A Wet’suwet’en Nation man is one of 21 people throughout BC who will receive BC’s Medal of Good Citizenship (MGC) later on in the spring.
The MGC is one of the most prestigious awards given by the province, similar to the Order of British Columbia.
Andrew Tom, a 38-year-old Indigenous 2 Spirit person, holds several titles through the Smithers region including president of the Wilp Si’satxw House of Purification Society, director for the Office of the Wet’suwet’en Society, band councilor for Witset First Nation and president of the Yikh Lhiw Dinle Housing Society among others.
Tom talks with CFNR about his personal struggles growing up 2 spirit, the help that he received from places like the friendship centers in his home town and eventually taking a position there as well to help other youth who maybe going through what he has in the past.