Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender, on behalf of Premier Christy Clark, will present Patricia Housty, a well-known Bella Bella citizen, with the province’s newest honour, the Medal of Good Citizenship.

The ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Wawiskas Community Hall in Bella Bella on Wednesday, April 20, 2016.

Launched in July 2015 by Premier Clark, the prestigious Medal of Good Citizenship recognizes individuals who, through exceptional long-term service, have made outstanding contributions to their communities without expectation of remuneration or reward. The medal reflects their generosity, service, acts of selflessness and contributions to community life. Nominations for the Medal of Good Citizenship are accepted year-round.

A pillar for the community, Housty will be honoured with the medal for being a generous volunteer, role model and community caretaker within the Heiltsuk First Nation and all of Bella Bella. Housty has offered many quiet acts of kindness ensuring impoverished families have food, and is a powerful mentor and champion for the community’s youth.

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After the loss of the community’s grocery store in a fire, Housty took the lead in having an interim location set up at the United Church building. Thanks to her quick thinking and resourcefulness, the store was back up and running in two days and the residents of Bella Bella were able to shop for food supplies.

Her service to community and countless hours of volunteering include mentoring youth; serving as a Heiltsuk Tribal Councillor; fundraising for the local basketball team, now the pride of the Heiltsuk First Nation; and facilitating food service for important community gatherings including weddings, funerals and potlatches. Housty is among a select group of British Columbians who will receive the Medal of Good Citizenship and the first Aboriginal person to receive the honour.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark –

“The Medal of Good Citizenship was created to honour people who make a real difference in their community – and few people have done more for their hometowns than Patricia Housty has done for Bella Bella.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and chair of the Medal of Good Citizenship selection committee –

“There are many people who generously volunteer their time, effort and skills to make their community better and this honour acknowledges their excellence, achievement and service. The time spent reviewing nominations was inspiring, and it reinforced to me that we live in a province where each and every day citizens can make a difference through their generosity and selflessness.”

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –

“Patricia Housty is the epitome of a good citizen: someone who selflessly carries through life by showing kindness, generosity and service to her fellow citizens. Her contributions have helped knit the community together and the citizens in the Heiltsuk First Nation are stronger for it.”

Patricia Housty, Medal of Good Citizenship recipient –

“I have enjoyed each and every moment of working with the community, and for the community. Our community is one that comes together, especially when others show an interest. Throughout my 42 years as manager of the grocery store I was able to see each and every day areas where citizens could use a little extra help, and it was my pleasure to ensure that we showed them there was someone to assist with their daily needs.”

(flickr.com)

Quick Facts:

• The Medal of Good Citizenship was launched in 2015 to recognize individuals who, through exceptional long-term volunteer efforts, have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of their communities.
• Nominations for the Medal of Good Citizenship are accepted year-round.
• All regions in the province were represented on the Medal of Good Citizenship Selection Committee and members came from various professional backgrounds.
• More than 220 nominations were reviewed.
• Additional medal presentation ceremonies will be held throughout the province in the coming months.

Learn More:

To learn more about the medal, or to nominate a good citizen in your community, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/medalofgoodcitizenship

To view photos of recipient ceremonies, visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHskw9MKjm

A backgrounder is attached.