Safe Harvest Coalition helps agricultural workers, employers know their rights

When her boss offered her $25 for sex, she thought he must be joking. But then she realized she couldn’t work there anymore.

"You gotta quit your job. It’s not good," said the Oliver farm labourer, who, for obvious reasons, won’t give her name. "I was kind of shocked."

She had been working in the orchard for a couple of months, when her boss started to come on to her. At first, she thought she could brush it off, but she came to realize she couldn’t carry on working under those conditions.

"I started being nervous, and thinking all the time about what I would do if (he pushed it further)," she said.

It’s not uncommon for agricultural labourers to feel pressured into sex, said Lisa Needoba. In fact, the organization she is president of – the Safe Harvest Coalition – exists to help labourers learn about what their rights are. She said there was a study done in the Okanagan, to find out what the situation is like for agricultural workers.

"Thirty-seven per cent of the women surveyed said sexual harassment or assault was something they had experienced," she said. "It’s high. It’s more of an issue for women in agriculture because they are more isolated from support systems."

Not only are they working – and sometimes living – in rural areas, without transportation, they might also be facing language or cultural barriers. Needoba said some workers don’t understand that in Canada, there are laws that protect people from that sort of behaviour.

Back in 2000, a group of volunteers got together to look at the issues, and in 2004 they formed the non-profit society. But there’s more than sexual issues to deal with. Needoba said they found out that when people are having trouble securing their basic needs – access to private washrooms, accommodations, and food – it’s hard for them to protect themselves.

"We can’t address sexual harassment when people don’t have their basic needs met. It’s all well and good to say you shouldn’t be treated this way … but if you have to hitchhike to get groceries, you are being forced to put yourself in a situation where you are vulnerable to sexual harassment."

There are two roads to creating a better situation. The first is an educational component.

"We work with farm workers to raise their awareness on their rights and responsibilities. If people are more aware of their rights and responsibilities, they will be more likely to exercise them."

The second front is more practical. It’s about making sure employers are compliant with basic rules and regulations.

"We encourage people to let the appropriate authorities know when the standards are not being met."

The standards can include facilities to wash hands, refrigerators to store foods, and access to private bathrooms.

The Safe Harvest Coalition is also a place for people to turn for help. That’s where the woman who was offered money for sex turned, and she’s glad she did.

"She (Needoba) is going to help me. She told me all about what is involved," she said. "She was really helpful."

Needoba is going to be speaking in Oliver, on Thursday, June 15, at 1 p.m. at Work Zone, on Main Street. Though she is aiming primarily to speak to farm workers, she also welcomes employers to come to learn more.

For more information, call Needoba at 497-7820.

First Nations considering legal action

According to local First Nations groups, not enough is being done to help the Okanagan Chinook salmon – and it’s a situation that has to change, said Deana Machin, Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) Fisheries Program Manager.

"We work with them (Federal Government) on Sockeye Salmon, but we have a long ways to go to get on the same page with the Chinook," said Machin. "We’re going to see if the government holds up its responsibility—that’s why we’re really pushing this. They’re mandated and obligated to manage fisheries; that’s what DFO (the Department of Fisheries and Oceans) does; we want to make sure they’re doing their job. Even though DFO doesn’t seem to consider the Chinook stock important, the Okanagan considers the stock important."

Osoyoos Indian Band chief Clarence Louie said no one has been able to fish salmon for over 40 years.

"The Okanagan Chinook salmon need a lot of attention, rehabilitation, and money so they don’t become extinct," he said. "We’re just glad there’s even a small amount of Chinook left."

Machin said the (Federal) government is putting a lot of money into certain salmon stocks, although not the Okanagan Chinook - but the other stocks already have larger populations. For example, she believes that the Cultas Lake Chinook salmon, which gets funding, has population numbers somewhere around 200, but the Okanagan Chinook numbers fall under 50.

"We collected samples from 29 Chinook last fall," Machin said, "meaning we counted and observed only 29 Chinook in the Okanagan River." These small numbers of Okanagan Chinook salmon are the only remaining run of Chinook returning to Canada through the Columbia River system.

Machin said there is limited baseline information and much work needs to be done to address scientific information gaps. Recovery plans to rescue the Chinook population also need to be developed. Collecting stock information is critical in determining how to move forward with stock recovery.

