The Atlin Whisper, August 9 2023

Wednesday August 9th

, 2023

The Atlin Whisper

“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.”

Margaret Mead

A KILLER ON THE YUKON BORDER Part 1

Sheslay Mike

by Paul Lucas

In the North, legends are rarely in short supply. Most are of the positive variety, but there have been a number who, for one reason or another, went bad. Sheslay Mike Oros was one of these. Atlin Fall,1981. It was September 12. I remember the date clearly, because I was headed to one of two functional pay phones in town to call my mother on her birthday. Standing in that phone booth waiting for my call to go through, I noticed a lot of activity down by the lake - police activity. This was unusual.

At the time, the town had only one cop. When I first visited Atlin in 1977, that cop was Mike Morhun, a good pal of my friend and wildlife C.O. Jamie Stephen, (those law enforcement guys tend to hang together), and a well liked member of the community. He was a fair and efficient officer of the law who didn’t rest on ceremony, and could often be found in street clothes taking care of this and that – 24/7 –no easy feat. A good man, albeit a tired one.

Our current one man police force was Peter Bird but today, he was just one of at least six RCMP officers wandering around with that stony ‘this is serious” look on their faces. It was clear that something was up.

Hall Lake, September,1981. Fall in the North. There’s nothin’ like it. After a summer of endless days, when the light starts to fade, things start to pick up on the Yukon border.

Gold miners are working at a frantic pace, trying to make the most of the ground before freeze-up, builders are trying to get roofs sealed before the snow flies, residents are working overtime to get wood in, and hunters are out on the land trying to get a moose to fill their freezers for the long winter ahead. We were no exception. Hilbo and I had just flown into Hall Lake. With enough supplies for several days of hunting and fishing, and a little skiff slung between the floats of the Beaver, we were ready for anything.

The fishing turned out to be phenomenal. Lake trout and grayling were jumping in the boat, and now we were ready to head out to find some meat for the winter.

Our first foray was successful, and pretty easy. A medium sized bull pulling up weeds at the end of the lake made an easy target. Of course, shooting a moose in the water meant we had to haul our prize to camp behind the boat, and that took a very, very long time. Moose are heavy mammals. Anything involving a moose requires thinking big, and field dressing one is no small job. It’s a humbling experience. If you don’t have respect for your position in the animal world before skinning out a moose, you most definitely have one after. A lot of time is spent inside the carcass cutting this and clearing that. There is a lot of … well … everything, and you are pretty well covered by the time the job is done. I

didn’t have a clue what was involved until I watched Hilbo go through the drill that first day. But hey, that’s how you learn, I guess.

With the job done, and Freddy hung up out of reach, we set out the following morning for encounter number two, an event that took place mid-morning on a rise above the lake in the middle of the morning - a good place to find moose after they feed and want to hang out in cover as the day gets warmer.

We beached the boat, climbed over the rise, and all of a sudden there he was - Albert, the great bullstaring straight at us. It looked like his blood was up and he was ready to charge. Hilbo wasted no time in dropping him.

I hustled back over the rise and down towards the water where the boat was beached to get the skinning knives and other supplies. I had no sooner plunged over the rim when I ran into another bull ploughing his way up the bank towards me, and he wasn’t a happy camper.

My feet didn’t touch the ground. I bounded up and over the top of that bank like a deer - with my rival right behind me and catching up fast. Fortunately, there was a little copse of young poplars growing along the brow of the hill, and they were planted so close that he ended up getting that massive rack of his tangled up in them. He was properly stuck. Stampin’ mad, the more he struggled, the madder he got.

I was tempted to make a face and blow him a raspberry, but he was starting to break off branches like they were toothpicks, and I just had time to yell ‘heads up!’ Hilbo grabbed his rifle and fired a shot over his head - causing my new pal to back out of the thicket and plunge down the bank to the lake and freedom.

