interest to the first day of the tax sale for which the parcel of land and the improvements are liable for sale are not paid before the annual tax sale, the City of Merritt will offer the property for sale by public auction at the time and place stated in this notice. If the property is sold at the annual tax sale, a right of redemption will remain in the owner or holder of the charge until the end of the redemption period.
The City of Merritt makes no representation expressed or implied as to the condition or quality of the properties being offered for sale. Prospective purchasers are urged to make all necessary inquiries to municipal and other government departments, and in the case of strata lots to the strata corporation, to determine the existence of any bylaws, restriction, charges, or other conditions which may affect the value or sustainability of the property. Due diligence does not include trespassing on properties that may be available at the auction. Any person upon being declared the successful bidder must provide photo ID and immediately pay by cash or certified cheque a minimum of not less than the upset price. Failure to pay this amount will result in the property being offered for sale again. Purchase of a Tax Sale Property is subject to tax under the Property Tax Transfer Act on the fair market value of the property.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
The Canadian Cancer Society’s (CSS) Wheels of Hope program is now operating in Merritt.
I n 2024, the CCS was given $30 million in funding over the next three years to distribute in their travel system. With this funding, they are looking to expand their services across the province of B.C. and in Merritt.
“We know the cost of getting cancer is around $33,000 in total. If someone’s getting cancer, it’s a huge financial burden. So we are very grateful to the B.C. government stepping up and really helping out people living with cancer,” said Mark Kahan, volunteer coordinator with the Wheels of Hope program.
Kamloops for more than $385 million. BC Cancer states it expects the treatment centre to make 16,500 treatments in the facility’s first year, providing care to residents in the Thompson-CaribooShuswap region.
“So my plea is to people living in Merritt or Lower Nicola, if you like driving and you enjoy chatting with people, please consider signing up.”
CSS is looking for 10 or more volunteer drivers from the Nicola Valley.
“My plea is to people living in Merritt or Lower Nicola. If you like driving and you enjoy chatting with people, please consider signing up.”
— Mark Kahan
Part of this will be the opportunity to expand CSS’ Wheels of Hope program, which pairs volunteer drivers with cancer treatment patients, helping them get to their appointments which are often at far distances.
“The great thing about it is that we’re now able to offer it in Merritt, so people sometimes have to travel for treatment to Kamloops or Kelowna,” he said.
Construction has recently started on a new cancer treatment centre in
Kahan also said the CSS is looking for volunteers in other parts of the Interior as well and urges those people to consider signing up as well.
Drivers of the Wheels of Hope program would be reimbursed on their gas when driving clients at a rate of 45 cents per kilomet.
Kahan said the CSS found a need in Merritt and other small communities for this kind of service.
Kahan added that volunteer flexibility is highly worked with, but asks volunteers to be able to spare a few of their weekdays.
“I always say the magic really happens in the drive there and home. The conversations, the kindness, the compassion, it’s all in there, and it’s, it’s really a special experience.”
By Jeff Wyatt, Cardboard Alley Productions
ENTERTAINMENT ALL DAY LONG SATURDAY AND SUNDAY CASH CONCESSION: Saturday: 9 am - 4:30 pm and Sunday: 9 am - 2:30 pm
All proceeds help to support the Lower Nicola Community Hall.
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
The Lower Nicola Garlic Festival is back this fall, bigger than ever, with organizers confirming the event has reached its maximum capacity at the newly upgraded Smith Pioneer Park. The festival runs Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28.
Festival organizer Karen Knapp said this year marks a milestone, with the number of vendor tables hitting 100.
“We maxed out with 100 vendors,” she said. “It went from a home to a park, and now the park is at capacity, which is great.”
The two-day event will feature a wide range of activities for all ages. On Sunday, pony rides will be available for children, while throughout both days a large Kids Corner will host magic shows, face painting, and performances by the Nicola Valley Dance Academy.
Local arts groups, including the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council, will also take part with creative offerings.
Music will play a central role in the festival as well. Entertainment is organized by Jeff Wyatt Productions, with a rotating lineup of musicians performing on Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors can also enjoy food at the concession, which will operate on a cash-only basis.
Knapp emphasized that variety remains at the heart of the festival’s success, with a mix of local farmers, artisans, and first-time vendors. Fresh produce, handmade jewelry, and the return of the festival’s quirky tradition—garlic ice cream—are among the highlights.
“Vendors keep coming back, and new vendors hear about it and want to join,” she said. “People really like that variety and the chance to see things from out of town.”
Behind the scenes, a small but dedicated group of volunteers keeps the event running smoothly. This year the team has grown to seven members, up from four in previous years.
Their efforts also support a bigger cause: proceeds from raffles and fundraising go toward maintaining the Lower Nicola Community Hall.
“Every cent of that money raised keeps the hall open,” Knapp explained. “That’s why we do it.”
For Knapp, the true reward of the Garlic Festival is the way it brings people together.
“It’s an event that really builds community,” she said. “People come and spend the whole day—they eat at the concession, listen to music, enjoy the vendors, and take in the different activities. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.”
