Wednesday October 15th , 2025
The Atlin Whisper
“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.”
Margaret Mead
“Fall”
Fall is more than just a transition from Summer to Winter it is a gift to cherish. With shorter days there is a challenge to make the best use of time outdoors.
Fall air starts off fresh and adds a crispness as it awakens a desire to walk into the woods or on paths winding their way out and about.
Soon we reconnect with our flannel shirts, fleece or wool jackets and hand knit items for warmth and the coziness they provide.
Fall air stimulates our palate for cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves as well as warming drinks and yummy fruit crisps baked with oats.
Fall rekindles our desire for snuggling on a sofa under an afghan with best-loved music, curling up with a good book or being comfy on the porch surrounded by nature as we give thanks.
Jeff Salmon
Doug Hall
Aug 1943-Sept 2025
James Douglas “Doug” Hall of Atlin BC died at age 82 in Whitehorse Hospital. He was successfully treated for cancer 12 years ago. He passed away peacefully and was ready to do so.
Doug was born in Burnaby BC to parents Dorothy Hall (nee Pipe) and James (Jim) Hall. He lived for over 30 years in the greater Vancouver area. His work however was in the wilderness. He was a diamond driller, an equipment operator, a placer miner, an inventor, and an all-round free thinker, interested in all aspects of the world and universe around him. And he loved a lively discussion.
Doug’s eldest son, Jonathan, was born in 1963, to Doug and his first wife, Margaret. Doug lived in Cranbrook BC for a few years with wife Donna, and Doug’s son Jonathan joined them there for a winter. Doug and Donna moved to Atlin in 1979, and there they raised their two children, Thor and Shannon
Doug lived the rest of his life in Atlin. He held the hope and belief for a better future for the earth and mankind, and all creatures, sometimes seeing an unconventional path forward. He had an innovative mind and a quirky sense of humour. He was quietly kind, and never sought to be the centre of attention. He loved to explore, whether a mountain, an old mine drift, a pyramid, a marketplace, or an abandoned road in a foreign country. And the mark of a good human - he loved his dogs!
He is survived by wife Donna, sons Jonathan and Thor (and grandson Jakob), daughter Shannon, and many extended family members of the Hall, Pipe, James, and McKenzie families He is predeceased by both parents and his brother Roderick.
Doug did not want a funeral or celebration of life, but we will honour him in the future when the family can gather. He would appreciate food, drink, and lively discussion! His words and lessons will be remembered. Supportive Living in Atlin was very helpful in supplying equipment that enabled Doug to live comfortably at home for many years.
Any memorial donations can be made to Atlin Supportive Living, Box 347, Atlin, BC. V0W 1A0
Atlin Goldfields Past, Present and Future
by Clive Aspinall, P.Eng.
Atlin Placer Miner Association (APMA)
12th October 2025-Gold Price $SUS 4,016.40oz /$CDN 5,625.97oz
Atlin’s Hydro-Magnesite Playa Deposits
Hydro-magnesite is a naturally occurring hydrated magnesium carbonate mineral with the chemical formula Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂·4H₂O. This mineral is found in small playa deposits near Atlin, BC. These colourless to white earthy playa deposits are located in topographic lows immediately east of the town. From the summit of Pillman Hill, 3 Hydro-magnesite playas can be seen, 2 between town and the school, and the 3rd immediately across the Surprise Lake Road, North-east of town. In total, they comprise an estimated 7.39 hectares and have an average reported depth of 81 cm.
These playa deposits are notable for their active, low-temperature formation of magnesium-carbonate minerals, precipitated from groundwater through evaporation and chemical erosion. The Atlin Hydro-magnesite deposits are related and chemically sourced by erosion from rocks that make up Monarch Mountain, and similar rocks underlying the Atlin town site, offshore Atlin, including 1st, 2nd and 3rd Islands.
