March 5, 2025 – Castanet – Community activist Dawn Tucker is the new Vernon Pride Society president

March 2, 2025 – Castanet – Sveva petition organizer holding town hall in Vernon

February 25, 2025 – Global News Okanagan – video – Tempers flare at Vernon city council over mural

February 25, 2025 – Castanet – ‘You should be ashamed’: member of the public disrupt Vernon council meeting over mural policy

February 20, 2025 – Vernon Morning Star – Petition fights to save mural of historical icon

February 19 – Castanet – Community advocate bringing mural issues to Vernon City Council next week

February 11, 2025 – Pure Country 105.7 Vernon – Petition to Save Sveva Caetani Mural going to City Hall

Local Community Advocate Dawn Tucker spoke with Turner Gentry about the change.org petition that’s been started with a focus on starting a public board to focus on public art and murals in Vernon, the dynamic of the Sveva Caetani mural with new incoming building ownership, and the upcoming meeting scheduled with City Council on February 24th. The upcoming presentation in council chambers on the 24th will expand on the main topics discussed here; if you’d like to read more about Dawn Tucker and Judy Rose’s plans, you can find them at their Change.org petition page.

February 7, 2025 – Vernon Morning Star – Vernon council to hear petition to save mural of historical icon

A petition that aims to save the mural of a local historical icon on Vernon’s 32nd Avenue will be presented to council at an upcoming meeting.

Local advocates Dawn Tucker and Judy Rose created the online petition in the summer of 2024, when news broke that the downtown mural of Sveva Caetani will be taken down to make way for an as yet unknown development.

February 7, 2025 – Castanet – Petition to save Sveca Caetani mural to be presented to Vernon city council Feb. 24

Hundreds of people want to save Sveva.

January 15, 2025 – Castanet – One of the most unique houses in Vernon has undergone a major change

“This home became a local icon when it was featured on an edition of the TV show Weird Homes. It had not had much of its cute things uncovered regularly in the past few years due likely to the owner aging. This home was always so much fun to stop and see and became a landmark of sorts for locals who knew of its history,” Dawn Tucker posted on the Vernon & Area Community Forum Facebook page.“

December 4, 2024 – Just one Vernon resident spoke during the city’s budget public input session

From Castanet’s article:
“Vernon city council held two public input sessions for its 2025 budget and just one resident took part.

Community advocate Dawn Tucker took to the podium during Monday’s special meeting to voice both their own thoughts as well as opinions they’ve seen from the community. Tucker runs the Vernon & Area Political Discussion Forum on Facebook where residents routinely discuss policies.

Tucker began their input to council by reminding elected officials and city staff of their duty to citizens – saying residents have felt last on council’s list, not first.

“I’m still seeing a lot of complaints from residents when it comes to communication – either a lack of response when it comes to communication from council than when it comes from staff,” said Tucker.

Tucker brought up a number of concerns, including a continued lack of staffing at the city, no follow-up in pilot projects and long-delays on projects.

Capital projects were also top of mind for Tucker.

“When we’re talking about capital projects as well, we need to remember that residents live in these areas where these capital projects occur,” Tucker reminded council, before encouraging more than 30 days notice be given before projects begin.

“It might actually be nice to go and speak with the residents – because we know that these projects are happening one year, two years out, or so on – and talk to the residents that these are going to affect a lot sooner before they start and talk to the residents about the impacts of these projects.”

Other issues raised included a lack of protection for murals, parking being removed from the downtown, and a need for better campaigns to keep the public informed of city going-ons.

Tucker also touched on a need to invest in parks now, rather than “kick things down the road.”

“We can’t just keep adding lots of extra trails, because we need to buy them now,” said Tucker. “We have to maintain what we have for people to be able to use. Not everybody uses trails, a lot of families use parks and those parks need to be maintained. And I think it’s important that we start investing in them and maintaining what we have.”

Tucker also thanked council and staff for all of their hard work on the budget.

Public input provides residents a chance to share their thoughts with city council, they’re intended to help council make informed decisions.

The entirety of Tucker’s public input can be watched online, they begin speaking at one hour 43 minutes, and again at five hours 40 minutes.”

November 29, 2024 – Circus group rolls out Grinch in Vernon
‘The Cirque Theatre Company, Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club and local talent are teaming up to bring the show to life at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Nov. 29 and 30.’

“Dawn Tucker is the narrator and their thoughtfulness and attention to detail combined with their gentle care for the story and project is ideal.”

November 29, 2024 – ‘You’re a mean one – Grinch comes to Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre’
He’s green, he’s mean and he’s in Vernon.The classic tale of ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ takes to the stage at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre as The Cirque Theatre Company, the Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club and local talent present Grinch today and tomorrow. 

February 20, 2024 – ‘Students are worth it’: B.C. teachers stand by SOGI amid threats
B.C. teachers attribute threats and hate-filled messages their role as an advocate for SOGI and their sexual identity

“Mary Lawrence said she understands that the topic of sexual orientation and gender identity can elicit strong emotions, including fear. People are diverse and come from unique backgrounds, religions and cultures, and as a result have varying comfort levels concerning what their children ought to be exposed to.

However, she wants to assure all parents that the purpose of SOGI is to prevent bullying through education and to promote inclusion. So too does Dawn Tucker, an educator, community advocate and openly queer person in Vernon, B.C., who has also been subject to defamatory allegations and death threats.

