Rockwalls and Waterfalls

Volume # 45 Summer 2010

Saluting our past; celebrating our future 125 years of national parks in Canada ne-hundred and twenty five years is a mere blink of the eye in geologic terms – it can take many millions of Oyears to form mountains as majestic and well-chiselled as our very own Canadian Rockies. Thankfully, in Canada, we’ve been able to create a system of national parks and protected areas in far less time than it takes to build a mountain range. With the 125th anniversary of Banff National Park celebrations scheduled for this November, Parks Canada will recognize more than a century of protecting natural wonders and cultural treasures across this country. We have come a long way from our humble beginnings in 1885 (Banff National Park was originally only 26 square kilometres in size). Today we can look back with pride at the many achievements and highlights realized over the years as we work to maintain our existing protected areas and create new ones. Here are five key achievements accomplished over the past 125 years worthy of remembering in this celebratory period:

The National Parks Act (1930) hat makes a protected area a protected area, and to what lengths should we go to ensure that these special places retain their W special character and identity both now and for future generations? These are exactly the kinds of questions that are answered and upheld by law in Canada’s National Parks Act, which was the brainchild of J.B. Harkin, known by some as the father of Canada’s national parks. This act essentially gave the Government of Canada a legislated mandate to designate and maintain national parks and national park reserves to the "benefit, education and enjoyment" of the people of Canada. Now 80 years and 43 national parks later, it seems to be working.

L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (1977) t last count there were nearly 1,000 designated national historic sites in the country, 166 of which are administered by Parks ACanada. Perhaps the most famous of these is L’Anse aux Meadows found at the northernmost tip of the island of Newfoundland. L’Anse aux Meadows has a rich human history, with many different people claiming the area as their own over the past 6000 years. Among these people was a small group of Norse (Viking) sailors. The remains of their camp, discovered in 1960 by Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad, is the oldest known European settlement of the New World. In 1977, this important cultural site was designated a Canadian National Historic Site; the following year it received UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Grasslands National Park (1981) hereas the Canadian Rockies compel visitors to look up at mountain vistas and rolling hills, the charms of southern W Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park are a bit more subtle. Hidden amongst the fields of grass are the most wonderful of Cont’d. on page 2 w w w . f r i e n d s o f y o h o . c a secrets: colourful rare plants, sun-bathing snakes, industrious jack rabbits, gregarious prairie dog colonies and, if you’re lucky enough to see one, recently reintroduced bison who are once again making a living off the same landscape that helped their ancestors survive and flourish for so many years. And once you’re finished gazing across and down, you can always redirect your gaze to the brilliant prairie sky looming above which sometimes fills with clouds, rain, or hail and, afterwards, marvel as rainbows abound. Grasslands National Park was created in 1981 and protects one of Canada’s last remaining undisturbed prairie grasslands. By spending a few days in the area you get a real sense of what the prairies may have been like before industrial agricultural practices began in the late 1800s. And with an annual visitation much less than one per cent of Yoho’s, Grasslands National Park is a secret that is definitely worth sharing.

Fathom Five National Marine Conservation Area (1987) hat is the final frontier in the world of biological conservation? More and more, it seems like water forms a major part of W that answer. In 1987, Parks Canada made a giant leap forward in this country and helped kick-start a burgeoning global trend of extending conservation initiatives from the land to freshwater and marine ecosystems. In light of this forward thinking, today Parks Canada is a recognized world leader in aquatic conservation and the steward of three additional marine conservation areas, including the recently created Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve in British Columbia. Located immediately adjacent to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site on Haida Gwaii, the creation of this underwater reserve will aide in the preservation of the region’s rich biodiversity while helping to maintain the marine-terrestrial interactions that have long been a vital part of Haida culture.

Expansion of Nahanni National Park Reserve (2009) here else on earth can you find 3,000 foot tall canyons, a waterfall twice as large as Niagara Falls, stunning wildlife W (including grizzly bears, Dall’s sheep and woodland caribou), relaxing hot springs, eye-popping karst landscapes, and a riveting Dene and First Nations history? Take a bow if you answered Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories. Created in 1976 and inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage Site list two years later, the park was chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of Canada in a 2007 CBC national contest. What could be greater than that you might ask? How about Nahanni times six! In 2009, when the House of Commons unanimously passed a bill to expand the Nahanni National Park Reserve six-fold to over 30,000 square kilometers, the country arguably made its greatest single act of conservation in a generation.

