How many elk can you count?
This large elk herd was spotted near Pincher Creek on Feb. 23, 2018.
Check out the video captured by Shootin’ the Breeze staffer Jaiden Panchyshyn.
How many do you think there were?
Author: Jaiden Panchyshyn
MD of Pincher Creek hits pause on rezoning applications
Pincher Creek’s MD is pausing recreational development pending a review of the district’s land use bylaw.
Council voted last month to put off decisions on all rezoning applications for rural recreational development through the end of June, or until council updates the MD’s land use bylaw. The resolution, tabled by deputy reeve Tony Bruder, follows a recent spate of applications by residents and outside entrepreneurs hoping to launch tourist ventures on MD ranchlands, especially campgrounds.
Ranchers who opposed a rezoning bid by the Waterton outfitter Blak Star Globes had called for a rezoning freeze at a public hearing last November.
Council voted down Blak Star’s application in December, but approved a broadly similar rezoning at the same meeting.
“The perception was that we were picking winners and losers,” Reeve Rick Lemire told Shootin’ the Breeze on Feb 8.
Advertisement
Lemire said the MD has heard from a number of hopeful rural recreational developers since the new year, prompting council to take a beat while it hashes out a consistent policy framework.
Council had planned to update its land use bylaw, which outlines zoning, as part of its upcoming strategic plan — a long-term priority, according to Lemire.
Seven rezoning applications came through council in 2022, five of which were approved, according to MD spokeswoman Jessica McClelland.
“We decided that we couldn’t wait,” Lemire said.
Council sat down for an initial review of its land use bylaw last week, drawing on the advice of Gavin Scott, a planning consultant with the Oldman River Regional Services Commission.
The Covid-19 pandemic thrashed Alberta’s tourist economy, plunging tourist spending from $8.2 billion in 2019 to $4.9 billion in 2020 — a 43 per cent decrease, according to Travel Alberta.
Advertisement
But the industry is recovering — tourist spending hit $5.7 billion in 2021 — in part because pandemic travel restrictions inadvertently drew Albertans to camping spots in the Pincher Creek area.
“There’s going to be lots of rezoning applications coming, so we need to look at them with a refreshed perspective,” Lemire said, explaining that council went through a similar process when windmills started to crop up in the MD.
“We did a study that showed us where we wanted windmills to go and where we didn’t want them to go. So, we’re doing something similar here for campgrounds.”
Developers can still file rezoning applications in the interim, but a staff report appended to council’s Jan. 13 agenda notes that “Council has the right to refuse them at first reading.”
Advertisement
Pincher Creek to build new curling rink, pending borrowing bylaw
The motion, tabled by Coun. Mark Barber, triggered a lengthy deliberation at chambers Monday, drawing input from all six councillors and Mayor Don Anderberg as they weighed the project against the town’s acute, chronic housing shortage, the potential tax increase to pay for the build, and the state of the existing facilities at the CRC.
Council several times acknowledged the long-running contributions by the local curling club, which has long operated the current curling rink at 837 Main Street at its own expense.
Council set aside $1.25 million of the estimated $4 million build in its 2023 capital budget. The remaining $2.75 million will be funded by a long-term loan, pending council’s upcoming vote on a borrowing bylaw, which will be the subject of a public hearing.
Speaking in favour of Barber’s motion, Mayor Anderberg said that, in a worst-case scenario, council could pay for the project with a three per cent municipal tax increase. Council will apply for a federal grant that would cover up to 60 per cent of construction costs, provided the build goes ahead on a “net-zero” carbon footing, he told the public audience.
Advertisement
Coun. Gary Clelland cast the vote as an “11th-hour” decision that would determine the curling club’s future.
“This is the time for us to take a positive step forward in our community, and say, ‘We want hundreds of people involved in this (curling) centre that for 100 years paid their way, have been leaders in the community … paid taxes in the community for 100 years, and still do today,” he said.
Coun. Sahra Nodge objected that the long-term borrowing costs and subsequent maintenance of the rink would overly burden taxpayers, adding that the CRC’s gym and bowling alley are approaching their end of life.
“My role on council is to make sure that the monies that are spent by the town are done so responsibly, and with the due diligence and transparency that our community expects,” she said.
Echoing Nodge, Coun. Brian Wright asked council, “How do we not bring a tax increase in order to get this to move forward?”
