thegreengazettedecjan2014-15

December/January 2014-15 www.thegreengazette.ca Page

TheGreenGazette

www.thegreengazette.ca December/January 2014-15

TheGreenGazette

December/January 2014-15 www.thegreengazette.ca

TheGreenGazette

Features: 05/ Letter from the Publisher: Pele: Volcano Goddess of Hawai`i Some years back, I left the Cariboo winter far behind and journeyed to a place of passion and unpredict-ability in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, perched on the edge of a living volcano. On this island, the goddess Pele has the final say. - by Lisa Bland 06/ Green-ify Your New Year When it comes to holiday festivities, there are two ways to do things: the green way and the not so green way. If resolutions seem a lot like precon-ceived resentments, it might be a more manageable task to greenify your New Year's celebration and revel in the glory of having done something amazing right off the top. - by Jessica

Kirby

07/ Ice Sailing and Skijoring: Outdoor winter fun in the Cariboo One gloriously unique winter activity in the Cariboo is skijoring. Dog lovers, nature enthusiasts, and outdoor ad-venturers can find fun and satisfaction in a fast-paced activity that combines cross-country skiing with taking your dog for a run. - by LeRae Haynes

08/ Water Gratitude: Giving back with a grateful act The 2014 RBC Water Attitudes Study found, “Canadians share a deep connection to Water.” In my life and my work as a Water Gratitude artist and founder of the Water Gratitude Society, my deep connection means I offer my Gratitude to Water at every opportunity at home and in the wild. - by

Danielea Castell 22/ Huicholes: The Last Peyote Guardians When Argentine filmmaker Hernán Vílchez made his way up into the remote Wixarika community of San Andrés Cohamiata Tateikie high in the Western Sierra Madre of Mexico, he knew he would be entering another world. What he didn't know was how deeply it would change his own life.

23/ The Tough Road of Compassion Despite its longevity, compassion is one of those enigmatic words: hard to define, hard to understand, and even harder to practice. - by Margaret

-Anne Enders

Contents December / January 2014-15

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief Lisa Bland

[email protected]

Senior Editor Jessica Kirby

Contributors David Suzuki, LeRae Haynes, Margaret-Anne Enders, Sage Birchwater, Pat Teti, Brianna van de Wijngaard, Ciel Patenaude, Corinne Stromsten,

Lisa Bland, Van Andruss, Devon Chappell, Jenny Howell, Martin Pall Ron Young, Jasmin Schellenberg, Terri Smith, Jessica Kirby,

Ray Grigg, , Adam McLeod, Claire West Mattson, Danielea Castell

Advertising Lisa Bland

Creative Directors Lisa Bland / Teena Clipston

Ad Design Teena Clipston, Rebecca Patenaude, Leah Selk

Published by Earthwild Consulting

Printing Black Press Ltd.

Cover Igor Sokolov (breeze)

Index Photo A gift to the Tsilhqot'in people from the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation on Vancou-ver Island, this totem pole was raised at Fish Lake in October and symbol-

izes a new vision of Aboriginal rights and culture in the establishment of Dasiqox Tribal Park.

Photo: Steve Monk www.stevemonk.ca

TheGreenGazette is published by Earthwild Consult-ing. To subscribe call (250) 620-3419. To view the we b s i t e a n d on l i n e f l i p b ook , v i s i t www.thegreengazette.ca

PO Box 164 Horsefly, BC, V0L 1L0

250-620-3419 www.thegreengazette.ca [email protected]

TheGreenGazette

Issue # 30

Also in this Issue:

TheGreenGazette

9/ 2014—A Year of Change for First Nations and All Canadians In a decade or two, or maybe some time in the next century, we’ll look back on 2014 as the year Canada finally came of age. The year Canada finally did the right thing by First Nations. by Sage Birchwater

© 2014 all rights reserved. Opinions and perspectives expressed in the magazine are those of authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the owner-ship or management. Reproduction in whole or part without the publisher’s consent is strictly prohibited.

10/ Modern Day Dust Bowl: One of the many reasons to grow and eat locally - by Brianna van de Wijngaard

11/ Science Matters: IPCC report is clear: We must clean up our act - by David Suzuki

11/ In the Shadow of Global Warming by Van Andruss

12/ Green Business Feature: Kinikinik Restaurant and Store - by LeRae Haynes

14/ Metal Waste - Part of the Cariboo Regional Dis-trict’s Solid Waste Info Series: Becoming Waste Wise 15/ Cooking for Dragons - by Corinne Stromsten 15/ Raising Amadeus - by Terri Smith

17/ Lift your Holiday Spirits at Station House Gallery 18/ Confessions of a Farmer - by Terri Smith

18/ Opposition to Enbridge's Northern Gateway Keeps Growing

19/ Microwave Electromagnetic Fields Produce Health Effects by VGCC Activation - by Martin Pall

19/ The Gift of Lifelong Learning - by Claire West

Mattson

21/ Hayooga New Year - by Ron Young

23/ Heat: The Achilles Heel of Cancer - by Adam

McLeod 24/ Squashed Bread - by Pat Teti

25/ Secretly Hoping to be Wrong - by Ray Grigg 25/ The Five Most Important Climate Solutions 26/ Stepping Up or Numbing Out - by Ciel Patenaude 27/ Strength in Superfoods - by Devon Chappell

27/ Water Wise Reflections - by Jenny Howell

28/ Letters

30/ Nourishing our Children - by Jasmin Schellenberg

Photo: Steve Monk www.stevemonk.ca


TheGreenGazette

N on-profit and socially re-

sponsible, Worth Every

Penny purchases from

both local and global art-

ists including women in Third World

countries. For instance, Penny pur-

chased beautiful woven baskets from a

group of women who were then able to

buy their corn crop for the year.

Worth Every Penny has women share-holders—all the artists will ‘own’ the company. It functions as a business op-portunity and provides business training for its shareholders. Shoppers find one-of-a-kind treasures and collectables in a huge price range. These items are all sustainable and unique and provide a positive social im-pact.

***

Penny Hutchinson at Worth Every Penny in Williams Lake. Photo: LeRae Haynes

Worth Every Penny


TheGreenGazette

W inter is finally on our

doorstep and the land is

once again blanketed in

snow. As we head into the

festive season of giving, I like how the pace slows and there’s more time to take

in the beauty of the landscape (driving

extra slowly on winter roads) and coming

indoors to the coziness of the woodstove,

warm soup, and hot drinks. Getting out-

side in the sparkling snow and blue skies

for skiing and other winter sports is also

invigorating and we have no shortage of

winter playgrounds here in the Cariboo.

Winter is also a time when many journey

away and escape to foreign lands to ex-

perience other cultures and climates. Some years back, I left the Cariboo winter far behind and journeyed to a place of passion and unpredictability in the mid-dle of the Pacific Ocean, perched on the edge of a living volcano. Today this tiny island is making international headlines for the lava that threatens to disrupt a commu-nity and change a way of life for the in-habitants. On this island, the goddess Pele has the final say. My journey there is a story in itself—18 days on a 40-foot sailboat with an ex-perienced captain and first mate sailing from San Francisco to Hilo, Hawaiì fol-lowing the trade winds. Our days were punctuated by rolling seas, endless hori-zons, flapping white sails against a back-drop of puffy cumulus clouds, visits from dolphins and flying fish, and the occa-sional iridescent tropical fish pulled from the depths to add to our dinner. At night, the starry skies were unfathomable and shone with brilliant intensity. After our 2,000-mile journey across the Pacific, when we finally arrived at the lush volcanic mountain rising out of the sea and mist that is the Big Island of Hawaiì, it was a sight to behold. It was hard not to marvel at the original peoples who popu-lated the Hawaiian Islands around 350AD—in their ingenuity and skill as proficient ocean navigators. Hawaiì, or the Big Island, as locals call it, is rich with Hawaiian culture and customs, despite its longstanding assimilation into western culture over the past hundreds of years. As a newcomer to the Big Island I quickly learned a few things—never ven-ture into the ocean without checking with the locals if there are strong undertows; tropical rainstorms will soak you to the bone but are generally over within 10 min-utes; Hawaiian ukulele and slide guitar music is playing everywhere so you’d bet-ter love it; stay away from the centipedes; yes, you really can swim with dolphins in the wild; and, Pele, the revered Hawaiian goddess of the volcano, must be treated

with respect. Translation: Watching molten lava ooze across the land is an amazing experience, but don’t be taking any lava rocks home in your suitcase. While it might seem like an outmoded concept that a volcano goddess dictates a way of life for people in modern times, reverence for Pele (pronounced “peh-leh”), the passionate, volatile, and capricious Ka wahine ʻai honua, or “woman who devours the land,” is reflected in all aspects of life in Hawaiì including the art, music, dance, and principles that govern the people. Mythological stories and images of the fiery goddess can be found everywhere—depictions usually showing a woman with long dark hair, her glowing face lit by the volcano, and molten rivers of lava flowing down her body and running down the mountain. Pele is believed to reside in the molten lava lake in the caldera at the sum-mit of the active shield volcano, Kilauea, on the southeastern side of the Big Island of Hawai’i, with a reach encompassing all volcanic activity on the Island. Kilauea’s eastern flank is located within the District of Puna. According to Hawaiian oral tradition, which recorded the volcano’s eruptive history long before European and American missionaries came to the Islands, ancient Hawaiians have al-ways recognized Puna as the land of Pele, with human habitation subject to Pele's will. The district is a vibrant area of Hawaiì with its thriving markets, winding roads interspersed with giant mango, ironwood, and monkey pod trees, jagged coastline, popular surfing and snorkelling spots, warm ocean pools from heated lava tubes, and relatively cheap cost of rural living. Historically, settlement was concen-trated within about 5 km of the shoreline and areas near the volcano and upper for-ests were mainly visited for gathering plants and spiritual purposes. Today, de-spite Pele’s reign, the district of Puna has the fastest growth rate of all the districts in the County of Hawaiì and is teeming with subdivisions and people flocking there for the affordable living in paradise it offers. The area has also seen an influx of idyllic travellers or those interested in off-grid, alternative lifestyles in paradise. Land is relatively cheap, due to the inability to buy insurance against the ongoing threat of lava flows, since all of Puna exists within the three highest risk lava hazard zones. Eruptions at Kilaeua between 1983 and 1986 were characterized by spectacular and explosive lava fountains up to 1,540 ft. in the air. More recently the lava has moved slowly in oozing molten flows transported by lava tubes to the ocean. Pa-hoehoe ( “paw-hoey-hoey") is the term for the smooth, ropey, and slow moving lava and aa ( “ah-ah”) is the rough crumbly lava resulting from explosive eruptions. Pahoe-hoe flows are relatively safe to navigate and even walk on, though I’ve seen a few foot sole prints on recently cooling lava and heated the bottom of my hiking boots a little too much for comfort. During my six months on the Island I learned that if you want to visit Pele close up, depending on where her lava is flowing, locals can rec-

ommend ways to get around high priced tours. Most Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians have a deep respect for the goddess Pele. According to Hawai-ian Volcanoes National Park staff, offerings of fruit, flowers, plants, and berries are left daily for Pele at the edge of Hale-ma’uma’u crater. Even local geologists speak rev-erently of Pele. Geologist Herb Kane says, “So long as the earth is alive with quakes and eruptions Pele will live in the Hawaiian hearts and minds as the personification of the natu-ral phenomena of volcanic activity.” Pele is said to have cre-ated the islands and since the lava rock is considered her flesh, it is told that mis-fortune will come to those who take lava rocks away from the Islands. The Ha-waiian Volcanoes National Park has displays of notes of apology and mounds of rocks returned from people believing their lives were touched by Pele’s curse. My grandfather was among those who returned lava rocks to Hawaii after wor-rying a family tragedy was due the lava rocks he car-ried home. (Lava rocks to be returned to Pele can be mailed to: Headquarters, Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, HI 96785.) In 1990, when lava flows destroyed the town of Kalapana, locals told of those who prayed and left offerings and were incon-ceivably spared when the lava snaked around their homes. Since then, lava flowed mostly south from the crater toward the ocean and away from populated areas, but on June 27, 2014, everything changed. A flow erupted from a vent on the north-east side of the crater and began oozing its way through the forests toward Pahoa, the main town of Puna, on a trajectory towards populated subdivisions down-slope. By October of this year, the lava flow had advanced approximately 13 miles, crossed the first road on the outskirts of Pahoa, and moved through a small ceme-tery. On October 30, when it seemed im-minent it would cross the main highway servicing all of lower Puna, the lava stalled. The cooled front now sits 480 feet from Pahoa's main traffic artery and the route of accessibility for approximately 9,000 residents to the south. On November 10, a breakout from the main flow claimed its first home. Soon after, the flow stalled again. At the time of writing this article, Puna residents hang in the balance as they wait anxiously for Pele’s next move. Emer-gency proclamations by the Hawaiì

Top: A portrait of Hawaiian Goddess Pele with flowing lava for hair hangs in the Hawaiì Volcanoes National Park visitor center. Photo: Mike Sarahan Bottom: Pahoehoe lava flowing to the ocean from its source at the Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent of Kilaeua Volcano on the southeast coast-line of Hawaiì. Photo: Lisa Bland

Letter from the Publisher

Lisa Bland Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

County Mayor and State Governor were followed by a declaration of federal disas-ter by President Obama. At the cost of be-tween $12 and $15 million, an emergency route is being built through the once-buried Chain of Craters Road from Kalapana to the northwest and into the Volcano Na-tional Park in case residents are completely cut off. There are no signs of Pele’s flow stop-ping, as breakouts higher up from the main flow relentlessly ooze down the mountain towards the town. Some residents have fled the Island, some have moved their homes, and many are determined to stay, praying that by the grace of Pele their homes and way of life will be spared. One thing is for sure: talk of diverting the flow is a heated and highly controver-sial issue. Historical attempts all but failed and the risk of causing harm to other resi-dential areas is considered too great. Un-derlying it all are the deep traditions of the Hawaiian culture. It is still considered a fact that you are living in Pele’s home for which you must show only respect. In our modern world, it is extraordinarily rare for humans to revere and ultimately give the forces of nature the last word. To view above images of Pele in all her

fiery intensity, visit the full colour article

on our website at www.thegreengazette.ca.

Pele: Volcano Goddess of Hawaiì


TheGreenGazette

T he first New Years celebra-

tions date back 4,000 years to

the Babylonian religious festi-

val called Akitu, which coin-

cided with the Spring Equinox, honoured barley cutting and the victory of the sky

god Merduk over the evil sea goddess

Tiamat, and saw a new king crowned or

the old king's rule renewed. In 46 BC, Julius Cesar created a new calendar, which oriented with the sun rather than the moon and brought the be-ginning of the new year to January 1. In the Middle Ages, the Christian church ended most Roman festivals because of their pagan roots, and this moved New Year's celebrations to different times of the year including mid-March and Christmas Day. Finally, in 1582 Pope Gregory the XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar we use today, and it places New Year's Day on January 1. Some cultures still follow a Lunar cal-endar—Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and Muharram, the start of the Is-lamic New Year both occur in the fall, and Chinese New Year runs for an entire month in late January and early February. Many world cultures commemorate the new year with special food rituals—in Spain people eat 12 grapes in the seconds leading to midnight for good health over the next 12 months; in China, a dumpling symbolizes good health; the Japanese wish for a long life with long buckwheat noo-dles, and when in Greece for the new year, try a slice of ring-shaped almond cake with silver or gold coins baked inside to sym-bolize the year coming full-circle. In 1907, North America introduced one of the most iconic New Year's rituals—watching the ball drop in Times Square. The mesmerizing, glittering globe, which has seen seven incarnations over the last 114 years, shines with 16 million colours that sparkle in billion of patterns. Western-ers also celebrate with noise makers, par-ties, late nights, and limo rides, and share the resolution ritual with ancient Babyloni-ans, who used to promise to pay off debt

By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette

and return borrowed farm equipment, just to set things off right with the gods. Green Resolve Of course, when it comes to holiday festivities, there are two ways to do things: the green way and the not so green way. If resolutions seem a lot like preconceived resentments, it might be a more manage-able task to greenify your New Year's cele-bration and revel in the glory of having done something amazing right off the top. First of all, consider hosting your own New Year's party and encouraging your guests to taxi or carpool. A friend of mine celebrates with four other families and they take turns hosting a themed, family-friendly event in their homes. Everyone drives together (or cycles—that's Vancou-ver Island, for you) or shares a cab, or the kids pile into the playroom for a snuggly New Year's sleepover. Decorate your event with an eye on Mother Earth—avoid plastic and paper, one-time use decorations, dishes, and sil-verware. Think about recycling Christmas wrapping paper to make streamers, hang-ing snowflakes, origami stars, or other decorations. Create a warm, romantic, and beautiful room—and avoid spiking the hydro bill—with candles, LED lights, and some well-placed mirrors. Serve up some Earth-friendly snacks and beverages by thinking about ecological footprint and impact on the landfill. I don't want to wave the vegetarian flag any more than I have to, but meat has an awfully large carbon footprint—unless, of course, you are buying local, so try that. In fact, creating health and delicious snacks and treats using local and seasonally available ingredients is always the best way. Think about packaging, too—if it has too much, leave it on the shelf. You will probably want to look amaz-ing for your New Year's event, so head to the Thrift Store, rummage through your closet for something you haven't worn in a while, or trade amazing outfits with a friend. A lot of carbon, energy, and some-times unfair labour go into fancy, brand name outfits we often only wear once so ask yourself what is more attractive—a sparkling dress or total confidence in knowing you made an awesome choice inside and out? And finally, how do we green-ify the “in with the new, out with the old” adage

that comes with the year's fresh start? I thought you'd never ask. To go out with the old in a meaningful and sustainable way, encourage your pals to bring clothing or other items they no longer need and collect them in a large box by the door. People can exchange items they love and you can donate the rest to people in need. Bring in the new with potted herbs or flowers to brighten your party space in place of cut flowers or one-use decora-tions. Make sure each plant has growing instructions included and have each guest take one when they leave so they can kick off the new year with a new commitment to gardening. Celebrate the Alternative The curious and creative can find more to December and January than just the holidays with a quick online search for bizarre and wacky international holidays. There is something to celebrate just about every day of the year, and plenty for every taste. Start December off with a solemn heart by observing the UN-developed Human Rights Day December 10, but be prepared for a little craziness on December 12, Na-tional Ding-a-Ling Day. No one is sure whether it was created to celebrate real or imagined craziness, but either way, open up and get wacky, but save some awe-someness for my husband's favourite: Na-tional Ice Cream Day, which falls on the 13th. Dig deep and commemorate genealogy on Roots Day December 23, or join the

ranks with Pepper Pot Day, first celebrated December 29, 1777 when a steaming pot of this delectable soup was served up to the the Continental Army. And if you de-cide not to kick it up for New Year's you can consider yourself a successful celebra-tor of another important December 31 holi-day: Make up Your Mind Day. January abounds with celebratory op-tions including one of my favorites: Run it up the Flag Pole and See if Anyone Salutes Day on January 2. Besides my penchant for long-winded expressions, I think it's brilliant to celebrate creativity and healthy risk-taking. Whether you kick-start your post-holiday cleanse on January 3 with Festival of Sleep Day, or enjoy a friendly bout of irritated contemplation on International Skeptics Day (January 13), or even get wild with books and drama on January 16th's Appreciate a Dragon Day, the lovers of this world with breathe a collective sign of appreciation when National Hugging Day rolls around on January 21. You can always give Opposite Day (January 25) a try, not to be confused with Backward Day on the 31st, but if you'd rather end the month with a deeper sense of fulfillment, start thinking of ways to Inspire your Heart with Art in celebration of the holiday of the same name on January 31. For more little-known holidays in every month of the year check out Holiday Insights at

www.holidayinsights.com. Enjoy!

