Medal of Good Citizenship: M-O
Last updated on April 29, 2025I–L < Previous
Next > P–S
Browse recipients by last name. Search for a name using 'Ctrl+F' to jump to a specific recipient. Biographies reflect achievements at time of appointment.
An asterisk (*) indicates that the recipient is deceased.
M
Farouq Manji
For more than three decades Farouq Manji has provided voluntary service to the Ismaili Muslim community in the lower mainland. He has worked tirelessly alongside internal and external stakeholders to further the community and its relationship with the people who live in these cities. Volunteerism has been a key value instilled in him from his family and being a part of the Ismaili community. He has led initiatives such as Ismaili CIVIC that yearly sees Ismailis give back to the broader community by volunteering at food banks, cleaning up the shoreline or planting trees. During the pandemic, Ismaili CIVIC sewed over 3000 cloth face masks and donated a collection of over 2000 lbs of food to local food banks.
Farouq has spearheaded initiatives at the community level that foster and encourage open dialogue inviting senior government and civic leaders to participate in thoughtful debates on Islamophobia, civic engagement, art and its contribution to the world, and academia and its role in lifelong learning. Farouq shows pride and pleasure in innovating new ideas and working collaboratively as a team to deliver on them.
Farouq is the Chief Marketing Officer for Sleep Shop, a family owned and operated retail business that was established in 1979. Mental health and the importance of sleep are key to what drives his passion for the business. Knowing that poor sleep and sleep disorders lead to an impaired quality of life, Farouq initiated an awareness campaign and partnered with UBC’s Sleep Disorders Clinic where his team was trained to understand the issues associated with sleep.
The impact of mental health on people and communities is also important. Farouq spent close to two years giving time and knowledge to a working group through the Canadian Mental Health Association’s B.C. Division. Farouq has also served on several committees including the United Way’s Success by Six campaign and several Ismaili Walk campaigns.
- Year Awarded: 2020
- City: Richmond
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Andrei Marti
In 2018, when he was only nine, Andrei Marti received the National Philanthropy Day for Youth in Philanthropy award, age 5-11, for the second time. Andrei’s accomplishment is certainly noteworthy. He is raising thousands of dollars as a City of Victoria busker by turning handstands at the rate of a dollar per minute for tourists on Government Street. His mission is to raise awareness about Type One Diabetes and raise funds for a local children’s charity “Help Fill A Dream” as well as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Never to miss an opportunity, Andrei spoke comfortably during his acceptance speech, using a metaphor to issue a fundraising challenge. His engaging words sparked an invitation for his participation in the Power of Youth: Giving Hearts Workshop, which is aimed at inspiring youth and philanthropy. In 2019 at this event, Andrei inspired 220 of his peers at the Oak Bay Secondary School theatre to use the $100 Canada Helps charitable gift cards they had been given on one of the approximately 80,000 Canada Revenue Agency approved charities.
At such a young age, Andrei has already raised over $50,000 for local charities that help children and youth. Each year Andrei challenges others to match $500 to the charity of his choice, which is often Help Fill a Dream Foundation. Andrei gives freely of his time and talents, inspiring others, as he fundraises.
Turning handstands is not the only arrow that Andrei has in his fundraising quiver. Andrei has an incredible can-do attitude. He also collects bottles, creates crafts and goods to sell, and speaks to youth and adults. With all that he does, it’s easy to imagine Andrei achieving his dream of raising a ton of money to improve the quality of life for others.
Andrei’s service to his community has lead to the establishment of the Andrei Marti Inspiring Community Leadership award. Each year, the scholarship bursary is presented to a Camosun College student to assist with the cost of post-secondary schooling. This is a befitting honour for Andrei who has given so much to his community.
- Year Awarded: 2022
- City: Saanichton
- Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
Stan McCarthy *
Stan McCarthy was a great community-minded citizen, dedicating many years to the protection of his community. When Williams Lake and 150 Mile House were hit by wildfires in 2017, McCarthy went above and beyond what was required to help anywhere and in any way he could to protect citizens, homes and local structures.
