Page 2 Cassiar Courier July 1987

The Team Who’ve Worked so Diligently to Complete “The Legend in Wood” .

May 28th was an exciting day at Cassiar Secondary School - a nine month project was complete! The first totem pole in the area, carv- ed by nine native students, was raised in front of the school, to the cheers of approximately 500 spectators.

The idea for a totem pole was conceived two years ‘ago by Judith Knapp and Norma Ray. With enthusiastic approval from David Hogg, Prin- cipal, and Victor Wells, the Band Manager at Good Hope Lake. the idea was to become a reality.

Beginning last October, with the selection and cutting of the poplar tree, the boys from Mrs. Trask’'s class have spent approximately two hours each week, carving, sanding and finally painting the pole. These long hours of work all accom- plished under the guidance of Clary Poitras.

At the pole raising, Poitras welcomed the many visitors from Telegraph Creek, Dease Lake, Lower Post, Good Hope Lake and special guests from the Indian Affairs Office in Whitehorse. He explained the types of totem poles. Chiefs have a “family pole’’ which is a status symbol and de- picts the history of an individual family. The “community pole” records the legends and hist- ory of a community or society, and a ‘“‘living pole’, a live tree designating hunting and fishing grounds claimed by a band or tribé in an area.

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The Proud Carvers Carry Their Totem Pole to its Pad, Then Quickly Hoist it into Place

Minor Softball

Season is Over!

PICTURES ON PAGE 10

“LEGEND”

Some Years ago the Wolf Clan and the Crow Clan Came together in Peace They shared the far north The land of the haunting Loon They lived in Harmony with The animals of earth The fish in the waters The fowl of the air The promise was given By the most powerful of Gods The one called the Son That one day from there midst Would rise a great Leader A chief that would soar like an Eagle Powered by the Spirit of the Son of God “Are you the One”

The Totem Pole is divided into seven figures. The individual figures were carved by:

Marty Marion Kevin Johnny

Crow and Wolf Man With a Talking Stick

Loon ae Raymond Carlick Beaver Willie Porter Two Fish Steven Johnny, Joseph Johnny

and Jason Dennis Dennis Dennis Huey Dennis

White Owl Eagle Man

On Saturday, June 27th, under bright and sunny skies, approximately 100 junior ball play- ers took part in the Annual Minor Softball Tourn- ament, sponsored by the Cassiar Lions Club. Three T-Ball and five Slowpitch teams partic- ipated.

After the last ‘out’ had been called, all team members and their coaches gathered on the field. | Presentations were made to the ‘Most Sportsmanlike’, and ‘Most Improved’ on each T-Ball team. The Slowpitch teams also had a

’ enthusiasm.

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The spectators became silent as Alex Akiwenzie of Whitehorse began the drum beats which started the Totem Pole Raising Ceremony. Everyone turned towards the road, as Cpl.. Don Harrison led the carvers carrying the pole into the school yard, followed by Norma Ray and Iris Trask. As the drum beats quickened, the totem pole was erected, a symbol of achievement for these young carvers!

Following the ceremony the crowd gather- ed at the rear of the school to feast on moose stew and bannock prepared by Ms. Tavener and her students for this occasion. People qathered around the fire, toasting marshmallows, and all agreed, ‘‘It was a very historic day for Cassiar!”’

A Large Growd: Stayed to Enjoy the Feast and the Bonfire US —" - —sw we 4

Many people are to be complimented for their part in this project: Iris Trask and Norma Ray, David Hogg and the Secondary School staff and students for their support, Clary Poitras for his instruction and guidance, Pat Hickman for building the cement foundation for the totem pole, David Duke and his crew for the audio- visual record of the carving and ceremony, and ‘a very special thanks to the residents of Good Hope Lake for their active participation and

All youngsters were presented with a participation medal.

Following the awards,: players and their families were treated to hamburgers at the Curling Club.

‘Most Valuable’ player award.

Special thanks to Patrick Waldera for once again organizing the Minor Softball in Cassiar. Also to the coaches, umpires, scorekeepers and the parents for their enthusiastic cheers! Once again, a lot of appreciation goes to the Cassiar Lions Club for their continued support of junior ball in Cassiar.

CASSIAR |

Bits & Pieces

Fred Cadoret has sent a postcard from Russia. With a group of Montreal war veterans, he has the honour of being included in the first official delegation to the USSR. Fred is also visiting London, Paris, Marseille and Monte Carlo. Knowing Fred, the first thing he packed is his fishing rod!

Spotted Jimmy Grainger’s photo in “Luck” Magazine a couple of weeks ago. He’s working out of Revelstoke and had won $20,000 on “The Pick”. :

Speaking of winners - Mrs. Schneeberger just picked up a few grand on the 649,

Overheard in the Courier Office: “I don’t know where you're talking about - but I was there!!!”

