Nominations Open for 2024 Peace Builder Awards

The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for WDRC’s 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 Sunday, June 30th. You can submit your nomination online at www.whatcomdrc.org/nominate. For questions or more information, contact tanner@whatcomdrc.org.

Over the last 20 years, more than 150 individuals and groups have received Peace Builder Awards for contributions to peace building in Whatcom County. In 2023, seven Peace Builder Award recipients were honored, including:

Michelle Harmeier, Bellingham Queer Collective - For their dedication to build a welcoming LGBTQ+ community, creating a sense of inclusion and safety
Jason LaClair – For his efforts to increase understanding of and connection to the Coast Salish People through art.
Tina McKim, Birchwood Food Desert Fighters - For her efforts to bring people together to improve community heath and food access

This year’s recipients will be celebrated at our Peace Builder Awards Gala held in-person on October 25^th. 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.

The WDRC is a non-profit dedicated to providing and promoting constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict. More information can be found at www.whatcomdrc.org or by calling (360) 676-0122.

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.