Jim

Get to know Jim:

My name is Jim Belsham, I will be 80 this year, lived in Cranbrook for 25 years, born in Fort Fraser (400 people) 1943, no electricity or running water, uphill to and from the 2room school. Regularly minus 40 to 60 most winters. Graduated from high school in Vanderhoof 1961, Went to UBC for 5 years. 

 Studied biological and earth science to a BSAg (bachelor of science in agriculture) major soils, minor plants, this now is all part of environmental sciences. Worked for the BC department of agriculture mapping whole landscapes for environmental landuse planning.  I was on the team mapping Elk Valley in 1966 prior to the new open coal mines. The first 5 years were very exciting learning on the job with high expectations to save the world, the next 5 years I was trying to quit.  We knew and openly discussed climate change and environmental challenges we are now witnessing ongoing.  I was disillusioned with bureaucracy and lack of political will to act on environmental priorities. 

 I was married in spring of 1965 and our daughter was born in December.  I graduated in 1966 with enough course credits and enough debt, it was time to be paid. In 1968 I took a one year contract with CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) assigned to Sabah, Malaysia’s most eastern state on the north tip of Borneo next to the Philippines. A dream job, fieldwork in a remote area mapping soil. Indigenous people lived in bamboo huts and longhouses with palmleaf rooves, cool in the humid heat of tropical rainforest. 100% humidity, 90 degrees fahrenheit in the day, cooling to 70 by sunup. Rainforest is beautiful, coral beaches, shallow reefs and small islands. Multi cultures, languages and religions. It was life changing, idyllic and fascinating. 

 Being gay was illegal, classified as a mental illness worthy of electric shock, conversion therapy or incarceration.  Trudeau senior changed the law in 1967. I very much wanted to be “normal”, I went for counselling, the wisdom was to find the right woman and have children. Our son was born in 1970 in Canada, by 1972 it was pretty clear I had taken the cure and it didn’t work. I separated from my family, resulting in much anxiety, upset and depression. I spent a lot of time and money any counselling or therapy offering to help. Depression is hugely debilitating, and recovery is slow and complicated. Religious indoctrination and cultural pressures complicate the new journey of self-acceptance and positive change.

 In 1976 I met and joined my life with Keith, together for 14 years, we wove my children into our life and owned an apple orchard in Oosoyoos. This was a time of high inflation forcing us to leave the farm. The work had been interesting, challenging and strenuous. For apples to be marketable, many toxic chemicals have to be used, leaving toxic materials behind was the silver lining. Moving on to work in forest nurseries was satisfying for the next 11 years, the last 7 years being at Harrop Nursery near Nelson. 

 While living in the West Kootenay I had a very good friend who was HIV positive. He soon became symptomatic, information and supports were not easily available. Together with 3 wonderful public health nurses and other community members with AIDS related issues, we formed Ankors (Aids Network and Outreach Society). Ankors now covers East and West Kootenays with education and support in sexual health and harm reduction. I’m very proud to be part of Ankors beginnings continuing to provide community advocacy and support. 

 My current partner surfaced on January 7, 1997, I moved to Cranbrook in November. In the spring of 1998, my new mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimers, that fall I registered at College of the Rockies for careaid training to have more knowledge and experience. Lois was a delightful person to know, she was part of my family for the last 5 years of her life, I worked part time for Top  Crops till Lois died in 2003. I worked part time for interior Health, Home Support until 2014 when I was 71. 

 I joined the Bissett Singers choir in 2004 and have been singing solo, in groups and choirs ever since. Friends are starting a new group called K Choir. I always wanted to have children. I’m very proud of my son and daughter and their children. My only greatgrandchild was born last June. I garden and help friends with their gardens. I always wanted to learn how to prune fruit trees and still do quite a lot of pruning.  I always wanted to green up the world, fill it with music and kindness and stronger communities, I’m still proud to be working on all. 

 I’m delighted to be part of Faces of Pride. I feel so good to see communities growing with diversity, caring services, advocacy and inclusion with room for all.

This is so much better than the uptight, judgemental and discriminating places many of us have come from. We can get better and do better.