Hope Truck coal hauling fundraiser gets set for finale gala

MOBERLY LAKE, B.C. — An initiative fuelled by First Nations reconciliation which hauls coal for a good cause is nearing its end as it prepares for a fundraising event.

The Hope Truck is an initiative put together by the West Moberly Industrial Metalworks (WM-IMW) and Conuma Resources.

According to a press release, each sponsored haul of coal from a refurbished Caterpillar 793 haul truck at the nearby Quintette Mine goes toward youth-led programs, including education, sports, wellness and culture in neighbouring communities, including Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, Saulteau First Nations (SFN) and West Moberly First Nations (WMFN).

The truck is painted orange, the colour of truth and reconciliation. A government website says it represents “truth-telling and healing.”

The six-month program started in March,  according to WM-IMW director of marketing and Indigenous relations Marilyn Nelson. So far, 8700 loads have raised $115,000.

“[The money] is going back to all four communities,” said Nelson. “The intention is to bring these communities together and work together to create initiatives to help all four and not just one.”

Nelson said the inspiration came from other communities which raised awareness, including initiatives toward breast cancer in Alberta and Australia.

“We noticed [groups] in Fort McMurray painted their shovels pink,” said Nelson. “I’ve seen it for breast cancer awareness. We thought we could take this and make this really special.

“Everyone seeing the truck going by [makes you] really connect and think about it.”

The initiative will end on Thursday, September 18th and to celebrate, a gala will be held on Saturday, September 27th at SFN’s Cultural Centre at 1717 Boucher Lake Road in Moberly Lake.

Nelson told Energeticcity.ca the event will feature an auction, dinner and music from the Smokehouse Jacks, with additional drumming and youth dancing performers.

The keynote speaker will be Joyce Leppington. Leppington is a member of Musqueam Indian Band located in the Vancouver area and the Sts’ailes Nations located in the Agassiz area.

Leppington is a consultant who specializes in child welfare and youth development, and Nelson described her as someone who “lives and breathes advocacy for Indigenous reconciliation.”

“She really walked the walk and experienced life as an Indigenous youth,” said Nelson. “She grew into this incredible woman and she will be the perfect person to speak to that in the community.”

Tickets and tables for the gala are available online and start at $129. For more details about the Hope Truck, visit the initiative’s website.