The Atlin hydro-magnesite has a unique mineralogy worthy of study for its ability to capture C02, credited for climate change in the earth’s atmosphere, and locking it underground forever. The Atlin playa deposits are also associated with clay and calcium. In 1940, it is reported that reserves of Atlin hydro-magnesite were 107,037 tons grading 41 per cent MgO. This grade compares well with grades worldwide since 83 per cent of the world reserves are reported to grade 41 to 42 per cent MgO (Magnesium). Several hundred tons of Atlin hydro-magnesite were mined and shipped to the USA between 1904 and 1915. Commercial uses of magnesium include lightweight alloys for automotive and aerospace industries, chemicals, and refractories for lining furnaces. It is also used in electronics like laptops and phones for its heat dissipation and shielding properties, and in pyrotechnics like fireworks due to its bright white light when burned. Magnesium is a critical component in fertilizers, a desulfurizing agent for iron and steel, and is used in medical implants and as a sedative. The average price for magnesium metal in 2022 was $7.59 per pound, while a project studying magnesium oxide production quoted a baseline price of $1,500/metric tonne for a 98% purity product
SOMETHING NEW FOR ATLIN
Are you buying, selling or refinancing real estate in Atlin? The Notary Group can help you!
We now offer virtual notarial services in Atlin. Have your REALTOR® or mortgage broker send us your contract and instructions, and we’ll get your file started. We prepare the documents and review them with you virtually. Then you sign the few documents that need to be signed inperson with Atlin’s BC Service BC Notary. We’d be happy to help you with your property needs in Atlin!
The Notary Group 250-763-1923
info@thenotarygroup.ca
Remembering a Good Man from Atlin
Sometimes in life, if you’re lucky, there is a good person who influences you in an oversized way. My uncle, Archie Knill from Atlin was that person to me. A long-time resident and promoter of Atlin, his stories, jokes, letters, photos and interactions never failed to be intriguing and entertaining, so it seems only right to acknowledge the fifth anniversary of his death with this memorial
Archie always promoted Atlin to me and my adult children encouraging our relocation to the Atlin area often sending marketing and informative brochures along with his letters. Quick with a joke or a story, it was always enjoyable spending time in person or chatting frequently with Archie on the phone. We shared a common interest in photography and ventured out on a couple of shoots together. I still have the car license plate showing “1000 F4”, (a camera setting) he sent me years ago.
Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” Archie discovered his “why” as a teenager, left his childhood home, and pursued a life of exploring and adventure throughout the north, settling in Atlin many years ago. A bachelor for life in pursuit of his goals and dreams. His was a life well lived.
Into his eighties, Archie’s health began declining and several ladies in the community generously provided assistance in the form of meals and house calls for Archie. He was very appreciative and often commented on the large quantity of food and sweets that were brought to his home.
Then covid with all of its restrictions and regulations gripped the country and the world. Interprovincial travel was banned in Canada and I was unable to travel to Atlin in spite of Archie asking me numerous times to come to his home.
Not a week goes by when I don’t think of my uncle Archie, so on this fifth anniversary of his death it seemed appropriate to share a word or two about him, a good man who loved the north and Atlin.
As Archie signed off in a 2004 letter delivered to me by the last dog sled run between Carcross, Yukon and Atlin, B.C. he included this line:
“There are two things that everyone faces sooner or later, a camera and reality. A smile helps in both cases.
You are missed Archie.
Happy Trails…Good health and prosperity to all.
Geoffrey Knill geoffreyknill@gmail.com
Choice 1
Man as creator
Synthetic model
Square paradigm
Corporate
Pyramidical
Linear
Compartmentalization
Individualization
Centralization
Scarcity as baseline
Fear as driver
Mind as master
Illusion of choice
Death of free will
Obedience to Man
Zeroes and ones
On or off, this or that
Black or white
Nature as commodity
Food and medicine as mechanisms
Science as dogma
Central Bank Digital Currency
Global Digital ID
New World Order.
