When I moved to Prince George seven years ago, Wesley Mitchell was one of the first people I got to know. He was always around at different events, showing up for the community in ways that mattered.
For over 20 months during COVID, Wesley and Ivan Paquette drummed outside UHNBC every Monday at 6 p.m. It didn’t matter if it was -30 or pouring rain. Wesley showed up. That kind of consistency meant everything to the people inside those hospital walls and everyone who gathered around him. His dedication inspired me to interview him for Over The Edge back in 2022.
To do the interview, I decided to go drum with him. I’m so honoured that I did that and so grateful for the experience. I saw how he brought people together – homeless folks, people fighting addiction, caregivers, students like me. Wesley explained that “the folks within the hospital enjoy those moments of comfort, love, and support and the worry is gone for that moment.” He said, “I adore doing that and am honoured.”
Wesley was always connected with the UNBC community. He drummed at my graduation ceremony and was constantly celebrating campus moments with his #ThisIsUNBC posts. He promised to drum for me and my friend Nadia again, but we ran out of time.
When Iran was going through the Woman Life Freedom protests, Wesley stood with me. He said he would pray and drum for the women of my motherland. He did the same for pro-Palestinian rallies and Ukraine fundraisers. He showed up for people, for causes, for his community in ways that were heartwarming and personal.
“The drum saved my life,” Wesley told me. He’d been through addiction, loss, and trauma, but he found his way back through service to others. “The key to being successful in recovery for me was to provide service to others and I take that very seriously,” he said. “I know that sharing my story could maybe help someone and I wanted to show that miracles happen every day.”
Wesley was one of the reasons I became curious to learn more about Indigenous peoples and culture. His friendliness opened doors for me to understand traditions and stories I might not have otherwise encountered. The first time I heard him say “All my relations,” I asked what it meant. He explained it was about connection – to every person, every living thing, the land, the Creator. It was Wesley’s way of seeing the world.
Wesley once shared these words: “And each day forwards as we trip around the the SUN…365….6…6…6… Everyone ….we walk together.. we walk with love …we walk with fear…we walk with hope…we walk with doubt…..we walk with production…..we walk with mistakes….we walk with the creator …we walk with destruction….but most of all we walk this journey…. be kind to yourself… and help OTHERS… WE ARE …the ones… all my relations.”
As his memorial card reads, “Wesley Mitchell’s life was defined by generosity, laughter and heart that never stopped giving. His legacy lives on in the countless people he lifted up, the communities he strengthened and the love he shared so freely.”
Prince George lost someone irreplaceable this week. I lost a friend.
Wesley once tagged me and my friend Nadia in a post about drumming together at the garden. I’m honoured that you once had me in your thoughts, Wesley, so we could drum together.
Rest in peace, my friend. Already miss you.
This is how you ended everything, Wesley – your texts, your Facebook posts, your group messages. So that’s how I’ll end this.
All my relations, WesWesY’all.