Smith Pioneer Park itself provides an ideal setting, with its playground, tennis courts, and open green space making the festival a family-friendly gathering.
Knapp added her thanks to the ThompsonNicola Regional District (TNRD) for their ongoing support.
Though the park has reached its vendor limit, Knapp said the festival’s future remains strong, with organizers continuing to welcome new and diverse vendors each year.
“It’s a big event for a tiny area,” she said. “And we’re happy people love coming back.”
Ben van der Gracht
250-374-3344 ext 244 bvandergracht@morellichertkow.com
Jacob M. Brown
250-374-3344 ext 264 jbrown@morellichertkow.com
PHOTO/BREE PATTERSON
Photographer Bree Patterson’s How The West Was One exhibit starts Friday, Sept. 26 with a formal reception.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
A Nicola Valley artist is looking to break the stereotypes against ranchers through her photography.
Showcasing her candid work with a camera, photographer Bree Patterson is collaborating with the Nicola Valley Community Arts Centre to put on the show, How The West Was One. Living up to its name, How the West was One focuses on the connections that different ranching communities have with the land and the animals they care for.
“It’s all about community and inclusivity and how we are all intermingled, regardless of what part of the community or what part of agriculture we are,” Patterson said.
Born into the ranching lifestyle, Patterson spent her entire life and career on farms. Originally from the Fraser Valley, Patterson moved between B.C. and Alberta before finally settling in Merritt.
In her 20s, she was educated in animal science as well as communications, making her the perfect fit to photograph the ranching lifestyle.
After receiving a camera as a graduation gift, photography has been central in Patterson’s life.
Nowadays, Patterson has been able to set up her photography business. She’s been able to photograph everything from babies to rodeos. Still, the majority of her subject lies in the ranching industry.
Over time she’s worked with a wide variety of ranchers from different backgrounds.
“The BC agriculture community is so diverse when it comes to there’s a better one
•
• LIGHT IT UP – Use outdoor motion-sensor lights and indoor timers to give the impression someone is home.
• KEEP IT CLEAR – Trim shrubs and trees so there are no hiding spots near doors or windows.
• DON’T ADVERTISE AWAY TIME – Avoid posting travel plans on social media until after you return.
• SECURE VALUABLES – Keep jewelry, cash, and electronics out of sight.
between ethnicity and spiritual or religious backgrounds and but the one thing we all have in common is the fact that we care so deeply for the land and for our animals and how much we want to produce the most high quality and high caliber food,” she said.
Through, How The West Was One, Patterson explores this scene, carving out different slices of western life through each photograph.
“When I started photography, and I photographed everything from babies and newborns and weddings, couples and events. It was really clear that, like the agricultural world, was not very well represented in images,” Patterson said.
“I really found a way to be like, wait, there’s these really important stories that need to be told from agriculture about how GMOs are actually very important and actually ethically used, or how farmers and ranchers who care for livestock care for livestock throughout any kind of weather system.”
Patterson feels the best picture is one that tells a story. And hers, is the one that builds bridges.
“There’s definitely a great way to kind of help bridge, bridge the divide or bridge the confusion that often happens between rural and urban people.”
Patterson’s work will also be showcased among other artists. Leanne Dynneson will be keeping to the western theme, showing off her collection of saddles she has made.
The Hat Doctor will also be showcasing a collection of cowboy hats and a jewelry collection from Linda Suzuki will be on display.
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
The Merritt Youth and Family Resources Society officially celebrated the opening of its long-awaited Family Place Early Learning Center with an open house on Sept. 12. Located at 1914 Quilchena Ave., the new 6,600-square-foot building triples the organization’s capacity to provide care, offering 76 licensed child care spaces for local families.
The facility includes 24 infant-toddler spaces, 36 for school-age children, and 16 multi-age child care spots. With two floors, six program rooms, two kitchens, nine washrooms, laundry, an elevator, four outdoor play areas, and garden space, the centre is designed to provide a welcoming, modern and inclusive environment.
“Although our community faced many hurdles, we persevered and survived,” Fletcher said. “This new center is a shining light to show that perseverance. This could not have happened without the encouragement and supportive messages from the people closest to us.”
“Although our community faced many hurdles, we perservered and survived... This new centre is a shining light to show that perseverance.”
The project was supported by a combination of government, non-profit, and private funding sources, including $1.5 million from the provincial Child Care BC New Spaces Fund, a $250,000 gaming grant, and contributions from organizations such as the Red Cross, United Way, and Tire Stewardship BC.
— Lenora Fletcher
In total, funding and loans helped cover the $3.9 million construction cost, which had tripled from the initial budget.
it also creates a welcoming space where families feel seen, supported and included every step of the way.”
Board chair Gordon Prosper said the opening fulfills a long-standing dream of the organization’s past and present members.
“Past board members always talked about having our own building to offer programs and services,” he said. “Our current board members wanted to honour that wish in hopes that the 47 years of family service done to date will be the foundation for another 50 years.”
The modular facility, which comes with a 10-year warranty, was custom-built to professional standards.
It also houses the Infant Development Program, extending services to support more families in the Nicola Valley.
