FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 9, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ariel Brownstein
ariel@whatcomdrc.org

Nominations Open for 2023 Peace Builder Awards

The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for WDRC’s 20th Annual Peace Builder Awards, presented by Peoples Bank.

The WDRC seeks nominations for individuals or groups in Whatcom County that creatively resolved conflict, contributed to peaceful dispute resolution, promoted reconciliation between divergent individuals or groups, or otherwise promoted peace in the past year.

We seek diverse nominations representative of our entire community. Past nominees have included youth, elders, volunteers and programs from multiple sectors - the arts, education, healthcare, neighborhoods, environment, public service, and more.

This year’s nomination deadline is 5 PM on Friday, July 7th. You can submit your nomination online at https://www.whatcomdrc.org/nominate. For questions or more information, contact tim@whatcomdrc.org.

Over the last 19 years, more than 150 individuals and groups have received Peace Builder Awards for contributions to peace building in Whatcom County. In 2022, 5 Peace Builder Award recipients were honored, including:

Connect Ferndale, Remy Styrk, "I am the hope and the dream" Juneteenth Video Project - For deepening the understanding of the significance of Juneteenth, elevating the voices of local Black students and community leaders, and for encouraging thoughtful dialogue around racial equity.
Mary Loquvam, York Community Farm - For bringing the community together to create an urban farm that provides jobs, educational opportunities, and addresses food insecurity in the neighborhood.
Kamalla Kaur, Tarnjot Singh Brar, Chardi Kala Project - For their commitment to promote learning about the Sikh culture and fostering peace, connection, and inclusion.

This year’s recipients will be celebrated at the 20th Annual Peace Builder Awards Gala held in-person on October 27th. This event celebrates people putting the pieces together for creative conflict resolution in our neighborhoods, our schools and our community. Proceeds from the Gala benefit the WDRC’s mission to provide and promote constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict.

“I invite everyone in Whatcom County to help us recognize those community members who inspire collaboration, embody peace, and give hope to our community.” – WDRC Executive Director, Moonwater.

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We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.