FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(ASHCROFT) The new executive of the New Pathways to Gold Society (NPTGS) have hit the Gold Rush/Spirit Trails running.

All three executives of the community-based non-profit society are experienced NPTGS directors committed to further success for the organizations’ projects.

“We’re looking forward to another year of working with communities along the Gold Rush Trails to further economic development through heritage tourism via a variety of projects,” said NPTGS Co-chair Terry Raymond.

“We live in one of the most historic and scenic areas of British Columbia. It’s time we celebrated and promoted the rich Aboriginal, Asian and European history of the area from Hope to Barkerville, ‘The Gold Rush/Spirit Trail’ corridor.”

Raymond, an NPTGS director representing the Canyon region of the Hope-Barkerville corridor, was elected for a second one-year term as co-chair at the Society’s Annual General Meeting on April 28 in Ashcroft. He is currently C.A.O of the Siska Traditions Society, Lands Manager of the Boston Bar First Nation and President of the Lytton and District Chamber of Commerce.

North Cariboo Director Cheryl Chapman is the Society’s other co-chair, replacing Canyon Director Gerard Peters, who remains on the board.

Chapman said the NPTGS will continue to do what it’s done for the past four years: build relationships that have long term benefits for future generations.

“We’re going to continue to work with First Nations as well as other communities to build the region’s heritage tourism capacity and promote its products,” said Chapman, who is also Training and Development Manager for the Aboriginal Tourism Association of B.C.

Chapman’s place as board Secretary was filled by South Cariboo Director Brent Rutherford. A retired teacher and educator, Rutherford has been on the NPTGS board since 2009.

The NPTGS is a non-profit society working with First Nations and other communities along B.C.’s Gold Rush/Spirit Trails corridor with a focus on heritage tourism-based economic development. NPTGS is also committed to First Nations reconciliation and sharing all our stories to create a more inclusive history.

The Society is governed by a board inclusive of First Nations and regions from Hope to Barkerville and beyond. Current board members are:

Gerard Peters (Canyon), Chris O’Connor (Thompson), Byron Spinks (Thompson), Elizabeth Duckworth (Ashcroft), Ron Ignace (Ashcroft), Jason Gordon (South Cariboo), Councillor Ron Paull (North Cariboo), Lily Chow (Multiculturalism).

Since 2007, the Society has created jobs and raised the media profile of the Gold Rush/Spirit Trails corridor with initiatives like the Heritage Trails Project, The Motherlode travelling musical revue and the Western Development Diversification-funded “Time to Share Again” story-gathering project. In that time, NPTGS has:

  • Raised  $3.47 million for projects and programs
  • Contributed $2.2 million to GRT corridor communities to date
  • Created nearly 2,600 person-days of employment
  • Successfully launched and/or completed 15 major projects
  • Staged 138 events/performances, lectures, workshops, screenings and symposia

The NPTGS encourages local residents to stay within and travel throughout British Columbia and has attracted tourists from outside of B.C. to the region. The NPTGS also encourages communities, all levels of government and businesses of every size to work together for their mutual benefit.