Award Year: 2012

Falcon Contracting Ltd.

Falcon Contracting and its associated companies have been implementing major contracts in the oil and gas, mining and forestry industries over the past 16 years. Owners Zane and Diane Pickering create a positive working environment and are committed to safety, environmental sensitivity and social responsibility.

Catherine Belleau

“If children are our future, then we are in good hands with Catherine Belleau’s dedication,” says Esk’etemc Chief Fred Robbins. A First Nations elder, Cathy has enriched the lives of three generations of her First Nations community. It was thirty-five years ago that Cathy began her work with the daycare centre, serving the community’s infants, toddlers and youth with gentle loving care. She has been instrumental in keeping the Day Care Centre open in some of the most challenging times. She has mentored the child care workers who have followed in her footsteps. Cathy has supported her work with educational upgrades such as receiving her Infant and Toddler Certificate at the age of 60. When asked how long she will continue, she replies…”as long as I feel young, I’ll keep going”.

Larry Jorgenson

Progressive individuals like Larry Jorgenson recognize that people and place are intimately linked. For over thirty-three years, Larry’s focus has been the integration of economic, environmental and social development in Bella Bella. Founder and Executive Director of Qqs Project Society, Larry has spearheaded dozens of collaborative partnerships that promote the stewardship of the Heiltsuk traditional territories and empower youth to reconnect with their cultural identity. The Heiltsuk Cabins Project, the Koeye River Valley youth camps and field science internships, the first all-ages community library, the Koeye Café, are examples of Larry’s tremendous legacy. Everyday, Larry brings strength to the Heiltsuk community through his vision and ideas.

Norman Tait

Innovative master artist Norman Tait is widely celebrated for the exquisite craftsmanship and beauty of his work. The designs are clean, the carving is immaculate and expressive. But more than that, his pieces evoke strong feelings in people who see them. Because he’s a storyteller, speaking in an authentic, distinctive Nisga’a voice. Norman Tait’s style is like no other; unique yet respectful of the Tsimshian tradition that is his cultural foundation. Early influences – Freda Diesing (design), Gerry Marks (silver engraving) and his father, Josiah Tait (poles) – contributed to Norman becoming the foremost Nisga’a artist working in wood, precious metals and graphics. His poles have been raised around the world, in places like Port Edward, Chicago, London, Osaka, Stanley Park and UBC’s Museum of Anthropology.

Jobkat Excavating

Jobkat Excavating is a landscaping/forestry business offering equipment rental, forestry mulching, skidding and landscaping services. Projects have ranged from residential construction to skidding for BC Hydro Columbia Valley Transmission Line and the BC Ministry of Forests.

Jerome Bouvier

Jerome Bouvier, executive director of the award-winning PoCoMo Youth Services Society, is celebrated today for his dedication to the youth of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. He is particularly known for an innovative program that reaches out to troubled youth. The concept is brilliant…take a vehicle…known as the youth bus…to areas where young people naturally congregate. Then engage and build relationships in a nurturing and non-judgmental environment. The program called Project Reach Out works because youth respond positively to resources that establish a relationship first and an intervention second. Thousands of young people have been affected by the program. Jerome Bouvier’s contributions of innovation and determination have made his community a better place.

David Sanghyuck Kim

Throughout his school career, David has shown exemplary leadership. He was recognized by the City of Nanaimo with the Junior Citizen of the Year Award for his wide-ranging school and extracurricular activities. Now at the University of British Columbia, he has been elected president of the Coordinated Science Program and has served as a student councillor with the Alma Mater Society. He was instrumental in setting up the UBC chapter of Students Offering Support, a national network of student volunteers. David was Chief Operating Officer of the World Model United Nations conference, held this past March in Vancouver, attended by over 2,000 student delegates. David is an outstanding ambassador for youth in British Columbia.