Tim Walters on a trip to New Orleans suffered a condi- tion diagnosed as “burning lips”! Could we have further information as to the cause of this?

The great northern woman who chopped wood and carried water is dead. All thats left is an “air-head”’!

Julie - we hear that D. Hogg has no sense of the ha! ha! and would not give you “maternity” leave!!

A recent complaint to the highways department concern- ing the poor condition of the Cassiar road was interesting. The complaintant stated, “There are so many pot holes I've had to drive the speed limit for over a week!”

Congrats to the Swimfit crowd! These gals are racking up the miles as they push on to fitness. Marlene really likes it. “I’ve got so much energy when I get home after- ward,” she exclaims. That’s good hey, David?

Cec still has to “pick-up” for her son - even at his age! The Schnapps twins did very well at the recent bridge. party. It’s a good thing that they are not always partners -

the game could get quite strange.

Overheard at a recent dinner, “‘Sock it to her, Shamus!”

We are all hoping one day Pat catches a fly ball!

_ Judy W. and Pat H. recently left Vancouver rocking

on its heels!! Judy says people there just don’t have a sense of humor!

We've decided to buy Pauline a pen that writes in the rain. It would sure make keeping score at T-ball games a lot easier.

Congratulations to all those who recently received their Grade 12 diploma from G.E.D.

Now that Frank Buckley is leaving, how is Sandy going’

to keep up with the news? We all know she is too cheap to buy a newspaper. (Frank told us!)

Who hijacked Verna on the way to Vancouver?

How stupid can you get - Paul. A $1000 fish caught a week too soon! Ever thought of tying it up?

What exactly was Mary doing with those balloons on Hunt Street after a certain birthday party! Really Mary!

We understand there is a new party game - something to do with whip cream and chests?

Aquazize is progressing well. Moans and groans can be heard at some of the exercises, but one gal seemed afraid she might loose her foot - care to elaborate Dar- _lene?

On May 27th, a baby shower was held for Bev Storie at the home of Nancy Gleason. Bev received many lovely gifts from her friends who share in welcoming the safe arrival of her son, Kevin. Thanks go to Nancy Gleason and Gayleen Connolly who co-hosted this evening

and made it very enjoyable for all:

Erickson Creek Column

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by Lorraine Lanteigne

The Druids celebrate the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge marching, dressed in white robes with re- ligious pomp and circumstance. The People of the Moun- tain and their friends celebrate this “Longest Day” of the Year at the Erickson ball field with little “pomp” but with lots of zealous circumstance! The intent of such an occasion at Erickson is to have fun and to kick the summer off in fine style.

This party is sponsored by the Erickson Recrea- tion Committee and they are the ones that do the “‘bull- work”. Special regards for their volunteer efforts must go to Joe Hebert, John McGrath, Karyn King, Bob Best, Ray Morrissey, Jason Hebert, John Lanteigne, Tim Walters and a girl named Mickey (as in mouse). Tom McGrail kept watch at the bridge for most of the evening and I hear that Monty cleaned the park after everyone had gone Sunday morning.

With hot dogs and ice cream given freely to the children, and freshly cooked lobster and T-bone steaks going for a reasonable fee, the participants in this solstice celebration eat well and a little differently. Getting a whole lobster to eat - without any utensils can be aggravating. Those of us who know how to crack the beasties did so for others - a very interesting and splattering affair!

A baseball tournament was held. It was for fun - and is highly regarded as an excellent way to play the sport in the spirit of joyous competition! Geology won again - it seems they were a little more solvent than the two other teams! !

The characteristic I have always enjoyed most about the Longest Day of the Year party is the way it flows. It is not “overly organized” which to me means that other than supplying the food and the environment, nobody is responsible for making sure that anyone else has a good time. There exists a free spirited atmosphere of enjoying one’s self. Lots of visiting occurs and as the evening progresses people gather around the large bonfire pit, sitting or standing, mingling with each other. The mountains stand tall and silent, the creek runs in- dependent - unfettered in its rush towards its destina- tion. And as the twilight deepens the bonfire reaches its sparky fingers towards the sky.

There is never just one “highlight” in an evenine such as this, but many people interact and boistrous

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Pat Waldera lost his cap over a cliff recently. Gary figured he should have tried to retrieve it. After all it was an Expo cap!

Overheard at the pool when a four year old was asked if he could dunk his face in the water, “Yes, I can do that great, but ACTUALLY I don’t want to!”

Many thanks to the Slumber Lodge in Terrace, who after a recent stay there returned a pair of earrings I had left in the room. I was sure they .were gone for- ever, but it proves nice things still do happen.