Advertisement
Anderberg noted that residents surveyed in Pincher Creek’s March 2021 master recreation plan identified an upgrade to the curling rink as a top priority for indoor recreation.
“If our community tells us that a new curling facility is high on their list of priorities, I’ll follow their direction,” he said.
Coun. David Green said housing solutions should take priority over the proposed curling rink.
The town’s population has marginally shrunk in the past 15 years. Its housing vacancy rate was less than 1.5 per cent in 2017, when most of the town’s and neighbouring village of Cowley’s housing stock was close to 40 years old, according to a 2018 housing-needs assessment commissioned by council.
“The lack of adequate and affordable housing for low-income families is a barrier to the economic growth and stability of (Pincher Creek) communities,” the assessment found.
Advertisement
Coun. Wayne Oliver, who attended the meeting remotely due to illness, said he trusted Anderberg’s business savvy.
“Yes, housing is extremely important. But, I think we could work parallel on housing while building a new curling rink facility,” Oliver said.
Barber’s motion passed 4-3 after Anderberg called the question, with Couns. Barber, Clelland and Oliver in favour, and Couns. Nodge, Green and Wright against.
Council then unanimously passed Barber’s motions to apply for the federal grant and to tack $2.75 million onto 2023’s operating budget.
Council must now decide whether to authorize a $4-million loan through a borrowing bylaw. The loan would cover construction costs not already budgeted for if council’s grant application fails, but Anderberg said the town probably wouldn’t spend the full amount.
Advertisement
You may also be interested in:
Curling arena concerns: Open letter to Pincher Creek council
E-Edition Feb. 15, 2023
Muddy Monday
Bear enjoyed muddy outdoor activities prior to Monday’s snowfall in Pincher Creek. Windy chill expected today before above-zero temps return.
Jennie Fern Toews Obituary
Death was the result of cancer, which she quietly fought for many years. The song “My Jesus I Love Thee” was a comfort to Mom when she realized the battle would soon be over.
Her childhood was spent in the Linden, Alta., area with two sisters and four brothers. Jennie was a determined red-haired girl who loved schoolwork, baseball and skating. In her youth, she worked at an egg grading station and also at the Linden post office. She gave her heart to the Lord as a young girl and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, being faithful until the end.
She married Wilbert Toews on Oct. 10, 1958, sharing life for over 64 years. Their first home was in Linden. They moved to Pincher Creek in 1968, among the first families to call this new congregation home. They raised five children on the old home place, a farm just out of town. She worked alongside Dad on the farm and in the community, striving to be a friend and help to everyone they met.
Mom took meticulous care of anything entrusted to her, whether it was a puzzle box, a garden or a child. She worked tirelessly for the good of her family, providing us with a secure and orderly home. Most importantly, she taught us the way of Jesus which was so precious to her.
Mom took a keen interest in the details of people’s lives and wasn’t afraid to start a conversation. She was a list keeper, a diary writer and a note taker. An avid reader, she kept a list of every book she read and appreciated a good story or laugh.
In the last years, Jennie enjoyed living at the Crestview Lodge and interacting with the residents and staff there. She loved having coffee, doing the Daily Jumble in the newspaper, and the competitive games of Scrabble and Upwards with her friends. Her grandchildren meant the world to her and she checked in with them often. We all want to meet her in Heaven.
Those left to treasure memories are her husband, Wilbert Toews; children Lorraine Unruh, son-in-law Jeff and Darci Dejax, Galen and Gwen Toews, Kelly and Joanne Toews, and Kendall and Marla Toews; 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. One brother, Leroy and Marianne; two sisters, Audrey Toews and Darlene Reimer. Two sisters-in-law, Ruby and John Hendrickson, and Dianne Reimer. Dad’s family: Susanna Reimer, Irma and Irvin Megli, Eldon and Lorna Toews.
Those gone before include her daughter Donna Lynn Dejax; son-in-law Merle Unruh; three brothers, Gerald, Reg and Ellis; six brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Snodgrass Funeral Homes
403-627-4864 www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com
Shootin’ the Breeze extends condolences to the family and friends of Jennie Toews.
Donald David Rouleau Obituary
Left to cherish Donald’s memory are siblings Joan Brees (Hugo), Ken (Cindy Johnson), Kathy Lynk (Con) and Gerry; aunt Winona Rouleau, nephews and nieces, and cousins.