McCarthy was the fire chief for the 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department. He’s been a pillar of the 150 Mile community since the 1970s. He was one of the founding members of the fire department and has been the fire department's chief since the 1990s.
During this time, McCarthy helped create a vibrant fire department focused on community service and constant improvement. He advocated for and led the department through professional training and certification for members. This ensured their safety and at the same time, provided a professionally trained core of volunteers ready to respond to the community.
Training now includes the National Fire Protection Agency's 1001 accredited training standard, an accomplishment that many volunteer fire departments do not achieve. McCarthy was also one of the first leaders to see the need to add medical aid for the community and started the fire department’s medical first responder program.
McCarthy also organized social activities. He helped create a skating rink at the fire hall that the community has enjoyed for two decades, and he plowed the rink after every snowfall so members of the community could take full advantage of it. Since 1982, McCarthy led the fire department in the annual Halloween event. It has now grown into a large community-focused celebration where McCarthy ran the BBQ and served hot dogs to residents and provided treats for the children.
McCarthy was one of the responding members who travelled to Kelowna to assist the province in the emergency response during the 2003 firestorm. In 2017, he once again faced a firestorm, this time for five weeks in his own community. He led the department through this challenging time ensuring all fire department members’ needs were met while protecting citizens of the community, along with their homes.
McCarthy reached out to the community and offered extra help wherever possible ensuring the little things were looked after while managing the huge responsibilities that came with the fire response efforts. Notably, he initiated efforts to help the community's animal population left behind during the evacuation by arranging for food and water to be delivered by fire department members.
McCarthy's ability to see the big picture and ensure the fire department's high level of training and professionalism saved the community in its darkest hours. Its members were able to use their training to respond and indeed excel, during the long weeks of fire response that summer. Because of McCarthy's foresight and vision, the fire department was able to thrive during the fire event and keep the community safe.
- Year Awarded: 2018
- City: 150 Mile House
- Region: Cariboo
Jeffery McLellan
During COVID-19, “I Love Port Moody” on Facebook became a resource for isolated and elderly people. Jeff McLellan, who ran the site, always stepped up to the plate to help anyone by picking things up for them, taking them places, or simply being there to talk. He started fundraisers in the community to help those with lost income and encouraged residents to “shop local.” He posted about local restaurants, suppliers to purchase from, and encouraged the community to support local food trucks so the merchants would survive. Jeff's connected network also engaged volunteers and local business to help build a new sustainable garden on the community's oldest resident's property.
Jeff also started a fundraiser for SHARE and picked up and delivered hanging baskets to raise money for the food bank.
Jeff does so much more for the City of Port Moody than anyone sees or even knows. Over the holidays, he and his daughter Madison dressed up in Christmas gear, supplied the sound system and music, and sang carols outside the hospital for staff and patients. He is on many committees to further the betterment of Port Moody and still finds time to promote local business and be involved in almost every activity, event or promotion that encourages a sense of community.
Jeff's heart, energy and kindness kept the community going, and we will forever be grateful to this absolutely incredible man, with energy and the time for everyone. If you ask him why he does all this, he simply states, “Because I can.”
- Year Awarded: 2021
- City: Port Moody
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Robert (Bob) McMinn
Bob McMinn is a community builder, leader, benefactor, conservationist, negotiator, innovator and super-volunteer whose record of community service would be hard to equal for duration, depth and diversity.
Bob’s community leadership began in the 1960s, when the area now known as the District of Highlands, a beautiful, rugged, wooded region at the southwest corner of Vancouver Island’s Saanich Peninsula, was threatened by development.
With a vision of protecting the area as greenspace for the benefit of the whole Capital Region, Bob gathered a group of like-minded residents in 1967 and founded the Highlands District Community Association. Over the following years, Bob led the drafting of a land use plan for the district and the study that led to incorporation in 1993. He was the District’s first mayor.
Bob organized the Highlands Heritage Park Society, which restored the 1883 Caleb Pike homestead and reconstructed the 1893 Highlands Schoolhouse to provide community gathering places, and built the Highlands Museum to showcase the district’s history. He started the Highlands Parks and Recreation Association and was founding chair of the Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society (GVGS).