After all was said and done, we figured we had run into two bulls getting ready to spar, and their blood was already up before we got there. It was, after all, rutting season on the Yukon border, and the males were competing for females by beating the crap out of each other to prove who is the most worthy; another ritual, of course, being the rut itself - that charming piece of devilry where the male digs a rut in the ground, proceeds to piss in it, then rolls around in the musk to make himself more attractive to a prospective partner. The ungulate version of applying a little after shave I’m guessing.

The whole thing has always seemed suspiciously familiar. Maybe it reminds me of last call at many of the bars I’ve played in.

Little did we know, that as we were fiddling and farting around Hall Lake in that clear, cool autumn air, a few miles to the south-east, a drama was taking place that was about to knock everyone’s socks off.

Hall Lake, as it turned out, was part of the Gladys Lake trapping country of a man named Gunter Lishy, and Gunter, at that particular moment, was feeling mighty poorly. Truth be known, Gunter was feeling mighty dead - dead and buried - in the mud along the margins of Hutsigola Lake, shot in the back by ‘Sheslay Mike’ Oros - a bushman and illegal trapper who was, as we spoke, pounding south through the toolies as he made his escape from the scene of the crime.

The shooting was the beginning of a string of events that was to last over four years - one that was destined to end in a wilderness hunt culminating in another shootout that cost the additional lives of RCMP constable Mike Buday and Sheslay Mike himself.

*My sources and credits for this story can be found at the end of Part IV. Thanks to all.”

TRTFN-Atlin Community Dinner Summary

The Atlin Community Dinner, held on June 14th, 2023 at the Atlin Rec Centre, invited both Tlingit and non-Tlingit residents of Atlin to enjoy a meal, hear an update on the JVP, and share ideas on strengthening relationships and building unity in Atlin. Using printed worksheets and markers, groups at each table were invited to discuss and share their perspectives on the following questions:

❖ What are some of the ways that you feel the relationships between Atlin & TRT can be strengthened or improved?

❖ Years into the future, what does it look like for TRTFN Citizens and Atlin Residents to live in Unity?

❖ What actions or projects do you think that both Atlin and TRT should work on together in the next 5 years?

Summary of Feedback

Looking to the future, community dinner participants envisioned respectful dialogue between TRTFN and non-Tlingit Atlin residents, with community members listening to and learning from one another. It was shared that to work toward building trust, folks must be open and curious to move toward understanding one another while maintaining respect for cultural boundaries. Several participants also spoke to the need to address long standing issues of racism and division within the community, and to work together for the betterment of future generations. Folks imagined a future where TRTFN and non-Tlingit Atlin residents had lasting friendships, were kind to one another, and celebrated together. Below are a few quotes that illustrate some of the sentiments that were shared:

“Feeling comfortable visiting each other at our homes”

“Be willing to find common ground…build on the common ground”

“Atlin people are walking trails in town together”

In general, the dinner attendees shared a strong desire for greater collaboration between TRTFN and non-Tlingit Atlin residents. By working together to share resources and capital assets on common challenges, such as fire protection, health and wellness, and child protection, relationships could be strengthened. One participant recalled a much closer relationship 30-40 years ago, with citizens working together to achieve common goals such as the Atlin Recreation Centre. Some participants noted a desire for joint community decision making, ACID input at the G2G level, and more Atlin representation as a whole.

Several participants noted a need for improved and more frequent communication between TRTFN and non-Tlingit Atlin residents to increase transparency, to quell misinformation or assumptions, and to better understand the needs of the community. Suggestions for communications tools include a shared webpage, newsletter, and community calendar, in addition to creating space for open dialogue.

Enhancing the visibility of TRTFN, in particular Tlingit culture and history, throughout town was a common topic. This could include signage, art, sharing of Indigenous knowledge (ie. local medicines), the selling of traditional Tlingit foods, and cultural competency courses. In terms of land use planning, some participants expressed an interest in a more integrated layout, removing reservations and subdivisions while ensuring enough living space for all people of Atlin and their children.

