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Optimism in the East Kootenay

Speakers shared reasons for a bright future at the Key City Theatre on Wednesday night.
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Speakers shared their reasons for a bright future in the region at the Optimism in the East Kootenay forum at the Key City Theatre on Wednesday night.

Trevor Crawley

Speakers shared their reasons for a bright future in the region at the Optimism in the East Kootenay forum at the Key City Theatre on Wednesday night.

Speakers included Joe Pierre, Rick Jensen, Laurie Dickson, Stan Chung, Eric Termuende and Tristen Chernove. The audience was treated to a performance from the Ktunaxa Youth Dancers, before organizer Tom Shypitka introduced the lineup of speakers.

Each presentation highlighted the reasons why there is optimism for the future of the East Kootenay, through the lens of groups they represented. Pierre told a Ktunaxa story that illustrated the power of youth, Jensen spoke about the role of the Columbia Basin Trust and the economic activity it generates.

Stan Chung, the Vice President, Applied Research with the College of the Rockies, spoke about economic development and competitiveness and how the college plays a role in that, while Termuende talked about the redefinition of success and building community in the workplace between employees and employers.

Dickson and Chernove also addressed the crowd; Dickson on her career as a world champion fitness model and world champion motocross racer, while Chernove spoke about his triple-medal performance at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.

All proceeds from ticket sales went to support the permanent MRI funding campaign that is being spearheaded by the East Kootenay Foundation for Health.