Cottage North Vol 12 Issue 5

COTTAGEnorthSeptember - October 2014

Crystal KoltBringing Culture Days to life in Flin Flon

ChurchillA photographic journey

B-47 DownA dramatic rescue in Sandy Bay

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Features11 Crystal Kolt and the Culture Days Phenomenon The story behind the little northern city that could, and the award-winning arts advocate who orchestrates Flin Flon’s Culture Days celebration each year. Libby Stoker-Lavelle

18 A Vision for Self-governance in the North: The Precambrian Proposal A daring proposal for new provincial boundaries that would better serve the needs of northern Canadians. Jim Parres

21 A Photographic Journey through Churchill Our photo contest winner shares highlights from his beluga whale-watching trip. Scott Kurytnik

25 The Sturgeon River Armada Two musicians are redefining the musical tour, one paddle at a time. Libby Stoker-Lavelle

31 B-47 Explosion and Rescue One winter day in 1953, the Cold War came to Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan. Morley G. Naylor

40 Back to School 101 A northern teacher, mental health clinician, and fitness trainer share their advice for a healthy start to the school year. Shannon Smadella

44 Opportunity Knocks for Local Writers How a writer and librarian worked together to bring a writer-in-residence program to The Pas. Libby Stoker-Lavelle

Inside September-October 2014 • Volume 12, Issue 5

In Every Issue4 Editor’s Note

6 Calendar of Events

7 In a Nutshell

16 Wildlife: Coyotes

28 A Good TasteWild Cranberry Tarts

39 Poetry Corner

46 Q&A: Painter Jasyn Lucas

21

25

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ON THE COVER

Crystal Kolt, cultural coordinator for the Flin Flon Arts Council, is a passionate advocate for the arts on both local and national levels. Under her guidance, Flin Flon’s Culture Days festival has become an innovative and engaging event that sets the standard for other communities across the country.

Kolt shares her insights on how this lively festival evolved on page 11.

COTTAGEnorth

4 september - october • cottage north magazine

Cottage North is published six times a year by The Flin Flon Reminder in Flin Flon and is distributed free of charge to businesses and services throughout northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

PublisherValerie Durnin

EditorLibby Stoker-Lavelle

Production manager & layout editorJohn Bettger

Advertising & graphic designKrista Lemcke

Sales & marketing advisorKaren MacKinnon

Office administrator & copy editorJulian Kolt

ReceptionistRose Daneliuk

Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves! — Humbert WolfeThe turning of the seasons is always a vivid reminder that change really is the only constant in our lives. Whether or not we accept it, those hot summer days will fade into memory, and the autumn leaves will brighten, and then fall, just as they have every year. Though I wish the fall weather would last longer, I have to wonder if the best thing about autumn in the North is the brevity of the season. Knowing that winter waits around the corner makes us cherish each lovely day like a special gift; it compels us to get outside and make the most of the fall.So as you busy yourself with all the hustle and bustle that this season brings, I hope you will take a moment to enjoy its beauty as well: the crisp air, the harvest vegetables, the golden poplar leaves, the warmth of an autumn sun, and (perhaps best of all) the refreshing absence of mosquitoes. We have some great stories to brighten your days in September and October, including a photographic journey through Churchill, an interview with talented artist Jasyn Lucas, two fascinating looks at local history, and a preview of Flin Flon’s dynamic Culture Days celebrations. For those of you with students heading back to class, make sure you check out “Back to School 101” for some helpful advice on starting the year off right.As for me, I think I’ll take my cue from Nathaniel Hawthorne, who wrote, “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.”

A very happy autumn to you!

From the Editor's Desk

Libby (Elizabeth) Stoker-Lavelle

Subscribe to Cottage NorthSupport your local magazine & have Cottage North delivered to your door six times a year! Makes a great gift. One year subscription (6 issues): $36.00 GST incl.

Advertise With UsContact Krista Lemcke, [email protected]

We welcome submissions of photos, art and articles at all times. Please contact us if you have something to share!

Cottage North14 North Avenue, Flin Flon, Manitoba, R8A 0T2 phone: 204-687-4303 fax: 204-687-4473www.cottagenorthmagazine.ca facebook.com/cottagenorthmagazineemail: [email protected]

Cottage North Magazine Vol 12, Issue 5. @cottagenorthPrinted in Canada, 2014.

All rights reserved. Reproduction of photos, illustrations, or text in any form without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Letters to the EditorDo you have an opinion, a photo or a brief story to share with Cottage North readers? Send in a contribution to our new Letters to the Editor section!


ContributorsMorley G. Naylor "B-47 Explosion and Rescue" p. 31

Morley G. Naylor was born in Sherridon and has lived in Flin Flon since. For 32 years, he has travelled all over northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan with CBC-TV and CBC-Radio. “I’ve really come to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our area,” Morley says. “There are so many stories to tell.”

Jim Parres "A Vision for Self-governance in the North" p. 18

Jim Parres is a prospector/geologist who was born in Timmins, Ontario, but raised in Flin Flon, Manitoba. He has co-authored two Man-itoba mining books, The Nor Acme Gold Mine Story and Headframes, Happiness and Heartaches along with Marc Jackson. Jim also writes a bi-monthly column in the Snow Lake newspaper.

Shannon Smadella "Back to School 101" p. 40

As a charitable business professional, humani-tarian and former Miss Canada, Shannon has travelled the world aiding various causes. From TSN sports host to freelance journalist, the Uni-versity of Saskatchewan alumna enjoys writing for various publications in her free time. She is working on her third book and is a mortgage specialist with RBC Royal Bank.

Pat Vickery "Dedication" p. 39

Pat Vickery was born and raised in Flin Flon. She attended the Uni-versity of Saskatchewan and obtained a B.A. and a B.Ed, teaching in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Wisconsin. Vickery’s work for children was published in W.J. Gage anthologies, textbooks, and workbooks and her poetry has been published in Canada and the U.S.

Shirley Barbeau "Neighbouring Leaders Sign Accord" p. 9

Shirley Barbeau is a long-time resident of The Pas, and former resident of Cranberry Portage. A recent graduate of UCN, Shirley works for both The Pas Arts Council and The Pas and District Chamber of Commerce. In her free time, Shirley taps into her creative side with crafting projects and art installations; she is also a MS Walk ambassador.

Gerry Clark "Wildlife Corner: Coyotes" p. 16

Gerry Clark is a retired schoolteacher whose whole career, starting in 1969, has been at Hapnot Collegiate in Flin Flon. His interests include drawing, mostly portraits and some caricatures; photography, mostly wildlife but also sports, involving his four grandsons; and writing, mostly about local history.

Marc Jackson "Snow Lake Lass Lends Life to Legend" p. 7

Marc Jackson has lived in Snow Lake for 42 years. He is married to Leone and has four children and three grandchildren. For the past number of years, Marc has written, ed-ited, and published Snow Lake’s Underground Press, as well as a syndicated column that runs Fridays in the Flin Flon Reminder, Opasquia Times, and Nickel Belt News. He has co-writ-ten two books.

Sheila Marchant "The Wind" p. 39

As a longtime resident of northern Manitoba, Sheila Marchant enjoys capturing the natural beauty of this region in poetry. Sheila gathers inspiration everywhere, but particularly from her scenic views on her monthly bus rides from Flin Flon to Prince Albert. “You can never get bored if you look out the window,” she says.

There's more to discover online! Visit www.cottagenorthmagazine.cainteractive online calendar of events • business directory • current & past issues

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September-October

Calendar of EventsThe Calendar of Events is now online! Check out more listings and details for the latest concerts, festivals and other local happenings at cottagenorthmagazine.ca

Flin FlonSept-Oct: One Square Foot Exhibition & Auction at the NorVA Centre. Open to all artists! Live Auction on Oct 4. Visit norvacentre.com for details.Sept 13-14: Under One Roof Flin Flon: Registration for recreation activities Sept 13: Local band The Mix will perform at the Royal Canadian Legion, 9 pmSept 13: Annual Home Business Show, Creighton Sportex, 10-3 pm Sept 19: Flin Flon Bombers Season Opener, Whitney Forum 7:30 pmSept 24, 25: Home Routes Concert: Morgan Davis. Call Tim at 204-687-7768 for information.Oct 4: In Motion Walk at the SPCA: Meet the dogs and join in a walk to celebrate the SPCA’s 2nd anniversary. Time TBA.Oct 5: City of Flin Flon Fun Run at the Phantom Lake Golf CourseOct 23, 24: Home Routes Concert: Little Miss Higgins. Call Tim at 204-687-7768 for information. Oct 30: Free Halloween Family Dance at the Creighton Community Hall, 7-9 pm

The PasSept 6: Sweat, Blood & Mud: 5k Mud Run, Opasquia Agricultural GroundsSept 13: Kelsey Recreation Parade of Programs, Roy Johnston Arena, 11-2 pm Sept 14: Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research, The Pas Wellness Centre, 1 pmSept 21: Home Routes: Morgan Davis – tribute to Stompin’ Tom ConnorsOct 4-Nov 26: Mike Grandmaison: Prairie and Beyond exhibit, Sam Waller MuseumOct 21: Home Routes Concert: Little Miss Higgins, Sam Waller Museum, 7pm

Thompson Sept 5-6: Annual Health & Leisure Mart at the TRCC: register for sports, fitness, arts and leisure activities and check out the craft show too!

Want to see your event in Thompson in this section? Email us at [email protected]

Prince AlbertSept 13: The Big Amazing Race by Big Brother Big Sisters P.A., downtown, 3-8 pmSept 14: Driving & Chipping Away Childhood Cancer Golf Tournament, Silver Hills Golf Course Sept 23: Monkey Junk blues band, E.A. Rawlinson Centre, 7:30 pmOct 3: Stand-up comedy show with Harland Williams and Dan Quinn, E.A. Rawlinson Centre

Sept 26-28 is Culture Days across Canada! Visit culturedays.ca to find activities near you,

and read our story about Culture Days in Flin Flon on page 11

Watch for the Culture Days PassportThis pocket-sized book will contain everything people need to know

about what’s happening during Culture Days in Flin Flon.

On Oct 29th Canadian Country Music Award nominee David James will perform his “Man in Black” Johnny Cash show at the R.H. Channing Community Hall. Visit flinflonartscouncil.com for more information.

The Sweat, Blood and Mud 5k will take place in September in The Pas. Visit www.eventbee.com/v sweatbloodmud/


Nov 1 — Christmas Arts & Crafts SaleStart your Christmas shopping early! Treat that specal

someone on your list to a unique piece of art.

Nov 19 — Black UmfolosiThis a cappella & dance group specializes in traditional

African song & dance. It’s certain to be a blast!

Dec 5 & 6 — Jingle Bells Christmas Concert Christmas time is here! Join the Flin Flon Community Choir in

singing all your favourite seasonal songs.

Oct 29 — David James: Man in BlackA unique blend of country rock & electrifying voice makes each

performance better than the last.

Sept 26, 27, 28 — CULTURE DAYSCelebrate our love of culture! Find out more at: www.culturedays.ca

204687.5974www.flinflonartscouncil.com

Nov 27 & 28

Wizard OZOF And watch for these upcoming attractions ...

Follow Dorothy and Toto down the yellow brick road in this classic favourite, performed by your local Ham Sandwich.

Find a full list

of events in our

Culture Days

Passport!

In a Nutshell:A miscellany of regional news

Snow Lake actress Cheyenne Tandy played the part of prospector Kate Rice in a local production.

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~ Marc Jackson ~

She was a backpacking, gun-tot-ing, belle of the bush who kept a sharp axe and a sharper tongue as prime instruments of survival throughout her journey to western Canada, then on to climes further north. Kate Rice’s story is one that is familiar to those who live near or reside in Snow Lake. Many have heard of how, after being born into Ontario aristocracy, Rice shook off the trappings of upper society to spend time with the trappers of the lower Ospawagan.

In recognition of this prospec-tor’s recent induction into the

Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, the Aurora Borealis Arts Council, the Town of Snow Lake, and the Second Glance worked together to present a locally written, produced and performed play, Kate Rice and the Gold Diggers. The play was per-formed at 1 pm each Saturday afternoon in July and August in the beverage room of the Snow Lake Motor Inn.

Snow Lake chanteuse/actress Cheyenne Tandy captured Kate Rice’s personality and more in her spot-on delivery, portraying the community’s historic heroine of Herb Lake.

Snow Lake lass lends life to legend


available on iTunes

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Northern Lights: Arnold & Gail Morberg and the Calm Air Story by Doug Whiteway, Barbara Huck and Frances Russell provides a diverting and entertaining trip through the history of what was once Canada’s largest privately owned airline.

The airline began in 1961 as a way for Arnold Morberg to transport guests and supplies to and from the fishing lodge in Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan that he purchased from his father.