For the Merritt Youth and Family Resources Society, the new Family Place represents both a physical home and a commitment to the future of children and families in the community.
Executive director Lenora Fletcher said the journey to this point was not easy but worth every effort.
Despite hurdles that ranged from planning to escalating costs, she credited community support, builders Carefree Homes and AKA Custom Builders, and multiple funding partners with helping bring the project to
Rohini Arora, parliamentary secretary for child care, described the new centre as a model for the province’s child care goals.
“Family Place in Merritt reflects the kind of inclusive, family-centered childcare we’re working to expand throughout the province,” she said. “This new child care centre doesn’t just provide high-quality child care,
2 Rivers Remix Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support of this project by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Foundation.
After rediscovering her creative spark, Suzuki earns Exhibiting Member status with the Federation of Canadian Artists
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
A Merritt artist has clinched a milestone in her artistic journey as she has been juried in the Federation of Canadian Artists as an exhibiting member.
Linda Suzuki is celebrating her latest recognition in what she describes as her “second career”.
The recognition under the Federation of Canadian Artists opens doors to national exhibitions, collaborations and international exposure.
“I was very excited, because it’s just nice to know that your work is of quality and that fellow artists feel that you’re doing good work,” she told the Herald.
Suzuki, who spent nearly three decades teaching at Merritt Secondary School and instructing evening classes at NVIT, always knew she’d continue with art after retirement.
What she didn’t expect was how deeply personal that journey would become.
After caring for her aging parents through a difficult period, Suzuki found herself unable to create.
“I couldn’t lift a pen,” she said. “It just reminded me of everything that had been going on.”
In 2022, everything changed. A two-month retreat to a lakeside cabin reconnected her with nature, and her creativity.
“Being out in nature, the lake is so beautiful… I just kind of found myself again,” Suzuki added. “I got my muse (back) and was so excited to be able to paint again.”
Since that reawakening, Suzuki has dedicated herself to painting professionally. Her work was well received at a recent solo exhibition at the Nicola Valley Art Gallery, prompting her to pursue further recognition.
Being juried into the Federation of Canadian Artists, is a personal triumph and professional launchpad for Suzuki.
“To get accepted into the Federation as an Exhibiting Member, your work is juried by a panel,” she explained.
“It has to be of high enough quality that they feel you’d be a competitor nationally.
So it’s very meaningful.”
The FCA is Canada’s largest national organization of professional visual artists.
Juried members gain the opportunity to exhibit their work in high-profile shows, including many held at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island in Vancouver. Membership also offers access to prizes, exposure, and collaboration.
Suzuki is already taking advantage of that network.
“I’ve been out plein air painting with members of the Thompson-ShuswapNicola chapter,” she said. “It’s already opened the door to collaborations.”
Suzuki’s passion for art began early, inspired by her grandfather, a professional painter who once supported a family of five through his art.
“He would paint with me, take me out, and I’d get to sit with him as he painted,” she said. “When I was seven, we drew all over the walls of our house as it was being renovated—we had a blast.”
Though her family hoped she’d pursue something more “practical,” Suzuki never let go of her creative roots.
“To see now that my work is being recognized, that it’s enjoyed by people— even internationally—it’s huge for me.”
With a renewed sense of purpose, Suzuki is planning to submit to FCA exhibitions next year once the new calendar is released. She also has her sights set on an even higher goal: being juried into the Society of Canadian Artists.
And she has advice for others hoping to follow in her footsteps.
“If anyone’s thinking about starting painting, I’d say go for it. When you create pieces that make you feel good, that’s already a success.”
For those considering applying to the FCA, Suzuki offers this practical guidance.
“Make sure you have a body of work that fits together, in style and subject matter. And get good photographs of your work.”
Suzuki is also working on launching a website to showcase her evolving portfolio.
“I’m retired,” she said with a laugh, “But I’m living life to the fullest and I just love it.”
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Residential School Survivor
I remember my first day stepping into hell, I mean stepping into the St. George’s Residential School.
I was excited to go to school with my sister. When that door closed, so did the smiley faces on the nuns.
I thought that I could stay with my sister. She started to walk away, so I was going to follow her. A nun grabbed me by the ear and dragged me towards the boys dorm. Girls’ side and boys’ side in residential school.
I really have no good memories of St. George’s Residential School other than my cousins, Tom and Wally, who were my protectors in that institute. But they could not protect me from the priests and nuns.
Those priests abused me in every way possible… even the unimaginable.
I remember one of my attempts to “end the pain.” I grabbed a kitchen knife and tried to stab myself, but it was too dull. It didn’t happen here and I fell to my
knees crying and saying to myself: “you are so stupid that you can’t even kill yourself properly.”
But I have to dwell on the good times… before stepping into that hell.
Running around our ranch, playing with rattle snakes and bears while my dad was cutting hay.
We had no babysitters around, so dad took me with him as he went out riding. So many nights I cried myself to sleep at the residential school, wishing I could be with my dad on his horse. Instead, I had to be in this living hell, where they beat us for using our mother tongue.
And they called us “heathens.”
