B6 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, April 10, 1996 KATHLEEN BRANDSMA - ROB BROWN Super society s we drove under the giant flag flapping outside the Sheraton Inn located in the borough of Guild- ford, in the heart of Surrey, my daughter Allison told me it is billed by its owners as the biggest ensign in Canada. [ told her that this just another exam- ple of Americans, rabid flag wavers that they are, assuming we are aS chauvinistic and icon- bound as they. They misread us. With the exception of the Quebeckers, our nationalism is restrained. Our patriotism is quiet and firm. We are, despite the forces of erosive Amcricanism unleashed upon us by overt and covert acts of Free Trade, essen- tially a nation that eschews bombast and jingoism, one that views the star-spangled, show-biz driven culture of our neighbours with skepticism. In Canada bigger is not as casily confused with better. On Feb. 17, in one of the big ballrooms on the big hotel with the big flag, a small, vital organization convened its annual general meeting and proved this is still so, True, the Steelhead Society of British Colum- bia has grown a lot since the days, three decades ‘ago, when its membership could be packed-into rethe back room of Cal Woods’ flawer shop, but by today’s standards its still a small organiza- tion, but its reach is Fong. “British Columbians and Canadians are waking up to the fact that steelhead and salmon are critical to who we are; that they are the reficction of how responsible we have been, and intend to be, as residents of this finite and fragile place we call home,’’ society president Bruce Hill announced to the membership. “There is a growing recognition that we must not accept the demise of this resource, Never has the opportunity for a fundamental restruc- turing how we manage salmon, and salmon habitat been more available, and the Steelhead Society fully intends to capitalize on this op- portunity.’”” Earlier in the AGM, John Fraser, Canada’s Ambassador for the Environment — and long time Stcelhicad Society member — pointed out that in 1972 there was only one department of the environment in this country, namely the Federal Department of Fisheries and the En- vironment. Environmental law did not exist, On the international scene NGOs like Green Peace and the Sierra Club were beginning to make their presence felt, but here, only a band of anglers knit by a ferocious love for the rivers of this province, could be counted upon to stand up and fight for the environment. Resolute and uncompromising, the Steelhead Society fought mining operations, railed against the overfishing of west coast salmon siocks, argued against artificial enhancement, published and publicized the need for genctic integrity, in- veighed against the folly of importing exotic Sfecies to this coast, joined forces with other or- ganizations to battle Kemano IJ, argued for en- vironmental legislation, pushed for far-seecing fishing regulations, and blew the whistle on shabby forestry practices. Society directors did this in their {rec time, without an office, without paid employees. The socicly insisted on being heard. It was heard,. and, as result, has been a key player in sharpen- ing the focus of government, and causing a shift in ccological prioritics within B.C. The society will not stand still. Hill cited the sociely’s establishment of the Watershed Restoration Corporation which has made the socicly the largest sponsor within the provincial government's watershed restoration program. While other wildlife groups have come out with reaclive, deformed, red-necked rhetoric that sounds a lot like the kind used by the Reform parly in ils response to aboriginal entit- Iement, the steelhead socicty bas built upon meetings between it itsclf the Sto:Lo and Nisga’a. ‘By approaching what are at times very emo- tional issues with mutual respect, reason and facts, we have become leaders in the conserva- tion field in working successfully with First Na- tions,’” said Hill. That there is language in the Nisga’a treaty offering protection to steethead that goes far beyond existing Iegislation or policy, proves his point The stecthcad society, through initiatives cul- minating in its wild steelicad campaign has had a great deal to do witb the restructuring of the commercial fishery, as well, proving thal small and persistent is beautiful. ; 638-7283 SHOOT! Looks like it could have been a good one. But even if it was, Uplands didn’t have what it took to win the grade six boys elementary schoo! basketball championship. That honour went to Cassie Hall. But the Uplands girls made up for it. They beat Clarence Michiel Silver 28-15 In thelr final. Elementary hoops hot OVER 220 players, and 20 teams partici- pated in the grade 6 girls and boys basket- ball tournament March 28-30. On the girls sidc, Uplands defeated Clarence Micuiel Silver 28-15 in the final, In the semi-finals, Uplands downed the Clarence Michiel Classics 31-26 to ad- vance, and Clarence Michiel Silver edged out Veritas 20-19. Veritas was ‘chosen the most sporisman- like team of the tournament, Ten teams were involved on the girls side. In boys action, Cassic Hall beat Clarence Michiel 39-33 to take the championship. Cassie Hall reached the final with a semi-final win over a second Clarence Michiel team, while Clarence Michiel defeated Centennial Christian by six in the other semi-final. Copper Mountain was awarded the most sportsmanlike team honour. Organizers say all teachers and coaches deserve a big thanks for making the tournament the success il was, A number of high school students also helped with officiating and score keeping. The grade seven tournament goes April 18-20. The events are hosted by the Terrace Elementary School Sports Association. CO De Sy a a? coutte Sta tate de Local hockey president penalized THE PRESIDENT of the Terrace minor hockey asso- cialion has a permanent black mark on his record. Earlier this year the BC Amateur Hockey Associa- tion suspended Brian Downie for allowing overage midget players to participate in a bantam rep tourna- ment in Terrace. BCAHA president Florence Rempel says Downie gave Smithers coach Bruce Hutchison permission to include the players on his team for the December tournament. And, she adds, one of the players was not a member of the BCAHA, The matler came to her attention while she was in- vesligating something else. it was then turned over to district director Fred Hainstock in Smithers who asked everyone involved for a written report, Based on that information Rempel banned Downie from minor hockey for two years. Hutchison received a 16 month suspension. Downie appealed though, saying the sentence was unfair. He also claimed there were irregularities in the in- vestigation process. The appeal board agreed and the ban was lifted, The board ruled Rempel was wrong not to suspend Downie indefinitely while the investigation was un- derway. Record of the suspension will remain on Downie’s recard, . He was out of town, and not able to be reached for comment. “ Rempel said this complaint of overage players being used was the first one the BCAHA investigated this year. More common complaints focus around coaches mistreatment of players, non-sanctioned tournaments and discipline matters. oh RMB Pe gra Bronze season end for bantam bowlers THE TERRACE Bantam boys youth bowlers took bronze at the Provincial championships in Kamloops March 30. Coach Eva Wilkinson says the Senior boys missed bronze by only 30 pins, “But they bowled really well,’’ she says, “"We all had a great time.’* 280 bowlers from eight zones were at the provin- cials. Terrace bowlers are off to a high/tournament in Kitimat later this month, In that event two bowlers, one with a high average, and one with a low average, bowl as a team. That will mark the final event of the season. Youth bowling will resume after the Labour Day long weekend. Sie oye WAITING PATIENTLY Maxine Smallwood and Bob Goodvin were at the Skeena Mall March 31 to give area seniors once last chance to sign up for the BC Senior games. The games are being held in Kamloops Sept 4- 7, About 175 participants from Zone 10; that's Ter- race, Kitimat and Prince Rupert, have signed up. They'll be competing in about 20 events, Smallwood says track- and-fisid events are at- tracting the biggest group of competitors,