Fort St. John Friendship Society appoints new executive director

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Jolene Van Wieringen, who ran for MNBC region seven director chair in 2024, is the new executive director of the Fort St. John Friendship Society (Ed Hitchins, Energeticcity.ca)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Friendship Society has appointed a new executive director in charge.

Energeticcity.ca has confirmed Todd Morrow has stepped away from the executive director position and he will be replaced by Jolene van Wieringen, who will begin her new post on Monday, January 19th.

Wieringen has a background in social work and graduated from the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) with a bachelor’s degree, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She has previously worked for the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) as a suicide prevention workshop facilitator, with School District 60 as an Indigenous social, emotional, learning specialist and most recently as the community social worker in Doig River First Nation (DRFN).

She also ran against Paulette Flamond for the regional seven director chair with the MNBC back in 2024.

In a statement on her LinkedIn, Wieringen described the centre as “an important place of connection, culture and support,” adding she was “honoured” to be taking part in the future development and work there.

“I look forward to working with the board of directors, dedicated staff, Elders, partners and community as we continue strengthening programs, relationships and meaningful pathways forward,” wrote Wieringen.

Wieringen’s husband, Vince van Wieringen, is the Fort St. John and District Chamber of Commerce’s past president.

The Fort St. John Friendship Centre is an Indigenous organization which provides programs and services to promote and build healthy lifestyles and relationships, according to its website.