Terry Raymond, the late Co-Chair of the New Pathways to Gold Society (NPTGS), has been posthumously awarded the Ruby Nobbs Distinguished Volunteer Award last weekend for his “lifetime of service as a heritage champion.”
“It’s deeply moving to see Terry’s legacy honored in this manner,” said NPTGS Indigenous Co-Chair and Spuzzum First Nation Chief James Hobart in a press release. “Terry worked with so many organizations and individuals in so many capacities over so many years – this is a very well-deserved recognition of that lifetime of service.”
Raymond, who was nominated by NPTGS, the Yale and District Historical Society (YDHS), and Spuzzum, was given the award last Saturday (May 27) during the Heritage BC awards gala in Chilliwack. He was honoured with the award for his lifetime achievements in heritage, community, and inclusivity.
His sister, Lee Florence, and his niece, Patricia Raymond-Adair, accepted the award on his behalf.
“The values that defined Terry and that he infused into the New Pathways to Gold Society were Indigenous Reconciliation, compassion, building local economies through heritage tourism, multiculturalism and creating a more inclusive narrative of our shared history,” said NPTGS Co-Chair Brent Rutherford in the same press release. “Terry’s part in that narrative was large and his legacy will live on as long as we keep retelling the story.”
The Ruby Nobbs award recognizes volunteers who’ve made a life-long commitment to and who have shaped the heritage of their communities through significant contributions and leadership. It’s named for the late Ruby Nobbs of Revelstoke, who was a strong example of “dedicated heritage volunteerism.”
Raymond, who sadly lost his long battle with cancer in April 2022, was a founding director of NPTGS (nonprofit organization dedicated to Indigenous Reconciliation, building local economies via heritage tourism, and multiculturalism in the Hope-Barkerville corridor) in 2007 and served as its Co-Chair from 2011 to 2022.
A graduate of Boston Bar Secondary, and resident of Boston Bar, Raymond shared his principles all throughout the province, particularly in the Fraser Canyon that he loved so dearly. He served many roles throughout his lifetime, which included: the Fraser Valley Regional District Director, Siska Traditions Society Administrator, Gold Country Communities Services Society and Gold Rush Trail Committee Director (to name a few).
Raymond’s award citation read in part:
“Terry Raymond literally poured his life’s energy into the welfare of Fraser Canyon communities and was a champion of B.C. Heritage, Indigenous and non-Indigenous. He was a colourful master thread woven into the lives of communities from Hope to Barkerville and especially his beloved Boston Bar… He worked for so long and so closely with First Nations that he was given the name ‘White Bear.’ He put in countless volunteer hours and is responsible for many heritage assets being restored and sites recognized. His legacy will live on through all the lives he touched and made better.”
READ MORE: FVRD director Terry Raymond remembered as true champion of rural British Columbia
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