GVGS began its initiative to acquire Mary Lake as a nature sanctuary in 2009. Bob was not only chief negotiator, but brought worldwide attention to the cause as the “octogenarian who Tweets.” Now GVGS, which Bob chairs, is partnering with Tsartlip First Nation to develop the sanctuary as a teaching place for fusing Indigenous wisdom with western scientific knowledge.
During 53 years of community service, Bob has contributed more than half a million dollars in land, cash and materials and put in tens of thousands of volunteer hours to conserve greenspace and promote community relations. At age 96, Bob still serves on a council committee and the boards of all the societies he founded.
- Year Awarded: 2020
- City: Victoria
- Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
Reihaneh Mirjani
Reihaneh Mirjani, Co-founder of Soul Bite Food Inc., a social enterprise that produces plant-based comfort food and donates 51% of its profits to charities dedicated to fighting hunger and combating food waste, and Vice President of Immigrant Link Centre Society, exemplifies the essence of good citizenship through her innovative approach to addressing food insecurity among low-income families, immigrants, and refugees in the Metro Vancouver region.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by these communities, Reihaneh has dedicated herself to ensuring access to healthy food. Under her leadership, 370 volunteers at the Immigrant Link Centre Society (ILCS) collect and distribute unsold, usable food from local grocery stores. This initiative supports 29 food distribution centers, saving over 1,000,000 kg of perishable food annually, valued at over $7 million.
Beyond reducing food waste and preventing it from ending up in landfills, this effort also significantly lowers the carbon footprint, preventing emissions of over 2 million kilograms of CO2 equivalents each year. The collected food provides essential nutrition to 4,500 vulnerable members of the community.
Her model alleviates the stress of accessing nutritious meals for those in need, fostering a sense of security and belonging. Her profound understanding of inclusivity and support is evident in the positive impact on these communities.
Reihaneh’s leadership at Soul Bite Food Inc. and ILCS has sparked innovation and community engagement. Her approach to collective action has inspired individuals from diverse backgrounds to join her cause, showcasing the power of collaboration in creating lasting social impact.
- Year Awarded: 2024
- City: Coquitlam
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Niis Miou (Travis Angus)
Niis Miou (Travis Angus) is a Nisga’a Two-Spirit Indigenous person, a single foster parent of three young aboriginal children. He has lived in Vancouver for many years, and now lives in south Vancouver and has a close relationship with the area’s Indigenous community of approximately 50 plus families.
At the start of COVID-19 Niis saw food security needs for the Indigenous families and his immediate neighbours. There was limited access to transportation, extreme stress and anxiety of the unknown, the uncertainty and fear of leaving their homes so single parents with young children were homebound and elderly people were not able to use transit. Niis addressed these needs by providing non-perishables from his own pantry and fresh vegetables from his own backyard garden as he continued to offer support to families to help their day go by with ease.
After finding out about Niis’ endeavours to offer a hand up to community and neighbours, in April 2020, South Vancouver Neighbourhood House (SVNH) approached Niis to inquire about the needs in his neighbourhood. This became a partnership where Niis was the voice of the community and bridge between families and SVNH resources through trust building, consistent communication and support to his neighbours during these very difficult times.
In the first week, five Indigenous families were identified and food hampers prepared by SVNH and distributed by Niis. He continued reaching out to his neighbours that could use the hand up instead of just a hand out. It became clear for him for SVNH to assist the families in the community, a trusting relationship needed to be quickly built within the diversity of the neighbourhood. Every week, Niis dropped off SVNH flyers about resources while continuing to reach out and support families in the community. Niis then built on the relationship by having conversations about resources that SVNH was providing. He recognized that without cultural understanding, consistency and trust, he was not going to make any headway in providing food.
As the relationships with the neighbours grew stronger, the food program expanded to 40 plus families. SVNH food hampers were personalized according to cultural and dietary needs reflecting the deeper understanding of the community.
Niis stands as a symbol of service for his Indigenous community and neighbours. He exemplfies the true meaning of how cultural inclusion can co-exist with diversity.
