Seminar Series
Each winter the Bulkley Valley Research Centre, in partnership with Northwest Community College, presents a biweekly seminar series. From October through March, we try to meet every second Wednesday from 12 noon to 1 pm to learn about the latest developments in natural resources research and management from regional and international scientists and practitioners.
Location:
Northwest Community College
Room 123
3996 2nd Avenue, Smithers, B.C.
Free Admission. Bring your lunch.
If you would like to be added to an email list to receive notifications of the seminar series, please email our Administrative Manager
If you are interested in making a presentation for the 2011-2012 season please contact the Centre at 250-847-2827 or email the Centre.
WINTER SEMINAR SERIES
February 08, 2012
Sacred Headwaters, Sacred Journey
Paul Colangelo, International League of Conservation Photographers
This seminar is presented in collaboration with the Smithers Art Gallery.
Paul will discuss what went into getting the images for his current exhibit Sacred Headwaters, Sacred Journey, the issues surrounding the Sacred Headwaters, and will also give a slideshow of work from his latest project, Surviving Todagin, a research and media project on the world's largest herd of Stone's sheep, found six hours north of Smithers.
The location of this seminar will be at the Smithers Art Gallery (Hwy 16 & Main Street)
December 07, 2011
Lessons from the canyon: Aboriginal engagement in the Enbridge Northern Gateway environmental assessment
Sarah Panofsky, MA
This seminar will talk about the environmental assessment for the proposed Northern Gateway Pipelines project, focusing on Aboriginal concerns with the process.
November 23, 2011
Cultural resource management on reserve lands - making positives out of negatives
Rick Budhwa, Anthropologist, Crossroads Cultural Resource Management
In August 2011, an interdisciplinary team consisting of anthropologists, archaeologists, communications specialists, students and First Nations community members gathered for two weeks to undertake a unique excavation at Hagwilget Village. The team was tasked with bringing closure to an event that negatively impacted the community two years earlier: In October 2006, routine maintenance by BC Hydro revealed an old burial site above the Bulkley River at Hagwilget Village. Unearthed human remains were placed in a box, stored in the nearby church basement and, in 2009, moved to Hagwilget Cemetery. The site assessment removed any further human remains and, in October 2011, the team hosted a gathering to bring closure to the community and share the results of the excavation. Recovered artifacts were shared with the community and there was a ceremony that reunited any human remains with those in the Hagwilget Cemetery.
November 09, 2011
All-candidates’ Forum - Research & Resource Management
Smithers' candidates for mayor, town councillor, director of RDBN Electoral Area "A"
The Bulkley Valley Research Centre hosted an all-candidates’ forum on November 9, 2011, from 12 to 2 p.m. in the gathering area of Northwest Community College. Organizers were thrilled with the turnout, which included both of Smithers’ mayoral candidates, 11 council candidates and all three candidates for the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. There were roughly 65 community members in attendance.
Candidates were given three vouchers in the form of “research dollars,” which they were invited to spend by answering any three questions of their choice. Seven questions were directed to the candidates, with four coming from Bulkley Valley Research Centre members and three from the floor. Questions focused on research-related issues, such as local research priorities, the role of research in the local economy, zoning to protect ecologically sensitive areas, and preparing the community for climate change.
The Centre was pleased to host an event that was respectful, collaborative and informative for members. We hope the forum brought research and resource management issues before our prospective council members, while also familiarizing the research community with our local politicians and their platforms. Municipal elections take place November 19, 2011 across British Columbia.
We have a recording of the forum but unfortunately it is a large file (50MB). We apologize for the inconvenience:
(Start Time)
(4:00) Introduction - One minute introductions by all the candidates.
(28:00) Question #1 - What role(s) do you think research and innovation play in the local economy.
(35:50) Question #2 - With the concern about growth in the north, population impacts, fly-in fly-out syndrome, what are the social and natural resource projects you would like to see the Bulkley Valley Research Centre do?
(50:00) Question #3 - Here’s the scenario. The Bulkley Valley Research Centre is putting on a conference in Smithers on the conservation of Skeena salmon. It has brought in scientists, fisheries managers, fishing groups, and aboriginal and community leaders from around the watershed and from around the country. The conference organisers give you a minute to say a few words of welcome. What do you say?
(58:30) Question #4 - What are your views on the use of Regional District powers (zoning, etc.) to enhance protection of ecologically sensitive areas such as riparian habitats?
(1:03:10) Question #5 - What are you doing to prepare our town for climate change?
(1:13:50) Question #6 - Local govenments support projects all the time before completion of environmental review. When do local governments weigh in?
(1:22:30) Question #7 - What are your priorities for natural resources research?
(1:30:00) Conclusion - Concluding remarks by all the candidates.