Members of the Order of British Columbia: I–L

Milan Ilich *

Milan Ilich became a significant presence across the province, building infrastructure, advancing professional and amateur sports, and generously supporting important causes. Mr. Ilich’s philanthropic endeavours reached out to dozens of charitable organizations.

Born in the small northern B.C. mining town of Anyox to Yugoslavian parents, the family of 12 eventually settled in Richmond.

Working in the construction industry, Mr. Ilich demonstrated a desire to succeed and a fierce work ethic both which have proven to benefit, not just his family but so many others throughout the province. In 1965, he and his wife Maureen invested their savings in a small business that has grown into the Progressive group of companies. His business activities helped in the development of Richmond and he also participated in dozens of joint ventures aiding in significant community, commercial and residential development efforts throughout western Canada and the U.S.

Milan Ilich was a generous philanthropist supporting the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. This led to the establishment of a chair in multiple sclerosis research. Mr. Ilich was also a member of the Royal Circle in honour of his support of BC Children’s Hospital. He also worked in conjunction with BC Housing providing thousands of homes for the less fortunate.

Others benefitting from his support included Simon Fraser University, the B.C. Paraplegic Association, and Richmond Hospital where he served on the board of the Hospital Foundation. He played a key role in the development of Richmond Caring Place, which is home base for many of Richmond’s non-profit and community service agencies.

In addition to his philanthropy, Mr. Ilich’s interest in sports led him to invest in the Vancouver Giants junior hockey team and he was also a former owner of the Vancouver 86ers professional soccer team. He was involved in Richmond’s planning for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and served as honorary chair of the Richmond Olympic speedskating oval steering committee.

Milan Ilich was a generous and selfless person who willingly contributed his time, money and personal vision to help individuals, the community and the province grow towards a prosperous, exciting future.

• Year: 2010
• City: Richmond
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Sports and Recreation

Dr. Charles J. Jago

Dr. Charles Jago has contributed greatly to British Columbia in education, health care, economic development, the Arts, community service and as an articulate and respected advocate for Northern British Columbia.

As President of the University of Northern British Columbia, Dr. Jago oversaw significant growth of the university, initiated partnerships with First Nations and initiated the Northern Sports Centre. He has actively promoted economic development in Northern B.C. as well as the Arts and has volunteered in many areas, such as the Fraser Basin Council, which he has chaired since 2006.

Dr. Jago’s most significant contributions have been the creation of the Northern Medical Program, developed in response to a critical shortage of physicians in Northern B.C., and the creation of the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North in Prince George.

Dr. Jago has served on the boards of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the Association of Commonwealth Universities and is past-chair of the Council of Western Canadian University Presidents and the University Presidents’ Council of BC. He has served on the boards of Theatre Northwest, Two Rivers Art Gallery, Initiatives Prince George, Canada West Foundation, and Partnerships BC. He played an active role in the Nechako Environmental Enhancement Fund and the annual Northern B.C. United Way Campaign. He currently chairs the board of the Northern Health Authority.

Dr. Jago received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2005 for his contributions to education over a quarter century.

• Year: 2013
• City: Prince George
• Region: Cariboo
• Category: Education

Jack Jensen *

Jack Jensen was an outstanding performer whose legendary voice gave the country music group The Rhythm Pals their distinctive sound. He was called “a true son of British Columbia”, and was described by many as a generous person, a gentleman and a dedicated family man.

Mr. Jensen became one of Canada’s premier performers in the Canadian entertainment scene. Together with Mike Ferbey and Marc Wald, The Rhythm Pals began their career on Vancouver’s CKNW radio, and were one of the first Canadian acts to appear on U.S. television. They starred on CBC radio and television in their own series, Burns Chuckwagon, and were part of the regular cast of the Tommy Hunter Show for 17 years. With The Rhythm Pals, Mr. Jensen entertained Canadian troops and United Nations Armed Forces in almost every part of the world.

For over half a century, Mr. Jensen shared his talent with generations of Canadians, contributing greatly to culture and music in our nation. Instead of retiring, he continued to entertain for senior’s groups and nursing homes, and was actively involved in volunteering, fundraising and entertaining for charity.

With The Rhythm Pals, Jack Jensen won three RPM Awards (now known as Junos). He was inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Honour. He received the Saskatchewan Legend and Legacy Award, and his name is embedded in the Starwalk of Vancouver’s Theatre Row.

• Year: 2005
• City: Kelowna
• Region: Thompson/Okanagan
• Category: Arts and Culture

Andrew Way Yin Joe

Andy Way Yin Joe is Canada’s second Chinese Canadian lawyer who fought against injustice and racism, especially towards the Chinese Canadians, and helped to save cultural traditions and the community.

In the late 1970s Joe helped Chinese merchants from being subject to proposed health regulations aimed at ending from a 5,000 year-old tradition of making and selling barbecue meats. In the 1960’s, he helped organize the community to fight city plans to build a freeway through Chinatown and when the city wanted to put a fire hall next to Strathcona School, he organized a protest to move the fire hall to a less disruptive area. In 1978, he took the Chinese Benevolent Association to court in a push to democratize the organization, arguing that the group should hold elections. He tirelessly fought for Chinese Canadians who needed a lawyer on their side to represent them in the courts, in politics and against city officials, often doing so without payment. When the exclusion act was repealed, he helped families reunite, becoming their lawyer to deal with new immigration laws.

He played pivotal and leading roles in many organizations focused on preserving the history and culture of Chinese Canadians including the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of B.C., Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Chinatown Historical Area Planning Committee as well as being a founding member of the Chinese Cultural Centre, helping it secure funding and developmental approval from all levels of government.

Joe served during Second World War in the Royal Canadian Air Force until he was discharged in 1946 — all before Chinese Canadians were given the right to vote.

As early as the 1960’s Joe, along with his colleague Wally Lee, were preparing the ground to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China when they opened the China Arts and Crafts store which imported goods from China. Around the same time he established the Canada-China Friendship Association and both men helped the first representatives from the People’s Republic of China open an embassy in Ottawa and a Consulate in Vancouver.

He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal.

• Year: 2018
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Community Leadership

Grand Chief Percy Joe

Grand Chief Percy Joe is a hereditary and elected chief of the Scw’exmx, serving his nation for 47 years until his retirement earlier this year. A fierce champion of rights and title, Joe created unique reconciliation partnerships and approaches grounded in traditional knowledge and Indigenous wisdom and governance.

A residential school survivor, his legacy continues through the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, one of only two schools of its kind in the country – an autonomous, publicly-funded post-secondary institution, founded and governed by Indigenous peoples. As a founder, Joe advocated for an education model and institution guided by Indigenous ways, wisdom and governance.

Guided by the belief that a chief must serve and protect his people, he spent 13 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as a detachment commander and master corporal, serving several missions overseas in the 1960s. He is a founding member and an elected president of the First Nations Veterans of Canada and advocated for equal benefits for Aboriginal veterans. For example, Aboriginal veterans were also not allowed to visit licensed veteran establishments, meaning they could not meet their fellow veterans. Joe was instrumental in improving these benefits and changing these outcomes.

Joe achieved many advancements for his community and the people of the Nicola Valley – in family services, forestry, education, economic development, Aboriginal rights and title.

He also advanced Indigenous language learning, building language proficiency and cultural resilience. Earlier this year and before retiring, he helped conclude a pilot agreement with the provincial government to explore collaborative approaches to manage water resources in the Nicola watershed. This agreement has the potential to become a model for other types of watershed management arrangements across British Columbia.

As a powerful protector of his nation’s ancestral and inherent rights, Joe was one of the founders of the Nicola Tribal Association, which represents 2,550 Indigenous people in the Nicola Valley, Fraser River and Thompson River areas.

He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Special Service Medal (SSM) NATO, the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM), UN Forces in Cyprus Medal (UNFICYP), 125 Anniversary Confederation of Canada Medal (Canada 125), and the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD).

• Year: 2018
• City: Merritt
• Region: Thompson/Okanagan
• Category: Public Service

Asa Johal *

In the time since Asa Johal immigrated to Canada in 1924, he became one of British Columbia’s most prominent businessmen and outstanding citizens. At the age of 19, he started a successful trucking business. In 1962, he established his sawmilling operation at Mitchell Island and turned it into one of the province’s most efficient and most advanced in technology. Now, his Terminal Sawmill Group of companies consists of two mills, two manufacturing plants, a logging camp and other small operations.

Mr. Johal’s business skills contributed to the economic well-being of British Columbia. But he contributed to Canadian society in a multitude of other ways – as a member of the University of British Columbia Board of Governors and a director of the Children’s Hospital.

Through either major contributions or quiet help, he recognized many other worthy causes and organizations without concern for recognition. He routinely matched public donations to fund-raising campaigns for the B.C. Children’s Hospital, Canadian Cancer Society, Rotary Club-Polio Plus and OASIS, formerly known as the Orientation Adjustment Services for Immigrants Society.

Mr. Johal contributed much to the Indo-Canadian community in British Columbia – as founding member, trustee and chairman of the India Cultural Centre of Canada and as president of the International Punjabi Society of B.C. He actively encouraged his fellow Indo-Canadians to participate in mainstream society.

He was granted an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of British Columbia for his support of ethnic studies. In 1988, he was honoured on Canada Day for his outstanding contribution to the Indo-Canadian community.

