s UNBC Life

Tour of Prince George

Mani Samani
Team Member

he traditional home of the Lheidli

T'enneh and Carrier Sekani First
Nations people, Prince George is widely
known as the capital of northern British
Columbia. Welcome to PG...

You may hear about Prince George
wildlife with bears and moose in town.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find everything
they desire in the northern wilderness,
including freshwater fishing, nearby
hunting, and countless lakes and rivers.
In the winter, skiing, snowshoeing, ice
fishing, and snowmobiling are some of
many pastimes visitors and locals are able
to enjoy. You can be sure that excitement
is never far away, so bring your adventure
gear to get the full nature experience
that Prince George has to offer!

History

For thousands of years, First Nations have
lived in the area around the meeting point
of the Nechako River and BC's greatest
river, the Fraser - a natural staging

point for river trade and transportation
by the Lheidli T'enneh (people of the
confluence of the two rivers). Two miners
from the Bahamas searching for gold

were the first non-aboriginals in the

area. The origins of the name "Prince
George" can be traced to the Northwest
Company's fur trading post of Fort George,
founded by Simon Fraser in 1807.

Mr. PG

In 1960, the City of Prince George built
a parade float which featured a large,
moveable figure shaped and colored

to represent log construction. The
float was entered in the 1963 Grey Cup
Parade in Vancouver and subsequently
was sent to many parades in British
Columbia. As a result, the float became

known as a symbol of the City of Prince
George and was named Mr. PG.

What happens in PG

Prince George experienced a dramatic
forest fire this summer. The massive
Chelaslie River fire, which was set off

by lightning on July 8, continues to rage
through 1,076 square kilometers of forest.
You could feel the smoke anywhere in
town. However, tons of amazing events
are happening annually. Some of the
most famous events are as follows:

Terry Fox Run (September 14)

Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox (July 28,

1958 - June 28, 1981) was a Canadian
athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research
activist. In 1980, with one leg having been
amputated, he embarked ona cross-
Canada run to raise money
and awareness for cancer
research. Although the
spread of his cancer
eventually forced him
to end his quest after
143 days and 5,373
kilometers (3,339 mi),
and ultimately cost
him his life, his efforts
resulted in a lasting,
worldwide legacy.
The Terry Fox
Run this year
will start
at the

Community
Foundation
Park at 10:00 am.

The Inside Ride
(October 21)

Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation
presents the “Inside Ride,” Canada’s
indoor cycling challenge and fundraising
event dedicated to raising money in
support of families and children with
cancer. Support will be provided where
the needs are greatest and other areas
which contribute to inspiring hope and
improving prognosis for children and
their families impacted by cancer. For

the second year in Prince George, this
event will be brought to northern BC
This year's event will take place at 5:30
pm at the John McInnis Centre. Teams

of 6 take part in the ride, with each

rider cycling for 5 minutes and with
teammates cheering them on. Each team is
encouraged to raise a minimum of $1,000.

Polar Bear Dip (January 1)

Start the New Year in a "cool" way with
the Premiere Polar Bear Dip of the
North. Ness Lake Bible Camp held its
annual Polar Bear Dip, a fundraiser
for the Camper Sponsorship Fund
so that those in need can
attend the camp. This
year, more than
70 participants
raised more

\ than $7,000, over twice as
)}) much as last year's total.
_ Enjoy the icy water in PG.

} Canada Winter Games
\| (February 13 - March 1)

|
1 \ { The Canada Winter Games

is a high-level, multi-sport event with a
National Artists Program held every two
years in Canada, alternating between the
Canada Winter Games and the Canada
Summer Games. Athletes are strictly
amateur only, and represent their province
or territory. The Games were first held in
1967 in Quebec City as part of Canada's
Centennial celebrations. For the first time
in Canada’s history, 1,800 athletes from 10
provinces and two territories gathered to
compete in 15 sports. Under the Games
motto, ‘Unity through Sport’, these first
Canada Winter Games paved the way

to what is now Canada’s largest multi-
sport competition for young athletes.

British Columbia hosted the Summer
Games in 1973 and 1993, but the coming
year is the first time that a city from BC
is the host of Canada’s Winter Wames.

Canada Day (July 1)

Canada Day is the national day of Canada,
a federal statutory holiday celebrating
the anniversary of the July 1, 1867
signing of the British North America Act,
which united three colonies into a single
country called Canada within the British
Empire. Originally called Dominion Day,
the holiday was renamed in 1982, the
year the Canada Act was passed. Canada
Day observances take place throughout
Canada, as well as among Canadians
internationally. 2015 is a celebration
honoring Canada’s 148th birthday, and in
Prince George everyone is invited to attend
the party featuring six hours of non-stop
cultural entertainment, a community
craft fair, ethnic food concessions,
children's activities, and more. Celebrate
Canada at Fort George Park from noon

to 7 pm during a free family event.

Keep in touch for more information of
PG and, one more time, welcome to PG!