Green-ify Your New Year


TheGreenGazette

Skijoring and Ice Sailing:

O ne gloriously unique winter

activity in the Cariboo is ski-

joring. Dog lovers, nature en-

thusiasts, and outdoor adven-

turers can find fun and satisfaction in a fast-paced activity that combines cross-

country skiing with taking your dog for a

run. Animal Care Hospital veterinarian Bi-anca Scheidt loves the sport. She has vol-unteered as a vet for dog sled racing, and it was while watching sled dogs in full race glory at the Dog Sled Mail Run race from Quesnel to Barkerville that she first saw skijoring. Instantly intrigued, she started looking into it. “It’s cross country skiing with a dog running in front of you on a tight lead,” she says, adding that the dog is in a harness attached to your waist on a specific belt. Once she learned to cross country ski, she tried skijoring with her own dog, Tater. “I ended up asking my good friend Mona Penner if I could borrow one of her sled dogs. The first time was interesting: he was used to pulling but not so close to a person, and not a person on skis! “It didn’t really matter what he was pulling, though—he loved it. It was so much fun.” She explains that the average skijoring speed is about 15-20 km an hour, and that with a young, fast dog you can reach up to 25 km an hour. “It is so great being outdoors doing something fun with your pet,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be with a sled dog: I’ve seen labs, setters, and German shepherds. Any medium to tall dog will work if you can train them. An energetic dog who wants to work is good for skijoring.” With a domestic dog it’s easier to stop and start, and easier to pause for rest and water, says Scheidt. “Sled dogs are a little more challenging to control,” she adds. “One time I went out with two dogs when the snow surface was very icy, and the dogs went so fast. I fell and they dragged me for about a half mile, pulling and pull-ing. I had a hard time getting up—every time I released the leash a little bit they took off faster. “I did finally get them to stop, but pull-ing is all they know.” Scheidt participated in a fun race from Wells to Barkerville last winter. “The sun

By LeRae Haynes

was shining and the whole thing was a wonderful experience,” she says. “It’s great to see different ages doing something so unique and fun in the snow with ani-mals.” There are cross country ski dog trails at Hallis Lake in Quesnel and Bull Mountain in Williams Lake. “I love being outdoors in the winter and skijoring is great,” says Scheidt. “I like that it’s not loud; it’s so quiet, peaceful, fun, and relaxing.” Another unusual winter sport in Wil-liams Lake is ice sailing. For at least 25 years there have been sailboats navigating the ice on Williams Lake. Currently there are three ice sailing enthusiasts regularly on the lake: Stu Fraleigh, Lorne Haines, and Rocco Catalano. “Williams Lake has had ice boating and summer sailing, dating back to the 1930s,” said Stu Fraleigh, whose wife Barb Fraleigh is also an ice sailor. “I’ve enjoyed sailing since I was a kid, and it was David Black, another sailing enthusi-ast, who got me into it.” Over the years 50-75 people have been introduced to the sport in Williams Lake, which features a boat with skates on the sides and the front. “There are people who really take to it and get very good very fast,” Fraleigh says. “The wind is every-

thing: it’s your speed, how you turn, and how you stop. You've got to get to the point where you let the wind take it—you hold your course and you tack, or zig-zag, to get back. We have prevailing winds from the west or the east; when we take off we know where to go and set the sail accord-ingly.” The average size of an ice sailing boat is 12 feet long with an 8-foot cross bar, says Fraleigh, who said it’s an open boat like a kayak. “The boat was designed in 1937, and the sport is big in places like Norway, Sweden, Russia, and the U.S. We mostly get them made from plywood and some hardwood, and master carpenter Lorne Haines helps us with repairs.” He said safety precautions are definitely in place for the sport. “We use the ‘buddy system,’ have safety equipment on shore whenever we sail, wear helmets, proper clothing, and life vests, and carry things like rope and flashlights,” he says. “What’s most important is knowing and respecting the lake: knowing all the ice heaves, expan-sion tracks, rocks, thin ice, and open wa-ter.” One thing the three ice sailors do is sail at top speed close together in a series of manoeuvers where they pass each other and

cross directions. “I love the freedom, the challenge, and the companionship,” says Fraleigh. “The sport is fun for men and women and people of all ages, and I really like seeing people get excited about it. “I have friends who go to Maui or Ari-zona when it’s cold, but I never go away in the winter,” he adds. “I love to sail. There are a lot of people here who love the winter outdoors here and won’t miss it for the world.” He said that ice sailing makes you feel free. “You come in cold, but it’s worth it. When you get beautiful ice the boat goes quiet, fast, and smooth. It’s magic.” For more information about ice sailing, including the opportunity to give it a try, phone Stu Fraleigh at (250) 392-5267, Lorne Haines at (250) 398-5807, or Rocco Ca t a l a n o a t (25 0) 39 2-6 014 . LeRae Haynes is a freelance writer, song-

writer, co-producer of “Pursicles,” and the

community co-ordinator for Success by 6.

She is also the instigator of a lot of musical

shenanigans in Williams Lake including

“Borderband” with kids and is a member

of the “Perfect Match” dance band.

Skijoring enthusiast Bianca Sheidt enjoys an afternoon in the snow with her dog,

Tater. Photo: LeRae Haynes

Outdoor winter

fun

in the Cariboo


TheGreenGazette

T here are many ways people talk about Water these days—their

concerns about it, how to man-age it, how to share it. The 2014

RBC Water Attitudes Study found, “Canadians share a deep connection to

Water.” In my life and my work as a Water Gratitude artist and founder of the Water

Gratitude Society, my deep connection means I offer my Gratitude to Water at

every opportunity at home and in the wild. My admittedly deep and unorthodox con-

nection to the Fraser River also means that when he told me in March, 2013 he is no

longer my primary teacher and I must turn my attention to the Athabasca River and the

tar sands, I obeyed, and three months later made a Water pilgrimage to Alberta. I returned to Prince George in August, 2013 carrying the question, “How do we bring the sacred back into our relationship with Water and Oil?” The answer I heard inside of me was, “Start with Gratitude.” Little did I know this would inspire the creation of an annual Rivers Day event called The Bank of Gratitude, sponsored by Fraser Basin Council, Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The idea is simple. Sit quietly on your local riverbank and give your gratitude to your River through a heart-to-heart ‘talk,’ and then make some form of art to commemorate the experience. It seems that connecting with a River this way inspires creativity and courage. At The Bank 2013, 40 people in four communities created 53 pieces of tangible art, including poems, paintings, songs, and one gratitude soup! Brandon Cote from the Prince George event admitted English was his worst subject in school and yet after sitting on the Bank of Gratitude his first poem just “flowed” out of him. Helen Styles, participant and co-founder of the Water Gratitude Society says, “Creating art on the riverbank in 2013 was freeing for me. Now I express myself with painting and photography.” My art practice with Water is a spontane-ous form of singing I call sound weaving. One month before the Bank 2014 and 27 days after the breach of the earthen dam at the Mt. Polley Mine, I visited the town of Likely for the first time. From the town dock I found myself sound weaving a Greeting Song to the surrounding Waters and Land that contained a call I had not heard before. This call wasn’t coming from Water, the forest, or the salmon swimming upstream, but it arose in me because of them. I felt the call to ‘show up,’ and keep showing up with my love on the banks of the Quesnel River and on the shores of Quesnel Lake. No mat-ter how burdened the Waters may be or how painful it is to accept we as a species created this state for them, we can continue to show

Water Gratitude: Giving back with a grateful act

up and be with them, in their own home, and offer our sincere gratitude. And this is just what 132 people chose to do for Rivers Day 2014. While the main Bank of Gratitude event was happening in Prince George, simultaneous Bank of Grati-tude events were hosted in Vancouver, Ques-nel, Likely, Tete Jaune, Jasper, Red Deer, Ft. Saskatchewan, and Edmonton. There were even two solo ‘bankers,’ one at the Edson River in Alberta and another at the Yarrowee River in Australia. Photos stories are posted at www.thebankofgratitude.net. Venta Rutskauskas, the host from Likely, posted on Facebook about her time on the Bank: “Sharing time with Quesnel Waters, friends, and family on a stunning autumn day. Life doesn't get more precious than this. Spending more time with our Waters has meant so much to me in these past two months.” To encourage a more hands-on approach to Water gratitude, two new workshops were added to the Prince George event. In collabo-ration with ceramic artist Leanna Carlson of Carlson Pottery, community members made individual prayer pots out of Fraser River clay. At The Bank events in Quesnel and Prince George, pots were filled with River water and community prayers during the closing ceremonies, and then buried along the riverbanks. As the clay dissolves the prayers flow into Mother Earth. At the request of Terri McClymont of Recycling and Environmental Action Plan-ning Society (REAPS) in Prince George, four small pots were buried around the Salmon sculpture in McMillan Fishing Creek Park in a community ceremony on October 27. The Salmon sculpture faces the Nechako River and was installed in 2010 by the organizers of the former BC Rivers Day Music Festival. Each pot was filled with Water from Ne-chako, Fraser, and McMillan Creek, then

passed around the circle of adults who put in cross-cultural prayers specifically for the harmony between all Rivers, Salmon, and People. For the second workshop I collaborated with another local artist, artisan jeweler Kate Roxburgh of Topaz Bead Gallery. We made what I designed and call Tap Bracelets, a beaded chain with a pendant that wraps around a Water faucet. Ann O’Shea made two bracelets at the workshop: “I love them. The bracelet helps me to remember to say thank you for the delicious abundance of water from my un-derground spring at home. At times I rub the bracelet as an act of thanksgiving for re-minding me to give thanks.” And that is the power of Water grati-tude—it flows, grows, and enlivens both the

giver and the receiver. With the long road ahead of us restoring balance on our planet we need Water stewardship strategies that sustain us as well as the precious Water we love. Next time you come upon a body of Water, I invite you to stop and slowly breathe in its beauty with your heart, body, and mind. Offer the Water your gratitude and then take a picture.

Danielea Castell is a social artist, educa-

tor, and singer specializing in creative

community Water engagement. She recently

moved from Prince George to Quesnel and

is bringing her Water Gratitude tools and

practices into schools beginning 2015.

Top: Lheidli T’enneh artist Jennifer Pighin stringing a drum on the Bank of Gratitude, Prince George while Danielea Castell looks on. Photo: Wan li. Bottom: Group photo from the Honour Ceremony for Rivers, Salmon, and People in McMillan Creek Fishing Park in

Prince George where four prayer pots were buried. Photo: Helen Styles

By Danielea Castell

Tap Bracelets are beaded chains to wrap around your Water faucet as a reminder to

say thank you to Water. Photo: Danielea Castell


TheGreenGazette

I t’s hard to see the forest for the

trees sometimes, but in a decade or

two, or maybe some time in the

next century, we’ll look back on

2014 as the year Canada finally came of

age. The year Canada finally did the right

thing by First Nations. The June 26, 2014 Supreme Court of Canada decision of Canada vs Roger Wil-

liam, finally recognized the legitimacy of Aboriginal people owning title to their an-cestral lands outside the postage stamp re-serve allotments. The unanimous ruling by eight Supreme Court judges granting title to 1,700 square kilometres of land to the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation of Nemiah Valley in British Colum-bia’s interior, was a game-changer. It sent the message for the first time in Canada’s 147-year history that Aboriginal people are equal citizens under the law. The ruling was a great victory for the Xeni Gwet’in and Aboriginal people every-where. But it was also a great victory for all Canadians. For nearly a century and a half, Canada has held a paternalistic stick over the heads of indigenous people. Tiny allotments of reserve lands created in the late 1800s and early 1900s as refuges for First Nations against the onslaught of colonization and settlement, weren’t even owned by the Abo-riginal inhabitants. They were held in trust by the federal government and considered property of the Crown. These reserves were created as safe places for Aboriginal people to practice the traditions of their culture. But that even came with strings attached. Potlatches were forbidden and permission was needed from the federal government for any significant development projects. It’s easy to understand the rationale for the reserve system. Aboriginal people prac-ticing a subsistence way of life were easy pickings for unscrupulous whiskey traders all too eager to take everything they had. As more and more settlers arrived, land for Aboriginal survival was becoming more and more scarce. So something had to be done. Four decades ago I was part of the back-to-the-land generation seeking a simpler life closer to nature. We saw Aboriginal people as our mentors. One day I met Andy Chelsea, chief of Esket First Nation at Alkali Lake. He was in the process of leading his people on a path-way to sobriety. Because of the amount of booze consumed there, Alkali Lake was known as Alcohol Lake, and nearly every adult on the reserve was an alcoholic. Then

Andy and his wife Phyllis decided to do something about it. I remember telling Andy how much I envied his upbringing on the land, growing up with horses, living in log cabins, and burning firewood to stay warm. I was shocked at his response. “I want the nice things in life you grew up with,” he told me. “A new pickup, a modern home with elec-tricity and running water, and an education for my children.” So there we were at a crossroads. Ships passing in the night heading in opposite directions. A dozen years later I got invited by Ul-katcho Chief Jimmy Stillas to write a series of books documenting the culture and his-tory of his people around Anahim Lake. Most of the elders in his community had not gone to school and had difficulty reading or writing English. Jimmy wanted a mecha-nism to pass down their stories and tradi-tions to the generations that hadn’t been born yet. While researching the books, it became very apparent that the Ulkatcho people still utilized the land in much the same way their ancestors had, moving with the seasons over a vast landscape. Major development hadn’t occurred there yet, so they were able to occupy their traditional lands beyond the borders of the little postage stamp reserves that had been allotted to them. One of our books, Ulkatcho Stories of

the Grease Trail, talked about the route taken by Sir Alexander Mackenzie on his cross-Canada venture in 1793. The elders were sore that the name of their traditional grease trail that Mackenzie had followed

had been given to him. They felt there was insufficient recognition of their ownership of the trail and the territory on which it lay. As an outsider it was easy to see the gap between the Canadian justice system and the expectations of the Ulkatcho peo-ple that their unceded territory was theirs. It was the perfect opportunity for the Canadian government to do things differ-ently than the systemic racism that has gov-erned Aboriginal policy since confedera-tion. The June 26 Supreme Court ruling was-n’t just the end of a two-decade-long strug-gle by Roger William and the Xeni Gwet’in people. Rather, it marks the begin-ning of something far greater. It opens the door for other Aboriginal groups to declare sovereignty to their lands. The Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) didn’t waste any time. Three months after the decision, the TNG an-nounced the formation of the Dasiqox Tribal Park on the shore of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake). A ceremonial totem was erected there, carved, and donated by re-nowned Nuu-chah-nulth master carver Tim Paul. The site chosen for the park announce-ment was significant. It is where Taseko Mines Ltd. proposed a massive copper and gold mine that the Tsilhqot’in people vehe-mently opposed. The federal environmental review process rejected the mine proposal twice, but the company continues to persist anyway by taking the review panel and the federal government to court—still trying to sidestep informed prior consent by the Tsilhqot’in people.

2014 – A Year of Change for First Nations and All Canadians The Supreme Court ruling sends the message that Aboriginal values do matter. One strategy behind Dasiqox Tribal Park is to ensure that Tsilhqot’in values are en-trenched in any land use and management activity that occurs outside recognized title lands. “The park is an initiative that invites all parties to look at ways of working together creatively,” says Joe Alphonse, tribal chair-man of the TNG. “But being mindful that Tsilhqot'in values ought to be respected first and foremost." The concept of a tribal park is still in its formative stages. Many details need to be resolved around what activities would be allowed there. Dasiqox Tribal Park fills in the blank space between six protected areas in the territory shared by the Xeni Gwet’in and Yuniset’in Tsilhqo’tin communities. Its aim is to protect the ecosystem from the adverse effects of industrial clearcutting and min-ing, but not eliminate economic activity altogether. It includes three main features: ecosys-tem protection, support for sustainable live-lihoods, and cultural revitalization. For fur-ther information check out dasiqox.org. The implications of the June 26 Su-preme Court decision have spilled beyond Tsilhqot’in boundaries. It has spurred an attitude change in government-to-government relations—a respect that didn’t exist before. When the August 4 breach occurred at Mount Polley mine, Premier Christy Clark entered into serious dialogue with the Xatsu’ll First Nation on assessing the cause of the breach and considering new mining policy offered by the Northern Secwepemc Tribal Council. It helps that the Xatsu’ll and the tribal council were ready. Empowering First Nations empowers Canada as a whole. It increases the possibil-ity of “best practices” in government policy because of Aboriginal understanding and respect for the land base. And it’s a step toward eliminating the paternalistic rela-tionship between Canada and First Nations. Only good will come from that.

Sage Birchwater moved to the Cariboo-

Chilcotin in 1973. He spends his time free-

lancing, authoring books, and with Ca-

terina, hanging out with their dog and cat,

gardening, and being part of the rich cul-

tural life that is the Cariboo-Chilcotin

Coast.