Donald was born in Pincher Creek, Alta., to F. David and Bernice Rouleau, where he resided his entire life. He worked part time in the family newspaper business (Pincher Creek Echo) during high school.
After graduating from Matthew Halton High School, Donald’s work interests included a long stint as a projectionist at the local theatre; management in the Heritage Inn (Pincher Creek and High River); and King’s Restaurant (Blairmore and Pincher Creek); and salesman at Sears in Pincher Creek before his health declined.
He served as a member on the Group Youth board and was a member of Citizens on Patrol (COP).
A graveside service for Donald will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Pincher Creek on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at 2 p.m.. A reception at Eden’s Funeral Home (966 Elm St., Pincher Creek, Alta.) to follow.
Donations may be made to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, in Donald’s memory.
Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation: 100-119 14th St. N.W., Calgary, AB, T2N 1Z6.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Eden’s Funeral Home
403-627-3131 www.edensfuneralhome.com
Shootin’ the Breeze extends condolences to the family and friends of Donald Rouleau.
Taralyn Layton Obituary
Tara was a wife, sister, fur baby mom, niece, friend, and most importantly an auntie, which she took great pride in.
Tara was born in Lethbridge, Alta., on April 19, 1979, to Pat and Gordon Allred and big sister Jaime. She grew up on a farm at Twin Butte. She loved animals and always had a pet that she adored and took pride in caring for. She thoroughly enjoyed travelling, camping, and just being at home with her fur babies.
Her life was made complete when she married her best friend, Aaron, on Aug. 27, 2022. He was the love of her life and he loved and cared for her deeply throughout the time they had together. They complemented and enjoyed one another, always putting the other first.
Tara’s biggest love besides Aaron was family. Jaime was her rock and they looked after one another after their mom’s passing. They always had one another’s backs and loved each other unconditionally. Jaime’s children were the light of Tara’s life. Courtney, Tasha and Tyler were her sunshine. She cherished them and was so proud to be their auntie. She would move mountains for them and was always there when they needed her.
Tara loved her fur babies; her dogs: Tess, Maggie and Buddy; and her cats: Bandit, Boots and Sam. She also loved doing crafts and cooking. Being home and being a wife was the icing on the cake. Tara had many hardships over the years but always fought hard to overcome them. She had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone that needed her. She will be missed not only by family but by the many friends she made.
Tara will be reunited with her parents, Patricia and Gordon Allred; her grandparents, Victor and Elmire Sulava and Byron and Mildred Allred; her niece and nephew Caitlin Rebecca Hay and Coal Armstrong; as well as her aunt Angela Sulava and uncle Brent Gunderson.
Tara has left to mourn in her passing: her loving and devoted husband, Aaron Layton; her sister and brother-in-law, Jaime and Jaret Armstrong; her nieces Courtney Allred and Tasha Hay (Glenn Walker) and nephews Tyler Hay (Brie Wilson) and Jesse Hale. She also leaves behind her stepmom, Janet Allred, and in-laws Bryan and Linda Layton and Chris Layton, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Tara will be forever loved and missed by so many.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Snodgrass Funeral Homes
403-627-4864 www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com
Shootin’ the Breeze extends condolences to the family and friends of Taralyn Layton.
Sandra Radford Obituary
Sandra valiantly battled her cancer with courage and strength but was overcome on Jan. 2, 2023, while in the comforts of her home and surrounded by her loving family and close friends. She was blessed with 60 years of a wonderful life.
Sandra Lea Rogers was born on July 3, 1962, in High River, Alta., to proud parents Benjamin and Nadine Rogers. Along with her seven siblings, she was raised with a great appreciation for family, community and the little pleasures that most take for granted in this world.
She had many talents and interests but Sandra really excelled in her creativity; she crafted amazing art pieces and jewelry, displaying them at various flea markets and fairs. Always up for a good contest, she also enjoyed fishing for giant sturgeon in our northern lakes, but her greatest joys were those cherished moments spent with family and friends. She is now gone from our eyes but she will remain forever in the hearts and minds of those who loved her dearly.
