Three unsung Vanderhoovian heroes are sung out through this year’s wintry air for their inspirational work.
Chris Mushumanski and Jason Gillis, who now resides in Prince George, were two of the six 2017 Unsung Heroes of Northern B.C. recognized on Feb. 4 in Prince George. Melanie Thomas was also one of the 27 total nominees for the award.
Mushumanski, previously the president of the Nechako Valley Search and Rescue team and an active member of the group for nearly 20 years, was away for a SAR conference in Vancouver during the event, and Vanderhoof mayor accepted the award in his place.
“I was thrilled to be nominated as one of the 27, but to be selected as one of the six unsung heroes has been a tremendous honor,” Mushumanski stated. “I have to thank my SAR family in Vanderhoof and across all of B.C. for making my time in SAR so rewarding and meaningful.
“But I also need to thank my wonderful wife and two daughters for supporting me over all the years and for not kicking me out of the family for the missed recitals and concerts, birthdays, dinners and anniversaries. You three are my unsung heroes.”
Cst. Jason Gillis, orginially of Saik’uz First Nation, was part of the RCMP for 25 years, with the first seven years as the first aboriginal auxiliary member in the Vanderhoof detachment.
Diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2001 and struggled with its impact since then, Gillis began working with inmates six years ago to help them heal through traditional First Nation healing practices such as the sweat lodge, eventually starting his own lodge in his backyard three years ago to use the same method to help other first responders.
“I was surpised when I was nominated, and I was even more suprised when I won,” Gillis said. “I really didn’t think what I do to try to help survivors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and first responders was that big of a thing.
“I see the taboo around PTSD and I have a feeling there are more people out there with PTSD and they might be afraid to come out due to the stigma.
“It was hard to come out, especially as part of the RCMP, to ask for help and admit that I have PTSD. I’m at the end of career and the worst case scenario is, they don’t like it, but I need to work through whatever I need to work though.
“My grandma tells me that if you’re going to be passionate about something, do it right away. People need to know about this, and PTSD survivors need help just like somenoe with a broken arm or leg.
“Being aboriginal, I was sure not only were there front line workers that have PTSD, but others also, so I work with youth to help them understand some of the feelings they have and they go through.
“It’s been an incredible journey. I don’t look at what I do as warranting a hero.”
For Melanie Thomas, who provided assistance to community members despite her struggles with Chiari Malformation — a structural defect in the lower part of the brain that conrols balance — it was very surprising as well as an honour to be nominated.
“I wore my purple butterfly top to represent my diagnoses of Chiari Malformation in the hope of spreading awareness,” Thomas said. “I just like to help out when I can no matter what my situation is at the time.
”No matter what, you need to smile each day and be thankful for life. We are all the same but some people struggle more in life and that is when we need to step up and help where we can. My grandparents and my mother taught me this: Morris Thomas, Dr. Sophie Thomas and my mom Veronica Doris Thomas.
I just hope to inspire more people to help others, not for money or for an award; just for the satisfaction and the good feeling it gives you to help out others.”
Two of the six award recipients were not able to attend the recognition gala dinner due to the work they were nominated for — it shows their commitment to their projects, said Vanderhoof mayor Gerry Thiessen, also one of the award judges.
“Many of them, when called, didn’t want to be recognized,” Thiessen noted “Jason had been a great asset to Prince George’s first responders and those with PTSD and became a real help to the community.
“Chris is such an all around great individual and asset for our community, and getting really involved with SAR in the last 20 years, he has taken our SAR to a new level. Even at a personal level, newcomers have been invited and Chris always ensures we’re a welcoming and inclusive community.
“Melanie, since her recent move back into Saik’uz First Nation, is recognized for her kindness to community members who needed help.”