I remember my dad, David Yamelst, trying to get me to talk to him again in our language. He’d ask me a simple question and wait for my answer… but I was too afraid to even say one word in our language again.
To my children, I am sorry that I wasn’t a better father. I wanted to give more, but that’s all I had to give.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Elders in the Nicola Valley are using their experiences of overcoming the trauma of residential schools to help today’s youth.
Paul Oppenheim Jr. is an Elder with the Coldwater Indian Band. He sits on the panel of Elders within the Nicola Valley Community Justice Services Society (NVCJSS).
His role as an Elder sees him sitting down face-to-face with some of these offenders - who are usually youth - and attempting to play a part in their rehabilitation.
Oppenheim Jr. remarked that his words are nothing without experience. In his life, he has faced many of the same challenges that relate to some of the cases he works on.
In many cases that go through restorative justice, workers have said
that prior unresolved trauma plays a huge factor in many of these cases.
The restorative justice program, operated by the NVCJSS, offers an alternative path of justice than going through the Canadian court system.
Utilizing the knowledge of Indigenous legal traditions, the restorative justice process offers a non-punitive approach to deal with offenders, focusing on rehabilitation.
In most cases, those sent through restorative justice are charged with less severe crimes and tend to take on cases where the accused has acknowledged the damage done by the offence.
According to those involved in the program, the restorative justice process revolves more around “healing” than it does punishment of the offender.
“The whole idea of it is to focus more on healing,” said Christopher Stokes, the
OVERCOMING: continued on page 17
INDIGENOUS: continued from page 16
program’s coordinator. “Restoring balance of people rather than punishment.”
It gives the opportunity for both the victim and the offender to meet face-toface. Through this, it gives an opportunity for both parties to recognize the decisions made in the incident a nd how to resolve it.
Since 2023, the RCMP and Crown Counsel has referred 43 cases to the Merritt Restorative Justice Program, many of them involving Indigenous youth.
While not solely linked to, restorative justice does have strong ties to the Indigenous court system through its nature that is similar to traditional Indigenous justice systems.
“It’s more intimate than the Western criminal justice system,” Stokes said.
In the Nicola Valley’s Indigenous Court, Elders sit together with a Judge
to come up with a healing plan for the offender.
As an Elder on the panel for a few years, Oppenheim Jr. has assisted in many cases, offering insight as an Elder and as a teacher-figure.
Paul Oppenheim Jr. said much of his method of healing is to try and relate with those involved.
He is no stranger to trauma, being a survivor of the Indian residential school system, which led to trauma he has been able to get past.
“When you talk about residential schools, that is how I came out of that, as a broken, bitter, bitter person.”
Oppenheim Jr. attended Kamloops Residential School, taken when he was around six or seven years old.
He said in the system, he and others were heavily mistreated, including being physically abused by those in power.
The trauma from the experience, he carried well into his adult life, including
USING: continued on page 18
falling into an alcohol addiction as a way to cope with the pain.
It took years of hard work, inspiration and treatment through addiction programs, but Paul Oppenheim Jr. eventually changed his life.
Oppenheim now uses his struggles and story as lessons for those he works with.
“That’s what I call bleeding from your heart,” Oppenheim Jr. said. “When you bleed from your heart, you tell your story, and when you tell your story you can help somebody with that story to open them up and start them on their healing journey.”
Oppenheim Jr. likens much of his change to the closing of his “medicine wheel”. A symbol of healing with four points; emotional, mental, spiritual and physical, that need to be closed and balanced.
He sees restorative justice as a way to share his story and help others heal themselves.
The Canadian government feels like
It acknowledges that residential schools stripped Indigenous peoples of Canada of their culture and customs, adding that customs related to
“When you bleed from your heart, you tell your story, and when you tell your story you can help somebody with that story to open them up and start them on their healing journey.”
— Paul Oppenheim Jr.
restorative justice methods and Indigenous court systems are key points in striving towards reconciliation efforts.
Indigenous legal systems were also lost. Calls to action 42 and 45 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission state that Indigenous legal systems are
before reconciliation can be complete.
Stokes also feels like restorative justice marks a good alternative.
He said the 43 cases referred from the RCMP and Crown Counsel to the Restorative Justice Program is a high number that marks a trend of more trust from the western justice system.
“(The amount of cases referred) it’s reflecting more trust from people like the police, from the courts, that using Indigenous teachings and restorative justice has become more widely accepted,” Stokes said. “The courts are recognizing that something’s not working, so we have to do it differently to help people, and this is a really good way to help people restore (their humanity),” he said.
LOCAL: continued from page 19
will begin at Johnny’s on the Rez at 10:30 a.m., with participants making their way to the Shulus Arbor, where a late lunch will be served. A shuttle bus will be available to bring people from the arbor to the starting point.
Basil said the walk was founded with the goal of creating awareness and unity while keeping the tone supportive rather than heavy.
“It’s not to bring any traumas or anything. It’s just a really good [way] to make people feel good,” she explained.
Orange Shirt Day began in 2013, inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken from her on her first day at residential school.
The day has since become a national movement of remembrance and awareness, shining a light on the experiences of residential school survivors and their families.
