1 00:00:01,002 --> 00:00:02,568 Here we are in high river, alberta! 2 00:00:02,703 --> 00:00:05,604 [cheering & applauding] 3 00:00:05,739 --> 00:00:08,973 The land of open range, ranchers and rodeos. 4 00:00:09,010 --> 00:00:11,342 It's full of diversity. 5 00:00:11,379 --> 00:00:14,446 But canadian country western culture is king. 6 00:00:14,581 --> 00:00:16,782 Shoot, this part of the heartland is where 7 00:00:16,917 --> 00:00:18,716 They shoot parts of heartland. 8 00:00:18,753 --> 00:00:20,519 [laughing] 9 00:00:20,654 --> 00:00:21,987 But, folks, we got to talk about 10 00:00:22,122 --> 00:00:24,656 The 2013 flood. 11 00:00:24,658 --> 00:00:28,394 This was the worst flooding in provincial history. 12 00:00:28,529 --> 00:00:31,129 It was devastating, not just economically, 13 00:00:31,165 --> 00:00:33,131 But also emotionally. 14 00:00:33,266 --> 00:00:34,199 And I think it still is. 15 00:00:34,235 --> 00:00:36,734 Like, I was warned, I should not tell a joke 16 00:00:36,771 --> 00:00:39,871 About the flood and the name of your town. 17 00:00:40,007 --> 00:00:41,640 People are sick of that one, right? 18 00:00:41,709 --> 00:00:42,808 Some people are like, "oh, gee, 19 00:00:42,877 --> 00:00:44,509 High river, you got flooded, 20 00:00:44,578 --> 00:00:46,678 Well, what'd you expect with a name like that?" 21 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,013 So I'm not going to tell that joke. 22 00:00:49,050 --> 00:00:50,648 Even though I kind of just did. 23 00:00:50,684 --> 00:00:52,284 [laughing] 24 00:00:52,286 --> 00:00:54,019 That joke doesn't hold water. 25 00:00:54,021 --> 00:00:55,754 And I'll tell you why- 26 00:00:55,756 --> 00:00:57,889 That's not how high river got its name. 27 00:00:57,925 --> 00:01:01,026 High river was named after the highwood river, 28 00:01:01,161 --> 00:01:04,630 Which is named after the high wood, the tall trees, 29 00:01:04,632 --> 00:01:08,300 The cottonwood trees that grow along its banks. 30 00:01:08,435 --> 00:01:10,702 Actually, it's a shame that cottonwood trees 31 00:01:10,838 --> 00:01:12,571 Aren't as absorbent as they sound. 32 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:13,772 [laughing] 33 00:01:13,774 --> 00:01:15,741 That could've helped out quite a bit. 34 00:01:15,743 --> 00:01:17,676 [applauding] 35 00:01:17,811 --> 00:01:19,811 When you grow up in a small town in newfoundland, 36 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:21,513 You see that people have a sense of humour 37 00:01:21,549 --> 00:01:22,481 About hard times. 38 00:01:22,550 --> 00:01:23,582 Check, check. 39 00:01:23,584 --> 00:01:25,684 I turned that into a career and hit the road. 40 00:01:25,819 --> 00:01:27,786 [mc] mr. Jonny harris! 41 00:01:27,921 --> 00:01:29,988 Now I'm on a mission to find the funny in the places 42 00:01:29,990 --> 00:01:31,456 You'd least expect it, 43 00:01:31,459 --> 00:01:33,525 Canada's struggling small towns... 44 00:01:33,594 --> 00:01:35,460 Towns that are against the ropes, 45 00:01:35,496 --> 00:01:36,662 But hanging in there... 46 00:01:36,797 --> 00:01:39,398 Still laughing in the face of adversity. 47 00:01:39,533 --> 00:01:41,733 This is high river, alberta. 48 00:01:41,769 --> 00:01:45,370 ♪ 49 00:01:45,506 --> 00:01:50,876 ♪ 50 00:01:51,011 --> 00:01:55,113 [cheering & applauding] 51 00:01:55,149 --> 00:01:59,952 Now, around here early summer always sees heavy rains. 52 00:01:59,954 --> 00:02:01,887 That, mixed with the melt coming down from the 53 00:02:02,022 --> 00:02:05,123 Rockies into the foothills here, floods happen. 54 00:02:05,159 --> 00:02:06,825 ♪ 55 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:09,494 But 2013 was different. 56 00:02:09,497 --> 00:02:11,830 It caught everybody off guard. 57 00:02:11,965 --> 00:02:15,934 By the time a mandatory town-wide evacuation 58 00:02:16,003 --> 00:02:19,938 Was called, some people were already cut off. 59 00:02:20,007 --> 00:02:22,708 I heard stories about the air evacuation. 60 00:02:22,710 --> 00:02:24,442 Helicopters coming in, 61 00:02:24,478 --> 00:02:27,879 People lifted off the roof of the sobeys. 62 00:02:28,015 --> 00:02:29,447 Although, when I first heard that story, 63 00:02:29,517 --> 00:02:32,451 I got it wrong 'cause I was told people lifted off the 64 00:02:32,453 --> 00:02:35,420 Roof of sobeys, but I took it to mean people 65 00:02:35,556 --> 00:02:37,856 Lift the roof off the sobeys. 66 00:02:37,858 --> 00:02:39,791 -[laughing] -and I was just confused. 67 00:02:39,860 --> 00:02:41,393 I was like, if it's pissing with rain, 68 00:02:41,462 --> 00:02:43,494 Why would you leave the roof off your sobeys? 