Arranged mostly chronologically but with plenty of digressions along the way, the 167-page book is slim and entertain-ing enough to be raced through in the space of a couple of hours. The book cov-ers everything from Arnold’s three broken backs from plane crashes, to Gail’s phil-anthropic efforts following the sale of the airline. The authors also cover a seren-dipitous encounter with Prime Minister John Diefenbaker that proved instru-mental in Arnold Morberg obtaining the commercial licence that paved the way to Calm Air becoming a multimillion dollar operation. Several of Gail Morberg’s favourite recipes are also included in the book.

This title will appeal to anyone with an interest in aviation, the north and the opening up of northern Manitoba to trade and travel.

Northern Lights: Arnold & Gail Morberg and the Calm Air Story is summed up nicely by Gail Morberg, who recalls, in the final chapter, her response to a teacher who said she was a legend after she made a presentation at a school. “I never thought of it that way, you know,” said Gail. “We just lived our lives and it turned out to be kind of marvelous.”

This article was excerpted with permission from the Thompson Citizen. Read the full story at thompsoncitizen.ca

Gail Morberg, who co-founded Calm Air with her late husband Arnold, was back in her old home in June for the Thompson book launch of Northern Lights: Arnold & Gail Morberg

and the Calm Air Story.

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New book traces Calm Air’s path from Saskatchewan to Manitoba


~ Shirley Barbeau ~

On August 13, 2014, Mayor Alan McLauchlan of The Pas, Chief Michael Constant of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and Reeve Rod Berezowecki of the RM of Kelsey signed a unique friendship accord.

This agreement will serve as a concrete reminder to all three councils of their relationship, shared vision and commit-ment to regional collaboration.

In addition to acknowledging the three communities’ shared values, the accord creates more formal structures for future collaboration, including a commitment on behalf of the community leaders to meet at least twice annually to promote open and constructive dialogue.

This accord originated from a collaborative workshop entitled “Relationship Building: First Nations and Municipalities”. Chief Constant, Mayor McLauchlan and Reeve Berezowecki attended the April workshop, along with a number of other interested parties from the community. The event was organized by the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI), a joint initiative of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).

Over 280 communities applied for consideration for this

workshop; only six groups were chosen. During the workshop, attendees discussed how First Nations and municipal com-munities can work together to design and implement long-term development strategies.

The Friendship Accord, which is subtitled “Three Communities – One Heart” can be read online at www.tpcdc.com. For information on the CEDI process, visit www.edo.ca.

Neighbouring leaders sign historic friendship accord

~ Shannon Smadella ~

One of the most beautiful lakes in northern Manitoba now has a new beach area and floating dock nestled along its shores, part of a larger com-munity development project in Cranberry Portage. Phase one of the project will be completed in September, merely two months after its commence-ment in early July.

“The goal of the improvement is to provide a safe and fun place for the kids of the community to swim and play,” says Debbie McLauchlan, Executive Director of the Child/Family Resource Centre in Cranberry Portage.

The development project, which will cost $78,000 to complete, will include a full cleanup of the shore area, a new dock, swimming area, playground, and beach volleyball court. This will be the first develop-ment of its kind in years for the community, and is possible thanks to a $55,000 grant from Community Places Program North. If the grant is received again, phase two will begin next summer.

Mayor Alan McLauchlan of The Pas, Chief Michael Constant of Opaskwayak Cree Nation Reeve Rod Berezowecki of the RM of Kelsey signed a historic agreement during the 49th annual

Opaskwayak Indian Days.

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A new place to swim: community development in Cranberry Portage

Three-year-old Ryder Smadella looks on as local youth explore the floating dock at Cranberry Portage. The new dock is part of an ongoing local development

initiative.


www.nrha.ca

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Flin Flon Regional Office84 Church StFlin Flon MB R8A 1L8Ph: (204) 687-1300Fax: (204) 687-6405

After Hours Mental Health Resource NumbersA number of toll-free 24 hour telephone based helplines are available to help in times of emotional or mental health crisis. These include:

• Crisis Line 1-888-322-3019,• Suicide help line 1-877-435-7170,• Senior abuse line 1-888-896-7183,• Manitoba Farm & Rural Support 1-866-367-3276,• Health Links 1-888-315-9257, and

These people are there to help in times of need. Please feel free to call on them should the need arise. The Region’s Community Mental Health staff are available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays (excluding holidays) and can be reached at 204-687-1350.

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- Libby Stoker-Lavelle -On May 23, 2014, Crystal Kolt,

cultural coordinator for the Flin Flon Arts Council, addressed arts leaders from around the country, and told them the story of how a remote mining town became a flourishing arts community.

“Like many communities in Canada, we love our hockey. We struggle with a dwindling population. But there is also something magical happening here.”

Kolt smiled as the slideshow changed, revealing a large group of Flin Flonners posing gleefully. “Here are hundreds of Flin Flonners, including our MLA and mayor, dancing down Main Street…everyone is clapping their hands, and singing and dancing.”

This unusual “Dance Down Main Street” event is just one component of Flin Flon Culture Days, an annual three-day festival where residents come together to learn new skills, meet artists of all stripes, and celebrate culture together.

Evolution

Culture Days, which will take place this year from September 26-28, is a cross-country initiative that has been evolving on a national level for several years. Fortunately for Flin Flon, Crystal Kolt was at the leading edge of the planning process for Culture Days in Manitoba.

“I had been at a round table meeting for the arts community in Winnipeg, and I met Jean Giguère,” Kolt recalls. Giguère, who is Chair Emeritus of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, was instrumental in the creation of Culture Days. “I had spoken to [Giguère] then about getting the Royal Winnipeg Ballet up to Flin Flon. In 2008, a few years later, she called and asked whether I would be interested in

collaborating in a pan-Canadian celebra-tion of arts and culture.”

It turned out that the concept was just what Kolt had been seeking. “We [in Flin Flon] are always looking out, trying to share our talent with the rest of the world, and we’re always interested in bringing new talent and ideas into the North. So when Jean Giguère explained what the national committee was going to do, I just jumped at it and said, ‘Yes! I’ll do what-ever I can to be a part of this,’ because I just believe in it so much.” Kolt joined the Manitoba Task Force for Culture Days, and the ball was rolling.

Flin Flon celebrations

In 2009, Culture Days was founded as a non-profit organization with a focus on creating opportunities for Canadians to engage in all forms of arts and culture, via a three-day event each September. The first Culture Days weekend took place in 2010, and communities across the coun-try were invited to take part in, and orga-nize, events under the Culture Days ban-ner.

As Flin Flon prepared for its first Culture Days, Kolt focused on making the weekend’s events as inclusive as possible.

“Culture Days had been explained to me as [an opportunity] to celebrate every

Crystal Kolt and the Culture Days PhenomenonEach year, Flin Flon’s vibrant Culture Days festival gets bigger and better. Crystal Kolt, Flin Flon’s busiest arts advocate, shares her story of bringing Culture Days to life, one dancer, singer, and live-action-role-player at a time.

Crystal Kolt, lead organizer for Culture Days in Flin Flon, and a member of the Manitoba task force for Culture Days, was recently honoured with the Antoni Cimolino Leadership Award.Photo by Libby Stoker-LaveLLe


aspect of arts and culture, to try and let the general public be aware of the fact that arts and culture are a part of your life whether you know it or not,” Kolt explains. “Whether it’s the logo on your hockey jersey, or the dance class you attend, we’re all involved in the arts in one way or another.”

Making Connections

In Flin Flon’s first Culture Days, the community enjoyed 36 events—a busy weekend by anyone’s standard. Last year, Flin Flon Culture Days included more than 80 free public events, ranking sev-enth in the country, in terms of the num-ber of activities offered.

“For us to compete with a city the size of Toronto, Ottawa or Vancouver; or with Stratford, that has such a reputation of excellence…that made me really excited,” recalls Kolt. “Those are the adventures that I live for, and it is the food for me to keep going, seeing how we can connect in this big country of ours.”

So how has Culture Days become so successful in Flin Flon?

Kolt is the first to cite her incredible team of volunteers as the secret to the project’s success year after year. Volunteers organize events, lead activities, corral audi-ences and participants, communicate with the public on social media, set up spaces, and complete a thousand other tasks over the weekend, and in the months leading up to September 26. This is no small

team, either: 320 volunteers are involved so far with Culture Days 2014.

Kolt’s approach to event planning is two-pronged: she brings skilled artists into the community, while also capitalizing on the wealth of cultural resources already in the local area.

Through a great deal of grant-writing, and funding support from multiple sourc-es, Kolt has been able to bring in high-calibre artists from across the country. These professionals set the tone for a qual-ity event. At the same time, Kolt commu-nicates with residents of Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach, encourag-ing individuals to get involved with Culture Days, and helping each person find the resources to share their talents with the public.

“It is something that is rather easy to do, to encourage people to share their love, their knowledge,” says Kolt. “Whether it’s canoe-making or birch-bark-biting, everybody has something that they love,” says Kolt, “and that is arts and culture and heritage. That’s what we’re about.”

Of course, Crystal Kolt’s boundless enthusiasm is the engine that keeps the whole train moving. As many Flin Flonners will tell you, whatever your talent, pas-sion, or interest, Crystal Kolt will be ask-ing you to share it at Culture Days.

Something for everyone

As Kolt set out to organize the first Culture Days, diversity of programming

was always in the back of her mind. She recruited volunteers who could coordi-nate events for different age groups, to “give everybody in the community a chance to explore arts and culture.”

Kolt found an ideal partner in retired teacher Katie Anderson, who became the school coordinator for Culture Days.

“Katie Anderson is fearless, and an amazing organizer,” raves Kolt, “and people know and respect her, so we were able to move [the programming] for-ward, even though we didn’t know how to do it at first.”

This year, Flin Flon and Creighton students will have the opportunity to practice slam poetry with Isaac Bond, an award-winning spoken word poet; learn

the art of juggling from children’s enter-tainer Isaac the Juggler; and practice their twang in a country singing workshop with Quinton Blair. And that’s only a handful of the activities available on Friday alone.

Over the past four years, Culture Days volunteers have worked hard to bring new experiences to those demographic groups that might slip under the radar.

Local musician Susan Lethbridge man-ages “Culture’s Cool for Kids,” a day of activities for local pre-schoolers at St. Ann’s Parish. Last year, local youngsters and their families learned bannock-mak-ing, crafting and music.

Kolt has also made programming for the older generation a priority. This year, the Flin Flon Public Library and the City of Flin Flon are working together to host a program geared towards the communi-ty’s senior population. At this event, named “Who’s Who,” attendees will be able to view long-hidden photos from the library and city archives, and help identify those photos that have been, thus far, unidentifiable.

Flin Flon comes to life

In addition to these more targeted events, most of the weekend’s activities are

Métis author David Bouchard speaks to Hapnot Collegiate students last September. Bouchard was a featured artist at Flin Flon Culture Days in 2013.Photo by DanieL DiLLon

Susan Lethbridge organizes "Culture’s Cool for Kids," taking place on Friday September 26 this year.Photo by karen Mackinnon


designed to appeal to all ages. While past Culture Days events have been held in Bakers Narrows, the events this year will take place at a few central locations in the city, in order to make the weekend acces-sible to as many residents as possible.

On Friday night, the Flin Flon Public Library will host one of the weekend’s best-loved events, "Human Book Night." At this event, individuals from the community become “living books” who share personal experiences with attendees in an informal setting. Library administrator Cindy McLean explains, “The idea behind the event is to create a positive, non-judgmental, learning environment, where barriers are crossed, and our own perceptions are challenged. We feel that the evening brings the community together.”

On Saturday and Sunday, more event spaces will come to life all over the city. At Pioneer Square, spectators can watch hoop dancers, slam poetry, or watch a chess champion play 17 oppo-nents at the same time (and participate if they like —there is a good prize for the last man standing). At Creekside Park,

the Flin Flon Bombers will organize a street hockey game, while live action role players (LARPers) in medieval costume will battle it out on the other side of the park. At the Rotary Wheel, local and national entertainers and artists will create

a lively space for young children, featuring juggling, clowning, and even panning for gold.

On Main Street, several tents will be set up as workshops and learning spaces. The Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship

High school students in Flin Flon and surrounding area have submitted work to be displayed during the “Hung out to Dry” exhibit at the NorVA Centre during Culture Days. Artist and retired art teacher Karen Clark, shown here, helps coordinate the NorVA events during Culture Days.FiLe Photo


84 Severn CrescentThompson, MB R8N 1M6

Phone: 204-778-6333Toll Free: 1-800-442-0456

www.nickelcitymotors.com“Your One Stop Fun Shop”© 2012 Bombadier Recreational Products Inc (BRP). All rights reserved. TM, © and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombadier Recreational products Inc. or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., the products are distributed by BRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligation. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. Read the side-by-side vehicle Operator’s Guide and watch the Safety DVD before driving. For your safety: wear a helmet, eye protection and other protective gear. Fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Always ride responsibly and remember that riding and alcohol / drugs don’t mix. Side-by-side vehicles are for off-road use only. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Operator must beat least 16 years old. Passenger must be at least 12 years old and able to hold handgrips and plant feet while seated against the backrest. Never engage in stunt driving and avoid excessive speed. Drive responsibly. 510934E.

