Bill Humphreys
There was another community-to-community forum (C2C) on Wednesday, Jan. 23. The last C2C meeting was in February of 2012 in Clearwater. This time it was in Barriere. There were elected representatives and staff from District of Clearwater, Simpcw First Nation and the Thompson Nicola Regional District. We gathered to discuss matters of mutual concern and to hear presentations from various groups that involve all communities.
Randy Murray, chair of the TNRD, gave a presentation that outlined the strategic priorities of the TNRD for 2013. Once again one of those priorities was solid waste management. Peter Hughes, TNRD director of environmental services, then gave an update on the plans for the various landfill and transfer stations in our area.
Ted Richardson, Susan Garland and Elizabeth Elston from the North Thompson Food Action group gave a presentation on improving food security and sustainability in the North Thompson. They hope to build a framework here in the valley to insure there are adequate local food sources.
Jenny Turco and Alexis Blueschke from Interior Health Authority gave a presentation based on the Snakes and Ladders Life Game that explained ways to balance life setbacks and turn those setbacks into opportunities. To a certain extent, we all experience setbacks and low points in our lives, and the Interior Health team is there to help, should anyone need them.
Alison Coyne, regional corridor economic development liaison from the Ministry of Jobs Tourism and Skills Training, gave a presentation to help gain some direction and focus on our request for a labor market analysis here in the North Thompson. What we are hoping to do is to identify possible labour needs and concerns, to prepare action plans to fill any skills-based shortages and gaps that may occur as the various projects planned here in the North Thompson Valley unfold.
Chief Rita Matthew gave a report on how Simpcw Council views the recent actions of the “Idle No More” group. She also reported that Simpcw Council had been rated number two in Canada for its accounting procedures. Considering the number of different First Nations bands and councils in Canada, that accomplishment is indeed noteworthy.
Councillors Tom Eustache, Tina Donald and Shelly Loring gave a report on various projects that are underway through the Simpcw Council. One project was the recent purchase of land on the Raft River that was the site of traditional fishing and Band gatherings. There are plans to develop the land to showcase traditional Simpcw heritage and activities.
– Bill Humphreys is mayor of Barriere