Experience the Celebrations From May to November 2010, Parks Canada, local organizations and Canadians will come together in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Banff National Park, the birthplace of Canada’s family of treasured cultural and natural heritage places. Anniversary-themed events will explore youth, nature, cultural diversity, visitor experience, and healthy living. For a full line-up of events visit: www.banff125.com.

Omar McDadi Public Relations & Communications Officer—LLYK Field Unit

w w w . f r i e n d s o f y o h o . c a Bio Blitz 2010 010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. A year to 2celebrate life on Earth and all biodiversity means to us. Biodiversity includes all living things on Earth. Humans are a part of this and it seems we have the power to either protect or destroy it. At the present, the diversity of life on Earth is rapidly disappearing. In most cases these losses are unchangeable, but we do have the capability to prevent this damage. Biodiversity provides us with all life’s necessities — health, wealth, food and fuel. Destroying these networks of life, known as ecosystems is not to our benefit! 2010 is a year to sit up and take notice of what is happening on our planet. It is time to take action and protect the variety of life still here on Earth. In celebration of the Year of Biodiversity, Parks Canada partnered with the Robert Bateman “Get to Know” organization on Bio Blitz events across Canada. The LLYK Field Unit developed a one day event on May 22nd inviting families to participate in a celebration of 125 years of biodiversity in National Parks through fun activities. Here in Yoho National Park it was a rather chilly day, but the aquatics display set up by Shelley Humphries and her team attracted a lot of attention outside the Field Visitor Centre. The team collected samples of fish and amphibians for the public to view — West slope cutthroat trout, a juvenile spotted frog from a local marsh and they had a guessing game of how many slimy sculpins can you find in the aquarium (they have the ability to disguise themselves well). The Friends of Yoho took part by having the travelling public record their interesting sightings of wildlife throughout the day and held a draw for Rocky Mountain Wildlife Pocket Naturalist Guides. People entering the draw had to answer a skill testing question ‘Name a plant or fish found in Yoho National Park?’ The 6 winners were: Riley Wallach - Revelstoke, BC; Diana Meadows - Calgary, AB; Almira Nunes - OK Falls, BC; Marilyn Cooke - Pennsylvania, USA; Patrick Fallow, Sooke, BC and Joyce Dunn - Calgary, AB

Shelley Humphries and young participant releasing Slimy Sculpins into the Kicking Horse River at the end of the day.

Aquatics specialists explaining some of the diverse aquatic life found in Yoho National Park. Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~ Chief Seattle, 1885.

w w w . f r i e n d s o f y o h o . c a Friends Receive Funding for Various Projects in 2010

Keep Bears Wild Product he Friends of Yoho have received approval of funding in the amount of $16,512.00 from the Parks Canada TContribution Program. This grant will fund the reintroduction and expansion of the Keep Bears Wild product line, and will include the addition of French and bilingual products. Each product will have an attached hang tag with core bear stewardship messages and values. One of the objectives of this program will be to reach a broader audience through our website and convey important Keep Bears Wild messages with the use of podcasts that will also be developed. Expect to start seeing these products in the store mid to late July.

Spiral Tunnels Model he Friends were approved for a Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance Major Project Funding grant for T$9000.00. This money is slated for the Spiral Tunnels Off-Site Exhibit that will be housed in the Field VRC. Although the mountains were a complication for CPR, they were an inspiration to the many tourists who started to arrive by train. In an effort to preserve the landscape and encourage tourism, CPR promoted the creation of Mount Stephen Dominion Reserve in 1886. The park was renamed Yoho in 1901. In 2011 Yoho National Park will celebrate its 125th anniversary. In celebration of this milestone, the Friends of Yoho would like to install an off-site Spiral Tunnels working model at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Yoho National Park. By installing this model, visitors can see and experience the living story of the Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site.

