The FNHA's Office of the Chief Medical Officer received almost 50 heart-warming entries telling us about your special First Nations fathers and father figures.
We were moved by the beautiful stories of these remarkable First Nations men across BC and the meaningful work they do for their families and communities. Choosing only four winners was incredibly difficult.
Thank you to everyone who entered the contest, and congratulations to the winners!
The winners are:
Fred Williams, Lake Babine First Nation, nominated by his daughter, Kayla Williams.
Xwayeskn Bent Arrow (aka Clint Holmes), Upper Similkameen Indian Band, nominated by the Band's Health Director, Lindsay Coltman.
Peter Daniels, Gitwangak First Nation, nominated by his sister, Aveline Kavanagh.
Martie Wyse, Snuneymuxw First Nation, nominated by his wife, Brittany Salmon.
Fred Williams, Lake Babine First Nation
My father, Fred Williams, has been one of the biggest impacts on my life from the time I was a little girl to the woman and mother I am today.
When I was younger, I did not fully understand the weight he carried or the sacrifices he made for our family. But as I got older, especially after becoming a mother myself, I began to see his strength in a completely different way. I saw how much love existed behind every lesson, every hard moment, every joke, every ride, every phone call, and every time he showed up when we needed him most. He loved me unconditionally – even when I wasn't very lovable, he believed in me and never gave up on me. He was the type of father who always showed up.
He has always been more than just my dad. He has become one of my best friends. He showed me that love is gentle and love is forgiving.
No matter how old I get, he still checks on me, supports me, listens to me, and stands beside me through life's hardest moments. He has never stopped being someone I can lean on. And the love he gives does not stop with me — he deeply loves and supports my children too. Watching him with his grandchildren heals something inside of me because they get to experience the same safety, laughter, guidance, and unconditional love that I was blessed to grow up with.
Some of my favourite memories are the simple ones — laughing together, hearing his stories, watching how he treats people, and seeing the quiet strength he carries even during difficult times. He taught me resilience without even saying the word. He taught me how important family is, how important it is to stay connected to who we are, and how much strength there is in kindness, humility, and showing up for the people you love. Also how much strength we all truly have inside, and how much our traditional medicine is important to us.
As a First Nations man, he carries strength in a way that is hard to explain. It lives in the way he protects his family, the way he keeps going through hardship, and the way he continues to love despite everything life has thrown at him. Through him, I learned pride in where I come from, pride in my family, and pride in being Indigenous.
When I was a child, he always took us camping and hunting. He was there for each of my kid's births, and every special occasion he buys me flowers.
Even though I am no longer a child, I will always be grateful that I still have someone I can call when life feels heavy. Someone who reminds me I am never alone. He gives the best advice, always telling me to follow my heart and to protect it. And when I go out the door, to always make good decisions that will be beneficial and that involve the Creator / the Father above.
To me, he is not just a father figure. He is strength, safety, guidance, friendship, and home. I am so honoured to call him my sbeb (father).
Xwayeskn Bent Arrow (aka Clint Holmes), Upper Similkameen Indian Band
The leadership of Sqilxʷ smumʔím kʷu tmxʷulaxʷ - Syilx father – Xwayeskn Bent Arrow (aka Clint Holmes) is grounded in the land, culture, and the teachings that sustain our people.
He raises his children through tmxʷulaxʷ—the land itself—guiding them through the mountains, the rivers, the berry grounds, and the animal teachers who hold our laws. He teaches his children that the land is not a backdrop; it is a living relative, a teacher, and a lawmaker. In doing so, he is also strengthening their identity, resilience, and sense of belonging.
In the spring, he takes his children to the water to honour siwɬkʷ, sharing the captíkʷɬ of Ntyítyix and its teachings of returning, giving of ourselves, and ensuring the next generations thrive. These teachings build a deep sense of connection and responsibility in children—grounding them in who they are.
