A message of peace finds a home at Charlie Lake

A new message now greets travellers making their way through Charlie Lake, after the Rotary Club of Fort St. John dedicated a Peace Pole Sept. 11 at the Ross H. MacLean Rotary R.V. Park.

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Carrying the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” the pole joins an international peace movement whose message dates back to Japan in the 1950’s, with Peace Poles themselves eventually spreading to communities around the world.

For Rotary Club of Fort St. John president Patricia Budgell, putting one here was also a chance to show another side of what Rotary does around the North Peace beyond the fundraisers, events and community projects people may be more familiar with.

“Rotary in our community is often most visible through the fundraisers we hold, the events we organize and the parks, facilities and other infrastructure we help create and support,” said Budgell.

“But behind those visible efforts, Rotary is so much more. Our work is also about building relationships, encouraging understanding, connecting people and communities, developing future leaders and contributing to a more peaceful and compassionate world.”

There was some thought behind where the pole would stand too, with the Rotary R.V. Park sitting alongside an international travel corridor that sees people passing through the North Peace on their way between communities, provinces, territories and countries.

“Peace does not stop at a border, and neither does our responsibility to one another,” said Budgell.

The dedication also took place on Sept. 11, 25 years after the terrorist attacks in the United States killed nearly 3,000 people, something Budgell said gave the date another layer of meaning without making the ceremony itself about the tragedy.

“September 11 reminds us of the devastating consequences of hatred, division and violence, and of how deeply conflict can affect individuals, families and communities,” she said.

“We are not here to dwell on that tragedy, but we can acknowledge what this date represents and allow it to strengthen our commitment to something different. Peace cannot be taken for granted. It is something we must continually choose, practice and work toward.”

There is a particularly local piece to the pole as well, with its message written in English, French, Ukrainian and Russian, languages Rotary says reflect some of the families, cultures and communities found across the North Peace and beyond.

“Languages belong to human beings, not to regimes,” said Budgell. “They belong to families, cultures and communities. This Peace Pole is ultimately not about any one language, country or conflict. It is about all of us.”

With the dedication now complete, Rotary hopes the pole will remain at Charlie Lake as a lasting reminder for locals and travellers alike, carrying the same simple message for whoever happens to stop and read it.

“The Peace Pole doesn't suggest that peace has already been achieved,” said Budgell. “It is a reminder that peace is something we have to continually choose, practice and work toward.”