69 00:02:43,531 --> 00:02:45,597 [laughing] 70 00:02:45,732 --> 00:02:47,665 But in 2013, 71 00:02:47,701 --> 00:02:51,002 Once the river had breached the banks, 72 00:02:51,038 --> 00:02:54,206 It grew in some areas 35 times 73 00:02:54,208 --> 00:02:56,141 Its normal width. 74 00:02:56,143 --> 00:03:00,412 I can't even start to imagine how much water that is. 75 00:03:00,414 --> 00:03:03,615 Like, all this led me to one question: 76 00:03:03,750 --> 00:03:06,685 If the town is high river and the river is the high wood, 77 00:03:06,687 --> 00:03:09,421 How much river did highwood river deliver 78 00:03:09,423 --> 00:03:11,890 When the river got higher than high river? 79 00:03:12,025 --> 00:03:15,994 [laughing, cheering, & applauding] 80 00:03:16,030 --> 00:03:17,996 To get to the answer of that question, 81 00:03:18,065 --> 00:03:22,700 I needed an in-depth recap weather report. 82 00:03:22,736 --> 00:03:26,772 So, I got dialed in by local radio host, jody seeley. 83 00:03:26,907 --> 00:03:29,674 [cheering & applauding] 84 00:03:29,710 --> 00:03:33,511 Jody was on the air when the floodwaters came up. 85 00:03:33,647 --> 00:03:34,912 She doesn't usually do sports, 86 00:03:34,949 --> 00:03:36,848 But she was sort of giving the community 87 00:03:36,850 --> 00:03:38,383 The play by play. 88 00:03:38,419 --> 00:03:40,718 The water was coming around the corner, 89 00:03:40,754 --> 00:03:42,854 Down the street to the radio station. 90 00:03:42,923 --> 00:03:45,724 And it's not really anywhere near the river, 91 00:03:45,726 --> 00:03:47,825 So the fact that the river was coming down our street 92 00:03:47,861 --> 00:03:49,394 Was something we'd never heard of. 93 00:03:49,529 --> 00:03:51,663 She was like, "ah, hey, folks, ah, so... 94 00:03:51,798 --> 00:03:53,398 Weather's coming up." 95 00:03:53,434 --> 00:03:55,400 -[laughing] -"I mean, really up. 96 00:03:55,469 --> 00:03:57,035 Up to the front of the station." 97 00:03:57,104 --> 00:03:58,603 [laughing] 98 00:03:58,606 --> 00:04:00,005 The flood rains finally stopped, 99 00:04:00,140 --> 00:04:03,675 But the real problem was the long-term devastation. 100 00:04:03,810 --> 00:04:06,678 The radio station moved to the neighbouring community. 101 00:04:06,813 --> 00:04:09,047 So, I'd have to drive through this torn-up, 102 00:04:09,116 --> 00:04:12,451 Disastrous area into a community that was okay. 103 00:04:12,453 --> 00:04:14,419 It broke her heart every morning when she was 104 00:04:14,421 --> 00:04:17,021 Driving through high river, which was still a mess, 105 00:04:17,057 --> 00:04:19,691 And going and doing her broadcast from a 106 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,760 Comfortable place that was unscathed by the flood. 107 00:04:22,796 --> 00:04:26,898 God, even talking to you about it now, I can smell it. 108 00:04:26,900 --> 00:04:28,700 I can go back there in an instant, 109 00:04:28,769 --> 00:04:30,502 Even though it's ten years later. 110 00:04:30,571 --> 00:04:32,904 Many homes couldn't be salvaged. 111 00:04:32,940 --> 00:04:35,507 After several weeks of backed-up sewage 112 00:04:35,576 --> 00:04:36,842 In the basement, that's it- 113 00:04:36,977 --> 00:04:38,510 It's done, it's finished. 114 00:04:38,579 --> 00:04:39,845 Although, I wonder if you're going to sell it, 115 00:04:39,980 --> 00:04:42,113 Could you put that in the ad, 'finished basement'? 116 00:04:42,149 --> 00:04:44,416 [laughing] 117 00:04:44,551 --> 00:04:46,652 And so I said, is there some way we could have booths 118 00:04:46,787 --> 00:04:49,721 On the ground in high river where we could be there? 119 00:04:49,790 --> 00:04:51,790 And our team came up with the idea of 120 00:04:51,792 --> 00:04:53,825 Having a remote trailer. 121 00:04:53,861 --> 00:04:57,061 So, her and her team came up with a mobile 122 00:04:57,097 --> 00:04:59,597 Generator-powered radio station, 123 00:04:59,667 --> 00:05:01,933 And they set up camp over at the parking lot 124 00:05:01,969 --> 00:05:03,535 Of the hitchin post. 125 00:05:03,604 --> 00:05:05,603 And then we'd set up chairs so people could come sit. 126 00:05:05,673 --> 00:05:07,972 I had lots of guests, lots of country music stars 127 00:05:08,042 --> 00:05:10,742 Came down to be on the cheer-up committee and, 128 00:05:10,811 --> 00:05:15,247 It just became this little centre of connection, really. 129 00:05:15,382 --> 00:05:18,550 As a radio host, jody was not just a voice during 130 00:05:18,619 --> 00:05:20,952 This time, she was company for people. 131 00:05:20,954 --> 00:05:21,886 She started this thing, 132 00:05:21,922 --> 00:05:24,756 It was called the hug or honk campaign. 