
The Prince George Public Library Board is awarding the 2025 Jeanne Clarke local history service award posthumously to local photographer Chuck Chin, for his outstanding work to promote and preserve the history of his community. The 40th annual awards ceremony takes place on February 23rd, 2025, at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre. The ceremony will also feature the announcement of the winner in the Publication Award category.
The late Chuck Chin, who passed away suddenly on January 20, 2024, was a beloved figure in Prince George, known for his warm smile, kind heart, and extraordinary talent for capturing the essence of the community through his photography. For more than 18 years, he shared thousands of images on social media, celebrating the beauty of Prince George, while capturing both special and everyday moments that will be remembered for generations.
A selection of Chin’s photography will be on display at the Bob Harkins Branch of the Prince George Public Library from February 3-28, 2025. Visitors are encouraged to view his iconic work, leave messages in a guestbook, and reflect on his impact on the community.
“Chuck Chin was more than a photographer; he was a historian, a storyteller, and a treasured member of our community,” said board chair Anna Duff, in a news release. “His quick smile and dedication to documenting and celebrating Prince George will be long remembered. We are pleased that we are able to help share his work with the community and come together to celebrate his lasting legacy.”
The award ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 23, at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, from 3:00-5:00pm. Light refreshments will be served and seating is limited. Please RSVP to 250-563-9251 ext. 120, email communications@pgpl.ca, or use the online RSVP form at https://www.pgpl.ca/2025-jeanne-clarke-local-history-awards.
The finalists for this year’s publication award are:
- Gold in the Mountains: Stories of Prospecting & Mining in the Rosswood and Kitsumkalum Lake Region of British Columbia, compiled by The Terrace Regional Historical Society.
- Lha yudit’ih We Always Find a Way: Bringing the Tŝilhqot’in Title Case Home, by Lorraine Weir with Chief Roger William.
- The Wild Horses of the Chilcotin: Their History and Future, by Wayne McCrory.
- Gumboot Guys: Nautical Adventures on British Columbia’s North Coast, edited by Lou Allison; compiled by Jane Wilde.
- Sleeping With Horses: a Twenty-Year Collection of Horse Packing Stories Through B.C.’s Remote Wilderness, Gold Mines and Grizzly Years, by Joyce Helweg.
- The City of Rainbows: a Colourful History of Prince Rupert / Blair Mirau.
- Always on Call: Adventures in Nursing, Ranching, and Rural Living, by Marion McKinnon Crook.
- Reflections: Interviews of School District #57 (Prince George) Retired Educators, edited by Kris Nellis.
The Jeanne Clarke Local History Service Award was established by the Library Board in 1985, in memory of former Library Board Chair, Jeanne Clarke. Clarke was a founding member of the Prince George Public Library’s Local History Committee, and played a key role in establishing the Library’s local history collection. In 1993, the PGPL Board added a Publication Award to recognize authors who produce an important new work of local history.
The objective of the Jeanne Clarke Local History Award is to increase interest in local history, highlight the library’s role in promoting local history, and recognize individuals and groups for their efforts in local history preservation. Local history is broadly defined to include all of Northern B.C.
Past winners of the service award include Clarence Boudreau, Elder Edie Frederick and Jennifer Annaïs Pighin, Kym Gouchie, the Native Friendship Centre, The Exploration Place and Mary Gouchie, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, and Trelle Morrow.
For more information about the Jeanne Clarke Awards visit: https://www.pgpl.ca/content/local-history