Machin also said the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has just down-listed the Okanagan Chinook from endangered to threatened. Their decision was based on a single year’s stock assessment data collected in October 2005, Machin added.

This move was a surprise to the ONA, especially when just last year, the ONA developed a salmon status report that led to COSEWIC doing an emergency listing of the species to endangered. And it was only then that the DFO finally allocated a small amount of funds for one spawning season to conduct the enumeration and sampling of Okanagan Chinook, said Machin. It was the first time that the Federal Government allocated funds to spend directly on scientific assessments.

"However, this seems to be as far as they are willing to go," said Machin. The ONA has developed several project proposals for further research and distribution of information about this compromised stock, but unfortunately, these proposals have not been granted funding, she stated. Two funding programs that are awarded by DFO have already turned down two proposals on the Okanagan Chinook salmon, and so far, ONA has not received any information that the DFO has allocated resources to fund Chinook assessments this year. "They told us a month ago, that at that point, no funds were available."

Dr. John Davis, Special Advisor to the Deputy Minister on Species at Risk at the Department of Fisheries, stated that the organization is indeed putting forth funds to help the Chinook.

"As we provided $20,000 in the fall of 2005, we’ve allocated an additional $20,000 to Chinook assessment this coming year as well," he said. "There is an intention to provide funding this fall." He then added that if a satisfactory long-term recovery strategy was created, it would also be considered for funding.

Machin said that they (ONA) haven’t yet been contacted by DFO or COSEWIC to discuss the present status of the Chinook.

"I haven’t heard anything about allocated funds, and so far, it looks like there will be no program for conducting research and monitoring of Okanagan Chinook this year—at least not one that DFO will be involved with."

Davis explained that COSEWIC, who’s an independent advisory body, makes recommendations to the government for potential legislative listing under the Species at Risk Act.

"The (Okanagan) Chinook have gone to a lesser degree of concern," he said. "There was some biological evidence that they took into account that says they (salmon) are not as bad as we thought." He said there is also a question of whether or not they are a unique population or whether they have strayed from the group of 60,000 salmon running just across the border through the Columbia River system.

Machin disagrees. "They’re (Chinook) native stock; they’re not strays. They have characteristics unique to the Okanagan River. That’s where they come from and that’s where they belong." She said that the salmon have continued to persist in the Okanagan River for the last 50 years, but the government has not made efforts to monitor Chinook stock in Canada or to make efforts for their recovery.

"Our community would love to harvest Chinook again—they haven’t done it for the last 50 years. That’s why we do what we do, and we’re so concerned no one else is responding. It’s not just up to us," she said. "If someone wants to step up to the plate to work with us on Chinook recovery, we’ll take the opportunity."

Louie agrees.

"Salmon are an integral part of our culture, traditions, and diet. History has shown that these fish can’t recover on their own and with fewer than 50 Chinook remaining, we are unwilling to take a ‘wait and see’ approach," he said. "We’ve made our commitment to Chinook recovery very clear, but I guess Okanagan Chinook aren’t endangered enough for DFO to take action and work with us on this."

Chief Stewart Phillip, Penticton Indian Band and ONA Chairman, also feels strongly on the subject. "We can only conclude that the Government of Canada is not upholding its mandate to manage sustainable fisheries or its obligations to the Okanagan Nation in terms of our constitutionally protected rights to enjoy an assured access to fisheries and other resources for food, social, and ceremonial purposes. If DFO will not come to the table and work with us, we will explore other avenues to conserve, rebuild, and defend the Endangered Okanagan Chinook population."

According to Machin, the ONA will be seriously considering its legal options and other opportunities for Chinook recovery efforts with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Okanagan Nations’ tribal relations in Washington State.

Louie still has hope.

"Some people say the Okanagan Chinook salmon are a lost cause—that you can put money into them and it won’t help—but I don’t believe it," he said. "Look at all they’ve gone through over the last forty years, with their habitat changing, all the dams, the irrigation, water temperature changes, pollution, etc., and they’re still coming up; they’re still trying to spawn and survive."

People starting to stop at Oliver businesses

Local restaurants clean up in Readers’ Choice Awards

Oliver businesses were on the receiving end of over 20 awards in Okanagan Life magazine’s 12^th annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

It’s evidence that dining in Oliver has changed over the past decade.