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Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill MP Rob Clarke

Please contact my office if you are having problems with EI, CPP, Passports, CEP, Status cards, CRA,

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“Check out my website at www.RobClarkeMP.ca for important information.” - MP Rob Clarke

100 Main Street, Flin Flon, MB204-687-7527

Have a great autumn... safely!

Centre will be teaching stoppers-by about the seven sacred teachings, and geologists will be manning the Miners Tent, where visitors can learn about the riches in Flin Flon’s rocks.

For those who prefer to explore the area by foot, local geologist Tom Heine will be leading a tour of Flin Flon called Walking through a Volcano. Historian Gerry Clark will also lead three tours of

local sites of interest.The R.H. Channing Auditorium in

the Community Hall will host a number of events as well, notably the “Wild Rice Ragout” concert. Kim Jones, one of the lead organizers for the event, explains, “This one-of-a-kind event is inspired by notable collaborations like those of David Collins and Tom Creighton. Stories of historic collaborations will be interspersed with those between Flin Flon musicians. The evening will also include live collabo-ration between visual artists.”

The story behind the dance

Of course, one of the events closest to Crystal Kolt’s own heart is the annual “Dance Down Main Street”, which will take place on September 28 this year.

“That was my own personal dare,” laughs Kolt, when recalling how the event first got started. “I thought, 'What would be visually unique and daring?' And then I thought, 'What if we had a choreo-graphed moment, 15 minutes where it

Linda Allen and Lori Lawrence carried this handmade sign during the “Dance Down Main Street” in 2013. Photo by karen Mackinnon


doesn’t matter how old you are, two or 92?' It’s easy. It’s silly. It’s fun. It was one of those things where I thought six months earlier, ‘Oh, it’s going to be great,’ then as it got closer, I thought, ‘It’s going to be just me and six of my friends dancing down Main Street! It was terrifying.”

Luckily, the first “Dance Down Main Street” exceeded Kolt’s expectations: “About 250 people turned up, and it was one of those empowering moments. When you take away the worry about professionalism, and when you’re with a big group of like-minded people, it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re moving your right arm correctly. It’s about celebrating together.”

This event garnered the community some national attention, via a shout-out from Jian Ghomeshi, host of the CBC-Radio show Q. “I loved hearing about Flin Flon,” he said. “They had people on the street…dancing to ‘Waving Flag’ by K’Naan. That’s something you might see in Toronto or Montreal, but when it’s the majority of a community getting out and doing something like that, it’s really cool.”

Recognition for Flin Flon

Last spring, Kolt received some much-deserved recognition when she was awarded the Antoni Cimolino Leadership Award, which honours an individual who has dem-onstrated exceptional support and leader-

ship in promoting Culture Days. This award was named for its first recipient, the art director for the Stratford Festival in Ontario, and a key supporter of Culture Days nationally. “It was an exceptional per-sonal experience,” Kolt says. “The people on the selection committee are some of the elite of the country, and they selected us—I see it as us rather than me—for what we’ve accomplished here, and that means a lot, to be able to have that recognition.”

When asked what drives her to commit so much time and energy to Culture Days, Kolt says: “I like a good dare, I think!” While the challenge of putting a remote northern community “on the map” cer-tainly seems to be part of Kolt’s motivation, it is also the response from the community itself that inspires her ongoing efforts. “I really believe that arts and culture is so vibrant in our area, so it is a lot of work, but it’s easy to do at the same time, because of all the excitement, support, and interest. And when you start to get attention at the provincial and national level, that is so good.”

Flin Flon’s Culture Days event listings can be found online at www.culturedays.ca.

Individuals who are interested in organiz-ing a Culture Days activity can contact the Flin Flon Arts Council, or create an event and post it on the Culture Days website at www.culturedays.ca

Looking ForwardThe Flin Flon Arts Council's ambitions for the community go far beyond producing broadway-quality musicals (like 2013’s Chicago), supporting local artists, and bringing talented professionals into the city. The long-term vision is to have Flin Flon become an academic centre for the north, with high-quality programming focused on studies in the arts and the environment.

Over the past year, an executive board and a community task force of 68 volunteers have been working on bringing this vision closer to a reality.

The executive board has made plans for a feasibility study for the (tentatively named) North Central Canada Centre for the Arts and Environment (NCCCAE). The long-term vision is to build a centre which would offer community programming and events as well as serve as a year-round institute for students and professionals in various fields of study. A consulting firm has been selected to conduct a feasibility study once the Flin Flon Arts Council and its supporters have (hopefully) secured the necessary funding, approximately $130,000.

Current sponsors of the feasibility study include the Arts Council itself, the City of Flin Flon, the Town of Creighton, the Northern Village of Denare Beach, Flin Flon School Division, Creighton School Division, and University College of the North.

“It’s about celebrating together,” says Kolt about the community’s distinctive ‘Dance down Main Street’ event. Everyone is welcome to join in this activity on Sunday September 28.Photo by DanieL DiLLon


North Of 53 Consumers Co-Operative Limited has been a locally owned and

operated community grocer serving Flin Flon since 1946.

North Of 53 Consumers Co-Operative Mon-Fri 8am-8pm29-31 Main Street Saturday 8am-6pmFlin Flon, MB R8A 1J5 Sunday 12pm-6pm

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Cooper says: “Come see us at the Flin Flon North of 53 Consumers Co-operative!”

We offer only the freshest choices in groceries, produce, meats, deli selections and baked goods, and we have a full service specialty meat counter and meat cutters on site to make sure you get the cut you want, just how you like it. We can even smoke it for you with our on-site smokehouse.

Where all our profits stay in the community

- Gerry Clark -At this time of year there seem to be a lot more “wolf” sightings in and

around Flin Flon, just as more cats and little dogs seem to go missing. What most people are seeing and talking about, however, are not wolves at all but a subspecies of coyote commonly known as brush wolves. The moniker is logical, as the coyotes that are found in northern Manitoba tend to be a lot bigger than their cousins down south, so they look more like wolves than prairie coyotes. A brush wolf can weigh as much as 75 pounds, while the most prairie coyote weigh less than 44 pounds.

Coyotes are one of the few species that has grown in numbers and extended its range since the arrival of humans. This is because they have characteristics that make them extremely adaptable. For example, coyotes are among the fastest mammals in North America - they’ve been clocked at nearly 70 kilometres an hour. Coyotes can also jump as high as four metres (all the better to jump your fences and eat your pets, my dears).

Unfortunately for coyotes, they are slightly slower than one of their main adversaries, the grey wolf, also known as the timber wolf. When the grey wolf population goes up, the coyote population goes down. This is

The CoyoteCoyotes are one of

the few species that has grown in numbers and

extended its range since the arrival of

humans. This is because coyotes

have characteristics that make them

extremely adaptable.


Wildlife Corner

ing a territory—typically a coyote’s terri-tory will be a 19-kilometre diameter around its den. The one high-note howl is a coyote’s calling of its pack, and a howl of higher and higher notes fol-lowed by a series of shrill yips means the family is all together.

One little known, but interesting, fact is that there is absolutely no record of a coyote successfully attacking a roadrunner.

Runs with wolves One January evening I went skiing

by myself in valley at the Flin Flon Ski Club. Nobody else was out there. It was bitterly cold. As often happened, a wolf howled nearby and as I often did, I howled back. I do a pretty good wolf howl imitation, if I do say so myself. This happened a couple of times as I skied south around the loop and then it was quiet for about 15 minutes. I was going off in the opposite direction when again a wolf howled, and again I responded. Only this time I got an unexpected reaction. This time what I heard was a whole bunch of wolves, and they weren’t howling, they were yipping. It sounded like they were running – toward me. My first thought was “Boy, are they going to be surprised to find I’m not a wolf ” and then I immediately thought “Oh no, are they ever going to be pissed off!”.

I panicked, turned around as fast as I could, and shot back toward the car. I swear I set a land speed record for a scared man on skis over a half-kilometre track.

I was so scared that when I came up to the car I opened the door and threw myself in, head first, with my feet still attached to my skis. I even tried to pull the door closed with my feet caught outside. I guess I figured I could cut my losses.

Luckily, the wolves had given up the chase, but as I undid my bindings I’m sure I could hear them snickering back in the dark. They probably thought it was hilarious.

what happened in Yellowstone National Park recently when the greys were success-fully re-introduced.

Apparently though, grey wolves don’t always treat coyotes as a food source. Research into coyote DNA shows some greys had other ideas.

Coyotes don’t have the aura of menace we grant grey wolves, but this is a mistake. Coyotes should not be treated carelessly. They are opportunistic and will eat what-ever is available, including road kill. A recent California study of coyote scat showed their main source of food was pets. Coyotes have been known to go after dogs as big as a Rottweiler, and in packs have brought down animals as big as an elk, 15 times their size.

DNA research also shows some cross-species hanky-panky has occurred with

domestic dogs. This has produced some worrisome results: The offspring tend to retain the coyote’s predatory instincts and acquire the dog’s lack of fear of humans.

There have been coyote attacks on humans. They usually don’t cause serious injury but there has been one documented fatal attack. Researchers blame those who feed coyotes for causing coyotes to become bolder around humans, but it has also shown that these “wolf” attacks all probably involved coyote-dog hybrids. The good news is that these “Heinz 57” coyotes are not increasing in numbers. Research suggests they have lower fertility rates, don’t make friends easily and have a higher rate of genetic disease.

Did you know that the coyote is the most vocal of all the mammals in North America? Their howling might just be claim-

The Trickster by Gerry Clark


~ Jim Parres ~

The idea of a new province in Canada to be called “Precambrian” came about in the autumn of 1953 when my father, Lew Parres, presented his thoughts to the Flin

Flon Chamber of Commerce. Parres, a mineral exploration geolo-gist, promoted his idea with the slogan Government in the North, for the North, by Northerners, who know the needs of the North best. He suggested that the new province comprise a mineral belt that would stretch from the Yukon to the western border of Ontario.

“The development of the North is not progressing as effi-ciently as it should,” read Parres’ submission to the Chamber, “A possible solution for the attainment of this objective in a smooth and efficient manner could be a change in the present legislation controlling this portion of Canada.”

By late October, 1953, the idea of forming new provincial boundaries had spread like wildfire. In Manitoba, many northern-ers agreed with Lew Parres that it was time for the miner, trapper and lumberman to run their own affairs.

While the concept of a new province may seem ambitious, a look at the events in the North at the time may help to explain the reasoning that led to this concept, and its considerable popularity with northern residents.

The Flin Flon orebody was initially discovered in 1915. Due to numerous logistical problems, such as lack of infrastructure, metallurgical complexity, and availability (or lack thereof ) of financing, the mine did not produce blister copper until 1930. Construction of a railway from The Pas to Flin Flon commenced in January 1928 and the railroad tracks reached Flin Flon in October of the same year, a truly prodigious accomplishment. Until then, all supplies and equipment needed to be freighted into Flin Flon by tractor trains in the wintertime.

An all-weather highway did not reach Bakers Narrows, on the outskirts of Flin Flon, until 1950. For 20 years, the only way to get vehicles into Flin Flon was by the railroad on a flatcar, though it is possible that some vehicles came in on ice roads.

Despite the lack of infrastructure, Northern Manitoba was

Jim Parres tells the story behind his father’s daring, and still relevant, proposal for new provincial boundaries that would better serve the needs of northern Canadians.

A Vision for Self-governance in the NorthThe Precambrian Proposal

quickly becoming a viable economic entity, with productive mines in Sherridon, Flin Flon, Lynn Lake and great potential in the nickel belt near Thompson.

A lot of northerners believed that the development of roads and infrastructure in the north of the province was not a pressing matter to the provincial government. Meanwhile, southern Manitoba had become fairly well developed with a complex road system linking farms and other enterprises with major cities. At the time of Parres’ proposal, many northerners felt isolated and frustrated as they watched tax dollars, both personal and from industry, flow south to Winnipeg.

In a brief that he wrote for his presentation to the Flin Flon Chamber of Commerce in 1953, Parres noted, “It is difficult for men of one occupation to pass legislation suitable for men of an entirely different vocation. For instance, it is difficult for miners to understand and pass legislation adaptable to the requirements of farmers, and vice-versa." Parres was raised on a southern Saskatchewan farm, and was well aware that he would have to sell his concept of a new province to the farmers of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, as they were the people who con-trolled the various provincial governments by way of voting population.

Following his presentation to the Flin Flon Chamber of Commerce, the news of Lew Parres’ idea appeared in newspapers across the country, and was a particularly hot news story in west-ern Canada. CBC Winnipeg gave Parres 30 minutes of television airtime to explain his proposal.