133 00:05:24,891 --> 00:05:26,458 I would go on the air every day and I'm like, 134 00:05:26,593 --> 00:05:28,793 "if you're okay, and you're going past, 135 00:05:28,862 --> 00:05:30,695 Give us a honk. Things are good. 136 00:05:30,698 --> 00:05:33,631 If you're not okay, today, I want you to come in 137 00:05:33,667 --> 00:05:34,766 And we're gonna have a hug." 138 00:05:34,768 --> 00:05:38,036 And there would be lots of honking going on and 139 00:05:38,038 --> 00:05:39,571 Lots of people who came in, 140 00:05:39,573 --> 00:05:42,974 And I honestly think those hugs got us through 141 00:05:42,976 --> 00:05:45,310 All of this crappy stuff. 142 00:05:45,445 --> 00:05:46,578 And people loved it. 143 00:05:46,580 --> 00:05:49,781 The government of alberta named her a flood hero for 144 00:05:49,916 --> 00:05:52,451 Being a voice of hope in the community. 145 00:05:52,586 --> 00:05:55,554 [cheering & applauding] 146 00:05:55,556 --> 00:05:57,655 I like the sound of it too, honk or hug. 147 00:05:57,691 --> 00:05:59,591 I never, I never heard of that before. 148 00:05:59,593 --> 00:06:01,460 I had a buddy who had a bumper sticker that said, 149 00:06:01,595 --> 00:06:02,794 "honk if you're horny." 150 00:06:02,929 --> 00:06:04,596 [laughing] 151 00:06:04,598 --> 00:06:06,731 Although you didn't want that guy stopping for a hug. 152 00:06:06,734 --> 00:06:08,666 [laughing] 153 00:06:08,702 --> 00:06:10,668 [applauding] 154 00:06:15,809 --> 00:06:18,677 There's a festival every year here in high river. 155 00:06:18,812 --> 00:06:21,613 It started out small, but I'm not blowing hot air 156 00:06:21,615 --> 00:06:23,748 When I say it has bloomed. 157 00:06:23,751 --> 00:06:26,485 Let me send up the founder of the heritage inn 158 00:06:26,620 --> 00:06:29,755 International balloon festival, jaime kinghorn. 159 00:06:29,890 --> 00:06:33,825 [cheering & applauding] 160 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:35,427 Jamie, he was out of town 161 00:06:35,562 --> 00:06:37,695 When the flood struck in 2013. 162 00:06:37,765 --> 00:06:39,831 My trailer and all my gear went underwater. 163 00:06:39,867 --> 00:06:41,365 -Is that right? -Yeah. 164 00:06:41,402 --> 00:06:44,602 His gear, his balloon was all wrecked. 165 00:06:44,638 --> 00:06:47,372 And a new balloon is prohibitively expensive. 166 00:06:47,441 --> 00:06:51,643 So, he got the idea from a friend to build a new balloon. 167 00:06:51,778 --> 00:06:53,544 I went, huh, that's not a bad idea, 168 00:06:53,580 --> 00:06:55,514 And I sat down with an excel spreadsheet. 169 00:06:55,649 --> 00:06:57,448 Came up with that pattern. 170 00:06:57,484 --> 00:06:58,850 Do you do it yourself or did you have to...? 171 00:06:58,919 --> 00:07:00,117 Myself and a team. 172 00:07:00,154 --> 00:07:02,687 Volunteers helped him build this big, 173 00:07:02,823 --> 00:07:05,824 Beautiful balloon called the eye of ra. 174 00:07:05,826 --> 00:07:09,661 Ra being the egyptian sun god. 175 00:07:09,663 --> 00:07:12,030 And it naturally fits 'cause we'd like to fly in the sun, 176 00:07:12,099 --> 00:07:14,633 And it's supposed to ward off evil and be a protector. 177 00:07:14,635 --> 00:07:15,800 So that's pretty good, 178 00:07:15,803 --> 00:07:17,002 When you're up in a hot air balloon, 179 00:07:17,004 --> 00:07:20,605 To have an egyptian sun god as a protector. 180 00:07:20,641 --> 00:07:22,740 Mind you, you still got to sign a waiver. 181 00:07:22,810 --> 00:07:25,877 -Yeah. -[laughing] 182 00:07:25,946 --> 00:07:27,879 After the flood, and we'd spent months 183 00:07:28,014 --> 00:07:29,915 Digging out our basements and it was a 184 00:07:30,050 --> 00:07:32,017 Horrible experience for a lot of people. 185 00:07:32,019 --> 00:07:34,352 And I wanted to bring something to high river 186 00:07:34,354 --> 00:07:37,556 That would, I know it sounds corny, but lift the spirits. 187 00:07:37,691 --> 00:07:41,025 So, he asked several friends of his to bring 188 00:07:41,094 --> 00:07:43,562 Their hot air balloons to high river. 189 00:07:43,697 --> 00:07:44,863 I said, "hey, look, you know what 190 00:07:44,865 --> 00:07:46,497 High river went through. You've seen it. 191 00:07:46,533 --> 00:07:48,032 Would you guys come to high river? 192 00:07:48,101 --> 00:07:49,901 It just would be so great for our town 193 00:07:50,036 --> 00:07:51,102 And our community." 194 00:07:51,171 --> 00:07:54,572 This flood was making headlines around the world. 195 00:07:54,641 --> 00:07:56,174 And they came. 196 00:07:56,176 --> 00:07:58,109 ♪ 197 00:07:58,178 --> 00:08:01,713 The inaugural event had 15 hot air balloons here. 198 00:08:01,782 --> 00:08:04,415 One of them was this quite famous hot air balloon. 