Tony Moore is a trail builder and a primary influence in the development of multi-use trails in Terrace. Over the past 15 years, he has assisted with the design, building, and maintenance of trails in the Terrace region, enjoyed by hundreds of hikers, runners and bikers every week. In 2010, he consolidated all design input and funding for Steinhoe Ridge and helped build the trail as a volunteer and later as the supervisor of construction. Tony is responsible for the complexity and quality of the Terrace trail network – parts of which he walks almost daily to identify and resolve problem areas – that has expanded from five kilometers to over 35 today.
Award Year: 2017
Kevin Cranmer
Born in Alert Bay, but raised in Victoria, Kevin’s first experience seeing Kwakwaka’wakw art was at the age of four when his father took him to Chief Tony Hunt’s “Arts of the Raven” gallery. Inspired by his father, Danny, and encouraged by his mother, Lily, Kevin’s first formal teaching came in a grade eight native art class taught by relative George Hunt Jr, and was furthered with Tony Hunt and relatives Chief Calvin Hunt, Tony Hunt Jr, John Livingston, and Chief Frank Nelson. Kevin had the opportunity to work at Thunderbird Park at the Royal BC Museum where he assisted Nuu-chah-nulth carver, Tim Paul, on three totem pole projects: a 40-foot pole in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, a 30-foot pole at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, and a 35-foot pole for the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand. His most fulfilling work is that created for family or ceremony, and to that end he carved a Chief’s Chair for the reopening of the ‘Namgis Bighouse in Alert Bay in memory of his grandmother Gwantilakw-Agnes Cranmer. Currently, with the guidance of his uncles, Chief Calvin Hunt and John Livingston, he is carving a 40-foot totem pole in memory of his father, Daniel Earl Cranmer.
Gitxsan Development Corporation
John and Sandra Barth
John and Sandra Barth are known as diligent, behind-the-scenes volunteers, contributing at numerous community events in Burns Lake. Over the past 40 years, and always side-by-side, John and Sandra have lent their positive attitudes and energy to countless organizations, including the Burns Lake & District Seniors Society, the BC Senior Games, Terry Fox Run, the Lakes District Arts Council, along with projects for youth and rural outreach programs.
Dalvir Nahal
Dalvir Nahal leads efforts and volunteers her time to help people dealing with mental health issues, homelessness and racism. Her work has bridged communities and promoted diversity, built rooms in hospitals and cancer clinics, provided cancer treatment support for patients without health benefits, food for the homeless, health assistance for the mentally ill, and tourism ideas and green solutions for her community. Dalvir volunteers with several community organizations and foundations and has raised over $220,000 in funds for charitable causes in addition to her four community board positions.
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is an award-winning contemporary visual artist of mixed Haida and European ancestry. The descendant of iconic artists Isabella Edenshaw, Charles Edenshaw and Delores Churchill, his early training was under exceptional creators and master carvers of talented lineage. Yahgulanaas has made significant contributions to expanding the understanding of Indigenous art and ideas and has been influenced by both traditional Haida iconography and contemporary Asian visual culture. His visual practice encompasses many forms, including intimate graphic ink drawings, multi-panel watercolours, large-scale public art projects, mixed media sculptures and canvases, and illustrated publications. From repurposed ledger books to reclaimed car hoods, his works are whimsical and original. Yahgulanaas uses his art to communicate a worldview that, while particular to Haida Gwaii, is also relevant to a contemporary and internationally engaged audience.
Peterson Stone Works
Garry F. Benson Q.C.
Garry Benson believes that giving back and actively participating in your community is essential. He has volunteered his time and expertise to building a supportive community for businesses and advocating for sustainable economic growth through his role as Former Chair and Director of Kelowna’s Economic Development Commission and as Current Director of the Uptown Rutland Business Association. Garry can also be found in activities as diverse as organizing pig roasts and cooking hot dogs at community markets to donating over 1500 hours of pro-bono legal counsel to those in need.
Dr. Ralph Nilson
Dr. Ralph Nilson has worked with thoughtful dedication over many years to create opportunities for former youth in care to pursue a post-secondary education. As President and Vice-Chancellor of Vancouver Island University (VIU), he was the first university leader in BC to respond to this call and continues to be a leader in this area today. With an unwavering support for the process of reconciliation and a strong commitment to ensuring Indigenous students have access to relevant and positive post-secondary opportunities, Ralph has changed the landscape for hundreds of youth leaving care and molded VIU into a model for others to learn from.
Steven Davies
Steven Davies is a Coast Salish filmmaker and media artist of Snuneymuxw and European descent. He makes collaborative films and media art that centre spiritual, cultural, and political themes, to reconnect with Indigenous histories and epistemologies to educate himself and share with others. Steven feels a huge responsibility to the artists, knowledge keepers, and cultural leaders that have mentored and supported his growth, and the individuals whose voices and actions are shared in his work.