Author: markvanisland

September 28th–30th

The colours are so gorgeous around here! There is a mixture of conifers and deciduous trees and the landscape is rich with colour. The weather is also quite glorious… most days are sunny. Sure the temperatures vary between -8 and 12 degrees…But the chilly winds and dampness from the coast aren’t present here. It’s quite stunning and many colleagues enjoy recreational time outdoors. Some are kayaking the endless lakes. Some are mountain biking. Some are fishing. Some are hiking. Some are riding horses. Some are hunting. I enjoy walking and taking photos to share on my blog! 😉🤔

The other big event of this week was orange T-Shirt day. There is a new picture book from Strong Nations which explains the story of orange T-shirt day. The purpose of this day is to remind us about the injustices of government forced removal of aboriginal children to attend Residential schools prior to the late 1970’s.

All lessons were about this topic this week. There were so many questions, opinions, thoughts, visions, and discussions by our amazing young children.

September 24th and 25th 2018

Besides the traffic coming from the main street–semis, logging trucks, etc. and the train that passes by every hour or so, it’s pretty darn quiet in our side of town. 🙂 So we were quiet shocked when we received a phone call asking what was happening across the street. Hmmm? It was an interesting episode of the Voice and we didn’t hear anything. However,  when we opened the curtains… Oh my! It seemed most of the emergency vehicles from Burns Lake were across the street! In the end everybody departed…We still don’t know what happened, but I learned there are lots of emergency vehicles here!

The next day at WKE school we participated in Orca Live. I had been teaching students about coastal Vancouver Island and showing video clips of Orcas at rubbing beaches. We had 3 classes of students in the Learning Commons interacting with this live broadcast.  I can’t show front views of students, but you can see lots of participation!

I even received a message from a colleague at my previous school E.V.E.S. in Port Hardy during the event who saw my tweet on twitter as we were all asking questions. Hello Jill. I miss you!

Late September 2018

When a colleague phoned and asked if I would like to go hiking on a sunny day I jumped at the opportunity! So… I had my second experience at gorgeous Kager Lake.  It’s less than 10 minutes toward Boer Mountain Road from town. As we arrived we met a group of mountain bikers about to start their rides on the many trails in the area. I recognized one of the IT guys in our school district and another fellow teacher. I’m starting to feel more settled and part of this community now.

The day was perfect and we even saw evidence of beaver activity in one area. Thanks Wendy!

Late September

Well….It’s getting close to snow time so the outdoor activities will change then, but we are definitely returning up here next June or so with our kayaks to explore the many, many, many beautiful lakes in this area. Mark enjoyed the biking trails. I prefer to explore more of the hiking/walking trails around here.

After the photos of the banners, you will see my blue Jetta waiting to get its winter tires on. Yes. Before Oct. 1st! They were running late because a loaded logging truck was before me! It’s hunting season around here right now. It’s very common to see people in trucks with ATV’s or Quads in the back dressed in their camouflage clothing sometimes putting their rifles in/out of their trucks!  Even several teachers on our staffs are keen hunters and head out as often as possible. Most are young females!

The photos of the massive semis and trucks passing through the 20 km zone area are taken as I walk along our main street of downtown! Yes. The highway is our main street! We walk beside semis, loaded logging trucks, excavators, recreational vehicles, enormous blades and equipment for mines, etc. The traffic is non stop and quite entertaining. However, you have to be on your toes when you cross the road. Today I was quite shocked when a semi actually stopped on the main road to let me cross! That really caught me off guard!

Then there is the CN train which runs at least every hour….sometimes more often. During the night it is especially loud and feels like a phenomenally lengthy earthquake! It is amazing how much is transported by train across our vast land. If you happen to be driving towards the community park/curling rink area or towards Francois Lake/Southside and you arrive during a train crossing time, be prepared to sit and wait for 10 minutes or more as those trains are long! Behind the post office/fire hall area in the evenings there are multiple empty logging trucks which park along the train line area.

Did you notice the fire danger rating? After extensive and frightening forest fires up here for most of the summer, we have now dropped to a low rating. Who would believe it?

Late September 2018

Although there are 9 bands in this geographical area of BC, there are 4 clans. These clans are represented by totems around downtown Burns Lake… Just off the main highway that goes through downtown.  

They are also represented by wooden carvings on the grounds in front of the newest Hotel just west of town.

The hotel is owned by one or more bands and is also the location of the cheapest gas in town. Unfortunately as I don’t own a status card, I don’t benefit from the cheap rate. The fuel is even cheaper there than in Prince George!

Across the street is the only (and much used) car wash in town. I’ve never been there when it wasn’t busy!

September 21st 2018

It was a busy week! One school had Meet the staff night complete with stamping passports for chances to win prizes at the end of the night. Great idea.   I had displays about topics being taught in the Learning Commons and more displays of ocean/whales/coastal FN in the hall. French Immersion parents shared my space promoting the French Immersion program at WKE.

