Janet Nita Connolly has shown unparalleled passion and leadership in the fight for health care improvements in the small town of Atlin, near the Yukon border, in northwest British Columbia. She has been instrumental in spear-heading projects to benefit her community, bringing together groups of volunteers to address the various challenges facing the residents of the town.

Mrs. Connolly is a founder of the Atlin Supportive Living Society, which evolved out of the recognition of a growing demand for seniors’ services. The Society endeavoured to work with all levels of government to ensure these demands would be addressed, and organized enough funding to open a palliative care facility in the town. They also raised funds to provide necessary equipment for the facility, and helped organize a meals-on-wheels service through the Supportive Living Program. These efforts have enabled seniors to remain close to family and community, instead of travelling long distances to provincial care facilities in southern BC.

Mrs. Connolly has also extended her efforts to ensure equal access to health care and pharmaceutical prescriptions for Atlin residents who must travel to long-term care facilities in the Yukon. She played a fundamental role in obtaining a Memorandum of Understanding between the BC and Yukon governments to address health care provisions. Along with her advocacy work, Janet Connolly is a dedicated teacher at the Atlin School, and has recently completed a Home Support Attendant program to expand her knowledge and care-giving skills in the health profession.