When Betty Anderson joined BC CRN as Regional Mentor for Cariboo Chilcotin, she was stepping into a role that felt like a natural fit.
“I have a degree in social work, and I’ve done all my work in First Nations communities in the region,” she said. “I think that might be partly why they hired me – they want to get more information out to the First Nations communities. I have lots of contacts, and we’ll be working towards that.”
And as someone deeply rooted in her community, Betty’s passion for connection and helping others made this role a natural extension of her lifelong work.
“It seemed to fit for me as an interest and as I am a senior myself. I really see the need for education in that area and help in that area,” she said.
A Region of Strength and Distance
The Cariboo Chilcotin region is vast, stretching from Quesnel to 100 Mile House and beyond, and Betty oversees CRNs in several of these areas.
“The communities are spread over a large geographical area,” she explained. “Challenges are distance and getting the staffing that they might need. That’s a huge one right there.”
At the same time, Betty said those same communities have strengths that inspire her.
“They are quite resilient, and their strengths are in really moving ahead in education and improving conditions,” she said.
Building Awareness and Support
Betty is focused on increasing outreach, awareness, and support in the communities within Cariboo Chilcotin.
“There’s lots of work to be done in getting the information out there about what abuse is and what adult abuse is,” she said. “We do workshops, and one of them is on scamming. That’s a really big issue with older people who are being targeted that way.”
And while BC CRN does not provide direct client services, Betty’s work as a mentor is about ensuring communities know where to turn.
“We don’t do one-on-one work with clients, but we do referrals and connect up with other agencies and just try to be part of the whole support system in the area,” she said. “If I don’t know the answers, I can dig around and find somebody that does and get them that information.”
A Steep Learning Curve
Though she’s only been in the role for a few months, Betty said the experience has already been eye-opening.
“I have learned so much. It’s been a steep learning curve,” she said. “I’ve taken the training to do the workshops. I’m just fine-tuning in my own life how to recognize ageism or the issues that we present. Just understanding it more myself and recognizing the need to address these issues and how they’re overlooked.”
And that self-awareness has given her a deeper sense of purpose.
“A lot of people are suffering because they don’t know where to go or who to get help from or even realize that they’re kind of stuck in something they could actually maybe change,” she said. “Just being a change agent, I guess, is a good way you could sum it up.”
A Fulfilling Start
Despite being new to BC CRN, Betty has already had some memorable experiences.
“Going to the conference was a real highlight,” she said. “I just started, so I got to meet everyone in person. It was a very good conference and a great way to start.”
She’s also found joy in the relationships she’s built.
“I get to work with a lot of great people,” she said, explaining that everyone is working toward the same goal and feeling that camaraderie has been very rewarding.
Looking Ahead
Betty has clear goals for the year ahead. “My goal would be to reach all the First Nations communities in my area – to go out and do workshops and connect,” she said.
“At some point, I’d like to recruit a First Nations CRN coordinator. We have one already who’s Métis, so that’s really good. But the more the merrier, because it is an area that hasn’t broken through very deeply.”
Financial abuse is one of the issues she’s especially passionate about addressing.
“A big issue I’ve seen in First Nations communities is with taking Elders’ money,” she said. “Some people don’t even realize this is a form of abuse.”
Rooted in Respect and Resilience
When asked what change she’d most like to inspire, Betty didn’t hesitate.
“It would be to make a difference, especially for seniors – to receive the respect that they should be receiving, even in the community or in their family or in general,” she said. “If I can make a difference in shedding some light on things and being helpful, I will feel fulfilled myself. Already I feel like it’s making me stronger as a person.”
What’s more, her connection to the people she serves runs deep.
“All my life I’ve been drawn to First Nations people,” she said. “I love their humour. It’s one of their coping skills. And if they like you, they’ll kind of adopt you. I’m an only child, so it expands my family.”
A Life Full of Stories
Betty’s life beyond work is rich with experience and exploration.
She’s lived and worked across the Cariboo region and even served as a Cariboo Regional District Director for the East Chilcotin – an elected position she still holds.
Betty has also spent a lifetime exploring and adventuring.
“I love just to explore the back roads,” she said. “I used to have horses and ride and go out and look at the wild horses. My husband and I had a team, and we did the wagon trip from Nemiah Valley to Williams Lake for the Stampede for a few years.”
Betty is also a mother, grandmother, and soon-to-be great-grandmother.
“I have two daughters and four grandchildren, and I have a great grandchild on the way, which is pretty exciting,” she shared.
