At our Winter Holiday gathering on December 17th, the 2025 VFSS Recognition Award was presented to Elizabeth Dunn by VFSS Vice President Christina Ray and Board Member Maureen Hannah.

 

Here are Christina’s words of presentation:

“It is my pleasure to present the VFSS Recognition Award this year to… Elizabeth Dunn!

Most of you know Elizabeth as a fine singer. She chooses evocative songs with strong tunes, often from a woman’s point of view. She harmonizes beautifully with others and plays a kind banjo (that’s different from a ‘mean’ banjo). In all these ways, Elizabeth brings us great pleasure and adds richness to our musical community.

But that’s not why Elizabeth is receiving this award tonight. The VFSS Recognition Award is presented to people who have given the VFSS extraordinary service over many years. Elizabeth has been an active member of the VFSS since 1989; that’s 36 years! During this time, she has helped organize a thousand special events: generating ideas, solving problems, serving food, arranging chairs, taking registrations, whatever has been needed. Elizabeth has contributed to the VFSS in countless ways: serving on the VFSS Board of Directors for several years, MCing on Wednesday Nights, singing with the Lazy Jacks and the Harmony Jam.  When the VFSS takes music out into the community, whether at demonstrations, community centres or care homes, you will see Elizabeth there, lending her voice, her care, and her enthusiasm for just and caring communities.

But even with all that, there is more. We are honouring Elizabeth with the VFSS Recognition Award because she has the courage and conscience to truly show up.

  • Back in 2016, when the VFSS first started addressing its impending demographic crisis, Elizabeth was one of the people who innovated the “Family Friendly Folk,” a monthly musical gathering for families with young children.
  • When the Folk had a values crunch in 2019, Elizabeth was at the forefront of the group working to learn from the experience and build back better. This experience led to the VFSS affirmation of our core values: being warm and welcoming, teaching and learning, and singing for social purpose. These values still underpin what we do at the VFSS today.
  • Then in 2024, Elizabeth was one of the people who initiated the VFSS’s new practice of working toward truth and reconciliation through educational events.

Those are just a few examples of the gifts Elizabeth has given us.

So —

Elizabeth, your calm presence, and your courage, and your passion for justice have nourished the VFSS for many decades. With this Recognition Award, the Vancouver Folk Song Society honours you and thanks you for your many contributions to our community.”