The idea for a new province seemed to be growing as it was presented to both the Manitoba Legislature and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Unfortunately, the idea died there on


the vine, so to speak. Although the province of

Precambrian never came to pass, I believe that my father’s proposal was well thought out, and it contained a lot of merit. At the very least, it may have helped to educate some of our southern resi-dents about northern needs. If so, then it could be consid-ered a successful exercise.

Journalist Ben Metcalfe summed this point up well in an article entitled “A Province of Rocks for ‘Premier’ Parres,” which appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press soon after the controversial proposal was announced.

“Informed opinion north and south says Mr. Parres’ plan will never come to pass,” notes Metcalfe, “Indeed, it is inconceivable that Mr. Manning, Mr. Douglas or Mr. Campbell would ever allow anyone to scrape the icing off their wheatcakes just because they’re a little slow in getting round to eating it themselves. But this same opinion recognizes what is known as 'sufficient merit' in the idea to needle the farm-and-oil governments into faster action in developing the northern tiers of their provinces. If it did that, Premier Parres of the never-never land of Pre-Cambria would probably be happy enough.”

A Government for the North, Today

There is no doubt in my mind that Parres’ proposal for separation is even more important and relevant today than it was back in the 1950s. Northerners still feel left out of decision-making, and the interests and needs of farmers and miners remain markedly different. →

Newspapers across western Canada publicized Lew Parres’ proposal in 1953.Photo by Libby Stoker-LaveLLe


Precambrian ProposalKey ConceptsIn an exclusive interview with Flin Flon's Daily Reminder newspaper on October 29, 1953, Lew Parres explained that his proposal would not result in an additional province, but instead would reduce the number from 10 to nine, thereby shrinking unnessessary bureaucracy in the country. His proposal suggested that western Canada, consisting of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories, be reduced to three provinces: Precambria, Rupertsland and British Columbia. The divisions Parres recommended were as follows:

“The province referred to as Precambria would be composed of the Yukon, that portion of lowland stretching through the Northwest Territories and the Precambrian Shield stretching from the Arctic to the Manitoba-Ontario boundary. Rupertsland would be bounded on the west by the present Alberta-British Columbia boundary, on the east by a line running parallel to and slightly south of the present interior planes and the Canadian Shield contact, on the north by the 60th parallel of latitude and on the south by the 49th parallel of latitude. British Columbia would remain intact.”

Parres outlined six key wishes for the new province of Precambria:• Decrease exploration costs.

• Taxes would be levied by northerners and spent by northerners.

• There would be one set of regulations for mining and exploration.

• There should be a non-political elected governing council, like the Yukon had in place at the time.

• Resource investigation committees would be hired as consultants.

• A constant mutual business relationship would be maintained between the companies’ councils and the federal government.

By looking at the ongoing issue of road development, we can see just how relevant this issue is today. It is no secret that the total costs associated with accessing and running remote reservations in northern Canada are astronomical. Road development in the North would bring these costs down significantly and improve the quality of life for northern Canadians. These roads would also provide access to new areas of mineral potential. A great example of this is the road that now provides access to the rich ura-nium deposit at Patterson Lake in northern Saskatchewan.

Yes, roads cost a lot of money to build, especially in the Canadian Shield, but building them also provides a lot of jobs.

It would take the full co-operation of both the federal and provincial governments to make this happen, cooperation which would only be attained through tremendous public pressure. Perhaps instead of sending charitable donations to other countries, so we can look good on the world stage, we could utilize those funds here for the benefit and harmony of all Canadians.

If you think northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan have their problems, look at northwestern and northeastern Ontario. This area contributes a large percentage of tax revenues from resource extraction to the govern-ment. The Trans-Canada Highway passes through this area of the shield as two segments. Proceeding west they merge at Nipigon and diverge again at Shabaqua, a distance of 170 kms. This portion of the Trans-Canada should have been twinned 40 years ago to accommodate the heavy truck traffic there, especially during the winter. There are serious accidents or incidents almost on a daily basis, yet the Ontario government has chosen to largely ignore the need for a safe highway, instead spending enormous amounts of money on projects like gun registries and incomplete gas plants. Meanwhile, due to heavy truck traffic and sleep deprived drivers, an unacceptable num-ber of people die on these roads.

The idea of northern Ontario separating from southern Ontario, so that northerners can make decisions for northerners, has been a volatile topic for years. While the debate is ongoing, however, the voting power is in the south, much as it is for northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. And so our provinces remain as they are.

The Precambrian Proposal also addressed the following:Gasoline tax: Gasoline taxes were seen as unfair for industries operating in remote areas. A diamond drill operating 640 kilometres back in the bush paid nine cents per gallon in highway tax.

Attracting Canadian capital: Northern industries needed support in attracting Canadian investors; it was easier to attract foreign investment than Canadian capital.

Metal control: The federal government controlled the price of uranium, subsidized gold, and influenced the price of copper and nickel. Parres argued that legislators from the North would be more qualified to meet and cope with these circumstances.

Self-sufficiency: Parres noted that there was much good farmland in the Yukon and around The Pas. The newly-created province would have ample power, fish, fur and timber. Cheap power would attract manufac-turing. Industries would flourish, and no ore bodies would be left undeveloped.


OWN YOUR FUTUREUNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE NORTH

WELCOME NEW ANDRETURNING STUDENTS!GOOD LUCK WITH THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR!For more information about programs or campus life, visit www.ucn.ca

A photogrAphic tour of churchill with Scott KurytniK

Belugas ... and Bears ...and Seals ...

Oh My!On July 11, Scott Kurytnik, winner of the Cottage North photo contest, headed to Churchill to claim his prize, a three-day stay at Lazy Bear Lodge and a whale-watching tour. Kurytnik and his wife, Alanna, enjoyed a relaxing vacation and captured some gorgeous shots of Churchill’s unique landscapes and wildlife. On the following pages, Scott shares some of the highlights from their adventure.


~ Photos & story by Scott Kurytnik ~Our Churchill journey began in Winnipeg

where, due to some inclement weather, we had a short delay. We then had a short flight and stop off in Thompson prior to heading to Churchill. We landed a bit late in Churchill but our driver, Tress, was waiting for us and was ready to take us to Lazy Bear Lodge.

We pulled up to a beautiful, rustic lodge and were delighted to hear that we were just in time for our cultural driving tour of Churchill. After a quick check-in, we were off in a repurposed school bus. Our first stop was at Fort Churchill where we received a quick history lesson about the area. Thanks to our guide, Gerald’s keen eye we even spotted a far off polar bear! This was great as we were unsure whether we would see any polar bears on the trip, as they tend to be less active during the summer. We enjoyed the beautiful landscape, including the rocky coastline and the many wildflowers in bloom. We also took notice of the surprising number of beluga whales in the river and bay. The tour continued through the various sights of Churchill, including the infa-mous polar bear jail. (See Churchill facts.)

Prior to finishing our tour, we were delighted to see another polar bear lounging on the rocks near the bay. We then headed back to the lodge for a leisurely dinner before heading off for a beluga whale tour.

We were glad to see that Gerald would be our guide for the boat tour, and he didn’t disappoint.

These playful seals entertained the travellers on their boat tour.

The Lazy Bear Café is a hub of life at Lazy Bear Lodge. Cottage North photo contest winner Scott Kurytnik relaxes between excursions.

Polar bears are a less common sight in Churchill during the summer months, but the Kurytniks saw quite a few over their three-day trip.

The tour guide explained that beluga whales are a darker colour when they are born and become whiter as they age.


We spotted several inquisitive seals, a multitude of beluga whales and some more sleepy bears!

Some of the highlights of the boat tour included a mother polar bear with her two-year-old cub cuddling by the bay, a playful seal couple, and a mother and baby beluga. We learned that belu-ga whales are a darker colour when they are born and become whiter as they age.

Another highlight was the whales being attracted to the engine of the boat; we had several groups of three swimming behind us. Gerald even had a hydrophone so we could hear their many different calls, which were abso-lutely amazing. Inclement weather made the water too murky to snorkel, how-ever the whales were so close to the boat you could have hypothetically reached out and touched them. We definitely got a good look at a lot of whales; there must have been hundreds of them in the bay.

The following day was a leisurely one, as the tours were all cancelled due to the windy and rainy weather.

We had a wonderfully relaxing day, which included a gourmet breakfast, some sightseeing around town, a muse-um visit, and shopping. Highlights included meeting one of the cutest pup-pies outside a shop, and heading to the Northern Store to see that a gallon of milk was indeed $10.99. The evening was topped off by a great dinner of arc-tic char.

The next day, we had another lei-surely morning and filling breakfast followed by a trip to the airport and flight home. The lodge was great, with all of the expected amenities and more. The staff were very helpful and accom-modating.

It was a great trip, we feel very fortu-nate to have won and to have been able to visit Churchill and see all of the beauty in the area. Thank you to Cottage North and Lazy Bear Lodge!

A beluga breaks the surface.

An inukshuk stands out against red Churchill rock.

Belugas play in the Churchill River estuary.

This sweet Churchill pup won Scott Kurytnik’s heart.

Scott and Alanna at Lazy Bear Lodge. Since their trip, the two shutterbugs welcomed a new baby, Lily, into their family. Congratulations!

Churchill is one of the few towns in the world where you might come across a 2,000-pound polar bear while picking up your groceries! Most polar bears that wander into the town of Churchill are humanely trapped, then kept in the Polar Bear Jail (located in a former aircraft storage hangar) until they can be safely transported back to the wild.

• Visitors can only reach Churchill by air or rail—there are no access roads into the remote community.

• The daily average temperature in Churchill in July is 12° celsius. In January, it’s -26.7°c

• According to Travel Manitoba, there are approximately 3,000 beluga whales in the Churchill River Estuary, and between 900 and 1,000 polar bears in the region surrounding Churchill.

• Approximately 813 people call Churchill home, according to 2011 census data.

• The community was named after John Churchill, who was the third governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Churchill Facts


2 kms #10 Highway South | Box 908 | Flin Flon, MB | R8A [email protected] | thetireshopflinflon.weebly.comMon - Fri 8:00 am - 5:30 pm | Saturday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

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~ Libby Stoker-Lavelle ~

Like many other Canadian musicians, guitarist Dave Fort and violinist Brooklyn Samson spend their summers touring the country and sharing their music with fans. What makes their approach unique, how-ever, is that the two artists have eschewed the comforts of the typical band bus or van, favouring a more tradi-tional mode of travel: a two-seater canoe.

The two artists perform as a hypno-folk band called Twin, and over the past several years they have toured by canoe along the Mississipi, Los Angeles, and Assiniboine rivers.

“The idea to tour by canoe came to me while I was on a road tour with my other band, Absent Sound,” says Fort, who was born and raised in Flin Flon. “I have always been obsessed with maps, so on our road tours I would be looking at rivers and creeks, and as we crossed them I would dream about paddling on them, and seeing where they would go. That cartoon light-bulb just popped up over my head and I thought, ‘this could be done!'” →

The Sturgeon River ArmadaA modern folk band gets back to basics

Brooklyn Samson and David Fort, two hypno-folk musicians, took on wolverines and rapids in their canoe tour through northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The touring musicians took a break at Namew Lake.

The Spencer family of Flin Flon lent this canoe

to the two musicians for their northern tour.

SUBMITTED PHOTO


- Lenna Gowenlock, Edward Jones -

If you are recently married, or getting married this fall, you no doubt have many exciting details to discuss with your spouse-to-be. But after you get back from the honeymoon,

you’ll want to have another discussion—about your finances. It might not sound glamorous, but couples who quickly “get on the same page” regarding their financial situation are actually taking a step that can help them immensely as they build their lives together.

As you start talking about your finances, be sure to cover these areas:

Separate or joint chequing/savings accounts

Some couples create joint chequing and savings accounts, others keep everything separate and still others find a middle ground — joint accounts along with smaller, separate accounts. There’s really no one “right” way for everyone, but whichever method you choose, make sure you’re both aware of where your money is, how it can be accessed, and by whom.

Debts

Both you and your spouse may be bringing in debts, such as student loans or credit cards, to the marriage. You don’t necessarily have to do everything possible to get rid of these debts immedi-ately, but you should set up reasonable payment plans that will allow you to lower your overall debt load so you can free up money to invest for the future.

Spending and Saving

Newlyweds are often surprised to discover how different they are from each other in the area of spending versus saving. You don’t have to try to radically change each other, but you both need to be aware that your spending and saving decisions now have greater consequences than when you were both single. To illustrate: if one of you is more of a spender and is used to running up big credit card bills, these actions can clearly affect both of you. To avoid problems of this type, you will need to communicate clearly with each other.

Goals

It’s important for married couples to clearly establish their finan-cial goals. Do you want to purchase a house? If so, when? If you’re going to have children, will you want to help them pay for college? When do each of you want to retire? And what sort of retirement lifestyle do you have in mind? By answering these and other key questions, you’ll be formulating a set of goals. And from there, you can devise a strategy for attaining these goals.

