August 6, 2010
Prince George Resident Receives Order of B.C.

PRINCE GEORGE – Barbara Ward-Burkitt of Prince George has been awarded the Order of British Columbia by Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point.

“Barbara is a community leader in every sense,” says Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “The Order of B.C. recognizes her extraordinary accomplishments that benefit the entire community of Prince George. I have had the pleasure of working with Barb on a number of initiatives. She is passionate and an excellent role model for women in leadership. I am thrilled that she has been recognized with this very prestigious award.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have Barbara in Prince George,” says Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. “Her commitment to the community is an example to all of us.”

Barbara Ward-Burkitt has dedicated almost 40 years to the Aboriginal Friendship Centre movement in B.C., advancing many issues that impact Aboriginal people.

As Executive Director of the Prince George Native Friendship Centre - the largest friendship centre in Canada - Ms. Ward-Burkitt advocates for Elders, children and families with a person-centered approach grounded in cultural ways. Much of her work with the B.C. Association for Aboriginal Friendship Centres and the Ministry of Children and Family Development focuses on reducing the disproportionate number of aboriginal children in care.

Ms. Ward-Burkitt has been successful in finding long term solutions to homelessness. Her efforts resulted in the establishment of T'se Koo Huba Yoh, an Aboriginal women's housing program and Friendship Lodge, resulting in a 30 unit housing project for people with barriers to attaining safe and affordable housing. Her engagement style with the community often led to mutual learning experiences and brought peaceful consultation to mitigate issues.

A committed community volunteer, Ms. Ward-Burkitt currently serves on the Northern HIV Task Force and is president of the Prince George Metis Housing Society, as well her involvement with literary endeavours, Elder functions and cultural events. She is devoted to seeking out individual learning opportunities for others and herself which included obtaining her Master of Education degree in 2001. She leads a womens' traditional hand drum group, Grandmothers of the Four Winds, and shares her traditional knowledge with respect and humility as taught to her by many elders and cultural teachers. She is an inspiration to the Aboriginal community.

Recipients of the Order of British Columbia have been selected by an independent advisory committee from public nominations will receive the honour at Government House in Victoria on Oct. 21, 2010.

The Order of B.C. is online at: www.orderofbc.gov.bc.ca

To learn more about Shirley’s work in Prince George-Valemount, visit www.shirleybondmla.bc.ca or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/shirleybond.

To learn more about Pat’s work in Prince George-Mackenzie, visit www.patbellmla.bc.ca.

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