Two West Kootenay women presented lifetime achievement awards for environmental activism
By Contributor
The family and friends of the late Suzy Hamilton are pleased to announce that Jessica Hewitt is being honoured with this year’s Suzy Hamilton Legacy Award. The cash award is presented annually to a female-identified or non-binary volunteer environmental activist in the West Kootenay region, who embodies the environmental and social activism for which Suzy was known.
Jessica is being recognized for her dedicated and active work in the ongoing pursuit of protecting the watershed of Falls Creek. Jessica is a founding member of the Falls Creek Watershed Protection Society, and co-created a website discussing the harms of logging in a watershed and sharing information on Sinixt water laws.
“It’s an honor to be recognized among the amazing women who have been standing up for those who have no voice – crawlies, winged, two-legged, four-legged, and the swimmers in Sinixt təmxʷúlaʔxʷ (mother-earth),” reflected Jessica. “As Marilyn James teaches us, we all have a role to play in respecting and upholding Sinixt sacred law – Whuplak'n (Sinixt law of the land/water) and Smum iem (belongs to women) so that our future generations can continue to live in this beautiful təmxʷúlaʔxʷ. Water is life, water is love and water is ancestral.”
The committee is also honouring Shanoon Bennett, with the extension of the award meant to recognise the enduring dedication of a female or non-binary champion of the environment.
Shanoon was nominated for her decades inspiring, engaging, and motivating students in environmental education. Along with her educational offerings, Shanoon is also very active in defending Slocan Valley forests and watersheds from logging activities.
“I am honoured and very grateful to receive the Suzy Hamilton Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Shanoon. “It has been my greatest mission in life, with a deep love for sharing, inspiring, connecting and engaging students of all ages, in discovering and exploring the wonders found in their local bio-region and the diverse web of life in the rivers, forests, and mountains. Thank you to the Slocan River Streamkeepers Society and Wild Voices for Kids for
their generous support over the years. It has been my greatest privilege to work with so many amazing kids, teachers and organizations, sharing my passion for wild intact ecosystems and the rich biodiversity that surrounds us.”
Additional nominees for this year’s awards were Joelle Burnie, Amber Peters, Arianne Michaud,and Josee St. Pierre, in recognition of their volunteer work. A big thank you to all who put forward a nomination for this year’s award.
The Suzy Hamilton Legacy Fund continues to grow and with it, the size of the annual award. Donations are warmly welcomed and can be made through the Osprey Foundation.