By Sage Birchwater

Tsihlqot'in youth and elders alike drummed and sang in front of an audience of several hun-dred people on the shores of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) in the newly declared Dasiqox Tribal

Park. Photo: Steve Monk www.stevemonk.ca


TheGreenGazette

Modern Day Dust Bowl: One of the many reasons to grow and eat locally By Brianna van de Wijngaard WL Food Policy Council

A s many of you now know, Cali-

fornia and the surrounding

region are having some hydra-

tion issues. They have been

experiencing extreme drought conditions for the past three years, but it all came to

a head in 2014, with projections for the

worst drought on record, and the gover-

nor declaring a State of Emergency on

January 17, 2014. The declaration cites

four primary sources of low water levels:

the California mountains snowpack

(which normally provides about a third of

the water for California’s farms and cit-

ies) was at approximately 20 per cent its

normal average; the state’s major reser-

voirs were at their lowest levels; major river systems including the Sacramento

and San Joaquin Rivers have signifi-

cantly reduced surface water flows; and,

groundwater levels have dropped signifi-

cantly. The aforementioned river systems feed into the Sacramento and San Joaquin Val-leys, comprising the Central Valley of California. This valley contains the world’s largest patch of Class 1 soil, re-ceives almost 300 days of sunshine a year, and produces almost a third of all produce grown in the US, including the world’s #1 supply of canned tomatoes. Over 230 dif-ferent crops are grown in this valley alone, many of which are grown for export. Vancity recently released a report that highlights the vulnerabilities in BC’s food system, in light of the recent drought con-ditions in California: What makes this situation unique for British Columbians is our level of agricul-tural production compared to our con-sumption. According to the report, “in 2010, 67 per cent of B.C. vegetable im-

Item WalMart Save On Foods Safeway Cariboo Growers WL Farmers Market

Broccoli $1.97/ea (approx. 2/3lb) $2.49/lb $1.99/lb $2.95/lb* $2.75/lb*

Head lettuce (romaine) $1.77/ea $1.00/ea $1.99/ea $2.75/ea* $3.00/ea*

Iceberg lettuce $2.47/ea $1.99/ea $2.99/ea n/a n/a

Field/vine tomatoes $1.27/lb $1.79/lb $2.49/lb $3.50/lb* $3.00/lb*

ports came from the U.S., over half of which were produced in California.” Additionally, “vegetable crop produc-tion [in BC] fell by 20.4 per cent between 1991 and 2011,” even though Canada is the world’s fifth largest agricultural ex-porter. Apparently, one of BC’s top two agricultural commodities is dairy products, but one rarely sees BC dairy widely avail-able on the shelves: it comes mostly from Quebec and Ontario. So, in BC—and likely most of Can-ada—we produce a lot, but we consume relatively little, locally. We use a lot of arable land to grow products not meant to be eaten, and we export most of it, such as flax seed, canola, pulses, and durum wheat, (of which Canada is the largest pro-ducer) or it is manufactured into other con-sumables. We then import produce from California, even if we can grow it here—for example, 95 per cent of all broccoli and 74 per cent of all lettuce imports in 2010. It’s just no different than any other indus-try: agri-business makes more financial sense than farming in BC, and the rest of the country. But it may not for much longer, for the everyday consumer. The Vancity report predicts we may see significant price in-creases at the till for some of those same California-born vegetables, such as broc-coli and lettuce. BC has already seen pro-

duce price increases of between 5.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent from 2013 to 2014, and if these trends continue—especially in light of drastic drought conditions in Cali-fornia—we could see 25 to 50 per cent price increases on produce imports. Seven dollars per pound of broccoli is the loom-ing threat. Luckily for us, we can grow many of those things here. We just don’t, or we don’t grow as much as we could. We can grow broccoli and lettuce and tomatoes and even lemons! (Ok, maybe only about three lemons). It just hasn’t been as reli-able, varied, and cost-effective as import-ing these items. The table above compares costs be-tween similar produce items from most of the major grocery retailers in Williams Lake, and average prices from local pro-ducers (when in season). All prices (other than local) were observed on the same day (Sunday, November 8, 2014): In addition, this is compared to produce from 4,000 km away, and non-organic: I will often observe, for example, an Earthbound organic bunch of kale at the grocery store, (which is from the Carmel Valley, in California) for $3.29, in the middle of July. Local kale abounds this time of year, and averages about $3/bunch at the farmers’ market. It will also last in your fridge for two weeks.

What could be the most interesting dichotomy of this particular situation, however, is that research is showing no signs of this drought slowing down. That it is not due to climate change, but one of a series of historical droughts in the region that can last for hundreds of years. In other words, California may not be in a drought: it may be coming out of a 150-year wet spell. The only catch is that never before have we been so dependent on a globalized trade system for our food. As for BC, we need to consider solu-tions to this dependency in the very near future. Increased storage capacity, season extension, and support systems for lower-income households come to mind, as well as simply getting used to less variety (ie: no more lemons all year), and fair wages for a better product, instead of piecemeal wages for a lesser product. We can do it: we have the land, the income (Canadians spend an average of 10 per cent on food), and the climates. We just need people to grow it and to eat it. If you want to know more about local food

options, such as markets, seasonal box

programs, community garden plots, and

workshops, get in touch with the Williams

Lake Food Policy Council at foodpolicy-

[email protected].

These prices are averages. Because local supply, demand, seasons, and costs vary more than for larger retail markets, prices reflect that. Local broccoli, for example, ranges from $1.95-$3.95/lb during the season. Head lettuce from $2.50-$3/each, and tomatoes from $2.50-$4.50/lb. So on average, local prices are not that different.

Photo: www.indiamart.com


TheGreenGazette

IPCC Report is Clear: We must clean up our act

I t’s become a cliché to say that out

of crisis comes opportunity. But

there’s no denying that when faced

with crises, we have choices. The

opportunity depends on what we decide to do. What choices will we make when con-fronted with the fact that 2014 will likely be the hottest year on record? According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), global land and sea temperatures up to September’s end tie this year with 1998 as the warmest since record keeping began in 1880. “If 2014 maintains this temperature departure from average for the remainder of the year, it will be the warmest year on record,” said a NOAA statement. The world’s warmest 10 years have all been since 1998, and last year carbon diox-ide levels rose by the highest amount in 30 years. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fifth Assessment Synthesis Re-port, released November 2, summarizes three reports released over the past year on the physical science; impacts, adaptation and vulnerability; and mitigation. It offers a stark choice: Unless we quickly curtail our fossil fuel dependence, we face “further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increas-ing the likelihood of severe, pervasive, and irreversible impacts for people and ecosys-tems.” As a broadcaster, I’ve interviewed hun-dreds of scientists over the years, but I’ve never heard so many speak so forcefully and urgently as climatologists today. It’s a meas-ure of the seriousness of the crisis. What choices will we make? Will politi-cians close their eyes while fossil fuel indus-try executives shovel money at them and enlist propagandists to spread misinforma-tion and lies? Will we listen to those who, in the face of overwhelming scientific evi-dence, continue to say the global warming they once claimed never existed stopped 18 years ago, or that human activity doesn’t contribute to climate change? Or will we heed scientists from around the world who offer evidence that we still have time to do something about this very real crisis—and that confronting the chal-lenge presents more opportunities than pit-falls? Believing our only choice is between a strong economy and a healthy environment is absurd. Yet that’s the false option many political leaders and fossil fuel industry pro-ponents present. Never mind the insanity of thinking we can survive and be healthy if

we destroy the natural systems on which we depend; research shows taking measured steps to address global warming would have few negative economic effects and would offer numerous benefits. Failing to act would be disastrous for the economy and environment. Energy conservation and clean fuels offer the greatest opportunities. Conserving energy makes precious, non-renewable re-sources last longer, reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, saves consumers money, and offers many economic benefits. More than 100,000 Canadians are directly employed in improving energy efficiency, with total wages estimated at $8.27 billion for 2014. The fast-growing clean-energy and clean-technology sectors offer similar benefits. Improved performance and cost reductions make large-scale deployment for many clean-energy technologies increasingly fea-sible. By focusing on fossil fuels, Canada is clearly missing out. Worldwide spending on clean energy last year was $207 billion. Canada spent $6.5 billion—a start, but we could do much better. Germany, the world’s fourth-largest economy, now gets a third of its energy from renewable sources, and has reduced carbon emissions 23 per cent from 1990 levels and created 370,000 jobs. In contrast, Canada subsidizes the fossil fuel industry to the tune of $1.3 billion a year, despite a 2009 G20 agreement to phase out subsidies. The federal Environ-ment and Sustainable Development Com-missioner’s recent audit found Canada has no detailed plan to shrink carbon pollution and meet its international commitment, and has failed to release or enforce oil and gas sector emission regulations for our fastest-growing source of emissions, the oil sands, promised since 2006. Expanding oil sands and liquefied natural gas development will only make matters worse. People around the world want leadership from elected representatives on climate change and pollution. Business leaders are getting on board. Will we take advantage of the numerous benefits of energy conserva-tion and clean energy or remain stuck in the old way of just blindly burning our way through? The choice is clear. Written with contributions from David Su-

zuki Foundation senior editor Ian Haning-

ton. Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org.

By By By By

David SuzukiDavid SuzukiDavid SuzukiDavid Suzuki

Science Matters

In the Shadow of Global Warming

By Van Andruss

W e go along

n o w ad ay s

a s i f

t h i n g s

were relatively normal, but things are not nor-

mal. The current world is

a radically different world

from the one we used to know.

Our present situation is not only

“post-modern”; it is “post-

holocene,” in that the accumulated

biological treasury of the planet is dry-

ing up. Many factors have accelerated

this unforgiving reality, but global warming overarches them all. As much as anyone, Bill McKibben has popularized the facts of climate change with www.350.org, an NGO that was his brainchild. Incidentally, the fig-ure “350” refers to parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere, beyond which extreme weather changes can be antici-pated. (The figure is now above 400 ppm.) Over the last decade, Bill McKibben has led the fight against the Trans Can-ada Corporation’s $6 billion Keystone XL pipeline calculated to deliver 830,000 barrels a day from the tar sands to processing plants on the Gulf Coast. The uprising against the Keystone pro-ject, initiated in 2003, persuaded Presi-dent Obama to suspend his approval for further consideration, and the Presi-dent’s approval still wavers due to the finally acknowledged threat that global warming poses in the US. In his latest book, Oil and Honey, Bill McKibben summarizes his arduous battle with Big Oil up to the year 2013. Some will remember this lively activist, writer, and college professor from Ver-mont. He spoke in a Vancouver rally against the Enbridge pipeline. I have extracted some of the facts from Oil and Honey that caused a great stir in the US when they first appeared in Rolling Stone magazine. These facts, later confirmed by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPPC), were derived from a study conducted by a small group of environmentalists and financial analysts from the UK. They are numeral estimates relating to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that emerged from the otherwise ineffectual 2009 cli-mate summit in Copenhagen. With his usual flare for the dramatic, Bill McKib-ben declares they are “the most impor-tant numbers in the world.” The first number is 2 degrees Cel-sius. This number is accepted by the scientific establishment, including gov-ernments around the world, as the upper limit of the increase in global tempera-ture that all nations must strive to stay below. The number was first suggested by a German panel on climate change in 1995. Note that a rise in temperature of 0.8 degrees C has been sufficient to shrink glaciers around the world, melt half the

summer sea ice in the Arctic, and acidify the oceans by 30 per cent. MIT’s Kerry Em-

manuel, a leading authority on hurricanes,

has warned, “any number above 1 degree involves a gamble.” The second number is

565 gigatons. McKibben says, “that’s—again roughly —how much more carbon dioxide scientists say we can pour into the atmosphere by mid-century and still have some reasonable hope of staying below two degrees.” From such speculations comes the notion of a carbon budget. Apparently, at current rates, we have 15 years before reaching the 565 limit. The third number comes from a study carried out in London, again by a group of environmentalists and financial analysts, who made their calculations in 2011 to inform investors about downside risks to their stock portfolios. The num-ber is 2,795 gigatons—the estimated quantity of carbon at this moment con-tained in the coal and oil and gas re-serves of the fossil fuel industry. It’s the amount we might expect to burn—five times the ceiling of 565—unless we put a stop to our addiction and leave the better part of these killers in the ground. The quandary is that the global re-serves are worth a huge amount of money: a potential $28 trillion. You see the dilemma. Any move to limit the use of reserves on the part of fossil fuel companies will cause their stocks to plummet. So there you are: Talk about a prob-lem. A further unsettling thought: As I write these numbers, the Canadian fed-eral government is doing everything in its power to turn Canada into a Saudi Arabia or Venezuela with a national economy based on fossil fuel produc-tion. Not only Keystone XL, but En-bridge waits impatiently in the wings to come on stage with its disputed pipeline from the tar sands. Other projects stand in the line-up, for instance, Trans Can-ada’s Energy East project, another conti-nent-spanning pipeline heading for New Brunswick from the tar sands to deliver 1.1 million barrels a day. Any one of these lines threaten to expand production levels of the tar sands by another third. Think about it. “Do the math,” as Bill McKibben reiterates. Oil and Honey

is available in the Lillooet Library. Van Andruss is editor of the magazine

Lived Experience. He enjoys the biore-

gional life and community in historic

Moha outside of Lillooet, B.C

Image: www.victoriajackson.com


TheGreenGazette

mal is harvested. A beautiful tile mosaic with First Nations nature symbols at the bleeding point reflects this belief. “This is important on many spiritual and ethical levels,” he says. Another unique aspect is education—providing students with a strong, positive experience and promoting responsible, global agriculture for future generations. For the past five years Felix and Jasmin, who raised four daughters of their own, have worked with Waldorf Schools in Germany, Switzerland, and Vancouver, welcoming high school students into their home for three months. Students at these schools have a compulsory agricultural component to their schooling and the Schellenbergs’ operation has been accepted as a good option for stu-dents to learn agriculture from the ground up. “We get between one a four kids at a time; they work in the vertical integration at Pasture to Plate learning about producing, growing, processing, and selling,” says Felix. “They learn quality control from top to bot-tom, gaining experience in taking eggs, feed-ing chickens, moving electric fences, work-ing on permanent fences moving, sorting and loading cattle, cooking, dish washing, har-vesting animals, plucking birds, food prep, cleaning, serving, gardening, harvesting planting, weeding, watering, riding, and working in the shop. “They get a solid, comprehensive stretch in agriculture and even get to help in promo-tional work like film making and photogra-phy.” With the help of a generous contribution from the Ministry of Agriculture there is a state-of-the-art compost facility on site where everything from the abattoir and butcher shop is used: blood, bone, and all animal waste are used for landscaping and fertilizing pastures. “This is all a self-sustaining organism, and we don’t create waste or contribute to land fill,” says Felix. “Even the boxes going to Vancouver were changed to plastic totes so they are reusable.” The butcher shop is also high-tech and trend-setting, with huge windows letting in natural light and featuring a master butcher from Germany. “We use no additives or fill-ers, and every bratwurst and wiener is made from organic ingredients, which is a huge challenge for a butcher,” says Felix. “In Can-ada you can use 40 per cent filler, including wheat and water, but our butcher doesn’t use any—all the taste is created. We do our homework; all our meat and spices are 100 per cent certified organic.” Jasmin says this has been a lifelong dream for them. “Felix always wanted to be a cowboy on a ranch and I always loved making everything from scratch,” she says. “This is food that is truly good for you, which is what it should be.” For more information about Kinikinik Restaurant and store or Pasture to Plate phone (250) 394-6000 or email [email protected]. For more info about Chilcotin Harvest phone (250) 394-4000 or email [email protected]. You can also visit www.pasturetoplate.ca. LeRae Haynes is a freelance writer, song-

writer, community coordinator for Success

by 6, member of Perfect Match dance band

and instigator of lots of music with kids .

O ne unique and unforgettable

destination in the beautiful

west Chilcotin is the Kinikinik

Restaurant and store, part of a

sustainable, natural enterprise that in-

cludes rental cabins and a conference cen-

tre, Pasture to Plate ranching, the Chilco-

tin Harvest abattoir, a feed store, and a

butcher shop. Owners Felix and Jasmin Schellenberg have a vision that takes it farther, with plans for a hotel to create a destination for things like weddings, meetings, workshops, con-ferences, and retreats. They hire local work-ers and use local contractors and materials, and also have a butcher shop in Vancouver. The Kinikinik Restaurant features food that is local, seasonal, 99 per cent organic, and cooked completely from scratch. “I have a mill to make flour for breads and pastas and we even cut our own oats,” said restaurant manager and co-owner Jasmin Schellenberg. The construction of the restaurant, and the name itself reflects natural, authentic beauty. There is a lot of local timber used in the construction, stunning First Nations art on the wall, and a clay open oven made by Hidden Valley Masonry in 150 Mile house. A natural local plant on the roof gives the restaurant its name—Kinikinik translates to “bear berry.” The menu offers things like handmade authentic pizzas, steaks, beef dip, and the fully loaded Kinikinik burger, says Jasmin who adds that locally grown potatoes are used for fries, cooked in organic beef tal-low. She makes treats like homemade Kim-chi and healthy drinks like Kombucha. Unique in Canada, the meat used at Kinikinik is grown locally and is certified organic, pharmaceutical-free with no vac-cines. The animals are respectfully har-vested and the meat is dry-aged, hanging for approximately 14 days. “The only supplement our animals get is unrefined sea salt,” says Felix. “On the ranch we graze long and we calve in May and June; everything is grass-fed finished.” Some of their meat is used in the restau-rant and some in the local butcher shop, and a lot of it is sent to their large shop in Van-couver. “We started Pasture to Plate so that the farmer and the rancher get a fair price,” says Felix. “The farmer who produces good food needs to do well in life. Sometimes you have to cut corners to survive and that’s not OK.” Ethical treatment of animals is the cor-nerstone for Felix and Jasmine Schellen-berg. On harvesting day at the abattoir they play classical music to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the animals. There is also a ‘priest cow’ or companion animal in a pen next to the animals during the harvest, keeping them calm. The pens where the animals are kept on harvest day have naturally heated, self-cleaning floors for the animals’ comfort. “We excavated all the sand and gravel un-der the pens, lined it with tin, and buried logs ‘marinated’ in indigenous micro-organisms,” says Felix. “We added wood chips, 300 lbs of sea salt, soil, and hard-wood charcoal chunks.” He says the whole abattoir was built around the ‘bleeding point’ where the ani-

By LeRae Haynes

Green Business Feature: Kinikinik: Beauty, ethics, and delectable food in the west Chilcotin

Jasmin and Felix Schellenberg, pictured above with a sun eagle mask by First Nations artist Junior Henderson, welcome guests to the Kinikinik

Restaurant and store in Redstone. Photo: LeRae Haynes


TheGreenGazette


TheGreenGazette

I n 2013, Encorp Pacific (the stew-

ardship agency responsible for

beverage container recycling in

BC) recovered almost 5,000 ton-

nes of aluminum across the province. This

equates to an 84 per cent

recovery of aluminum

beverage containers

when compared to the

amount sold in BC for

the year. What do you

think the recovery num-

bers are for all other

metals British Columbi-

ans consume every year? Large items such as cars and home appliances are usually recycled be-cause they are too big for our garbage cans. What about all those smaller items that have metal components like lamps, bird feeders, extension cords, Christmas lights, tools, containers, kitchen utensils, and so on? Many of these items are rou-tinely landfilled because they are easy to dispose of in a garbage can, and many people don’t know where to recycle them. Landfilling these materi-als is harmful to our environment, as well as a waste of resources, energy, and reve-nue. Metals in our landfills can leach into the soil which can be harmful to the envi-ronment if not properly managed. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions is reduced substantially through the practice of recycling metal material. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries reports that recycling metal may cut greenhouse gas emissions by 300 to 500 million tons. Us-ing scrap metal in lieu of virgin ore gener-ates 97 per cent less mining waste and uses 40 per cent less water, according to the National Institute of Health (2012). Metals can be recycled without losing any of their properties, which means they can be recycled over and over and over again, taking pressure off of the non-renewable resources from which they are

Metal Waste extracted. Approximately 45 per cent of the world’s steel production, 35 per cent of the world’s aluminum, and 40 per cent of

the world’s copper comes from recycled metal. Recycling scrap metal uses less energy than manufacturing new metals from virgin ore—the esti-mated energy saved by using recycled metals is 95 per cent for aluminum, 90 per cent for copper, and 60 per cent for iron and steel. Recycling metal has numerous benefits for the Canadian economy. The Canadian Association of Recycling Industry (CARI) estimates that the metal recycling industry in Can-ada employs 40,000 people directly and another 120,000 indirectly. When compared to the waste industry, the scrap metal recycling industry process produces 10 times the revenue and employment. The easiest way to properly manage your small sized metal waste is to allocate a box in your house, carport, or garage to

store it. Once your box is full, drop it off at your local scrap metal dealer; they may even pay you for it! Waste Wise education is delivered to students in the Cariboo Regional District; however, the CRD would like to make waste education available to everyone, as we all have the ability to change our waste handling habits for the better. For more info on Waste Wise call (250) 398-7929 or find details on Waste Wise activities and events at ccconserv.org. Join the Cariboo Regional District this year to become waste wise and make a differ-ence. For direct access to our monthly top-ics “Like” us on Facebook at face-book.com/caribooregion, visit us online at cariboord.ca, or look for our articles in

your local paper.

