Indigenous Peoples Day and Indigenous Arts Festival

Come out on Wednesday, June 21st, Thursday, June 22nd, and Friday, June 23rd to celebrate Dune Lhuhuwezdel, Indigenous Peoples’ Gathering.
It will start off with the drum circle on June 21st @9:30AM at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Later on you will be able to enjoy live entertainment 11AM-8PM on June 21st and 12PM-8PM on June 22nd at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. The entertainment will include 2RMX movable feast, cultural activities, workshops, artisan & food vendors. On June 23rd feel free to stop by Omineca Arts Centre for the continuation of the festival with workshops, open mic, and live entertainment 12PM-8PM.

The event will be livestreamed, so you can check it out online.

The Indigenous Exhibition will take place June 1-30 at Omineca Arts Centre.

Air Pollution in Smithers

A wood pellet company in Smithers misleads the government and the general public into thinking that their future operations are sustainable and would improve air quality in Bulkley-Valley region.

Every year Bulkley-Valley experiences the smokey air resulting from thousands of unused slash piles being burned. These conditions are unhealthy and may result in serious lung & heart ailments.

The pellet mill proponent, NewPro, has told that the mill will help reduce “slash burning“ in the Smither’s area by using the slash to make the wood pellets. NewPro has applied for and received a permit amendment under the Environmental Management Act. Nevertheless, the slash burning did not decrease since 2018, the year when the mill was opened.

Len Vanderstar, the co-founder of Bulkley-Valley Clean Air Now, has mentioned that “We are extremely concerned at what has unfolded. Despite the company’s assertions, the slash burning continues and our airshed continues to be choked with smoke for months on end. Instead of chewing through slash, the local pellet mill is chewing through whole logs.”
This situation has gathered an opposition, such as Bulkley-Valley Clean Air Now and Conservation North. They have asked the government to suspend the pellet mill’s permit, as well as require the current owner of the mill - the United Kingdom’s Drax Group - to disclose the information about the usage of logs and logging slash. “We also want to see the Environmental Management Act amended so that it is clear that permits will be cancelled outright if companies make misleading claims in support of their applications,” says Vanderstar.

After receiving the amendment permit, NewPro’s ownership was transferred to Pinnacle Renewable Energy, and later on the ownership was again transferred to Drax. In North Yorkshire, England, Drax manages the world's largest facility for wood pellet consumption, a massive thermal electricity plant. This plant utilizes wood pellets as fuel, burning them to produce steam that powers the facility's turbines, generating electricity. Drax now has a near complete monopoly over the pellet mills in BC by owning 12 mills as of today.

The large quantities of logs are turned directly into wood pellets in Smithers, Quesnel, Houston, and Burns Lake, as shown by the data of BC government.

Len Vanderstar remarks, "It is evident that the Smithers pellet mill has not brought about a significant decrease in slash-burning within our airshed. Regrettably, slash-burning remains the primary and most detrimental source of air pollution in our valley."

Source - Press Release: BV Clean Air Now

Wrestlers Weigh In Heavily

St. Vincent de Paul Society received over $4600 in funds raised by Primetime Wrestling, which recently resumed its activities in the city. Apart from delivering thrilling wrestling matches, the troupe, led by Davy Greenlees and Stuart Brown, demonstrated their commitment to community charities.

At their last event held at the House of Ancestors, Primetime Wrestling generated proceeds amounting to $4,684.50, and they happily presented a check to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Canadian Tire, a two-time event Title Sponsor, played a vital role in enabling this donation by choosing the St. Vincent de Paul Society as the recipient of Primetime's contribution. Additionally, attendees of the wrestling events collectively donated 30 pounds of non-perishable food items.

Greenlees emphasized their dedication to the community, stating, "Community is really what we're all about." While they take pride in bringing exciting live entertainment to the town, they also recognize the significance of supporting causes that have a significant impact on the community.

Since Primetime Wrestling established itself in Prince George in October of last year, the professional wrestling league has donated more than $10,300 to local organizations. Previously, they fundraised for the Northern B.C. Crisis Prevention and Intervention Centre.

Brown revealed that wrestling will make its return to Prince George in September with two more action-packed nights. He acknowledged the challenges of scheduling indoor events during the summer when people prefer outdoor activities or vacations. Moreover, the in-demand wrestlers they bring to Prince George often have busy schedules booked several months in advance.

Pride Picnic

Come join the Northern BC Queer Connection Society on Sunday, July 9th at the Rainbow Park, 3pm-8pm for a Pride Picnic!

You’ll be able to enjoy food trucks, meet the vendors, listen to some live music, and play some games. Free admission. Bring your family and friends for some Sunday fun!
For more information visit this event facebook page.

The Ebbs and Susie Ruth

Celebrate the summer solstice in style at the Knox United Performance Space with an unforgettable night of music featuring The Ebbs and their special guest Susie Ruth. Whether you're experiencing the longest day or the shortest night, this event promises to be extraordinary. Please note that this is a 19+ event where you can enjoy delicious beer from Deadfall Brewing, a local brewery in Prince George.
Additionally, The Ebbs are thrilled to introduce Jim Sayle, known for his involvement in "Out of Alba," who will be joining them as the fiddle player du jour, filling in for Finn Scott-Neff. Jim's extensive experience and unique musical style blend seamlessly with The Ebbs, adding a touch of sass to their performance.

Based in central British Columbia, Canada, The Ebbs is an indie folk band. Join The Ebbs and Susie Ruth on Friday, June 23rd @7pm at the 1448-5th Ave, Prince George!

