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Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ed Hitchins

A guy who found his calling later in life, Edward Hitchins is a professional storyteller with a colourful and extensive history.

Beginning his journey into journalism in 2012 at Seneca College, Edward also graduated from Humber College with an Advanced Diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism in 2018.  After time off from his career and venturing into other vocations, he started his career proper in 2022 in Campbell River, B.C.

Edward was attracted to the position of Indigenous Voices reporter with Energeticcity as a challenge.  Having not been around First Nations for the majority of his life, he hopes to learn about their culture through meaningful conversations while properly telling their stories. 

In a way, he hopes this position will allow both himself and Energeticcity to grow as a collective unit as his career moves forward and evolves into the next step.

He looks forward to growing both as a reporter and as a human being while being posted in Fort St. John.

This reporting position has been funded by the Government of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative.

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Ed Hitchins,'s Latest Articles

Doig River First Nation acquires majority stake in ecological restoration company

Doig River First Nation has acquired a majority interest in Fort St. John-based Blackbird Environmental.

Fort St. John Métis Society elects new board with focus on ‘programs that forward culture’

Seven board members were elected during Fort St. John Métis Society's annual general meeting on Sunday, June 8th.

A race track.
Northern Lights Raceway to host Big Bucks event with thousands in prizes

Cash prizes for Northern Lights Raceway's Big Bucks weekend event from July 18th to 20th could be anywhere from $100 to $4,500 throughout three classes.

The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire burns south of Fort Nelson on June 8th, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, B.C. Wildfire Service)
Prophet River First Nation starts voluntary evacuations for vulnerable community members

Prophet River First Nation has started voluntary evacuations for at-risk residents due to wildfire concerns, including the incident near Pocket Knife Creek.

Smoke from the Kiskatinaw River wildfire. (BCWS)
Residents warned ‘not to return’ to Kiskatinaw River wildfire area

Evacuees from Kelly Lake have been warned by the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) not to return for the foreseeable future as firefighters continue to battle the Kiskatinaw River blaze.

Collision leaves motorcyclist with injuries

Fort St. John RCMP were called to the scene of a collision at the intersection of 92A Street and the Alaska Highway on Monday, June 9th.

Predators alumna named captain of NCAA’s Bemidji State University team

Hailey Armstrong, a former forward with the Predators, was named captain of Bemidji State University’s Beavers in Minnesota for the 2025-26 season.

Northern Lights College honours Indigenous students with graduation ceremony

Caps and gowns were replaced with Métis sashes and commemorative feather carvings, as Northern Lights College (NLC) honoured its First Nations and Métis students with an Indigenous graduation celebration and dinner at the Fort St. John Curling Club on June 5th.

The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire burns south of Fort Nelson on June 8th, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, B.C. Wildfire Service)
Prophet River First Nation announces event cancellations due to wildfires

Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) has postponed several events scheduled this week as wildfires rage in northeast B.C.

Blizzard Bicycle Club road race ‘another epic battle’

Riders from Blizzard Bicycle Club had all they could handle - including from Mother Nature - during their road race on Sunday, June 8th.

‘I have peace here’: Dancing, history and culture celebrated at inaugural Peace region Igbo Day

The inaugural 2025 Igbo Day festivities were staged at the Radisson Hotel in Fort St. John on June 7th, hosted by the Umunna Peace Region Association.

Northeast BC Predators’ president takes in BC Hockey Summit in Whistler

Barb Tanner, president of the Northeast BC Predators female hockey program, attended the BC Hockey Summit 2025, which featured seminars, information sessions and a keynote address from former Vancouver Canucks player Trevor Linden.

Philippines Independence Day festivities in Fort St. John focus on family

Philippines Independence Day celebrations were held in Fort St. John on Sunday, June 8th, with dignitaries and residents – both Filipino and non-Filipino – enjoying an afternoon filled with dancing, songs and food.

The Kiskatinaw River wildfire burns south of Dawson Creek, B.C. in this Thursday, June 5, 2025 handout photo. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, B.C. Wildfire Service)
Dawson Creek’s Emergency Reception Centre closes to ‘process hotel renewals for evacuees’

The Emergency Reception Centre assisting evacuees of the Kiskatinaw wildfire will be closed in Dawson Creek on Saturday, June 7th.

Huskies defenceman commits to University of Jamestown

Forward/defenceman Tanner McCracken has committed to the University of Jamestown in North Dakota for the 2025-26 season.

Alces River wildfire evacuation alert issued by PRRD

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has issued an evacuation alert due to the wildfire in the Goodlow area by the Alces River.

Fort Nelson First Nation issues evacuation order for Fontas area

Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) has announced an evacuation order of the Fontas area due to a wildfire where the Sikanni River and Fort Nelson River meets.

Second disc sport ‘league night’ settled by tiebreaker

FSJ Disc Sports Club’s second ‘league night’ at the Toboggan Hill course in Toboggan Hill Park saw the overall lead being shared by two people.

The fire as of June 5th - eight kilometres east of Chetwynd, near Sundance Lake, along Highway 97. (BCWS)
Peace River Regional District issues Sundance Lake evacuation alert

A wildfire in the Sundance Lake area near Chetwynd has prompted the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) to issue an evacuation alert.

Extinguished.
Wildfires grow in Fort Nelson fire zone

Four fires within the Fort Nelson fire zone have already increased, according to the BCWS, as the weekend's "challenging" weather forecast looms.

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