Three Dawson Creek residents who risked their lives to save their friend and mother during a brutal black bear attack in northeast B.C. in 2022 have received two of the country’s highest honours for courage and bravery.
Leosette Canoy Hansen was awarded the Star of Courage while her niece, Wennali Canoy, and Adrian Bartolome — the son of the attacked woman — both received a Medal of Bravery from outgoing Governor General Mary Simon earlier this year.
“It’s a very rare honour,” Hansen told CBC News Monday.
The group had been walking the Bear Mountain ski trails outside the city just after sunset on Oct. 3, 2022, when a black bear charged and attacked Analyn Bartolome.
Hansen said the group didn’t hesitate to fight back with whatever stick and log they could find, and to get help.
“All I want is to save my friend,” Hansen said. “I don’t want to see my friend losing her life.”
The Governor General’s office says decorations of bravery recognize Canadians who risk their own lives to save others.
“At a time when the world too often chooses division over collaboration, and self‑interest over caring for others, you give us hope,” Simon said during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on March 26.
“You remind us that within each of us lies the instinct to protect one another.”
On Monday, Dawson Creek city councillors also recognized the trio 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.”
Hansen says receiving the Star of Courage was emotional and overwhelming. While she’s happy to receive the medal, the scars of the attack are still visible on her hands.
As the bear continued to attack, 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 allowed Canoy and Adrian to run and get help. Emergency crews arrived about an hour later to find 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.
“That was my first time meeting a bear in person,” said Adrian, who moved to Canada about six years ago.
He says the group didn’t expect any special recognition for what happened that night. And they didn’t necessarily consider themselves 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 in the moment.
“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 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 spends time in the outdoors.
Still, memories from the attack are difficult to forget.
“I just recently went quadding in Bear Mountain, even saw a bear,” Hansen said. “Your heart is automatically jumping.”
Hansen wants others to make sure they’re 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.”
How to stay safe in B.C.’s grizzly and black bear country
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