The Fireweed Community Market outdoor market opened today, May 17, 2012 for the Summer season. It is a welcome addition to our shopping availability.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

This is an opinion piece by Norm Hamilton.

This past Thursday a couple of hundred or so people gathered in front of the Yukon Legislative Building in a peaceful protest regarding the Peel Watershed.

Much of the dialogue between the participants and the message delivered from several speakers had to to with democracy, or to be more precise, how they believe that Yukon is not being served by a democracy at this time. In the last election approximately 60% of those eligible actually voted and of that number only 40% voted for the currently governing party – less than 25% of the electorate providing a “majority” government to the Yukon Party.

The speakers were concerned that the Peel Watershed Planning Commission’s report was not being accepted by the Pasloski government and expressed belief that citizen’s concerns were not being considered. Common among the protesters was the thought that the reigning government is partial to mining, oil and exploration companies.

Those addressing the throng included Dave Loeks, chair of the Peel Watershed Planning Commission, Elizabeth Hanson, leader of the NDP opposition, Jimmy Johnny, a member of the Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation, Joseph O’Brien, a Northern Tutchone citizen, Stephanie Sidney, a member of the Teslin Tlingit Council and J.P. Pinard who spoke on the possibilities for green energy in Yukon.

Lee Mennell entertained with a rendition of a song “123 What Are We Fracking For,” and O’Brien and Sidney performed a traditional song for the audience.

A young member of the Peel Youth Alliance, Malcolm Boothroyd, was adamant in his assertion that he did not view the current government as representing the people.

Earlier in the week, some of the Peel Youth Alliance members rose in the gallery of the Legislative Assembly when a question arose on the Peel Watershed and held open a banner that read, “Our land. Our plan. Our Government??”

The Speaker of the House then cleared the MLAs out and the youths then quietly exited the gallery. Had the Speaker and the MLAs simply carried on business as usual, this would have been a non-event. However, the response of those in charge turned it into front page news.

As I was photographing and not taking notes I cannot quote Boothroyd verbatim, but during his address to the crowd he stated something to the effect that to compare the behaviour of the MLAs to that of a five-year old was unfair to the five-year old. This was met with cheers and clapping.

I have put some images below from that event. I would have one or more from inside the packed gallery except I was told by a lady at the door that cameras are not allowed as people coming don’t expect to have their photo taken. Imagine, a protest of a couple of hundred people all expecting to not have their photo taken. I see photos from inside the gallery in the newspapers however; in particular of the above noted banner display.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

The Cellar Steakhouse in the Edgewater Hotel is offering it’s decor for artists to display, and sell their artwork. MJ at the Cellar says there is no commission charged.

The atmosphere in the dining room is one of elegance and charm. The wall space is ideal for the display of visual art and, indeed, helps to see how the work will look when added to a decor other than an art gallery.

Gabriele Watts is the artist currently showing at the Cellar. Her work is inspired by the environment and brings the beauty and power of nature to her canvases. I have replicated her biography, as provided from a sheet at the exhibition, below.

Gabriele is primarily a self-taught artist, although she has participated in numerous workshops related to art. She is a member of the Yukon Art Society and has exhibited in two-man and group exhibitions in Whitehorse. Her interest in hiking and photography influence and motivate her to paint. Yukon’s natural beauty, diversity and changing seasons inspire her to paint its landscapes. Through her paintings, Gabriele aims to share with others the beauty of Yukon and surrounding areas.

“Painting allows me to fulfill my creative need and nurtures my soul.”

Here’s some photos of Gabriele’s paintings. They have to be seen on the wall to truly appreciate them. Drop down to the Cellar for some great dining and a visual feast.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

I went into The Chocolate Claim today to see who’s art was on display and was pleasantly greeted by the bright colours and cheerfulness of the Spring Fever show by Lara Melnik.

I’ve posted a few quick pics from the display below. The show will run until the end of May. Take some time and drop down to it. Spring Fever is at the Chocolate Claim!

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

The walls are ablaze with colour, movement, passion and spirit, all to carry the message of this month’s featured artist at the Copper Moon Gallery; an invitation to take a walk.

Daphne Mennell’s new show Come for a Walk encourages a longing in people to step out and experience Yukon’s tranquil footpaths.

“Whenever I go into my studio I usually utter up a prayer of help,” she said.

Her bold, broad strokes coupled with subtle, delicate influences create an absorbing display that reflects her feelings on our need for quiet peacefulness and how wilderness should be respected.

“I have seen huge transformation in the landscape in the last 20 years,” she said. “It’s quite devastating.”

“Perhaps people don’t find a difference between one trail and another; between an ATV trail and a quiet footpath,” she mused

She believes that we are being “invaded” by noise and that many find quiet to be discomforting. Her conviction is that silence is a necessary thing in our lives.

