Rendezvous in Kananaskis
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Rendezvous in Kananaskis
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Caravan to Kananaskis Photos (June 29, 2002 / Alberta Indymedia)
Here's a convenient little zoomable map to figure out the best route from wherever you are to Kananaskis: Click here for zoomable roadmap to Kananaskis. The map starts off already zoomed in on Kananaskis Village (which is about 20 kms south of Seebe). Zoom out in the direction that you would be coming from to find the possible routes...
If you don't have your own means of transportation, and you want to participate in colletive actions in Kananaskis, get to Calgary first, which is where those who wish to push the protest to close quarters will be finalizing plans. The crucial thing is to make it to the "First Spokescouncil for the Rebel Alliance" which will be held Saturday, June 22, 3-5 p.m. at the convergence space (The Calgary MultiCultural Centre, 712 - 5 Street SE). Transportation plans from Calgary to the Kananaskis area should be dealt with at that time. Please see Ewoks in Kananaskis for the G8 for the spokescouncil callout.
If you are part of an affinity group which is planning independent actions in the Kananaskis area, transportation will depend on which gateway to Kananaskis you wish to approach. Canmore is the most obvious staging point for such actions.
By the way, if you are thinking of kiting, gliding, or ballooning into the Kananaskis area, you should take a moment to study this Map of the No-Fly Zone (for more on the 'no-fly' zone, see Massive no-fly zone ordered over Kananaskis, Alta., for June G8 summit - March 21, 2002 / CP).
Getting to Calgary:
Air Six Billion - Charter flights and other means of transport from Toronto and other points east
Kananaskis - The Trails and the Terrain
Kananaskis Village and Surrounding Area - Map Guide
The black lines ___ indicate roads, while the red lines ___ indicate the main trails around the outskirts of Kananaskis Village. The area within the brown circle and the similarly shaded stretch of road extending beyond it represent the announced security zone (see: Security Area Outlined for Kananaskis Country - May 21, 2002 / RCMP press release). Also, see: G8 Summit Frequently Asked Questions (June 9, 2002 / Alberta Indymedia), an internal Alberta Gov't doc. sent to employees about the upcoming G8.
The numbers within the yellow rectangle correspond to the 6 major trails entering the Summit zone:
For another overview of the above trails, take a look at: this Alberta Parks map. However what you should really have is the full scale version of the trail map depicted above ("Canmore and Kananaskis Village"). Also pick up the map for "Kananaskis Lakes" (which covers the southern portion above) and/or "Bragg Creek & Elbow Falls" (east of what you see above) if you wish to consider in more detail southern and eastern approaches. These trail maps are available by mail order from GemTrek. Or find some of them online via: Tactical Info at ACK.
Keep in mind that the trail maps indicate only maintained trails. Mountain scrambles and minor routes are generally not indicated.
There are also the topographical maps from Natural Resources Canada, available via various distributors (see: Canada Map Office, Regional Distribution Centres). The maps you should look for are: Spray Lakes Reservoir (082J14) and Canmore (082O03). These are 1:50,000 maps, which is the same scale as the Gem Trek maps. The Gem Trek "Canmore and Kananaskis Village" is best for most purposes, however, because it is centered around Kananaskis Village so that you only need one map rather than two. It is also waterproofed, it includes a higher resolution map of the village area on the flip side, and the contours are more detailed than the NRC maps (25 m. rather than 40 m.).
Here is a Trail Report and some other info from the Govt. of Alberta which may be useful.
The following links will help to give a feel for the terrain...
Mt. Kidd - nice photos, looking down towards Kananaskis, etc.
Mt. Sparrowhawk- PeakWare.com
Mt. Bogart- PeakWare.com
Scramble up Mt. Sparrowhawk- with a couple of nice photos
Climbs Online - list of Canadian Rockies climbs, with routes and levels of difficulty indicated. For more detailed info, you have to order one of their guide books...
Kananaskis Country - Government of Alberta site
(May, 2002) This link - Government of Alberta's map of Kananaskis - no longer works (it defaults to the Alberta Community Development homepage). Instead, see this 'newer' Government of Alberta map of Kananaskis which covers the same terrain, but from which a certain amount of info has been removed, and these maps of Kananaskis Village and surrounding area.
