The inspiring Peace Region people and organizations of 2023

The Peace Region is home to societies, advocates, heritage sites, and countless volunteers. Here’s a small selection of the overwhelming amount of community work accomplished this year. 

Save Our Northern Seniors

Advocacy work continues in North Peace, and many hardworking charities and societies are looking out for residents. 

Save Our Northern Seniors President Margaret Little met with the Peace River Regional District in December to bring forward concerns about the needs of senior citizens, many of whom are facing homelessness and poverty. 

“I believe we have to have a made in Peace plan, where all stakeholders from all walks of life are included, and they can come together to formulate a plan for the future,” said Little, advocating for a community table. 

Giving Hope – The Salvation Army 

There are 3,000 registered food bank clients in Fort St. John, 400 of them being new applicants, explained executive director Jared Braun in November, which translates to 40 to 60 visits a day.

He added that inflation and rising food costs are at the heart of the issue, in addition to rising fuel costs, mortgage increases, rent increases, and more. 

Over 230,000 pounds of food was given to residents in need this year, and they provided $12,000 in emergency support. Nearly 200,000 pounds of textiles have been recycled in their thrift store, and the store generated $300,000 in revenue in 2023, funding social programs. 

The unsung heroes of Search and Rescue 

2023 was a busy year for Search and Rescue groups. Peace Region SAR groups struggled to keep up with an extended and gruelling wildfire season, with volunteers spending 2,275 hours delivering evacuation orders. 

Brian Lamond, president and manager for North Peace Search and Rescue, met with the Peace River Regional District in October to explain how local SAR went above and beyond. 

“Ultimately, it’s not just fires we respond to – it’s flooding, landslides, mudslides, and any natural disaster that happens,” Lamond said, noting the province does not fully fund local SAR organizations, and members often personally cover the cost. 

Fort St. John Hospital Foundation

The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation raised $103,000 for their 2023 ‘Be an Angel’ Campaign, hosting a 1920s theme fundraiser at the Pomeroy Hotel. 

Held annually, the ‘Be an Angel’ campaign is aimed at supporting local healthcare by gathering the necessary funds for much-needed medical equipment. 

$197,000 was also raised at the 20th Annual Light A Moose Radiothon for the foundation, inviting 200 donors to participate, and the event has raised $1.2 million dollars since its creation. 

The funds generated will be used towards the acquisition of a new ultrasound machine for the Fort St. John Hospital’s imaging department. 

Northern B.C. arts and culture thriving 

The North Peace Cultural Society says arts and culture in Fort St. John has bounced back to great success after the COVID-19 pandemic, signing a cultural services agreement and lease with the city in July, providing a framework for financial performance, grants, and community partnerships. 

Margaret May, the society’s board secretary, says local arts and culture groups are back and thriving. A provincial festival is being planned for next June, with details coming in the new year. 

“Ultimately, that’s our core – sort of the foundation of the cultural centre is our collaborations, our partnerships with all the local arts groups,” she said.

The Vancouver Foundation also recently approved a three-year grant, providing $72,000 annually to support operations, and the society has $300,000 in reserve funding. 

12,000 years of history 

The Tse’K’wa Cave in Charlie Lake has been a gathering site for Dane-zaa people for over 12,000 years. The Tse’K’wa Heritage Society oversees the site, which has been working towards a cultural centre in the midst of new excavations which started in 2022. 

The society lost one of its biggest advocates this year with the passing of Diane Bigfoot, who proudly represented Prophet River First Nation on its board of directors since 2012.

“She was passionate about traditional knowledge, history, and language and about sharing it with youth and the broader community. Her work on behalf of Tse’k’wa has created a legacy that will last for many generations,” wrote the society in September. 

Where happiness dwells

Many in Treaty 8 territory and beyond have likely been inspired by the Blueberry River First Nation, which won a landmark case in 2021 that determined the B.C. government had breached their treaty rights through widespread resource extraction. 

The precedent-setting case will have legal impacts for years to come and laid the groundwork for an agreement with the province on land use and resource development in northeastern B.C. 

“A new precedent has been set. From this day forward, our cultural and traditional values will come before anything else,” said Blueberry River First Nations Chief Judy Desjarlais in January 2023.