Adam Perry’s path to Kitimat wasn’t a straight line, but it reflects a deliberate choice about the kind of life he wanted to build for himself, his work, and his family. Originally from British Columbia, he spent time living in South Africa and Uganda, where he met his wife, Grace. Today, they live in Kitimat with their two sons. For the past ten years, Northwest B.C. has been home, and during that time, Adam has become deeply connected to both the community and the broader region.
The decision to settle in Kitimat came down to a mix of practical considerations and lifestyle priorities. Affordable housing was a major factor. Compared to the challenges of finding a reasonably priced rental in nearby Terrace or in larger southern urban centres, Kitimat offered a more accessible entry point. “For people on modest incomes, it’s really hard to get into the housing market down south,” he said. But affordability alone wasn’t enough. It was the community itself that ultimately sealed the decision. “We fell in love with the community,” Adam said, describing a place that offered both opportunity and a strong sense of connection.
For Adam, Kitimat provides an environment where his kids can experience a lifestyle that feels increasingly rare in larger cities. “There’s a lot of opportunity for kids to have a lifestyle in B.C. that I think I grew up in, and my grandparents grew up in, but it’s maybe not the same in some of the urban centres now,” he said. The combination of safety, outdoor access, and community support plays a big role in that. “It is a safe community. If you want to send your kids off to go ATVing or dirt biking, you know the community’s watching.” That network of informal support, where people look out for one another, is part of what makes Kitimat feel like a place where families can thrive.
Work has also been a key part of Adam’s experience in the region. With a background in socio-economic research and a PhD in Social Anthropology, he works with the Nisga’a Nation and supports other First Nations across the region on socially-empowering initiatives. He also operates a consulting company, Northcoast Heritage Resources, focused on reducing barriers to employment through social enterprises that reinvest revenue into supporting low-income individuals and families. Through this work, he collaborates with Indigenous communities, industry partners, and government organizations on projects related to socio-economic impact assessment, environmental monitoring, workforce development, and long-term community planning.
That focus on opportunity, particularly for Indigenous communities and youth, runs through much of his work. His consultancy supports programs that connect people to apprenticeships and industry jobs. “It’s not just skills development,” he said. “We attach people to apprenticeships and industry jobs,” and “We support strategies designed to reduce barriers for those seeking to join major project initiatives.”
Alongside his consulting work, Adam has also built a market gardening business. About three years ago, he began leasing land through the Young Agrarians program to grow organic produce. What started as a small initiative has evolved into a social enterprise focused on sustainability, food security, and local engagement. He sells produce at Kitimat’s Friday market, where community members can see the freshness of Adam’s produce firsthand.
“Community members see the value when food is grown locally versus being trucked in,” he said. For Adam, the impact goes beyond nutrition. “The value of growing food in the communities is about the relationships with others.” Revenue from produce sales is reinvested into training and employment initiatives, connecting local food production with broader community development goals. “When we sell food at the markets, the money we generate from the sales is often reinvested back into initiatives to train more people to get jobs in the industry,” he explained.
The garden has also begun to expand its reach. Recently, Adam partnered with No Frills through a B.C. Buy Local program, creating a new avenue for distributing locally-grown food. He’s also working with community and Indigenous partners to ensure excess produce supports broader food security initiatives.
Outside of work, Adam is actively involved in local sports, coaching youth soccer and helping the game grow within the community. “We actually put a team together as Kitimat, a U13 team,” he said. “When LNG came, it brought a lot of workers who have kids who are really passionate about soccer.” The experience has also highlighted the diversity and connectedness of the community, particularly as major industrial projects have brought newcomers and young families to town. Through sports and recreation, families from different backgrounds are finding opportunities to connect, build relationships, and become part of the broader community.
Life in Kitimat is shaped by its surroundings. Long summer days, access to rivers and mountains, and year-round outdoor activities support a lifestyle centered on time outside and time together. “You’ve got endless opportunities all year round, lots to do,” Adam said. “Summers are great here because of the long daylight hours, so you can put the tools down and still have plenty of daylight left.” Whether it’s fishing, exploring, or simply spending time outdoors with his family, those moments are part of what makes living in the Northwest distinct.
“Kitimat’s what you make of it, and it’s what families make of it, and it’s what the kids make of it,” he said. For him, that has meant leaning into both the opportunities and the responsibilities of being part of a smaller community—building businesses, supporting youth, and contributing to long-term sustainability.
Looking back on his journey, Adam’s story is less about settling in one place and more about finding alignment between his values, work, and family life. In Kitimat, he has found a community where those elements intersect. “We live in a very safe and stable environment,” Adam said.
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WRITTEN BY:
Brandon Wirsz