The event has steadily gained momentum since Basil first organized it in 2017 while working at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology’s Culture Centre.
“When we first started, we probably had maybe 20 people,” she recalled. “And as the years progress, more community members, more schools, more organizations attend every year… there’s new people every year.”
Schools in the Nicola Valley also play a key role in educating youth about the history and legacy of residential schools, ensuring younger generations understand why the day is observed.
“That usually goes through the school,” Basil said. “What I do is organize the walk. That’s it. So the schools would be teaching what they teach, and that’s how the youth and children are aware of this—because they’re taught at their schools.”
Indian Residential School deepened the meaning of the walk for many participants.
before we even started the walks,” she said. “There’s always new things that we learn, especially with the 215 findings in Kamloops. You know, it makes it more real, and people are aware of the tragedies of residential school.”
Counselors will also be available during the event to support survivors if needed.
“We have no idea what the traumas were... but just be there to support.
— Carol Basil
She emphasized that the walk is open to all, including non-Indigenous p articipants, who have always been welcomed.
“They’re very happy they attend,” she said.
“For survivors, [we’re] making sure we have counselors on hand, like if they get triggered,” Basil noted.
Above all, Basil encourages people to come out and walk in support of survivors, families, and the community.
“For the ones that didn’t go to residential school, we have no idea what the traumas were,” she said. “But just to be there to support.”
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
When Shirley Sterling was a child, she was taken from her family’s ranch and placed in the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Decades later, the Merritt-born Nlaka’pamux author drew on those experiences for her award-winning semi-autobiographical novel My Name Is Seepeetza — a story that continues to educate readers about the realities of Canada’s residential school system. First published in 1992, the book is written in the form of a diary kept by a young girl named Seepeetza. While the names in the novel were changed, the experiences were drawn directly from Sterling’s own life at residential school.
The story contrasts the freedom of childhood at Joyaska Ranch, where Seepeetza recalls horseback riding, berry picking, and camping with family, with the harshness of institutional life in Kalamak.
“She made us get haircuts, take baths
and put on smocks, bloomers and undershirts, all exactly alike. We had to put all our own clothes and things in our suitcases which she locked in a storage room,” Sterling wrote.
At the school, the girl’s Indigenous name is rejected, and she is ordered to answer to a new one.
“After that she gave me a number, which was 43.”
Through Seepeetza’s diary entries, the novel documents punishments, hunger, and the silencing of language. Children were strapped for bedwetting, denied visits, and served food far inferior to that of the priests and nuns.
“In the morning my bed was wet and Sister Superior strapped me. I had to wear a sign to the dining room saying, I am a dirty wetbed.”
“They get bacon or ham, eggs, toast and juice. We can see when they open the door and go in for breakfast. We get gooey mush with powdered milk and brown sugar.”
INTRODUCTION: continued on page 24
Sterling also describes the confusion and isolation of children forbidden from speaking their language.
“He speaks lots of Indian languages, but he won’t teach us. Mum won’t either. She says the nuns and priests will strap us. I wonder why it’s bad,” the diary recounts. Yet amid the pain, Sterling includes small moments of joy: cookies at Halloween, dancing at concerts, and, most importantly, the memories of family life that helped Seepeetza endure.
“Last year Father Sloane took some pictures of us when we were in our dancing costumes at the Irish concert. It was funny because I was smiling in those pictures. I looked happy. How can I look happy when I’m scared all the time?”
When the book was released, residential schools were not widely discussed in classrooms. Sterling’s work was among the first to bring the subject into the public eye in a way that could reach children and young adults.
For Indigenous readers, it reflected stories long held within families; for non-Indigenous readers, it offered an introduction to a history many had never been taught.
T he novel was recognized nationally, earning the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize and the Laura Steiman Award for Children’s Literature.
In 1993, Sterling made history as the first Aboriginal author to receive a major B.C. literary award, accepting the Egoff Prize at the B.C. Book Prizes gala in Penticton. At the event, several members of Sterling’s family from Merritt were in attendance. During her heartfelt acceptance speech, she shared a few words.
“I genuinely didn’t expect to win. I have been writing since I was 12 years old and I thought perhaps when I retired at age 65 I would begin my writing seriously. But by an accident I ended up in Sue Ann Alderson’s class in 1992. And if Sue Ann had not encouraged me I would never have written the book. And if my daughter Haika had not encouraged me I would never have sent
INTRODUCTION: continued from page 24
it to the publisher. It was just the thrill of my life just to have been published.”
Sterling also publicly thanked her mother, who had inspired one of the central characters in the novel.
“Mom, I want you to know that you’ve been the strength and the centre of our lives, and you are the reason we’ve survived, and the reason that seven out of seven Native children went on to university to get a university education,” she said at the time.
“I really want to thank you, mother, publicly, and tell you that you’re a great and wonderful lady. I might add, too, that a lot of people are falling in love with my mum. They write to me and sometimes they say, ‘We love your mum.’ Thank you very much.”
Sterling was born in 1948 on the Joyaska Indian Reserve and later moved to Vancouver, where she trained as a ballerina before earning her education degree.
