Times Chronicle Staff

A local Grade 6 student has convinced the provincial government to act on saving feral horses in Oliver.

Delia Graham from Senpaq’cin School is making a difference by addressing a safety hazard involving wild horses and the motoring public.

“I chose to take on this project after hearing of accidents involving feral horses on Black Sage and McKinney roads. I want to make sure that everyone stays safe out there and the horses are protected.”

Delia’s project is influenced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which were created in 2015 to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.  

Of the 17 goals, Delia chose “Life on Land” as the basis for her project. She then had to commit to months of research, surveys and interviews in order to complete this lofty task.  

Delia scoured through years of articles on human and feral horse interactions. She interviewed several stakeholders and has been communicating with government officials to push for positive change.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has agreed to add five new “Feral Horse Crossing” signs (three on Black Sage Road and two on McKinney Road). 

Delia will also be designing her own sign and meeting with the Osoyoos Indian Band to have it placed on the reserve.  

Delia and fellow students will be presenting their projects to the school and the general public on Wednesday, May 25 in the gymnasium between 9 and 11:30 a.m.

The following are other projects being presented: “The Benefits of Basketball” (Nico Faugno and Leeland George), “Building Intergenerational Connections” (Sienna Zulberti and Chase Cook), “Grade 6/7 Gathering Day” (Samera, Gabriel), “Spreading Awareness on Proper Pet Care” (Phoenix Batik-Michas and Kenai Gianni), “Water Crises on Canadian Reserves” (Quila Woodhouse and Rowan Mutambudzi), “Reducing Local Hunger ” (Alexis Webber-Bent), and “Supporting Local Women’s Shelters” (Mya Woodhouse and Teckla Eustache-Ingram).

Teacher Jesse Martin said the student exhibition is a culmination of all the hard work and skills these students have acquired through their elementary years. 

She praised Delia for making a difference and prompting the government to act on a local issue.