Chantal Fadous champions volunteerism and language rights, inspiring Tri-Cities women to lead: Faces Tri-Cities Co-Author Series

Cathy Cena & Geneviève Kyle-Lefebvre Today on Faces: Tri-Cities co-authored stories interview series, Geneviève Kyle-Lefebvre and Cathy Cena had the pleasure of sitting down with community leader Chantal Fadous. Fresh from the International Women’s Day launch that propelled the Faces co-authoring book to No. 1 on Amazon, the trio explored how local stories are shaping civic life across the Tri-Cities. Fadous, president of the Société francophone de Maillardville and vice-chair of School District 93, reflected on why she joined the initiative. “I wanted Tri-Cities women to see that they are strong, that they can start over and still reach the world,” she said. That belief echoes her chosen quote featured in the book: “Don’t follow the crowd. Let the crowd follow you.” Much of the conversation centered on civic engagement. Fadous described how moving to Canada opened her eyes to the strength of volunteerism.

“Whatever you are — an artist, an engineer, a lawyer — give a few hours to your neighborhood and you will make a difference.” She leads by example. From helping guide the francophone society through strong Festival du Bois attendance to supervising federal and provincial elections, mentoring newcomer families, and advocating for more French-language schools, Fadous’s civic imprint is felt throughout the Tri-Cities. Kyle-Lefebvre noted that Faces is more than a book.

“It’s a living civic handbook,” she said, “featuring women who build policy, culture, and unity.” Fadous agreed, emphasizing the importance of representation and shared leadership. “Each story shows why supporting community spaces and language rights is vital to our democracy,” she said, highlighting ongoing partnerships with Métis organizations and Indigenous education advocates. When asked what advice she would give to residents looking to serve, Fadous kept it simple: volunteer, listen, and lift others. “When you help one person, the ripple reaches everyone.” That spirit defines her leadership and strengthens civic life across the Tri-Cities. Tri-Cities Community Television is a volunteer-run media group based in the Tri-Cities region. Our mission is to support community-driven video content and independent local news stories.