September 21, 2011

Tree of Life project unveiled in Surrey

From now on, students, staff and visitors to the Surrey School District Education Centre will be welcomed in the Coast Salish tradition.

Part of the aboriginal education department’s “Tree of Life” project, a pair of Welcome Poles were erected at the south entrance of the building Sept. 16 to recognize and honour the Coast Salish territory, and to celebrate the gathering of the various departments within the school district.

“It’s important to honour our traditional territory and the significance of our aboriginal history and culture,” noted Gayle Bedard, district principal of aboriginal education.

The red cedar Welcome Poles – a male and a female figure – are the culmination of the Tree of Life project, which was launched in the 2010/2011 school year. Working on-site at five secondary schools that also hosted surrounding elementary students, Semiahmoo First Nation carver Leonard Wells was commissioned to carve the poles.

“The Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Strategy is pleased to support the integration of Aboriginal culture and traditions into the Surrey School District curriculum,” said Jacquie Adams, co-chair of the MVUAS steering committee.

“The carving of these Coast Salish Welcome Posts has provided students and staff the opportunity to learn about aboriginal culture and traditions in a culturally enhanced learning environment. The Welcome Posts will stand through time, symbolizing aboriginal contributions to the Surrey community.”

The project supports two of the Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement goals: to increase awareness of aboriginal history, traditions and culture for all students; and to enhance aboriginal students’ sense of belonging so they can be successful.

September 13, 2011

New Surrey animal care centre

The cost and scale of a new animal shelter in Cloverdale has gone up in price, partly due to a requirement to build roads to the new facility.

Surrey staff appeared before council Monday asking for an $2.5-million increase in the budget of the Surrey Animal Care Centre, bringing the total cost to $7.6 million.

The 17944 Colebrook Road facility was approved by council in its 2011 budget for $5.1 million.

“The original budget did not include funding for offsite servicing costs of approximately $1.2 million, including both the provision of an improved access road to the site as well as sanitary sewer and water service extensions that are necessary,” a staff report to council states.

In addition, staff are leaning toward a more automated facility that, while costing more initially, will mean less operating costs over time.

The city is creating the shelter as it parts ways with the SPCA.

Surrey’s Animal Care Centre will focus on animal-control issues, such as dogs found roaming. The BCSPCA is also creating a new facility on a 5.5-acre parcel of land in Cloverdale that will deal purely with animal cruelty issues.

Both sites are expected to be up and running next year.