Hikes... - many in the Kananaskis area, supplemented with photos. You must check these out. Try GR234443, for instance...
Dave's Place - go to the 'Scrambles' section where Dave Stephens has descriptions and photos of many hikes up mountains around the Kananaskis area. The climb up Mt. Bogart is particularly relevant, especially to get an idea of the times required to traverse the trails in the area.
For more detailed info on trails, try K-Country Trails from Rocky Mountain Books
The closest detention center to Kananaskis Village is Kananaskis Correctional Centre, which is located near the Kananaskis Lakes, about 25 or 30 kms south of Kananaskis Village. It is small, but since the next closest prison is in Calgary - about 90 kms away from Kananaskis Village - the authorities will probably use it with some modifications (e.g. tripling or quadrupling the number of inmates regularly assigned to cells). Unless, of course, they succeed in their efforts to get the main protests to happen in Calgary....
Here's the construction company's blurb on the Kananaskis Correctional Center, in which they almost seem to be soliciting reservations: "This 45 person (capacity increases to 85 persons when needed) correctional centre is quietly nestled in the middle of Kananaskis Country, and serves as a minimum security work camp. Construction cost $ 2.1 M, and was completed in 1989. It's soft emerald green roofs reflect mountain architecture themes, while light grey siding fits well with the wilderness environment." The Correctional Service of Canada adds that "the spiritual axis of the four cardinal points formed the basis for the massing of the buildings" (see: Let's Talk (Oct. 97)).
News Flash (Oct. 18) - looks like the Alberta government has suddenly decided to close the Kananaskis Correctional camp.... see: AUPE concerned by work camp closings. Pressure to empty the facility in order to make room for anti-G8 'clientele' (recall Orsainville in Quebec City) no doubt played a role in this decision.
Kananaskis - Background
Kananaskis Prison Camp - Did you know that Barrier Lake was a product of concentration camp labour? And for the first few years of the WWII, pacifists and communists (e.g. Ben Swankey - see: On to Ottawa Trek) were 'interned' at the Kananaskis-Seebe prison camp.... See also: KANANASKIS - Its Forgotten History History of Kananaskis, Alberta - A well-researched historical overview, but watch out for the final section claiming that the area is now safely preserved from corporate predators. See the CPAWS site (Kananaskis G8 Summit) for a less rosy view of the current state of affairs.
Environmental Concerns and Links
Kananaskis, the G8, and the Environment
Kananaskis And The Environment by Connie Fogal
Kananaskis Country resort slammed - (Jan. 11, 2002 / Calgary Sun) a controversial $500-million year-round resort proposed by Genesis Land Development for the south end of the Spray Lakes Reservoir area of Kananaskis, and which would include boat tours, 27-hole golf course, night-lit cross-country skiing, a 400-bed hotel, ski lifts capable of handling 6,000 people a day, and heli-skiing, has local environmentalists up in arms.
Scientists Speak Out on Three Sisters and Bow Valley Wildlife Corridors - call for wildlife corridors in order to offset the negative impacts of plans for large-scale development on the Three Sisters Resorts lands in the northern part of Kananaskis (impacts are expected to be roughly equivalent to "one and a half Banffs").
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
Bragg Creek Environmental Coalition(BCEC)
Alberta Wilderness Association - make sure to visit the section devoted to the Kananaskis
National Geographic takes aim at shrinking Alta. forests (May 27, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) In a scathing attack on Alberta's forest management record, the June issue of National Geographic calls it "a prime example of (the) deleterious effects" of oil, gas and forestry industries. The province has been trying to use the G-8 summit to promote further exploitation of wilderness resources.
Bears
(see also the above section - 'Environmental Concerns' - for related info)
GRIZZLY BEAR CONSERVATION NEWS
Conservationists demand monitoring for threatened G8 Grizzlies (June 25, 2002 / Bow Valley Grizzly Alliance) Conservationists ask the Canadian Government for enough money to monitor the 8 grizzly bears trapped and collared for security reasons at the G8, for the life of their collars...not just until they den up this fall.
