Smithers Bridging Committee

The Smithers Bridging Committee is an anti-racism group dedicated to promoting multiculturalism in the Bulkley Valley and across northern British Columbia.

Created as a subcommittee of the Smithers Social Planning Council, the committee was formed in 2002 to address racism and the need for cultural awareness throughout the Bulkley Valley. The Bridging Committee is the only organization in Smithers that focuses on racism within a highly motivated coalition of individuals, organizations and service providers concerned with aboriginal issues, domestic violence, healthcare, child and family development, education, social services, treaty negotiations and media. It includes members from a variety of sectors, including the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, Healthy Babies/Healthy Families, the Moricetown Band, School District #54, Northern Health Authority, Dze L’kant Friendship Centre, Smithers Community Services Association, Childcare Resource and Referral and Northwest Community College.

The committee’s goal is to increase understanding of diversity, create a venue for people to gather and learn, build relationships between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities, and engage children and youth. This has been done with several awareness-raising campaigns and events. 

Multicultural Dialogue

On Nov. 2, 2010, the Bridging Committee held a community dialogue using the documentary film Finding Our Way, followed by facilitated dialogue in smaller breakout groups. This event was overwhelmingly successful, resulting in a series of positive outcomes through networking and partnerships. 
The documentary Finding Our Way explores the history of aboriginal and non-aboriginal relations in the Burns Lake area. Following the film, 69 participants broke into smaller discussion groups of five or six people facilitated by Bridging Committee members. The dialogue explored perspectives on the film’s content, experiences with intercultural relations in the Bulkley Valley, and ways to move forward in a spirit of community building and collaboration.

Festival of Nations

In June 2010, the Smithers Bridging Committee held its sixth Festival of Nations, a celebration that is unique in Canada and serves to promote the diverse cultures represented within the Bulkley Valley. Held at the Moricetown Multiplex, it features a feast-style meal that allows participants to better understand Wet’suwet’en First Nation culture while experiencing food, dance and clothing from a variety of cultures. A large component of the festival is its children’s festival, which engages youth in embracing multiculturalism and encourages dialogue about local racial, ethnic and intercultural issues.

Multi-Cultural Day

The Smithers Bridging Committee hosted a Multi-Cultural Day celebration at the Old Church on March 21, 2010, which showcased the food and customs of many local ethnicities.

To contact the Smithers Bridging Committee or learn more about its projects, email smithersbridgingcommittee@gmail.com.