• Year: 1991
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Chester A. Johnson *

Chester Johnson accepted daunting challenges in the corporate and public sectors and delivered results that exceeded expectations. While chairman of a sawmill group, he developed the concept and implementation of a chip export facility to solve the long-standing wood chip surplus problem. He was director of finance for Expo 86 and chair of the Vancouver Airport Authority, and chair of the transportation committee for the 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Olympic bid.

Among his awards is the Order of Canada.

• Year: 2001
• City: Garibaldi
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Lucille Johnstone *

Lucille Johnstone enhanced the lives of British Columbians in public and in private ways: whether volunteering, in a corporate boardroom or providing a meal to a less-fortunate stranger.

Born and raised in Vancouver, she was the Chief Executive Office and Chair of Integrated Ferry Corporation, where the B.C. Super Ferry – the largest ship ever to be built in B.C. – was constructed. Before that Lucille Johnstone was President of the RivTow Group, in a career that spanned 45 years.

Her involvement in charitable organizations would be admirable even for someone with extensive time to share.

This included roles as chair of the Kwantlen College Fund Drive, Founding Director and Chair of Sexual Abuse Recovery Anonymous, and member of the Pacific Advisory Regional Council of Fisheries and Oceans.

In addition, Lucille Johnstone was on the board of directors of numerous organizations that include Grace Hospital, Vancouver International Airport Authority, Expo ’86, B.C. Place Ltd., and the Vancouver Board of Trade, to name only a few.

Lucille Johnstone is a recipient of the YWCA Woman of the Year Award and holds an honorary doctorate from U.B.C.

In addition to the big picture of community service and business acumen, Lucille Johnstone was fondly known by many for the pearls of individual kindness she so generously casted about her.

• Year: 1994
• City: Langley
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Tim Jones *

Tim Jones epitomized the dedication and passion of the more that 2,500 search and rescue volunteers who serve our Province. Mr. Jones is considered one of the godfathers of the venerable North Shore Rescue (NSR) Team. The work is gruelling, dangerous and unpaid.

Over two decades, Mr. Jones worked with fellow team members to build NSR into one of North America’s premier search and rescue teams, one of the first to use helicopter based long line rescue, which he co-founded, and to establish protocols to treat hypothermia.

Mr. Jones’ accomplishments included the initiation of a kayak team and an area-wide communication system, which is also used by other search and rescue teams. He also helped raise well over a million dollars to fund the team’s work.

Mr. Jones participated in more than 1,400 search and rescue tasks as a Search Manager, Rescue Leader and Advanced Life Support Paramedic. The team has located more than 1,000 people and saved many lives.

In addition to his tremendous contributions on the North Shore, Mr. Jones provided his search and rescue leadership and medical skills to incidents elsewhere in B.C. and in Washington State.

A 50-hour volunteer week was not uncommon for Mr. Jones, one of our province’s great volunteers.

• Year: 2011
• City: North Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Community Leadership

Chief Robert Joseph

Chief Robert Joseph is a true peace-builder whose life and work are examples of his personal commitment. A hereditary chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation, Robert has dedicated his life to bridging the differences brought about by intolerance, lack of understanding and racism at home and abroad.

Robert has worked as Ambassador of Reconciliation for Reconciliation Canada and as a member of the National Assembly of First Nations Elders Council. He models an inclusive approach to peaceful dialogue that embraces all cultures and faiths to create unity of purpose to reach reconciliation.

A survivor of the St. Michael’s Indian Residential School, he endured inconceivable hardships as a young boy. He persevered and dedicated his life to help renew relationships between aboriginal peoples and all Canadians.

Robert’s work has received several awards including an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UBC, the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue from SFU, and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Vancouver School of Theology.

One of the last fluent speakers of the Kwakwaka’wakw language, he is an eloquent and inspiring speaker who initiated the reconciliation dialogue process and ignited a fire under it.

• Year: 2015
• City: North Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Community Leadership

Clarence Thomas (Manny) Jules

A pioneer and a First Nations role model, Manny Jules has played an instrumental role in leading change for First Nations people over the last four decades.

Throughout his career in politics and public service, he has made significant contributions to the economic and social advancement of First Nations across Canada.

In 1974, Mr. Jules was elected Councillor of the Kamloops Indian Band and in 1984, elected Chief. During this time, he spearheaded initiatives such as co-founding the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and repatriating 45,000 acres of Kamloops Indian Band reserve lands.

Mr. Jules was also instrumental in the federal government’s decision to recognize First Nation jurisdiction over property taxation on reserve lands. He subsequently assisted with implementation of this change as Chair of the Indian Taxation Advisory Board and in 2006 as Chief Commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission.

Mr. Jules was a member of the Auditor General’s Panel of Aboriginal Issues, Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs Committee on Fiscal Relations, the National Aboriginal Financing Task Force and the Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs on Claims.

A recipient of Honorary Doctorates from the University of British Columbia and Thompson Rivers University,

Mr. Jules was also awarded the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers Award and the Economic Developer of the Year Award.

• Year: 2009
• City: Kamloops
• Region: Thompson/Okanagan
• Category: Community Leadership

Douglas Jung *

Douglas Jung had many firsts to his credit. He had the distinction of being the first Canadian of Chinese extraction to have been elected a Member of Parliament, was elected National President of the Young Conservatives of Canada and was appointed to represent his country at the United Nations as Chair of the Canadian Legal Delegation.

While a Member of Parliament, he implemented the so-called “Amnesty” program, which made it possible for thousands of Chinese, who had come to Canada using false names, to regularize their status with the Immigration Department. During the war Douglas Jung served at Pacific Command Security Intelligence.

After the War, Mr. Jung attended UBC as the first Chinese Canadian veteran to receive a university education under the auspices of Veteran’s Affairs. He graduated in Law and was called to the Bar in 1954. The following year he made court history by being the first Chinese Canadian lawyer to appear before the British Columbia Court of Appeal. In 1962 he was appointed a judge on the Immigration Appeal Board in Ottawa.

Douglas Jung continued to serve his community in many different ways.

• Year: 1997
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Public Service

Edgar F. Kaiser, Jr. *

Edgar Kaiser was a businessman and philanthropist whose generosity benefited hospitals, sports facilities, libraries, the arts, education, medical research and social service and community groups. He founded and endowed the Kaiser Foundation which is committed to assisting those who face the challenges of addiction. The foundation has published The Directory of Addiction Services, now in its ninth edition, and Step By Step: A Prevention Handbook on Alcohol and Other Drug Use, which has helped communities implement child and youth prevention programs. Flying a BA3 800 jet aircraft around the world to raise public awareness on drug and alcohol abuse, he established a world record for round-the-world speed and distances between the seven refuelling points for aircraft in the class involved.

• Year: 2003
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

David Kampe (posthumous) *

David Kampe shared his success in business through his generous and varied support of his community, including the Penticton General Hospital and the patient care centre that was named in his honour.

In 1981, Kampe started the team that now owns and operates Peters Bros. Construction and Paving, which has grown to employ upwards of 200 people across B.C.

With his success in business, Kampe was driven to make an impact on Penticton. His unmatched generosity often was anonymous or masked so that his personal identity was not obvious.

While his contributions to the hospital expansion were instrumental in moving the project forward, there were many other aspects of life in Penticton that benefited from Kampe’s support, either behind the scenes or through sponsorships from Peters Bros.

The company sponsors community and cultural events such as the annual Penticton Peach Festival, the largest free-of-charge festival in Canada. It funds the main stage entertainment and the festival’s grand parade. Kampe also set up the financial resources needed for the festival to host the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

Post-secondary students, many of whom would not otherwise have the money to pursue their goals, have benefitted from the bursary and scholarship fund Kampe established.

Kampe also supported recreation and culture in Penticton. Branded as a company sponsored contribution, any child or youth who wants to attend a Junior A Penticton Vees hockey game can do so free of charge.

• Year: 2019
• City: Penticton
• Region: Thompson/Okanagan
• Category: Community Leadership

Dr. Norman B. Keevil

Dr. Norman Keevil is a mining industry pioneer, entrepreneur, builder and philanthropist. Recognized as a mining leader and a man of great personal integrity, Dr. Keevil has championed responsible mining practices internationally.

Teck is one of Canada’s oldest continuously operating resource companies and its growth over the past five decades is in large part due to Dr. Keevil’s efforts.

Under Dr. Keevil’s leadership, Teck has grown into a major integrated resource company, with almost $30 billion in assets. The company has built mines in British Columbia, the Yukon, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland as well as in Chile, Peru and the United States.

In addition to helping to build Teck, Dr. Keevil has donated generously to educational institutions and made a significant contribution to the development of the Mining Association of Canada’s Environmental Policy while serving as its Chairman. Teck has also made major contributions to BC Children’s Hospital, the University of Alberta, and the Royal Ontario Museum.

Dr. Keevil was recently named to the prestigious Canadian Business Hall of Fame. He has been inaugurated into the Mining Hall of Fame, named Canadian International Business Leader of the Year and received the T. Patrick Boyle Founder’s Award from the Fraser Institute, among other honours and awards, including an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of British Columbia.