Choice 2
God as Creator
Organic model
Round paradigm
Co-operate
Concentric
Cyclical
Integration
Unification
Localization
Abundance as baseline
Love as driver
Body, mind, and spirit in balance
Choice
Free will Obedience to God
All permutations and combinations
Analog, wave form
Full spectrum
Nature as gift
Food as medicine
Science as process
National currencies
Personal identity
Divine Order.
https://stephenbadhwar.substack.com/ October 2025
LANDFILL *WINTER DAYS* *Effective – Sunday, November 2nd, 2025* SUNDAY & MONDAY 11 AM - 4 PM … PST CLOSED at temperatures -28 C & below.
CLOSED ON ALL BC STATUTORY HOLIDAYS Christmas (Thursday) & New Year (Thursday) Family Day (Monday) - Open Feb 17 Easter (Good Friday) - Open Apr 7, 8
NORTHERN HOMES REAL ESTATE
Second Street
Tucked away on 3 adjoining lots totaling 90’ x 100’ feet on a dead-end quiet street. Picture is taken from Second Street looking towards the vacant lots (there is an old garage/shed in the treed lot), lake marina and the mountains. Near perfection!
$299,000.
Warm Bay Road
Searching for that perfect hide-away? Close to town but hidden from neighbors? Where you can go, put up your feet and simply drink in the view! No need to look any further! 5 acres of paradise with a modern 4 bedroom, 2 story home in mint condition without the dreaded "honey do" list! Find the trails and hike the mountain, spend your summer days on the balcony reading your favorite books or invite guests to your B&B. Or develop the acreage further to suit your favorite pass times! This stunning home should meet most of your "wish list". Waiting for you, ready to move in!
$595,000
Surprise Lake Road
6 acres along the Spruce Creek with a fabulous meadow surrounded by the woods and the roaring creek, room for several guest cabins if you chose. Main house is 2 story and a main level cozy self contained mother-in-law cottage is perfect for guests. So much potential to expand.
SOLD
Seeking True Remote?
Above Jade City on the old Cassiar Highway, in the middle of the gold fields, 0.5 hectares (not surveyed) on the banks of Troutline Creek, License of Occupation, 10 year terms with current term good until 2032. Story and half cabin plus outbuildings. Current holder has had a small farm with goats and chickens. Telephone service. 4.4 km from main highway.
$89,900
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.
$35,500
Call Myrna at (250) 775-1019 myrnablake1@gmail.com .or myrnablake1@zoleo.com when travelling Go to northernhomesbc.ca for more details.
FOR RENT
2 - 3 bedroom house for rent on Green Street. $1,700 per month plus utilities. Call Jody Smallwood 250-651-2488
LANDFILL
SPRING/SUMMER HOURS
*Effective –Saturday April 26th, 2025*
SATURDAY-MONDAY
CLOSED ON ALL BC STATUTORY HOLIDAYS
Victoria Day - Closed Monday, May 19th ….…. Open May 17, 18, 20
BC Day - Closed Monday, Aug 4th …...…. Open Aug 2, 3, 5
Labour Day - Closed Monday, Sept 1st ……... Open Aug 30, 31 & Sept 2,
Thanksgiving Day - Closed Monday, Oct 13th ... Open Oct 11, 12, 14
HOURS 11 AM - 4 PM
Operated by the Atlin Community Improvement District
BIG WATER SOCIETY
We are pleased to announce a new counsellor!
Big Water Society is pleased to have Laurie LarkinBoyle, RCC, DVATI, and MEd, as our new mental wellness counsellor for all people in Atlin. This is a FREE professional and confidential service that Big Water Society provides to the community.
Laurie brings a wonderful blend of mental wellness counselling as well as Art Therapy for those that prefer to keep their hands and brain busy. Laurie is available every Wednesday from 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm by phone, video and email.
For more information and to book an appointment: Website: Crocuscreativearttherapy.com
Phone: 431-813-2756
Email: crocuscreative@gmail.com