199 00:08:04,451 --> 00:08:05,884 It's the head of darth vader. 200 00:08:06,019 --> 00:08:07,385 You've probably seen it before- 201 00:08:07,387 --> 00:08:08,853 This is a friend of jamie's. 202 00:08:08,856 --> 00:08:11,522 And he came all the way to high river from belgium. 203 00:08:11,558 --> 00:08:13,124 And he used the force... 204 00:08:13,126 --> 00:08:15,126 [laughing] 205 00:08:15,128 --> 00:08:16,994 Of air currents, but still. 206 00:08:17,030 --> 00:08:18,697 [laughing] 207 00:08:18,699 --> 00:08:21,466 We did a night glow over here behind the rec plex, 208 00:08:21,601 --> 00:08:22,934 And it was pretty amazing. 209 00:08:23,069 --> 00:08:26,371 He said they held a night glow where all the balloons, 210 00:08:26,373 --> 00:08:27,939 They're inflated and fired up, 211 00:08:28,074 --> 00:08:30,007 But they remain tethered to the ground. 212 00:08:30,043 --> 00:08:31,810 And so many locals came out. 213 00:08:31,945 --> 00:08:33,878 He said at this point, high river was 214 00:08:33,881 --> 00:08:35,880 Still a mess. It was shambles. 215 00:08:35,883 --> 00:08:37,348 When we let the barriers down and 216 00:08:37,384 --> 00:08:39,350 Let the crowd come in, people were crying. 217 00:08:39,386 --> 00:08:44,555 It was an unbelievable emotional experience. 218 00:08:44,557 --> 00:08:46,824 And everybody came out to see this event, 219 00:08:46,894 --> 00:08:48,460 Everybody came together. 220 00:08:48,595 --> 00:08:50,762 And he said it was moving for people. 221 00:08:50,764 --> 00:08:52,463 A lot of people must have thought like, oh, 222 00:08:52,533 --> 00:08:55,433 You know, maybe this is symbolic of life somehow. 223 00:08:55,435 --> 00:08:57,302 Maybe things are gonna get better. 224 00:08:57,437 --> 00:08:58,904 You know, maybe we should leave one of these 225 00:08:59,039 --> 00:09:00,972 On the roof of sobeys just in case. 226 00:09:01,008 --> 00:09:03,374 [laughing & applauding] 227 00:09:03,410 --> 00:09:05,543 -Just in case. -[applauding] 228 00:09:05,612 --> 00:09:07,579 We said, we want to get to a point, 229 00:09:07,581 --> 00:09:08,713 When you google high river, 230 00:09:08,749 --> 00:09:09,981 Up come pictures of balloons. 231 00:09:10,116 --> 00:09:11,716 -Yeah. -That was our mission. 232 00:09:11,752 --> 00:09:13,651 And I think we're pretty close now. 233 00:09:13,687 --> 00:09:14,786 I think it's ingenious. 234 00:09:14,855 --> 00:09:17,321 Whoever would have thought that a small town would 235 00:09:17,357 --> 00:09:20,525 Profit so much from sky-high inflation? 236 00:09:20,594 --> 00:09:23,995 [laughing & applauding] 237 00:09:24,130 --> 00:09:27,498 ♪ 238 00:09:27,534 --> 00:09:30,001 I found out there's a big mexican-canadian 239 00:09:30,136 --> 00:09:32,437 Population here in high river. 240 00:09:32,439 --> 00:09:35,740 [cheering & applauding] 241 00:09:35,776 --> 00:09:37,875 And while young mexicans find their footing 242 00:09:37,945 --> 00:09:39,811 In the foothills of alberta, 243 00:09:39,813 --> 00:09:42,547 They brought fancy footwork from home. 244 00:09:42,616 --> 00:09:46,017 I cut a rug with liz vigueras and myriam vasquez. 245 00:09:46,152 --> 00:09:51,089 [cheering & applauding] 246 00:09:51,091 --> 00:09:53,457 Of course, when moving to a new country with 247 00:09:53,493 --> 00:09:55,360 A new culture, there's a concern, 248 00:09:55,429 --> 00:09:57,395 There's a worry, especially with your kids, 249 00:09:57,530 --> 00:09:59,864 That they'll sort of assimilate entirely. 250 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,633 You know, my father was so worried 251 00:10:02,669 --> 00:10:04,702 When we immigrate 'cause he said, 252 00:10:04,738 --> 00:10:06,604 "they are going to forget about us, 253 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:08,639 Our culture, our language." 254 00:10:08,675 --> 00:10:11,442 Myriam, she was only 3 years old when she came over. 255 00:10:11,478 --> 00:10:13,912 She had to speak spanish at home. 256 00:10:13,914 --> 00:10:16,781 I was charging a dollar if they speak english at home. 257 00:10:16,850 --> 00:10:19,718 It was one dollar per word that I spoke in english, 258 00:10:19,853 --> 00:10:21,152 So I very quickly learned 259 00:10:21,154 --> 00:10:23,388 I could only speak spanish at home. 260 00:10:23,523 --> 00:10:24,422 Right. 261 00:10:24,458 --> 00:10:25,523 I wonder if you'd quickly learn to like, 262 00:10:25,525 --> 00:10:27,658 Maybe catch yourself when you spoke english, 263 00:10:27,694 --> 00:10:30,061 Catch herself, and maybe throw on a vowel 264 00:10:30,196 --> 00:10:32,831 To make it spanish. 