- Year Awarded: 2021
- City: Vancouver
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Adrienne Montani
Adrienne Montani’s work over 35 years has focused on women’s and children’s rights, cross-cultural awareness and racism, and the impacts of social exclusion on children and youth due to poverty and inequality.
Montani Adrienne has worked in many capacities, from grass-roots community activism in the not-for-profit sector to ensuring adequate resources for the most vulnerable children, as a locally elected school board trustee, to advancing public policy solutions through research and policy.
Since 1976, Montani’s Adrienne’s advocacy on child poverty, inequality, early childhood development, child care and public education, among other issues, has played an important role in the development of policy and legislation that has improved the quality of life for children and youth in B.C.
Her determination and collaborative leadership has resulted in positive changes to provincial public policy, including support for single parents on social assistance. Recently, the B.C. government announced a new child tax benefit–a measure for which Montani Adrienne has advanced and organized support over many years.
Montani Adrienne joined First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition in 2000, she became the Provincial Coordinator in 2005 and has guided its advocacy work ever since.
Under Montani’s Adrienne’s leadership, the First Call Coalition has grown to over 100 organizational members. Her reasoned and respectful style demands attention to important issues and is always mindful that true beneficiaries of positive change are our children and their families.
Prior to working with First Call, Montani Adrienne served as the Child and Youth Advocate for the City of Vancouver and as the chair of the Vancouver School Board for three of her six years as an elected school trustee.
Some of her earlier leadership positions included serving as the executive director of Surrey Delta Immigrant Services Society for 11 years and as the executive director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland for six years. She has also served on the boards of the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children, The Society for Children and Youth of BC, and the Canadian Cancer Society BC and Yukon, as well as on the advisory committees of several projects and programs focusing on women and youth.
Over the past decade Montani Adrienne stewarded the Living Wage for Families Campaign as a First Call hosted project that has now certified dozens of private sector employers and a growing number of municipalities as living wage employers.
For her tireless advocacy for women, children, youth and their families, Montani Adrienne has received recognition and awards, including:
- The Bill McFarland Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Child Welfare from Parent Support Services Society in 2018
- The Above and Beyond Award from the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks in 2012
- The MOSAIC Human Rights Award in 2010
- The United Way’s Excellence in Action for Early Childhood Development Award in 2009
- Federation of Community Social Services’ Award of Excellence in 2008
In addition to her work at First Call, Montani Adrienne currently serves on the board of the Community Legal Assistance Society and the Institute for Public Education BC. She is also a key partner in Campaign 2000, a national anti-child poverty initiative.
- Year Awarded: 2019
- City: Vancouver
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Navjit Moore
Navjit Moore stands as a remarkable figure, recognized for her commitment to community service and compassionate leadership. Since 2015, Navjit has been a dedicated volunteer with the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Fraser Valley East (FVE) Chapter, assuming the role of president. Notably, she played a pivotal role in initiating and leading a new chapter in 2017, expanding its reach to offer vital support for patients, families and friends affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Her monthly support meetings cover a spectrum of essential topics such as medications, nutrition, mental health, and fertility.
Navjit's educational background, including a UBC BSc, UBC Doctor of Pharmacy and current pursuit of a UBC medical degree, equips her with valuable insights into the healthcare system. This knowledge, coupled with her empathetic nature, has attracted individuals to join the chapter committee, creating a supportive community.
Beyond her role with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, Navjit has been an active community volunteer. Notably, she has provided emotional care and engaged residents at Burnaby’s Fair Haven Homes on a weekly basis since 2012. As a Jump Rope Ambassador for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, she mentored youth aged 5-12 on healthy living and was part of a hard-working team that executed Jump Rope assemblies/events for thousands of B.C. elementary students. Navjit has also been a wayfinder at Burnaby Hospital since 2013, demonstrating a commitment to assisting patients, visitors and staff in navigating the healthcare environment.
Her leadership extends to the Gutsy Walk, where she served as chair since 2018, contributing to a cumulative fundraising effort of over $100,000 since 2015. Navjit's exceptional commitment continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she handmade more than 300 personalized cards for Burnaby hospital patients and long-term care residents. She also initiated a social media campaign, "Stool Talk," aiming to eliminate the stigma around gut health.