She considered the dissimilarity between being on a noisy machine and walking quietly down a path – how on the vehicle one misses all the nuances of the experience that are provided by the senses; the smells, the song of the robin or the feel of the breeze on one’s cheek.

“The footpath, going by foot, really offers the total experience for us as humans to interface with nature in a way that’s really important,” she said.

She thinks that we humans focus on our own pleasure, on our own world and are not respectful enough of the things that we’re sharing it with.

The effect that the clamour humans create has on the animals and birds that inhabit the wilderness is of concern to her.

“The footpath, going by foot really offers the total experience for us as humans to interface with nature in a way that’s really important,” she said

“When we walk – we often work out problems that are underneath the surface. We get circulation and air into every part of our bodies.”

She spoke of being quiet, letting the elements touch us – feeling that we are a part of them, a sense of belonging to this world – and often a sense of a divine presence and influence upon our often ragged and care-worn souls.

Many go for a walk to find these things.

She believes that this is a very needed and precious part of our lives and thus there is a need to protect the simple small footpaths, not only for us but also for the wildlife whose reality is disturbed by those things mechanical.

“With these paintings, what I’m hoping is that they become an invitation for people to step outside and really try to experience the knowledge that comes through the soles of your feet, in your skin and in your ears,” she said.

Her voyage with colour – studying and challenging herself to learn more; how to layer colour, how to place one colour next to another – has been expanded in this exhibition.

It includes some examples of fauvism style paintings; that is, paintings that use colours in a unique way.

“Why I like exaggerating the colour is because of the fact that I’m trying to give a feeling of more than one sense,” she said. “When you’re actually going on a walk you have all your senses that are enriching your experience in making it come alive.”

Mennell says she’s still growing and learning. She believes this collection shows how she challenged herself and displays her personal growth.

“I think if you don’t feel like you’re growing, pretty soon it becomes dead,” she said.

Of late, Mennell has been recognized for her metal sculptures in Carcross and Whitehorse. However she has been painting much longer.

People that know her paintings for their “twisty poplars” will find a new and unique look to this exhibition.

“I definitely don’t want to be boxed in, either with medium or style,” she said.

Painting the forests around Haines, Alaska with their different leaves and undergrowth from what is found in the interior demanded more from her.

At the same time she found that painting the lush greens of the Alaska coastline along with a vibrant spring in the midst of a Yukon winter to be therapeutic.

One of the exceptional attributes of Mennell’s paintings is the feeling of motion she creates.

“I like to bring movement into my paintings,” she said. “It helps to direct your eye which is important.”

One piece, titled School Of Green And Blue Fish On The Seduction Trail, Haines Alaska is a painting with a view from the footpath into the forest. Shafts of light are streaming through the dense vegetation of the rain forest.

As she looked and imagined the forest in ebb and flow she began to realize a school of green and blue fish as though it were the sea.

“Once I saw the school of green and blue fish then it was quite easy for me to paint the foliage and to bring movement and dance into that picture.”

The title is intended to give the viewer an inkling as to how the painting was created.

The exhibition includes numerous canvases ranging from 16×16 to about 36×50 in a wide range of hues.

The opening reception is May 4, 2012 from 5-9 PM at Copper Moon Gallery in the McCrae Subdivision and includes music by Brenda Lee. The show runs through May.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

I have written to my MLA and to each of the members of the Yukon Legislative Assembly including the governing Yukon Party with a request for communication regulations.

Nova Scotia is introducing regulations to cap the cancellation of cell phone contracts and to unlock cell phone plans and curb hidden fees.

I’d like to see communication regulations also include having someone ensure that the tracking of  data transfer, texts and calls on cell phones as well as the amount of bandwidth being charged for internet use is accurate. Currently only the business selling the product measures how much is used.

It is an unsafe practice to have business monitor itself.  Both internet providers and cell phone companies should welcome being monitored as it alleviates the issue of perceived abuse. There must be a way to check the equipment and software being used to track these things is working correctly and measuring only what is actually used.

If you’d like to see the communications better regulated in Yukon, contact your MLA; contact the MLAs and Ministers in the Yukon Party and let them know. To help with this I am copying my email and providing the email addresses of the MLAs and Ministers below.

Dear Member of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.

I am writing you in your capacity as MLA for Yukon.

I am asking everyone to email their MLA with the link to the CBC story about Nova Scotia unlocking cell phone contracts and putting a cap on the amount allowed when a contract is cancelled. (see link below)

We ought to have this in Yukon as well. A way of monitoring how the number of minutes, texts and data transfer are measured is in order as well to ensure accuracy and fairness.

I have sent an email to each of the Yukon Party members on this issue.