Contact

If you have questions or would like to become involved in the JVP, please contact:

● Vincent Esquiro, TRTFN JVP Lead - assistant.negotiator@gov.trtfn.com

● Kate Davis, Alderhill Planning - kate@alderhill.ca

Know Your Home Ignition Zones

Knowing your Home Ignition Zones is the foundation of creating a FireSmart home. And with our new and improved zone classifications, getting FireSmart is easier than ever.

Zone 1 is the Immediate Zone, which is everything within 1.5 m of your house. Think of this as the place you need to immediately tend to regularly cleaning leaves, removing non-FireSmart plants, and performing general FireSmart upgrades.

Zone 2 is the Intermediate Zone, 1.5 m to 10 m around your house. This area can still be a danger zone if certain flammable vegetation and woody debris are left here. Consider choosing lower-growing FireSmart plants in this area and keep it free of combustible debris.

Zone 3 is the Extended Zone. This area is 10 m and further. For the most part, this area is where less FireSmart plants are okay and pose less of a risk to your property. Still, keeping debris and branches in this area trimmed is always a good idea if you want your property to be as resilient as possible.

Learn more about each zone and the steps you can take to be FireSmart at the website below.

begins-at-home-guide.firesmartbc.ca

More information at: firesmartbc.ca

August Summary

Musicians

SaturdayAugust19

The Compassion Pills

FridayAugust25

The Shaggy Manes

CD Release Dinner & Dance

SaturdaySeptember23

SaturdaySeptember30

The August Arrival Joey O’Neil

CD Release CD Release

Sunday & Wednesday Movies

Doors open 7:00, movie starts 7:30

Wednesday August 9:

The Talented Mr. Ripley – based on the novel:

Starring: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law

Directed by: Anthony Minghella

Sunday August 13:

The Time Traveler’s Wife:

Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams

Directed by: Robert Schwentke

Wednesday Aug 16:

The New Daughter

Starring: Kevin Costner, Ivana Baquero, Samantha Mathis

Directed by: Luis Berdejo

Sunday August 20:

A Good Year:

Starring: Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard, Abbie Cornish

Directed by: Ridley Scott

The Historic Globe Theatre

Saturday August 19, 2023

CD Release

The Compassion Pills are a goth blues band from Whitehorse. Their original music runs the spectrum from eerie minor keyed piano tunes, to heavy bluesy rock songs. This summer The Pills are releasing their debut album “Creature of Habit”, half of which was recorded live at The Globe Theatre in August of 2022. In celebration of the release, the band will be performing a show at The Globe on Saturday, August 19 marking a year since their last performance in Atlin.

The Compassion Pills are: Claire Gallagher~ vocals, keys, Jody Peters~ bass, Rob Jones~ drums, Sam Gallagher~ lap steel, Scott Maynard~ guitar.

Doors Open 7:30

Concert Starts 8:00

Tickets $20 in advance, $25 @ the door

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/692812249087

Email exploreatlinsales@gmail.com

Coffee/Tea Service Available by Donation

Facebook: @ExploreAtlin Email exploreatlinsales@gmail.com

Presented by Heather Keny

Big Water Society would like to welcome back Jan Forde, MSW

to provide FREE professional counselling to everyone in Atlin!

Please contact Jan Forde on Wednesdays, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at 867-3336829 (more details to come)

Tail Gate Sales 2023

Mark Your Calendars

August 12,

September 2 10 to 1 or 2 PM depending on weather and vendors

Call, message or email Jane to reserve a spot or if you have questions. 651-7697, janecurry245@gmail.com

$5.00 for each table or by Donation All proceeds this year go to Atlin Museum

Atlin Community Improvement District

The Atlin Community Improvement District (ACID) is accepting resumes for employment as a Part Time Administrator.

Hours: Approximately 70 – 100 hours per month

Closing Date: Until filled

Start Date: A.S.A.P.