Tickets available for $25 at the door or $20 in advance at The Ebbs website.

Pride Parade

The Prince George Pride Society has gathered today (June 1st) at the City Hall to officially raise the flag in honor of the Pride Month. Before the flag was raised, Acting Mayor Tim Bennett addressed the crowd and delivered a brief speech, officially proclaiming May 29 to June 4 as Pride Week in the City of Prince George.
In addition to the official proclamation, Prince George has planned various events throughout the week to celebrate Pride Month. One of the highlights will be the Pride Parade, which had been partially canceled due to COVID-19.
The parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 3, commencing at 10 a.m. It will follow the route along Brunswick Street, 4th Avenue, and George Street, while the Canada Games Plaza will host vendors and food trucks from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bill C-11 "The Online Streaming Act" Passing the Senate

The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) is rejoicing in the passage of Bill C-11, known as the Online Streaming Act. This significant update to the broadcasting act marks a crucial milestone after 30 years, acknowledging the evolving reality of the digital age.
The amendments to the broadcasting act bring about a much-needed transformation for community radio stations. CRFC Executive Director, Alex Freedman, aptly describes it as "an important step forward." With this revision, community radio stations are no longer merely considered the third pillar of Canadian Broadcasting but are now acknowledged for their key role in fostering local connections and promoting community engagement.
One of the crucial aspects emphasized in the amended act is the commitment to community broadcasting that reflects the diverse nature of the communities it serves. This includes acknowledging the languages spoken within those communities, as well as their ethnocultural and Indigenous composition. The amendments highlight the high level of engagement and involvement of community members in matters of public concern, ensuring that their voices are heard through community radio.
The updated act recognizes the importance of community radio in catering to tastes and interests that may not be adequately addressed by mass audience programming. Community radio stations now have the opportunity to provide programs devoted to culture, politics, history, health and public safety, local news, current events, local economy, and the arts. These diverse programming options reflect the vibrant tapestry of Canada's communities, regions, Indigenous cultures, and multicultural nature, including the provision of third-language programming.
Another significant recognition in the amended act is the role of community radio stations in combatting disinformation. By involving community participation, these stations contribute to strengthening the democratic process and supporting local news. This acknowledgment underscores the vital role played by community radio in ensuring accurate information dissemination and fostering an informed citizenry.
Historically, the responsibility of supporting Canadian content production, including community radio, has been shouldered solely by commercial broadcasters. However, the passage of Bill C-11 represents a paradigm shift by mandating online giants, who also profit from Canadian audiences, to contribute to the development of Canadian broadcasters, musicians, and artists. This equitable approach ensures that all stakeholders, including the internet giants, invest in the growth and sustainability of the Canadian broadcasting landscape.
The CRFC is enthusiastic about collaborating with the Department of Canadian Heritage to shape policy direction and working closely with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Their aim is to ensure that the funds received from internet giants are allocated to broadcasters who align with the priorities set out in the Online Streaming Act. This collaborative effort is a critical step towards guaranteeing that Canadians from all corners of the country have access to diverse voices and a rich cultural tapestry through community radio.
The passage of Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, marks a significant turning point for community radio in Canada. The amendments to the broadcasting act recognize the invaluable contributions of community radio stations in connecting local communities, amplifying diverse voices, fighting disinformation, and supporting local news. By extending the responsibility of supporting Canadian content to online giants, the act ensures a fair and inclusive broadcasting landscape. This momentous development brings us closer to a future where Canadian culture and voices are celebrated and accessible to all.

Bicycle Revolution in Prince George

Cycling is essential to any community, especially now, with climate change looming. Canada is fighting climate change by reducing emissions, but how can the emissions be reduced if one of the solutions to the problem is unsafe to execute?

To support the bicycle revolution come to Prince George City Hall @6pm on Wednesday, May 31st.

Click Here to Access Event Page for details.

Have you ever felt like you could not bike to your destination safely in Prince George? Was there a time when you were in danger while using the bike lanes? Approximately every 1 out of 17 people has experienced fast-moving traffic closer than 100 cm when cycling in Prince George. The main problem with the bike lanes in Prince George is the lack of a border between the vehicle and bike lanes. While a painted white line separates the two, it is simply not enough to ensure a cyclist’s safety. There are many ways to improve the safety of Prince George citizens. It could be done by imposing one of the following temporary solutions: a plastic flexible post, a moveable curb, a planter or a roadway median. The priority should be given to the busiest streets first, such as 5th Avenue, 15th Avenue, Ospika Boulevard, Massey Drive/Winnipeg Street and Ferry Avenue/Queensway. Once sufficient feedback is received, the provisional resolution can be made permanent as long as the budget permits.

Participate in the bicycle revolution by signing this Petition.

AccessAbility Week

This year Prince George city is acknowledging the national AccessAbility Week by taking city staff and council members on a tour around downtown area with a mentor who had experienced life navigating around the town with a disability.
“Participants will learn that being disabled does not equal being powerless. Access issues aren’t limited to those with disabilities, they also affect seniors, parents with young children, and people that need mobility devices, either for the short or long term,” said committee chair, Kia Johnsen. “Thank you to MEDIchair North BC for providing the equipment including power and manual wheelchairs for council to try at the event.”

While it’s great to observe what Prince George is doing to celebrate the national AccessAbility Week, don’t miss out on your chance to show visible solidarity with people affected by disabilities, and celebrate their achievements by wearing red on Wednesday, May 31st! You can celebrate with us by stopping at the Bentley Center, UNBC @1pm.