Part of the Cariboo Regional District’s

Solid Waste Info

Series: Becoming

Waste Wise


TheGreenGazette

O ur adventures began many

years ago when my children

were just wee babes. My

daughter Emily suffered from

colic, eczema, and digestive issues. With the help of a naturopath the causes were

pinpointed. She was found to have many

food intolerances. I, too, was tested, and

much to my surprise discovered I had

more food sensitivities than my daughter.

Wheat, dairy, gluten, corn, and sugar

were just some of the foods we needed to

avoid. This was the beginning of a huge

change in the way we ate, how we cooked,

and how we looked at food. Just about everything in my kitchen contained these foods. We had to re-learn how to shop, how to cook using different flours, milks, and grains. Often recipes didn't turn out well or were unpalatable and ended up in the garbage. Through per-severance and experimentation we slowly developed new recipes and began to adapt to our new way of eating. Many of Emily's health issues disap-peared in a matter of weeks. The tummy troubles and skin cleared up. I felt better than I had in years. I was full of energy, my skin was clearer, and I was able to throw out my asthma inhalers. Health was something I would come to learn more about. My second child was born two years later. Due to birth complications he spent some time in the neonatal unit. He had experienced a small brain bleed, seizures, and was thought to have meningitis. Little did I know this would set the scene for more challenges later in life. After a two-week stay in hospital, Seth was released. His little body was in need of healing and rest. He required medication for seizures, which we were able to wean him off over the next year.

Cooking For Dragons: Not for the faint of heart, but quite an adventure

Within that first year we discovered that Seth, along with my husband Wade, had many food issues. Another trip to the naturopath confirmed that both of them had to avoid wheat, gluten, goat and cow dairy, pork, oranges, corn, and chocolate. At this time we also embarked on an-other adventure. We took a leap of faith and moved our family to the Cariboo, to the small town of Horsefly. Here we set-tled in a small two-bedroom cabin with wood heat and, thankfully, running water. With extended family close by, new friends, and Wade's new job, life began to normalize. Over the next six months we settled into a daily routine of cooking, keeping house, playing, building forts, taking long walks, sitting by the fire, and watching the children dance to the Irish Rovers waiting for Dad to come home. Winter brought spring, which allowed us to get our hands into the Earth. Our first garden, which consisted of two cold frames, turned out to be quite fruitful. This was the beginning or another passion we would come to rely on. As the year progressed, a new house for us and a new job for Wade surfaced. We found ourselves situated right in the town of Horsefly. This enabled us to walk everywhere and opened up space for new friendships and social time. Around this time, new health concerns were beginning to emerge for Seth. His seizures had re-turned and he began exhibiting odd behav-iours. He was fascinated by anything spongy or “Nerf.” He also was drawn to lights and was mesmerized by flashing toys. Seth had no fear of heights and would often be found climbing railings or trees, or hanging from the clothes line. His play was also very different from that of other children his age. I knew there was some-thing not right. Over the next few months and years we were to find out wasn't right with Seth. After seeing many doctors, specialists, and

clinicians; and, filling out checklists, tests, and papers; and, receiving numerous opin-ions, we were told Seth had a mixed sei-zure disorder and was diagnosed with PDDNos—Pervasive Development Disor-der Not otherwise specified. This means he is on the autism spectrum—somewhere. Diet became more important than ever. We needed to feed his gut and his brain with whole, nutritious foods. With our passion for gardening we were able to grow organic fruits and vegetables. Local farms and ranches were a source of healthy meats and eggs. Emily raised chickens, which were a supply of eggs. In 2012, we embarked on the biggest adventure of all. After much research and continued health issues—low functioning thyroid, behaviour, and sleep problems—we implemented the Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) diet. The diet looks at the relationship be-tween the gut and the brain and the impor-tance of proper digestion. Many people on the autism spectrum have gut dysbiosis, which allows toxins, food particles, and others organisms to enter the brain as well as other parts of the body... causing havoc in the body. We felt we had no other options be-sides diet or medication, so we took the plunge with adjusting his diet. The first few weeks were very challenging. Cooking became a huge learning curve again, using new flours and no sweeteners for the first phase. Eating out was difficult. But, a few months into the diet we started seeing huge changes in behaviour, and Seth's ability to focus increased to the point that one day he sat down and decided to read a book, which he would never do before. We would say that he was “present” with us. We could have a regular conversation with him. People all around us could see changes as well. Wade, Emily, and I also saw changes within ourselves. We felt healthier and weren't addicted to the sugars and carbs as before.

Looking back on everything we have been through I can say I wouldn't have changed a thing because of the learning that has come through these experiences. I feel we are all smarter about our food and understand the connection between health and food. With the holidays fast approach-ing we will find new ways to create the holiday favorites. We use lots of nut flours, dried fruits, and exotic spices to bake with. Thankfully, many are on this path and technology allows us to share and support one another. My children and husband have become more involved in the kitchen and are part of the weekly cooking. Seth has become an avid reader of labels and questions, “Why is there wheat and corn in everything?” Seth still struggles with on-going health issues...but is better off when he eats well...aren't we all?

Corinne Stromsten is a mom, wife, dancer,

early childhood educator, and a foodie.

She is passionate about gardening, home

cooked meals, and nature.

Emily and Seth helping in the kitchen—they are just like dragons when they are hungry.

Photo: Corinne Stromsten

By Corinne Stromsten

Terri Smith is an organic vegetable

farmer in the Cariboo with Road’s End

Vegetable Company. She has a Bache-

lor’s degree in Literature and a diploma

in Art.

Raising Amadeus By Terri Smith

I t was cold last night. We wake up

to a world blanketed in snow at

last. It is beautiful, but my first

thought is of Amadeus. I quickly

pull on long johns, wool socks, sweater, boots, toque, gloves, and scarf and even

still when I walk outside the air feels

cold. I pick up the pitchfork and walk around the corner of the house where I come across Amadeus’ entire goat family standing in the early morning sunshine. Each of them looks wooly and fat and healthy and for a moment I can’t tell which goat is Amadeus— until he sees me and makes a small goat sound, and then comes trotting over to see if I have any tasty treats about my person. “Good morning, Amadeus,” I say. “How was your night?” He responds by checking my pockets for food and then pushing his face up into mine to ask for a kiss—the one trick I

managed to teach him, which he knows earns him sunflower seeds. “Just a minute,” I laugh. “I don’t have any food right now. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.” He shakes his head at me when he realizes I have nothing to eat and starts to walk away. I take off a glove and sink my fingers into the wooly cashmere of his back. His coat is so thick and soft and beneath it his skin doesn’t feel the least bit cold. He pauses; he can’t resist a good back scratch. After throwing some hay into the feeder for the rest of the goats I pile some into the wheelbarrow and take it back to-wards the house. Amadeus comes skip-ping along behind me, frolicking awk-wardly as only Amadeus can. I’m trying to teach him to go into the new house I built for him inside the propagation green-house. With this new house-within-a-house arrangement he shouldn’t have a

problem with not coming into our house this winter. I raise the ground-level window of the greenhouse and step through with my arms full of hay. The win-dow is just the right size for him and he happily follows me to his own personal feed bin. He prefers a pri-vate dining area as eating with the other goats means he probably has to burn just as many calories as he takes in dodging and run-ning from his brothers and aunts who don’t want to let him eat. I’m so happy to see him looking so robust now. Last winter he was still rather sickly and odd-looking and each time the weather reached -15 degrees C or colder he had to sleep in the house. This year he is strong and healthy with a thick layer of cashmere and no longer has to be my little house-goat.

Amadeus in a winter wonderland. Photo: Lauren McKay


TheGreenGazette


TheGreenGazette

D ecember is a time when the Station House

Gallery and Gift Store decks the hall and

pulls out all the stops. Their Christmas mar-

ket kicks off for a whole month, featuring

local artists and crafters, builders and creators of all

things beautiful and practical. The market has grown every year, according to gal-lery manager Diane Toop, who says the search is always on for new artisans. “People like things that are both pretty and functional. As a whole we’re grassroots and it really matters what our shoppers like. They expect high quality and variety and that’s what we work to bring them.” She says newcomers are always surprised at the broad range of items in the store. “What I love is original thought, honesty, and originality. A lot of our artists have this and it comes out in their handiwork,” she says. “We’re known for our ‘characters.’” Prices at the Gallery Christmas market range from $5 to $500 and gift ideas cover newborn to seniors. Shop-pers can find everything from jewellry to garden hoes, edibles to drinkables, and dishes to clothing. Toop says with the Gallery open until New Year’s Eve, it’s a great place to bring visiting friends and family to browse and enjoy. “Gift ideas include things you can read, wear, write in, put money in, dress your home with; things useless

but beautiful to behold, things that say Canada, things to pamper your body and uplift your spirit, things to keep you warm, things you can eat, and drink and things to adorn yourself,” she says. “And the best part is that you’re supporting a local artist or producer. “I believe that you really bring it home by shopping local. You’re bringing a piece of your town, your family, home with you. You look after them and they look after you—it creates a healthier community.” She adds that supporting local artists is important be-cause it validates an artist and what they do. “There aren’t a huge number of artists who can actually support themselves,” she says. “Usually it gives them enough money to go buy more supplies. It’s a second income. And it makes people more diverse to have a creative out-let: it’s important for all of us.” One way for customers to have a more personal ex-perience with their favourite artist at the Gallery is during Vendor Days throughout December. On those days the artist is on site and anything you buy from them is 15% off. ‘Like’ the Station House Gallery on Facebook and get in touch—find out when your favourite artist is at the Gallery, and learn about upcoming events and displays. The Station House Gallery Christmas market is open seven days a week – 10a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Satur-day and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more informa-tion phone (250) 392-6113.

By LeRae Haynes

Lift your Holiday Spirits at Station House Gallery

Photo: Local artists, weavers, potters, authors, and more will be featured at the Station House Gallery Gift Shop Christmas display in December. Photos: Pat Teti


TheGreenGazette

Confessions of a Farmer: “Rippy” the Redneck Hippy By Terri Smith

I t’s not easy coming up with public

confessions on a regular basis. I

usually sit in front of my laptop

until the screen turns black trying

to think of just what I’m willing to share.

Today is no exception. I always try to

think of things that maybe you yourself

have had trouble admitting: admissions

not too shocking but still worth reading.

We all have confessions to make, but most of us don’t put them in the newspaper.

But at last, I think I have come up with a

confession that I probably have in com-

mon with quite a number of the inhabi-

tants of the Cariboo. Here it is: I’m sort of a hippy; I’m also a bit of a redneck. My friend Aimee said the term for this is “rippy.” Though I am not a fan of labels, this one is apt—or at least better than the alternative of, “hippy-crite.” I, like many of the people I know, want to save the world. The senseless destruc-tion of nature makes me sad and angry. I know that carpooling is the best option, and yet I love my truck and for a long trip I infinitely prefer to be on my own on the open road with my own choice of music and my own schedule. I’ll carpool if I must, but I won’t necessarily be happy about it. Especially if my companions are vegetarians. Not that I have a problem with vegetarians. I won’t buy meat from the grocery store. Our freezer only contains animals that were either raised here or by someone else who I know cares that the animal had a good life and a good death. But on road trips, all my scruples go out the drive-thru window and I often find myself finishing my A&W burger and fries before I remember that I wasn’t going to eat any more meat of mysterious origin. I love beer, bonfires, and guns. But only craft beer from as local a source as possible. Bonfires should be built from scraps of wood from forest and yard clean-up, the ashes of which will later be com-posted. Guns are mostly for target practice on the cans since I really don’t like to kill anything and afterwards I will then very

carefully gather them all up and take them to be recycled. My wardrobe consists of a lot of sec-ondhand skirts and organic cotton or bam-boo shirts with pretty scarves and fancy toques. I like anything that looks like something an elf would wear as long as it’s organic and not made in a sweat shop. However, most of my days are spent in Muck boots, jeans, and a plaid wool jacket. Coming across the dead stumps of old-growth fir trees makes me sad, yet I adore my chainsaw and a full woodshed of fir makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. When we first started farming we made a decision to try to do as much by hand as possible so as to use the least amount of fossil fuels. If something could be done with a hand tool then that’s what we would use. But ideals don’t always line up with practicalities. The scythe we purchased in the first year has yet to be more than a nov-elty and we recently upgraded to the most powerful weed-eater we could afford. Rather than a tractor we planned on only ever using our beautiful, fuel-efficient ro-totiller. Six years later and I’m longing for a tractor: a nice big one, with a front-end loader. Having ideals is great; whether or not one can keep to one’s ideals is another thing entirely. Before my mom and I started our chicken-sharing arrangement I would spend a ridiculous amount of time in the grocery store staring at the myriad op-tions for eggs and not knowing which to buy. Did I want eggs from chickens who had the option of going outside (even though they probably never did), or eggs from chickens not fed other chickens? If a chicken is fed an antibiotic-free diet com-plete with flax seed did it still spend its whole existence in a battery cage? What is the difference between, “free-range,” and “free run?” Usually I would just feel too overwhelmed and not buy eggs at all. But on those rare occasions when we go out for breakfast I always order eggs Benedict. Upon closer examination, hippies and rednecks have a lot more in common than might first be apparent. At the very least, they both spend a lot of time outdoors. The

The Rippy and her redneck uncle. Long skirt? Check. Flowers in hair? Check. Chainsaw? Check. Truck? Check. Rippys need a lot of accessories. Photo: Curtis Seeger

stereotypes for both groups can be pretty awful: hippies are supposed to dress in long skirts while they dance around bare-foot in the forest with flowers in their hair, smoking weed and talking weird, flaky philosophy while eating nothing but raw, sprouted nuts. The stereotypical redneck dresses in camo all the time, drives around in a loud truck with big tires, drinks beer, shoots guns, and mows down whole forests while inarticulately voicing strong opin-ions against tree-hugging hippies. Neither of these images is very flattering or very true. I know hippies who drive big trucks and own guns and articulate rednecks who smoke weed.

Those confused souls who fall some-where in the middle are my kind of people. To quote one of my favourite playwrites, “People don’t have their virtues and vices in sets; they have them anyhow, all mixed.” (George Bernard Shaw, Heart-break House). So, while I’m still going to cut down trees, I’m probably going to hug them first. Terri Smith is an organic vegetable farmer

in the Cariboo with Road’s End Vegetable

Company. She has a Bachelor’s degree in

Literature and a diploma in Art.

Fast-Growing Grassroots Fundraising

Campaign Supports BC First Nations Le-

gal Muscle Against Enbridge The Pull Together campaign to support First Nations legal challenges against the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline is growing steadily and has raised more than $200,000 in four months. The Haida Nation has announced they have joined Pull Together, the sixth First Nation to do so. Funds raised through the Pull Together campaign help support the legal challenges against Northern Gateway that have been launched by the Haida, Gitxaala, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai'xais, Nadleh Whut'en, and Nak'azdli Nations. “The Pull Together campaign is driven by people who care and are politically as-tute,” said kil tlaats 'gaa Peter Lantin, presi-dent of the Haida Nation. “They can see how the future of the country is shaping up and want to be part of it.”

“British Columbians do not want First Nations to stand alone against Enbridge and they're demonstrating this with passion, creativity, and their wallets,” said Sierra Club BC campaigns director Caitlyn Vernon. “It's incredible to think that Pull Together began in the summer with a com-munity group in Terrace raising $2,000, and now we have raised a hundred times that.” Started by community groups in north-ern BC, the campaign has been so success-ful it is increasing its fundraising goal from $250,000 to $300,000 by December 31. Pull-Together.ca is managed by Sierra Club BC in partnership with Victoria-based legal defence fund RAVEN Trust to enable residents from across BC and Canada to make donations and hold fundraising events in support of First Nation legal challenges. All monies raised are being matched by an anonymous donor.

So far, volunteers from across BC have organized or planned more than 50 commu-nity events. There are more than 30 partici-pating businesses, almost 100 online fund-raisers, and more than 1,000 individual do-nors. Highlights include: Global corporate watchdog SumO-fUs.org raised more than $40,000 for the campaign from among its 650,000 Canadian members. More than 25 yoga studios are partici-pating in the “Stretch across BC Challenge” in November, led by the Moksha chain which alone has raised more than $8,500 to date. Jess Housty, a Heiltsuk councillor, was married on October 18 and asked wedding guests to donate to Pull Together instead of giving gifts, raising more than $5,700. The community of Pender Island on Sunday raised more than $4,000 with a con-cert featuring Mae Moore and Daniel Lapp. The United Church of Canada is fund-raising from its congregations nationwide throughout the month of November.

“This is an extensive, costly legal proc-ess,” said Susan Smitten, executive direc-tor of RAVEN. “The next stage involves gathering all of the evidence required for the Nations to make their cases at Court. While the Nations are committed to going it alone, standing together and pooling resources with all British Columbians en-sures equal access to justice and a success-ful outcome with much more likelihood of success.” The pull-together.ca website offers people the option to donate directly, fund-raise online among their networks of friends and neighbours, or organize com-munity fundraising events. Sierra Club BC is offering training and support to indi-viduals and community groups interested in hosting fundraising events. British Columbians and anyone inter-ested in supporting these Nations can join the campaign by going to www.pull-together.ca.

