Tag Archives: Kamloops

Justice

RCMP introduce body-worn cameras this winter

Editor’s note: Body cameras might have invaluable in cases like the shooting of Jared Lowndes in Campbell River or the logging protests at Fairy Creek. Of course the next step is rectifying the situation in a way that restores public trust.

By Nora O’Malley, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In effort to increase transparency in policing and improve accountability, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada’s federal police force, will soon be equipped with body-worn cameras.

Frontline general duty officers that work in the communities of: Ucluelet, Ahousaht, Tofino, Mission, Prince George, Cranbrook and Kamloops will be amongst the first to start recording evidence from the first-person perspective or point of view (POV), according to B.C. RCMP, or “E” Division, senior media relations officer Staff Sgt. Kris Clark. 

Continue reading RCMP introduce body-worn cameras this winter →
Energy, Indigenous Nations

Tiny House Warriors found guilty of all charges related to altercations at TMX worksite

Editor’s note: While Kamloops is more than 350 km away by air, the themes running through this story (Civil disobedience, Indigenous rights, Individual responsibility and the law, Indigenous vs Canadian law, Canada’s failure to curb her emissions, Corporate influence, Colonialism, The future of Canada’s energy sector, Climate change etc.) are of vital importance to the residents of Cortes, Quadra and all British Columbia.

By Aaron Hemens, IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Members of the Tiny House Warriors who have been found guilty of all of the criminal charges against them for their actions at a Trans Mountain worksite say they did not commit any crimes under Secwépemc law.

Provincial court Judge Lorianna Bennett released her verdict in the case on May 30 at the Kamloops Law Courts — condemning Isha Jules, Mayuk (Nicole) Manuel, Tricia Charlie and Sami Nasr on various counts.

Continue reading Tiny House Warriors found guilty of all charges related to altercations at TMX worksite →
Fire, Indigenous Nations

Frantic escapes, damaged homes and lost time: First Nations hit hardest when wildfire season comes

By Matteo Cimellaro, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Debbie Rupke (Tomma) heard a rattle at her door. It was her cousin in a panic, telling her they had only minutes to leave. Strong winds had shifted, and the Bushcreek fire, which has burned at least 43,084 hectares north of Kelowna so far, was bearing down on their homes. Rupke (Tomma) had returned from Vancouver the day before, so she grabbed her yet-to-be-unpacked suitcase and her most precious memento: a family portrait of her daughter she gave up for adoption at 15.

Continue reading Frantic escapes, damaged homes and lost time: First Nations hit hardest when wildfire season comes →
Environment, Indigenous Nations

Guided by her culture, Gitxsan scientist looks to old ways for climate resilience

By Aaron Hemens, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Whether harvesting salmon or simply spending quality time with her grandfather and uncles, Janna Wale has no shortage of stories about being on the water with her family.

She moved around a bit growing up, but can vividly recall different memories from her early years fishing in her Gitxsan homelands — there were “tons of fish everywhere” at the unceded confluence of the Skeena, Nass and Bulkley rivers near the village of “Hazelton, B.C.”

“Our culture is totally built around salmon. We have different roles for salmon in the feast hall. It’s a large food supply for a lot of people, especially in the winter,” said Wale, who is from the Gitanmaax First Nation and is Cree-Métis on her mother’s side.

Continue reading Guided by her culture, Gitxsan scientist looks to old ways for climate resilience →
Health

Does Cancer Care in Washington Work for BC Residents?

By Brishti Basu, The Tyee,  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The first few breast cancer and prostate cancer patients started travelling from their homes in British Columbia to  receive radiation therapy at two clinics in Bellingham, Washinton, this  spring. They are part of a provincial government response to a growing  backlog of cancer treatment. The province announced its plan to send  patients to Washington state for cancer care last month.

Continue reading Does Cancer Care in Washington Work for BC Residents? →