This completely automated working train model exhibit will be accurate, enjoyable, interactive, trouble free, and beautiful. The scenery, structures and trains will be super-detailed, and have descriptive and factual graphics on the fascia. The exhibit will be provided with four operating model trains, constructed to the appropriate scale, the trains will be mounted on a continuous loop path to appear and transit the tunnel, then continue off the visible model, around the loop to re-appear at its original position. Visitor activation will be how the layout comes to life. The trains will be programmed to do one circuit at the push of a button on the fascia. This ensures that trains aren’t running while no one is around, increasing the longevity of the running components. Interpretive panels will also be a part of the Spiral Tunnels off-site exhibit.

This project will help to fulfil the mandate of the Friends of Yoho Society, which is to promote understanding, appreciation and respect for the natural history and cultural heritage of Yoho National Park. The Friends of Yoho realize that the model of the historic Spiral Tunnels will provide an opportunity to educate visitors of the significance of railway heritage, both locally and nationally.

If you would like to make a donation to this very worthwhile cause, you can do so by mail to Box 100, Field, B.C., V0A 1G0 or by phone 250-343-6393.

Self Guided Historic Walking Tour of Field, B.C. he Friends also received approval for a Columbia Cultural Alliance Heritage Innovations grant for $4000.00 to Tdevelop and produce a heritage walking tour map. For 10 years the Friends of Yoho have offered free historic walking tours that reach a few hundred visitors each summer. We have learned from 10 years experience of celebrating our heritage by offering these evening walks, that there is a need to provide the majority of visitors who can’t attend these tours a chance to discover the stories of this town for themselves at their own leisure.

Creating a map to be available to all visitors locally by businesses and the visitor centre is, in our opinion, the best possible way we can reach our goal to present the captivating local heritage of Field to the greatest number of visitors we can. This project is currently being worked on, with hopes of it being completed by mid to late July. This heritage map will be available for a download in the Fall of 2010.

Deb Bancroft - General Manager

w w w . f r i e n d s o f y o h o . c a Irene Stronach Whyte Brook

n Sunday, May 30, 2010 Field lost one of it’s most respected residents and a Owealth of information when Irene passed peacefully away in her sleep. Irene Stronach Whyte was born in Leader, Saskatchewan in 1919. Her parents were homesteaders from Brampton, Ontario who sold all their holdings in Brampton by auction and moved to Nipawin, Saskatchewan in western Canada. (Always a keen historian, Irene retained a copy of the auction list and also a copy of the deed to her family’s property in Ontario. Her sister shared this passion for heritage, and traced their family lineage back to the United Empire Loyalists and the Mayflower.)

Irene was the second oldest of seven children. Her mother died when Irene was 16 years old; Irene raised her younger brothers and sisters except for one sister with epilepsy who went to live with their aunt in Nova Scotia.

During World War II, Irene and her sister Jean supported the industrial effort – they worked in a widget factory in Hamilton, Ontario. For security reasons, factory workers were not told what the parts they produced would become. Her brother David was killed in the war, and Irene returned to Nipawin to work on the farm with her father. The war had a deep and lasting effect on Irene. It was very difficult for her to discuss, and her thoughts were clearly stated in a Friendship Book entry where she recorded her ‘Hates’ as “Racial hate that leads to war and killing.”

In 1945, Irene attended Banff School of Fine Arts where she studied painting with four members of the Group of Seven: Glyde, Phillips, Jackson and MacDonald.

1947 saw Irene in Nipawin once again, where she worked at the Eaton’s Order Office. Two years later she transferred to Eaton’s Calgary office. Her sister Jean moved to Calgary with her.

In 1950, Irene was selected to go to Victoria for an Eaton’s convention, but an airline labor strike changed those plans and Irene took a week’s holiday in Banff. One of her most memorable experiences during that holiday was a Labor Day weekend party at Storm Mountain Lodge where she met National Park Warden Glen Brook.

Glen and Irene married in June 1951. They lived at Marble Canyon Warden Station in Kootenay National Park until 1955. Irene often commented that she traded her city shoes for hiking boots! Two sons joined their family. Sid was born in January 1952 and Alex was born in January 1954. Although the District Warden Stations were remote, Irene said they were never without visitors – people stopped all the time for ‘kitchen visits’. She felt that the Warden Service was like a big family; they gave each other friendship and support. Her dear friend Ann Dixon compiled a book, ‘Silent Partners’ that beautifully tells the role and illustrates the fellowship of district warden wives. Irene’s contribution starts on page 127.