• Year: 2012
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Science and Technology

Sherwin Kelly *

Born in New Mexico, Sherwin Kelly was a 1917 graduate of the University of Kansas. After obtaining a fellowship in geology and mineralogy at the Sorbonne in Paris, Sherwin Kelly taught at the University of Kansas and Toronto. During World War I, he served in what was to become the U.S. Air Force as one of its first flyers. He established himself as a consultant in electrical prospecting for metallic ore bodies in rock and as a result, every county in the Americas, except for Paraguay and Nicaragua, owe some portion of their mineral development to Sherwin Kelly.

Following Mr. Kelly’s move to Merritt, at the tender age of 65, he contributed more to his community and the province than most do in a lifetime. Even at age 95, he continued to be sought as a mining consultant. Over his long lifetime, Mr. Kelly contributed heavily to the body of human knowledge. Satellite technology had to catch up with his slide-rule, pointing to likely deposits he had staked years earlier. He had written about cold fusion before it made headlines in the early 1990s.

Mr. Kelly worked for the betterment of his community. What is now the major transportation corridor into B.C.’s interior, the Coquihalla Highway, was his vision back in the 1960s. He led annual caravans along the route to prove to successive highways ministers that it was needed and could be done. He forced government to have a serious look. A long-time member of the Chamber of Commerce, he was honoured by the B.C. Chamber with its highest award – Honorary Life Member – for his commitment to the B.C.’s economic health.

• Year: 1991
• City: Merritt
• Region: Thompson/Okanagan
• Category: Community Leadership

Dr. Perry Robert William Kendall

Dr. Perry Kendall has devoted his professional life to promoting and pursuing innovative health care practices in British Columbia. His efforts have focused on the prevention of disease, injury and disability, and the promotion of population health.

Dr. Kendall is a former Medical Health Officer for the City of Toronto and a former CEO of the Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario. He is considered to be one of Canada’s leading authorities on public health and drug addiction. He was co-chair of the task group on the feasibility of Supervised Injection Site Research. He was also instrumental in developing needle exchange programs and Canada’s first safe injection site in Vancouver in 2003.

Dr. Kendall has courageously advanced health practices in B.C., including the creation of an Act that gives pharmacists the right to prescribe emergency contraceptive pills for women; initiating and promoting the health and well-being of B.C.’s Aboriginal people; and initiating legislation that makes HIV/AIDS a reportable disease.

Through his efforts, public health is achieving a higher profile in this province. As a provincial health officer, Dr. Kendall’s leadership enabled the province to rapidly mobilize its resources against a potential outbreak of Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza. He is currently working with the Ministry of Health to develop core public health programs, and to modernize the Provincial Health Act.

Dr. Perry Kendall is presently the co-chair of the newly established Pan-Canadian Public Health Network.

• Year: 2005
• City: Victoria
• Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
• Category: Professions and other occupations

Dr. H. Martin Kenney *

Dr. Mart Kenney started his band in Vancouver in 1931 and for 70 years brought big band music to Canadians from coast to coast, including performing concerts for the Armed Forces during the Second World War. Kenney was also known for his volunteer work for his country, province and the town of Mission. In 2002 he celebrated his 91st birthday and was advising the First Nations community on developing the archeological find in Hatzic. Kenney was awarded the Order of Canada in 1980 and has garnered many other awards over the years.

• Year: 2002
• City: Mission
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Arts and Culture

John C. Kerr

John (Jake) Kerr is Chair and CEO of Lignum Ltd., one of Canada’s largest privately held forest product companies, known for its leading edge technology and innovation in undertaking a number of joint ventures with different First Nations Bands.

Mr. Kerr has devoted a large portion of his time to negotiating a softwood agreement with the United States on behalf of Canadian industry.

Jake Kerr is a founder and current Director of the Forest Alliance of British Columbia, a Director of Forest Renewal BC, a Director and Vice-Chair of the Canadian Forest Industries Council and Past Chair of the Council of Forest Industries of British Columbia (COFI).

Mr. Kerr has also been a strong member of the cultural community, supporting the visual arts.

• Year: 1997
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Henry H. Ketcham

Henry Ketcham, President and Chief Executive Officer of West Fraser Timber, is a visionary B.C. forest industry leader who gave up timber cutting rights to protect the world’s largest intact coastal temperate rainforest – the Kitlope.

The 317,000-hectare watershed on British Columbia’s central coast received permanent protection from logging and industrial development in 1994 in a trilateral agreement between the Haisla Nation, West Fraser Timber and the B.C. government. This agreement came on the heels of the West Fraser announcement that it would voluntarily relinquish all harvesting rights to the Kitlope valley.

The rugged terrain of the Kitlope – one half the size of Prince Edward Island – is home to a rich and abundant variety of wildlife, and trees of up to three metres in diameter and over 800 years of age. It is referred to as the “sacred site of the people of the rock” by the Haisla Nation, who consider the area their ancestral home.

Mr. Ketcham has been hailed for his leadership which allowed inclusion of the Kitlope in British Columbia’s protected areas – leaving a legacy for the citizens of the Province and the world.

A respected partner in B.C.’s premier industry, Henry Ketcham, was founder of the Forest Alliance of B.C., and former chair of the Council of Forest Industries.

• Year: 1996
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Hassan Khosrowshahi

Mr. Hassan Khosrowshahi personifies the ‘great Canadian dream.’

Mr. Khosrowshahi came to British Columbia from Iran and achieved great business success in his new home. He and his family founded the Inwest Group of Companies, focusing initially on retailing and real estate and then on pharmaceutical and entertainment industries.

The Future Shop, one of Canada’s great retail success stories, was an Inwest company until it was sold in 2001.

Mr. Khosrowshahi’s companies develop, hold and manage real estate, including land, resorts, shopping centres and apartment buildings. They are world leaders in managing funds that purchase royalties from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research institutions, and universities. The group also acquires, owns and administers music copyrights.

Mr. Khosrowshahi is far more than a highly successful business person, as he and his family have been generous supporters of community organizations such as Street-to-Home, Share Family and Community Services, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver General Hospital Foundation.

He has served as the Chairman of the Fraser Institute, a member of the Executive Committee of the B.C. Business Council, a member of the board of the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and B.C. Chair of the Governor General’s Leadership Council. He is a member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, and sits on the board of the Leading Edge Endowment Fund.

• Year: 2012
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Nezhat Khosrowshahi

Having immigrated from Iran in 1981, Nezhat Khosrowshahi has devoted herself to B.C., Canada, her family and community. Her generosity has had a widespread impact on multicultural B.C. and Canadian society, based on unlimited caring and her belief that while she cannot solve all of the world’s problems, she can make a sustained difference.

Khosrowshahi is a founding board member of BC Women’s Hospital Foundation, former chair of the board of directors of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) and a VSO honorary life vice-president. She has been a governor of Simon Fraser University, on the board of Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, board of the National Gallery of Canada, honorary governor of the Vancouver Foundation and on the boards of the Museum of Vancouver, CBC/Radio-Canada, York House School, YVR Art Foundation, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Aga Khan Museum.

In 2012, Khosrowshahi founded the Learning Initiative for Tomorrow (LIFT) scholarship program at Coquitlam Alternative Basic Education (CABE). LIFT has granted approximately 127 post- secondary scholarships to students at CABE Secondary school and Suwa’lkh school in Coquitlam. LIFT is an educational program that helps marginalized youth in a tangible way, carefully monitoring and assessing results to ensure the interventions and assistance are working for students who need a different educational experience. Students from 15 to 18 can earn a full Dogwood Diploma or the Evergreen Certificate, which is a modified program.

CABE uses individualized, self-paced instructional programs in core subjects and an expanding selection of elective opportunities to help students pursue graduation. Suwa’lkh is an Indigenous educational program in School District #43 that is open to students in grades 6 to 12, and the program leads to the Dogwood Diploma through academic programming, outdoor education opportunities and a self-paced learning environment. LIFT has partnered with the BC Institute of Technology and Douglas College to ensure the success of the LIFT recipients who go on to college and help recipients with support for school expenses, including textbooks, supplies and other items, such as safety equipment for those taking a trade program.

Through Wesbild Holdings, a Khosrowshahi-family-owned company, Khosrowshahi is a dedicated supporter of Share Family & Community Service (Share), a non-profit, independent community organization providing leadership and programs for the social needs of the residents of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra and other communities. Share’s services include a food bank, early childhood development support, newcomer support services, counselling, therapy services and affordable housing. After the CEO of Share told Khosrowshahi that their most important need was a building to house their operations, Khosrowshahi arranged for Wesbild to provide a free building to Share and contribute to their budget with particular help for the food bank.

Khosrowshahi is a convenor, a force and a doer. She gathers key people from across sectors and gets them to work together toward the public good. She is a role model for countless women, including young Persian-Canadian women. She listens, acts and builds bridges across social, economic and political lines.

Year: 2022
City: Vancouver
Region: Mainland/Southwest
Category: Community Leadership

Kathy Kinloch

Kathy Kinloch most recently served as president of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Canada’s premier polytechnic institution, which serves approximately 50,000 students annually. She held this position from January 2014 to her retirement in June 2022.