I spent the week researching about the 4 clans represented around town. On Friday during the Pro-D I got to spend the morning with another Teacher Librarian at the high school touring the gorgeous school and learning about some history of the area. It was quite fascinating! The Learning Commons was modern and comfy hosting its own cappuccino machine and very comfy furniture. There were cultural rooms, art rooms, languages, metal work, automotive, drama, dance, weight room, music sound room, home ec, textiles, cool computer programming, several science labs, etc. They also have won the provincial snowboarding championships for multiple years!

The art rooms were well stocked and there was lots of colourful and exciting art and First Nations work displayed.   I sent photos to my friend Kathleen who was an innovative art teacher in sd85 but was battling with cancer. She loved the art!  It was one of the last messages we exchanged as tragically she lost her battle with cancer on October 9th. 😭😳💔

In the photos above, There are photos of the truth and reconciliation project the entire school participated in. The tree at the front has 6 roots representing FN bands . There are six local First Nations bands (Burns Lake, Lake Babine, Cheslatta, Wet’suwet’en, Skin Tyee and Nee Tahi-Buhn.)  and there are 4 clans in this area. I’ll post about that next post. Every student and staff created one feather with a message to be cast in metal and form the wings on the stunning eagle which stands so magestically watching over the entrance of the high school. Well done Lakes District Secondary School!

September 17th, 2018

I’ve participated in many Cops for Cancer presentations in Port Hardy during my 34 years teaching in SD85, but I’ve never witnessed a presentation quite like this one before! All the students K–7 at William Konkin Elementary in Burns Lake were seated in the school gymnasium then the music played, the side door opened, and over 30 riders drove into the gym and around the students on their bicycles!

It was totally engaging and the students were thrilled! Eventually they all stopped at the front in a long line while the emcee explained of the goals of Cops for Cancer to raise money to send children dealing with cancer (and their families) to Camp Good Times. Then several riders demonstrated how to hover on their bikes. After the presentation the riders rode into the crowd where they interacted with students and passed out Cops for Cancer tattoos. What an awesome morning!

September 12–17, 2018

I have been enjoying this beautiful September by walking around Burns Lake after school trying out coffee houses and getting a feel for this friendly community. The German owner of one coffee house makes everything from scratch (drinks and bakery items) and always sources organic materials. He loves to chat and is very upbeat and positive. The Boer Mountain coffee house also sources organic materials and also offers delicious fresh bakery items, soups, sandwiches, a health food store, and organic local meats. A third coffee shop beside FYI optometrist Alternative Grounds looks more yuppy in appearance and offers breakfast too. However,  the coffee shops usually close by 4:00ish. The major grocery stores are the PC Wholesale Store (mini costco type) and a Save On Foods store (which rarely has BBQ chickens available!). Check out the salt licks!

The Terry Fox run is a big event here and I really wanted to participate in the run and activities at Francois Lake. There is local entertainment (chorals, highland dancing, fiddle and east coast type bands), art, silent auctions, etc. Unfortunately, an unexpected visit to Emerg. occured that day and I didn’t get a chance to participate in this community event, but did get a tour of the hospital.

I was also invited for my first home cooked meal by a lovely teaching colleague. What a treat! Thanks Monica and Edmund! They told me they have fox, coyote, and bears which wander through their yard :-0

September 7–10 2018

At school we had a special musical concert from the Kerplunks to lift spirits due to the challenging summer with the forest fires and evacuations in areas. They were upbeat and fun…. what a surprise to discover the 4 musicians were from Vancouver Island! (Nanaimo area and Sointula!!!  Home time for me!)

Mark and I drove past the forest fire tent area in Fraser Lake (no longer there btw) to Prince George to visit my bro! We went to a local hockey game. The PG Spruce Kings were playing. At Intermission They threw a few promotional TShirts up to the fans and Mark caught one! Pretty tiny though lol

Saying goodbye as Mark flew home to Nanaimo and driving solo back to Burns Lake was rather emotional. Flying solo for awhile! Leaving Prince George on Sept 9th there was a big FN event by the Mr PG. What was going on?

Well… my sponsor family was waiting at home base… So much to discover yet and so many goals to achieve at my work locations!

Sept. 6th 2018

While Mark was still staying with me in Burns Lake we decided to explore the Lakes area more. The secretaries from both schools I work at come from Topley and there are many library books in the Decker Lake library from Topley as the school was shut down several years ago. Topley is 49 km from Burns Lake and takes about 35 minutes to drive there. There is an interesting general store and cafe boasting photos of the past to check out just off the highway.

Then it is another drive 49 km mainly north (about 35 minutes), partially along Babine Lake, to arrive at Granisle. It is a beautiful drive and my principal from Decker is also the principal of Babine Lake school. Apparently if you are really lucky during snow season you might chance upon a Lynx during the trip. Also, at the right time….moose are fairly common I’m told. Well…We didn’t see any Lynx or Moose this trip, but we did see deer and bear!

We stopped at the fish ladders and were in awe by the enormous number of salmon dedicated to leaping over the fish walls! But in the 1/2 hour we watched….only 1 was successful!

As we neared Granisle heading down the hill towards the lake, I felt de ja vous of Port Alice! Weird….but there are some similarities! This tiny village is struggling ATM as the mine has shut down, but there is a strong push for tourism and sections of the village are looking new and revitalized. They are currently creating a lovely campground adjacent to the lake. Check out the sign on the school fence!