Dawn Hemingway is a long time community activist who has resided in Prince George for more than 20 years.
Dawn is Chair and Associate Professor in the University of Northern BC School of Social Work, focusing her research and teaching on community-based organizing and policy development, including health and quality of life in northern communities. She currently co-chairs Prince George Community Partners Addressing Homelessness, serves on the Board of a local shelter and child and youth mental health agency as well as community advisory committees for the Better at Home initiative and the Council of Seniors.
Among her regional roles are sitting on Northern Health’s strategic Elder Program Council; the BC Association of Social Workers (Northern Branch) executive; and the steering committee of the Stand Up for the North Committee – which works for empowerment of northern communities.
A founding member of Northern FIRE (Feminist Institute for Research & Evaluation) at UNBC, Dawn moderates its 400-person network – the Women North Network. Complementing local and regional work, some of Dawn’s provincial roles include serving as Co-Chair of the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s Advisory Forum for development of BC’s first Poverty Reduction Plan; on the Council of Advisors to the BC Seniors’ Advocate; on the Board of Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry; and as a Community Lead for Board Voice.
In recognition of her work, Dawn has received a number of awards including the Canadian Association of Social Workers Distinguished Service and the Bridget Moran Advancement of Social Work in Northern Communities Awards.