"Not only have they raised the bar for Oliver, but they’ve raised the bar for the whole Okanagan," said mayor Ron Hovanes. "People always said Oliver is a drive-through town. Well, people are actually starting to stop."

He said it’s particularly impressive that Oliver businesses are so highly recognized in a publication that is Kelowna-centred.

"I commend them. I think they’ve done an incredible job and it’s a sign of better things to come. The atmosphere, the quality of the stuff they are serving – they’ve really stepped up to the plate."

The awards are handed out according to feedback from the public. Ballots are printed in February’s issue of Okanagan life magazine and patrons of the business are encouraged to fill out the ballot and send it in. There are many categories to vote on and this competition extends to businesses from Osoyoos to Vernon.

"It’s incredible," said Jane MacFadden of Cantaloupe Annie’s on Main Street. "We really appreciate the input and support from the public." This is the first year MacFadden was chosen for these awards, and she did very well in many categories including "Best of the Best," and "Best Undiscovered Restaurant."

Jay Drysdale, manager of the Toasted Oak Wine Bar and Grill appreciates the support from those that took the time to vote. They won in the category of "Best Wine List" and "Best Business Lunch."

"It’s nice to see more support for business in the South Okanagan," he said. "There are more people coming from Penticton and Kelowna to check out what’s going on down here. Volume has definitely increased."

The Cock and Bull, also on Main Street, won several awards including "Best Coffee Shop," "Best Breakfast" and "Best Brunch." Rick Kohnke, owner, has been open for over eight years.

"We have a good local clientele," he said. "The market is developing."

Wineries had their own category based on best wines. Mick Luckhurst, and his wife Pam, own and operate Golden Mile Cellars, a winery north of Oliver. They won for the best Pinot Noir.

"It helps to have the best of the best," said Luckhurst, referring to his winemaker Mike Bartier.

"Pinot is our goal, we make as good as there is anywhere."

One notable thing about all of the entrepreneurs is their dedication to their work and to the public they do it all for. Every one of them is hands-on in their business and eager to realize their vision for the future.

A complete list of winners can be found in May’s issue of Okanagan life magazine. Besides being recognized in the magazine, the winners receive certificates, which they proudly display and are also invited to a big bash that is put on by the magazine, in their honour.

South Okanagan Restaurant winners include:

Best of the Best: Cantaloupe Annie’s.

Best place to eat and hear live music: Cantaloupe Annie’s

Best Wine List: The Toasted Oak Wine Bar and Grill.

Best service: Cantaloupe Annie’s

Best New Restaurant: Cantaloupe Annie’s.

Best Undiscovered Restaurant: Cantaloupe Annie’s

Best steak: Jacques Wine Country Restaurant

Best European: Best of India

Best Breakfast: Cock and Bull Cappuccino Bar

Best Brunch: Cock and Bull Cappuccino Bar

Best Business Lunch: The Toasted Oak Wine Bar and Grill, Cock and Bull Cappuccino Bar, and Burrowing Owl Vineyards

Best Dessert: Jacques Wine Country Restaurant

Best Wrap: Cock and Bull Cappuccino Bar

Best sandwich: Cantaloupe Annie’s

Best coffee house: Cock and Bull Cappuccino Bar

Best Casual Restaurant/Bistro: Toasted Oak Wine Bar and Grill

Best Meal for the Money: Cantaloupe Annie’s

The winners for Best Wines are as follows:

Best Merlot: Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

Best Pinot Noir: Golden Mile Cellars

Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Jackson-Triggs Vintners, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

Best Chardonnay: Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

Best Ice Wine: Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery

Participate in the park

Passionate opinions are held on both sides of the park debate. Weeks of letters-to-the-editor from both sides have given the impression of a polarized community but we think this is a false impression.

The vast majority of people appear to be in the middle taking a wait-and-see position on the issue. Most people are neither avid naturalists or dedicated wilderness users. Nor are the issues simple and clean.

There will be a price to pay no matter which decision is made. After all, if it were an easy decision there would be little debate.

We have another round of open houses with Oliver’s this Thursday, June 15 in the community centre between 3 p.m. and 8:30. Take an hour out of your busy schedule and become more informed.