Despite Federal Approval, Opposition to Enbridge's Northern Gateway Keeps Growing


TheGreenGazette

The Gift of Lifelong Learning

A s parents, instilling a lifelong

love of learning in our chil-

dren is often our hope. As

teachers it is usually our man-

date. We are fortunate to live where we have choices in education…or are we?

Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the

woods of dogma, a deluge of dos and

don’ts, or the influence and opinions of

family, friends, and society. The follow-

ing is offered as a gift, to be combined,

perhaps, with a cup of tea and an easy

chair—and time to consider… Waldorf early childhood education is practiced worldwide. There are nearly 2,000 Waldorf kindergartens, pre-schools, childcare centers, and home programs in more than 60 countries on six continents. A Waldorf kindergarten traditionally has a mixed-age group. The activities follow the pedagogical principles of age appropriate and rhythmical activities with increasing variety, depth, and complexity as the year progresses, providing a gentle transition into a structured learning environment. Waldorf educators recognizing—in line with others such as Alliance for Childhood and Right To Play—critical issues affecting childhood today, encour-age a low or no-media home environment. This can protect the child from sensory damage and allows for a healthy develop-ment of a child’s imaginative, creative, and social skills. The alternative setting offers children a nurturing learning environment of beauty and warmth. Playthings are usually made of natural materials, which can awaken the child’s own imagination. Joy is found in using colourful silks and cot-ton play cloths, soft dolls, wooden toys, and items from nature to create anything a young child’s heart delights in. This, com-bined with extensive robust outdoor play, balances out the day. Learning is sup-ported through imitation and doing. Storytelling fosters listening skills and vocabulary development. Imaginative free

play sets the foundation for developing social skills. The role of the teacher is to create an environment in which to nour-ish the child’s natural curiosity. Care is taken to surround the children with as many life-filled experiences as possible: singing, storytelling, movement and verse, circle time, baking, gardening, painting, and beeswax modelling all natu-rally engage the young child. A sense of wonder and gratitude is woven through the experience of work and play and an appreciation for the natural rhythm of the seasons shape the days as they unfold into the beginning of a journey of life-long learning. Taking the time to consider the best first steps in our children’s education is a gift to them, and respecting the choices we all make that will support them in a love of lifelong learning is a gift to our-selves. Chickadee Early Childhood and Learn-

ing Centre inspired by Waldorf Educa-

tion set up its nest in September 2014. Its

Miocene Hall location on Horsefly Road

(20 minutes from Williams Lake) offers a

Forest Kindergarten experience. The

year-round mixed-age Kindergarten pro-

gram runs on Wednesdays and Fridays.

A second Parent and Tot Session, and a

Parent Participation Pre-school Session

will begin in the new year.

Microwave Electromagnetic Fields Produce Health Effects by VGCC Activation

C anadian and U.S. safety stan-

dards for microwave radiation

are entirely based on the as-

sumption that the only impor-

t ant t hi ng mi c rowav e EMFs (electromagnetic fields) can do is to heat

things, like heating food in a microwave

oven. The belief is that EMFs are com-

posed of low-energy photons, with energy

per photon too low to influence the chem-

istry of the body or to heat up the human

cells. Therefore, they assume that if heat-

ing is minimal, we don’t need to worry

about health effects. That assumption is false and is not a valid basis for any safety guideline. How do we know that? 1. Thousands of papers in scientific litera-ture have demonstrated biological effects from EMFs under conditions where they were assumed to not possibly cause such effects. 2. For over 30 years, it has been known that pulsed fields (e.g. nanosecond pulses emitted by cellphone, WiFi, smart meters, and DECT cordless phones) are more bio-logically active than non-pulsed fields that produce the same very low levels of heat-ing. 3. The main mechanism for biological ef-fects has been discovered. In a whole se-ries of studies, all of the effects from expo-sure to various low-frequency EMFs could be blocked by calcium-channel blockers—drugs that block voltage-gated calcium-channels. Furthermore, biophysical model-ling studies show that EMFs can act through their interactions with the charged amino acid residues, which regulate chan-nel opening and closing to open voltage-gated calcium-channels. Biological Effects Well-documented effects of microwave EMF exposure include: 1. Oxidative stress 2. Single strand breaks in cellular DNA 3. Double strand breaks in cellular DNA 4. Cancer 5. Male and female infertility 6. Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier 7. Loss of melatonin 8. Consequent sleep disruption 9. Therapeutic effects There are also other possible effects: • Various effects on brain function (these are diverse and the literature has not fo-cused on a few specific effects). • Effects on the electrical control in the heart including tachycardia (rapid heart-beat) and arrhythmia which may lead to sudden cardiac death. In multiple studies each of these re-sponses is reported to have been produced by microwave radiation exposures. There is no question that the evidence is substan-tial.

By Martin Pall, Ph.D - Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences, Washington State University

None of the above can be explained by heating. On the contrary, they can all be explained by VGCC (voltage-gated cal-cium channels) activation and its down-stream effects, without any relation to heating. Autism A number of researchers have argued for autism being caused by EMFs. We know it is true that EMF exposure can lead to hyperactivity of the main L-type VGCC in the brain, Cav1.2. A rare mutation in that gene that makes the chan-nel hyperactive causes Timothy syndrome and the main symptoms of Timothy Syn-drome are autism (the whole autism spec-trum) and cardiac changes such as tachy-cardia, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Most Timothy syndrome patients die at a very young age of sudden cardiac death. A derivative of the Timothy syndrome mutation also causes transgenic mice to exhibit “markedly restricted, repetitive, and perseverative behaviour, altered social behaviour, altered ultrasonic vocalization, and enhanced tone-cued and contextual memory following fear conditioning.” These are all very serious health issues which could not possibly occur if the cur-rent EMF safety standards were correct. In conclusion, the heating/thermal para-digm should be replaced by VGCC activa-tion. Also, the now-discredited heating/thermal standards can no longer be used for evaluating how consumer electronic devices affect human health. While at-tempting to develop safer microwave de-vices, there are particular products that should either be abolished or drastically changed. In my judgment, these include Wi-Fi fields in schools, the so called “smart meters,” and baby monitors as they are currently designed. Further information:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/

jcmm.12088/full

Martin Pall, Ph.D

Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and

Basic Medical Sciences, Washington State

University. Ph.D in Biochemistry and Ge-

netics from California Institute of Technol-

ogy. BA degree in Physics from Johns

Hopkins University. Seven international

honours for work in environmental medi-

cine and on the impact of chemical expo-

sures on human health. Published study on

the effects of EMFs via activation of volt-

age-gated calcium channels was honoured

by Global Medical Discovery as one of the

top medical publications of 2013. Invited

as speaker for nine professional seminars

about this study.

Making bread is serious fun at Chickadee Early Childhood and Learning Center. Photo: Callie Borkowski

By Claire West Mattson


TheGreenGazette


TheGreenGazette

By Ron Young

I woke up this morning with a dead man singing

in my head. Worse than that I couldn’t make out

the words, but I did remember the singer,

Johnny Cash, and the song was “Folsom Prison

Blues.” “There is a train a-comin’, it’s rolling round the bend,

and I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when…” As winter dawns on us, this phrase in the song rings ever so true on some of these dreary days. We move into winter, through the ‘holiday season,’ and emerge into the cold hard reality of a new year. Win-ter can be a time of great expectations as we organize the coming years “crops” in the gardens of our minds. Communities in the Cariboo and elsewhere become closer in the winter months; reduced to our core popula-tions we spend more of our time planning things to enter-tain ourselves rather than our visitors. The change from the giddy party mentality of the tourist season to the happy intimacy of friends and acquaintances is palpable and welcome as the darkness of winters’ shorter days close around us. An interesting concept that encompasses the coziness of these days comes from the Danish practice of hygge. Denmark, according to the UN World Happiness Report, is the happiest country in the world. Denmark has also topped the European Commission’s well being and happi-ness index for 40 years. Hygge is pronounced something like HYU-gah, makes me think of the old time Model A Ford horns belting ‘hayooga.’ Hygge has a meaning that is difficult to define in English but it seems to incorporate all the subtle mean-ings of well-being, intimacy, friendship, acceptance, and more intangible concepts like knowing which item to catch when your shopping bag tips over and a chicken and a carton of eggs dropout. Aside from the fact that, in that split second before they hit the floor, your cerebral mind is busy pondering which came first—the chicken or the egg—and additionally, why the bag packer at the store put both those things in the same bag anyway; the part of your consciousness that just knows stuff reaches for the egg carton. It has to do with awareness and a holistic un-derstanding of a situation. Holistic means comprehending the parts of something as intimately connected and understandable only by refer-ence to the whole. Sort of like when we’re trying to wrap our minds around the environment, the planet, and how everything is connected to everything else. A holistic un-derstanding of things so often gets drowned out by the rational, logical, legal, accounting parts of our mentality.

The Danes seem to have stepped back from that reason-centric perspective to a more action-centric model that uses playfulness, creativity, and emotion. It’s not necessary to always follow the rules liter-ally. The rules are only the framework used to hang our ideas; they aren’t the ideas. If we only think of things in terms of economics and what makes literal sense we won’t make the right decisions about how to be good stewards of our families, our homes, and our world. I have had this conversation in so many different ways with many of my friends who are trying to de-cide on a renewable energy system. So often the con-versation starts out with, “So, what is the pay back time on this system?” When that’s all you think about you are missing the big picture. The key word in that phrase is “renewable.” When you grasp the concept of renewable then knowing the source of your energy is renewable makes you happy. You know the future won’t look back at you and point an accusatory finger. It’s only one step but it’s a big one and the happiness returns are also renewable. The magic that the Danes have perfected is carry-ing the hygge concept into their daily life, not just practicing it during the seasonal periods like Christ-mas. This concept is best stated by professor of eco-nomics Christian Bjørnskov from Aarhus Business School in Denmark who wrote his PhD on happiness. He says: “The great thing about Danish society is that it doesn’t judge other people’s lives. It allows them to choose the kind of life they want to live…” and he goes on to say, “Money is not as important in the so-cial life here, as for example Britain and America. We probably spend our money differently here. We don’t buy big houses or big cars…” In the New Year we can look for the big picture and as befits our highly privileged position in the world try to take leadership roles in looking out for the planet and her inhabitants. To paraphrase the words of the masterful Johnny Cash, “there is a train a comin’ but when we hear that whistle blowing we don’t have to hang our head and cry...”

Ron Young is a renewable energy professional that

designs and sells renewable energy systems. He oper-

ates the earthRight store in Williams Lake, BC and

can be reached at [email protected].

Copyright Ron Young 2014

Hayooga New Year


TheGreenGazette

W hen Argentine filmmaker

Hernán Vílchez made his

way up into the remote

Wixarika community of

San Andrés Cohamiata Tateikie high in

the Western Sierra Madre of Mexico, he

knew he would be entering another

world. What he didn't

know was how deeply it

would change his own life. The movie tells the story of the Wixarika or Huichol people, one of the most in-tact precolonial people re-maining in the Americas, and their battle to save the sacred site upon which their cosmovision depends from Canadian gold and silver mining operations. It's a story emblematic of a hor-rifically destructive industry at work all over the world, and at the same time unique to this time and place and culture, and it's a story that's very much alive. Huicholes: The Last Peyote Guardians, a beautiful and profound new film released on demand at www.huicholesfilm.com and named Best Documentary Film by the Red Nation Film Festival, breaks new ground on many fronts. First there was the making of the film, which revolves around the pilgrimage of a single family, that of the marakame or shaman José Luis Ramírez, or Katira by his Wixarika name, to the sacred desert of Wirikuta and to the Cerro Quemado, the Birthplace of the Sun. Other films have been made exploring the col-ourful and deeply spiritual traditions of the Wixarika people, but none that has cov-ered with this level of depth and profes-sionalism the spiritual traditions of this people and the existential threat that cul-ture now faces. The film crew, accompanied by numer-ous members of the Ramírez family, has also pioneered a new approach to distribu-tion in an era of self-publishing and artistic independence. Rather than premiering the film at a prestigious film festival and then concentrating their efforts on audiences and festivals in major cities, the crew pre-miered the film in a way that most resem-

bles the ancient Wixarika pilgrimage, but in reverse. The first two showings were in the pilgrimage destination, the threatened sacred site itself, the remote mountain range and desert valley of Wirikuta. The next stop was a two-day caravan up into the even more remote Wixarika territories.

Only then did they take their tour to overflow crowds in Mexico's two largest cities—Guadalajara and Mexico City. The film’s North Ameri-can premiere at Rice Univer-sity Cinema in Houston met overflow crowds on Novem-ber 5, and subsequent screen-ings in San Antonio, Austin, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos have also brought an enthusiastic response. At press time the tour continued to make its way through Cali-fornia and prepared to screen its Canadian premiere in Montreal, followed by screen-

ings in Toronto and Vancouver. The film is being used to raise aware-ness about the threat to the Wixarika peo-ple, whose very culture depends on their ability to make their pilgrimages to their sacred sites, to maintain a reciprocal rela-tionship with what they call “the essences of life” that reside in these places. As the Chile tour wound to a close and the plan-ning for the European and North American tours was gearing up, plans for the film went much further. For one thing, there's the hope that the money raised will be enough to make a meaningful difference back in the commu-nities in Mexico. The film will be used as a platform to raise money to support per-maculture development projects in the communities featured in the film, both to provide a safe alternative to mining and to help keep the Wixarika ceremonial centers alive. For another, there's the vision of using the film to draw attention to the epidemic of assaults on indigenous and non-indigenous communities by transnational corporations and unaccountable govern-ments. “This film is emblematic of what is happening to communities throughout the

and the People's Climate Justice Alliance are reshaping the environmental move-ment. Likewise, new networks are being formed in the south with our brothers and sisters in Mexico and Latin America.” “This is more than a movie—it’s a movement,” says Vilchez. Since its release in May, the movie has been seen by more than 17,000 people—most of them in free screenings throughout Mexico. Of the 107 screenings since the premiere in May, 10,700 saw the movie in 17 free public screenings—an enormous effort made possible by the contributions of many people and organizations. The North American tour has included 30+ screenings in more than 20 cities in the United States and Canada, with the U.S. premiere at Rice Theater in Houston, Texas, and the Canadian premiere hosted by Cinema Politica in Montreal, Quebec. For more information about movie screen-

ings, as well as future plans, visit

www.huicholesfilm.com.

You can also find information on Face-

book at Huicholes: The Last Peyote G u a r d i a n s a n d o n T wi t t e r :

@PeyoteGuardians. The film can be

rented online at https://vimeo.com/

ondemand/huicholesfilm.

world—it's not just about the Huicholes,” explained Vilchez. “Our hope is that we can raise awareness about these issues in Mexico but also in the communities where we are traveling.” Eduardo “Lalo” Guzmán, a longtime resident and steward of Wirikuta who has been at the forefront of the movement from the beginning, spoke of the parallels to the Wirikuta struggle that are taking place around the globe. “What's happening to the Wixarika people is also happening to other peoples around the world—United States, Canada, Guatemala, Chile, and many others. The people are being crushed, the governments don't care about the cultures and they vio-late them. Our government carries the ban-ner of defender of cultures; in fact they're not oriented toward the well-being of life, but rather material gain.” “The environmental movement is be-ginning to recognize that indigenous com-munities and people of colour are im-pacted most by extraction industries and climate change,” said Bryan Parras of the Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s), organizer of the movie’s North American premiere in Houston. “These same communities bene-fit the least from these developments and are often left with the legacy of toxic pol-lutants. Organizations like Idle No More, the Indigenous Environmental Network,

Maraka'ame Jose Luis "Katira" Ramirez, left, and his son Enrique, also a mara'akame or spiritual guide, form the centerpiece of the film, together with their

family. Photo: Jose Andres Solorzano

FILM

CHRONICLES

THE

MOVEMENT

TO SAVE A

SACRED

LAND

AND A

VISIONARY

CULTURE


TheGreenGazette

C ompassion was our November theme

for the Women’s Spirituality Circle. It

is a core value in each of the world

religions and has had sticking power

as a virtue throughout the ages. Despite its lon-gevity, compassion is one of those enigmatic

words: hard to define, hard to understand, and

even harder to practice. Compassion and kindness are often used in the same breath, leading us to believe that they might be interchangeable; but, there are important differ-ences. Kindness is about being friendly, gentle, and generous towards other people. Compassion is about joining with others in their experience and sincerely desiring an end to whatever suffering they may be experiencing. The difference is sub-tle. Whereas kindness is about positive attitudes and actions towards others—an outward flow from the self to another—compassion invites us into a deeper relationship. The word comes from Latin and means “to suffer together with” and to feel what others are feeling. This implies an inward flow as well, a taking-in of another’s pain. This is what I often found tricky. How could I know what another feels, even through careful listening and trying my best to understand? If I felt that person’s pain, wouldn’t it overwhelm me as well? It is through Buddhist teachings that I have begun to glimpse how to have compassion on that deeper level. The key is that one has to be able to touch those areas of oneself first. That is where the understanding and the joining comes from. For those difficult emotions that lend themselves to suffering, such as sadness, grief, and fear, this is a scary process. We don’t often willingly go to those places in ourselves. However, it is in that journey to the places of pain in ourselves that we can access the place of compassion for others. Just as it seems that might be difficult enough, there’s another part added. Compassion is not to be limited to those we love, those we understand, those we agree with. We are to be compassionate to all—our enemies, those who irritate us, those whose political views do not mesh with our own. That’s a tall order, almost a Mission Impossible, but if we choose to accept it, the fruits of compas-sion will provide immeasurable reward. There is a global movement afoot that encour-ages us all to embrace the practice of compassion. It started in 2008 with a dream of world religions scholar, researcher, and former Catholic nun Karen Armstrong. Most of us have heard of the Golden Rule, from the Christian tradition: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Through Armstrong’s research into various world religions, she kept encountering this principle of compassion, this call to deep feeling and connec-tion. Observing a world in turmoil, her idea was that if we could gather our strength and energy around the principle of compassion, regardless of religious divisions, then we could create a more peaceful and loving world. Armstrong worked together with leaders of many faith traditions to develop a statement of principles called the Charter for Compassion. The text of the charter is moving and inspiring. It in-vites people of all religions, nationalities, and be-lief systems (as well as those who might say they have no belief system) to join together, to act with kindness, to treat others as we would like to be treated, and to strive to eliminate suffering for all people. Through the Charter for Compassion, we are invited to “put ourselves in the shoes of another,”

By Adam McLeod, ND, BSc

I t is a well established fact

that cancer cells are vul-

nerable to heat. On a cel-

lular level it makes intui-

tive sense that cancer cells would be sensitive to heat. Normal cells

are spatially arranged so that

heat can be distributed evenly

and they will not divide if they are

physically in contact with adja-

cent cells. Cancer cells within a

tumour will continue to divide

regardless of the proximity of

adjacent cells; this is one of the

hallmarks of cancer. As a result

of this uncontrolled growth, the

cells in the tumour become densely packed together and this

makes it very difficult for them to

effectively distribute heat. Hyperthermia treatment is rap-idly becoming a mainstream ther-apy for patients undergoing che-motherapy and radiation. During these treatments the patients’ core body temperature is artificially raised to mimic a strong fever. This is not a pleasant experience for the patient but it is very effec-tive at weakening the cancer cells. It makes these cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiation. When any cell is exposed to heat there are immediate bio-chemical and genetic changes that occur so that the cell can adapt to the new warm environment. One of the most potent responses that allows these cells to survive the heat is the production of heat shock proteins (HSP). These HSPs protect components within the cell that are vulnerable to heat damage, and during hyperthermia the pro-duction of these proteins within cancer cells is what allows them to survive. Currently there is a major push with pharmaceutical compa-nies to develop drugs that inhibit these proteins. There are several different natural compounds that are well-documented heat shock protein inhibitors. These substances are safe when used in the right clinical context and you need to consult a Naturopathic Doctor to know if this is the best therapy for that specific type of cancer. One exam-ple is Quercetin, a bioflavonoid that is well documented as a po-tent inhibitor of heat shock pro-teins in cancer cells. Cancer cells are naturally very vulnerable to heat based on how densely the cells are packed to-

The Tough Road of Compassion

Photo: Kelly Kranabetter

Heat: The Achilles Heel of Cancer

gether. When hyperthermia is combined with Quercetin the re-sults are very dramatic. One study on prostate carcinoma concluded, “When combined in a treatment protocol with hyperthermia, Quercetin drastically inhibited tumour growth and potently am-plified the effects of hyperthermia on two prostate tumour types, PC-3 and DU-145 in vivo. These ex-periments, thus, suggest the use of Quercetin as a hyperthermia sensi-tizer in the treatment of prostate carcinoma.” It is extremely important to point out two things. Firstly, Quercetin is safe with most but not all chemotherapy drugs and you need professional guidance from a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses in oncology to know if this is safe for you. Secondly, the quality of the Quercetin supplement makes a big difference. Generally speaking Quercetin is very poorly absorbed and there are only a few profes-sional brands of sufficient quality that are effective at sensitizing the cancer cells. In some cases, intra-venous Quercetin is more appro-priate. The mainstream medical com-munity is changing its tune with regards to hyperthermia. In private hospitals in the United States it is very commonly used because it is so effective. In Canada, there are only a handful of clinics that cur-rently offer this therapy. As the evidence for this therapy accumu-lates, in the near future hyperther-mia combined with these natural approaches will undoubtedly be-come the standard of care for can-cer patients.

