Tears to Hope Society

08/31/2026

If you’re in the Prince George area this weekend.

The PG Red Dress Campaign marks its 10th anniversary this year. Join us as we honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in this two-day event. The events will include a healing ceremony, guest speakers, drumming, a convoy, and the placement of red dresses in remembrance of lost loved ones.

September 5 at 1pm
Location – 1491 17th Ave, Connaught Youth Centre

September 6 at 11am
Location – Red Dress Stand at the Red Dress Monument, Ferry Ave & Hwy 16

08/24/2026

For 19 years, Lucas James “Luke” Degerness has been missing.

Lucas was only 14 when he disappeared from Prince George, British Columbia, in June 2007. Nearly two decades later, his family continues to search for answers and hopes that renewed attention to his case could finally lead to information about what happened to him.

On June 7, 2007, Lucas attended a meeting at Prince George Secondary School with his mother, Gina, and school staff to discuss his grades. Afterward, he skipped a class and went to stay overnight at a friend’s house instead of returning home.

Police believe Lucas left that residence on his own the following morning. His friend has been cleared of any involvement in his disappearance.

Lucas was never seen or heard from again.

His family had moved from Edmonton to Prince George only about two months earlier. His mother hoped the move would help Lucas leave behind a difficult peer group and give him a fresh start.

Over the years, there have been possible sightings, including reports placing Lucas in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. None of those sightings were confirmed.

One particularly unusual lead surfaced in 2014, when someone identifying himself as “Lucas” contacted a missing children’s organization and asked for Gina’s contact information. Because of privacy rules, the information could not be released, and the caller was never identified.

Gina has said she believes the caller may have been her son because he correctly pronounced their last name — something she says many people had difficulty doing.

In 2018, Lucas’ family held a vigil outside the Prince George courthouse, continuing their public appeal for information.

Lucas was described at the time of his disappearance as Indigenous, approximately 5’8” and 146 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He had a dime-sized bald spot near the front of his head, a piercing in his right eyebrow and a brown mark on the left side of his back.

He was last known to be wearing a black T-shirt, white running shoes and a red baseball cap. He was carrying a camouflage backpack.

Lucas would now be 33 years old.

If you have information about Lucas’ disappearance or believe you may have seen him over the years, please contact police. Even information that may seem minor or unrelated could assist investigators in determining what happened to Lucas.

Please share this post to help keep Lucas’ case in the public eye and ensure his disappearance is not forgotten.

08/18/2026

BCNWA is seeking Indigenous knowledge carriers to deliver virtual or in-person workshops related to Family Violence Prevention.

We are open to accepting applications for workshop topics that are not listed on the call out.

Please complete the application form linked in the comments below or contact Jessica Savoy at [email protected] to request the application form.

08/17/2026

As part of the Family Violence Prevention Initiative, the BC Native Women’s Association (BCNWA) is pleased to announce the Indigenous Estate Planning Workshop. As part of our Interactive Workshop Series that supports healthy relationships, safety, and wellness for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities across British Columbia.

This workshop is intended to bring Elders and Youth together to explore Indigenous estate planning through cultural teachings and shared knowledge.

Join us virtually on August 20, 2026, from 6:00–7:30 pm PST.

To register for this workshop, please follow the link in the comments or connect directly with Jessica Savoy by email at [email protected].

08/13/2026

07/30/2026

Today, July 30, is the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

The 2026 Theme: “Trapped Behind the Scam”

The United Nations’ official theme focuses on the global surge in human trafficking for forced criminality within online scam operations.

The Tactic: Traffickers use fake job advertisements to lure tech-savvy and vulnerable job seekers.

The Captivity: Victims are transported across borders and confined in illegal, heavily guarded scam compounds.

The Crime: Coerced through violence and fear, victims are forced to carry out cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, and other cyber-enabled financial crimes.

BCNWA President Gena Edwards:
“Together, we are better at combating this issue that affects people everywhere. Nobody should be unseen or unheard—everyone matters.”

07/30/2026

As apart of the Family Violence Prevention Initiative, the BC Native Women’s Association (BCNWA) is please to announce the first of many Interactive Workshop Series supports healthy relationships, safety, and wellness for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities across British Columbia.

The BC Native Women’s Association (BCNWA) is excited to partner with NEPENEḴ for “Strengthening Our Inherent Rights as Matriarchs,” an online interactive workshop led by Katisha Paul.

This session grounds us in Indigenous women’s inherent authority to hold and enact our own laws, ceremonial protocols, and storytelling traditions. Together we’ll explore storytelling as living law and centre Indigenous women as leaders and knowledge-keepers, drawing on oral tradition and the implications of implementing UNDRIP.

Join us virtually on July 31, 2026, from 3:00–4:30 pm PST.

To register for this workshop, please connect directly with Jessica Savoy, FVPP Coordinator by email at [email protected].