Submitted by Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) invites the community to join us in honoring six remarkable individuals, projects, and organizations who have helped to build peace in Whatcom County. Each of this year’s award winners represents unique and important efforts to integrate peace into many facets of our community; from building trust to fostering connections, and from creating accessible and safe places to meeting basic needs. Each recipient embodies the WDRC’s values and is contributing to a more peaceful community. Please join us in uplifting these outstanding community members and celebrating the work of the WDRC and peacebuilding efforts throughout Whatcom County.
The Recipients of the 2026 Peace Builder Awards Are:
Arts and Aging Award: Marie Eaton
For uplifting our community’s elders and inspiring a more compassionate vision of aging through the arts.
Connection Award: Recovery Cafe
For providing a safe place for people from all walks of life to come together and building trust, belonging, and hope.
Volunteer Award: Naaman Hilton
For his outstanding volunteerism with local schools and organizations and spreading radiance and positivity.
Belonging Award: Immigrant Resources Immediate Support
For fostering connection, safety, and trust for some of our most vulnerable community members.
Catalyst Award: Mauri Ingram
For building community resilience and capacity through the Whatcom Community Foundation.
Leadership Award: Betty Canete and Aolani Bumatay
For nurturing inclusion and cross-cultural connection through the first student-led Pow Wow at Squalicum High School.
The 2026 Peace Builder Award winners will be recognized at the 23rd Annual Peace Builder Awards Gala, presented by Peoples Bank, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on October 2 at the Silver Reef Casino Resort.
In addition to the awards ceremony, guests will enjoy dinner, a silent auction, dessert dash, music, and poetry readings by the winners of the 2026 Youth Peace Poetry Contest. All proceeds benefit the WDRC and its sliding-scale conflict resolution services. Early Bird tickets are available until September 10 here.
Thank you to our Visionary Sponsor Peoples Bank, Peace Maker Sponsor Puget Sound Energy, Bridge Builder Sponsors Banner Bank, Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, and Saratoga Commercial Real Estate, and Video Sponsor Joey Winkler.
Sponsored