Along with the cell phone regulating, a communication regulation should include some way of monitoring how the internet provider(s) measure the amount of bandwidth being used. Currently only the provider(s) of the services measure the amount used, leaving it open to error or perceived abuse. The providers should welcome this overseeing as it gives them proof that they are not overcharging.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/04/27/ns-cellphone-contracts.html

Thank you for your continued efforts

The emails for the Yukon Party are:

darrell.pasloski@gov.yk.ca, elaine.taylor@gov.yk.ca, brad.cathers@gov.yk.ca, currie.dixon@gov.yk.ca, doug.graham@gov.yk.ca, wade.istchenko@gov.yk.ca, scott.kent@gov.yk.ca, mike.nixon@gov.yk.ca, stacey.hassard@gov.yk.ca, patti.mcleod@gov.yk.ca

The emails for the NDP are:

liz.hanson@yla.gov.yk.ca, kevin.barr@yla.gov.yk.ca, lois.moorcroft@yla.gov.yk.ca, jim.tredger@yla.gov.yk.ca, kate.white@yla.gov.yk.ca, jan.stick@yla.gov.yk.ca

The emails for the Liberals are:

darius.elias@yla.gov.yk.ca, sandy.silver@yla.gov.yk.ca

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

While on a trip through Teslin today we stopped to watch the swans. They were so far away that photography of them was out of the question so I began looking around for the beauty I know would be all around us. This is a couple of images of what I found.

These were created with a Sigma SD14 with an 18-200 DC OS lens at 96mm, hand held.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

This is an opinion piece by Norm Hamilton.

A recent opinion piece in The Star speaks to the issue of a two-tiered wage system. So, what is that?

Human Resources Minister Diane Finley has changed rules so employers can now pay foreign temporary workers less than the average wage, 15% less.

“‘We are taking action to ensure that the temporary foreign worker program support (sic) our economic recovery and effectively responds to local labour market demands’ she said.”

Balderdash! Poppycock!

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney Kenny has always denied bringing cheap foreign labour into Canada stating that “the prevailing wage” had to be paid. Now he says, “our government will consider additional measures to strengthen and improve the program.” (meaning the Temporary Foreign Worker Program)

What exactly does than mean? Will they be paid even less? Will government change the laws that protect and safeguard workers just because they are foreign temporary workers? The possibilities should concern us all.

I see this as part of a larger plan to bring the people of Canada, literally, to their knees.

Business must focus on the financial bottom line in order to survive. When one business pays their employees 15% less, the other has to do the same in order to compete. What comes across as the obvious intent is to force Canadians to give up their share of the profits that big business enjoys by giving business a cheaper alternative. If Canadians want to work, they will have to accept the wages being offered the temporary foreign workers who will then be offered 15% less than that; and so it spirals downward.

Collateral damage will be that small business and the Mom and Pop proprietors will find it even more difficult to compete against the huge conglomerates taking advantage of this misuse of human need – and that is what it amounts to, greed abusing those in need.

Eventually, perhaps not taking very long, the government will create a situation where the citizens of the country will not have adequate meaningful employment and will be further beholden to, and reliant on, those in power.

At the rate things are changing since the last election, it is possible for the “Harper Government” to erode the laws and rights of Canadians to a point far beyond the imaginings of most of us, perhaps to the point of eradication.

Do we have people in Yukon being paid 15% less than the average? I certainly hope not. The foreign workers that have come into Whitehorse and have taken employment in the service industry are, in my mind, welcome additions to our community. I enjoy interacting with them and being the recipient of some wonderful service. I’d hate to learn that business is treating them unfairly.

If it is proven that a business is treating them as second class, I would encourage our community will boycott whomever is responsible to force a change. We cannot rely on our elected officials to do this for us as they do not truly represent the people. Canadians do not  have the results of an unquestionably democratic election process when choosing who governs us. (23.95% is not a majority, no matter what math is used *)

*61.1% of elegible voters cast ballots in the 2011 election. The Harper Government gained power with only 39.62% of those votes.  That means a false majority was created by only 23.95% of the eligible voters in Canada. This is the best argument for electoral reform there is.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

I went for a walk in the crisp Spring air this morning and was impressed and grateful for all the beauty that surrounded me. The sunlight striking the ice crystals was breathtaking. Here’s a little slide show to give you an idea of what I experienced.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

The ice on the Yukon River breaks up each Spring. This slideshow will give an idea of the depth of the ice at Whitehorse, Yukon. The colours contained within the crystals forming the ice flows are lovely and the light glistening off them brings cheer.

You can see how the ice is formed in layers over the winter; snowfall after snowfall; cold snap following warmer followed again by cold.

It’s interesting to note that even when the ice is this thick near the shore, the center of the river didn’t freeze over at Whitehorse. Further downstream it did, but going out on the ice near the city is a dangerous practise.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.