Kinloch broadened and deepened BCIT’s globally relevant connections with business, industry and community within B.C., throughout Canada and globally during her tenure, and led significant and strategic change during a time of rapidly evolving technology, a reinvention of work and life-long learning, and the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Kinloch is recognized for leading organizational renewal by empowering people in complex environments. Through a series of senior leadership and executive roles, she has spearheaded successful strategic change initiatives in the post-secondary, as well as government and healthcare sectors.

Her accomplishments include being recognized in 2020 on Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 list; Most Influential Women in Business from BC Business magazine; Influential Women in Business Awards from Business in Vancouver magazine; Woman of Distinction from YWCA Metro Vancouver; as well as Top 100 Hall of Fame and Top 100 Public Sector Leaders from Women’s Executive Network (WXN).

Kinloch was also honoured as Canada’s Most Admired CEO of 2018 and at BCIT as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 2019 in the broader public sector categories by Waterstone Human Capital.

She holds a diploma in nursing, a bachelor of science in nursing with distinction from the University of Alberta, a master of arts in leadership (also receiving the Chancellor’s Award) and a graduate certificate in executive coaching from Royal Roads University. She has also received an honorary doctor of laws from Royal Roads University.

Kinloch’s board positions include the World University Service of Canada; Business Council of BC; Invest Vancouver; Surrey Hospital Foundation; the Public Policy Forum; and TELUS Corporation. She is also a member of the Asia Business Leaders Advisory Council of the Asia Pacific Foundation, and she chaired the Province’s Emerging Economy Task Force.

Year: 2022
City: Surrey
Region: Mainland/Southwest
Category: Community Leadership

William Patrick Kinsella *

W.P. Kinsella‘s writing has had a significant impact on the North American literary landscape. His talent and dedication to his writing allowed him to remain one of the most successful and prolific writers in Canada. In the past 25 years, he published more than 30 novels and collections of short stories, hundreds of articles and reviews, poems, stage and screen plays.

Mr. Kinsella’s work has been translated into several languages, and several of his works have been made into movies and television series. The most famous of these is his book Shoeless Joe, upon which the movie Field of Dreams was made, garnering three Academy Award nominations.

Throughout his career, Mr. Kinsella continued to inspire and encourage emerging writers. His entertaining work is also taught in remedial reading programs and prison Adult Literacy programs. He was honoured by the creation of the W.P. Kinsella Scholarship in Fiction Writing at the University of Victoria, where he was one of the first graduates of the Creative Writing Program.

Mr. Kinsella received three honourary doctorates, and awards such as the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour, the Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship, the Vancouver Award, the Books in Canada First Novel Award, and the Order of Canada.

• Year: 2005
• City: Yale
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Arts and Culture

Dolores Kirkwood

For nearly 62 years, Dolores Kirkwood has been fostering a love of dance among the children of British Columbia.

A teacher, choreographer and adjudicator, she has influenced thousands of people as one of Western Canada’s foremost experts on ballet and musical theatre. She has given of herself, her talents and her humanity to countless thousands of students.

She has travelled all over the province to assist with musical productions at high schools, as well as community theatre groups. Her work at Burnaby South High School inspired many other schools to get involved in school musicals. She choreographed musicals at Terry Fox Senior Secondary for 25 years and for 21 years, she has been artistic director of the Royal City Youth Ballet Company.

Some of Ms. Kirkwood’s former students have gone on to study at New York’s famous Julliard School, and some have danced for the National Ballet of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, New Zealand Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and many others.

With her former students dancing professionally in many parts of the world, Ms. Kirkwood’s influence is perhaps best measured by the high esteem in which she is held by those who have worked with her.

Ms. Kirkwood has been honoured as New Westminster’s Citizen of the Year, won the Sam Payne Award for nourishing young talent, and in 1996 was admitted to BC’s Entertainment Hall of Fame.

• Year: 2009
• City: New Westminster
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Arts and Culture

Mary Kitagawa

Mary Kitagawa is an educator and crusader for human rights who has helped dismantle society’s systems of racial apartheid and legalized discrimination, create a more inclusive and just world, and demonstrate it is never too late to make right a wrong.

Kitagawa and her family were among the more than 22,000 Canadians of Japanese descent incarcerated during the Second World War. As a result of the injustices her family endured, she became an advocate for human rights, maintaining a sustained focus to raise the problem of injustice due to racism and intolerance.

She continues to advocate for the inclusion of curriculum about the incarceration in elementary and high schools and is a member of the Community Council of the Landscapes of Injustice, a University of Victoria project which is recovering documents related to the confiscation and disposal of Japanese Canadian properties.

Highlights of her legacy include having Vancouver City Council recognize and apologize for racism and discriminatory motions directed at Japanese Canadians during the Second World War which included motions to remove all Japanese Canadians from the West Coast. Her advocacy was critical in influencing the University of British Columbia conferring in 2012 honorary degrees on 76 Japanese Canadian students who were expelled in early 1942, immediately following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

As part of her legacy agreement with UBC regarding the students of 1942, UBC committed to actions that would support education around the Japanese Canadian story which include:

• A UBC Library project to collect and archive stories from students
• Establishment of a course in the Faculty of Arts program in Asian Canadian and Asian Migration (ACAM) studies entitled The History and Legacy of Japanese Canadian Internment
• Establishment of 1942 Japanese Canadian UBC Students Fund to help support ACAM
• Creation of a special yearbook called A Degree of Justice of all of 1942 students
• Establishment of a Day of Learning at UBC which focused on racism and injustice topics
• Video documentation of the stories of many 1942 student’s incarceration experience, as well as the histories of other Japanese Canadians, and
• Publishing Honouring Our People: Breaking the Silence, a book chronicling the personal stories of the survivors of the mass incarceration of Japanese Canadians in 1942.

Kitagawa also challenged the naming of a federal building on 401 Burrard St. after Howard Charles Green and convinced authorities to renamed it after Douglas Jung, the first Asian Canadian Member of Parliament. She worked to preserve and commemorate Hastings Park as a site of historical significance, participated for more than 25 years as a member of the Greater Vancouver JCCA Human Rights Committee, was instrumental in raising over $30,000 by selling vegetables and Spam Sushi at the annual Powell Street Festival, and co-taught an Asian Canadian Studies course at UBC at the age of 83.

• Year: 2018
• City: Delta
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Community Leadership

Dr. Walter C. Koerner *

Dr. Walter Koerner was born in Czechoslovakia and it was there that, through his family’s lumber business, he developed his expertise in the forestry industry.

In 1939, Dr. Koerner and his brothers immigrated to Canada and founded the Alaska Pine and Cellulose Company of which he was President. The company flourished until, in 1957, it became Rayonier Canada Limited with Dr. Koerner as President and later Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 1973.

Dr. Koerner’s company was instrumental in promoting the use of hemlock, previously considered undesirable. Through expert techniques, his company made this wood fully competitive in Europe and expanded its use until it has become one of the leading wood species used in British Columbia.

Dr. Koerner always supported the need for good forest management and greatly contributed to numerous studies and hearings concerned with forest practices.

Following his retirement, he devoted his efforts to improving the quality of life for British Columbians:

• in the health care field, as Founding Chairman of the University of British Columbia Hospital;
• in the field of higher education, to which he gave long and distinguished service as a Governor of the University of British Columbia;
• and in the arts as one of the Province’s leading benefactors. He is honorary Life President of both the Vancouver Gallery and the Vancouver Symphony society.

Over a span of more than fifty years, Dr. Koerner was a most notable philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to educational institutions and other public organizations and endeavours.

Among his many honours, Dr. Koerner is a Companion of the Order of Canada, and held an honorary Doctor of Laws from UBC.

• Year: 1990
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Joy Kogawa

Joy Kogawa is one of British Columbia’s most celebrated and inspirational authors, whose work has been instrumental in raising Canadian consciousness about wartime injustices. Ms. Kogawa’s award-winning first novel, Obasan, is an illuminating portrayal of the internment of Japanese-Canadians in Canada during World War II. Obasan is now considered one of the most important novels ever published in Canada, and is required curriculum for Canadian high schools and universities.

Ms. Kogawa has been active in social justice movements across Canada, in the areas of poverty and human rights. She is a powerful advocate for victims of wrong, and her work continues to inspire citizens throughout the nation. Through Ms. Kogawa’s solid, steady efforts, the issues of internment of Canadians of Japanese descent were brought to the attention of the Federal Government, and led to the Japanese-Canadian Redress Agreement in 1988.

Ms. Kogawa was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1986. She has received honourary doctorates from seven Canadian universities, and is a Fellow of Ryerson Polytechnical University. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Asian American Studies, and the NAJC National Award from the National Association of Japanese Canadians.

The Literary Review of Canada has listed Obasan as one of Canada’s 100 most important books. In 2005, the Vancouver Public Library chose Obasan for the One Book One Vancouver program.

• Year: 2006
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Arts and Culture

Kazuko Komatsu *

New Canadian Kazuko Komatsu did business in British Columbia, and business is good. During the early 1980s, she sold natural gas to Japanese customers. She walked log booms selecting timber suited for the Japanese market. She established a 2×4 training school in Japan. British Columbians knew her best as president and CEO of Pacific Western Brewing Company.

When Pacific Western Brewing threatened to close their doors in 1990, Kazuko Komatsu bought the company and expanded operations domestically and abroad. She served on the boards of the University of Northern B.C. and Royal Roads University. She was a member of the Canada Japan Business Committee, a director with the Brewers Association of Canada and the Western Brewers Association. In 1994, the Federal Business Development Bank presented her with an Entrepreneur Award. The Vancouver Board of Trade, too, has recognized her business acumen.