Navjit is not just a volunteer; she is an advocate for positive change. As a patient advisor, she participated in designing the layout of the new Burnaby hospital outpatient services. Her impact is evident in her role as a shift lead volunteer at Burnaby Hospital, where she provides mentorship, coaching and support to fellow volunteers.
- Year Awarded: 2023
- City: Burnaby
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Margaret Mubanda
Margaret Mubanda, a retired social worker from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, has dedicated her life to supporting and empowering new immigrants, particularly women and children. As the co-founder of Daughters of Hope Resources Society, Margaret has created a platform that aids newcomers in adjusting to life in Canada. Her unique perspective, shaped by her roles as both a social worker and foster parent, has allowed her to provide unparalleled support to children in need, fostering over 20 children at different times and maintaining lasting relationships with them.
Margaret’s visionary leadership led to the initiation of the Youth Aging Out of Care Project in Surrey, resulting in extended government support for youth beyond their 19th birthday. Her efforts reflect a deep commitment to ensuring every child in B.C. has a place to call home.
In addition to her work with Daughters of Hope, Margaret holds leadership positions in several organizations, including the Uganda Canadian Association of B.C. and the African Women Empowerment Society. Her contributions to these groups have been instrumental in fostering community integration and advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations.
Margaret’s relentless compassion is evident in her continued volunteer work even after retirement. She runs a weekly traumatic bereavement support group and assists with translating immigration documents. Her home remains a sanctuary for anyone in need.
Recognized by the Ministry of Multiculturalism and Immigration and awarded the 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction Connecting the Community Award, Margaret stands as a beacon of hope, tirelessly working to create a more inclusive and supportive society for all.
- Year Awarded: 2024
- City: Surrey
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Johannes Mulder
In the face of nature's fury, Johannes Mulder emerged as a stalwart leader and community champion during the atmospheric river events of November 2021. In Laidlaw, isolated by landslides and flooding, Johannes leveraged his law enforcement and military background to establish crucial communication links with emergency operations centres, ensuring a lifeline for his community.
Beyond being a voice in the storm, Johannes took proactive measures. Conducting wellness checks, providing aid to those stranded by flooding and preparing for potential evacuations. His foresight in creating a helicopter landing zone for medical emergencies highlighted a commitment that went above and beyond.
As the first deluge subsided, Johannes assessed the damages, aided regional authorities, and actively participated in recovery efforts, even while facing threats to his own residence.
The second atmospheric river event saw Johannes anticipating challenges and setting up an ad hoc Emergency Operations Centre for Laidlaw. Mobilizing a community through social media, he orchestrated a sandbagging campaign that safeguarded residences and vital infrastructure, preventing significant damage.
His commitment extended to coordinating with military support, strategically placing thousands of sandbags and actively engaging in the protection of neighbouring areas. Johannes's leadership prevented harm to residences, farms and critical roadways.
His post-crisis efforts, including billeting stranded travelers, connecting with Emergency Operations Centres, and transporting surplus sandbags to the nearby town of Hope, underscored his tireless commitment to community well-being.
- Year Awarded: 2023
- City: Hope
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
N
Dr. Lois Nahirney
Lois Nahirney is a pragmatic visionary and tenacious activist for gender equality and the economic advancement of women. Her work has accelerated the pace of change and impacted thousands of women and girls to be champions of equity for themselves and others. As a lifelong volunteer and community leader, Lois has founded and/or chaired numerous organizations dedicated to advancing women including the Women's Executive Network, Premier's Women's Economic Council, WE for SHE and Women in Technology to promote, educate, implement and accelerate systemic change for women.
In addition to her extensive volunteer work, Lois is a trail-blazing senior female executive in male-dominated industries including forestry, shipping and technology, pioneering change within the workplace. She saw the importance of developing champions, sponsors and advisors to elevate women's careers and has been an activist in this area for 20 years. Now, as the CEO/Founder of a DNA company, dnaPower Inc., she employs a team of women scientists and managers in the rapidly changing biotech world to apply personal genetics in the areas of diet, fitness and wellness to help people live healthier lives.