Hungry bruin kills grizzlies(June 14, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Two bears which were being trapped as part of a collaring program were killed. See also: G-8 rush killed bears (June 19, 2002 / Calgary Herald); Snared grizzlies killed (June 19, 2002 / Banff Crag&Canyon); Grizzly bears killed by grizzly (June 13, 2002 / Calgary Sun) ; Young Banff grizzlies killed by older bear(June 13, 2002 / Calgary Herald); Critics call for review of research methods (June 20, 2002 / Rocky Mountain Outlook)
Conservation group calls for more protection for the grizzly bear (June 8, 2002 / CBC)
Chateau expansion fought (May 30, 2002 / Calgary Herald) "The Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Investigation Agency has launched a national billboard campaign in the U.S. calling for Fairmont Hotels to drop its expansion plans. The group said further development will harm one of only three concentrations of breeding female grizzly bears left in Banff." For more on the campaign to halt the Chateau Lake Louise expansion project, see the Delta/Fairmont Hotels section below.
Grizzly bear team forced to cut back (May 18, 2002 / National Post) While G8 money is poured into the collaring of grizzlies to ensure the safety of 'leaders' (see below), Parks Canada efforts to protect bears in the Banff area are being scaled back due to lack of funds.
Scientists deny grizzlies study an attempt to create false crisis (May 14, 2002 / National Post) The right-wing Fraser Institute continues to use conflicting statistical reports as ammunition for its support of development interests.
Grizzlies threatened, report says (March 26, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) Two government-appointed committees say grizzly bears in Alberta should be put on the list of threatened species. The report was forwarded and accepted by the Alberta Endangered Species Conservation Committee, the 19 members of which "represent government, forestry, energy, agriculture and recreation industry interests."
Concerns for grizzlies grows (March 10, 2002 / CBC) - "There used to be between 9,000 and 16,000 grizzlies in Alberta. It's now believed there are only 1,000 living in Banff and Jasper parks. He says at least six Grizzlies were killed in the Bow Valley last year because of human activity."
Province urged to accept bear designation (March 6, 2002 / Banff Crag & Canyon) - A local environmental advocacy group says that due to dwindling grizzly bear populations, the animal should be designated as 'threatened' - as opposed to its current status as 'game animal' - in order to ensure that a recovery plan to save grizzly bear habitat is implemented.
Report predicts dwindling grizzly population near Banff (Feb. 25, 2002 / CP)
BEARS AND G8 PROTESTS
 Grizzly Bloc at non-violent civil disobedience seminar (Check out the Bear Bloc Website) |
 Rumor has it that security forces are considering the acquisition of several Ursus Mark VI Suits for their deep forest reconnaissance teams. |
The chances of an encounter with a grizzly or a black bear are exceedingly small (and, due to the continuing expansion of resort developments, getting smaller with every passing month), but not non-existent. According to the experts, even if an encounter occurs, it doesn't mean that an attack will ensue, particularly if you are aware of what to do and what not to do. And finally, if an attack does occur, pepper spray has proved to be a fairly effective deterrent. The main thing is to remember that the wilderness is 'home' for bears, so it is a hiker's responsibility to learn how to behave properly in bear territory. The following articles give an idea of the do's and the don'ts.
Grizzly Bear Encounters - includes some important links to pepper spray info.
UDAP Pepper Spray FAQ - essential reading if you're going to carry pepper spray as a bear deterrent
Grizzly Bear Attacks: Legends and Facts
Pepper spray a defense against bear attacks
How to avoid grizzly bear attacks
Account of 2 Grizzly attacks in August 2000 - a hair-raising account of 2 grizzly encounters - involving the same bear, as it turned out. These are particularly interesting since they take place in the vicinity of the Rendezvous at Kananaskis. Here is another version of the same Skogan Pass Trail encounter. The importance of it having been August - berry season - is emphasized. Late June should presumeably be less risky.