She was a two-time recipient of the Native Indian Teacher Education Alumni Award. Her portrayal of Seepeetza closely mirrors her own childhood, including being taken to the red brick school in Kamloops at the age of six, forced to wear a uniform, have her hair cut, and adopt a new name.
It has since been taught widely in schools across Canada and in the United States, becoming a key resource for educators seeking to discuss Canada’s residential school system.
Sterling herself dedicated much of her life to education.
She continued her academic journey, earning a Ph.D. in Education from the University of British Columbia. Her research focused on oral traditions and cultural transmission.
Sterling lived for many years in Moricetown, B.C., among the Wetsuwet’en people, who gave her a Hereditary Chief’s name, a significant honour. She received numerous academic scholarships and awards, and even produced a CD of original songs.
On April 3, 2005, Shirley Anne Sterling passed away in Merritt after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 57. Her work extended beyond writing; she was committed to preserving Indigenous knowledge and ensuring it would be
passed on to future generations. Today, as Canadians continue to reflect on the legacy of residential schools, My Name Is Seepeetza remains a vital contribution to truth-telling.
It is not just a novel, but a testimony — a way of preserving memory, acknowledging trauma, and affirming resilience.
B y showing the daily life of a child within a system built to erase Indigenous identity, Sterling’s story humanizes a chapter of history that can be difficult to confront.
Through her semi-autobiographical novel, Sterling ensured that the silence surrounding residential schools would be broken, and that young readers, educators, and the wider public would have a way to witness the experiences of those who endured them.
While Seepeetza’s name in the book is fictionalized, the pain, resilience, and courage she represents remain real, echoing the stories of countless survivors across Canada.
In preserving these stories, Sterling left a legacy that continues to educate, challenge, and inspire.
My Name Is Seepeetza is a reminder that even in the darkest times, memory, identity, and hope endure, and that understanding these stories is essential for the work of reconciliation today.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
A new documentary is opening to the public today, detailing the experiences and cultural history of Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad. Webstad, a survivor of the Indian
Residential School system, gained attention from the wider Canadian public in 2013, when she came out with her story of how she was stripped of her belongings, which included her now notorious orange shirt, when she was GROWING: continued on page 27
ORANGE: continued from page 26
taken to Kamloops Residential School.
“It didn’t matter how much I protested or told them I wanted it back. They didn’t listen. This was the beginning of that feeling like I didn’t matter,” Webstad said in the documentary.
Her story snowballed into a nationwide movement, eventually leading to the creation of a national holiday, Truth and Reconciliation Day, and sparked international awareness for the treatment of c hildren in residential schools.
Webstad is one of the many Indigenous people who were afflicted by the Kamloops Residential School, a place in which the suspected unmarked graves 215 children were found in 2021.
Despite only being in the residential school system for a year, the experience scarred Webstad so much that talking about the experience still triggers her trauma, as seen in this new documentary, P hyllis Webstad’s Orange Shirt Day Story, hosted by the Kamloops Film Board.
The film first premiered Monday, Sept.
22 at the Paramount Theatre in Kamloops. Public screenings will start on Thursday, Sept. 25.
The film also marks the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation C ommittee of Canada’s 94 calls to action to assist Indigenous communities and peoples affected by European colonization in the country.
Webstad’s documentary covers the effects of Canada’s efforts to assimilate Indigenous peoples into their society.
The one-hour experience explores what Webstad’s community of Dog Creek reserve looked like before her time as well as when she was growing up.
Webstad said her community lost many aspects of their way of life.
The people, who are part of the Shuswap nation, lost much of their traditional foods - like salmon, which is a large part of their diet from the Fraser River - to their ways of building housing across the land in favour of the European style log houses.
Smallpox epidemics also killed a large
AWARENESS: continued on page 28
GROWING: continued from page 27
amount of the population in the 1800s according to the nation’s website. In the story, Webstad recounts being taken to residential school, calling it “pee-your-pants terrifying.”
Webstad said she often tells this story to children, and telling them that phrase makes them understand the emotions felt by survivors.
residential schools.
Webstad said she is still healing, but remarks Truth and Reconciliation efforts are sharing the stories of what happened in residential schools are key in keeping reconciliation going.
“The truth is not yet finished being told.”
— Phyllis Webstad
Webstad herself is not the only one in her community or family to attend residential school. She is a third-generation residential school attendee, meaning her grandmother and her mother both attended for longer than she did.
“We’d always known about the graves and the stories and the children to finally have it confirmed and being talked about, and it was as If it was my family and current day that I had lost,” she said.
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Webstad talks about the fact that she lost her parents to residential schools. She said she still feels anger and triggers at certain things like loud noises that make her angry, reminding her of her time in
The documentary points to another tragedy, the suspected unmarked graves of the 215 children in the Kamloops Residential School, and how she can use her platform to keep these issues being investigated and in the spotlight.
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“The truth is not yet finished being told. There are a lot more stories and a lot more missing children and unmarked burials to be found. Only then can true reconciliation begin.”
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the community.