Those left to mourn her passing and to celebrate her life include her devoted husband, Glen Radford; her beloved children and stepchildren: Steven (Mellisa) of Viking, Vernon Earp of Medicine Hat, Tyler Earp of Hillcrest, Kyle Radford of Medicine Hat, Stacy Earp of Glasgow, N.S., and Bobbie Radford of Viking; her precious grandchildren: MacKinna, Kaylee, Dayveen, Tearin, Shelbie, Rosa, Gregory, Sadi, Ragnar, Sawyer and Masion; her siblings: Melvin (Shannon) of High River, Doug of Patricia, Alta., Kenny, Glen and Fay (Jim) of Longview, Marilyn of Radium, B.C., and Ronda (Gerald) Clark of Medicine Hat; as well as her many extended family members and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Benjamin and Nadine Rogers.
No funeral services will be held. A gathering of family and friends will occur in the spring. Donations in memory of the late Sandra Redford may be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca) and condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Fantin’s Funeral Chapel
403-562-8555 www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca
Shootin’ the Breeze extends condolences to the family and friends of Sandra Redford.
Ken Murray Obituary
He met his wife of 49 years at the University of Lethbridge and after graduation they settled in Pincher Creek, where he taught for 30 years.
Ken was a teacher, mentor, coach, father figure and sometimes goofy older brother to many students. He was a versatile teacher with a particular love for science. Ken could be counted on to fill any teaching role, and also gave back to his profession by serving on local and provincial committees of the ATA.
After retirement, he served six years as a school trustee, even as he began to travel and enjoy the snowbird life in Tucson, Arizona.
Ken was diagnosed with PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy) in 2019. Movement became difficult, but he never complained nor lost his sense of humour. With the help of OT, ST and home care, Ken was able to remain at home until his passing.
He died peacefully at sunset on Dec. 31, 2022.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Jean, daughter Jenn and children Jordan and Sophia, daughter Marcia (Chris) and stepchildren Josh and Abby.
Ken is survived by sister Brenda and family, brother Warren, sisters-in-law Audrey (Jim) and Maggie (Rick), brothers-in-law Jack (Susan), Doug, Richard (Denelle) and George (Cate), and many nieces and nephews.
He will be remembered by many close and caring friends and colleagues, as well as former students who are still wondering how he could spot them 20 points in badminton and still win. Ken was noted for his love of pranks, love of sports, love of fishing, love of family and love of friends. He will be missed.
A celebration of life will be held on June 10, 2023. Further information will be provided when arrangements have been finalized.
Memorial donations can be made to the Windy Slopes Health Foundation, PO Box 2554, Pincher Creek, AB, T0K 1W0 (website: windyslopes.ca/donate).
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Eden’s Funeral Home
403-627-3131 www.edensfuneralhome.com
Shootin’ the Breeze extends condolences to the family and friends of Ken Murray.
Alexander Gordon Russell Obituary
A proud and independent man, Alex was a loving husband to Margo and a devoted father to Alexandra. He wore his heart on his sleeve and would lend a helping hand to anyone in need; always thinking of others. Struggling with health issues over the past few years, Alex faced his challenges with grit, determination and thoughtfulness.
He is survived by his beloved wife and soulmate, Margo, and his precious daughter Alexandra; two daughters from a previous marriage, Marla and Mida; his sister Betty (Don) Bauer; nieces Tracy and Karen and their families, as well as his cousin Pat, who he reconnected with after 60 years. Other surviving family members reside throughout Alberta and British Columbia.
Alex was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Flora Russell, and numerous extended family members.
Alex was born and raised in Claresholm, Alta., and spent his formative years acquiring entrepreneurial skills that included learning to drive at the tender age of six (sitting on telephone books to see), whilst his father picked mushrooms on the side of the country road; delivering milk as a young boy in town using a horse and buggy; and working at the local movie theatre with his aunts. When he wasn’t working, he was running, riding his bicycle, swimming in the creek or playing baseball.
After high school, Alex continued his hard-working ways and worked for many years for Safeway Shelter Systems in Claresholm building manufactured homes; ultimately progressing to purchasing manager. When the company closed their doors, Alex was able to transition easily to working full time in the farming and ranching industry for many years — a lifestyle he thoroughly enjoyed.
Alex and Margo met in Stavely and, desiring to be closer to the mountains, moved to Pincher Creek — an area where Alex felt content and at peace. They raised their daughter and the menagerie of horses, dogs and cats on their acreage. Being retired, Alex was able to build and fix things in his Quonset and spend time driving his daughter all over the country for 4-H, school sports, dancing and community volleyball. He also supported Margo with her career and numerous adventures.
