A walk on a ski trail turned into a fight for survival, and now three Dawson Creek residents have been recognized for it.
Leosette Canoy Hansen received the Star of Courage, while her niece, Wennali Canoy, and Adrian Bartolome were awarded the Medal of Bravery after they risked their lives during a black bear attack outside Dawson Creek, B.C., in 2022.
Outgoing Governor General Mary Simon presented the honours earlier this year. The Governor General’s office says decorations of bravery recognize Canadians who risk their own lives to save others.
The group had been walking the Bear Mountain ski trails just after sunset on Oct. 3, 2022, when a black bear charged and attacked Analyn Bartolome.
Hansen said the group immediately fought back with sticks and logs and tried to get help.
“All I want is to save my friend,” Hansen told CBC News on Monday. “I don’t want to see my friend losing her life.”
As the bear kept attacking, Hansen threw herself onto Analyn and used her body as a shield.
“I didn’t think about [being] scared that moment. All I want is to save to my friend.”
That gave Canoy and Adrian Bartolome, Analyn’s son, time to run and get help.
Emergency crews arrived about an hour later and found Hansen and Analyn with critical injuries. They were airlifted to hospitals in Edmonton and Vancouver for emergency treatment and surgery. The bear was shot and killed.
“It’s a very rare honour,” Hansen said of receiving the Star of Courage.
She said getting the award was emotional and overwhelming, and that scars from the attack are still visible on her hands.
At a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on March 26, Simon told recipients: “At a time when the world too often chooses division over collaboration, and self‑interest over caring for others, you give us hope.
“You remind us that within each of us lies the instinct to protect one another.”
On Monday, Dawson Creek city councillors also recognized the three for their actions.
“The world needs more people like you,” Mayor Darcy Dober told the group. “We’re grateful that you’re here today as part of our community.”
Bartolome said he moved to Canada about six years ago and had never seen a bear in person before that night.
“That was my first time meeting a bear in person,” he said.
He said the group did not expect special recognition and did not necessarily think of themselves as brave before the attack.
“It’s really at the moment,” Adrian said. “There was a bear in front of us. Some people would run away and some people would just faint. I’m just happy the choices we made helped my mom and [Hansen].”
Canoy said adrenaline took over.
“We are all going to be brave when we’re in that situation,” she said. “It’s truly an honour to receive that award and I did not expect that. I was just really grateful that my aunt was alive, her friend was alive.”
Hansen moved to Dawson Creek from the Philippines 12 years ago and said she fell in love with the outdoors.
“I love nature,” she said. “I love going in the middle of the woods, it makes me feel relaxed. The city is not my thing. I love bushes in the middle of a quiet place.”
She still lives near Bear Mountain with her husband Gary and still spends time outdoors, but says the memory of the attack stays with her.
“I just recently went quadding in Bear Mountain, even saw a bear,” Hansen said. “Your heart is automatically jumping.”
Hansen said people should be prepared in the backcountry, even close to the city.
“I always have bear spray, but that night I didn’t,” she said, adding the situation might have turned out differently if she did.
“This award is so important and I will honour this to the whole community who supported us.”
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