B.C. and Territories

First Nations of BC--Languages

2007-12-14T05:26:13Z

Map of First Nations in B.C

The First Nations of BC refer to those people that can trace their ancestry to the aboriginal people that inhabited the land that is now British Columbia prior to the arrival of Europeans and Americans in the late 18th century.

British Columbia’s population of First Nations peoples, those that inhabited the land prior to the invasion of the Europeans and Americans. The First Nations of BC account for one third of all of the First Nations in Canada; there 198 different tribes, each with its own beliefs, stories, and practices.

There are more than thirty languages spoken by the First Nations of British Columbia. Some include the dialect of the Haisla, Heiltsuk, Kwakiutl, and Nootka sects. Each language has its own origin, depending on the location of a specific tribe. “Beaver” is spoken in the Northeast of British Columbia; it falls under the Athabaskan category.

Unfortunately, all of the native languages are endangered, while a handful has already vanished. Pentlatch, which was spoken in the central east region of Vancouver, for example, became extinct in 1940. Not very many First Nations children learn the language of their ancestors, so there is a small population of youth speakers.

Canada's Northwest Passage

2007-12-11T01:09:17Z

Canada may be on it way to becoming one of the most important countries involved in the trade industry as the northwest passage began to open during this past summer. The northwest passage acts as a big shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and it would save a lot of time and fuel for ships to travel through Canada 's arctic then to use the alternative routes that connect the two oceans. The opening up of this passage has also spurred an international competition for who should claim ownership and control over the shipping lane and newly accessible natural resources. Canada claims that that they have full rights over the parts of the passage that passes there territory, while the European Union and US state that it is international waters. Also Russia dropped a titanium capsule containing the the russian flag on to the arctic sea floor at the North Pole in hopes of securing the Arctic's natural resources. Canadian scientist, Andre Rochon, is worried that if there were more shipping happening in the area it would lead to and increased risk of accident and pollution, and Canada does not have the infrastructure to support this. Thats why Rochon states along with other scientists that Canada must quickly learn as much as they can in order to prepare for the upcoming changes. ]]>

Ethel Wilson & Swamp Angel

2007-12-09T21:17:00Z

In class we read an excerpt in From Ink Lake by Ethel Wilson entitled “Swamp Angel”, and I found the entry very amusing. Since the basis of the novel could not be determined by the entry, I decided to do a bit of research regarding Wilson and her novel. Ethel Wilson was born in 1888 in South Africa. She moved to England after her mother passed away, and then to Vancouver to live with her grandmother after the death of her father in 1898. She became an elementary school teacher before she began writing stories; her first published novel was called Hetty Dorval. Wilson is known as “…one of the first Canadian writers to capture truly the rugged and unsurpassed beauty of the BC landscape.” She depicted particular places that she cherished like the English Bay area. She won a multitude of honors because of her contributions to Canadian literature. The Canada Council Medal, the Lorne Pierce Medal of the Royal Society of Canada, and the Order of Canada Medal. There is even an award named the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize; this is given annually to the best piece of fiction written in British Columbia. Today, Ethel Wilson is considered one of the most prominent Canadian feminist writers; the social responsibility of men and women is a theme woven throughout her works. This theme is evident in Swamp Angel, published in 1954, which is deemed one of her finest pieces of literature. Swamp Angel centers around a woman named Maggie Lloyd, who, as we concluded in class, is struggling with a demoralizing marriage with a domineering husband (Edward Vardoe) and the search for her own identity. The excerpt we read is at the beginning of the novel. Maggie leaves her home in Vancouver for the interior of BC, where she finds work at a fishing lodge. Unfortunately, the lodge-keeper’s wife becomes sickly jealous of Maggie, so she must not only repair her own broken spirit, but help heal others’ as well. Maggie’s friend, Nell Severance is her aide throughout the novel, although the women only meet once in person (they communicate through letters). The title “Swamp Angel” refers to Nell’s pearl-handled revolver; the gun becomes Maggie’s after Nell’s death and is a symbolic talisman in the novel because it evokes fear and represents power. The novel brings about complexities and relationship issues and, by its end, Maggie learns of independence, but also realizes that everyone must rely on each other in order to live successfully and happily. The few pages of Swamp Angel that we did discuss is just a small portion of the story, and I think it would be a beneficial novel to read because Wilson is a prominent Canadian novelist and the themes in her work reflect her own life and experiences. Citations: http://www.bcbookprizes.ca/wilson.htm http://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=4750 http://www.abcbookworld.com/?state=view_author&author_id=3051