Summit security collars bear threat (May 9, 2002 / Calgary Herald) (Crosspost from news section...) Last month, the Calgary Sun ran an April Fool's spoof in which it was announced that the Kananaskis area would be cleared of wildlife by means of ultrasonic blasts. They weren't so far off the mark, apparently - although the truth is, in many ways, worse. We are told, now, that grizzlies in the Kananaskis area will have to spend their remaining days wearing radio collars so that eight shameful human specimens (who, unlike the grizzlies, deserve to be collared) can have their exclusive two-day 'retreat'. Bruce Leeson, environmental spin-doctor for the government's security operation, says: "we're doing this for the benefit of the bears and for the benefit of our own staff." Well, if anyone had any real consideration for the bears, there wouldn't be a G8 summit in Kananaskis in the first place. But if patrolling police and military personnel are to be informed when grizzlies get dangerously near - what about protesters? Will police simply vacate danger zones without informing protesters - effectively creating lethal traps? It seems to me that if police had such information and did not share it, thus resulting in the injury of a protester, it would amount to involuntary manslaughter.
Fairmont / Delta / Legacy Hotels
The G8 will be meeting at the Delta Kananaskis. Delta Hotels are owned by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Inc., and managed by one of its subsidiaries. The same company owns the Fairmont and Legacy hotel chains as well. These corporations have been implicated in various environmental, labor, and indiginous rights abuses in recent years, and links to some of the associated campaigns against Delta/Fairmont/Legacy Hotels are provided below.
Siksika mounts legal dispute against Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Siksika dispute enters legal waters (June 8, 2002 / Calgary Herald)
Ongoing First Nations' Boycott of Delta Hotels
The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Matthew Coon Come, called for a boycott of the Delta Hotel chain by all First Nations citizens in Canada . The chain is behind the attempts by the Sun Peaks Resort Corporation to have the members of the Secwepmc Nation arrested for setting up a camp on their traditional territory.
May 2002 update: The struggle against Sun Peaks has reached a critical stage: Secwepemc lands are now up for 'resale': http://www.sunpeaksrealty.com/resales.htm
"The Secwepemc have never sold, ceded, or signed treaties with the land within the Sun Peaks Ski Resort. The land still belongs to the Secwepemc. All land transactions must have the permission of the Secwepemc." -Janice Billy
Woman sentenced to 45 days in jail over native protest at Sun Peaks (October 22, 2002 / Canadian Press)
Canadian Indian Land Policy: DO IT OUR WAY OR BE ARRESTED (June 21, 2002) Communiqué from Chief Arthur Manuel reporting the conviction of Jim Gregory.
Sun Peaks Corporation and BC Government Violate Canadian Law, Destroy Homes and Holy Sites (March 6, 2002)
Updates on Secwepmc Struggle from Turtle Island
Secwepemc Elders, Landusers, and Youth "Categorically Reject Nault's Gameplan" (Feb. 13 / 2002)
National Chief Calls For Boycott Of Delta Hotel Chain By First Nations (July 19, 2001)
The Battle to Resist a Fairmont Lake Louise Convention Center
For the past four years the BEAR Society has campaigned against the construction of a 7-storey convention centre at Lake Louise in Banff National Park. Canadian Pacific Hotels (now called Fairmont Hotels and Resorts) plans to build the convention centre as an addition to their Chateau Lake Louise in order to draw more conventions to the hotel, fill the hotel more often and make more money.... (read more at the BEAR site below)
Campaign fights expansion (June 5, 2002 / Banff Crag&Canyon) More on the Environmental Investigation Agency's billboard campaign. 68 conservation groups are now actively opposing the convention centre.
WildCanada.net - online fax campaign against the Fairmont Convention Centre.
Chateau expansion fought (May 30, 2002 / Calgary Herald) "The Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Investigation Agency has launched a national billboard campaign in the U.S. calling for Fairmont Hotels to drop its expansion plans. The group said further development will harm one of only three concentrations of breeding female grizzly bears left in Banff."
Fairmont target during weekend (April 17, 2002 / Banff Crag&Canyon)
BEAR: Cubs or Convention Centres at Lake Louise? Note: check out the video at this site which is an excellent primer about the issues involved here.
Another Banff Grizzly dies as Ethical Investors Drop Fairmont Hotels (Oct. 4, 2001 / Environmental Investigation Agency)
Chateau expansion challenged (Dec. 4, 2000 / CBC)
Banff development given go ahead (Sept. 21, 1999 / CBC)
