A simple stand

AuroraDiana — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:19:09 +0000

A day in the mountains with Hubie at Sutikalh

There is a place near Whistler, that, despite its physical proximity, is worlds away from ski resort territory. Sutikalh is a camp that was established on May 2, 2000 and still stands as the St’at’imc nation’s open refusal to allow it, too, to be ‘developed.’

Upon hearing of government and corporate plans to build a $500 million all season ski and recreation resort in this untouched Alpine mountain area, members of the St'at'imc nation decided to make the Sutikalh camp permanent, voicing their rallying cry against the continued territorial trespassing of government and corporate interests on this still unceded land.

Hubert Jim, or Hubie, as he prefers to be called, has been living off the land at Sutikalh for nine years. When asked why he is there, his responses are simple and non-violent, a mirror of his interconnected world view. “I am here because I was asked [by the community] to come in and protect this place. I am here as a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Part of the Cayoosh Moutain Range, the region is the natural habitat of grizzly bears, cougar, bobcat, wolverine, deer, hawks, owls, and contains one of the largest herds of mountain goats now remaining in North America. The nearby river is one of two pristine water sources left in the area, which has also been used traditionally as a spiritual and cultural meeting place for centuries.

It doesn’t take much to see why this land is so sought-after: a brief walk in the surroundings of Sutikalh’s simple cabin-and-tents setup confirms its value—both environmental and spiritual—to any passing visitor.

Of which Sutikalh has many: in the spirit of its tradition, the camp has become somewhat of a center for back-to-the-land education in the past decade. Though the impetus for its creation was political, its resilience has come to expand the original anti-development mission.

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Car free day on Commercial Drive

AuroraDiana — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:29:05 +0000

It’s a carnival, a platform for social change, a marketplace, a dance party, a constant barrage of people, movement and activity. But while the festival erupts outside, what do business owners and workers on the Drive see? The street seems to symbolize community and gathering on most days; what does it stand for on an official, city-sponsored pedestrian day? I spoke to some of the people that work hard every day to make Commercial Drive a thriving environment about what they think of cars and the lack of them on this day, and how they envision their community in the future.

One of the first business owners I found was Patrick Iannone, owner of Paranada boutique at Grant.

“It’s a big day,” he started, as he arranged the store’s outdoor vending tables, “I think it’s super important to have these days so that people can see how beautiful this can be.”

While he showed some initial hesitation at the suggestion that the street be closed to traffic at all times, a moment’s thought had him change his mind. “They closed Cambie for two years, close it [Commercial Drive] every Sunday!”

This begs the question: if a major downtown artery can be closed—albeit with much aggravation to us all—could we not also adjust to allowing a few city blocks to be pedestrian-only zones at all times? Amidst the carnival, introducing the viability of such a proposition is, to many, Car Free Day's purpose.

“We’ve always been very supportive,” says Ray Viaud, manager of the People’s Co-op Bookstore at Kitchener, who went on to describe Car Free Day as being a combination of social statement and a celebration of community.

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Aurora Prelevic

A simple stand

Car free day on Commercial Drive