Investment Styles Both you and your spouse will need to invest if you are going to

achieve your goals, such as a comfortable retirement. However, each of you may have a different investment style—for example, one of you might be an aggressive investor, willing to take more risk for the possibility of greater returns, while the other is more conservative, ready to accept lower returns in exchange for greater preservation of principal. To pursue your strategy for reaching your objectives, each of you may have to compromise somewhat on your “invest-ment personality.” To achieve this balance, you may need to consult with a financial advisor.

Finances are an important part of any marriage. By communicat-ing regularly and working together, you and your spouse can build a solid financial foundation for your lives together.

©Edward Jones, Member CIPFEdward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice.

You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

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Conversation about Finances is Important for Newlyweds


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This year, the band’s travels took them through northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, along the Sturgeon and Saskatchewan rivers. Their journey included performances with local musicians along the way, in Denare Beach, Sturgeon Landing, Cumberland House and The Pas. The two ran into their share of wildlife as well, spending a night on a sandbar on the Saskatchewan River with a wolverine within earshot. “I’m pretty sure we were unwanted guests that night,” recalls Fort, “so I played drums nice and loud on the canoe to keep him or her at bay.”

Of course, travelling through such an isolated route presented some mental and physical challenges.

“We had just finished the first big set of rapids on the South Sturgeon,” says Fort, “and had almost tipped, taking in a lot of water, and barely steering the boat from a set that would have surely tipped a water-logged canoe. As we were bailing out trying to get our wits about us, it sank into me hard...it’s just us! On the other tours there were indeed challenges, but there was always a road somewhere relatively close. It had been a while since I had been in the isolated wilderness, and it was Brooklyn’s first time.”

Luckily for the waiting audiences, the pair sorted themselves out. “We bailed the canoe, talked for a bit on land and reaffirmed that we could do this, then plunged into the next set of rapids.”

All along the canoe route, community members pitched in to make the tour a success, cooking up food for barbecues, lending the pair equipment, and promoting the local shows. Flin Flon painter Karen Clark gave the band a huge banner to take on their journey; at each stop, members of the audi-ence made their own mark by contributing signatures and drawings to the collaborative work of art.

Following their successful northern tour, Samson and Fort plan to spread their new album, North Americana, much further afield, on tours along the

Assiniboine, Mississippi, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Sacramento rivers. They hope to return north again soon, with a possible future tour on the Churchill River.

Readers can follow Twin’s adventures at www.armadatwin.com or hear their music at twintwa.bandcamp.com

Twin’s latest album cover pays tribute to their northern trek.

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When I was searching for a good recipe for our September issue, Sandra Garinger was the first person who came to mind. By day, Garinger is a guidance counsellor at Hapnot Collegiate; she is also a superb chef and gardener with extensive knowledge of the foods that are native to the area.

Garinger generously offered to share some of her freshly picked low-bush cranberries with me, in the form of these spectacular tarts.

“This recipe evolved from a pecan pie recipe made by Helen Bron,” Garinger explained. “I bought the pie at a bake sale and the recipe was included with it.” Over the years, Garinger has adapted that original recipe, adjusting ingredi-ents and proportions to best highlight the tart flavour of the lowbush cranberries that are found in late summer and fall in our region.

Garinger experimented with two approaches for this recipe, making her own dough for an artisan-style pie, and using store-bought shells for a tart version. “You can really use any pastry you prefer, homemade or pre-made,” she noted. “I like to use a shortbread style crust, if I make this as a pie, but it’s also perfect for tarts, because each serving is just the right amount of sweetness.”

Of course, I felt compelled to taste the results of the recipe. Journalistic integrity, and all that.

Let me assure you: with fragrant pastry, gooey maple filling and juicy cranberries that pop in your mouth mid-bite, you really can’t go wrong with this dessert.

Wild cranberry &

hazelnut tarts

By Libby Stoker-LavelleRecipe by Sandra Garinger


Ingredients2 eggs¾ cup brown sugar¾ cup maple syrup* 1 tbsp apple cider vinegarPie crust or tart shells (homemade or store-bought)1 egg white (optional, for glazing)

Substitutions* Can substitute corn syrup or a mixture of maple and corn syrup.** Substitute chopped or slivered almonds or pecans.*** Substitute store-bought cranberries, but finely chopped, as they are larger than wild ones. Do not use high-bush cranberries (their seeds are too large), or blueberries, (they are too sweet for this recipe).

Directions Pre-heat oven to 375°F

About low-bush cranberries

The low-bush cranberry, vaccinium oxy-coccus, is also known as a lingonberry; moss-berry; and wild, swamp, or bog cranberry.

Low-bush cranberries grow on perennial shrubs throughout Canada and parts of the northern U.S. in the late summer and fall. They grow very low to the ground, and are more common in moist soils and bog-like areas. In northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, look for low-bush cranberries along the fis-sures of large rocks or along the stumps of trees.

When ripe, the low-bush cranberry is a deep red colour, similar to a commercial cranberry but much smaller, up to 1.2 cm wide. In addition to their tart flavour, cran-berries are popular for their health benefits: they are an excellent source of antioxidants and flavonols.

According to the USDA plant database, numerous North American indigenous groups have traditionally gathered cranber-ries for either medicinal use or as a source of nutrition and flavour. This berry also grows wild in parts of Europe and is often featured in jams, jellies and desserts on both sides of the pond.

High-bush vs. low-bush cranberries

The high-bush cranberry, or viburnum trilobum, grows on tall shrubs, about two metres high. Its berries have a similar flavour to the low-bush cranberry, however high-bush cranberries should not be used for the recipe above, due to their larger seeds.

1 tsp vanilla½ cup melted butter 1 cup hazelnuts**1-1 ½ cups wild lowbush cranberries***

1

3

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4

Roast the hazelnuts in the oven, or toast for a few minutes in a frying pan until fragrant.Let the hazelnuts cool on a tea towel, and then rub off shells. Chop hazelnuts, or crush with a rolling pin.

Prepare pie dough or tart shellsUse a spoon to add a couple of tablespoons of the filling to each tart, up to the rim of the shell, or pour the filling into the pie shell.

Add eggs, sugar, syrup, vinegar, vanilla and butter to a medium bowl and stir until blended.Add chopped hazelnuts and berries and stir to mix.

Add egg white or a milk wash on the top of the pie crust to glaze – if desired.

Bake for 25-30 minutes for pie, 15 minutes for tarts, or until pastry is browned and sauce is bubbling; some cranberries may pop during the baking process. Let cool for 15 minutes or so. Serve the tarts or pie warm or cold. Garnish with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream flavoured with Cointreau. Once baked, the tarts keep well in the freezer.


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It is early in the Cold War, 1955. The rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union is resulting in mutual suspi-cions and heightened tensions. Nuclear weapons are the perceived threat on both sides as the two superpowers hover on the brink of disaster in the world’s deadliest poker game.

In May 1955, the tension mounts to new levels as the Warsaw Pact is established in Eastern Europe, including East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, and, of course, the Soviet Union. This pact solidifies the commu-nist counterpart to the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an intergovernmental military alliance.

On both sides, reliable inter-continental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs, were still many years away from deployment, so any nuclear strike would have to be delivered by a strategic bomber.

At the time, the Soviet Union had a limited fleet of a four-

engined strategic heavy bombers, the Myasishchev M-4, also known as the Bison.

On the other side, the American military possessed a large fleet of the Boeing B-47 Stratojet, the perfect strategic weapon for its time. Soviet leaders knew that the aircraft, deployed in huge num-bers around the world, gave the US an unstoppable nuclear strike force. With these aircraft, the US would be able to penetrate Soviet defences and attack any target in the Soviet empire. The US manufactured 2,032 of these bombers of different variants, at a cost of approximately US$2 million each.

Strategic Air Command (SAC) controlled the B-47 operations and the one-third alert policy was in place, where one third of the fleet was armed and in the air; one-third was fuelled and armed on an alert ramp adjacent to a runway; and the final one-third was undergoing maintenance.

B-47 Explosion & RescueWhen the Cold War came to Big Sandy Lake, SaskatchewanBy Morley G. Naylor

Retired B-47s at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in the 1960s. The US B-47 fleet was an unstoppable nuclear strike force.Photo by US Air Force


Operation BobsledIt was nearing dawn on February 12,

1955, a sleepy and cold Saturday morn-ing. A B-47 strategic bomber was return-ing from an SAC training mission, Operation Bobsled. The mission had taken the crew from the March Air Force Base in Riverside, California to Thule, Greenland. The bomber was flying at about 10,000 feet on the last leg of its polar flight home.

The four men on the aircraft included the aircraft commander, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth McGrew, age 33; co-pi-lot Captain Lester Epton, age 33; an observer, Major Robert Dowdy, age 31; and Captain Thomas Pittman, 34.

Pittman, a B-47 pilot in his own right, had gone along for the ride to test out a new type of survival suit.

Unbeknownst to Pittman, both he and the survival suit would soon be put to the ultimate test.

The four men had flown across the continental United States, over the Atlantic Ocean toward The Azores, north towards Greenland, then across Hudson Bay. All seemed routine as the bombers of the 19th Bomb Squadron of 22 Bombardment Wing prepared to return to California. The B-47 bomber flew over Nipawin, Cumberland House, and The Pas, and was approaching Big Sandy Lake, Saskatchewan.

The residents of the Canadian north were unaware of the mission above.

Disaster Strikes at 10,000 Feet

The bomber formation had just fin-ished refuelling in the air when a fire began in one of the right engines. Moments later, the fuselage caught fire, and soon the calm of the Canadian wilderness was violently broken as B-47 51-7033A burst into flame.

Miraculously, three of the four men on the flight survived the harrowing explosion and their subsequent descent into unknown territory—in the midst of a northern winter. The crew’s experiences were captured in statements to a board of inquiry following the B-47 incident. These statements were obtained from U.S. authorities by Oren Robison, editor of the Nipawin Bridge Magazine.

“The mission was proceeding normally after the second refuelling when the acci-dent occurred,” recalled Captain Lester Epton, the co-pilot. “Number four and five pod blew up and were on fire when I looked out. The aircraft commander retard-ed to cut off numbers four, five, and six throttles, and actuated fire shutdown on those engines.”

The commander, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth McGrew, decided to “take a few seconds to try to blow the flames out by diving to increase airspeed.”

“I called to the number five aircraft in the formation to have him drop down and confirm the fire in the fuselage,” recalled the pilot.

“In a few minutes the fire in four and five pods burned out,” said co-pilot Epton. “I believe that the fuselage was on fire just aft [to the rear] of the pilot’s compartment and I advised the pilot of this and also instructed the passenger, Captain Pittman, to put his chute on and be ready to abandon aircraft.”

“When the aircraft accelerated, the flames persisted,” said McGrew, “and I was going to give the word to leave the aircraft, when a violent explosion was

Major Robert Dowdy

B-47 Crew

Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth McGrew

Captain Lester Epton

Captain Thomas Pittman

PhotoS coUrteSy Mike bennett, Project-Get oUt And WAlk, tAMWorth, enGlAnd


Specifications of the Boeing B47 Stratojet Strategic Bomber*A long-range, six-engine, jet-powered strategic bomber manufactured by Boeing. Designed to fly at high subsonic speeds and high altitudes to avoid enemy interception. US Air Force’s first swept-wing multi-engine bomber, it had jet-assisted takeoff capability on a short runway, with 18 small rocket units in the fuselage.

Introduced: June 1951

First flight: 17 Dec, 1947

Retired: 1966

Top speed: 977 km/hr (607 mph)

Length: 33 metres (107.1 ft)

Wingspan: 35 metres (116 ft)

Height: 8.54 metres (28 ft)

Engine type: General Electric J47 turbojet

Gross weight: 133,030 lbs (60,340 kg)

Maximum range: 8,030 kilometres (4,990 miles)

Ceiling: 40,500 ft

Combat radius (max distance from base to mission/task and return): 3,794 kilometres (2,358 miles)

Accommodation: Crew of three

Armament: Two 20 mm canons (remote control)

Bomb Payload: Two MK15 nuclear bombs (3.8 megaton yield**) or one B41 nuclear bombs (25 megaton yield) or one B-53 nuclear bombs (nine megaton yield) or 28 500-pound conventional bombs.*some technical specifications differ on variant models of B47

**megaton yield refers to the amount of energy discharged by a nuclear weapon compared to the mass of the weapon

felt, which threw me forward and to the left in my seat.”

The Aircraft Falls ApartCaptain Lester Epton recalled the aftermath vividly

in his statements to the board: “We went in to what seemed to me to be a violent snap roll to the right and I thought the right wing had broken off. At the same instant, some flying object hit me in the face and I immediately thought of the ejection triggers on the seat. Almost at the same time, I was thrown clear of the aircraft and found myself falling face up, and I could see pieces of aircraft above me. The chute opened normally and I don’t recall any opening shock. I saw another chute while I was floating down, and landed without further incident in a group of small pine trees.”