265 00:10:32,833 --> 00:10:34,532 Like, if liz tells myriam, you know, 266 00:10:34,601 --> 00:10:35,399 She's got to clean her room, 267 00:10:35,435 --> 00:10:37,802 It's like, "yeah, no problem... 268 00:10:37,804 --> 00:10:39,537 Oh! No problemo." 269 00:10:39,539 --> 00:10:41,138 [laughing] 270 00:10:41,174 --> 00:10:42,574 I mean, it's not that different from, you know, 271 00:10:42,709 --> 00:10:43,741 Canadians every now and then, 272 00:10:43,777 --> 00:10:46,077 We'll throw a vowel in at the end of a word, eh? 273 00:10:46,113 --> 00:10:48,112 [laughing] 274 00:10:48,181 --> 00:10:50,081 Liz and myriam, they explained to me 275 00:10:50,216 --> 00:10:53,751 How western mexico has the same sort of 276 00:10:53,820 --> 00:10:56,921 Cowboy culture as western canada. 277 00:10:56,990 --> 00:10:58,957 Well, here you have the rodeo. 278 00:10:58,959 --> 00:11:02,326 In mexico, we have almost something similar, 279 00:11:02,396 --> 00:11:05,029 But it's performed by charros or vaquero, 280 00:11:05,065 --> 00:11:08,600 You know that big hat, sombrero? 281 00:11:08,735 --> 00:11:11,836 There's ranchers and rodeos, and people work with ropes, 282 00:11:11,872 --> 00:11:13,705 And there's cowboy hats and boots. 283 00:11:13,707 --> 00:11:15,406 It's a real western thing. 284 00:11:15,409 --> 00:11:17,041 I don't know why it's such a western- 285 00:11:17,077 --> 00:11:21,312 I mean, like out in the east, we got cows and we got boys. 286 00:11:21,381 --> 00:11:23,982 But, we don't really have cowboys. 287 00:11:24,117 --> 00:11:25,983 [laughing] 288 00:11:26,053 --> 00:11:28,787 And one, two... 289 00:11:28,922 --> 00:11:30,922 They learn these traditional dances, 290 00:11:30,924 --> 00:11:33,791 And it doesn't matter your skill or ability. 291 00:11:33,927 --> 00:11:35,927 Some kids learn faster than others. 292 00:11:35,929 --> 00:11:38,329 Now you squish the spider. 293 00:11:38,465 --> 00:11:39,931 And one, two... 294 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,533 Liz said this is a no-judgment zone. 295 00:11:42,569 --> 00:11:44,569 -Ah! -Yay. 296 00:11:44,571 --> 00:11:46,137 When it comes to dance, their motto is, 297 00:11:46,173 --> 00:11:48,940 "if at first you can't tip your partner, 298 00:11:48,942 --> 00:11:50,141 Dosey-don't worry about it." 299 00:11:50,210 --> 00:11:52,076 [laughing] 300 00:11:52,079 --> 00:11:54,378 [applauding] 301 00:11:59,919 --> 00:12:01,552 ♪ 302 00:12:01,588 --> 00:12:04,622 I met a couple from zimbabwe here in high river, 303 00:12:04,691 --> 00:12:07,091 Who appear to have a foothold in the 304 00:12:07,094 --> 00:12:09,294 Handheld pie market. 305 00:12:09,429 --> 00:12:11,663 Owners of ubuntu pies, 306 00:12:11,798 --> 00:12:14,098 Xolani and sinita ncube. 307 00:12:14,134 --> 00:12:18,636 [cheering & applauding] 308 00:12:18,705 --> 00:12:20,805 Ubuntu is a word from southern africa, 309 00:12:20,807 --> 00:12:24,775 And it speaks to the oneness of humanity. 310 00:12:24,811 --> 00:12:27,011 How we are all interconnected, 311 00:12:27,047 --> 00:12:28,847 Interrelated in some way. 312 00:12:28,982 --> 00:12:32,049 They told me ubuntu refers to an ideology, 313 00:12:32,119 --> 00:12:34,853 A way of thought that we're all one and thusly, 314 00:12:34,988 --> 00:12:37,788 There's a responsibility to help each other out and 315 00:12:37,824 --> 00:12:39,123 Support each other. 316 00:12:39,159 --> 00:12:41,659 How they do that as business owners is, 317 00:12:41,728 --> 00:12:43,460 When they hire young people, 318 00:12:43,497 --> 00:12:45,930 They teach them every part of the business. 319 00:12:45,932 --> 00:12:47,832 Social media, you do the marketing, 320 00:12:47,901 --> 00:12:49,667 You do the actual baking. 321 00:12:49,669 --> 00:12:53,471 So, you do the entire process of the business. 322 00:12:53,473 --> 00:12:55,940 Maybe most importantly and strangely, to me, 323 00:12:55,942 --> 00:12:59,010 They encourage employees to move on to 324 00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:01,546 New career opportunities. 325 00:13:01,615 --> 00:13:04,349 We don't want them to stay here forever. 326 00:13:04,484 --> 00:13:07,018 If it's more than two years, we would have to "fire" you 327 00:13:07,087 --> 00:13:09,420 Because you gotta move on to other things. 328 00:13:09,489 --> 00:13:11,989 Xolani said that once you've worked at ubuntu 329 00:13:12,025 --> 00:13:14,491 For two years, you get fired. 330 00:13:14,493 --> 00:13:15,693 [laughing] 331 00:13:15,829 --> 00:13:17,628 Seems like a strange way to empower somebody, but... 332 00:13:17,664 --> 00:13:19,964 -[laughing] -that's what they do. 333 00:13:19,966 --> 00:13:22,099 They make all kinds of delicious stuff- 334 00:13:22,135 --> 00:13:24,736 Steak and kidney, chicken pot pie, 335 00:13:24,871 --> 00:13:27,472 Jerk chicken, that's the hottest one. 336 00:13:27,474 --> 00:13:30,074 Hot, of course, is subjective to everybody. 