Tag Archives: Smithers

Housing, Poverty

Town Bylaw change to allow overnight sheltering for Smithers’ homeless population

By Pamela Haasen, Smithers Community Radio CICK 93.9 FM, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The town of Smithers is reviewing a 94 year old bylaw regarding temporary  overnight sheltering options in 12 areas of town-owned land. 

The areas are: Veterans Peace Park, Heritage Park, Elks Park, Pacific Street and Tatlow Road, Dogwood Park, Ranger Park, Tatlow Road North, The Fall Fair grounds, Central Park, Riverside Park, vacant lots at Queen Street and Alfred Avenue, and vacant 3 lots at 3873 4th Avenue.

Residents who live within 60 meters of any of the aforementioned sites received a letter indicating this possible the bylaw change.

Continue reading Town Bylaw change to allow overnight sheltering for Smithers’ homeless population →
Environment, Indigenous Nations

‘We should avoid monitoring’: feds quietly backed off while Coastal GasLink pipeline work killed fish

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

On a dreary gray day in late October, passers by gawked at a scene outside a hotel in Smithers, B.C. The charred remnants of several trucks sat in the parking lot in the wake of what police described as a “targeted attack” in the pre-dawn hours of the morning. 

Among the blackened wreckage were four police cruisers — marked and unmarked vehicles with the RCMP’s Community-Industry Response Group, a special task force assigned to police opposition to industrial projects. The controversial RCMP unit maintains a constant presence on Wet’suwet’en yintah (territory) where Coastal GasLink (CGL) is building a pipeline without the consent of the nation’s Hereditary Chiefs. 

Continue reading ‘We should avoid monitoring’: feds quietly backed off while Coastal GasLink pipeline work killed fish →
Politics

Northwest communities sign memorandum on revenue-sharing with province

Editors note: The District of New Hazelton, District of Stewart, Fort St James, Fraser Lake, Hazelton, Houston, Kitimat, North Coast Regional District, Port Edward,  Prince Rupert, Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, Regional District of Kitimat-Smithers, Smithers, Telkwa, City of Terrace, Vanderhoof, Village of Burns Lake, Village of Granisle, Village of Masset, Village of Port Clements, and Village of Queen Charlotte (Daajing Giids) are in the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance.

By Kaitlyn Bailey,  Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The provincial government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) on Sept. 15, which brings them one step closer to a new revenue-sharing agreement.

The RBA, made up of 21 local governments from Masset to Vanderhoof, have been calling on B.C. for a new funding agreement since 2014.

Continue reading Northwest communities sign memorandum on revenue-sharing with province →
Indigenous Nations, Justice

Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs hosted a Peace and Unity gathering. RCMP made arrests

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

This week Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs welcomed a delegation from across the country and beyond to the yintah (territory) for a Peace and Unity Summit. Through the four-day event, the chiefs brought together Indigenous leaders, politicians, conservation groups and others to uplift Indigenous sovereignty, share space and join in solidarity with the Hereditary Chiefs in their opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

“It’s really heartwarming to see all the people coming together in peace and unity across Canada to maintain the solidarity of the Wet’suwet’en,” Dinï ze’ (Hereditary Chief) Madeek told attendees at the event.

“You make history by being peaceful. By being here, being together, being united, knowing that we all have the same heart,” Dinï ze’ Na’Moks said.

Arrests weren’t part of the plan.

Continue reading Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs hosted a Peace and Unity gathering. RCMP made arrests →
Energy, Indigenous Nations, Justice, Politics

Gitxsan hereditary chiefs issue northwest B.C. MLA eviction notice from territory

Terrace Standard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A group of Gitxsan hereditary chiefs, matriarchs and elders issued an “eviction notice” to Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen on Saturday (Nov. 27), citing failure to ensure the safety of his constituents including the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en.

Continue reading Gitxsan hereditary chiefs issue northwest B.C. MLA eviction notice from territory →