It was a perfect day for a picnic and hundreds of downtown people descended upon Wood Innovation Square on Wednesday to fill their bellies and share a few laughs with friends and strangers alike at the Healing Fire Overdose Prevention Community Health Fair.
Jessica W. brought two of her closest companions, saying she always looks forward to the monthly gathering, usually held in front of the Prince George Courthouse. She came for the food, the music of the traditional drummers and singers and the good vibes of being part of a community of like-minded souls.
The barbecue certainly trumped her usual lunch of peanut butter and jam sandwiches.
“We definitely enjoy it, you get sick and tired of p and j’s every day,” she said. “It’s a treat to have a burger and a hot dog and pop and just enjoy the sun and get together with all these amazing people.
“I love coming to these events, it’s always a good time, whether you’re here to eat or shop around, it’s always a great time for everybody. There’s people from all walks of life here, rich and poor - everyone from kids to our elders here. Just to listen to them drum, it lifts your spirits, it puts you in a good mood, it truly is healing, absolutely. It’s a beautiful day for it.”
Jessica spends her nights at one of the city’s downtown shelters but figures that’s just a temporary thing.
“I’m hoping to get into some housing soon,” she said.
Wednesday’s fair was sponsored by the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Training Association through the Urban Aboriginal Working Group and was hosted by Phoenix Transition Society. Each month a different agency takes a turn as hosts. About a dozen social agencies staffed booths to offer information on topics such as hepatitis C tests, street drug testing, and how to use a naloxone kit to prevent an overdose death.
Brody Beetlestone, who just completed a four-year construction electrician program at CNC, brought his girlfriend Hailie to the picnic. The 20-year-old says he enjoys coming to events that allow him to get to speak to some of the people who frequent our downtown streets and encampments.
He sees the Healing Fire event as an opportunity to dispel some of the notions about people who face extreme poverty, homelessness, mental health issues, substance addiction and what they do to survive dark places that are anything but a picnic.
“I’m learning some important stuff about a serious topic that is not talked about enough, the opioid addictions and general struggles of today’s society and how we can work together to figure it out,” said Beetlestone.
“It’s a weird stigmatism of homeless people and the threat, that they’re different than us, but in reality we’re all one. Some people just struggle a bit more, and that’s all the more reason to help them out and lift them up.
“I think it’s absurd that people can live in their million-dollar houses and all of this unnecessary materialism while some people are on the streets struggling for their next meal. Those same people can look at street people and say they need to get their stuff together, they did that to themselves, well we’ve all had trials in our lives.”
Beetlestone says he’s spent the past year getting to know some of the characters who make up the city’s unhoused population. He spoke on their behalf at the public forum on community safety May 29 at the civic centre that focused on the Moccasin Flats encampment.
“I’ve gotten to know these people personally and not a single one has been less than authentic and welcoming and super nice. I haven’t met one who gave me a problem because I treat them as equals and they treat me as equal,” said Beetlestone.
“I can learn a lot from these people because they’ve survived in the street, fending for themselves for who know how long and not a lot of people can say that."
He's been able to see how people on the margins live in Prince George.
“I do admire the homeless lifestyle in some ways because they can live off the bare minimum and they know how to adapt and move on and they aren’t attached to anything specific," he said. "The idea of being in debt and having to make constant payments my whole life doesn’t appeal to me.”
About 350 people lined up for food Wednesday and the big two-sided barbecue supplied by Integris Credit Union kept the long lineups moving quickly. The clothing booth was also a big hit, with new customers arriving constantly to try to find items they liked or needed. The clothing came from four donation spots set up around the city and was collected by Carrier Sekani Family Services.
The first Healing Fire event happened in February 2023 and for the first year it happened just twice, but now it’s a monthly event. During the cold-weather months a portable fire ring is used to create a big bonfire.
“Every month there are different societies joining us, it’s getting bigger,” said Cindy Zehmke, a Carrier Sekani Family Services family preservation outreach worker. “We do a lot of services and if it wasn’t for volunteers, this wouldn’t happen. Our unhoused people look forward to this once a month. Everybody pitches in. I think sooner or later the Healing Fire will become its own program because it’s getting so big.”