• Year: 1998
• City: West Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Dr. Mel Krajden

Over the past two decades, B.C. has built a global reputation in the field of communicable disease control and innovative scholarship in public health sciences. Dr. Mel Krajden has been central to building this reputation through his leadership in the B.C. Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory and significant contributions to fields such as Hepatitis, HIV, HPV and most recently, COVID-19.

This year more than ever, Dr. Krajden provided critical scientific leadership. With the emergence of COVID-19, B.C. and Canada needed urgent access to rapid, validated tests for the virus. Under his leadership at BCCDC, and relying heavily on his exceptional expertise, Dr. Krajden and his team were able to rapidly develop an assay for the province to commence testing in January 2020, weeks before other jurisdictions. Access to this test was an essential element in the management and control of the outbreak and the safety of British Columbians.

Dr. Krajden created the world-leading B.C. Hepatitis Testers Cohort, which integrates de-identified data on 2.4 million individuals tested for, or diagnosed with, hepatitis B, C, HIV and TB infections linked to their corresponding healthcare administrative data since 1990, to create longitudinal medical histories. This cohort has produced influential pieces of evidence that shaped clinical and public health guidelines and policy in Canada and globally. He was also instrumental in the development and continued progress of the CIHR funded Canadian Network on Hepatitis C, a well-known multidisciplinary group committed to developing a national strategy for Hepatitis C elimination.

Dr. Krajden was one of the key personnel in the STOP HIV initiative in B.C. This public health endeavor saw the implementation of acute HIV testing, allowing diagnosis during the most infectious period of the disease, resulting in timely interventions, and communication to partners to reduce transmission. This undertaking helped lead to the lowest HIV incidence on a provincial scale in decades.

Dr. Krajden also played a pivotal role in global public policy changes in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine dosing regimen and the associated reduction of financial access barriers to care. Similarly, his work with respect to assessing the utility of HPV testing vs. traditional Pap smears is expected to contribute to guidelines that will benefit women worldwide.

In his educational capacity, Dr. Krajden has the reputation of a wonderful teacher and valued mentor; training researchers, health professionals and students at all levels. He is widely known for his willingness to provide input and advice despite numerous other commitments, contributing to the success of others. His steadfast dedication further extends into the clinical realm, where he always has patient interests at heart and never hesitates to devote his own time to make a difference in client outcomes.

Over many decades Dr. Krajden has demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and sustained contributions to the province, country, and the world. He is a highly respected visionary, scientist, and educator who has inspired countless researchers and health professionals with his clinical excellence, dedication and generosity of spirit. For all these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate him for this well- deserved honour.

• Year: 2020
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Science and Technology

Diana Krall

From childhood Sunday sing-a-longs around the piano with her family in Nanaimo, Diana Krall has become a jazz superstar who performs all over the world.

A vocalist and a pianist, she is a wonderful example of a young British Columbian who started in a small community, set her sights high, and with hard work and determination is now achieving many of her goals. She has provided great inspiration to many young people interested in careers in music. The greatest talent in the jazz field to come along in a generation, Diana Krall won a Grammy this year for best jazz vocal performance for her song “When I Look In Your Eyes” and was nominated for album of the year.

She frequently acknowledges her roots in Nanaimo where she began performing professionally at age 15. She won a Vancouver Jazz Festival scholarship to study in Boston at Berklee College of Music, returned to the West Coast where she was “discovered” by jazz bassist Ray Brown, moved to Los Angeles to study with Jimmy Rowles, moved to Toronto, and is now based in New York City. She epitomizes Canadian culture and is an outstanding citizen and good-will ambassador for British Columbia.

Her visits to B.C. have included concerts to benefit the leukemia/bone marrow transplant program at Vancouver Hospital. British Columbians follow Diana Krall’s accomplishments with great pride, knowing she is one of our province’s finest citizens.

• Year: 2000
• City: Nanaimo & New York
• Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
• Category: Arts and Culture

Dr. Roslyn Kunin

A consulting economist and expert on the development of rural and small towns, and Indigenous communities, Dr. Roslyn Kunin is credited with increasing the public understanding of B.C.’s economic and political landscape though public service positions, board membership and regular commentary in the media. She also broke gender barriers when she became the first woman to get a Ph.D in economics at UBC.

Known for her respectful and culturally sensitive work on immigration and Indigenous communities, in 1998 she edited Prospering Together: The Economic Impact of the Aboriginal Title Settlements in B.C. It was ahead of its time in terms of explaining — in plain language — the importance and economic impact of the treaty-making process and instrumental in helping move forward collectively in a progressive manner.

Dr. Kunin is frequently invited to provide policy expertise on matters related to immigration, labour market issues and statistics both on a provincial and national level. She served for many years on Statistics Canada’s National Statistics Council.

A trailblazer in the boardroom, Dr. Kunin has chaired and served on a number of boards throughout Canada. As chair of the WorkSafeBC board, she directed the organization’s finances so that it maintained a balanced budget through the deep 2009 recession. As chair of the Haida Enterprise Corporation, she steered the organization toward expansion of business and employment opportunities in tourism and forestry operations. She made equally valuable contributions to the UBC’s board of governors and the City of Vancouver’s economic advisory commission. She has volunteered to serve on the boards of worthy charities such as the YWCA of Greater Vancouver and the Vancouver Crisis Centre. She has also served as the head of the congregation of her synagogue, Or Shalom.

Dr. Kunin’s columns, which appear in Business in Vancouver, BC Business, and many local newspapers throughout the province, firmly place her in the league of B.C.’s respected public intellectuals.

Dr. Kunin has several times received the Association of Professional Economists of B.C.’s Crystal Ball Award for forecasting the B.C. and Canadian economy, the YWCA of Greater Vancouver’s Woman of Distinction Award, a Canada 125 Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Victoria. As well she is a member of the Order of Canada.

• Year: 2017
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Paul Lacerte

Paul Lacerte, Executive Director of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, has been advocating for the betterment of Aboriginal people for more than 20 years. Under his leadership, the association has grown to over 30 staff and the Aboriginal Friendship Centres in BC have grown to over 1,000 staff delivering programs and initiatives to thousands of urban Aboriginal people each year.

Mr. Lacerte is a practitioner of traditional Aboriginal culture and spirituality. He has a gift for inspiring and supporting Indigenous youth. Through his leadership in the development of the Gathering Our Voices Aboriginal Youth Conference over the last 12 years, over 1,000 Aboriginal youth from BC and across Canada have come together each year to network, learn new skills, share knowledge, explore career and educational possibilities and participate in sports and recreational activities.

Paul Lacerte is the personal creator of the Moose Hide Campaign which started in 2011. It is a grassroots movement of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men who are standing up against violence toward Aboriginal women and children. As part of the annual campaign, men wear a small patch of moose hide to symbolize their commitment to honour, respect and protect the women and children in their lives.

Mr. Lacerte is a member of the Board of the Vancouver Foundation and sits as one of the Canadian representatives at the United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples.

• Year: 2014
• City: Victoria
• Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
• Category: Other

Honourable David C. * and Dorothy T. * Lam

One of British Columbia’s busiest couples, both in the private and public lives, David and Dorothy Lam have together committed themselves to an extraordinary career of philanthropy and public service.

The philanthropic work of the Lams was legendary. Their generous support to educational and cultural projects will be lasting tributes.

The Lam tenure at Government House left many legacies for the Province. The most visible, of course, is the beautifully restored public gardens – a true labour of love. But their championship of intercultural harmony and promotion of the traditions of volunteerism will benefit the province for many years to come.

The team work of the former vice-regal couple was well-known in the Province. Whether welcoming Her Majesty The Queen during the Commonwealth Games, or Chinese Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji, the Lams always succeeded in advancing the interests of our province and its people.

British Columbia is fortunate to have had in this ceremonial position two individuals who, through their personal warmth and actions, set an example of tolerance and understanding of cultural differences.

• Year: 1995
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Public Service

Dr. Kenneth Langelier

A veterinarian with a long and distinguished record of acting on behalf of pets and wild animals, Kenneth Langelier is renowned for his work with wildlife. He has been a leader both in research and the provision of medical care to injured or sick animals.

Dr. Langelier’s research contributed to a Canada-wide ban on the use of lead shot, which was poisoning thousands of wild animals. He also conducted research into the health of Bald Eagles, and advocated a ban on the use of wild animals in performances. Dr. Langelier was the long-time chief veterinarian for the Stranded Whale and Dolphin Program of BC.

He established techniques to implant tracking devices on endangered Vancouver Island marmots. He also developed a technique for immobilizing cougars, and identified Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, which has helped researchers understand HIV in humans.

Dr. Langelier provides courtesy veterinary care for Canadian Guide Dogs and the SPCA and began a province-wide tattoo identification program to help reunite lost pets with their owners. He also started a spay/neuter program for adopted animals in Nanaimo, and has worked tirelessly to lower the over-population of cats.

Dr. Langelier is the past chair of the Wildlife Committee of the BC Veterinary Medical Association.