The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth McGrew, remembered feeling the aircraft depressurizing. “The next thing I knew I was free of the aircraft, drifting down in my open chute,” he said. “I saw one chute below me and called once but received no answer. I saw a flaming part of the aircraft on the ground. I landed without much of a jolt in about two feet of snow.”

Captain Thomas Pittman, the passenger aboard, had the most damaging exit from the bomber. “Suddenly, co-pilot Epton punched me and yelled at me to fasten my parachute…I was slammed through the air and I believe my crash helmet struck the auto pilot. At the same time I believe I sustained a compound fracture to my right leg.”

“The next thing I remember was being down in the nose with [Major Robert] Dowdy and he was slumped in his seat, definitely unconscious. I tried to release his safety belt and pull his ripcord and fire the seat, but was unable to do so. Finally, something swung me loose and I lost my handhold on his seat. As I did so, it slung me around and pulled me to the rear of the nose section. The next thing I knew I was going out a hole where the A-5 gunnery equipment was located.”

The WreckageAs the three survivors descended by parachute, the

wreckage of the bomber was scattered across several kilometres of the snow-covered landscape near Big Sandy Lake, Saskatchewan

The pilot, McGrew, was thrown clear of the air-craft and made a successful parachute descent, hit-ting only small trees on landing. This bailout was his first parachute jump. McGrew had no survival gear for the -28° C weather, just his uniform and flight boots. Luckily, McGrew was found by nightfall the

A B-47 Stratojet flies near the Boeing production plant in Wichita, Kansas, 11 August 1950. Photo by US Air Force


same day, then evacuated to Cumberland House and on to The Pas.

Captain Epton, the co-pilot, who was thrown clear of the bomber, had to spend the night in the wilderness before he was rescued. Remarkably, he landed about 1.5 miles from McGrew, but had to watch his superior’s rescue helplessly, unable to attract the attention of the para-rescue team.

Major Dowdy, the observer, was not so fortunate – he had been trapped in his seat, which failed to eject, and was rendered unconscious by the tumbling aircraft. A ground crew, which dropped in by helicop-ter, reached the wrecked fuselage and found the body of Dowdy still strapped into his seat, half buried in muskeg.

As for Captain Pittman, who had joined the Stratojet crew on the flight to try out some new survival gear, none of the others saw his parachute open, and there was no trace at the fuselage wreckage site. For two days he was an unknown commodity. Pittman had, however, survived, though his leg had been broken on his exit from the aircraft, and the injury was worsened

when he landed on the leg after parachut-ing into the wilderness.

Pittman later credited his trial survival suit with saving his life as he endured three bitterly cold nights in the wilderness, with-out food or water. He, too, suffered the agony of laying in the snow helplessly as search planes flew overhead. A red piece of material, originally mistaken for a helicop-ter ground marker, turned out to be the red dot on Pittman’s parachute, and after sev-eral more passes, search plane efforts con-firmed the location of the airman. Pittman was lifted from the site and flown to Winnipeg for medical treatment. His leg was later amputated.

Rescue Efforts in Big Sandy Bay and Beyond

Many entities scrambled to rescue the downed air crew of the B-47 Stratojet, including the US Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, RCMP, local area personnel, and medical authorities. In

the aftermath of the crash, all of these organizations exhibited great courage.

Our story focuses on one of those enti-ties, the Saskatchewan Government Airways (SGA), and a regional pilot, Bob Fletcher. We are pleased to provide the account of Fletcher’s role, courtesy of his son Doug, who recalls the events of February 12 and 13, 1955, as told to him by his father.

Dad got a call early in the morning of February 12 regarding the crash of a US Air Force B-47 Stratojet. It was before sun up. Dad was told the Air Force was grounded, and he was asked if he would go out and start the search for the downed plane. Whenever I could get Dad to speak of the event he always insisted he and Bill were on site and found the wreckage before the Air Force and SAR ever showed up. It was mid-February, and the snow was very deep that year.

Dad got hold of Bill Porter, a close friend and SGA aircraft maintenance engineer. They met at the Prince Albert hangar before sun up. They decided to head out in a ski-equipped De Havilland Beaver. Dad must have decided early on that it would be a full day with an uncertain schedule. He had no idea what, if anything, they would find. He recalled that he and Bill loaded two drums of aviation gasoline into the back of the Beaver and off they went early that morning, headed east-north-east to search an area in the gen-eral vicinity that would see them west-north-west of Cumberland House.

The weather that day was poor with some snow flurries. Having flown with my father on many occasions under various weather conditions, I am not sure what it would take to ground him.

Dad flew a grid search pattern. As a for-mer Naval aviator, navigation was one of his strong points and he kept to a strict flight path. In those days, navigation was done with dead reckoning and compass only. There were no electronic navigation aids available and no emergency locator transmitters on downed aircraft.

It did not take them long to spot wreckage from the downed jet. As Dad recalled, the debris was scattered over 10-15 miles (16-19 kilometres). The weather was not good early in the day and Dad had to stay under the cloud cover and deal with the occasional snow

USAF crash sites in northern Saskatchewan. MAP by Morley nAylor

USAF Crash Sites Saskatchewan

B-47 Stratojet Explosion/ Crash

1995

U-2 Spyplane Down 1960


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squall. As the morning wore on, the weather steadily improved. They eventually spotted one of the airmen on a slough or small lake. Dad recalled he stood out against the background rather well, as he was standing on a survival raft that must have been part of his survival gear. Dad decided to put the Beaver down on the snow-covered, frozen body of water. I asked him how that went and he said the only difficulty was the snow was extremely soft and deep that year. He spent considerable time making sure he had a good track built to ensure he would be able to get off the small body of frozen water. The Beaver was loaded with the extra gas drums and would now have three passengers and one pilot. The SGA crew did not know it at the time, but Captain Epton had landed in his parachute about one and a half miles away and was watching the rescue efforts, although he was not able to move or get their attention.

They loaded Colonel McGrew onto the Beaver and flew him to a medical facility at Cumberland House. Dad and Bill then returned to the search area. By this time at least one other search and rescue plane had joined the efforts.

Captain Epton was located later that afternoon, about one and a half miles from where they had picked up Colonel McGrew. By that time a DC-3 had arrived with SAR personnel on board. Three techni-cians, including a female nurse, parachuted from the DC-3 to the downed Epton. The technicians built a fire and tended to Epton throughout the night, building a tent of sorts out of his parachute.

As darkness set in, Dad and his crew flew to Cumberland house. The next morning, Dad returned in the Beaver. He, Bill and a third individual walked in to where Epton and the SAR team were

"I was thrown clear of the aircraft and found myself falling face up, and I could see pieces of aircraft above me."

Captain Lester Epton

Strategic Air Command B-47 Stratojet bombers Photo by US Air Force


located. Fifty years later, Dad still recalled how deep the snow was and how difficult it was to get to the downed airman and then to walk out. I believe they took him out on a sled to the small lake where Dad had left the Beaver. After getting the party back to the lake they were loaded on the plane and Dad flew them out. By this time I believe a second ski-equipped plane may have arrived at the site but that is just speculation on my part. Dad again flew the party to Cumberland House. From Cumberland they loaded up and headed back to Prince Albert.

A forces helicopter had been dispatched but it had to put down in northern Manitoba and had not arrived by the time Epton was res-cued. After Epton and the SAR team were flown out, that pretty much ended Dad’s involvement as the Air Force was now circling the area in search of the other two persons who had been on board. Captain Pittman was located alive on the third day.

Robert Fletcher later received a letter of commendation from the commanding officer of the 22nd Bombardment Wing for his role in the rescue.

In a weird twist of fate, approximately five years later on 15 March, 1960, a U-2 Spyplane (of the type piloted by Francis Gary Powers) piloted by US Air Force Captain Roger Cooper, encoun-tered a flameout and made an emergency landing on Wapawekka Lake just south of the community of La Ronge. The aircraft was returning from a mission over the Soviet Union. The landing site on Wapawekka Lake is approximately 70 km north west of the B-47 crash area.

Robert FletcherRobert Fletcher was raised on a homestead in Saskatchewan in a family of 11 children. He completed extra education to join the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. He was awarded pilot’s wings and applied for combat duty. Fletcher was appointed as a flight instructor, and later was accepted into the Naval Fleet Arm. He served overseas in England before being honourably discharged in 1946.

From 1946 to 1952, Fletcher flew in the forest fire patrol and air ambulance in Saskatchewan.

In 1952, Fletcher was awarded a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Chicago, and began flying full time for the SGA while living in Prince Albert. He spent most of his flying time on DC-3, Anson V, Norseman, PBY and Beaver planes.

The SGA crew battled inclement weather to rescue the survivors from the B-47 crash. From left are Bill Porter, Roy Brooman, and Bob Fletcher. Photo coUrteSy oF doUG Fletcher


Boeing B-47E-65-BW during a rocket-assisted take off test, with a Lockheed F-80 as a chase plane. Photo by US Air Force

While the B-47 Stratojet was the perfect strategic bomber for its time, it also suffered losses on a scale that would be intolerable today. Over its lifetime, 203 aircraft, 10% of the total fleet, were lost in crashes, with 464 deaths, as the race to win the Cold War nearly spun out of control. The aircraft introduced a new flight performance regime that required new skills and greater precision. It was a hybrid of WWII metallurgy, construction techniques, and aerodynamic theory that was sometimes inadequate for the new era of jet engines. In addition, the bomber was introduced at a time when the American Strategic Air Command was undergoing an explosive expansion in size that diluted standardization efforts and the effectiveness of training and safety procedures. Despite these difficulties, it is clear that the world would be much different today were it not for the B-47 Stratojet, and those who partici-pated in the Cold War combat mission.

Of course, the burning issue of the incident remains: Was the ill-fated B-47 Stratojet bomber carrying any type of nuclear arma-ment? Was Operation Bobsled really just a routine SAC training mission as the US Air Force claimed? We aren’t likely to ever know the answers for sure, although we can rely on the old maxim that the truth is the first casualty of war. It is public knowledge that, at the time, the US had approximately 2,422 nuclear weapons with a maximum fleet capacity of 2,032 bombers. That said, many

flight missions around the world would be for training and/or testing and probing Soviet defence systems and would not neces-sarily have lethal capability.

Military nuclear incidents are categorized and coded into vari-ous classes depending on the seriousness of the situation. The Big Sandy Lake incident was identified as a possible broken arrow, an accidental event that involves nuclear weapons, warheads or com-ponents, but does not create the risk of nuclear war. The incident was also identified as a probable dull sword, a minor incident involving nuclear weapons, components or systems, which could impair their deployment.

Ultimately, we have to leave it to our readers to pass their own speculation and judgement on the likelihood of a nuclear asset being on board the downed bomber. Nonetheless, we acknowl-edge the bravery and dedication of the crews who flew the B-47 Stratojet during the Cold War. One mistake, and nuclear war could have been upon us.

The explosion and crash of a B-47 bomber over Big Sandy Lake, Saskatchewan, was an eye-opener, especially to the local geographic area. It was an incident that clearly illustrated just how serious the Cold War really was.

Author’s Note: A sincere thank you to: Oren Robison, Editor of the Nipawin Bridge Magazine for allowing me to use edited versions of his previous work on a similar article; Doug Fletcher, for sharing family records and personal accounts of his father; and to Les Oystryk for his generous research support.

The Nuclear Question


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Poetry Corner

Dedication By Patricia Vickery

The world is a spiritual entity. Poplar leaves, gold as they are, cannot be changed into coin. They exist in their fragile moment, disappear and then reappear, as indestructible as the soul. What joy to come upon an abstract painting of gold, rust, white and green lichen on grey rock on one of my meanderings.Nature, in both her beauty and cruelty, presents me with an opportunity to embrace life as it really is – a sensate journey into the spiritual world that trusts the outcome of its own changes. It seems a larger harmony that humankind can achieve – an eternal song of colour and movement, all happening without conscious force, all happening with unconscious grace and power.I allow myself, without trying, to be part of it. It sings through me. It is in the clouds, rain and water, visible and invisible both. It is real life. It is the gift of love to me in my real self. I return that love to its real self in my writing.

The wind is softly rustling, leaveswhispering as it moves through treesrocking the nests of baby birds,creating a song that needs no words.Sighing gently, it is the breezethat quietly sifts through all it sees.

The Wind By Sheila MarchantIt’s the very same wind that can change its pace when it decides to take up the race,howling in fury across the landssweeping before it all that standsto show us quite a different facethe one that has neither love nor grace.

Ro

llin

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by

Ka

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The Manitoba government is proud to support thecontinuing growth and development of thismajestic region.