Alex, you will be sorely missed and our lives feel empty without your loving and protective ways to guide us forward. We will miss your many stories about childhood and growing up and your ingenuity in solving any problem, as well as your sharp wit, humour, and most of all your love. We are blessed to have had you as a husband, father and best friend.
A special thank you to the doctors, nurses and support staff at the Claresholm Hospital, Fort Macleod Health Centre and Lethbridge Regional Hospital in their loving care of Alex.
If you so desire, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Alex’s name.
It all started with a smile and a wave … Love you forever Alex.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Eden’s Funeral Home
403-627-3131 www.edensfuneralhome.com
Shootin’ the Breeze extends condolences to the family and friends of Gwenda Stockinger.
Gwenda Stockinger Obituary
Survived by her loving husband, Joseph, of 61 years; daughters Laura-Mae and Sandra and twin son Glen; caring nieces and nephews that were part of her world; Laura-Mae’s family in Australia that she did not have the pleasure of meeting but loved from afar; as well as the many who were like family and called her Grandma or Auntie.
In Gwen’s immediate family, she was the last of the Meddins line. She was predeceased by her mother, father, three brothers and two sisters, as well as her son Neil and son-in-law Alex (Laura-Mae).
She led a long and full life. Her last seven years were in the care of the wonderful staff at Vista, who were tremendous.
After moving from Medicine Hat to Pincher Creek in the early ’70s, she made this her home for over 50 years where she raised her family.
Gwen was active in the church as a Sunday school teacher, but was best known for her baking and jam-making skills as well as her vegetable gardens. “A grand homemaker.”
Love you dearly, Mom. You will be so very much missed by all.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Snodgrass Funeral Homes
403-627-4864 www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com
Shootin’ the Breeze extends condolences to the family and friends of Gwenda Stockinger.
Alberta faces uncertain battle against Bill C-21
Speaking with southern Alberta reporters Friday, Tyler Shandro condemned C-21 as “a gigantic mistake” and “an attack on the way of life for folks … particularly in rural Alberta.”
Strong words aside, the minister struggled to come up with specific countermeasures.
Shandro hinted at using Alberta’s Sovereignty Act (Bill 1) against C-21. Premier Danielle Smith promised her supporters during the United Conservative Party’s leadership race last summer that the act would empower the legislature to ignore federal laws the province deemed harmful to Albertan interests.
“Now that Bill 1 has passed … we’ve asked for folks to take a look and provide us with suggestions,” Shandro said Friday. “Maybe there are opportunities for resolution in the house in 2023.”
But the act can only direct provincial bodies not to enforce targeted federal laws. It cannot compel individual Albertans to do the same.
“I think that’s why we’re also looking at a number of initiatives that don’t involve the Sovereignty Act,” Shandro qualified.
Advertisement
“There are things that we can do now to move quickly, and stuff we can learn from what’s happening in Saskatchewan,” where, Shandro said, the legislature in Regina is working on a constitutional challenge to Ottawa’s proposed gun buyback program.
Alberta is already pursuing six applications for judicial review of the federal cabinet’s decision in May 2020 to ban 1,500 types of guns. Bill C-21 seeks to toughen gun restrictions through a host of amendments to the Firearms Act.
Recent amendments by Paul Chiang, Liberal MP for the Ontario riding of Markham-Unionville, would significantly add to the ban by prohibiting any gun capable of taking a magazine containing more than five rounds. This would effectively ban all magazine-loading rifles, as well as many types of shotguns.
Guns that shoot with a force of more than 10,000 joules or that have a bore of two centimetres or more would also be banned.
Shandro said the Liberals were “playing politics,” misleading Canadians by purporting to show that legally obtained guns were driving violent crime.
“I think we know that, anecdotally, we have a sense or an intuition that that’s not the case,” he said.
Advertisement
A May 2022 report by Statistics Canada shows that gun violence in 2020 accounted for less than three per cent of violent crime nationally.
But the report shows that the per capita rate of gun crime in Alberta’s rural south jumped by 31 per cent between 2019 and 2020. Firearms were present in 264 violent crimes reported to regional police detachments for that year, accounting for roughly 4½ per cent of violent crime, or a rate of 54 incidents per 100,000 people outside metropolitan centres.
For comparison, regional violent crime was overwhelmingly driven by physical force and threats in the same period, with police finding no weapons at all at just over 4,500 incidents. That number accounted for just over 75 per cent of all violent crime reported to regional police.
Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nunavut had the sharpest increases in police-reported gun crime dating back to 2009, the report showed.
Guns were used in 37 per cent of investigated homicides in Canada in 2020, but the report notes that this figure was skewed by the April 2020 gun massacre in Portapique, N.S., that killed 22 people. The shooter’s guns were illegal because he did not have a possession and acquisition licence as per the Firearms Act.
Advertisement
Handguns were the most common weapon used in Canadian gun murders dating back to 2009. Gun crime was more associated with rifles and shotguns in rural parts of the country, according to the report.
There are no available statistics to show the origins of guns used in violent crime.
For more information on gun violence in Canada, consult “Trends in firearm-related violent crime in Canada, 2009 to 2020” on Statistics Canada’s website, www12.statcan.gc.ca.
There were 241,794 guns registered in Alberta as of October, according to Ethan Lecavalier-Kidney, press secretary for Minister Shandro.
Of that number, Lecavalier-Kidney said 237,638 were handguns, 2,918 were rifles, and 1,238 were guns registered as “other.”
Rifles and shotguns are probably vastly underrepresented in that total, because most long guns don’t need to be registered under current legislation.
Bree Burns Obituary
Bree was born on Feb. 14, 1977, in Fort McMurray, Alta.
Bree is survived by her father Larry Burns, mother Michelle Montgomery (Burns), stepfather Frank Montgomery and brother Dane Burns, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends.
Bree had an exuberant personality and passed way, way too young. She will be missed tremendously by all who knew her. Love you always!
Cremation has taken place. There will be a come-and-go celebration of life at the Ramada Inn, Pincher Creek, on Dec. 3, 2022, from 1 to 5 p.m., with luncheon provided. Ashes will be interred at the Fairview Cemetery in Pincher Creek on Dec. 3, 2022, at noon with family and close friends only.
Shootin’ the Breeze extends condolences to the family and friends of Bree Burns.
Obituary for David Friesen
Born in 1929 to David and Agatha Friesen on a farm near Altona, Man., he grew up in a small farming community. One of his first jobs was to work for the Manitoba Hydro company and then at 18 he joined the RCMP.
One of his first postings was to Cardston, where he served with Rufus Goodstriker. He fell in love with beautiful foothills and surrounding mountains and vowed to retire in this area.
He was predeceased by his sisters Esther and Ruth, and his wife, Pat.
He is survived by his sister Alma Park, who is 94, and by his two daughters and their spouses, Shannon and Gordon Culham and Trish and Gerald Golbeck. Dave has four grandchildren, Cara and David Culham, Ryan Beckett and Jacquie Eden, as well as five great-grandchildren, Matthias, Markus and Eva Eden, and Katelyn and Braxton Livingstone.
All his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were able to visit him in the last two weeks before he passed.
Dave served with the RCMP for 25 years, spending most of his service time in the Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories. He became involved in his community wherever he lived. He also empowered the local Inuit people, helping to install the first Inuit justice of the peace during his time in Coppermine. He and Pat also initiated an Inuit co-operative for the selling of their artwork and furs.
Dave’s favourite sports were hockey, curling and golf. He even made a rough course on a sandbar in the Arctic when he and his wife, Pat, would golf on weekends.
After retiring from the RCMP, Dave served as president for several community sports organizations, the Yellowknife Curling Club and Golf Course. He coached the Cowley Lundbreck Weasels hockey team, co-founded the Livingstone Landowners Association, and served with the Cowley Lions Club as president and then as Lions district governor.
He was granted an outstanding citizen’s award this year by the Pincher Creek MD for his legacy in seeking justice for the Indigenous school children at Lower Post residential school in British Columbia.
Dave loved the great outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He took up saw-sharpening and framing as hobbies when he established his retirement home on the Dunmoovin Farm in the Porcupine Hills.
In his later years he enjoyed spending his winters in San Carlos, Mexico, and in helping his daughter Shannon on the farm cutting grass and making deer sausage. He will be fondly remembered and ever missed by his family.
He lived his life in fulfilling the motto on his RCMP uniform, written in French as “Maintiens le Droit,” which means to “maintain or uphold the right.”
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 16, at 2 p.m. at the Dunmoovin Farm.
Shootin’ the Breeze extends condolences to the family and friends of David Friesen.