• Year: 2008
• City: Nanaimo
• Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
• Category: Professions and other occupations

J. Fenwick Lansdowne *

Like John James Audubon before him, Fenwick Lansdowne is a self-taught artist who specialized in painting birds in perfect detail. His meticulous and sensitive paintings of the birds of North America have given immense pleasure to many people around the world, awakening in them an appreciation of the wealth of natural diversity in our world.

Mr. Lansdowne combined an interest in birds and drawing since the age of 12. With that early beginning, his art evolved to capture the finest details of the bird fauna of the world and the essence of their natural beauty in both his paintings and his writings.

His first exhibition of watercolours in Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum secured his place in the world of nature paintings. Since that time, his works have been displayed around the world, including the Audubon House in New York, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the National Museum of Science in Ottawa, to name a few.

His paintings have been presented by the Government of Canada to various members of the Royal Family.

His three illustrated books on the birds of Canada have made major contributions to the field of natural history. Fellow nature-enthusiast the Duke of Edinburgh wrote in the Foreword to one of these books: “Fenwick Lansdowne has the exceptional ability to capture such moments (in birds) with a seemingly effortless assurance which can only come from intimate knowledge, immense care, and remarkable talent.”

• Year: 1995
• City: Victoria
• Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
• Category: Arts and Culture

Barry Lapointe

Barry Lapointe, founder of KF Aerospace (formally the Kelowna Flightcraft Group of Companies), has succeeded over the last 40 years in building an industry-wide recognized aviation success story that employs over 600 people in British Columbia and nearly 1,000 across Canada.

Starting from small single-engine aircraft maintenance repairs in Vernon,BC Barry has grown the business to include domestic and international flight operations in narrow and wide body aircraft; aircraft maintenance, modifications and repairs for an international marketplace; aircraft sales and leasing around the world; and pilot training for the Canadian Air Force. KF Aerospace is the largest British Columbia-based airline and the third largest airline in Canada.

Barry co-ordinated a program for Grade 11 and 12 students to experience a prospective career in aviation and was instrumental in bringing British Columbia Institute of Technology aviation technical programs to the Okanagan. He has also served as a mentor through Entrepreneurs Unplugged. His philanthropic endeavors include the Flightcraft Foundation in addition to hundreds of smaller donations.

Barry is a true visionary, continually seeking out aviation market niches to retain and advance KF Aerospace s position in the aviation industry, ensuring stability for current employees, and future opportunity for British Columbia’s youth.

• Year: 2015
• City: Kelowna
• Region: Thompson/Okanagan
• Category: Business

Dr. Peter Anthony Larkin *

Peter Larkin, former Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia, was a researcher, teacher, administrator and science policy advisor. He was a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan and a Rhodes Scholar. One of Canada’s best known scholars, it is difficult to find an area of resource management in which his name does not occupy a prominent position.

Specializing in fisheries research, he became B.C.’s first provincial fisheries biologist in 1948. At the University of B.C., he held numerous positions, including Director of the Institute of Fisheries, Head of the Zoology Department, Dean of Graduate Studies, and Vice-President Research. He played a major role in developing Canada’s position on the International North Pacific Fisheries Commission as well as in fisheries research and development at the United Nations.

He served on the Science Council of Canada, the International Development Research Centre and the National Task Force on the Environment and the Economy. In 1995, Peter Larkin was given the Science Council Chairman’s award for lifelong service to science and technology in B.C. and was inducted into the Order of Canada. He is one of a tiny group of Canadian scientists who were consistently and broadly active, highly regarded by their peers, and immensely effective in contributing to the research environment.

Dr. Larkin published more than 160 papers on fisheries and related topics. He worked to promote public awareness of science through the Vancouver Aquarium and the Arts, Science and Technology Centre which later became Science World. He was instrumental in launching the SPARK industrial strategic planning initiative to identify opportunities for the expanded use of science and technology for economic development in B.C.

Dr. Peter Larkin made an outstanding contribution to the quality and relevance of scientific teaching and research in British Columbia.

• Year: 1996
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Professions and other occupations

Dr. Charles Laszlo

Himself hard of hearing, Dr. Charles Laszlo is committed to the participation of hard of hearing people in everyday life. The list of committees and publications he has been involved with since the 1960s fills pages.

What is truly important to him, however, is that his work is characterized by the integration of consumer and community with research and practical application.

After completing high school in Budapest, Hungary, he completed his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at McGill. While at McGill, Charles Laszlo began to lose his hearing.

He was founding president of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association. He served as president of the 38-nation strong International Federation of Hard of Hearing People. He is director of Hearing International. Dr. Laszlo’s unique combination of scientific, professional, and consumer participation has enabled UBC’s Institute of Hearing Accessibility Research to attract worldwide attention.

• Year: 1998
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Science and Technology

Marion Lay

Ms. Marion Lay has been a major force behind the growth, development and success of Canadian women in sport.

After capping her athletic career with a bronze medal in swimming at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Ms. Lay directed her considerable energies to promoting physical activity for women at every level.

Ms. Lay was responsible for developing Canada’s first policy and statistical paper on women and sport and the first Women’s High Performance Funding Plan. She has worked to ensure equitable funding for women in sport and has served as a special advisor to Sport Canada, responsible for the Women in Sport program.

She was a founding member of the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sports and Physical Activity, and ProMotion Plus, the BC Organization for Girls and Women in Physical Activity and Sport.

Ms. Lay was sport director for Expo 86 and the Vancouver Centennial Committee, President of Operations for the Rick Hansen Man in Motion World Tour, Co-Chair of the BC Games Society and a Board Member for the BC Sports Hall of Fame. She chaired the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation and served on the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games board. She was founding President and CEO of 2010 Legacies Now.

Commanding global respect for her work, Ms. Lay has been honoured with numerous awards including the International Olympic Committees Trophy for the Americas for her outstanding contribution to Women in Sport. Ms. Lay is a creative, tenacious, hard-working visionary.

• Year: 2012
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Sports and Recreation

Carol A. Lee

Carole Anne Lee is the chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, a registered charity that she co-founded in 2011. The Chinatown Foundation is committed to the cultural, economic, and physical revitalization of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown. Projects that she has spearheaded focus on creating a lasting positive impact such as affordable housing, seniors housing, and cultural and economic development. These initiatives include 58 West Hastings, a social housing project located in the Downtown Eastside that will provide 231 new homes and a 4,645 square-metre (50,000-square foot) health-care centre that will serve the entire community; May
Wah Hotel, an Single room occupancy form of housing,which provides low income housing in Chinatown, ensuring a safe home, activities and events for residents; and the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, Canada’s first institution of its kind dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of early Chinese Canadians whose contributions have shaped Canada’s past, present, and future.

During COVID-19, under her leadership the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation launched an Economic Recovery program, which helped businesses apply for COVID-19 support programs by connecting businesses with financial institutions and government agencies. The foundation also launched an online pop-up shop called Gifts from Chinatown and created A Taste of Chinatown to promote local restaurants and businesses through a walking tour and media campaign.

Lee is a community builder and serves on a number of boards including BC Achievement, UBC Properties Trust, Harvard Business School Canadian Advisory Board, Faculty Advisory Board of Sauder Business School and co-chair of the John McArthur Distinguished Fellowship. She was vice-chair of the Asia Pacific Trade Council, a member of the Federal Advisory Council on Economic Growth, on the board of the Rideau Hall Foundation and on the Leadership Council of the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics in Waterloo. She has honorary doctorates from the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and a Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

• Year: 2021
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Community Leadership

Robert H. Lee *

Robert H. Lee was born in Vancouver and educated at the University of British Columbia. His career combined outstanding achievements in the business world with philanthropy and community service.

He was an outstanding contributor to the expansion of Canadian business within the Pacific Rim region. His reputation for excellence and integrity were recognized by all who had dealings with him. His stature in the business community included appointments as trustee of the Bank of British Columbia, a directorship of the Real Estate Institute of Canada and of the Port Authority of Vancouver.

Mr. Lee’s business acumen and knowledge enabled him to play a key role with a number of community institutions. He was involved with successful fundraising campaigns for Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, the B.C. Children’s Hospital and U.B.C. He also served as a Director of the B.C. Paraplegic Foundation.

His long-standing association with U.B.C. included membership on its Board of Governors and a directorship on the U.B.C. Foundation. Mr. Lee also received his alma mater’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

He was selected Business Person of the Year for 1990 by a panel of judges drawn from the Chinese-Canadian business community and the Vancouver Board of Trade.

His standing in the business community, combined with his dedication to volunteer service and his exemplary character, made Robert Lee a role model to all who knew him.

• Year: 1990
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Kerrin Lee-Gartner

Kerrin Lee-Gartner is one of the world’s top female skiers.

Born and raised in Trail she grew up to compete in downhill skiing with the Rossland Red Mountain Racers Ski Club where her natural ability allowed her to move quickly through the junior racing ranks.

Kerrin Lee-Gartner was chosen for the Canadian Women’s Ski Team at age 16 but in 1985, following a serious accident which dashed her hopes for the successful World Cup tour the year before, she underwent reconstructive surgery on her knee.

In February, 1989, another accident kept her off her skis for six months but again she came back.

Kerrin Lee-Gartner has overcome tremendous adversity, defied injuries which could have ended her career, and rehabilitated herself to return to the top of the women’s world ski rankings.

