The journey began in January 2011.
Ninety-eight people committed to a 13 week training program and fundraising with the end goal to be able to complete a 10 km event, whether it be in Fort St. James or in the metropolis of Vancouver, BC.
Through out the journey we experienced an amazing sense of unity, pride and dedication. United as a team called the Salmon Chasers, supporting each other each step of the way and empowering ourselves to feel like we can overcome any challenge placed before us.
On days when the temperatures dipped to -26 degrees, when aches and pains set in or when the morale was low and the simple act of putting on the runners seemed too much, we found it within ourselves to carry on with what we committed to. Thank you to Charmagne Moise, Lisa Sam, Louise Evans-Salt for being such inspirational WalkRun Leaders! Each Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30 PM and Sundays at noon, we would begin to gather to put another training day behind us. It was this unity and comradery we developed with each other that carried us through.
Our fundraising was comprised of bake sale/ raffles at the bingo’s, the Aaron Pritchett Concert, family dances, St. Patty’s Day Dinner, silent auctions, and raffles with cash prizes or Canuck hockey tickets. We were provided with generous donations from The Wizard, All Season Mountain Holidays, New Haven Architects, Conifex Inc., Barton Insurance, Richard Evans, Tl’azt’en Chief and Council, and Nak’azdli Chief and Council. We would like to express how grateful we are for your generous donations, the Salmon Chasers success is your success.
Without the communities support we would not have been able to accomplish such an amazing goal.
On April 17, 61 Salmon Chasers participated in the Vancouver Sun Run 2011. We were a part of a corporate team of 500 participants called ‘Aboriginal WalkRun’. Of these 500 participants we had 4 Salmon Chasers place in the top 10! Dustin Moise 48:21, Todd Alec 49:08, Murphy Thomas 49:50 and Renada Walstrom 50:45.
All the Salmon Chasers did an outstanding job, please read each name below and know that they each are outstanding, strong, dedicated individuals.
It’s not about winning the race, its about the journey we took along the way to get to the finish line.
So when you see these amazing individuals in town ask them about their experience, you’ll feel privileged to get a sense of what it was all about!
Andrew Mulroy April Thomas Catherine Lessard Caroline Bird
Donnie Ketlo Quinton Sam Rylee Julian Valerie Prince
Kyle Isaac David Thomas David Tibbetts Margo Sagalon
Allisonn Moise Elizabeth Sam Theresa Sam Pete Erickson
Dallas Sam Tania Julian Laurie Moise Joshua Hallman
Charmagne Moise Shelagh Crookes Sharon Rawluk Byron Roberts
Nigel Sagalon Kirk Solonas Randy Rawluk Myrna Thomas
Louise Evans-Salt Kristy Henkes Susan Erickson Lisa Sam
Steven Sam Mona Sam Louella Sam Ludale Prince
Charlene Webb Petulla Maxwell Katelyn Henkes Anne Marie Sam
Jalissa Julian Tania Prince Dennise Bolton Sidney Tibbetts
Christa Prince Nikki Martin Ruby Taylor Lillian Sam
Kristen Sam Nadine Sam Dale Joseph Cole Felix
Patricia Pius Tiffany Felix Tracey Solonas Jean Felix
Pricilla Sagalon
While 61 on of the Salmon Chasers were in Vancouver doing the Sun Run, we had about 25 Salmon Chasers here in Fort St. James, completing a 10 km on April 17. Congratulations and thank you to Winnie Sam for organizing a successful event.
We encourage you all to join us on Tuesday and Thursdays 4:30 and Sundays at noon for a walk or a run. Leaving from the Nak’azdli Health Center!