Voices & Culture Summit Returns to Hearten Local 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

For only the second time in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh’s history, a conference celebrating queer culture was held this February 2026. The first, being held almost as a dry run this past September 2025, went well enough to expand upon the themes of community voices, artists, service providers, and people doing grassroots work for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community across Northern BC.

Panels on Two-Spirit identity, Entertainment & Production, and more were peppered amidst a drag story time, a zine creation workshop, and other opportunities to express & gain perspective. The day was not strictly academic though, as the evening capped the summit off with a gala featuring burlesque, a drag infused runway-inspired fashion show, and plenty of dancing.

V&C Panel: Organizing Pride in Northern Communities

The Northern BC Queer Connections Society (NBCQCS) spearheaded the event dubbed the Voices & Culture Summit, and in so doing revealed they had bridged a gap amongst related local non-profits. At the event, NBCQCS Executive Director Laura Binette and Prince George Pride Society Secretary Heather Hillier announced on stage that their separate organizations would now collaborate to bring together the annual Pride Parade and Pride Picnic into one event this summer, on July 4th.

That welcome news added to the general sense of fulfillment that populated the Prince George Civic Centre during the summit. Many attendees remarked how heartened they felt to witness and be a part of such a gathering in Northern BC. While some wished there was a larger presence of elected officials, local artist Bowie, noted the significance of the event’s visibility, “It feels symbolic to have a huge queer event like this in the heart of downtown.” 

- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Local Author Samantha Alleman holds a recently published poetry collection, “The Lightning Path”

Stay tuned to CFURadio 88.7FM & www.cfur.ca/listen-live for local news, updates, events, & information. Due North airs weekdays at 7am & 5pm.

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A number of local artists brought their work to showcase and sell throughout the course of the day.

Due North Info Bulletin - 9 March 2026

An audio bulletin for the week of March 9th 2026

This week in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh the weather outlook appears to be on a cooling trend, though that hasn’t tempered the amount of events coming our way. Wrestling, a business fair, live music, and public skating are all on the agenda.

Some municipal events of note:

Stay tuned to CFURadio 88.7FM & www.cfur.ca/listen-live for local news, updates, events, & information. Due North airs weekdays at 7am & 5pm.

- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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The 'Ut'loo Noye Khunni, or Weaving Words, festival returns for 21st year

For just over twenty years the 'Ut'loo Noye Khunni, or Weaving Words, festival has emerged each spring in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh to become what is now among Canada’s longest running indigenous literary festivals. Since 2005 it has brought indigenous authors, creators and wordsmiths together for an accessible summit of storytelling.

This 2026 the festival focuses on the theme “Yinka Ghunek 'Udada ~ Land, Language, and Story,” bringing authors & performers like Katarena Vermette, Kym Gouchie, G̱a̱mksimoon and Richard Van Camp together while festival originator, scholar Paul Michel, also returns for the opening gala on March 4th. Our city does not have a reputation as a literary epicentre, but well known authors come and return to 'Ut'loo Noye Khunni year after year. Dr. Rob Budde has some idea why, “we’re well known as a destination writers desire.” He also noted, “Richard Van Camp has called our festival the storyteller’s storytelling festival, because it’s partly about the connections between the authors and storytellers that come in.”

It stands to reason that after twenty years of consistently hosting a literary festival, a community would emerge around it. As has been the case since its inception, festivalgoers can access every 'Ut'loo Noye Khunni event free of charge, and be a part of its community as well.

'Ut'loo Noye Khunni, or Weaving Words, festival runs March 4th to 7th, across virtual spaces, UNBC Campus, at Uda Dune Baiyoh (House of Ancestors), Books & Co., and Omineca Arts Centre.

- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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Space Race: the local dystopian Thrash Metal Rock Opera of the Future

In the vein of King Diamond’s narrative focused material, a local group of friends drawn together through their shared grief of a lost friend and passion for thrash metal, have spawned a rock opera that debuts this month.

Space Race follows a protagonist who rises to the challenge of winning back our planet’s freedom in the face of an alien invasion. The creation of this sci-fi thrash opera didn’t happen overnight. Local musician Travis Moore began composing tracks which would become feature components for the piece a few years ago, initially without a clear direction, as a form of processing the impact of a close friend’s untimely death.

Left to Right: Nick Tindale on drums, David Baycroft on guitar & vocals, Travis Moore on guitar & vocals, Drew Gray on lead guitar

Simply by speaking to friends about what he was up to, others joined the project. The group, also comprised of percussionist Nick Tindale, David Baycroft on guitar & vocals, lead guitar Drew Gray, Marco Perry on visuals and formerly Colton Boyd on guitar, diligently crafted the homage to their fallen friend. The process of healing led to an unlikely, but positive, outcome that they can all be proud of.  While the event will be the first thrash metal rock opera in Northern BC, though Moore notes, “that’s the thing that breaks my heart, is that he never got to hear any of it.” An audience in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh will finally be able to hear part one of the opera’s two part presentations though, on Friday March 27th, 7pm at Omineca Arts Centre.

Tickets $20 at the door.

- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter


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