Pay: Commensurate with experience

Skills and requirements:

✓ BasiccomputerskillswithknowledgeofWORDprocessingpackage&EXCEL

✓ AbletodobookkeepingusingSAGEaccountingsoftware

✓ Typingspeedof30wordsperminute

✓ Goodcommunicationskills–verbal&written(letterandreportwriting)

✓ Abilitytouseandmaintainorganizedfilingsystems-paper&electronic

✓ Abletoworkunsupervised&beextremelyorganizedandself-motivated

As the ACID Administrator you will be expected to:

-Preparemeetings-agendas,organizepertinentdocuments,financialstatements,minutes

-Postnotices,minutes(&other)atPostOffice,ServiceBC,andtownbulletinboards

-Organize&keeppaperandelectronicfiles

-Followgenerallyacceptedbookkeepingprocedures-accountspayable/receivable, payroll&remittances,reconcile accounts,prepareyearendpaperworkforauditor,etc

-Anticipate&implementmonthly/yearlyprocedures

-Submitnecessarygovernmentdocumentsandreportsinatimelymanner

-Preparetheannualbudget

-Write/manageallcorrespondence

-KeepTrusteesandChairpersoninformed-WorkdirectlywiththeChairperson

-OrganizetheAnnualGeneralMeetingandElections

-ManageadministrationdutiesoftheAtlinVolunteerFireDepartment

-OtherdutiesasoutlinedinBylaw#57(Seecurrentadministratorforinformation)

-Researchandrequestinformationfromvariousagencies

-CommunicatewithgovernmentMinistriesandagenciesasrequired

-Workinarandomlybusysharedofficespace

-Generallightmaintenanceoffirehall–janitorial

-Ifrequired,paintingandsummermaintenanceofwalkway Administrative experience an asset. Training will be available. Please submit your resume via mail or email to: Atlin Community Improvement District

P.O. Box 388 Atlin, BC V0W 1A0 atlincid@gmail.com

Come sing with me to bring sunshine our whole day through and chase the gray from an awesome life with you.

Come dance with me with music slow and mellow sweet so cares melt away while we sway to the beat. while we vow to pursue living an awesome life.

Jeff Salmon

Come stroll with me for the gift of time down tree-lined lane your hand in mine, in sunshine and in rain.

Come fly with me far, far away to a place so fair where few have been way beyond compare… while we vow to pursue living an awesome life.

“Angels”

There are angels living in our realm who shine a light on compassion by showing us how to live and give.

When we follow their example by offering kindness and generosity, our universe shines infinitely brighter… and we are happier for doing so.

Jeff Salmon

“An Awesome Life”

NORTHERN HOMES REAL ESTATE

Watson Avenue

Two adjoining lots totalling 75x100’ providing ample room to build a new home while restoring a colorful and historic building, if you chose. No neighbors or roads to the north so lots of privacy.

$225,000

4th Street

400 sq.ft., one bedroom cabin plus large workshop on two adjoining 50x100 lots, fully fenced. Quiet location with lots of room for expansion. Great potential for expansion.

$275,000

43.6 Acres

Beautifully maintained, inside and out, this cozy 2 bedroom home is so private featuring a second cottage with sleeping loft (often used as B&B), a third cabin for guests, great garage/workshop, plus various other craft/work shops and fencing. Mountain views in every direction plus short walk to Atlin Lake sandy beaches. Just waiting for you! Viewing by appointment ONLY!

$597,000

Pearl Street

1700 sq.ft. historical building suited for combination comfortable living plus retail. Living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and 3rd huge room to adapt to your needs! Recent extensive foundation and roof restoration plus interior renovations utilizing the original wood and fixtures. This is original “Atlin” and your opportunity!

$395,000

Warm Bay Road

This gem is off grid, well maintained and absolutely the perfect retreat. 2 bedrooms, large open dining/living room, galley kitchen and spacious pantry. Storage in walk out cellar plus numerous outbuildings. Bonus is a warm spring flowing through year around!