Lois is best known as the active chair of the Women's Executive Network in BC for 15 years, as the innovative inaugural Chair of the Premier's Women's Economic Council, a founding member of the WEB Alliance and the visionary co-founder and co-chair of WE for SHE, bringing the focus of women and gender equity to the forefront in BC. She has changed companies, advised government and inspired thousands of women in advancing their place in the economy.
As the co-creator of WE for SHE, Lois led an unprecedented collaboration of over 25 women's organizations, representing 10,000 women across the province, to create groundbreaking annual forums and action plans for government, business and individuals focused on advancing senior women, entrepreneurs and women in non-traditional and emerging sectors. This annual forum brings together 1400 people -- high school girls along with business leaders to inspire both young and senior women to be bold in their careers. It has spawned other events and mentoring programs around the province and has drawn in corporate, government and community partnerships to collectively take action.
Wherever Lois goes, she selflessly and tirelessly contributes to her community in many ways. She was a volunteer and director with Junior Achievement for over 10 years, Chair of the Vancouver Economic Development Commission for five years and is part of a family charity, Vietnam Education Society, that supports children in Vietnam and has built over 10 rural schools, sends hundreds of at-risk girls to camp each summer and provides 50 scholarships to girls each year. She is also proud to be a transgender advocate in support of her son. Lois loves travel, hiking the BC forests and living in North Vancouver together with her husband, Tom and twin teen children Levi and Kailyn.
- Year Awarded: 2018
- City: North Vancouver
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Lawrence Napier
Lawrence Napier, a cornerstone of the Mackenzie community, has dedicated nearly five decades to volunteerism and community service. As a member of Mackenzie Search and Rescue (SAR) for over 46 years, Lawrence has played a crucial role in numerous life-saving missions, mentoring new volunteers and often sacrificing personal commitments to aid those in need. His commitment and expertise have helped transform the SAR team into a professional and effective organization. Recently, the Mackenzie SAR team honoured Lawrence’s outstanding contributions by naming their new facility the “Lawrence Napier Training Centre.”
Lawrence has also made significant contributions to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 273. Starting as a member he then took on more responsibilities serving on the executive. He is the current president and works tirelessly to support Legion causes and ensure it remains a vibrant community hub. For the past several years, Lawrence has held an executive position for the Central Zone committee. Whether it’s overseeing local dances, providing bingo to the long-term patients at the Mackenzie hospital, or taking care of the medical equipment loaning program, Lawrence’s dedication to the Legion is unwavering.
Lawrence helped to start the 787 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. Since its inception in 1984, Lawrence served as an officer, training youth ages 12-18 in leadership, citizenship, and survival skills. He continued to support the air cadet squadron as a sponsoring committee member when he retired.
Lawrence has been involved in the formation of the Men’s Shed Mackenzie chapter. They provide complimentary handy-man and carpentry work for those in Mackenzie who need it. He has also helped start the non-profit, Williston Lake Elders Society, where he sits as a director on the board. The Society’s goal is to advocate for a care home in the Mackenzie and larger Williston Lake area including the communities of McLeod Lake, Tsay Keh Dene and Kwadacha.
Lawrence has been actively involved with the local Snowmobile Club and the B.C. Ambulance Service, demonstrating his broad commitment to community well-being. His extensive volunteer work has earned him respect throughout the province and solidified his reputation as a reliable and invaluable community resource.
- Year Awarded: 2024
- City: Surrey
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Shawna Narayan
Shawna Narayan created Empower The Future (ETF), a non-profit organization that connects inner-city students with post-secondary students to encourage personal and academic growth. She recognized that many inner-city students like her do not have the support, knowledge, or resources needed to continue their learning whether it is through full-time careers, volunteering, or higher education. She wanted to provide these students with the same opportunity that other students have. She connected with the Surrey School District to make a difference in Surrey students’ lives. Being a young woman from a diverse city, she showcases what the next generation is capable of by helping inner-city students with similar difficulties that she overcame.