337 00:13:30,143 --> 00:13:32,877 Like sinita, she can handle her spice. 338 00:13:32,879 --> 00:13:35,747 When people come in and they ask me 339 00:13:35,882 --> 00:13:38,783 What level of spice is the jerk chicken, 340 00:13:38,852 --> 00:13:40,818 I have to give two answers. 341 00:13:40,821 --> 00:13:42,186 So the jerk chicken for her 342 00:13:42,189 --> 00:13:43,721 She would say is six out of ten. 343 00:13:43,723 --> 00:13:45,857 But she said if somebody like me shows up, 344 00:13:45,859 --> 00:13:47,659 And I say, "how hot is the jerk chicken?" 345 00:13:47,661 --> 00:13:49,793 She'll say ten out of ten, right? 346 00:13:49,830 --> 00:13:51,829 And I think that's probably for the best. 347 00:13:51,831 --> 00:13:53,798 I appreciate the concern, 348 00:13:53,867 --> 00:13:56,000 And forgive the racial profiling. 349 00:13:56,002 --> 00:13:58,536 [laughing] 350 00:13:58,671 --> 00:14:01,072 To raise money for charity, 351 00:14:01,074 --> 00:14:05,509 The ncubes came up with the spicy pie challenge. 352 00:14:05,545 --> 00:14:09,380 It's all in the concept of ubuntu in action. 353 00:14:09,382 --> 00:14:11,649 So, the idea behind the challenge is 354 00:14:11,718 --> 00:14:14,552 Supporting local charities. 355 00:14:14,554 --> 00:14:17,155 So, local businesses right here in high river 356 00:14:17,157 --> 00:14:18,723 Can challenge each other, 357 00:14:18,725 --> 00:14:20,357 And you each put in some money, 358 00:14:20,393 --> 00:14:22,493 And then the winner, the money goes 359 00:14:22,562 --> 00:14:24,695 To the charity of their choice. 360 00:14:24,731 --> 00:14:26,764 So, there's five levels of spice. 361 00:14:26,833 --> 00:14:28,967 They progressively get spicier. 362 00:14:29,102 --> 00:14:31,568 So, we'll find out today what a gentleman 363 00:14:31,605 --> 00:14:32,870 From newfoundland can do. 364 00:14:32,873 --> 00:14:35,072 -[laughing] -oh, no. 365 00:14:35,108 --> 00:14:36,674 And all the best to you, by the way. 366 00:14:36,809 --> 00:14:40,711 And even before we started, I had myself psyched out. 367 00:14:40,747 --> 00:14:43,147 Just, it's a challenge. 368 00:14:43,149 --> 00:14:44,582 Just down them, just... 369 00:14:44,584 --> 00:14:45,783 Don't chew. 370 00:14:45,785 --> 00:14:47,518 Like, I could have eaten all five. 371 00:14:47,554 --> 00:14:49,454 I could have stuffed them in my face quickly, 372 00:14:49,589 --> 00:14:51,756 But like I wasn't worried about my mouth, 373 00:14:51,758 --> 00:14:52,990 I was worried... 374 00:14:53,026 --> 00:14:54,792 [laughing] 375 00:14:54,928 --> 00:14:56,360 I was worried about my... 376 00:14:56,429 --> 00:14:57,762 Future. 377 00:14:57,897 --> 00:15:00,031 [laughing] 378 00:15:00,033 --> 00:15:03,901 I eat the first piece and it was super hot. 379 00:15:03,904 --> 00:15:05,369 Oh my god, that is one? 380 00:15:05,438 --> 00:15:07,405 That's number one, jonny. 381 00:15:07,407 --> 00:15:08,606 It's like, oh my god, what am I getting into? 382 00:15:08,608 --> 00:15:10,341 Eat the second one. Okay, not so bad, 383 00:15:10,476 --> 00:15:12,277 Maybe the first one sort of warmed me up. 384 00:15:12,412 --> 00:15:13,978 The third one, I was like okay, I can do this, 385 00:15:14,113 --> 00:15:15,847 I'm almost, I'm past the halfway mark, 386 00:15:15,982 --> 00:15:17,881 I'm doing well. I'm on fire. 387 00:15:17,918 --> 00:15:20,518 Fourth one... 388 00:15:20,587 --> 00:15:22,353 Spontaneous combustion. 389 00:15:22,488 --> 00:15:24,555 [laughing] 390 00:15:24,691 --> 00:15:26,824 ♪ 391 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:29,527 [laughing] 392 00:15:29,662 --> 00:15:30,728 Just one more to go. 393 00:15:30,764 --> 00:15:32,730 No, I can't do it. [sighing] 394 00:15:32,799 --> 00:15:34,365 I feel for him. 395 00:15:34,500 --> 00:15:36,067 Oh my god, I started sweating. 396 00:15:36,136 --> 00:15:39,470 My eyes are watering, my nose is running. 397 00:15:39,472 --> 00:15:43,207 My heart speeds up, my thoughts are weird. 398 00:15:43,209 --> 00:15:46,210 I'm like kind of confused and freaked out. 399 00:15:46,212 --> 00:15:48,646 I'm like staggering around the kitchen. 400 00:15:48,648 --> 00:15:51,549 I couldn't think of how to get any relief for my mouth, 401 00:15:51,684 --> 00:15:52,850 And I think at some point I was like- 402 00:15:52,919 --> 00:15:54,585 [overlapping] I don't know what to do! 403 00:15:54,654 --> 00:15:56,120 [laughing] 404 00:15:56,156 --> 00:15:58,523 I realized then suddenly I was out in the parking lot. 405 00:15:58,658 --> 00:15:59,857 I didn't even realize how I got there. 