CNA employee and artist Phoenix Aspinall is in charge of designing shirts that will be distributed to the eight bands within CNA.
Aspinall has been working with the company since 2023. She started creating designs for some of their t-shirts.
This is the third shirt she has designed for CNA.
transition into shoe prints above her that basically represents Canada’s attempt to complete integration and assimilation of Indigenous children,” Aspinall said.
Aspinall said she’s grateful for the continued opportunity she gets to highlight her design work and that she is quite proud of this piece.
“It’s important to recognize (the history of residential schools), just so history doesn’t repeat itself.”
— Phoenix Aspinall
She said this year’s design is based on a previous piece she did. It features a mother and a girl who is about to be put into the Indian Residential School system.
“Looking at the design, we see a mother holding the hand of her daughter, who is soon to be taken to go to the Canadian residential schools. There’s feet following behind the young girl, and (it’s) there to represent her freedom and ability to strive as herself. Her prints then
“It feels like I’m pretty proud of myself. I guess never really thought that I could see. See my work actually out there, and really grateful that CNA gives me the opportunity every year to put my stuff out there into our communities.”
She said Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconcilation are important parts of society.
“It’s always meant a lot to me, I come from the second generation of residential school survivors. So always grew up hearing about it... and I think it’s something that is important to recognize, just so history doesn’t repeat itself.”
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Elders from the Nicola Valley were able to attend the 49th annual Elder’s Gathering in Vancouver B.C.
The Elder’s Gathering is an event that allows Elders from First Nations across British Columbia to meet with other Elders from other First Nations to provide a space for shared healing.
The event was hosted from Aug. 26 to 27 at the Vancouver Convention Centre by the BCECCS.
The gathering offered elders a variety of services, ranging from mystics to touch therapists and counselors.
This year, Elder Marie Ann Purdy from the Lower Nicola Indian Band was able to attend and tell the Herald about her experiences.
Purdy said she was able to experience so much during the event, reflecting on it now, she said it is now one of her favourites.
“Healing, (and) it was for learning... it was for us to come together in a good kind way and fellowship. And we did just that.”
Purdy, a 60s Scoop child - children of Canadian policy through the 1950s to the 1980s that allowed Indigenous children to
be “scooped” from their homes and placed in foster care or put up for adoption - said truth and reconciliation was practiced the entire time at the event, saying Elders were treated with the utmost respect.
“They had a very open heart and a very open mind, and they opened up early for us and they stayed later for us. Nobody rushed any elders.”
Much of the event was based around letting the Elders heal in both mind and body. The gathering also featured a collection of 20 Wellness healers from the Indian Residential School System Society.
“My favourite events were the healing (ones). They had healing sessions that were available when you got to lay down and she would do energy work on you.”
Another one of the highlight moments for Purdy at the gathering was an Indigenous fashion show.
Indigenous Elders were encouraged to wear their full traditional regalia at the show, taking pride in their heritage.
“I showed up in full regalia. See her, hat, ribbon, skirt, everything, head to toe every day.”
Purdy said she emplores others to go to the gathering now.
As a North American energy company, Enbridge believes that our business can play a critical role in advancing reconciliation, and that means acknowledging the truth and learning from the past. As we learn more, we strive to create a path that we can walk, together, towards reconciliation.
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we encourage all to take time to listen and learn about the history and culture of Indigenous peoples.
On September 30 and every other day, you can educate yourself in many ways. Please take the time to listen, learn, and take action on RECONCILIATION.
The honorable Murray Sinclair once said, “Education is what got us into this
and education will get us out.”
Wear your orange shirt on September 30
National Orange Shirt Day September 30
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Learn more by finding new Indigenous social media content creators or podcasts
Support Indigenous artists; listen to Indigenous musicians
Participate in local cultural events in your community
Discuss with your family what truth and reconciliation means and identify ways to take action
Merritt falls 5-2 to Quesnel River Rush but bounces back with a 5-3 victory over Williams Lake Mustangs
editor@merrittherald.com
The Merritt Centennials had a rollercoaster of a week, facing tough opponents on the road in their two-game stretch.
Friday, Sept. 19 – Merritt Centennials 2 – Quesnel River Rush 5
The Merritt Centennials hit the road last Friday, Sept. 19, to kick off the 2025/26 season in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) against the Quesnel River Rush.
Merritt wasted no time asserting themselves at the West Fraser Centre as they came out fast and strong with Lachlan Hanton scoring just 1:19 into the game, giving the Centennials the early lead.
Quesnel quickly responded with Gage Parrell, tying things up for the home team.
For the remainder of the first period, both teams were unable to find the back of the net, despite River Rush holding a 16-13 shot advantage.
The second period was once again tightly contested, with Merritt recording 13 shots on goal and Quesnel slightly ahead with 16.
The River Rush found a way to add more pressure to the game in the second frame with two unanswered goals by Ian George, making it 3-1.
Despite the 13 shots on goal for the Cents in the second period, none could find the back of the net.
Merritt came back to the final frame determined to turn the game around in their favour, but it seemed as if it wasn’t their lucky night.