Éditique docket 47873.55” X 2.30”

Greetings toCottage North readers

Box 600 • 314 Edwards Avenue • The Pas, MB R9A 1K6Phone: 623-5411 • Fax: 623-3845

Back to School 101By Shannon Smadella

Start the school year off right with advice from local expertsA new school year is a fresh start for both kids and parents. Although an exciting time, it can also be quite overwhelming for children—and for parents, too. From packing the right lunches to helping kids cope with back-to-school jitters, we’ve got some great tips from local professionals to help you make the back-to-school transition an easy one.

Be a supportive parent in times of changeTalk and listen to your children

about going (back) to school

Be sure to check up on your child’s feelings and outlook on starting or returning to school. Tell him or her that feeling apprehensive is a nor-mal emotion: it demonstrates that their body is warning them to be prepared for an unknown situation.

Your child has likely experienced apprehen-sion, worry, and possibly some anxiety in their past. This is just another experience to learn from,

Charles Gregoire is a child and adolescent mental health clinician in The Pas, as well as the chairman of the community’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness Committee.

The International Association of Health Care Professionals has recognized Gregoire as a world-wide leader in healthcare, and the top child and adolescent mental health clinician in Manitoba.

Here, Gregoire offers valuable strategies to help children and adolescents deal with the emotional stresses that come along with going back to school.charles GreGoire


Enjoy this beautiful & colourful time of year!

the Reminder Est. 1946includes GST

$1.

Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada

Wednesday, June 4, 2014Serving Flin Flon & Area for over 65 years

Putting their best cleats forward– Page 5

Committee eyes record tipi– Page 6

Published every Monday, Wednesday and FridayAct won’t apply to cottage merger requestJonathon Naylor

Editor

C ity council’s hope to amalgamate cottage

country with Flin

Flon has hit a roadblock.Council wrote to the prov-

ince earlier this year asking

that cottage subdivisions near

Flin Flon be merged with the

city in the same way that

small southern municipali-

ties have had to unite with

neighbouring communities.But the Manitoba gov-

ernment says the legislation

under which municipalities

were amalgamated – The

Municipal Amalgamations

Act – does not relate to Flin

Flon’s request.“This Act applies in

situations where a com-

munity is amalgamated to

another community,” a

government spokesperson

told The Reminder. “The

cottage subdivisions [that]

Flin Flon is proposing to

annex is an unincorporated

territory, not a municipality.

Its specific geographic area

has not been defined.”The spokesperson said the

process for annexing unincor-

porated territory falls under a

different piece of legislation,

The Municipal Act.Application next?The statement opens the

door for council to for-

mally apply for annexation

of cottage country, a step

Mayor George Fontaine

promised if the amalgama-

tion request was declined.The provincial spokes-

person said annexation

involves the development of

a proposal, consultation with

property owners to be

annexed and a request to the

Manitoba Municipal Board,

a quasi-judicial tribunal.See ‘Board’ on pg. 3

Blaze threatens Channing homes

Fire chief suspects arson in weekend forest fire

Jonathon NaylorEditor

W ater bombers soared overhead

and firefighters

charged into smoky bush

over the weekend as a blaze

believed to stem from arson

nearly ravaged Channing.Fuelled by heavy winds

and dry conditions, the forest

fire sparked a series of small-

er, but nonetheless danger-

ous, spot fires in the Flin

Flon subdivision this past

Saturday, May 31.In the end the only struc-

tural damage was minor

burning on the side of one

home, but Flin Flon Fire

Chief Jim Petrie underscored

how fortunate Channing

was.For Petrie, whose crew

was on scene along with

provincial and local fire-

fighters, the blaze brought to

mind the infamous 2011

wildfire that destroyed 40

per cent of the Alberta town

of Slave Lake.“That could have hap-

pened here very easily in

Channing – very easily,” he

said.“It could have been a

heck of a lot worse.”ContainedAs of Monday afternoon,

the blaze had been contained

with provincial ground crews

working to extinguish all

traces of the inferno.On Saturday, within

hours of the fire starting,

more than 40 members of the

Flin Flon, Creighton and

Hudbay fire departments

joined provincial firefighters

in limiting the spread of the

flames.An air campaign includ-

ed two water bombers

whose bellies opened to

drop heavy loads of water

onto the fire below. A third

plane dispersed red chem-

ical retardant.See ‘Some’ on pg. 3 Top: A Saskatchewan water bomber releases water onto the smoky blaze. Bottom: Firefighting crews

arrived in Channing to tackle the blaze.

Phone: 204-687-3940

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Section B

the ReminderWednesday, June 25, 2014

YOUR GUIDE TO

Flin Flon & AreaFlin Flon & Area

InsideB2 The ABCs of summer

B5 Get the most

out of summer

B6 Trout Festival events

B7 Trout Festival

schedule

B8 Cook up a summer

feast

B9 11 fun things to do

Complete schedule

of events

– B7

Trout Festival2014 FLIN FLON

FFTF

2014FFTF2014

FFTF2014

FFTF2014

FFTF

2014

TROUTFestival

2 0 1 4

FLIN FLON

Jet ski races,

new this year

at Trout Festival

– Page B6

Summertime is cabin time, lake time,

sunshine, family and friends.

Get those flowers going, get the cabin

yard looking as good as it can.

Just get outside as much as we can.

— Susan Lethbridge

See more Flin Flonners’ advice on getting the most

from your summer on page B9

GolfWater fun

Camp

Festivals

the Reminder Est. 1946includes GST

$1.

Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada

Monday, June 16, 2014

Serving Flin Flon & Area for over 65 years

Hapnot honours top athletes– Page 4 Fundraising campaign tops in province– Page 6

Published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Gaps in service rare but vexingJonathon NaylorEditor

B reaks in the Flin F l o n G e n e r a l Hospital’s ability to deliver newborns are sparking concerns even as health officials stress the rarity of the occurrence.The latest gaps in cov-

erage came last week when no obstetric physician was available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday.“I would say 95 to 98

per cent of the time there is obstetrical service,” said Helga Bryant, CEO of the Northern Health Region. “This is very unusual.”A memo put out by

the NHR no ted tha t moms who arrived at the hospital outside of cov-erage times would be assessed and transferred to The Pas or another centre as appropriate.But if a delivery is

immediately imminent, standards around patient transportation could see the baby delivered at the hospital regardless.

Cold comfortThe scarcity of obstetri-cal gaps is cold comfort for one local mom who fears potential implications for the health of the mother or baby.

Speaking on the condi-tion of anonymity, she said she is upset that the hospi-tal is “understaffed” and a doctor who has been in charge of a mother’s health throughout pregnancy may not be available for the delivery.

Bryant said the hospi-tal’s goal remains 100 per cent obstetrical cov-erage, with recruitment of physicians and tempo-rary doctors, known as locums, ongoing toward that objective.As has been the case

for years, she said there is only one physician inSee ‘Cover...’ on pg. 8

Baptist church awaits demoJonathon NaylorEditor

P rayers won’t be enough to save First Baptist Church after officials decided late last week to demolish the land-mark house of worship.The difficult decision

came jus t days af ter s t r u c t u r a l p r o b l e m s forced the church to close after nearly eight decades of operation.“I’m feeling bad for the

people who have lived their lives here and grew up in the church,” said Pastor Jim Galbraith. “It’s the toughest for them, and personally as a pastor I want to help them through it. I also see it as a chal-lenge to the church: What’s next?”

It was not known last week when the demolition would take place, as Galbraith had yet to go through all of the neces-sary channels.

ContemplatedWhile it had already been clear that the church w o u l d n o t r e o p e n , Galbraith and his congre-gation had contemplated both a demolition as well as temporary repairs to keep an unsound wall from collapsing.Volunteers planned to

spend time this past Friday clearing out everything inside the church worth salvaging, including chairs and appliances.Galbraith expected the

church would be cleaned out within a few days.Not surprisingly, the

composed pastor has spent much of the past week speaking with members of his 40- to 50-strong con-gregation.“You know, there’s

sadness [but] there’s res-olution that we’re going to get through this,” said Galbraith, who joined the c h u r c h i n 2 0 1 2 .See ‘Worship’ on pg. 3

A foundation for successJonathon NaylorEditor

A s aboriginal stu-dents increasingly populate local classrooms, the need for culturally appropriate pro-gramming has never been

greater.That’s where the Flin

Flon School Division’s Building Student Success with Aboriginal Parents program comes in.BSSAP aims to engage

aboriginal students and their parents while bolster-ing education around First

Nations culture through-out the schools.“The more that our

aboriginal students and aboriginal families can see themselves in the schools, I think the more successful they will be at school,” says Leslie Dubinak, a family worker with the program.

Active roleIn partnership with a range of other programs and agencies, including the Friendship Centre and Arts Council, BSSAP plays an active role in all four Flin Flon schools.“We’re just trying to

look at ways to infuse aboriginal culture into our division,” says Jill R i d e o u t , B S S A P ’s

other family worker.Among BSSAP’s activ-ities is the aboriginal art program, which sees stu-dents make paper-plate

dream catchers, delicious bannock and durable hand drums.

One notable guest has been Irvin Head, the renowned aboriginal sculptor from Cranberry Portage, who shared his artistic knowledge with students.

The Cree language pro-g ram a t Ru th Be t t s Community School teach-es students their ancestral

tongue, while Christmas and spring feasts gather families together while

helping the less fortunate among them.The Boys Group at

Ruth Betts brings cultural teachings to elementary-aged boys along with an

opportunity to discuss issues occurring in their homes and community.Margaret Head-Steppan

works with BSSAP as the school division’s cultural advisor. A respected aboriginal elder, she con-ducts holistic counselling

and helps guide both staff and students from a cul-tural perspective.BSSAP is also a reli-able source of aborigi-nal-based resources for

See ‘Program’ on pg. 3

Play Time...Maddie Willems, 2, had help from dad Nathan as she climbed on a play structure at Kin

Park last week. Sunnier weather of late has given children of all ages more outdoor play

opportunities.

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and become better prepared for many similar situations they will endure in their lifetime. [Help relieve that appre-hension by] practicing the route to school and reviewing school material from last year. If possible, walk through their school and classroom with them and check out their locker or cubbie.

It’s also a good idea to create a per-sonal safety plan with your child that corresponds with the school’s plan in case of emergencies (where to go and who to call); this can give you and your child more comfort while they are away from home.

Help your child to process any fears or concerns

Pay close attention to your children’s sleep patterns and their appetite. Any changes may be a sign of stress. Also note if they are experiencing stomach pains, headaches, anxiety, or poor con-centration. Share some of your own feelings and emotions you experienced when you started school or even a new job, and allow them to express theirs. Asking your children about their fears about returning to school will help lighten their load. Discuss what they enjoyed about school last year; also be prepared to discuss what can go wrong, and note that no matter what, you’ll be there to support them and help them. Let them know that change is normal and while it can be difficult, it can be very exciting when you’re prepared.

If children avoid their fears, they may be more fearful the next time, but if they face their fears and try to overcome them, they will likely become easier to face each

time. This helps build a child’s self- esteem and, in turn, empowers them to be successful in their future endeavours.

Be a positive influenceShow interest when discussing school. If

you are feeling anxious, or controlling too many of the child’s decisions, your attempts to motivate them will likely cause them to resist you, or to simply agree with you just to calm you down so they don’t have to feel further tension. This can turn into a power struggle between you and your child, and communication becomes hindered on both sides.

It’s best to inspire your children instead of controlling them. A controlling parent blocks communication, while an inspira-tional parent encourages communication and builds trust and respect for the relation-ship. You can be a positive influence by

showing your children that school is impor-tant to you. Recall some of your positive experiences in school, and the funny ones too. Encourage your children to have open discussions with you, and show an interest in school events and share your anticipation of your child’s new experiences.

Get involved and ask for helpBecoming aware of the school community

will help you understand your child’s environ-ments and create opportunities for dialogue with your child. It’s also a great way to meet new people and gain support for both of you. Be sure to learn about the available resources at the school and in the community.

If at any time you notice that you or your child are becoming stressed and overwhelmed with the pressures of the changes involved, speaking to a mental health specialist can →

I find that every child

feels appreciated

when hearing these three statements: I love you;

I’m proud of you; I want

you to be happy.

Charles Gregoire


The American Academy of Pediatrics has the follow-ing recommendations for a healthy start to the school year:

Backpacks: Choose a pack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Pack heavy

items in the centre, and be sure the bag does not exceed 10 to 20 per cent of your child’s body weight.

Teach your child to always use both shoulder straps, to pre-vent straining muscles.

Studying: Establish a permanent space

where your child can concentrate, and allow enough time for homework. Help your child when needed, but do not do the homework for them.

Bullying: Talk to your child about bullies, and how bullying is serious. Encourage them to report bullies to trusted adults, and teach them not to cheer or watch kids bully others.

Lunch & Snacks: Encourage your child’s school to stock healthy choices, including fresh fruit and veg-etables, low-fat dairy and 100 per cent fruit juice. Review the cafeteria menu to ensure proper nutrition and that your child will eat what is served. If you pack a lunch for your child, restrict sugary soft drinks.