Vancouver, British Columbia and its Take on Drugs

2007-12-07T21:58:20Z

Much to the dismay of U.S. officials fighting drugs, Vancouver, having one of the worst drug problems in North America, has adopted a few new methods of treating drugs. Modeled after certain clinics in Europe, Vancouver has initiated supervised injection sites, also known as safe injection sites. These are the first of such clinics in North America. Although these methods have had mixed results, Canada has granted permission for such sites as trial runs. The clinics were established almost from a "lesser of two evils" idealogy. The reasoning behind the safe injeciton sites is that even though it's not cracking down as hard as some people would like, it's addressing the issue of the spread of HIV and hepatitis C through the use of used needles and inpromper usage. Roughly 71% of the people residing in Vancouver are for such treatment but others worry about the potential worsening of the situation and increased addiction. Basically the sites provider supervision and aid for drug addicts, along with clean needles and supplies and a safe place to administer the drugs. The idea was proposed in 2000 and the first safe clinic, the Dr. Peter Centre, was opened in 2002.

CaNaDiAn BrOaDcAsTiNg CoRpOrAtIoN

2007-11-28T18:17:35Z

CBC is Canada's national public radio and television broadcaster. It is the oldest broadcaster in Canada and is offered in over 10 languages for the immigrants that often come to Canada. People were worried that U.S. media was going to spread across the borders and into Canada and so CBC took over and started spreading news from coast to coast, first my F.M. radios and then by television. It is now the largest broadcaster in Canada. Spreading Canadian news to all the people spread around different areas of Canada. CBC's logo has changed over time. In 1940 it went from a lightning bolt design to signify broadcasting to the early 2000's where it's merely a red and white symbol. click the link below to view how the symbol has changed over time! pictures! The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has surmounted incredibly feats. It went from giving the most basic form of news over an F.M. radio to delivering it's country News, sports, entertainment, radio, television, hockey, world events, all over things like podcasts, the radio, television, and everything else. CBC is to canada much like ABC or NBC are to America. Our lifeline, our connection to the outside world. The CBC has been given some nicknames over the years. It is sometimes referred to as "The Corpse" and there is an urban legend that goes around Canada where people say that once upon a time an announcer referred to the CBC as "the Canadian Broadcorping castration" which is now used jokingly in replace of "CBC". The CBC has a left view when broadcasting politics and therefore is sometimes referred to as the "Communist Broadcasting Corporation" by the conservative party. As you can see, even through the nicknames for their most famous broadcasting corporation, Canada has an exquisite sense of humor! The most interesting thing about CBC is that they do actually put out podcasts, that after you quickly prescribe to you receive weekly! It's an amazing thing in which they surpass American news systems. Podcasting is not yet that popular in America. Overall Canada's media coverage has grown widely over the course of a few decades and now spreads into other countries, including America. sources: wikipedia CBC.Ca

Smoked Salmon In British Columbia

2007-10-24T17:03:21Z

The rivers of British Columbia are known for more than their glistening, flowing waters. They are known for their size and for their central location, but most importantly they are known for the wild salmon that swim and leap, gliding through the heart of the flowing waters. These salmon are used as one of the most prominent seafood products around the world.
The Canadians that live in British Columbia have meshed salmon harvesting into their culture and economy so that it is now a staple of the way they live. The large market has produced many jobs over long generations. It has helped the Canadian economy expand and flourish. In fact is has created over 4,000 job opportunities. It is one of the main exports from this area and is delivered around the globe. Some people believe that it is the great care that Canadians put into the act of harvesting the salmon that makes the fish taste that much sweeter. The British Columbia Canadians also take special care to ensure that the environment is not harmed because of the salmon industry which also appeals to consumers. It shows the respect they have towards saving the environment.