An outstanding 1991-92 season, including eight top 10 finishes on the World Cup ski circuit, was climaxed by her thrilling and well-deserved Gold Medal victory in the downhill event at Albertville, France.

A superb role model for other young athletes in British Columbia, Kerrin Lee-Gartner exemplifies the best qualities of human courage and commitment to be the best that you can be.

• Year: 1992
• City: Fernie
• Region: Kootenay
• Category: Sports and Recreation

Peter Legge

A leader in business, community initiatives, and charity fundraising, Peter Legge has created impressive results everywhere he has devoted his considerable energies.

Mr. Legge built Canada Wide Media Limited into Western Canada’s largest independent magazine publisher, with more than 50 magazines, employing more than 130 British Columbians.

His business success has been considerable, but Mr. Legge is even better known for the time and energy he has devoted to community initiatives, chairing or serving on the boards of a large number of community agencies.

His fundraising skills are legendary. In 2001, Simon Fraser University awarded Mr. Legge an honorary doctorate in recognition of his efforts in raising $20 million for 40 different charities over 20 years. For 32 consecutive years, he has served as co-host of the Variety Show of Hearts Telethon, which raised more than $130 million over that period.

Mr. Legge’s other fundraising efforts have been equally impressive. He chaired the Canadian Red Cross Rwanda Relief Campaign, helped the Salvation Army raise over a million dollars in five years, and has hosted the Peter Legge Charity Golf Classic for a dozen years.

Considered Canada’s top public speaker, Mr. Legge is sought after to host charity events. He is one of 18 ambassadors to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• Year: 2008
• City: Coquitlam
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Community Leadership

Patricia (Patti) A.M. Leigh

Patti Leigh is the driving force behind the Science Fair Program in B.C., and has made an outstanding contribution to the province and the country with 27 years of dedicated service to the youth of B.C.

Mrs. Leigh is an educator who has created opportunities for more than 700,000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. She has enabled them to expand their knowledge, explore hands-on science, build self-esteem and develop personal skills to meet the challenges of a knowledge-based society.

Mrs. Leigh’s hard work and years of dedication led to the establishment of the Science Fair Foundation of B.C. of which she was the founding president and executive director.

The foundation assists students from across the province to participate in science fairs within their local communities eventually competing for the opportunity to represent B.C. at the national and international level.

Mrs. Leigh was also a valued part of the Science World senior management team spending 23-years with the organization helping to direct the development of public outreach science programs.

Mrs. Leigh received her Bachelor of Education from UBC in 1978 and began her career teaching Kindergarten to Grade 7, specializing in math, science and physical education. It was there that she was able to pursue her major interests of science and sport.

• Year: 2010
• City: West Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Community Leadership

Harold Leighton

Harold Leighton served as the Chief Councillor of the Metlakatla First Nation for more than 35 years and as the CEO of the Metlakatla Development Corporation for more than 30 years.

Under his leadership, the Nation achieved remarkable success, including the establishment of the Natural Gas Pipeline Benefits Agreement with the province and the creation of South Kaien Holdings Ltd. to develop the South Kaien Logistics Park; the Metlakatla Ferry Service; North Co Corp; Grassy Bay PetroCanada; Gat Leedm Logistics; and Coast Tsimshian Enterprises.

Leighton’s accomplishments are numerous, but what truly sets him apart is his unwavering commitment to the spiritual and economic growth of the Metlakatla Nation and its people.

He brought the community together to achieve common goals and has contributed significantly to the spiritual growth of the Nation. His vision and leadership led to the most prosperous period in the history of the Metlakatla Nation.

Through Leighton’s guidance, the Metlakatla Nation has become more entrepreneurial and self-sustaining, creating countless employment opportunities across their many ventures and joint ventures. The community continued to evolve and grow under his leadership, and it is a testament to his vision and dedication.

Leighton’s leadership, vision, and dedication to the Metlakatla Nation were unparalleled. He was the Chief Negotiator for the Metlakatla Treaty for 30-plus years. Metlakatla is now in the final stages of negotiating its Treaty.

Leighton believes that is it important for First Nations peoples to encourage dialogue and co-operation between Nations in order to strengthen relationships so that all communities can prosper and thrive.

• Year: 2023
• City: Prince Rupert
• Region: Northern BC
• Category: Indigenous Reconciliation

Bob Lenarduzzi

Bob Lenarduzzi has had an outstanding career as a soccer player, and has been called one of the 10 most influential people in sports in British Columbia. He has earned the respect of many people as one of Canada’s premier athletes, and presently as an executive who regularly supports his community.

Mr. Lenarduzzi’s name is synonymous with soccer due to his talent on the playing field, his success as a coach, and his enormous efforts to nurture and promote the game in B.C. and across Canada. His dedication and vision have provided positive role models for generations of young people and professional players in B.C., and he has given his time to countless charitable causes and events.

Mr. Lenarduzzi represented Canada in the 1984 Olympics and the 1986 World Cup, and played professional soccer for 10 years, during which he was the first Canadian to be named North American Player of the Year. He was twice named the Canadian Soccer League’s Coach of the Year, as head coach of the Vancouver 86ers and Canada’s national men’s team. He was also voted among the Top 30 Players of the Century in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football region by international media.

Bob Lenarduzzi has received many awards and honours, including induction into the Soccer Hall of Fame, the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, the North American Soccer Hall of Fame, and the United Soccer League’s Hall of Fame, and was recently named A-League Executive of the Year.

• Year: 2005
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Sports and Recreation

Peter James Lester *

Born in New York, Peter Lester adopted Prince Rupert as his home when the end of the Second World War saw him serving with the American Army.

Fortunately for Prince Rupert, he decided to stay. Since 1946 he pursued a multi-faceted career that included being a construction worker, customs officer and union president and since 1981 owner-manager of a travel agency. Elected as a council member in 1955, he then went on to become mayor in 1958.

Thirty-five years later he retired from that post, having won re-election every two years since – a record length of terms for British Columbia and second to only one other in Canada.

This impressive legacy of community leadership is in itself a testimony to Peter Lester’s popularity with the people. During 3½ decades of public service, his innovative ways were instrumental in many key events in the city’s history.

These include the building of a modern hospital and having Prince Rupert designated the southern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway, a huge boost to the tourism industry resulting in thousands of tourists visiting the city en route to Alaska.

Peter Lester’s history of commitment to his community sets more than a record for the province – it sets a fine example for others to follow.

• Year: 1994
• City: Prince Rupert
• Region: Northern B.C.
• Category: Public Service

Trevor Linden

Trevor Linden‘s career as an NHL hockey player and humanitarian has been remarkable. Trevor frequently visits B.C.’s Children’s Hospital and is a supporter and spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Cancer Society Lottery of Hope, and Canuck Place, a hospice for terminally ill children.

Linden has started a program for underprivileged children called Trevor’s Captain’s Crew, which brings children by limousine to a free hockey game complete with a luxury suite at GM Place.

In 1997, he was awarded the King Clancy Trophy for his leadership role and off-ice humanitarian contributions, and the Gillette World Champion Award as the Canadian athlete who best exemplifies excellence in sports and compassion and humanitarianism off the ice.

• Year: 2003
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Sports and Recreation

Don R. Lindsay

Don Lindsay has made outstanding professional and personal contributions to improving the lives of children and youth in British Columbia.

He is President and Chief Executive Officer of Teck Resources Limited, Canada’s largest diversified resource company, which is headquartered in British Columbia and has helped build communities across the province for over 100 years.

Deeply committed to the well-being of children, Don’s dedication is exemplified by the time and effort he puts into his fundraising activities. He led the recently completed $200 million Campaign for BC Children, a seven-year campaign to raise funds for a new Children’s Hospital and expanded pediatric care across British Columbia. Serving as chair of the campaign for seven-years, he worked alongside other mining industry and community leaders to ensure the campaign, the largest hospital fund raising initiative in Western Canada, reached its goal.

This is all part of British Columbia’s largest-ever health-care funding initiative, a $683 million redevelopment project that involves four health care/educational institutions and the provincial government. A first in Canada, this project sparked an innovative design and planning process aimed at ensuring the new hospital design is informed by the expertise and needs of patients, parents, staff, architects and others.

Don Lindsay has led the development of the Zinc Saves Kids campaign, developed in partnership with UNICEF to address zinc deficiency in children. Under his leadership, Teck – as one of the world’s largest zinc producers – launched a Zinc and Health program which has helped improve the health of more than ten million children and counting worldwide.

• Year: 2014
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Industry

Dr. Victor Ling

World renowned for his discovery of the existence and mechanisms of drug-resistant chemotherapy, Dr. Victor Ling has given hope to patients suffering from leukemia, breast and ovarian cancers and cystic fibrosis.

His research has led to the discoveries of why many patients do not respond to traditional chemotherapy treatment. He has worked relentlessly in deciphering the language of cells. One in three Canadians are affected by cancer and Dr. Ling’s work gives hope that this disease will be beaten in the coming decades.

He has co-ordinated cancer research for British Columbia for the past four years, and has attracted and inspired scientists and clinicians with his relentless pursuit of new discoveries and better treatments and cures for cancer. His inspiration is a catalyst for more than 250 research scientists and their staff. His leadership is part of the reason why the B.C. Cancer Agency boasts the best cancer treatments and research for British Columbians.