The official opening of the Erickson Yacht and Country Club took place on the 27th of June. Special guests were Ti Harrison from Australia and Stefan Nilsson from Sweden. Ti and Stefan are trecking around the world. Stefan met Ti in Australia during his travels and Ti joined him in Miami after travelling to Asia. The couple are on their way to Alaska and then back to Sweden. They are planning to be married in Australia as soon as all can be organized — and would really enjoy a return visit to Canada!

Quote from the “Silver Fox” - “Anyone can dye their hair, it takes a real man to face reality!”

On June 16th, former and current employees of the Cassiar Post Office gathered for a farewell luncheon to say good-bye to Doreen Wanner. Doreen is moving to Campbell River at the end of June. We all wish her the best in her new life there. Doreen has been the senior assistant. at the post office for approximately a year.

Congratulations to Patricia Farrell, formerly of Cassiar - now living in Newfoundland, who recently won the

Ladies Single event in the Canadian Darts Competition held in Winnipeg. -

The Clothes Closet will be under new management when this paper come out; but I would like to take this opport- unity to thank all my customers for their support and friendship during my ownership of the shop. It has been a wonderful ‘experience for me and a great opportunity to get to know some terrific ladies of Cassiar. My very best wishes to Pat and Ross Harper. I wish them all the

Cassiar Courier July 1987 Page 3

laughter can be heard amongst many groups with the occassional “Yahoo” yelled across the bonfire as people pass in the night.

At one point I wandered away from the festivit- ies (not far, just to the flatdeck by the creek). I watched - and as my eyes moved from ball field to beer garden, and from boiling lobsters and sizzling steaks to the bon- fire I recognized the good that exists in an event such as this. An event which characterizes not only the spirit of the people who inhabit this north land - but also defines the spirit that is Erickson Gold with its unique blend of personalities.

Someone once told me that we (at Erickson) are no different than others who work for a living - Ah, but we are and if nobody else recognizes it I do. And when the day comes when I say goodbye to Erickson

- Gold and its people, I will be saying goodbye to a very

special place inhabited by very special people!

I made a bet with one of the fellows at Erickson that it wouldn’t rain for the Longest Day party. It didn’t - and I won - but boy did it come down the next day! So much so that Surface Foreman, Mike Botel, patrolling the mine site saw John Lanteigne’s boat caught in some snag on its way down Erickson Creek! Leaping from his loader, Mike notified John - ‘You’re loosing your boat!” he yelled through the kitchen door. Spurred to action and with the help of Tim Walters (the cook he slashed the night before in a tong fight while cooking steaks), son James and yours truly (who went along to report on the action), John was at the fast’ running and even faster rising creek, in a flash. Water cowboys Tim and Mike, stood ready to lasso the boat as it came to the Erickson bridge and James went to search at the ball field. John walked along the creek finding the boat in the snag,with barely moments to spare he dove into the water to rescue his boat - and luckily lived to tell the tale!

Meanwhile back at the bridge I, (knowing the man I married well) discussed with Tim how we would rescue John should he come swirling down the creek sans boat. We both decided we’d jump in and grab him, although our heroics never got the chance to be proven!

By the morning, the road into Erickson had been washed out, but (as Mike figured it would) the bridge still stood. People coming into work were carried across in the loader bucket - sort of a “‘lifting’”’ experince!

Goodbye to Rosy our previous Surface Foreman who returns to wife and family in Stewart. A boistrous farewell was hosted by the Tates at their cabin where

presentations were made by Mine Manager Tom McGrail.

To all, have a good summer. Enjoy your holidays - and come back refreshed and ready for another stint at Erickson. For those who will work here throughout the summer, Enjoy! For as in the words of a dear friend of mine - “While we Live - Let us Live”! !

+> — > ~~ ~ ~ ~ - >

One of the “three little pigs’ was in the Twilight Zone

the other night. When her hubby woke her from a nap

she proceeded to start getting ready for work, after giving him ..... for letting her sleep in!

Need a room for the night, Rick K. rents out the back seat of his car - really cheap!

Judy, Marg, Leslie and Jim’s mom paid a quick visit to Cassiar - mainly to help Judy on the drive to Penticton, Nice to see you, Mom - don’t pick up any speeding tickets on the drive to the sun!

Lisa McKenna and Judy Walker : Special guests at a party hosted by GiGi McGlynn and Gail Harrison

~ COURIER CONTEST WINNER

Congratulations to the Zubek family who were the winners in last month’s Courier Contest. The correct answers were: 1. Norm Cosnett, 2. Kees van der Pol, 3. Sandy Crawford, 4. Sister Claire Murphy, 5. Pat Lan- phear 6. Frank Buckley, 7. Karen Brocklebank, 8. Mar- geretta McGuinness, 9. Patrick Waldera, 10. Lil Kamlah. There were several entries which were correct, therefore a random draw was made by staff members. Thank you to,

all_ who_ participated. and watch for another contest. -<

in the fall.