$239,000

Lake View

A great view awaits in this well built, 2 level home with a fabulous open floorplan on the upper level with a master bedroom plus storage! The lower level boasts 2 extra bedrooms or bedroom and games room. Almost 1700 sq.ft., lots of room for the entire family and guests to enjoy! Dbl garage on lower level plus another garage for all those extras like boats, quads, sleds. $535,000 SOLD

5 Acres

With power, small log cabin, tenant occupied near the upper end of the acreage, application for subdivision has been submitted/approved to create two 2.5 acre parcels. Slope facing Atlin Lake. Build your dream home to take advantage of the view and keep the tenant as caretaker! Or build a series of guest cabins! Your imagination is your only limitation!

$237,000 SOLD

Fourth of July

Basic lake side cabin, 3 bedrooms, lots of big windows, hidden in the trees, on .544 acres, leased lot until 2042. Very private! 61,500 SOLD

4th of July

.78 acres of Crown Land lease, gated, partly cleared, the perfect spot to keep your RV and recreational necessities, there for year around enjoyment. Lease term to 2042.

$53,500

HIDDEN GEM

This stunning gem in an Enchanted Forest has been lovingly crafted by the hands of this talented owner – never to be duplicated! On 4 acres with guest cabins and a short walk to hidden lakes plus easy access to the highway,

$399,000 SOLD

STUNNING – Inside and Outside

Incredible views, quiet location and fabulous home. 1700 sq.ft. on main level, beautifully renovated with gyproc interior, lots of updated windows, open floor plan, kitchen, dining area, living room, bar/games room plus 2 bedrooms. Basement offers 3 more bedrooms, two baths, kitchenette and large living room with ground level access. One of a kind waiting for you.

$349,000 SOLD

Mi 43 Atlin Highway

34+ acres of land, surrounded by grazing lease, with 1700 sq.ft., 2 BR, full basement home, great well, septic field, solar and generator plus lots of extras. If you wish, will come with 2 loveable nags who consider this home. Quick possession is possible.

$535,000 SOLD

Call Myrna at (250) 775-1019 7

Leave message via text or email myrnablake1@gmail.com Email above plus satellite at myrnablake1@zoleo.com Go to northernhomesbc.ca for more details.

FOR SALE – Atlin Property at corner of

3rd Street and Pearl Avenue

In the middle of the Atlin townsite but tucked away for tranquility and privacy.

Spacious backyard with greenhouse (6x12 feet) and three raised garden beds, various fruit trees and shrubs (cherry, apple, haskap, saskatoon, raspberries etc.) and an outhouse. Property right next to the Alkali slough with great accessibility to walking and cross-country ski trails and with a view of Atlin Mountain

General info:

• Total property size fully fenced: 3 lots (12,600 sqft, ~0.3 acres)

• Finished area: 1050 sqft – living space all on one floor

• Interiors extensively renovated in 2009

• Cistern with 2300 litres capacity

• Septic tank and field – redone in 2020

• Wood heat with Pioneer Princess wood cook stove hand-crafted

• by the Amish; back up oil and electrical heating

• R65 insulation in ceiling/attic

Features:

• 2 arctic entrances

• 2 bedrooms

• 1 full bathroom (and 1 outhouse)

• Open kitchen, dining and living area

• Storage room with cedar wood infra-red sauna

• Large root cellar below

• Oversized garage with ample parking and storage space

• Large woodshed with some wood

• 2 additional storage sheds

• Appliances: washing machine, stove, fridge

Price: $330,000

Serious inquiries at cziegler@unb.ca

Custom Fish Art- Fiberglas and Wood

Please note that requests for same day water delivery must be received no later than 11 am of said day. Thank you!

Water delivery and Sewer Removal are available Monday through Friday

Home Heating Fuel, Bulk Fuel and Bulk Oil Available

Phone 250-651-7463

Email garypumpsltd@gmail.com

Mailing address is Box 147, Atlin BC V0W 1A0

Office hours – Monday to Friday 8 am – noon

With thanks, Gary McNeil and Jody Smallwood

GARY HILL’S FISH ART

GARY HILL’S – CUSTOM, FISH REPRODUCTIONS

PHONE 867 334 4857.

