By Anjali Marshall
BC CRN Regional Mentor North East BC
Featured photo was taken at Autumn Services, Fraser Lake. Pictured in photo:
Anjali Marshall, BC CRN Regional Mentor for North East BC
Sarah Storey, Mayor of Fraser Lake,
BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt
Marie Casimel – Cultural and Administrative Services Manager of Stellat’en First Nation
Community Member
The Power of Friendship Prince George Native Friendship Centre
The Office of Seniors Advocate of B.C., Public Guardian and Trustee and BC Association of Community Response Networks toured some of the Northwestern region of BC at the end of May.
The group was invited and hosted by Haisla Nation in Kitimat Village, Kitselas Nation in Terrace, Hazelton at The Learning Shop in Old Town, Witset Nation at the Witset Health Centre for Elder’s Tea, Smithers Seniors Citizens Association with M.L.A Sharon Hartwell’s office in Smithers, Lake Babine Nation Tachet Health Clinic in Tachet Burns Lake, Autumn Services Centre in Fraser Lake, Nechako Senior Citizens Friendship Centre in Vanderhoof, Prince George Native Friendship Centre and Prince George Council of Seniors in Prince George.
The intention of these gatherings was to create a welcoming and culturally safe space grounded in respect, listening, and relationship-building. Each organization shared information about their roles and how they support seniors and uphold their rights. Equally important, the space created honoured the voices of Elders and community members—creating an opportunity to share stories, experiences, and perspectives in a way that felt comfortable and appropriate.
Over 200 community members gathered during this tour and we learned that communities in the North share similar challenges, competing with neighboring communities, all of them requesting for more seniors housing especially assisted living options and services, requested for prioritizing prevention education and services, requested to reduce wait times for long term housing, less impact on traveling for healthcare services especially during the winter months, more advocacy services for seniors overall, more technical IT support for online forms and applications.
The discussions always ended with an encouraging note to advocate for each other and their respective communities. All the communities were extremely pleased to meet with Dan Levitt and learn new information from the Offices. Every session was accompanied by good food, drinks and laughter.