Dr. Adam McLeod is a Naturo-

pathic Doctor (ND), BSc. (Hon)

Molecular biology, First Nations

healer, motivational speaker, and

international best selling author.

He currently practices at his clinic

in Vancouver, British Columbia

where he focuses on integrative

oncology.

www.yaletownnaturopathic.com

Photo: Irman Fauzi

By Margaret-Anne Enders

and really to put ourselves in the shoes of all oth-ers, near or far, alike or different. There is no for-mula for what will be easy and what will not. I think of my family members. Although I love them more than I love anyone else, when things are not going my way and I’m irritated or angry at them, it is very difficult to have compassion, and to see the situation as they see it. Sometimes distance makes it easier. At first glance, it seems easy to have compassion for those on the other side of the world who are affected by Ebola or by the atrocities committed by ISIS. However, distance does not always bring compas-sion and certainly not clarity. Distance can result in a huge sense of disconnection and even apathy. Why is it that we in the West were not so con-cerned about Ebola until it showed up in Texas? And if we are to be compassionate to all, how does it look to be compassionate to the members of ISIS? What does that mean? How do we have compassion for both victims and perpetrators at the same time? If compassion is the wish for all beings to be free of suffering, perhaps this is a clue. Those that commit violence are undoubtedly suffering, and compassion can be offered without condoning the violence. This is the tough road of compassion, but it is the challenge that is at the heart of every religion, and is the key to a more peaceful and harmonious world, on both global and local scales.

In her work with the Multicultural Program at

CMHA, as well as in her life as a parent, partner,

faithful seeker, left-leaning Christian, paddler, and

gardener, Margaret-Anne Enders is thrilled to

catch glimpses of the Divine in both the ordinary

and the extraordinary. To find out more about the

Women’s Spirituality Circle, call her at (250)305-

4426 or visit

www.womenspiritualitycircle.wordpress.com or on

Facebook at Women’s Spirituality Circle in Wil-

liams Lake.

Williams Lake has a fledgling Charter for Compas-

sion group which consists of several members of

the Women’s Spirituality Circle, as well as women

and men from other sectors of the community. The

Williams Lake Charter for Compassion Group will

be will be setting up reading clubs to study Karen

Armstrong’s book, 12 Steps to a Compassionate

Life. Call Sharon at (778) 412-2999 if you would

like more information on the Charter for Compas-

sion group in Williams Lake or on the study

groups.


TheGreenGazette

A utumn brings an abundance of

apples, potatoes, corn, squash,

and other produce begging to

be canned, frozen, or dried if

not eaten fresh. This can put more de-mands on our time just when it’s back to

work, school, and other community ac-

tivities. Among the late season products

is the pumpkin which, sadly, is used

more for decoration than for food as in-

dicated by their absence in grocery stores

immediately after Halloween. How many

of us have carved but never cooked and

eaten a fresh pumpkin? It’s a shame be-

cause pumpkin is delicious in soup, cas-

seroles, and even bread. I’m inspired to

write this after seeing so many uneaten pumpkins after Halloween but it applies

to all of the hard squashes available

through the winter. Everyone has heard of zucchini bread but it’s usually made with baking powder or soda rather than yeast. Quick bread is great but yeasted squash bread is more versatile because is has a stronger texture or “crumb” and holds up better when baked in different shapes and when sliced. You can put a surprisingly large amount of squash or other fruit (yes, the squashes are fruits) into bread. Soft fleshed fruit such as zucchini and apples can be added to dough raw, just grate them coarsely. Hard fleshed squashes are best baked, then mashed. Just search for “how to cook squash.” When I was in southern Spain last spring, I gardened and baked bread in return for room and board with a host I found on helpx.net. I baked this bread using Hubbard squash but any hard squash can be used. Yeasted Pumpkin or Hubbard Squash Bread This recipe made 24 muffins, one large loaf, and a large focaccia. I started it on day 1 and did the baking on day 4. Using this “preferment”, also known as a “poolish,” creates more flavour and, ac-

Squashed bread cording to Wikipedia, improves the keep-ing time of the baked bread. This process can be sped up by keeping the pre-ferment warmer or by starting with more dry yeast. You can even do it from start to finish in one day if you use a teaspoon of yeast and can keep the dough at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius but I recommend the slow method. Day 1: The Pre-ferment • 4 cups warm water (25-30 degrees C) • pinch of yeast

4 cups whole wheat flour • Mix, cover, and let sit at room tempera-

ture. Day 1 or later: Add Squash You’ll need 4-6 cups of cooked squash. This could be from a large acorn squash, a medium butternut squash, or part of a pumpkin. Cut fresh squash in pieces, scoop out the seeds, coat with olive oil, and place on one or two baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for about an hour. When suffi-ciently soft, scoop out the flesh with a spoon and chop finely or mash. Add the warm squash to the pre-ferment, paying attention to the resulting temperature. A thermometer is handy because it will help you become familiar with how the yeast behaves as a function of temperature and will help you learn how to estimate tem-perature by touch. Cover the pre-ferment and store at room temperature. Pro tip: The squash seeds are tasty

after drying in a low oven and coating with

olive oil and salt. Day 3 or 4: The Baking Day • 3 teaspoons salt • 12 cups all purpose flour, bread flour, or

unbleached flour. The pre-ferment should be bubbly and should have a nice fermented aroma. Add a couple cups of flour at a time, mixing until the dough can be scraped from the bowl and turned out onto a floured work surface. This will require at least 8 cups of the flour

By Pat Teti

Butternut squash rolls, loaf, and focaccia. Orgiva, Spain. Photo: Pat Teti

and will take at least 5 minutes. Knead by hand, dusting the dough, and work the surface with flour as needed for at least 20 minutes. Place in a well-oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until nearly double in volume. This will take a couple of hours if the dough is around 25 degrees Celsius, but depends on temperature. If the dough starts off at room temperature, it will take extra time to warm up even if you place it in a warm location. Transfer the risen dough to a floured surface, and divide into four equal parts. Focaccia For focaccia, gently push and pull one of the quarters out to a shape that’s an inch or so short of the size and shape of your cookie sheet all around. Sprinkle the cookie sheet with a little cornmeal or flour. Dust the dough with flour so it doesn’t stick to itself and roll it up or fold it so that you can lift it and plop it onto the cookie sheet. Unroll or unfold it, then work it out to the desired shape. Top it with olives, rosemary, or coarse salt if you wish. You can also create little depressions with your fingers and drizzle on extra virgin olive

oil. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 450 de-grees F for about 15 minutes. Dinner Rolls For a dozen rolls, rub a very light coat of oil onto a muffin tin and dust it with flour. Gently tease one of the quarters of dough into a log shape. Divide in half, divide each of those into three, and each of those in two, dusting all the fresh cuts with flour. Place in muffin tin depressions and bake at 450 de-grees F for 15 to 20 minutes. Bread Loaf For a large loaf, tease one of the quarters of dough out to a log shape, dust with flour, and score the top with a sharp knife or using two knives crossed like shears to allow the crust to expand. Bake on a cookie sheet at 450 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes. I use a digital probe thermometer to help determine when bread is done. A tempera-ture of 198 to 202 degrees F is about right for this bread. Pat Teti was a research scientist with the

BC government for 18 years and has always

enjoyed making things.

We are optimistically assuming we'll have snow for most of these December ac-tivities. If not, we'll walk instead. Unless specified otherwise, these outings should be about 1 ½ hours. (not including drive time for some). We will leave the Sam Ketcham Complex at 10:45 a.m., so come around 10:30 a.m. to get organized. We always begin our outings from there on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, so you can fill out a membership form and pay your $10 annual fee if you wish to become a member. Once you're a member, you will receive emails with schedules and schedule changes. Schedules and updates are also on Facebook. December Schedule Tuesday, December 2 – River Valley Trail Wednesday, December 3 – Dairy fields walk Thursday, December 4 – Snap Trail walk (Fox Mountain) Tuesday, December 9 – Russet Bluff walk Wednesday, December 10 – Range Road ski/walk (on way to airport) Thursday, December 11 – Wanderers' Amazing Race (with prizes & coffee after) Tuesday, December 16 – Bonds Lake snowshoe/walk Wednesday, December 17 – Scout Is. walk (Xmas potluck at Rose Pinchbeck's after) Thursday, December 18 –Box Trail snowshoe/walk Tuesday, December 23 – Anderson Road ski/snowshoe Tuesday, December 30 – Esler Old Cabin snowshoe/walk Wednesday, December 31 – Anderson Road snowshoe/walk All of these activities are subject to change according to weather conditions, so keep an eye on your email/Facebook daily.

Williams Lake Wanderers


TheGreenGazette

Secretly Hoping to be Wrong

A nyone who gives serious con-

sideration to environmental

issues these days secretly hopes

to be wrong. This curious con-

tradiction stems from the stark realization that almost all the credible information

coming repeatedly from multiple objective

sources has identified the inability of our

planet's essential ecologies to absorb the

impact of the materialistic ambitions of

our modern civilization. Such a funda-

mental incompatibility is sobering to con-

front and admit. Only a committed misan-

thrope would deny humanity assured se-

curity, physical comfort, and meaningful

engagement. But the obsessive and cava-

lier quest for superfluous material wealth by a burgeoning human population has

become so environmentally destructive

that these objectives are now being con-

sidered self-defeating. This dilemma presents itself as a pro-found conflict for those whose lives are guided by a modicum of awareness, con-science, and integrity. Doesn't everyone have an obligation to be a seeker and pur-veyor of truth—a truth best discerned by open and unprejudiced inquiry? Shouldn't all thinking be sincere, searching, and hon-est? How do we find the necessary insights to guide our personal and collective con-duct if we don't use a diligent and princi-pled courage to carefully and thoroughly examine the generous supply of informa-tion available to us? Doesn't the social con-sciousness that can safeguard present and future generations begin with a mindful awareness of the moment? Those seriously considering our dete-riorating environmental conditions are now

By Ray Grigg

1. Make a Sustainable Transportation

Commitment Aim for zero-carbon future local trans-portation by creating a walkable downtown community with a great local cycling envi-ronment, and by adopting the best policies for ridesharing, car-sharing, transit, transpor-tation demand management, and electric vehicles. Island Rideshare, Pender Island Car Stops, Kootenay Rideshare, and the Jack Bell Foundation are good rideshare exam-ples. Most electric vehicles have a 100+ km range, so are quite practical for local trips. Grand Forks has built 6 km of multi-purpose bike paths.

2. Make a Sustainable Development Com-mitment Foster and encourage the best develop-ments and discourage ‘big box’ out-of-town shopping centres, with zero encroachment on the Agricultural Land Reserve. Adopt an urban containment boundary and use a Sus-tainable Development Checklist and Score-card in rezoning and development permit applications, with minimum points needed before approval can be considered

considering prospects almost too disturb-ing to confront. The reflexive response to such an uncomfortable realization is de-nial, to secretly hope that the sobering as-sessments are wrong—merely the projec-tions of a passing and unwarranted cyni-cism that is inclined to expect the worst rather than the best. But a loyalty to the mounting evidence forces the more ra-tional conclusion that our environmental problems are moving inexorably from seri-ous to critical. We have been much too negligent in respecting the law of limits and much too remiss in assessing the mag-nitude of our impact on ecologies. And now we find that the penalty of procrasti-nation has made our plausible solutions nearly impossible to implement—in meta-phorical terms, we have been accelerating when we should have been braking, and now the looming corner may be too tight to negotiate. In attempting to guide our des-tiny, we have been too venal to measure the ecological cost of our ambitions, too proud to acknowledge the seriousness of our situation, and too aloof to notice our dependent relationship with nature. Rather than accept responsibility for this ruinous behaviour of ours, a more comfortable position would be to dismiss the accumulation of damning evidence by declaring it all wrong. The science is wrong. The assessments are wrong. The experts are wrong. The dystopian predic-tions are wrong. Or, as an alternate expla-nation for our abject failure as a reputedly wise species, we could argue that we are merely transitioning through a cynical pe-riod in our psychological history, that our sense of ominous foreboding will pass, and

that our lapsed competence will eventually lead us to a brave new world of unbridled optimism. But the rational inner voice says this is not so. We are who we are. Our civiliza-tion is what it is. Built to its present com-plexity over centuries—even millennia—it cannot be changed as quickly as the criti-cal circumstances now require. What if the saving grace of radical new technologies is an empty promise made by the inflated confidence of a human hubris? What if we have been too numbed by the enchantment of our ingenuity to gauge its global im-pact? What if the complexity of our envi-ronmental problems has already become larger than we can solve? What will we discover if the intimation of a disconcert-ing future is forcing us to sit down to the dark night of our human soul? The power of hope is not comfortable with the destruction of optimism. To think that the structure of our civilization may have fatal and inescapable flaws is akin to cultural heresy, a violation of a loyalty to our essential humanity. If we can't believe in ourselves and the sublime culmination of all our collective wisdom and effort, does this leave us with an unbridled and destructive cynicism that makes us traitors to the human cause? Is our destiny as a species to be the destructive raping of the Mother that birthed and nourished us? Those who were aware of the early signs of serious environmental degradation 40 years ago have watched the momentum of this worrisome trend move inexorably from possibility and likelihood to probable inevitability. Almost none of the signifi-cant measures of deterioration have been

reversed or even slowed. Unless we can engender a change akin to a miracle, this suggests that something in the human character prescribes that civilization will move in the direction of heroic tragedy. The reality is that we cannot be certain of our environmental future—yet. But we do know that history's long record charts the rhythmical rise and fall of civilizations. Size and complexity do not provide ex-emptions. In the enthusiasm of construct-ing such systems, some fatal flaw is usu-ally installed in the structure. Humanity survives but the monuments to our creative ingenuity collapse in ruin. After energy and diligence have meticulously built enormous systems to precarious levels of cleverness, each collapse has usually been caused by some unforeseen environmental factor. We have increasing evidence to suggest that our present civilization may not be an exception. Each civilization is proud and confi-dent enough to believe that it is exempt from history's precedence. And people like to believe that their mistakes are much more forgivable than the mistakes of an entire civilization. This is why those who give serious consideration to environ-mental issues these days secretly hope they are wrong. Being wrong is not as troubling as being right. Ray Grigg is a weekly environmental col-

umnist for the Campbell River Courier-

Islander. He is the author of seven interna-

tionally published books on Oriental phi-

losophy, specifically Zen and Taoism.

The Five Most Important Climate Solutions for Small Towns in BC By Guy Dauncey

A checklist allows a council to ensure that new developments embrace a high stan-dard of sustainable development design, with points for social, environmental, trans-portation, and green energy features, as Port Coquitlam, Whistler, Kamloops, Nelson, and Surrey are doing. Ucluelet has created a very comprehensive smart growth strategy.

3. Make a Greenest Buildings Commit-ment Lobby for provincial policies that would require all new buildings to be zero-carbon passive buildings heated by renewable en-ergy; give property owners floor-space in-centives to make their existing buildings more energy efficient; and, plan ahead for renewable energy district heat. In the UK, all new buildings (urban and rural) must be zero-carbon from 2019; in California all new homes must be zero-net energy starting in 2020. In Berkeley and San Francisco, since 1981, every home must be upgraded to the latest energy standard before it can be sold.

4. Make a Sustainable Local Economy Commitment Urge your Regional District to target zero waste by 2030; openly oppose the growth of oil tankers, pipelines, and coal exports; reinvest your carbon tax rebates in carbon reduction projects; encourage local businesses to sign up for Vancouver Island Green Business Certification or elsewhere in BC to join Climate Smart; reduce your en-ergy use in all civic operations; encourage a local sharing economy; and, measure and report progress on all five solutions annu-ally. Saanich and Dawson Creek have estab-lished local Carbon Funds; the District of Chetwynd has installed wind turbines and solar panels to power its LED decorations; Burns Lake has created a long-term Commu-nity Energy Plan; Quesnel is doing feasibil-ity work on a biomass-based community energy system; and Kimberley has devel-oped a micro-hydro project.

