In the end, 9285 loads of coal were hauled by the Hope Truck, an initiative co-sponsored by West Moberly Industrial Metalworks (WM-IMW) and Conuma Resources, to go towards helping youth in the West Moberly First Nations, Saulteau First Nations, Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge.
The Hope Truck initiative came to a close at an event on Saturday, September 27 at the Saulteau Cultural Centre.
For the last six months, the Hope truck has been in operation at Quintette Mine, it’s distinctive orange box setting it apart from all the rest.
And for each load, sponsors have been donating a certain amount of money towards the cause.
While the actual totals still haven’t been released, the amount is north of $115,000, says Marilyn Nelson, Director of Marketing & Indigenous Relations for WM-IMW. “The Hope Truck Celebration was such a beautiful reflection of what can happen when communities, industry, and individuals come together with shared goals,” says Nelson. “It’s been incredible to see how this initiative has brought us together, sharing stories, learning from one another, and celebrating our collective achievements. I’m so excited to continue moving forward together and building on this momentum as we finalize the funds, share the impact with everyone, and continue the journey of the Hope Truck.
Before the event started, companies were invited to participate at one of four levels. Bronze sponsors (of which there was a limit of eight) would commit to donating $0.50 per load, which means that at the end of the six month, they would be donating between $2850 and $4200 to the Hope Truck initiative, assuming between 5700 and 8400 loads. Of course, the number of loads exceeded even the most optimistic figure, meaning in the end the bronze sponsors—Structural Wear Products, Lake View Credit Union, Cummins Inc, Epiroc Group, Tumbler Ridge Freshmart, Surerus Murphy Joint Venture, X-Ceed Construction and Rosebrook Flooring—donated $4642.50 per company.
There were six silver level sponsors—Century 21, SMS Equipment, West Fraser, Elk Valley Resources (Glencore), Scotiabank/ScotiaTrust/Scotia McLeod – Triple Wallmann Group and CN—donating $0.75 per load, or $6963.75 per company.
There was space for four gold sponsors, but in the end there were only three—Arctic Arrow Group, Wajax and the West Moberly Corporate Alliance—each donating $1 per load, or $9285.
Finally, the two platinum sponsors—Conuma and Finning—each donated $1.25 per load, or $11,606.25.
That works out to $129,900, which doesn’t factor in in-kind donations and other donations that came in since the Hope Truck project began back on March 18.
While the box was painted orange as a nod to reconciliation and the intent to use the funds to help local First Nations communities, each community was asked to use the money to benefit youth programs in culture, education, sports and wellness.
In West Moberly, for instance, the focus was on how the youth of those communities face barriers accessing education, sports, cultural programs and leadership opportunities. “That was a really big piece for them, and we were absolutely supportive of that,” says Nelson. “When I met with the mayor of Chetwynd, he brought forward the lack of youth sports program in the schools and that is something that they would like to connect this initiative to.”
In Tumbler Ridge, she says, Mayor Darryl Krakowka talked about how the community is lacking in educational information around local Indigenous communities. “So having more maps, more access to knowledge about indigenous communities and, creating more opportunities for a learning environment in and around Tumbler Ridge.”
And, over at Saulteau First Nations, there was a desire to see more youth programs. “Again, they face barriers. Some students aren’t able to play sports because of the cost. So being able to provide support for that. Sports are such a big piece of growing up, and how youth can create a life they want. It’s really difficult when they’re restricted to not being able to play those sports or be a part of those programs.”
Above photo: A First Nations dancer at the Hope Truck closing event. Jessica Kimble Photography.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
