Over the past year the Trust, along with many other organizations, has adapted to working remotely and serving our region the best we can while still observing social distancing measures. One of the most rewarding experiences of working at Northern Development is the ability to travel and visit various communities and the projects we helped support. Prior to 2020, we would send Northern B.C. photographers to festivals, grand-openings, ground-breaking ceremonies, celebrations and cultural events to capture those moments and allow us to share them with you.
Collectively we are still unable to attend and host the kind of events that make our region so special, however we wanted to somehow continue those community visits and capture those images.
Inspired by the Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Competition and our Love Northern BC creatures, Northern Development partnered with local chainsaw artist John Rogers to create animals that represent the four regions we serve.
Prince George – bear, Cariboo-Chilcotin/Lillooet – eagle, Northeast – bison, Northwest – salmon.
John Rogers is a Prince George resident who has been carving for 30 years. He began his artistry by making ships in bottles, progressed to carving soapstone and then to wood. His creations are primarily carved with chainsaws and he works to give each creature a facial expression. John has participated numerous times in the Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Competition and has numerous carvings displayed in Chetwynd.
Once completed, these wooden creations will travel throughout Northern Development’s service area with local photographers to visit the many projects we helped to fund. While we are still navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, these carvings will act as our ambassadors until such time we can all gather once again.
In addition to sending our ambassadors throughout the north, we are also inviting our social media followers to provide names for each one.
Beginning May 3, one animal will be featured each week and the person who chooses the winning name will receive a $100 Support Local BC gift card. For complete rules and regulations, please visit northerndevelopment.bc.ca/wood-you-name-us/.
We thank you for your continued support and look forward to meeting with you all again soon.