Walk to school if possible

It’s an easy way to get that extra exercise in!

Pack healthy snacksOr have them available

throughout the day, espe-cially at home while you are doing homework or study-ing. It’s easy to grab junk food while you are home, but if you have healthy snacks ready to go, you’ll be more likely to choose that option.

Use your local gym to your advantage

Taking time away from the school atmosphere can help you clear your mind when you are stressed out and need a break.

Get motivated, and stay motivated!

Friends with the same goals and interests as you will help you stay focused with your active and healthy lifestyle. Plus it makes it that much more fun when you have some-one by your side!

Chiropractic on Main

Dr. Dominic McKenna B.A., D.C.

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Stay healthy during the school year

MorGan bryson

Charles Gregoire from page 41help with managing stress. Staff at your local nursing station, primary health care centre, hospital, or family doctor’s office will help you access support from a mental health professional.

Provide unconditional love and support for your child

Celebrate your child’s accomplish-ments. Trying is an accomplishment in itself, and every attempt a child makes is an opportunity to boost their happiness and help them feel proud of themselves. Encourage each child to develop their abilities and, within reason, make the

things they enjoy doing available for them. Accept their limitations, and remember that children require teaching, experience, and practice.

We learn from making mistakes, and various emotions arise from making these mistakes. Children experience the same range of feeling as adults, but they are not yet experienced at how to manage and cope with some of them. They require support from the adults in their lives to supply them with the love and guidance to have a well-balanced self-esteem. I find that every child feels appreciated when hearing these three statements: I love you; I’m proud of you; I want you to be happy.

The building blocks of a healthy student

Morgan Bryson is a certified personal trainer at Sal’s Fitness in Flin Flon. Here, Bryson shares some information for students on staying healthy through the back-to-school transition.


Your child’s school lunches and snacks are a major source of the essential vitamins and minerals they need to learn and play at school. Without enough energy from food, they may feel tired and find it difficult to concentrate in class. Try these tips for easy, fun and healthy school lunches:

- Cut sandwiches into triangles or dia-monds, use cookie-cutters to make different shapes.

- Change up the bread. Try different kinds of grains (rye, pumpernickel, flax) and different types of bread (whole grain torti-llas, bagels and pitas).

- Kids love to dip. Try cottage cheese, hummus, yogurt, or guacamole.

- Switch up the veggies and fruit. Give your kids something different to experience with each bite.

- Use an insulated lunch bag with a small ice pack for foods that need to stay cool. A frozen juice box or bottle of water can also help keep foods cold. Put foods that need to stay hot in a thermos. A thermos is also good for smoothies and milk.

Get into the swing of school with consistent routines

erin McKay

Set a daily routineWhen children know what

to expect each day, they are more apt to behave and comply with the schedule.

An important part of our family’s schedule is to have a set time for homework. Whether it is right after school or after sup-per, set aside a half hour or so as “homework” time. Even if your child does not have any school work assigned that day, they can use this time to read, write, or practice spelling words.

Organize the night beforeSchool day mornings can be

hectic for any parent. Plan meals, pack lunches, and choose outfits the night before. This will deter a morning meltdown

over what your little princess wants to wear to school.

Don’t take on too muchAvoid overwhelming yourself

or your children. September can be a stressful month. Volunteering, sports, and extracurricular activi-ties are important, but school is more important.

Talk to your children about their day

Sometimes it is difficult to get your child to share. Ask what they liked best about their day. Choose questions that require more than a one-word response. Let them know what you liked when you were in school. Keep the lines of com-munication open.

Communicate with your child’s teacherDon’t wait for parent

conferences to connect.

Take advantage of your local library

Beat summer learning loss by reading as much as possible.

The Flin Flon Public Library, a favourite destination for my three monkeys, has an amazing children’s corner.

Remember, returning to school does not have to be a bad thing. Learning is always an adventure!

Handy tips for healthier lunches

Healthy Snack: Cheese & Fruit Kebabs1 package (8 oz.) cheese, cut into 16 cubes16 seedless red grapes16 small fresh strawberries4 kiwi, peeled, quartered1 container (6 oz.) strawberry yogurt

Arrange one cheese cube, grape, strawberry and kiwi chunk on each of 16 small straws or wooden skewers. Serve the skewers as dippers with yogurt.

Thank you to the professionals who kindly contributed their expertise, and may everyone have a happy and safe school year!

Erin McKay is a grade two teacher at Creighton Community School. With 12 years of teaching under her belt, and three chil-dren of her own, McKay knows more than a few things about starting the school year off right.


~ Libby Stoker-Lavelle ~

It has been said that when we cease to learn, we cease to grow. For artists who hope to develop their craft, learning from a seasoned professional can be a powerful growth opportunity. This fall, writers in The Pas and surrounding communities will have the chance to work with Carter, a novelist, poet, and the first writer-in-residence for The Pas.

Lauren Wadelius, library administrator at The Pas Regional Library, organized the writer-in-residence pro-gram, and secured funding through the Manitoba Arts Council’s Artists in Community Residency Program.

Carter, who moved to The Pas from southern Ontario in 2013, holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Guelph. She has published a poetry collec-tion, Lichen Bright, a novel, Swarm, and numerous pieces of creative non-fiction. Carter’s writing has also been short-listed for several awards. In the run-up to CBC's Canada Reads 2014, readers around the country selected Swarm as one of the top 40 books that could change Canada.

“As a critically-acclaimed professional writer, Lauren has a wealth of experience,” says Wadelius. “Living in a northern community, we do not often have access to people of her knowledge and experience, and this is a great oppor-tunity for residents to take advantage of the guidance she can provide throughout the writing process.”

Carter also brings a teaching background to the writer-in-residence role: she taught business, academic, and creative writing at both Georgian College and Lakehead University in Ontario.

“I love teaching writing,” Carter notes on her website, laurencarter.ca. “It is immensely gratifying to watch people transition from discomfort with their own work to an under-standing that writing (and the experience of writing) can be shared and discussed beyond judgement.”

As writer-in-residence in The Pas, Carter will provide sup-port to local writers of all levels and genres. Starting in September, she will be available on a weekly basis for one-on-one consultation sessions at the library. She will also lead two

Opportunity Knocksfor Local Writers

The Pas gains a writer-in-residence

This September, author and poet Lauren Carter will become The Pas’ first writer-in-residence. SUBMITTED PHOTO


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14-week workshops, one for adults and one for high school students, from September to December. In these weekly workshops, Carter will provide insights on technique and issues of craft while also exploring work by current Canadian writers.

Community or school groups can take advantage of the writer-in-residence program by arranging for special workshops with Carter on topics such as journaling, memoir and fiction writing, or overcom-ing creative anxiety.

“I’m hoping to help build a writing community in the North,” Carter explains, “and support people who want to explore writing but might not otherwise have the opportunity to work with a professional writer. I’m really hoping to share my love of the craft. ”

What is perhaps most remarkable about these programs is that they are all free for participants, thanks to the Manitoba Arts Council.

When asked about any words of wisdom for communities that would like to establish an artist-in-residence program, Wadelius says, “There are funding opportunities out there. It is important to have your plans well thought-out, ensure that you consider all costs, and have the support of the community.”

“Having contact with the writer [or artist] is very important at the outset” she notes, “and it was fortunate for us to have a professional living in our community already.”

Wadelius’ experience shows that community leaders, instead of bemoaning the cost of bringing professionals into remote towns and cities, can create opportunities by seeking out those experts who are already living in their midst. By finding ways to let a local professional share her knowledge and experience with the community, Wadelius has created an enormous opportunity for enrichment. And that is something to write home about.

For more information about the writer-in-residence program or The Pas Regional Library, visit www.thepasregionallibrary.com, or email [email protected].

Lauren Wadelius, library administrator at The Pas Regional Library, secured the funds to create the writer-in-residence program.

PHOTO By LIBBy STOkEr-LavELLE


Thompson-based painter Jasyn Lucas has been honing his craft since elementary school, and his commitment has clearly paid off. At the young age of 35, Lucas has established himself as a well-known Canadian artist, with artwork exhibited in numerous gal-leries around the country. Lucas’ airbrushed paintings and murals bring the dramatic beauty of the North to life, with vivid, colour-ful landscapes that suggest a mystical world lingering just beyond this one.

CN: How did your interest in painting first develop? JL: When I was 10, my mother would take me shopping at the

Thompson Plaza. There was a store there that sold original Earl McKay Paintings, wildlife and landscape paintings. I absolutely loved them and knew that when I was older, I wanted to paint just like him. I would eventually follow the works of similar artists like Jeff Monias and Robert Bateman. At 12, I took my first personal lessons with Earl McKay.

CN: Many northerners are familiar with your paintings of the Northern Lights. Which subjects are most compelling to you?

JL: The Northern Lights came to me unexpectedly. When I first started my career, I would have to take on many different jobs—I still do. One of the jobs was airbrushing a snowmobile helmet. I hung a black sheet on the wall behind my work area to prevent a mess on the wall, and I would clean out my airbrush and do test strips on the sheet. While using greens one day, my test area resembled what to me looked like Northern Lights! I lined up about 10 canvasses and have been paintings the Northern Lights ever since. Most are expressive and some are more realistic. I enjoy the physical act of creating a rhythm while applying the medium, since I work on up to 20 canvases at the same time. It takes a certain commitment and stamina that can be exhausting.

I enjoy other subjects as well that are more surreal, like fantasy and sci-fi.

Q & Awith

Jasyn Lucas- Libby Stoker-Lavelle -

Painter Jasyn Lucas works on multiple canvases at once, up to 20 at a time. Photo by Nikki brightNose

The artist’s studio is a peaceful oasis created by his own hand.Photo by Nikki brightNose


CN: How has your style evolved over time?JL: When I first began painting, I was always trying to paint like other artists, copying

them and wishing I were like them. My parents would always say, “Paint from the heart…paint like Jasyn Lucas.” It wouldn’t be until after college that I would start to fully under-stand what they meant. When I let go of the rules and started to paint with more of an expressive application and approach, my art became stronger. I began to relax, I would use colours I normally wouldn’t and turn things around on purpose. I’d take risks, and let my intuition take over. The more I did that, the easier and more fun painting became.

When I combined my intuition with formal principles of design, I ended up with successful compositions and pieces that would eventually and naturally sell.

CN: How has your background shaped you as a person, and as an artist?JL: I am a proud member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. I was born Jason

Bighetty and was adopted by Jack and Wendy Lucas, a British family. Jack and Wendy had a daughter, Tami, and adopted another girl, Tina. Later on, they adopted two more Aboriginal girls, Rosie and Sarah. It was cool growing up because I had two families, one I had never met, and one that had kids from all over. My friends were both white and Aboriginal.

In Thompson, there is racism, but the thing I choose to remember is all the great people in the North from different backgrounds who genuinely love living together and working together, and living the best way we can as a community and as human beings.

CN: Last summer you worked with a group of Flin Flon youth from the Friendship Centre to create a mural on Bellevue Avenue. You have led community projects with young people at home in Thompson as well. What drives you to work with youth?

JL: Young people are so impressionable. They need leadership and guidance, and they are intrigued by structure and confidence. They are great followers. In order to be a great leader, you must first be a great follower. I learn a lot from them too, as we are each con-stantly learning. I like to encourage them to be brave, to face social anxieties and lead a balanced lifestyle.

CN: What are some of the challenges you have overcome in your career? JL: My biggest challenge is balance, and leading a healthy lifestyle. I faced a lot of

anxiety when I first started my career because I thought I had to be working constantly. I abandoned my friends, family and exercise and became obsessive over work. Eventually, I suffered major anxiety attacks for several months straight. I would later learn, through a lot of reading, that it was anxiety, and not a physical sickness, that had me panicking. I had to step back and rearrange my life and way of thinking. I still have to do this.

CN: What words of advice do you have for those who want to become profes-sional artists, or want to turn a hobby into a career?

JL: Start with a strong resume, a biography and head shot, a portfolio, an artist state-ment, and get a business name and number, business insurance, and GST and PST numbers. Do your taxes. Drink lots of water. Set certain times when you do business and other times for your family and yourself. Ignore your phone sometimes—don’t let it run your life.

CN: How can readers learn more about you and your artwork? JL: I am currently creating a new website to be launched later this fall. If you go

online, there are many different links that can help you explore my history and portfolio [try woodlandprinters.ca/lucas.htm to start].

“When I let go of the rules…my art became stronger,” Lucas recalls. Photo by JasyN Lucas

The artist at work.Photo by Nikki brightNose

In 2013, Lucas worked with Flin Flon youth to create a collaborative mural.Photo courtesy of the NorVa ceNtre

Lucas’ look at nature differently.Photo by JasyN Lucas

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Cottage North Vol 12 Issue 5

Documents

Transcript of Cottage North Vol 12 Issue 5