5. Make a Healthy Food, Healthy Nature Commitment Protect trees and plant new ones; estab-lish more green spaces and community allot-ments; serve local food on municipal prem-ises; help young farmers to work the land; encourage community fruit-picking; and, protect local forests and watersheds. Armstrong has developed a great com-munity greenhouse. In Sooke, the Regional Food CHI Society is working to create vi-brant, sustainable food systems for the area. BC Climate Action Toolkit: www.toolkit.bc.ca Guy Dauncey is a speaker, author, activist,

and eco-futurist who works to develop a

positive vision of a sustainable future, and to

translate that vision into action. He is foun-

der of the BCSEA, co-founder of the Victoria

Car Share Cooperative, and the author or co

-author of nine books, including The Cli-mate Challenge: 101 Solutions to Global Warming. He is completing a new book set

in the year 2032, titled City of the Future: A Better World Is Possible.


TheGreenGazette

By Ciel Patenaude

W e human beings will do

just about anything to

avoid really looking at

ourselves, at our true

selves. We will go to no ends to avoid

really seeing and understanding our emo-

tional damages and how they shape our

lives—and what we can do about them.

We will shop, eat, drink, drug, blame, ex-

ercise (or not exercise), and generally

numb ourselves in a trillion different ways

from day to day so we don’t have to come

into contact with the core of our being,

unsure about what we would do when we

got there and really saw, with open eyes

and hearts, the truth of our habits and

conditioning.

I would argue this is the manner in which most of us exist all the time. Lacking the coping skills to really come into contact with and work through our emotional dam-ages and psychological challenges, we es-cape. Each generation compounds the dam-ages of those before it as we fail in working towards greater self awareness, personal intelligence, and compassion as a species. It’s about time we started talking about it rather than attending to the symptoms that result from this lack of personal aware-ness, such as increased violence, environ-mental destruction, political dysfunction, and general illness. We must get to the root of the issue—the sadness and hurt that ex-ists within each of our untended hearts. A happy and balanced individual does not attack others nor mistreat themselves or their environment. I imagine some of you may be thinking that, in fact, the very opposite is more prevalent in today’s social climate, for our culture is often criticized as being some of the most indulgent and narcissistic indi-viduals who have walked on the planet. We are consumed by nothing but our own wants and simple desires, ready to walk over anything and anyone in an incessant march towards the fulfillment of our self-ishness. Surely this means we are aware of who we are and what we want? The selfish, self-serving, and narcissis-tic qualities of our culture speak not to awareness and personal confidence, but to the core wounding that causes people to forget their connection to all that is and

Stepping Up or Numbing Out: The importance of self-discovery

work only for the betterment of their own experience. They relentlessly aim to numb the pain. They are incongruent in body, mind, and spirit, and live in a place of fear and separation. If we are to heal we must look within. We must collectively transform ourselves through honest reflection of our selves and our purpose. We must come to live for more than money and consumption, or even for the unrelenting drive for political activ-ism or social reform (which can be as much of an avoidance tactic as drinking or eating or anything else, when engaged with so vehemently as some do). We must do the work, and we must become mature and responsible adults in every way. But the work is hard. Really hard. After we have lived lifetimes and generations without intensive self-awareness, starting on this journey is a gargantuan and seem-ingly impossible task. The practice and process of looking inwards brings us into contact with all of our unresolved pain and dysfunction, and that’s not a nice thing to look at. But… it must be done, for the difficulty that we will encounter both individually and as a collective if we don’t do this work is profoundly more difficult. So here’s a basic recipe on where to start:

1. Journal. Start to make friends with your own mind, and begin the arduous and, yes, over-whelming task of seeing and making friends with your emotions and mind by

doing just that. Ask yourself some big ques-tions and make the time to explore them: What is the purpose of your life? What are your values? What makes you happy, and how can you do that more often? Journalling brings about massive trans-formation for those who engage with it daily, and can be an accessible yet powerful tool in the process of self discovery. 2. Learn to Communicate. This is like telling someone in my yoga classes that they need to learn how to breathe, when their likely response is that they’ve been breathing their whole life, right? Sure, we know how to speak, but do we know how to communicate? How do we say what it is we really need and want in a way that other people can connect with and understand, and which leads to greater per-sonal and relationship awareness? Programs like Non-violent Communication can make all the difference in your journey towards self-awareness, facilitating the inner work in a way that feels somewhat safe and nor-mal. 3. Meditate. This is the hardest one, for sure, and yet the one that leads to the greatest transformation of all, for it is the meeting of our own minds directly that we are presented with the greatest opportunity to reassess and acknowledge our own thinking. Meditation of any form—though simple breath aware-ness is great—trains the mind to focus on the present, allowing us to have mindful and conscious interactions with both our

own processes and with the situations and people that present themselves to us. Medi-tation is essential and life changing. Winter is the time of turning inward, as at this time of year we go into a mode of hibernation that is the perfect circumstance for looking at and working through own personal incongruities—those places where what we say, think, and do are not all the same thing. However, as previously men-tioned, it’s really hard to do, and we will tend to try to escape this process as much as possible by drinking or eating or numb-ing through the winter months. This winter, as a dedication to the en-hanced evolution of your life and of the entire world, I would request that you spend some time making friends with your-self, and explore the process of self inquiry so that you may work to go beyond the wounds and challenges that have defined you so far. I ask that you serve a new pos-sibility of humanity that supports this proc-ess for every person all the time, and do the work yourself. This is the greatest work any person can do on the Earth at this time, contributing in small but significant ways to the healing that is required for all of us. May all of us clear our hearts and minds of doubt and fear, for it is no longer optional for this work to be done. Ciel Patenaude is an Integrative Health &

Shamanic Practitioner based in Williams

Lake, BC. A highly trained and naturally

gifted intuitive healer, Ciel holds a BSc in

Biology, an MA in Integrative Healing, and

is a certified Yoga Teacher & Wellness

Coach.

Journal Entry. Photo: Joel Montes de Oca


TheGreenGazette

H ave you ever given any won-

der to how a population run

by society standards and

labels has effected the daily

motivation in our lives? We all carry our

own separately and care differently about

right and wrong decisions when it comes

to health. Some of us are often ill, tired,

or drawn to the easy way out. If we ignore

what the body is trying to tell us, it may

begin to dwindle, feeling a lack of energy

and love, leading to terrible sleep patterns,

ailments, and injury. “There’s a reason for everything,” as the

old saying goes, yet with an attack method to conquer a health matter, it’s amazing how one can feel with activity, eating clean, breathing techniques, stretching the body from all its aches and buried bones, sleeping well, and my favourite: super-foods!

There are many different routes to take if wanting to become healthy or boost an already love-lavished self this day and any age and if you didn't already know about the existence of superfoods, this article will help you understand them a whole new way.

Having experienced the true potential of natural/organic foods, superfoods, health, and wellness, I always find it nice to share what lovely little concoctions I’ve discov-ered and indulged in along an experimental road of curiosity for the better good. For this life—so precious.

Certain berries and fruits, nuts, whole grains, and plant based foods containing a high concentration of several high quality and easily absorbed nutrients, along with

Strength in Superfoods Turmeric: that golden spice hidden in the cupboard

heaps of natural vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals are called superfoods. Although, some may criticize the term, these foods are still recognized for the awesome value they provide in health and well-being. The belief behind the term is what makes it so special for the individual planning a health kick. Days are getting colder, which means we will start craving the things we have on hand to keep us warm. So why not stir something pleasant in the kitchen to hug your insides and flourish well-being? A personal favourite would be a cozy cup of golden milk. With turmeric as its main in-gredient, it may help reduce the severity of bacterial and viral infections like colds and flu, making it a nice touch for winter. This delicious Ayurvedic hot drink is perfect for yogis because it supports joint mo- bility and spinal flexibility. According to a product description at www.RockSugarThailand.com, turmeric is from the root of the Curcuma longa plant of the ginger family and native to India. It has a tough brown skin and a deep orange flesh, and has been used throughout history as a condiment, healing remedy, and textile dye, says the description. An article titled, “Golden Milk: The simple drink that could change your life,” published at www.trueactivist.com says the golden spice’s medicinal properties are due to the presence of the antioxidant curcu-min. “The polyphenol identified as tur-meric’s primary active component exhibits

over 150 potentially therapeutic activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties,” says the article. Most of the curcumin ingested gets me-tabolized before it can get absorbed; how-ever, according to the article, the body’s absorption of turmeric increases by 2000 per cent when the turmeric is combined with black pepper because the hot property in black pepper, called piperine, enhances curcumin’s bioavailability. Turmeric’s nutrients include: manga-nese, iron, vitamin B6, fiber, copper, and potassium. At www.trueactivist.com these addi-tional benefits are listed: • Anti-oxidant, antiseptic, analgesic • Boosts immunity • Anti-carcinogenic • Helps maintain cholesterol levels • Promotes digestive health • Liver detoxifier • Regulates metabolism and weight man-

agement • High blood pressure • Memory and brain function • Various skin conditions • Neurological disorders • Lowers triglycerides Make sure the turmeric powder you purchase is pure and preferably organic, free of pesticides.

Recipes Turmeric Paste • 1/4 cup of turmeric powder • 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper • 1/2 cup of filtered water Stir all ingredients in a small sauce pan and mix well. Turn the heat to medium high and stir constantly until the mixture is a thick paste. This does not take long so don't walk away from the pan. Let this mix-ture cool and then keep it in a small jar in the fridge. It’s easy to add to various reci-pes and drinks.

Golden Milk • 1 cup of almond milk (hemp or coconut

are also good options) • 1 teaspoon coconut oil • 1/4 teaspoon or more of turmeric paste • honey (optional) Combine all the ingredients except the honey into a saucepan. Turn the heat to medium. While heating, make sure to stir/whisk constantly, not allowing the mixture to boil. Pour into a mug, add honey to taste, and enjoy. For tea, simply use about a teaspoon of paste in a tea cup of hot water. Squeeze in a bit of fresh lemon or lime to brighten the flavour. Even add some ginger root to help with the bitterness from turmeric.

Honey Paste This is a solution for people on the go or just to have at work for a quick tea. Simply add a spoon of honey paste into hot water and sip. • 2 1/2 tablespoons of turmeric powder • 1 1/2 teaspoons of black pepper • 1 cup of honey • 2 tablespoons of ginger (optional) Either mix all together in a bowl and store in a jar or layer ingredients little by little in a canning jar, mix, or let settle. Take caution in personal cases of stom-ach disorders, pregnancy or breastfeeding, skin allergies, diabetes, and bleeding disor-ders. Others who are due to have surgery must avoid turmeric for it is an anti-coagulant. Overall, turmeric does not produce any adverse reaction with any food. Talk to your doctor if you're planning to use tur-meric tea as a medicine while taking other medicines. Devon Chappell is something of an

impressionist with therapeutic hands. He

holds a focus on what is real when it comes

to food. His magnetic personality and atti-

tude carry him through an active lifestyle

and expression of creative well-being.

Devon has a personal interest in nutrition

and art and when he is in his element,

Devon brings nature to the kitchen. Recipes courtesy of www.trueactivist.com.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): fresh rhizome and powder. Photo: Simon A. Eugster, Wikimedia

Commons

By By By By

Devon Devon Devon Devon

ChappellChappellChappellChappell

By Jenny Howell

Here we are again at the end of one year

and the beginning of a new one. The time

to reflect and assess then look ahead and

plan. For Water Wise that includes look-

ing at the Williams Lake water records to

see how well the water conservation mes-

sage is getting across. It’s been rewarding

the last few years, watching annual water

consumption rates drop in Williams Lake

and seeing summer water use decline. Last year’s report showed average con-

sumption rates between 2011 and 2013 at

28 per cent lower than before 2006, (and,

yes, this takes into consideration fluctua-

tions in industrial use, precipitation, and

population). Hopefully once 2014 figures

are assessed we will see a continued

trend. So while everyone in Williams

Lake should revel in this local success, I

thought it would be interesting to see how

the rest of Canada is doing with regard to

water conservation—we certainly aren’t

the only city dealing with this issue.

Water Wise Reflections

So, off to wade through Statistic Can-ada’s website. Stats are fun because they tell a story, and I did find a rather nice water story, but maybe not the story I was expecting. For some reason, I rather smugly assumed that Williams Lake would be the shining of beacon of water conser-vation in a sea of water-guzzling munici-palities. But, while we have been working on this issue, so, it seems, has everyone

A Cariboo country xeriscape garden. Photo: Marg Evans

Cariboo Chilcotin

Conservation Society

else. The statistic for average per capita water use for all of Canada shows an over-all drop of 27 per cent from 1991 to 2011 (the most recent available data), bringing the average Canadian’s daily water use from 342 litres to 251 litres. So are we just average after all? Well, after musing for a while I decided defi-nitely not. In 2011, 58 per cent of Cana-dian residences were on metered water compared to 52 per cent in 1991. Houses on meters using volume-based pricing (you pay for what you use) use a whopping 73 per cent less water than un-metered flat rate households—as in Williams Lake—according to Stats Canada. Sixty-three per cent of Canadian houses now have a low flow shower heads and 47 per cent have a low flow toilet—once you start paying more for water, it makes sense that water saving fixtures seem like a good idea. Wil-liams Lake has so far managed its water conservation completely voluntarily, with-out metering and using rebates as incen-tives to switch to water saving fixtures—all gentle encouragement and no stick and yet still getting an impressive response from residents.

So as we move into 2015 and you are floundering to come up with a New Year’s resolution, how about making this the year that you will finally get that low flow showerhead, invest in a front load washing machine, or switch your old, leaking toilets to new water saving versions? Or, maybe get more ambitious and start planning your new xeriscape garden—what better way to get through the long dark evenings ahead? It has been inspiring to see more and more beautiful xeriscape gardens springing up around town. If you don’t want to take on a big project, then continue on with keep-ing showers short (under five minutes), turning off taps, and only running full loads in the washing machine and dish-washer. Whatever you can do to save wa-ter is better than doing nothing at all. Happy Water Wise in 2015! For more information on ways to save

water, xeriscape gardening, or CCCS pro-

grams, contact the Cariboo Chilcotin Con-

servation Society at

mailto:[email protected] or visit the

website at www.cconserv.org.


TheGreenGazette

Letters: “

For us to maintain our way of

living, we must tell lies to each

other and especially to ourselves.

The lies are necessary because,

without them, many deplorable acts would

become impossibilities.” ― Derrick Jensen, A Language Older Than

Words

This culture we live in is based on ag-gression and destruction. Unfortunately, now that I have two young girls to raise, I have discovered, or perhaps rediscovered, that fact. That might be my cynical side speaking, of course, but there have been a couple of reminders recently that drew this realization back into light: the Mount Pol-ley mine tailings spill was the first, and the recent CBC firing of Jian Ghomeshi was the second. These might seem like separate and unrelated stories, and they are, but there are some ugly parallels, and I am not the first to notice the relationship between them. Many others have discussed the rela-tionship between patriarchal forms of op-pression and environmental destruction. Jian Ghomeshi has been a celebrity among the CBC-listening liberals here in Canada. In the context of what has been a mostly old and stately CBC, Jian has been one of the hip and cool icons of Canadian multiculturalism and seemed to know all the politically correct ways of doing and saying things. His show, Q, has been grow-ing more and more popular. He is a suave city boy with (I heard, can this be true?) some women’s studies classes in his back-ground. It has shocked Q listeners across the country to hear that Jian Ghomeshi is ac-cused of assaulting women, perhaps to sat-isfy his own narcissistic fantasies, or per-haps to channel his rage. These crimes were hidden and he was cushioned by the inequality in his relationships with these women. The women he victimized are afraid of identifying themselves or going to authorities for obvious reasons. After this story broke I heard many statements ques-tioning the motives of the women accusing him. In addition, defense lawyer Chris Murphy said in the Toronto Star that he has advised women not to report sexual assault because most often the accused will be acquitted of the crime. Victims know this. The Ghomeshi story would have gone largely unreported if he had not broken it himself. According to recent reports, he had heard that the Toronto Star was going to run a feature article on the accusations and he feared that its release was looming. He went to the CBC with his side of the story, including videos, to beat The Star to the punch and to potentially vindicate him-self. He failed. It’s like that with Mount Polley. Impe-rial Metals is reported to have known that the dam holding the tailings back was weak and failing. The company was exceeding the capacity of the tailings facility and yet it continued with operations as usual until there was a major environmental disaster. This shut down operations completely. The long-term effects of this tragedy remain to be seen. The capitalist system functions by plac-ing profits and personal greed above the health of wildlife and ecosystems. Money

trumps Indigenous people’s rights and the rights of everyone to clean water, air, and land. It functions very well. It really is an aggressive, oppressive system of domina-tion. Like patriarchy, there is no give and take; it is an unequal power relationship. There was very little in the way of penalty for Imperial Metals after the contents of its tailings pond spilled into the creek and watersheds below. There has been no multi-million dollar cleanup of Hazeltine Creek, which critics say should have happened before snow started to accumulate. There has been no major punishment, no crip-pling fine, no warning to other mines or mining companies from the government to state that the planet we live on, our home, is of greater value to the rest of us and other species than the ore in that rock. Nothing. We all need mines. We need mining. Even if we don’t work at a mine or have a direct economic connection to it, we need it because we need those resources to con-tinue on with the lifestyles we are living. We all own bits of technology that contain copper wire and rare earth metals. We all use the infrastructure of this new post-modern civilization. The culture of capitalism creates a sys-tem where narcissism and lust for con-sumer goods or money become the founda-tion for our lifestyles. We see ourselves as individuals, rather than as a collective. We compete. We consume. We buy many, many things that we don’t actually need. We are totally compelled to eat up re-sources that are non-renewable and, as a result, we as a species are raping and pil-laging our homeland, Planet Earth. It’s crazy. And I am not the first to say it. It is another representation of the same narcis-sism that afflicted Jian Ghomeshi and the parallels in how it manifests are eerily similar. It remains to be seen what will happen to Ghomeshi. Will there be some conse-quences, other than the obvious loss of his status as cultural deity at the CBC? There was a call from the City of Williams Lake to re-open Mount Polley issued loud and clear this past week. How long can we turn a blind eye to acts of aggression on our environment? Especially when the victim of abuse, in this case, literally has no voice? Nothing might have happened with the Jian Ghomeshi story if he himself had not broken it. That story had no voice behind it that wished to go on record. It seems that Jian Ghomeshi was the architect of his own demise. And that is how it is with the capi-talist system. We all excitedly and will-ingly participate in the overuse and abuse of natural resources. The results are mani-fold; maybe not just the loss of one of the deepest, most beautiful, and most pristine freshwater fishing spots in the world. It might be the death of us. But we are so lost in our own cultural norms, our own day-to-day lives, that we just don’t see it.

Stephanie Bird is a vegetable farmer and

mother, and is passionate about social jus-

tice, wide-open spaces, fresh air, and clean

water.