She organized the Life After High School Project where students are mentored on five main topics: dealing with financial stress; finding credible information about post-secondary education; preparing to enter the workforce; searching for quality volunteer opportunities; and caring for yourself. Her Life After High School Project gained the support of the University of British Columbia through a $10,000 Innovation Grant. Other supporters of the Life After High School Project include the Vancouver Foundation and the Government of Canada. This year, over 300 students have participated in the Life After High School workshop. She also launched a Women in STEM project to encourage more inner-city females to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields which was supported by a Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grant.
Shawna has volunteered over 4000 hours for ETF and other initiatives while attending UBC for full-time studies for a Bachelor of Science in Physics.
She has consistently demonstrated exemplary volunteer work, academic excellence, and a strong commitment to helping others and making a difference in the community around her.
- Year Awarded: 2018
- City: Surrey
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Dr. Peter Newbery
Dr. Peter Newbery is a long-time, much respected physician who serves in the northwestern area of British Columbia.
During his lifetime he has worked with kids at risk on the streets of downtown Toronto, served as a minister and physician for the United Church in small central-coastal communities in B.C., provided management support to five hospitals and eight clinics in rural and isolated communities in B.C., Alberta and Newfoundland, and served as a physician at Wrinch Memorial Hospital in Hazelton.
Through his connection with UBC and the medical school there, Newbery influenced the formation of the University of Northern British Columbia. He subsequently worked with Dr. Charles Jago to establish the Northern Medical Program which now provides doctors, nurses and other health care providers to many northern communities.
Newbery is a man who exemplifies integrity, openness, compassion and creative leadership in a way that has inspired health care workers throughout this province and much of Canada.
For his contributions to society and his community Newbery has already received many awards including:
- The Order of Canada
- The Order of British Columbia
- The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal
- UBC Faculty of Medicine Golden Jubilee Medal
- Doctor of Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology
About seven years ago, in the early years of his retirement, Newbery was invited to work with the Upper Skeena community as chair of the fundraising committee for a new, much needed recreation centre.
Newbery accepted the role and was instrumental in raising over $5 million in community and philanthropic contributions. That resulted in a federal and provincial grant of $12 million towards the new $20 million recreation centre.
Thanks to Newbery’s tenacity and leadership the centre is now open. It includes a professional-sized indoor ice rink with seating for 500 spectators, a multi-purpose gym, fitness centre, meeting and social areas, and a kitchen.
The Upper Skeena Recreation Centre, also known as the Heart of the Hazelton’s, will serve as the region’s centre for sport and cultural activities. The facility will provide programs and services for all ages and abilities to address the educational, health and social needs of the surrounding communities.
Newbery’s community has nominated him for the 2019 Medal of Good Citizenship as a way of expressing their gratitude, and to pay special tribute for his many contributions that support individuals and families in the Northwest region.
- Year Awarded: 2019
- City: New Hazelton
- Region: Northern BC
Leon Ng
Leon Ng has taken critical action to support his community and continuously impresses with his hands-on approach to community involvement. His actions in response to the pandemic saved lives and improved the mental well-being of his community.
Leon is the founder and CEO of LNG Studios, a creative visualization studio offering a full scope of services including 3D printing. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, all project work at the studio came to a halt. Leon quickly redirected his team to use the 3D printers to produce reusable face shields for frontline workers. Leon set up a GoFundMe page and successfully partnered with plastic suppliers, business sponsors and more than 400 3D printing professionals to support the cause. Within the first few months of the pandemic, 10,000 face shields were sent to local hospitals and by September 2021, 157,314 pieces of personal protective equipment have been delivered.
Leon is a founding member and co-chair of the Future Leaders for St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation. Since 2014, the Future Leaders have committed to raising awareness and financial support for the foundation. In the last seven years, the leaders have raised more than $1 million.
