When I was in local government as an Invermere Town Councillor, I worked with my colleagues to keep Jumbo wild. There was never a doubt in my mind that the Jumbo Valley is simply the wrong place for a mega-resort. It is also the wrong place for a boutique resort or any kind of development that threatens the environment and the established local economy we have already built.
You know it. I know it.
For millennia, the Ktunaxa First Nation has called Jumbo Valley Qat'Muk. Qat'Muk is a sacred place, the home of grizzly bear spirit. After the provincial government failed to value the results of consultations with the Ktunaxa Nation regarding Jumbo Valley, the Ktunaxa decided they needed to go public in 2010 to save their sacred place from its destruction. They released the Qat'Muk Declaration in Victoria at BC's Legislature.
Since then, they have taken action through the courts and will see their case heard at the Supreme Court of Canada. This will be a precedent-setting case on how Canadian governments are to consider religion and spiritual traditions in their duty to consult with First Nations on land use. It will also give clear direction to the Province of BC on how to respect Qat'Muk.
Another issue that has come up as a result of BC Liberal Minister Bill Bennett's personal drive for Jumbo Glacier Resort is the fake town of Jumbo. It governs no one and nothing, but receives money from provincial taxpayers to keep up the sham of a resort development. Not only is this completely undemocratic, it is just plain ridiculous. Sadly, it is line with Christy Clark's do-whatever-it-takes approach to selling off BC.
Everyday that I am out talking to Kootenay people, they tell me that keeping Jumbo wild is a top priority. These are strong, determined folk, and I'm 100% with them. After 25 years, they're not about to back down now, and I am equally as determined to help them fight to preserve this beautiful place.
You know it. I know it.
For millennia, the Ktunaxa First Nation has called Jumbo Valley Qat'Muk. Qat'Muk is a sacred place, the home of grizzly bear spirit. After the provincial government failed to value the results of consultations with the Ktunaxa Nation regarding Jumbo Valley, the Ktunaxa decided they needed to go public in 2010 to save their sacred place from its destruction. They released the Qat'Muk Declaration in Victoria at BC's Legislature.
Since then, they have taken action through the courts and will see their case heard at the Supreme Court of Canada. This will be a precedent-setting case on how Canadian governments are to consider religion and spiritual traditions in their duty to consult with First Nations on land use. It will also give clear direction to the Province of BC on how to respect Qat'Muk.
Another issue that has come up as a result of BC Liberal Minister Bill Bennett's personal drive for Jumbo Glacier Resort is the fake town of Jumbo. It governs no one and nothing, but receives money from provincial taxpayers to keep up the sham of a resort development. Not only is this completely undemocratic, it is just plain ridiculous. Sadly, it is line with Christy Clark's do-whatever-it-takes approach to selling off BC.
Everyday that I am out talking to Kootenay people, they tell me that keeping Jumbo wild is a top priority. These are strong, determined folk, and I'm 100% with them. After 25 years, they're not about to back down now, and I am equally as determined to help them fight to preserve this beautiful place.
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