In 1955, Irene and her family moved to the Hector District Warden Station on Wapta Lake in Yoho National Park. They moved to Field in 1957 where Glen assumed the duties of Chief Park Warden and Sid started Grade One at Field Elementary School. Irene joined the Scouting movement as Akela of the Field Troop in 1964. Glen was offered the position of superintendent of Point Pelee Park in 1968, but a short sojourn convinced him that it wasn’t his cup of tea. On his return to Field, he left the Warden Service to become Field’s Postmaster. Irene and Glen bought their home by the creek and moved in.

Irene and Glen enjoyed many vacations touring North America. They spent a great deal of time exploring British Columbia, and even staked a rodenite claim on Vancouver Island. When Glen retired from the Post Office in 1977, they began travelling the world. They visited South America, the Galapagos Islands, several destinations in Africa including Egypt and the Serengeti, Australia and New Zealand. I’m sure many people recall the United States map on their vans – they visited every state except for one. Was it Kentucky? If you recall the missing state, please let Sid know! Cont’d. on page 6

w w w . f r i e n d s o f y o h o . c a Irene was a founding member of the Friends of Yoho Society, incorporated in 1987. At various times she served as secretary, treasurer and vice-president. Her dream was to help establish a museum to which she and other longtime Field residents could entrust their memoirs and photographs of a bygone era. Ten years later Irene stepped down from the board, the museum still just a dream.

She was the driving force behind the Italian Reunion held in 2000 to honor the contribution of many families who immigrated to Field from Italy to work for Canadian Pacific Railway and in the mines.

On November 9, 2003, Irene’s partner and love of her life, Glen Brook, died. She valued her family above all else. She was a good friend to people of all ages - Generation Gap was simply not in Irene’s vocabulary. She kept in touch with many, many people. Her Sunday phone calls are legend. The wall of Christmas cards in the Brook home was testament to how important her connections were. She used technology of the day to communicate, from telegraph to party line to cell phone to e-mail. She even bought an iMac!

Irene loved to read. She sewed. She knit beautifully (as many here know from the hats, mittens, sweaters, baby blankets and scarves she presented as gifts). She loved to experience new cultures. She loved rock hounding. Irene loved life, and her enthusiasm for living well was infectious. She always knew the right words to say, and always spoke them with honesty. She had a deadly sense of humor. She was an enviable hostess whose door was always open to all – friends and potential friends who saw the array of rocks in their front porch and knew interesting people lived in the house.

Irene’s history is intertwined with our history. Consequently, our lives are richer because of Irene.

Taken from Irene’s eulogy read and written by Kathryn Cameron The greatest gems of all are the friends we have made along the trails. Each and every one of them enriched our lives by many pockets full of treasure that no one can take from us. Irene Brook 1985

Sid and Alex Brook and families invite you to make a donation to the Friends of Yoho in Irene’s name. Money received by the 2011 Membership Draw Friends will go towards the construction of a ecome a member of the Friends of Yoho bench to be placed in the town of Field for BNational Park and your name will be entered all to enjoy and remember Irene. in a draw for two one day Burgess Shale hikes to Friends of Yoho the Walcott Quarry donated by Parks Canada, Box 100, Field, BC good for the summer of 2011. All memberships V0A 1G0 purchased by January 31, 2011 will be entered in the draw. The draw will be made in February so winners have a chance to make travel plans and book accommodations. Membership renewals will also be considered. Members receive up to three newsletters a year, get a 10% discount at our retail outlet and have the satisfaction of knowing that they are supporting a group that is trying to help make Yoho National Park a more enjoyable experience for all who wish to visit this great area.