“There is nothing nefarious that is going on in schools. There is no agenda and parents are encouraged to speak with their children’s teacher and ask questions,” Tucker said, adding that students have the most success when parents and guardians are engaged in their child’s learning and are aware of what is going on at school. Tucker encourages families to get involved in their child’s educational journey.

Tucker said that ultimately they want to show all people, including those who oppose SOGI resources, that teachers and educators just want students to be safe and happy. Singh, Lawrence and Tucker all said that parents and guardians are encouraged to speak with school staff and teachers at any time if they have concerns about their child’s education.

“I just want to make the classroom a welcoming and inclusive space,” Lawrence said.”

January 8, 2024 – Committed to inclusion

Community advocate Dawn Tucker said they want people to understand that the story times are adapted for the audience.

December 4, 2023 – Numerous topics raised in public input for Vernon budget

Vernon resident Dawn Tucker spoke first, relaying information from themself and other members of the public.
Tucker brought up: 

November 30, 2023 – Planned Vernon Cultural Cenre will be “reassessed” if funding goal not met

Wednesday’s announcement of the design reveal indicated a total project cost of $41.9 million.

Since its referendum approval in 2018, the project has been revised, downsized and seen multiple changes due to inflationary pressure. The fundraising drive seeks to return the project closer to the original vision through a combination of senior-level government grants, foundation contributions, and community fundraising, the RDNO said.

Revery Architecture will reveal the design Friday afternoon at the museum.

The announcement sparked debate online about separating the museum functions and even whether to continue at all with the project.

“While I was fully supportive of this project when I voted at the referendum, at this time I’m certainly unsure about whether this is the same facility I agreed to,” said community advocate Dawn Tucker.

Meanwhile, the current museum, which opened in 1967, was closed for the summer after mould was discovered during renovation work.

August 17, 2023 – listen to Dawn Tucker on CBC Daybreak South with Chris Walker 
(starts at 1:27:47)

July 31, 2023 – Centre needs a dishwasher
Vernon’s Schubert Centre needs a new dishwasher and a local community advocate is hoping to help. Dawn Tucker is hosting a fundraising event and hopes to raise enough money for the centre to buy a new dishwasher and take a little bit of pressure off the organization as well. “Schubert center is in need of some funds to replace their dishwasher, which is a big part of the programs that they do there, including Meals on Wheels,” explained Tucker.

July 2, 2023 – More bees this year? Vernon expert has advice when it comes to bumblebees
“If possible, leaving the nest alone is best,” says Vernon beekeeper Dawn Tucker. “Bumbles aren’t usually aggressive and don’t want to sting unless they have to. They are there to do a job, which is pollination.” 

June 27, 2023 – Coldstream not dodging housing mandate, mayor says in response to armchair critics
“Eventually, Coldstream is going to have to open up to more housing. It’s either going to be on their terms or the government’s… ‘Rural living at its best’ (Coldstream’s slogan) can’t be ignoring the housing crisis no matter how much they’d like to,” political pundit Dawn Tucker wrote on the Vernon & Area Political Discussion Forum.

April 12, 2023 – Global Okanagan – Coldstream rainbow crosswalk vandalized again
It’s something that community advocate Dawn Tucker said is disappointing, because the crosswalk is simply a representation of inclusivity, acceptance and love.

January 30, 2023 – Global Okanagan – Calls for more action and concerns about service gaps – Okanagan reacts to drug decriminalization
“Community Advocate Dawn Tucker is plugged into the local conversation in Vernon. They see the benefits and challenges of decriminalization. “I definitely see it helping because I don’t think an illness should be criminalized,” Tucker said. Tucker points out there are still gaps in the services available locally to support decriminalization. “Obviously, people are doing it in public, which is a concern, and they need safe places to go, and our overdose prevention site is only open limited hours. (I’d) love to see that open longer hours and I’d love to see a safe drug supply so we can have people be able to do it safely,” Tucker said.”

December 5, 2022 – VernonMatters – Vernon city council discussing 2023 budget
“The floor was opened to the public at the morning portion of the meeting, with Grant Cummings and Dawn Tucker taking the opportunity to provide their thoughts on the proposed budget.

Tucker expressed concern with snow clearing on multi-use paths, but was informed that paths are treated as Priority 1 sidewalks and cleared as soon as possible. Tucker also asked that a drainage issue at a currently closed boat launch on Okanagan Landing Road be investigated and resolved prior to having the site reopen.”

November 21, 2022 – Castanet – Vernon sewer fees going up to fund ‘high-strength’ digester
Dawn Tucker, a longtime council watchdog who ran unsuccessfully in the recent election, said residents “need to pay attention” to cumulative increases “at a time when many people are struggling.”

November 12, 2022 – Castanet – Staff recommending Vernon council authorize spending 100K on upkeep of murals

November 6, 2022 – Castanet – Vernon-based Okanagan Accessibility Group advocating for those with mobility challenges

October 17, 2022 – Castanet – New Vernon council to be sworn in at Nov. 7 ceremony

October 11, 2022 –  Castanet – Campaign sign vandalism continues in Vernon as race nears end
“So the campaign reached new heights today. I want to thank all those helping me get the word out to residents at all levels, but I think this will require bigger signs for incoming flights to see it in the Landing.”12