Here is a look back at a few of the top stories in the Optimist 2021 Year in Review:
Delta remembers young First Nations lives lost
Somber and moving tributes were set up at Delta Municipal Hall in Ladner and throughout the city to remember the 215 First Nations children whose remains were found buried at the site of the former Kamloops residential school.
Pairs of small shoes to honour the young lives were laid out by members of the public on the steps of municipal hall as a steady stream of people arrived to pay their respects.
Offering smudging, traditionally a ceremony for purifying or cleansing the soul, for those who attended, Tonia Lenti, a member of the Tsimshian First Nations, told the Optimist the recent discovery simply adds to the thousands of First Nations children across the country who died at residential schools.
“It’s time for Canada to wake up and recognize that these are children. They’re Indigenous children, but they’re also just children. It’s time for us to wake up and come together as a country and hold accountable those who hurt them,” she said.
Lenti’s 11-year-old son Adam said it’s about time more people are finally realizing the wrongs of the residential school system in Canada.
The Tsawwassen First Nation held a circle for members Monday afternoon at the First Nation’s community garden.
TFN Chief Ken Baird was not able to provide comment at this time as he is grieving with other First Nations peoples across the continent.
Meanwhile, flags across the nation including at Delta’s Municipal Hall, as well as the Delta School District’s offices and other places such as the Delta Chamber of Commerce, were lowered to half.
Delta Mayor George Harvie, who also laid out a pair of shoes outside City Hall, issued a statement prior to a council meeting, saying that there are no words to express the profound sense of grief and injustice that Indigenous communities are feeling across the country.
“These children were taken away from their families, their culture, and their lands - never to return home again. This discovery is a painful reminder of the legacy of the residential school system in Canada, and the ongoing need for meaningful reconciliation with our Indigenous peoples,” said Harvie.
Delta starts reopening parks amenities
The City of Delta started the reopening of some of its parks amenities.
Delta announced the reopening of the popular stairs at Fred Gingell Park in Tsawwassen and then during the weekend, reopened several of its water spray playgrounds at Diefenbaker Park, Memorial Park, Annieville Park and North Delta Social Heart Plaza.
“With the recent announcement of the BC Restart Plan, and in recognition of the reducing COVID-19 case numbers and increasing levels of vaccinations within our community, Delta is taking steps to ensure all outdoor City recreational amenities that are currently closed are reopened,” said Delta in a news release. “Residents are reminded to continue to follow appropriate COVID-19 safety precautions when using park amenities.
“Staff will be providing a report at the June 14 council meeting on the subject of changes to other City services and programs as we carefully resume those functions affected by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with the four steps within the BC Restart Plan.”
Delta Firefighters healthy snack program now at 11 schools
It’s a welcome addition to “The Nest” at Ladner Elementary School thanks to the generosity of the Delta Firefighters Charitable Society (DFCS).
The home of the “Eagles” was among five more schools that are now part of the Delta Firefighters Healthy Snack Program.
In cooperation with the Delta School District, the society purchases, organizes and then delivers snacks to designated schools. Funding for the program comes directly from Delta firefighters pay cheques as the society has a strong member payroll deduction program in which 93 per cent of the members donate every pay period.
Ladner joins Holly and Hawthorne in the “southern” expansion of the program that wasn’t supposed to proceed until September. However, with plenty of interest from other schools, the DFSC were in position to move ahead and Ladner Elementary is sure glad they did.
“It means a lot to our school. We have an area called the “The Nest” and it’s a place for invited kids to make their own lunches or supply their lunches,” said principal Toshi Carleton Gaines. “The PAC has also provided food and donations for these lunches. With COVID, times have changed a little bit. While we still provide kids food in school who need the food, what we are doing now is sending food home with families.
“We have some families that are on our radar and some that are, but reluctant to receiving, but they all are really appreciative. It means a lot them.”
Delta takes cautious approach to restart plan
The City of Delta took a cautious, conservative approach when it comes to its re-openings.
That’s according to a report to council this week on the BC Restart Plan as cases of COVID-19 decline.
On May 25, the provincial government announced the start of the provincial plan, a four-step plan to carefully resume activities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first step saw a relaxation of rules for personal gatherings, organized gatherings, travel, businesses, offices, workplaces and sports and exercise.
The second step was June 15, while Step 3 is slated for July 1 and Step 4 being Sept. 7.
City manager Sean McGill said Delta will need clarification on what’s going to be allowed and what’s not as each new provincial health order is announced.
Step 2 this week saw, among other things, outdoor personal gatherings of up to 50 people allowed, as well as indoor organized gatherings of up to 50 people, high-intensity indoor fitness classes with reduced capacity, indoor team games of all ages with no spectators and outdoor sports being allowed to have up to 50 spectators.
“We are now in a position to be carefully transitioning into the final stage of our plan,” said McGill. “Some adjustments in response to BC's Restart Plan will be easier for the City to make than others, and as we have done all along through the pandemic, staff will be taking a cautious, conservative approach. Staff are also challenged with the uncertainty of when we will be moving to the next step as introducing new programming and changing facility uses takes time and has staffing considerations.
“As such, it will be very difficult to make adjustments to operations at the soonest possible date as set out in BC's Restart Plan. We will continue to take a measured approach that ensures staff safety is paramount and that we have the capacity to deliver the program or service to the community at the high level that is expected of us.”
Step 3 of Delta’s plan will see a gradual return to staffing levels and all in-person services at city hall.