406 00:15:59,993 --> 00:16:01,893 I had a glass of milk and an apple with me. 407 00:16:02,028 --> 00:16:03,728 [laughing] 408 00:16:03,797 --> 00:16:04,862 'cause they say that, you know, 409 00:16:04,997 --> 00:16:06,997 Dairy is good to calm down hot stuff. 410 00:16:07,033 --> 00:16:08,999 And it really is. Like, honestly, 411 00:16:09,035 --> 00:16:10,668 I didn't look too impressive when I was 412 00:16:10,803 --> 00:16:12,403 Doing the spicy bite challenge, 413 00:16:12,439 --> 00:16:14,505 But if you guys could have seen me back at the hotel 414 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:16,807 Bringing up a yogurt enema in the bathtub. 415 00:16:16,843 --> 00:16:18,443 [laughing] 416 00:16:18,445 --> 00:16:20,645 Total pro, total pro. 417 00:16:20,647 --> 00:16:22,747 [applauding] 418 00:16:27,287 --> 00:16:32,623 ♪ 419 00:16:32,759 --> 00:16:34,892 When it comes to chuck wagon racing this 420 00:16:34,961 --> 00:16:37,762 Ain't your first rodeo, but it was a first 421 00:16:37,831 --> 00:16:42,033 For rodeos exactly 100 years ago. 422 00:16:42,168 --> 00:16:44,802 To get the dirt, I was told to check out 423 00:16:44,804 --> 00:16:46,971 A checkered chuck wagon and have a chat 424 00:16:46,973 --> 00:16:49,273 With tom and jason glass. 425 00:16:49,275 --> 00:16:53,577 [cheering & applauding] 426 00:16:53,646 --> 00:16:58,182 1923, they kind of had a little cook-off 427 00:16:58,184 --> 00:17:00,551 Of pancakes in front of the grandstand. 428 00:17:00,686 --> 00:17:02,820 And when they were done cooking the pancakes, 429 00:17:02,955 --> 00:17:04,722 They loaded up their wagons, 430 00:17:04,857 --> 00:17:06,491 Kind of looked at each other and grinned, 431 00:17:06,626 --> 00:17:08,692 And they raced back to the barn, and so, 432 00:17:08,762 --> 00:17:10,595 The people just cheered and hollered and 433 00:17:10,730 --> 00:17:13,330 Thought it was great, these wagons racing each other. 434 00:17:13,332 --> 00:17:16,600 One of the participants in that inaugural race 435 00:17:16,669 --> 00:17:19,970 100 years ago was tom's grandfather, 436 00:17:20,006 --> 00:17:21,772 Jason's great-grandfather. 437 00:17:21,841 --> 00:17:24,008 And we've been doing it for a long time and taking care 438 00:17:24,010 --> 00:17:26,143 Of thousands of horses over 100 years so, 439 00:17:26,212 --> 00:17:27,678 It's rewarded us. 440 00:17:27,814 --> 00:17:31,749 We've all won lots of races and championships and, 441 00:17:31,884 --> 00:17:34,685 You know, so it's been a great way to live. 442 00:17:34,687 --> 00:17:37,288 ♪ 443 00:17:37,357 --> 00:17:39,857 To watch the actual race, it's a spectacle. 444 00:17:39,893 --> 00:17:42,760 It's a hell of an event. There's four wagons, 445 00:17:42,895 --> 00:17:45,196 Each with four horses pull a wagon, 446 00:17:45,331 --> 00:17:47,865 And then each wagon has two outriders. 447 00:17:47,934 --> 00:17:49,800 And then when the horn blows, 448 00:17:49,869 --> 00:17:52,770 One of the outriders he throws a stove- 449 00:17:52,905 --> 00:17:54,905 A "stove", I'll explain later- 450 00:17:54,941 --> 00:17:57,174 Into the back of the wagon. 451 00:17:57,210 --> 00:17:59,943 And then, boom! The wagons are off. 452 00:17:59,979 --> 00:18:01,646 And the outriders, they're jumping up 453 00:18:01,781 --> 00:18:03,614 On their horses and they're chasing. 454 00:18:03,650 --> 00:18:05,316 And the first thing the wagon's gotta do 455 00:18:05,385 --> 00:18:07,051 Is this figure eight, so you got these 456 00:18:07,053 --> 00:18:09,120 Four monstrously powerful horses 457 00:18:09,122 --> 00:18:11,054 Carving around these barrels. 458 00:18:11,091 --> 00:18:13,324 The wagon's behind them drifting, 459 00:18:13,459 --> 00:18:15,059 Swinging around these turns, 460 00:18:15,194 --> 00:18:16,793 And the dirt's flying through the air. 461 00:18:16,830 --> 00:18:19,730 And people are cheering and stomping their feet 462 00:18:19,766 --> 00:18:20,764 For some reason. 463 00:18:20,834 --> 00:18:22,266 -[laughing] -it's craziness! 464 00:18:22,268 --> 00:18:24,001 They finish this figure eight and they all 465 00:18:24,137 --> 00:18:26,170 Funnel in tight together, and they go 466 00:18:26,239 --> 00:18:28,673 Thundering down and they do a full lap. 467 00:18:28,808 --> 00:18:30,241 And when they cross the line, 468 00:18:30,243 --> 00:18:31,976 That's the end of the race. 469 00:18:32,111 --> 00:18:34,345 At least that's the end of the race now. 470 00:18:34,347 --> 00:18:36,147 Way back in the day, 471 00:18:36,282 --> 00:18:37,682 They would do the whole race and then 472 00:18:37,817 --> 00:18:41,686 Stop and get the stove out and stoke up a fire, 473 00:18:41,688 --> 00:18:43,821 And whichever stove created smoke first, 474 00:18:43,956 --> 00:18:47,558 That was the winner, which is pretty cool. 475 00:18:47,693 --> 00:18:49,360 Maybe a bit anticlimactic. 