In response to the global wave of mental unwellness caused by the pandemic, Leon co-founded and led the Pixel Moments campaign with the Future Leaders team. A collaborative community initiative that raised awareness for mental health, the campaign influenced open discussion of mental health and symbolically brought a community together. The campaign collected micro donations and selfies or pixels. These were compiled into a large-scale photo mosaic mural displayed in downtown Vancouver. Socially distanced markers were placed on the site so the public could safely experience the mural, spotting their selfies. The campaign raised close to $300,000 with 100 per cent of the proceeds benefiting St. Paul’s Foundation.
- Year Awarded: 2021
- City: Vancouver
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Steven Ngo
In April 2021, Steven Ngo was accosted by two Caucasian males with anti-Asian insults and threats. He tried to report this hate crime to the Vancouver Police Department and noticed the online form on the VPD website to report hate crimes was only available in Chinese. Steven, who is part Vietnamese and whose first language is English, cannot read or write Chinese.
Rather than give up in frustration, Steven made this glaring deficiency known, not only to other Vancouverites, but to the entire world. His story has been captured in over 30 media outlets, including the Globe and Mail, The Guardian, CBC, Global TV, CTV, the Vancouver Sun, the Province, among many others. He gave interviews, he created a comprehensive website: https://fixpolicereporting.ca, and he participated in dozens of speaking engagements, including the National Forum on Anti-Asian Racism hosted by UBC and events hosted by the Bank of Montreal, Salesforce Canada and Law Society of Ontario. Through his relentless efforts, the VPD has now expanded its online hate crimes reporting forms to be available in 14 different languages and has also translated its website into over 100 languages. Steven has not stopped there. He is working to help make the reporting of hate crimes more accessible and user-friendly in cities across all of B.C. and Canada.
- Year Awarded: 2021
- City: Burnaby
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Paul & Terry Nichols
Paul and Terry Nichols devote themselves to bringing awareness to the difficulties Canadian soldiers can face when they transition back into civilian life. They also have developed a program to help returning veterans overcome operational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) incurred from military deployments.
When Paul returned home from serving with the Canadian military on a United Nations Peacekeeping mission in the former Yugoslavia, he came home to a wife, family and community who had little understanding of his experience as a contemporary veteran. There was also little understanding of PTSD and the important role that community plays in the wellness of their veterans.
During a chance meeting with a survivor of the siege of Sarajevo, Paul heard for the first time that his own contribution in the Balkans made a difference and was thanked for his part in a Canadian mission that had saved countless lives. Through this discussion he realized the power of a shared story.
Paul and Terry understood that their struggles and their story are very similar to hundreds of others across Canada. They believed they had the skills and experience to make a difference.
Paul and Terry operate a farm in the Quesnel area where Paul found therapy while taking long, solitary rides on his beloved horse Zoe. Terry, a therapeutic riding instructor, used horses for her own rehabilitation after a traumatic injury left her wheelchair bound for many months. Together they know first hand the healing power of horses. Knowing that thousands of soldiers return from combat zones with physical and mental injuries, they began to see a vision to bring awareness to the difficulties facing returning soldiers as they re-enter our communities.
In 2014, Paul and Terry formed the Communities for Veterans Foundation and set a plan into motion that would see Paul ride across Canada on horseback to collect and share stories and to raise awareness. On April 15, 2015, they started out from the Parliament Buildings in Victoria with a seven-person crew, eight horses and a route from British Columbia to Newfoundland. Along this route, after successfully completing an in-depth riding lesson with Terry, Canadian veterans were invited to join Paul on the ride through their own communities.
During the ride veterans interacted with the public and were encouraged to share their own stories and thoughts as they discussed the challenges that our veterans face. Eleven thousand kilometres and 211 days later, 363 veterans had ridden with Paul and hundreds more had taken part in Terry’s program. Thousands of veterans and tens of thousands of Canadians came out in support of the Nichols’ mission.
Back home, their veteran program operating on the farm gives veterans from across Canada tools to deal with PTSD while helping to build stronger relationships and families. The Nichols have reached out and invited the community to assist in running the program, as they believe that for our veterans to find support in communities, a societal shift in understanding and appreciation must happen; an investment in veterans will lead to stronger veterans and stronger communities.
- Year Awarded: 2017
- City: Quesnel
- Region: Northern BC
​
​