Let's remember, let's move forward, and let's celebrate!
The citizens of Prince George are a hardworking, progressive, and generous people who deserve to celebrate all that decades of volunteerism, teamwork, and creativity have brought us in the 100 years since the city was formally incorporated on March 6, 1915.
The 100th Anniversary Committee has been working with the Lheidli T'enneh and more than 40 community groups to plan and prepare for the commemoration of the city's 100th anniversary milestone. Some of the planned activities are new events, while others, such as our Canada Day celebrations, are already annual traditions that will add 100th anniversary elements to their exciting itineraries.
Over the past decade or so, it has become a respectful tradition when giving a speech in Prince George to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh, a Dakelh term meaning "People of the Confluence," referring to the place where the Fraser and Nechako Rivers meet - the name for a people who have been here for millennia.
We do so as a measure of respect to the people themselves, and as a reminder to ourselves that this respect was not always given. And it's an especially important acknowledgement in the days and weeks following the release of the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Prince George's 100th anniversary celebration provides a significant opportunity for the city of Prince George to strengthen its relationship with the Lheidli T'enneh (who served so brilliantly as the first ever Host First Nation of a Canada Winter Games) through other meaningful acts of reconciliation.
It is for this reason that, this week, Council passed two significant initiatives to acknowledge historic wrongs that have profoundly impacted generations of the Lheidli T'enneh people. These initiatives are supported by Chief Dominic Frederick and include the renaming of Fort George Park to Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park and the permanent presence of the Lheidli T'enneh Flag on one of the flag poles in front of city hall.
The renaming of Fort George Park to Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park commemorates, in a respectful way, a troubling time in our City's history when Lheidli T'enneh people were forcibly removed from their land.
The permanent presence of their flag appropriately recognizes the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation as a level of government and is a reminder that this is the traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh people.
While we acknowledge the trauma caused by the forced removal, and that the effects are still felt, we also celebrate the progressive and caring community Prince George has become in its first 100 years.
Prince George has evolved into a modern, bustling city connected to the world, and a community which cares for all of its citizens and always comes through. This is one of the many reasons we are recognized as a volunteer capital across Canada, as was displayed with passion and vigor during the 2015 Canada Winter Games this year.
On behalf of the 100th Anniversary Committee, I invite the whole community to join us to experience all the many festivities, events, and activities - old and new - scheduled throughout the summer and rest of the year.
Upcoming events the committee is excited to share with you include the perennial Canada Day in the Park at Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park, Music in the Park and Music in the Plaza, and Summerfest.
Two events I'm particularly excited about are the opening of the 75th anniversary time capsule on July 10 with many of the original time capsule guardians, who buried the vessel 25 years ago. We'll be re-interring the vessel later this summer, not to be opened until the City's 200th Anniversary celebrations.
The other event I'm eagerly anticipating is the Centennial Canoe Race from Isle Pierre to Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park. Long-time residents will remember the canoe race, which was a highlight of Canada Day Celebrations in Prince George for many years. The Committee is excited to be bringing this truly northern tradition back for the enjoyment of a new generation.
I would like to thank the members of the 100th anniversary committee, which include the Mayor, the Lheidli T'enneh, the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Prince George, Enhance PG, Prince George Heritage Commission, Community Arts Council, Community Foundation, North Central Labour Council and the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society.
Be sure to read and to keep handy the 100th Anniversary Souvenir Guide published in today's Prince George Citizen. It has a full schedule of the upcoming events and wonderful stories related to our history as well.
We have an incredible history and the next 100 years belong to all of us.
-- Coun. Murry Krause, Chair, Prince George's 100th Anniversary Committee