EMAIL – garyphill59@gmail.com

7 MONARCH Drive – ATLIN – BC. V0W 1A0

WANTED

Hi! I’m looking for antiques! Outdoor and indoor items/furniture.

If you think you have something interesting for sale or to give away, please call me at 250-651-2111 or email me at: a.remon@me.com

Thank you!

Amélie Remon

Gary Pumps Ltd.

Atlin Mountain Inn's New Hours

Breakfast 7-9am

Lunch 12-2pm

Dinner 6-8pm

Saloon open Wed - Sat

Atlin Coffee and Cream Cart

Featuring specialty coffees and more!

NEW_ Soft Ice cream!

Open daily 12-9pm. Closed Thursday. Located across from the Tarahne on Lakeshore St. Atlin.

Atlin Pet Care

287 Tatlow Street

Yourpetshomeawayfromhome!

Indoor/Outdoor Runs

Heated Kennels

Boarding-Grooming-Pet Supplies

Emergency Care-Veterinarian Referrals

SPCA AGENTS

George Holman 250-651-7717 or Marj Holman 250-651-7758

LANDFILL SPRING/SUMMER HOURS

SATURDAY-MONDAY

CLOSED ON ALL BC STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

Canada Day - Closed Saturday, July 1st …… Open July 2, 3, 4

BC Day - Closed Monday, Aug 7th …...…. Open Aug 5, 6, 8

Labour Day - Closed Monday, Sept 4th ………... Open Sept 2, 3, 5 National Day for Truth & Reconciliation - Closed Saturday, Sept 30 … Open Oct

Spring hours effective April 1, 2023

Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm

Sunday 11am – 4pm

New bakery chef with take out options!

~Weekly freight truck run on Mondays and freight runs available upon request~

Atlin Christian Centre Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

Service and Sunday School Sunday

11 a.m.

Come join us!

250-691-0128

St. Martin’s Anglican Church

10 a.m. Sunday

Everyone welcome!

Our Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works as for the love with which they are done.

Theresa of Avila

Sewing Machine Cleaning, Repair, &Setup Terry 250651-7769

Mountain Shack Café Restaurant

Fast Fancy Food

Great Service

110 Discovery Avenue In Atlin, B.C. EAT IN OR TAKE OUT

Wednesday thru Monday

250-651-7789

MOBILE WELDING SERVICE

AVAILABLE

Contact: Alain Vanier 250-651-0037

Reasonable Rates!

Smallwood Enterprises Ltd

We provide Concrete, Drain Rock, Screed gravel, Sand, Topsoil and Septic systems. We also provide Equipment Rentals, Excavations, Covered Storage, Firewood and Snow Removal. Please call (250) 651-2488 or email bobscontracting2020 @gmail.com

The next Whisper is Wednesday August 23rd

Submissions are due no later than Sunday 6pm August 20th

Atlin Community Library

Due to the Courthouse repositioning, will be closed from August 13th onward. Reopening date unknown, but watch for announcements.”

The Purpose of the Atlin Whisper is to encourage, build-up and inform the people of Atlin concerning ongoing community events and happenings. The Whisper is not a political mouthpiece.

Compiled and edited by Lynne Phipps. Paper for printing courtesy of Northern Homes Real Estate Printing courtesy of Dani McNeil and the RCMP Atlin. Delivery by Bobbie Whelan and Gary Hill.

Classifieds, news, upcoming events Contact 1-867-334-7949 or lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com if you have, pictures or articles you would like to submit.

Please note that submissions should be sent in either WORD or JPEG whenever possible. PDF must first be printed and then scanned back into the computer in order to format it into the paper. This costs in both paper and ink. We know that at times a PDF is the only way, which is okay when necessary, but otherwise, as the Whisper is a FREE community service we appreciate your support in helping to keep the costs down as much as possible. Thank You!