As a leader in scientific research, Victor Ling has won every major cancer research prize in the world. As a tireless campaigner for improved cancer treatment and research, he has given society a new insight and vision for confronting the treatment of cancer.

• Year: 2000
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Professions and other occupations

Anne Lippert

Anne Lippert is a trailblazer among women in business.

Having arrived in Canada as a young woman with only $50, she joined the Royal Bank of Canada and rose through junior and senior management positions to the position of Vice President and Area Manager, responsible for 18 RBC branches. This would be an incredible achievement for anyone, but particularly so for a woman starting out in the early 1960s. She was the first female RBC branch manager in BC and the first female RBC Vice President in Western Canada.

Throughout her career and now in retirement, Anne Lippert has balanced her dedication to business with an unswerving commitment to the community. Her final role with RBC was Vice President Strategic Initiatives British Columbia and Yukon with responsibilities including management of the RBC Foundation Committee.

She has chaired fundraising campaigns for the Salvation Army and BC Women’s Hospital and was Division Chair of the United Way Annual Campaign. Ms. Lippert chairs the Langara College Board of Governors and the Salvation Army Kate Booth House Community Council.

Today, Ms. Lippert spends countless hours leading initiatives for her charities of choice. Her success in banking, consulting, board membership and not-for-profit organizations makes her a most valuable contributor to the causes she supports. She is energetic and makes it clear that she wants the opportunity to contribute her best for the long term – and she does.

• Year: 2014
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia

Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia’s achievements as a community leader and philanthropist inspire and motivate British Columbians to become more involved in their communities.

Wendy contributes her entrepreneurial talent to the BC economy as chief executive officer of the Crew Management companies which employ a team of more than 500 people.

Wendy serves as trustee for the Vancouver Police Foundation, Governor of the Vancouver Board of Trade, a fellow at Royal Roads University, a director of the BC Lottery Corporation and a governor at the BC Business Council. She has been appointed to the BC Jobs and Investment Board and the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council.

She founded the annual Women’s Media Golf Classic, which has raised more than $3 million over 25 years to help children with special needs. With her husband, Wendy founded the Pacific Autism Family Foundation, a charitable organization that serves the needs of individuals and their families coping with autism spectrum disorders and related disorders. Wendy and her husband have raised over $28 million for the foundation.

Wendy has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the Justice Institute of BC, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Variety The Children’s Charity International Corporate Fundraiser of the Year award.

• Year: 2015
• City: West Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Community Leadership

Dorothy Livesay *

Dorothy Livesay, one of Canada’s best known poets, was born in Winnipeg in 1909. She was educated at the Universities of Toronto, Sorbonne and British Columbia.

Although she worked as a journalist, editor, broadcaster, teacher (including a teaching post in northern Rhodesia) social worker and university lecturer, Dorothy Livesay was best known for her poetry and prose writing.

Since her first poem appeared in the Vancouver Province newspaper some 70 years ago she went on to publish more than 25 books of poetry and prose.

She believed writing is a political act as well as an artistic one. This conviction is evident in her work which includes long documentary poems on subjects such as the internment of Japanese Canadians and shorter lyrics with more personal themes.

Dorothy Livesay’s range of interest as exemplified in her poetry was personal, sexual, social, educational, and political. Her later work was concerned with the plight of the aging in a society geared for the young.

Her chief passion was to encourage young poets in self-knowledge and self-expression.

In addition to her literary contributions, Dorothy Livesay was a passionate advocate of women’s rights, social justice and peace. She was a highly original thinker and educator.

• Year: 1992
• City: Victoria
• Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
• Category: Arts and Culture

Brandt Louie

A widely respected leader in business and philanthropy, Brandt Louie is an individual who has woven into his businesses affairs a vision for customer service, fairness, creativity and innovation.

As president and chief executive officer of H.Y. Louie Company Limited, and CEO of London Drugs Limited, Mr. Louie has brought continued success to both of the firms he has been associated with over his 25 years in business.

He has provided philanthropic support in the fields of health and wellness, medical research, education and the arts.

Mr. Louie personally leads London Drugs’ charity committee, which oversee the company’s corporate contributions. Simon Fraser University has been a major beneficiary of Mr. Louie’s generosity, as he has made significant donations to endowments in support of student scholarships and has funded many other initiatives at SFU.

He is a National Trustee of the Neuroscience Canada Foundation and has for 15 years been the Co-Chair of the Variety Club’s Cash for Kids program.

Mr. Louie has received a lifetime achievement award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC and the Queen Elizabeth the Second Golden Jubilee Medal, along with numerous other awards from business and community service groups.

He is currently serving a second term as chancellor of Simon Fraser University.

• Year: 2009
• City: West Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Chief Clarence Louie

Since Clarence Louie was elected Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band in 1985, he has consistently emphasized economic development as a means to improve his peoples’ standard of living. Under his direction, the Band has become a multi-faceted corporation that owns and manages eight successful businesses, and provides employment for hundreds of citizens.

During Chief Louie’s tenure, the Band has made several achievements, including the successful negotiation of over 1,000 acres of lease developments, the acquisition of land for the Reserve, the purchase of a viable off-reserve business, and the financing of a major golf course development. His leadership is also responsible for the initiation of the Osoyoos Indian Taxation By-law, the financing and construction of a new pre-school, daycare and grade school, and the construction of a new Health Centre and Social Services building for the Band.

Chief Louie was appointed to the board of Aboriginal Business Canada in 2001, and was listed as one of the “Top 50 Canadians to Watch” in Maclean’s Magazine in 2003. He has received the Aboriginal Business Leader Award from All Nations Trust and Development Corporation, the Economic Developer of the Year Award from the Advancement of Native Development Officers, the Inspirational Leadership Award from Aboriginal Tourism BC, and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Business and Community Development.

• Year: 2006
• City: Oliver
• Region: Thompson/Okanagan
• Category: Business

Tong Louie *

Tong Louie, chairman and Chief Executive Officer of H.Y. Louis Co. Limited and London Drugs Limited, always gave freely of his time and money to help make his community of Vancouver a better place.

He was a trustee of St. Paul’s Hospital, a member of its finance committee and Honorary Campaign Chairman of St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation. He was a director of the Pacific Otolaryngology Foundation, the B.C. and Yukon Heart Foundation and a recipient of the Variety Club’s “Golden Heart” Award for raising funds to aid the Children’s Hospital.

He was a member of the Board of Governors of the University of British Columbia and the B.C. Business Council. UBC awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Laws and Letters and in 1989, he was named to the Order of Canada. For his community leadership, the YMCA of Greater Vancouver named him 1988 Outstanding Community Volunteer Leader.

• Year: 1991
• City: Vancouver
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Business

Kathy Louis

Kathy Louis has made an immeasurable contribution over the course of many years through her work within our criminal justice system.

Born and raised on the Samson Cree Nation in Alberta, she attended residential school for six years before returning to attend school on her reserve. As well, she attended high school and college off reserve.

Ms. Louis began her career working for the City of Edmonton. She relocated to British Columbia and graduated from Simon Fraser University in 1974. Following graduation she was employed as a cultural consultant in child welfare and social service areas. Additionally, was a resource person for non-native organizations in order to better serve Aboriginal people. She joined the federal government in 1977, and was appointed to the National Parole Board the following year.

Ms. Louis spent 25 years on the board, its longest serving member. She brought a high level of awareness about cultural diversity and traditional Aboriginal cultures, culminating in 1991 with the establishment of Elder assisted parole hearings.

Ms. Louis became a central figure and advocate for restorative justice policies and practices in British Columbia, Canada and internationally.

A fine educator, motivator, innovator and community support builder, she has made a tremendous effort to build a positive relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal British Columbians.

In addition, Ms. Louis has made a significant contribution through volunteering. She sits on several boards and informally provides guidance to young Aboriginal professionals. Throughout these contributions, she has always conducted herself with integrity, passion and compassion.

Ms. Louis’ true gift is as an educator and a person who provides hope to those who previously had none.

• Year: 2008
• City: Burnaby
• Region: Mainland/Southwest
• Category: Public Service

Dr. Charles Ludgate

A physician who has dedicated his career – and his considerable skills – to improving the quality of life for men diagnosed with prostate cancer, Dr. Charles Ludgate‘s innovative treatments and committed care have made a huge difference to patients on Vancouver Island.

Dr. Ludgate has devoted his professional life to providing the best possible care for men with life-threatening prostate cancer and their families. A radiation oncologist, he has advocated successfully for regional treatment facilities, created community-based support services, developed and led educational programs and support groups, pursued research and initiated innovative treatments.

Dr. Ludgate’s treatment results for high risk, early stage, aggressive prostate cancer are the best in Canada.

He co-founded the Prostate Centre in Victoria, Canada’s first non-profit, community-based prostate centre. The centre uses volunteers – retired physicians and nurses, and prostate cancer survivors – to provide free individual consultation to men in our community. The centre also focuses on research toward a cure for prostate cancer.

Dr. Ludgate was an encouraging and supportive founding member of the Vancouver Island Prostate Cancer Research Foundation, which sponsors the Victoria Prostate Support Association. He regularly attended this self-help group’s evening meetings, providing ongoing support and information.

• Year: 2008
• City: Victoria
• Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
• Category: Professions and other occupations