In the summer, he brings them to the berry grounds, teaching them to harvest sx̌ʷusəm, saskatoon, and huckleberry with gratitude—taking only what they need, leaving the first and the last, and giving thanks. He teaches reciprocity with tmixʷ, all living things. These are not just cultural teachings—they are wellness practices that support balance, respect, and healthy relationships with the land and each other.
In the fall, he teaches them the ways of Skmxist, the Black Bear, showing them how to prepare with patience and intention. His children learn that strength is steady, protective, and rooted in responsibility to family and community—values that reflect strong mental, emotional, and cultural wellbeing.
In the winter, he teaches them to listen—to the stories, to the wind, and to the quiet teachings of the land. He reminds them that sqilxʷ people learn by watching, by doing, and by being present. Through this, they come to understand the importance of story, memory, and connection as part of lifelong wellness.
Through every season, he teaches his children their responsibilities—to care for all beings—and how their snxʷcnátnᵃm, their path, is shaped by how they walk on the land. His children are growing up grounded, proud, and connected because he gives them roots that reach deeply into Syilx territory.
Fathers like him are essential. He is not only raising his own children—he is strengthening the health, identity, and future of our Nation. His leadership reflects what we know to be true: that culture, land, and family are at the heart of wellness.
He carries the old teachings forward, raises his children with the land as their classroom, and ensures that Syilx ways will continue for generations. He leads through quiet example, showing what it means to live in a good way as Syilx.kʷu kʷu səxʷtít (so that it carries on, for the future).
Peter Daniels, Gitwangak First Nation
Pete has overcome many life challenges and is one of the most selfless community members and fathers I know. He gives everything to his children and treats every young person in the community with the same love and care. He has fundraised for youth sports teams and became certified to coach soccer, softball, hockey, and more. Whenever his children or the community need something, he steps in, often paying out of his own pocket so other kids can have the same opportunities as his own.
Peter also runs programs focused on Men's Wellness, Sobriety, and Healing. He has faced the loss of many close friends and family members to suicide, a tragedy that disproportionately affects First Nations men. Still, he continues to show up for his community, determined to support the next generations by keeping them engaged in sports and organized activities. He believes that giving youth—especially the less fortunate—access to these programs reduces the risk of peer pressure, addiction, and becoming another statistic.
Understanding how limited resources can be on reserves, he fundraises, applies for support, and builds programs with the hope of preventing addiction, suicide, and early death among our youth.
He even started a small transportation business to help the community. He ensures Elders can get where they need to go without feeling like a burden, and he drives people to treatment centers so they can take steps toward sobriety and healing.
Peter is the most selfless Father and community member and deserves this recognition.
Martie Wyse, Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Martie is the kind of person who always puts others before himself. He works at an Indigenous youth treatment and detox centre, where he supports youth on their healing journeys with compassion, patience, and understanding. His work reflects who he is both on and off the job, a person who genuinely cares about helping others succeed.
At home, Martie is an incredible father to two daughters and a loving father figure to his bonus sons. He leads by example, teaching them the importance of kindness, respect, hard work, and giving back to the community. He is always there when they need him and never hesitates to put his family first.
Martie is also deeply committed to supporting Indigenous youth through sport. He coaches and manages five Snuneymuxw Seawolves youth soccer teams, creating opportunities for Indigenous children to play soccer, build confidence, and develop healthy lifestyles. He spends countless hours organizing practices, tournaments, transportation, fundraising, and team needs. He never expects financial support from parents and does everything he can to make sure youth have what they need to participate, whether that means providing equipment, snacks, water, or simply his time and encouragement.
What makes Martie truly special is his character. He does not drink or smoke and serves as a positive role model for young people in our community. He is friendly, outgoing, and known for his big smile. Wherever he goes, he greets people warmly and makes them feel welcome. He has a way of bringing people together and making everyone feel seen and valued.
Martie carries a tremendous amount of responsibility, yet he always remains humble. He worries about everyone else and often puts himself last. His dedication to his family, community, and the youth he mentors is inspiring.
