Volunteering is just part of who she is.
Gloria Hourie can be found at the food bank organizing hampers or visiting with the wee ones at the day care or making tie blankets with the teens attending the youth programs. All this happens under one roof and that’s at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre.
Mrs. Hourie is part of the volunteering elders group called Kookums' Konnection.
Kookum means grandmother in Cree and the role of these volunteers falls into a traditional grandmother’s role where she will play with the little ones (in the early childhood education department), guide in tradition the young ones who need grounding (in the youth groups), assist with food security (at the food bank) because there’s nothing worse than an empty belly and then there’s even some craft creating of items that are gifted to those in need. It’s all part of the volunteering effort to lift up the community in need of assistance, teachings and guidance.
Before the Covid pandemic hit, Mrs. Hourie said they would even go into the schools to share their culture and knowledge with the children. She’s hoping that might happen again once the pandemic is over.
“I like the people,” Mrs. Hourie said. “You’re treated good here no matter who you are and you can make a lot of friends here.”
