While working on our year in review, I couldn’t help but notice what an eventful year 2014 was for Burns Lake. So much has happened - a trail derailment, a mill fire, the opening of the Lakeside Multiplex, the elections and the countdown for the new hospital. But what really caught my eye were the remarkable human beings that put Burns Lake in the spotlight.
One of the many individuals that stood out this year was definitely our mayor. Luke Strimbold was named one of the province’s top business and community leaders under the age of 30 by BCBusiness, a Burnaby-based magazine. In its profile of the winners, the magazine credited our mayor with helping heal the “economic and social wounds” that resulted from the 2012 explosion and fire at Babine Forest Products.
Another reason for pride in Burns Lake was high-school student Elise Dube. The talented teenager joined the B.C. Provincial Snowboard Cross team in May, and has recently spent some time in Austria training with top athletes from around the world. Dube is now competing with the B.C. team in Colorado, U.S.A.
Also in the spotlight was Paul Alec Junior, who changed his life around through MMA fighting. Born and raised in Lake Babine Nation’s reserve, Alec was involved with drugs but decided to make a change and devote his life to sport. The 26-year-old fighter went from participating in preliminary fights to being the main attraction of fighting events across the province in just a couple of years. Also changing his life through sport is Kyle McMahon, a para-swimmer, originally from Burns Lake. McMahon, who attended Decker Lake Elementary School, suffered severe brain injuries in a car crash when he was only four years old. McMahon was forced to learn to walk, talk, eat and dress himself all over again. McMahon is now doing everything possible to make the cut to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Two Lakes District residents, Cathy Ashurst of Burns Lake and Valerie Ingram of Southbank, were among the recipients of the B.C. Community Achievement Award. Ashurst was credited with making a lasting contribution to social, economic, and educational life in the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako during her time as regional manager of the College of New Caledonia. Ingram, meanwhile, was recognized for her work with the Lakes Animal Friendship Society, a non-profit organization she helped establish to improve animal welfare.
Another inspiring Burns Lake citizen was recognized for setting an example for Burns Lake youth. Andre Dube won the 2014 Bill Giligan Youth Citizen of the Year award, given by the Rotary Club of Burns Lake. Andre has volunteered and been a part of a number of different societies and clubs the past few years. He has put in more than 300 hours building, maintaining, designing and cleaning up bike trails for the Burns Lake Mountain Bike Association. As a part of the Rotary Interact Club, Andre helped to raise over $10,000 for victims of the earthquake in Haiti and for victims of the tsunami in Sri Lanka between 2009-2011.
Also worth mentioning was the work of Burns Lake resident Shannon Alec, who said her life changed positively and it was time to pay it forward. Shannon organized a free photo shoot in Burns Lake, giving locals an opportunity to dress up, get their hair and make-up done and have their portrait photo taken. The idea was to inspire and put a smile in the faces of anyone who attended. Mission accomplished, and the photos were impressive.
And of course, there are those who have not won any awards or joined a professional team, but they keep making a difference in this town - whether it’s by organizing events, volunteering or simply helping out their neighbours. This column is also a tribute to you.