Marianne Nicolson is a well-known mixed media artist who utilizes painting, photography, mixed-media, sculpture, and installation to create modern depictions of traditional Kwakwaka’wakw concepts.
As an artist of Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw First Nations descent, Marianne’s training encompasses both traditional Kwakwaka’wakw forms and culture and Western European based art practice. She has exhibited widely in Canada and throughout the world since 1992 and has been vocal on issues of Aboriginal histories and politics arising from a passionate involvement in cultural revitalization and sustainability. Her work, A Lament for National Histories, questions the status of international agreements/treaties and the land jurisdiction these agreements reflect.
For nearly three decades, Neil Brewer has gone beyond the call of duty as a member of the Kent Harrison Search and Rescue (SAR) team. Known throughout the province by other SAR teams for his determination, skill and exemplary leadership, Neil has been involved in more than 600 SAR tasks. As a board member of the BC SAR Association, Neil volunteers his time helping secure vital funding for essential equipment for provincial SAR groups. His efforts led to the establishment of the new Kent Harrison SAR headquarters in Agassiz.
Sukhmeet Sachal’s achievements reflect his dedication to promoting acceptance and diversity among all students. After graduating from university, he spent six months in Inuvik, NWT volunteering at the local school and tutoring Indigenous students in math and sciences. While there, Sukhmeet developed the program Break the Divide to encourage cross-cultural dialogue between Indigenous youth in the Northwest Territories and BC high school students. An advocate for inclusiveness, gender equality, mental health and survivors of domestic violence, Sukhmeet is a change maker who leads by example.
Tseax (See-ax) Development Group is a consulting firm that provides strategic business advice to the private and public sector. Art Mercer, President and CEO, lives by the proverb “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” and has rendered it into a business development approach that focuses on supporting partnerships between industry and Indigenous entrepreneurs while advocating for training and apprenticeship.
Evelyn (Eve) Corlett has cared for children on the Sunshine Coast for almost 40 years, providing around-the-clock childcare services to families over multiple generations. As owner of a family-run daycare, Eve has significantly contributed to the “quality of life” for hundreds of people in the community, and created an extended family by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds. The essential service Eve provides has enabled many community members to continue to live and raise their family on the coast while handling the daily demands of work and family life.
Lyda Salatian founded the Lower Mainland Green Team (LMGT) in 2011 to engage Canadians in environmental actions within their community and encourage a sense of belonging while raising awareness. When Lyda saw a large young demographic seize the opportunity to be engaged in environmental activities, she was inspired to create the charity Green Teams of Canada and, add a second program – the Greater Victoria Green Team. Thanks to Lyda’s leadership, thousands of Canadians are now actively caring for their local green spaces.
Nechako Valley Animal Health Services provides quality veterinary care to pets, horses and livestock while offering outreach programs that focus on animal health and well being in remote and under-served rural and Indigenous communities in northern BC. Dr. Cori Stephens has built her clinic from a one vet to two vet practice; diversified the services offered; and reached out to areas that are in need due to lack of qualified professionals in northern BC.