w w w . f r i e n d s o f y o h o . c a Past Field Residents Publish Books

ichale Lang’s ‘Bears—Tracks through Time’ is an account of our love hate relationship Mwith these beautiful, but sometimes frightening animals that we must co-exist with in the Canadian Rockies. It provides a fascinating glimpse into our changing views of bears. This book features some of the more colourful and memorable images and stories from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies' unique collection of art, artifacts and archival materials related to bears. This book is an assortment of bear tales and the people, images and artifacts described in those stories. raeme Pole’s ‘Canadian Rockies Explorer’ describes the national parks and provincial Gparks of the Canadian Rockies from Waterton Lakes to Mount Robson, including Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Kananaskis. Written in an engaging style and packed with colour photographs, maps and historical images, Canadian Rockies Explorer provides rich detail on the human history, natural history and ecology of the magnificent landscape. Wildlife viewing tips, quotations from the journals of early explorers, and descriptions of short walks and hikes will enhance your experience of the Rockies, whether you live here or are visiting for the first time. Both Michale and Graeme have been Field residents in the past. Michale now resides in Banff and is Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. She still owns a home and lives part time in Field. Graeme resides with his family near Hazelton, B.C. where he serves as a paramedic. He has written a total of eleven books describing the human and natural history of western Canada. Both books are for sale through the Friends of Yoho retail outlet in the Field Information Centre or by mail order on our website (address below) or by phoning 250-343-6393.

July 17th - Canada’s Parks Day very year, on the third Saturday in July Canada recognizes Yoho Photo Contest Ethe importance of Parks, both national and provincial and celebrations are carried out in numerous parks across the country. oho National Park is a magnificent This year the Friends of Yoho held a barbeque by the pond at the Ylandscape. It creates wonder and Field Information Centre. The $739. profit will go towards a awe and is ideal for photography. The working model of the Spiral Tunnels that we hope to have Friends would like to produce a book on installed into the Field Visitor Centre next summer in time for Yoho National Park in time for Yoho’s Yoho National Parks’ 125th birthday. 125th birthday - next year! Also helping to celebrate the day, Shelley Humphries had her Prizes will be awarded for categories in : aquatics display complete with Slimy Sculpins, set up by the pond. The public found the display both entertaining and Best landscape Best wildlife educating about the fish in Yoho National Park. Parks Canada Best waterfall Best Field village had interpreters talking about the Burgess Shale and the more lively animals of the day, bears in particular. Both Parks Canada All entries will become the sole property and the Friends of Yoho finished the day’s celebrations with two of the Friends of Yoho Society for the cakes, one that sported the Parks Canada beaver and the other, the purpose of creating a photo book on Yoho Friends of Yoho logo. A draw was held for two one day hikes to National Park. So dust off your old the Burgess Shale donated by Parks Canada. Amanda Fox and photos or take some new ones (remember Sandie Chen both of Banff were the lucky winners. The weather photos taken on a digital camera should be cooperated, making the day a big success. taken at a high resolution so they are good The Friends of Yoho would like to say a huge thank you to for enlarging). Send in your entries to Sobey’s in Golden for their donation of burgers, dogs and buns [email protected] or and to Great Divide Vending of Field, BC for donating the pop [email protected] and delivering it along with the chips and ice.

w w w . f r i e n d s o f y o h o . c a Calendar of Events 2010 Every Wednesday & Friday - Historic Walking Tour of Field 8:00 pm (meet at the Field Community Centre)

Thursday, August 5 Michale Lang’s ‘Bears—Tracks through Time’ Join Michale, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Whyte Museum as she takes us back through man’s changing views of bears over the past 125 years in our Rocky Mountain parks. Michale will also be available for a book signing. 8:30 pm Field School gym

Monday, August 16 Lake O’Hara watercolors with Maggie Fields Cost $110. Includes all watercolor supplies and bus trip to Lake O\Hara. Register at [email protected] or fax us registration form from our web page to 250-343-6393. Minimum 5 people

Saturday, August 21 Burgess Shale presentation by Jean Bernard Caron (details TBA)

Tuesday, August 24 Full Moon Walk at Takakkaw Falls 9:00 pm Bring a mug to enjoy tea or hot chocolate. Weather permitting.

Saturday, August 28 & Sunday, August 29 The History of the CPR Between Lake Louise and Field Cost $150. George Shaw, railway aficionado, presents this two day course, spending one day in the Field Community Centre going over slides and the history of the area. The next day is out in the field along the tracks between Field and Lake Louise.

Thursday, September 23 Full Moon Walk at Emerald Lake 8:00 pm

Word Search

All of the words below are found in articles in this newsletter.

beaver Whyte Museum

barbeque slimy sculpin

Spiral Tunnels grasslands

Marble Canyon rockwalls

Omar McDadi historic site

national parks Nahanni

Gwaii Haanas Field village

keep bears wild heritage map

Irene Brook Friends of Yoho

Walcott Quarry photo contest

Have fun!

w w w . f r i e n d s o f y o h o . c a