T he halls are alive with light,

laughter, positive energy, and

lots of interaction. This is how

we used describe Horsefly Ele-

mentary, Junior, Secondary School—not just during the day, but in the evenings as

well. If you want something to happen in

a small community, you need to do it

yourself. We don’t have organized sports

teams like hockey, soccer, or baseball; we

don’t have Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, etc.

What we do have is a community that is

engaged. People who voluntarily organize

activities and events that are open to all

members of the community: soccer, bad-

minton, yoga, kickboxing, volleyball, fit-

ness, and we’ve even had fencing. We do this because it’s good for our families and

children, encourages positive peer and

intergenerational interaction, enhances

social skills, and creates a sense of com-

munity belonging. All this amazing posi-

tive mental and physical health promo-

tion—for free! But that’s not the case

anmore. And it’s not because we don’t have interest or volunteers. It’s because our school is now dark, unwelcoming, inacces-sible, and closed in the evenings. The School District is revisiting and revising its facility use policy, and has discovered that the current policy wasn’t being properly “enforced.” So what does this mean for this community? The cost of renting and also paying a custodian are formidable because we don’t have the population to support these high rates: the number of people participating is small so the amount of money an individual has to pay is high, which makes participation inaccessible for most members of the community. Access to positive after-school activi-ties is critical for overall family and com-munity health. Currently, many informal and non-profit user groups offer free or low-cost, positive recreational and skill

building programs to children, youth, and families in our community. These pro-grams reinforce and expand on what is being taught in the classroom. Children and adults practice how to work in teams, develop social skills, and participate in positive activities. The school becomes an extension of the community and vice versa. Unfortunately, many families and community members are no longer able to participate due to the high cost of rent and the custodial fee. It’s not clear how dark, empty schools contribute to a sense of be-longing and healthy communities, espe-cially when one considers that schools directly benefit from what students, their parents, and community members learn and achieve in these after-school and eve-ning programs. We recognize the financial challenges the school district is facing; they are the same challenges that many of our families, businesses, and community groups are facing as well. But schools do not subsi-dize community activities—at least not in this one. The community of Horsefly, and we suspect this is similar in many other rural communities, contributes signifi-cantly to our school in terms of financial and volunteer support to students and school programs, not to mention the active support of after-school activities. We chal-lenge the new Board of Trustees to consult and engage in creative problem solving as it looks to revise the facilities use policy. Our community needs the school to be accessible not just during the day, but in evening as well. We, and many others, would welcome the opportunity to partici-pate in finding a creative solution that re-flects a collaborative way of caring for our children, youth, and families.

Cindy Augustine and Carla Bullinger,

on behalf many Horsefly community user

groups.

Why Jian Ghomeshi Reminds Me of Mount Polley

Communities and Schools Together: Building a positive culture for children, youth, and families


TheGreenGazette


TheGreenGazette

Calendar of Events December / January

December 1 – 31 - Christmas Market with local artisans at the Station House Gallery, #1 Mackenzie Ave N, Williams Lake. Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery will be closed January 1 to 15. See Sta-tion House Gallery Facebook page for details or call (250) 392-6113. December 3 – 18 - It’s FUN! It’s FREE! It’s Early Years Playgroup! Come to a drop-in playgroup for kids 0-5 and their parent/caregiver. Wednes-day, December 3, 10, and 17. 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Wildwood School. Thursdsy, December 4, 11, and 18. 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Chilcotin Road School. Call (250) 398-3839 for more info. December 7 - Chickadee Early Child-hood and Learning Centre Open House and Registration for January intake to Forest Kindergarten and Winter/Spring Sessions for Parent and Tot and Parent Participation Pre-School, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more info call (250) 296-3265. December 5 - Winter Market. Every Friday in December until the 19th at the upper level of Boitanio Mall, Williams Lake. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Winter crops, canning, baked goods, jewellery, gift ideas, honey, eggs, fresh coffee, friendly atmosphere, and more. December 6 - The Four Virtues of the Heart December Daylong Retreat at Gendun Drupba Buddhist Centre, 212 South 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake. Sat-urday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This day-long retreat includes teachings, discussion, and guided meditations. Suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners wanting to deepen their experience of the Four Immeasurables: loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. Offered by donation. Bring a bag lunch. Pre-register online at www.gendundrupba.org or email [email protected] Gendun Drupba Buddhist Centre will be closed December 7 – January 4 for winter break. December 9 - Banff Film Festival, Gi-braltar Room, 525 Proctor Street, Wil-liams Lake. The next best thing to breathing mountain air is watching awe-inspiring films about adventurers in na-ture. What began in 1976 as a small Ca-nadian film festival has evolved into the renowned Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. Starts at 7 p.m. Tickets at Red Shreds & at the Recreation Com-plex. Advanced Tickets - Youth & Sen-ior $12, Adult $17. At the Door - Youth & Senior $14, Adult $19. Call (250) 398-7665 for more info. December 19—Children’s Christmas Faire at Chickadee Early Childhood and Learning Centre (Miocene Hall, Horse-fly Rd.) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Of special interest to homeschoolers but all are

welcome). Come and enjoy home-made soup and bread, yummy treats, and participate in activities such as candle dipping, wreath making, and other traditional Christmas crafts. For more info call (250) 296-3265.

December 21 - Free Skate sponsored by Johnson & Meier Insurance at Cariboo Memorial Recreation Com-plex, 525 Proctor Street, Williams Lake. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Call (250) 398-7665 for more info. December 21 - Winter Solstice Cele-bration, Thompson Rivers University cafeteria, Williams Lake Campus. 2 to 5 p.m. Illuminate the darkness with food, friends, music, and dance. Spon-sored by the Canadian Mental Health Association Multicultural Program and Women’s Spirituality Circle. Do-nations of non-perishable food wel-come. Call (250) 302-9119 or (250) 305-4426 for more info. December 22 - Free Christmas Dinner for Youth aged 13-18, at the Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake, 17 4th Ave. S. 5 p.m. Contact: [email protected] for more information. January 2015 - The Conservation Society in Williams Lake will be giv-ing away free skates to those in need at a free skate event in January, 2015. Keep your eyes on the CCCS Face-book page for dates. If you would like more info, call (250) 398-7929 or do-nate skates in the big green bins at Save On Foods, Safeway, and the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Com-plex. January 4 - Sharing the Dharma Day, Gendun Drupba Buddhist Centre. Sunday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. For more info call (778) 412-7780, email [email protected], or visit our website at: www.gendundrupba.org. January 7 – 29 - It’s FUN! It’s FREE! It’s Early Years Playgroup! Come to a drop-in playgroup for kids 0-5 and their parent/caregiver. Wednesday, January 7, 14, 21, and 28. 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Wildwood School. Thursday, January 8, 15, 22, and 29. 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Chilcotin Road School. Call (250) 398-3839 for more info. January 22 - South Cariboo Sustain-ability Society Annual Winter Film Series starts 7 p.m. at the Community Employment Centre in 100 Mile House. Films are free but donations accepted. Tentatively showing “Not Business as Usual” - promoting busi-ness with a social conscience. For more info contact: www.southcariboosustainability.com

Nourishing our Children By Jasmin Schellenberg

HEALTHY SNACKS AND WHY Holiday Pecans Ingredients: 4 cups pecan halves 2 tsp sea salt 3 eggs pinch of salt 1 Tbsp vanilla 1/2 cup maple syrup Directions: Cover pecans with water and soak over-night. Bake the next day at 150 degrees F until crisp. This could take 12 or more hours. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they are stiff. Slowly add vanilla and maple syrup. Fold in pecans until well-coated. Spread in a single layer onto two buttered baking pans. Place in the oven at 150 degrees F for several hours until the egg white hardens. Store in an airtight container and enjoy as a great Christmas snack. NUTRIENT DENSE MEAL Leg of Lamb: (serves 6) 1 small leg of lamb 3 Tbsp butter 3 Tbsp mustard 1 onion, peeled and sliced 5 cloves of garlic, peeled several sprigs fresh thyme and rosemary 12 potatoes ½ cup dry white wine 3-4 cups beef stock sea salt Melt butter and mix with mustard. Brush mixture onto the lamb. Place all ingredients in a stainless steel roasting pan, fat side up and spices on top. Insert a meat thermome-ter. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F, then re-duce heat immediately to 350 degrees F. Cook until the meter reads rare or medium rare—about 15 minutes per pound. A half hour before the roast finishes, place the potatoes around the roast on the rack. Remove the roast from the rack and keep on a platter in the warm oven. Cut po-tatoes in half and place them cut side down into the drippings. Bake another 15 minutes until the potatoes are soft. Transfer them to the heated platter. Pour wine and stock into the pan bring to a rapid boil, stirring con-stantly until thickened. Season to taste. Enjoy. MYTHS UNVEILED We can cure pain and pre-vent disease, naturally, at no cost? Yes we can! And can it be so simple? If you are committed to a healthy lifestyle, make drink-ing enough natural water a habit in your life. It won't take long for you to feel the benefit. Dr. Batmang-helidj's pioneering work shows that unintentional

chronic dehydration (UCD) contributes to and even produces pain and many degenera-tive diseases that can be prevented and treated by increasing water intake on a regu-lar basis. Water is the basis of all life and that includes your body. Your muscles that move your body are 75% water; your blood that transports nutrients is 82% water; your lungs that provide your oxygen are 90% water; your brain that is the control center of your body is 76% water; even your bones are 25% water. Our health is truly depend-ent on the quality and quantity of the water we drink. Our bodies show in different ways that we are thirsty—that we are suffering from local or regional drought. This infor-mation has been scientifically peer-reviewed and presented at different national and international medical conferences. Histamine is a brain chemical. It is in charge of water intake and drought manage-ment in the body and produces pain when an area in the body is suffering from pain. The drug industry is determined to block this messenger with strong pain medications which are most often antihistamines. Drug companies are interested in selling their product. Dr. Batmanghelidj has seen water completely reverse conditions such as asthma, angina, hypertension, migraine headaches, arthritis pain, back pain, colitis pain, chronic constipation, heartburn, hiatal hernia, depression, chronic fatigue syn-drome, high cholesterol, morning sickness, overweight problems, ad even heart prob-lems needing bypass surgery. Allof these disease conditions responded simply and permanently to water. Ordinary water. Alcohol, coffee, tea, and caffeine-containing beverages don't count as water. The best times to drink water are not at mealtimes. Remember, the body is not a container that can be replenished when empty. When dehydration has become symptom-producing, the reversal of its com-plications take time and understanding. Read more. Dr. Batmanghelidj has written many books, including, Your body’s many

cries for water and others. A WALK THROUGH YOUR PANTRY: GET RID OF: Soft drinks. Most soft drinks' first ingredient is sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Both are genetically modified and come with a host of problems when ingested too often. REPLACE WITH: Choose to drink water instead. Water increases energy, prevents arthritis and heartburn and cure these prob-lems, flushes out toxins, boosts the immune system, and prevents cramps, sprains, head-

aches and migraines as well as high blood pressure, MS, diabetes, and high choles-terol. (watercure.com) Brought to you by Jasmin Schellenberg

Inspired by and resourced from “Nourishing Traditions” by Sally Fallon; and: www.westonaprice.org. For “Nourishing our Children” news-l e t t er s of th e pa st vi s i t : www.thegreengazette.ca.

For “Nourishing our Children”

newsletters of the past visit:

www.thegreengazette.ca


TheGreenGazette

The Green Collective “Thinks, Creates, or Sells Eco-Friendly Products.”

Your Green Shopping Directory

Bean Counter Bistro & Coffee Bar, 250 305-2326 180B 3rd Ave. North, Williams Lake Organic Coffee, Fair Trade, Local Foods

Canadian Tire, 250 392-3303 1050 South Lakeside Dr., Williams Lake Recycling Initiatives, Renewable Energy Solu-

tions, Organic Cleaning Products: Blue Planet,

Green Works, Method, Nature Clean, Seventh

Generation

Cariboo Growers Coop, 778 412-2667 3rd & Oliver St., Williams Lake. 100% Natural &

Organic Foods, Non-Profit Farmer’s Coop

Cleanway Supply, 1-800-663-5181 275 South MacKenzie Ave., Williams Lake Organic Cleaning Products

Dandelion Living, 778-412-9100 271 Oliver St., Williams Lake Local & Original, Reclaimed & Repurposed,

Natural & Organic Products

Day Spa Champagne, 250 305-1249 124A North Second Ave., Williams Lake Quiet, relaxing, personalized atmosphere. A Zen

experience. Four Types Massage, Reflexology,

Manicures/Pedicures & More.

Debbie Irvine B.Sc. (Agr.) RHN Registered Holistic Nutritionist 250-392-9418 or [email protected] SPRINGHOUSE GARDENS - Organically grown market garden veggies; Grass fed/finished beef - no hormones, no GMOs. Enquiries wel-come. earthRight Solar, 1 877 925-2929 3rd & Borland, Williams Lake Renewable Energy Solutions, Eco-Friendly Prod-

ucts, Composting Toilets

Flying Coyote Ranch, 250 296-4755 Ingrid Kallman and Troy Forcier Grass-fed Angus beef No shots, no hormones, organic fertilizer By the quarter or side, hamburger .

The Gecko Tree, 250 398-8983 54 N. MacKenzie Ave. Williams Lake Serving healthy, local foods

Halls Organics, 250 398-2899 107 Falcon Rd. (North Lakeside), Williams Lake Indoor and Outdoor Organic Gardening Prod-

ucts, Alternative Traditional Products, Teas an-

Herbs, Hemp Body Products

The Hobbit House, 250 392-7599 71 First Ave. South, Williams Lake Juice Bar, Natural Products, Essential Oils, Teas,

Crystals, Gemstones, and more.

Potato House Sustainable Community Society 250 855-8443 or [email protected] In an age of apathy and a sense that change is all

talk and no action, The Potato House Project is a

friendly bastion of doing, sharing, learning and

playing. Call us with your ideas and to find out

ways to get involved.

Rona Home Centre, 250 392-7767 298 Proctor Street, Williams Lake "ECO" cleaning & gardening products, LED bulbs

& energy-efficient building products. Responsible

disposal available for recycling of paint, stain,

CFLs, batteries, saw blades & more.

San Jose Cattle Company, 250 296-4592 Clint and Karen Thompson Sustainable Agriculture, Raised Naturally/Local

Beef, No antibiotics, hormones, chemical fertilizers

or herbicides.

Scout Island Nature Centre & Williams Lake Field Naturalists, 250 398-8532 www.scoutislandnaturecentre.ca www.williamslakefieldnaturalists.ca 1305A Borland Rd, Williams Lake Nature on the city’s doorstep. Bird sanctuary,

arboretum, trails, Nature House, natural history

programs for children and adults.

Smashin’ Smoothies, 778-412-2112 102-41, 7th Ave North, Williams Lake Juice, Smoothies & Expresso Bar

Fresh, Organic, Whole Food.

Sta-Well Health Foods, 250 392-7022 79D 3rd Ave. North, Williams Lake Organic Foods, Water Distillers, Natural Medi-

cines, Emergency Freeze Dried Foods.

Williams Lake Food Policy Council 250-302-5010 GROWING THE SEEDS OF CHANGE!

www.facebook.com/WLFPC foodpolicycoun-

[email protected]. Building a strong local food

economy and promoting a healthy and sustainable

community

Williams Lake Water Factory, 250 398-5201 Pure Bottled Water. Home & Office Delivery.

955 S. Mackenzie Ave, Williams Lake, BC.

Come see us on Toonie Tuesday!

Zed-Tech Electric, 250-267-4868 For all your residential and commercial needs.

Joe Zombori [email protected] Zirnhelt Ranch, 250 243-2243 www.zirnheltranch.ca or [email protected] Producers of Grassfed/Finished Beef. Pasture

Raised Pork.

Green Locations

100 Mile House Donex

Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza Chartreuse Moose

Higher Ground Nat. Foods KFC

Nuthatch Books One Another Coffee House

Safeway Save-On-Foods

A&W

108 Mile House 108 Mile Esso 108 Mile Mall

108 Mile Supermarket Hills Health & Guest

Ranch

150 Mile House 150 Mile Mall Husky Station

Marshall’s 150 Mile Store

Alexis Creek Alexis Creek General Store

Anahim Lake

Anahim Lake Trading Mclean Trading

Bella Coola

Coast Mountain Lodge Kopas Store

Moore’s Organic Market Valley Inn & Restaurant

Big Lake

Big Lake General Store

Clinton Clinton Coffee House

Dog Creek

Mount View Handy Mart Red Dog Pub/Liquor Store

Hanceville

Lee’s Corner Store

Horsefly Clarke’s General Store

Post Office Horsefly Hardware

Horsefly Service Station

LacLaHache Race Trac Gas

Lac La Hache Bakery Red Crow Cafe

McLeese Lake

Deep Creek Service Station The Oasis Motel Cafe

Nimpo Lake

Nimpo Lake General Store

Prince George Ava Maria Gifts and

Health Foods Books and Co.

University of Northern BC College of New Caledonia

Quesnel

The Green Tree Barkerville Brewing

Bliss Cafe Booster Juice

Carryall Books Holistic Health Care Clinic

Karin’s European Deli Granville’s Coffee Shop

Quesnel Bakery Quiznos Safeway

Save On Foods Tourism Info Center

Redstone Kinikinik

Williams Lake Adorn Naturally

A & W All-ways Travel

Amanda Enterprises Barking Spider Mtn. Bikes

Bean Counter Bistro Beaver Valley Feeds

CanWest Propane Cariboo Growers Coop

Cariboo Ski Concrete Fitness

Conservation Society CJ’s Restaurant

CRD Library Creative Scissor

Dairy Queen Dandelion Living

Day Spa Champagne earthRight

Elaine’s Natural Foods 4 Sure Bistro

Factory Direct Furniture Flavours & More

Good Guys Gardening Greyhound Bus Stop Haines Office World

Handi-Mart Joey’s Grill

KFC Halls Organics

The Hobbit House Husky Restaurant Karamia’s Donairs

Kornak & Hamm Pharmacy

The Laughing Loon The Legion Manna Cafe

Margetts Meats McDonalds

New World Coffee Oliver’s Bar & Grill

Porky’s Deli Quality Tax Solutions

Red Shred’s Bike & Board Shed

Rona Home Centre Safeway

Save-on-Foods SBL Liquor Store

Scout Island Nature Center Senior Citizens Activity-

Center

Shopper’s Drug Mart Spa Bella

Station House Gallery Sta-Well Health Foods

Subway Sutton Cariboo Realty

Taylor Made Cakes The Gecko Tree The Open Book

Tim Hortons Tourism Info Center

Trattoria Pasta Shoppe TRU

Tsilhqot'in National Gov`t Walmart

Williams Lake Physio WL Veterinary Hospital

Williams Lake Water Factory

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250 620-3419

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Distribution Details

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