476 00:18:49,362 --> 00:18:51,762 [laughing] 477 00:18:51,831 --> 00:18:55,132 I'd rather see four horses thundering full speed, 478 00:18:55,168 --> 00:18:57,234 Hauling a wagon across the line. 479 00:18:57,270 --> 00:18:58,769 That's a good way to finish the race, 480 00:18:58,771 --> 00:19:00,838 Maybe more exciting than doing all that 481 00:19:00,973 --> 00:19:02,039 And then getting the stove out, 482 00:19:02,108 --> 00:19:04,175 Then there's a guy... 483 00:19:04,177 --> 00:19:06,043 Trying to strike his matches. 484 00:19:06,179 --> 00:19:10,347 [laughing] 485 00:19:10,349 --> 00:19:11,983 He got an outrider over his shoulder, like, 486 00:19:11,985 --> 00:19:13,584 "man, you did the kindling wrong. 487 00:19:13,620 --> 00:19:14,819 You got to like make a teepee. 488 00:19:14,821 --> 00:19:16,087 You got to do-" 489 00:19:16,222 --> 00:19:17,288 "man, will you shut up. 490 00:19:17,357 --> 00:19:18,889 I'm in the middle of a big race here!" 491 00:19:18,958 --> 00:19:20,791 [laughing] 492 00:19:20,827 --> 00:19:25,396 [applauding] 493 00:19:25,398 --> 00:19:30,201 ♪ 494 00:19:30,336 --> 00:19:33,671 This is a town where a local broadcaster 495 00:19:33,740 --> 00:19:35,772 Helped you through a disaster. 496 00:19:35,808 --> 00:19:38,809 Hugs and honks helped ease the neuroses. 497 00:19:38,811 --> 00:19:40,811 With new flood gates and dikes, 498 00:19:40,813 --> 00:19:42,913 Next time it rains, you'll be alright. 499 00:19:42,982 --> 00:19:45,683 Still, you shouldn't leave the roof off of your sobeys. 500 00:19:45,752 --> 00:19:47,784 [laughing] 501 00:19:47,820 --> 00:19:49,687 Things are looking up and when they do, 502 00:19:49,756 --> 00:19:52,122 They see balloons, where the rule is, 503 00:19:52,158 --> 00:19:54,559 Wherever the wind goes we go. 504 00:19:54,694 --> 00:19:57,595 See for miles around and perhaps when you look down, 505 00:19:57,730 --> 00:20:00,364 You'll see the dance of the durango in a gazebo. 506 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:02,099 [laughing] 507 00:20:02,235 --> 00:20:04,134 Some rains poured from heavens, 508 00:20:04,170 --> 00:20:08,005 Some reins lead to bits held between teeth of 509 00:20:08,074 --> 00:20:09,941 Horses hitched to wagons. 510 00:20:10,076 --> 00:20:12,710 Between my teeth, I held hot pies, 511 00:20:12,779 --> 00:20:14,612 Though I know it wasn't wise. 512 00:20:14,747 --> 00:20:16,847 It ended up my butt was fine. 513 00:20:16,849 --> 00:20:18,182 Don't mind me bragging. 514 00:20:18,184 --> 00:20:19,984 [laughing] 515 00:20:20,053 --> 00:20:22,720 Now it's time for me to head back east, 516 00:20:22,722 --> 00:20:25,856 For here our foothill paths are parting. 517 00:20:25,925 --> 00:20:28,025 I'll tell anyone who ain't yet heard of ya, 518 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:30,661 They should see high river, alberta, 519 00:20:30,697 --> 00:20:33,664 The place that surely puts the heart in heartland. 520 00:20:33,799 --> 00:20:35,132 Thanks for coming out, everybody! 521 00:20:35,134 --> 00:20:36,867 -You've been great! -[cheering & applauding] 522 00:20:36,869 --> 00:20:39,136 Thanks so much! We love you, take care! 523 00:20:39,205 --> 00:20:42,005 ♪ 524 00:20:42,041 --> 00:20:44,609 [laughing] 525 00:20:44,744 --> 00:20:46,944 Jonny, it would have been a six out of ten but for you, 526 00:20:47,079 --> 00:20:49,946 It was a ten out of ten. So, you killed it. 527 00:20:49,983 --> 00:20:51,949 [laughing] 528 00:20:52,084 --> 00:20:54,118 And now the town is like more beautiful than ever, 529 00:20:54,253 --> 00:20:55,686 So they really- -and thriving. 530 00:20:55,722 --> 00:20:56,753 -Yeah, yeah. -You know... 531 00:20:56,789 --> 00:20:58,221 They didn't let that set them back. 532 00:20:58,258 --> 00:21:00,057 [speaking spanish] 533 00:21:00,093 --> 00:21:01,759 [laughing] 534 00:21:01,828 --> 00:21:06,797 ♪ 535 00:21:06,932 --> 00:21:08,966 ♪ 536 00:21:08,968 --> 00:21:10,367 Don't touch your face? 537 00:21:10,503 --> 00:21:11,835 Don't touch your face or your eyes 538 00:21:11,904 --> 00:21:14,905 'cause the spices would hurt. 539 00:21:15,041 --> 00:21:17,841 -Give 'er. -Yeah? 540 00:21:17,910 --> 00:21:19,976 That's how we fly the balloon. 541 00:21:20,013 --> 00:21:22,312 This is high river, alberta! 542 00:21:22,348 --> 00:21:24,047 ♪