Steven Foster fired a quick shot past the River Rush goalie, scoring his first goal of the night. The goal gave the Cents some life, as they kept pressing for the equalizer in the remaining minutes of the frame.
Despite the 15 other opportunities, no other shot found the back of the net.
The River Rush potted another goal of their own with Isaiah Bragi, increasing to a two-goal lead.
Quesnel sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 19:29, securing their first victory in the 2025/26 season.
The Merritt Centennials fell 5-2 to the Quesnel River Rush, a tough start under
the new season.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Merritt Centennials 5 – Williams Lake Mustangs 3
Looking to bounce back, the Merritt Centennials delivered a disciplined and opportunistic performance on Saturday night in Williams Lake, skating away with a 5-3 win over the Williams Lake Mustangs.
Williams Lake opened the score in the first period as JP Desabrais managed to find the back of the net, making it a 1-0 lead for the home team.
Shortly after, the one-goal lead was gone after Travis Langlois put it past the goalie, tying the game for the Cents.
Langlois was quickly followed by his teammate Marshall Wagner, who found the back of the net just two minutes after to make it 2-1.
Merritt increased the advantage with a short-handed goal from Langlois, making it 3-1 heading into the second period.
Despite the 14 shots on goal for Williams Lake and nine for Merritt, the Mustangs scored the only goal in the middle frame.
The third period saw more back-andforth action, with both teams generating opportunities.
Merritt increased their lead with Steven Foster, who took advantage of a power play early in the period.
The Mustangs shortly responded with a goal of their own, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide in favour of the home team.
With the Williams Lake net empty and time winding down, Noah Lawless potted a goal into the open cage with just a second left to crown the Cents’ win.
The Merritt Centennials won 5-3 against the Williams Lake Mustangs.
Merritt will now host their home opener this Friday, Sept. 26, as they face the Castlegar Rebels at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, Merritt will also face one of their main rivals, the Kamloops Storm, at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
PHOTOS/LAÍSA CONDÉ
After a 5-2 setback in Quesnel, Merritt earns a 5-3 win in Williams Lake to even their record.
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Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
I know that
It is with great sadness that we announce that Dr. Robert Gerald Holmes died peacefully at home on Saturday morning, 20 September, 2025 at the age of 90. He was born in London, England on August 4th, 1935 and graduated from University of London’s St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in 1959. He practiced medicine in Uganda, England, Prince Rupert, BC, White Rock BC and finally settled in Merritt, B.C. in 1975. In Merritt, he was a partner in the Merritt Medical Clinic where he was a General Practitioner and practiced General Surgery at the Nicola Valley Hospital. He was always proud to say that he delivered over 2000 babies. He retired in 1997 following an illness and remained in the Nicola Valley until his death.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen Holmes, 5 children, and 14 grandchildren.
He will be buried in Merritt and has requested a private service.
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Scw’exmx Community Health Services Society
As a Medical Assistant you will be responsible for providing administrative support to ensure the efficient operation of the medical office. You will support doctors and patients through a variety of tasks related to patient care management, organization, and communication.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Organize and schedule appointments.
• Update and file medical records and insurance reports
• Assist during medical examinations.
• Produce and distribute correspondence memos, letters, faxes, and forms.
• Prepare and clean treatment rooms and medical instruments.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Experience as a Medical Assistant would be an asset.
• Knowledge of office procedures.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
• Social perceptiveness and service oriented.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and patient management software.
Competitive salary and full benefits
E-mail Resume and References to: admin@schss.com or apply in person at 1802 Chapman Street, Merritt.
Wages: starting $20 to $28 (depends on experience & attendance)
Steady day shift work
Students welcome to apply • No experience necessary
Will train
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
Tolko’s Southern Interior Woodlands Forest Operational Map (FOM) is available for public review and comments online at: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects.
Review and comment period: September 26th, 2025, to October 26th, 2025.
The FOM is also available for in-person review and comments at 4280 Highway 6, Lumby, BC, during business hours of 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday except on Stat Holidays. Comments can also be submitted by email at TolkoWoodlandsCommunications@tolko.com.
The FOM is valid for 3 years during which the FOM may be relied upon to apply for a cutting permit or road permit to harvest a cutblock or construct a road shown on the FOM.
Please be advised that Weyerhaeuser Company Limited intends to amend a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) which covers areas within the Cascades Natural Resource District.
This amendment will include the addition of the numbered company 1539998 B.C. Ltd (Gorman Group) and Cook’s Ferry Indian Band as holders and signatories of the FSP.
This plan is a requirement of the Forest and Range Practices Act. The FSP outlines the results or strategies that the holders of the plan intend to implement in order to meet the objectives set by government along with other legal requirements including its area of application.
This plan is publicly available for review and for written comment, beginning on the date of this publication. Those wishing to review the plan may do so by appointment, during normal working hours at our Princeton main office until Dec. 1st, 2025. Please phone 250 295 4286 to make an appointment. Comments can be made in writing c/o Planning Forester, Gorman Group, 201 Old Hedley Rd, PO Box 550 Princeton, B.C. V0X 1W0. All written comments must be received prior to the-above mentioned date.
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