British Columbia has many rivers that run through the area. They all provide the resources needed for the salmon industry to flourish. There are four main rivers: Fraser, Columbia, Peace, and Liard, but the most important of the four is the Fraser River. It runs directly into the heart of British Columbia and is the most prominently used river for the salmon industry.
see page: Fraser

Sources: salmon industry fraser river BC photo Gallery

Top 5 iPod Selections

2007-10-02T16:55:36Z

Megan's Top Five--- 1. "Share the Land"- The Guess Who: I never knew that the Guess Who sang this song. I have always liked it when it I heard it played in movies or on the radio, and now I know Canada is responsible for the rock band that produced such a great piece of music. 2. "Hockey Mom"- Richard Harrison: This poem was one that caught my attention because it reminded me of my own mom. My brother has played hockey for most of his life, and my mom has been to nearly every single one of his games, watching and supporting. She has had to deal with the things Harrison mentions, like the holding of breath when the boy gets checked, or his large appetite in the morning for steak and eggs. 3. "Carrot Juice is Murder"-The Arrogant Worms: All selections by the Arrogant Worms are funny, but I chose this specific song because I found it especially amusing and sarcastic. Obviously, vegetables are not "killed" and they cannot feel when they are peeled, steamed, or juiced. Plus, I really like vegetables and will probably think of this song the next time I eat carrots. 4. "Breakdown"- Michael Brook: I liked this song because it was purely techno/electronic-type music, without any lyrics, which I think is fun to listen to. I did not think there was much Canadian music that sounded like this, and was surprised when it began to play. The beat was catchy and enjoyable. 5. "Bright Shiny Lights"-Patrick Watson: This song was very mellow and relaxing, almost like a lullaby. It reminded me of something one would hear in a small coffee shop in the wintertime. I think Watson's voice is nice and soothing, and his lyrics are like poetry. I could definitely listen to his music before going to bed at night.

Northwest Territories--Yellowknife

2007-09-11T18:11:50Z

Yellowknife, named for the indigenous Dene people’s use of copper to make tools, became the capital of the Northwest Territories in 1967. It is located in the southeast region of the territory, near the shores of Great Slave Lake and the outlet of the Yellowknife River. Yellowknife is one of the three largest communities in the Northwest Territories; its population as of a 2006 census was 18,700. Five of Canada’s native languages are spoken in the city: South and North Slavey, Dogrib, Chipewyan, English, and French. The climate of Yellowknife is semi-arid and subarctic, as it is 250 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Rainfall is very little, and temperatures reach their highest, about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, in July, and drop below zero degrees during the winter months. Yellowknife was not always the established place it is today, though. In fact, there were less than 1,000 in the region until 1940. This is due to the fact that gold mines were discovered in the 1930s and early 1940s, and a significant number of individuals migrated to seek wealth. Decades later, in the 1990s, a plethora of diamonds was found less than two hundred miles from the city, in Point Lake. Three of the main mining companies still open today are Diavik Diamond Mines, BHP Billiton and De Beers Canada. Yellowknife is a town of entertainment and culture. Folk on the Rocks, Raven Mad Daze, and the Midnight Sun Golf Tournament are among the most popular annual festivals. In March, it will host the 2008 Arctic Winter Games, which is an international competition of a wide variety of Northern sports and games. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, can be seen outside of Yellowknife in the early autumn and spring months, and is quite a popular attraction, as well. The town’s enticing landscape alone is enough to lure any traveler to the Northwest Territory. Giant Gold Mine in Yellowknife I got this photo from the Mediamentor on flickr.com Aurora Borealis I got this photo from nick_russill on flickr.com Sources: Katz, Helena. "Yellowknife has a sparkle in its future; Discovery of diamonds creates a boom town on edge of frontier." The Gazette (Montreal) 15 June 2007: K6. Paskal, Cleo. "Yellowknife a diamond in the rough." The Toronto Star 15 July 2006: K02. Zimmerman, Kate. "Dogsleds and bling: North America's diamond capital." National Post (Canada) 17 Dec. 2005: 13