The Métis Nation Columbia River Society (MNCRS) has taken on an important role in Golden, advocating for the Métis population of Golden and Area A while educating the community about Indigenous and Métis culture and history in Canada. This spring, the organization turned a fresh page with a change in leadership.
I met Hanako Nagao for the first time at the MNCRS booth in Spirit Square. Her bright smile and warm presence stood out to me immediately. Hanako grew up in Golden, and while she isn’t new to the community, she has stepped into a new role this spring as Executive Director of the MNCRS.
Growing up in town, Hanako had dreams of moving away and starting a life of her own. After pursuing her education, she took on several creative roles while establishing her career in Edmonton. While away, she worked for a museum, served as a producer and administrator for a non-profit organization, and built a career focused on arts and culture.
After spending time away in a bigger city, thoughts of home slowly crept back in.
“Growing up here, I kind of never thought I would want to be in Golden. But living away for a while, you start to remember the things you love and look back more fondly.”
During the height of the pandemic, she decided to return to Golden.
She worked in a few roles before stepping into her current position with the MNCRS, including at the Art Gallery of Golden, but the role at the MNCRS seemed like a natural next step.
“My background is in working with non-profits, mostly arts and cultural organizations. When I saw the job posting, I thought, ‘Oh…’ It just felt like the right fit.
She has also stepped into the role of mother in the past few years; her daughter is now 15 months old. On parenting in Golden, she shared, “It’s just such a nice place to raise a family.”
Although she is new to the Executive Director role, Hanako is far from new to the MNCRS. She first served as the youth representative on the board while she was in high school. After moving back to Golden, she volunteered, attended events, and contributed to projects, including painting the mural on DJ’s building.
When asked what first drew her to the MNCRS, her answer was simple.
“The work they do for the community has always been amazing. There are so many opportunities, and I was lucky enough to know I was Métis growing up. A lot of families don’t find out until they’re much older.”
Tracing Métis identity can be complicated, something Hanako understands well.
“It’s often hidden. There’s been a lot of shame around being Indigenous and not fully being accepted into Indigenous spaces, while also experiencing racism from the broader community. A lot of families don’t actually find out they’re Métis until much later because that history was hidden.”
For Hanako, overcoming that history begins with visibility, something the MNCRS has become well known for in Golden.
Long before I met Hanako, I knew of the MNCRS because of its presence in town. Sometimes the MNCRS is connecting with the community through educational events like National Indigenous Peoples Day and Canada Day celebrations, where it actively hosts cultural programming. Other times, the MNCRS maintains a quieter but equally important presence, showing up at events like Golden Pride. That visibility supports other community organizations, but it is also about accessibility.
“Our office is a little hidden away right now. For seniors or anyone who can’t make it up the stairs, being out at community events means they can still connect with us. That should never be a barrier to someone accessing support.”
Supporting the community seems to be one of Hanako’s clearest priorities. While the MNCRS is a Métis-focused organization, it has also become an important point of connection for the broader Indigenous community in Golden.
“We don’t have a Friendship Centre here. In a lot of ways, we operate a little bit as that. We become a hub for connection and for people who need support.”
Part of my discussion with Hanako focused on some of the barriers that can keep Indigenous community members from reconnecting with their culture. For many Métis people, that connection is tied to citizenship through Métis Nation BC. While citizenship provides access to programs and services, tracing family history and completing the application process can be difficult or even impossible for some families.
Hanako made it clear that the MNCRS is there to support people, whether they have completed that process or not.
“We have so many community members who are Métis or Indigenous and just aren’t able to do the citizenship application for whatever reason. We want to make sure they know they’re welcome, they’re part of this community, and they can still experience the culture, even if they can’t do it through a lot of the official channels.”
While Hanako has only been in the Executive Director role for a few months, she says stepping into the position has been both rewarding and challenging.
“It’s definitely been a learning curve. There was a lot to catch up on after the position had been vacant for five months, but it’s been great. The community is so supportive, and our board is fantastic.”
That sense of community has already made an impression.
“People are always going to jump in around here. I put out a call asking if anyone had a flatbed, and these guys all came out at the last minute to help. That’s been amazing.”
Looking ahead, Hanako is excited to continue building on the work of the MNCRS. The organization recently hired an early years coordinator and is already planning new opportunities for local families.
“I just hired an early years coordinator, so we’ll be offering a cultural summer camp and lots of programming for families with young children. There will be lots more coming soon.”
With deep roots in Golden, a passion for community, and a vision focused on inclusion, Hanako is helping guide the MNCRS. Whether through cultural programming, community partnerships, or simply making sure people feel welcomed and supported, Hanako’s warm personality and passionate vision for the MNCRS will undoubtedly help shape its next chapter.
