Award Year: 2019

Kenneth Kjenstad

For over 40 years, Kenneth (Ken) Kjenstad has been a champion for the community of Clearwater. Owner of the only grocery store in town for 25 years, Ken was the chair of the Regional Hospital Board, served as city councillor, and spearheaded numerous community events. A role model for many in local minor sports associations, Ken has used his leadership skills to implement policies and programs that ensure sport opportunities are made available to all youth in the Clearwater community.

Henry Green

Tsm’syen artist Wii Gwinaalth, (Henry Green), has an extensive record of multi-disciplinary practices in a variety of mediums and has been involved in local and international exhibitions. Henry’s art embodies a spiritual process and his work is guided by blending Tsm’syen mythology with historical, ideological and modern references. He credits Haida artists Freda Diesing and her nephew, Don Yeomans, for stimulating his interest in the arts and in woodcarving. Henry’s artistic practice includes the training of over 400 apprentices and mentoring many young artists, therefore ensuring the continuance of Tsm’syen cultural knowledge and traditions for future generations.

Margaret Lidkea

Margaret Lidkea’s contributions to ecological restoration and education are legendary in her Victoria community. For over two decades, she has been one of the most visible proponents of protection and stewardship of Uplands Park in Oak Bay. A committed volunteer, Margaret works with local school boards to develop and deliver outdoor programs and has ensured that several generations of children have grown up with an appreciation and respect for the natural world in which they live.

Maynard Johnny Jr.

Coast Salish artist, Maynard Johnny Jr., has been drawing portraits of his family and replicating comics since early childhood. His exploration of First Nations Art began at age 17 when he designed and created his first painting on a seven-foot by three-foot door skin panel. Primarily self-taught, Maynard has been influenced by accomplished artists and has expanded his reach significantly, designing logo and identity pieces for organizations, movie sets and television series. An internationally recognized artist, Maynard’s work continues to share the beauty of Coast Salish art through graphic painting, wood, glass, large metal sculptures and precious metals.

Jeffrey Lott

Retired RCMP Superintendent Jeffrey (Jeff) Lott is a dedicated volunteer leader. As a stem cell courier with the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society Jeff has taken more than 20 trips across the world to pick up stem cells for Vancouver General and BC Children’s hospitals. For 17 years he served as an Honorary Aide De Camp for the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and is an active board member for a number of Nanaimo’s social agencies. Jeff was also the President of the 2014 BC Summer Games in Nanaimo.

Doreen Manuel

A member of the Neskonlith First Nation, Doreen learned traditional beading from her grandmother. Her mother was also an intricate bead artist who taught Doreen that she should learn to bead well so she could use her work, when necessary, to provide for her family. Now Doreen beads for her love of the art, carrying on the legacy of her traditions with future generations. Doreen is the sixth child of Grand Chief Dr. George Manuel and spiritual leader Marceline Manuel and comes from a long line of Indigenous oral historians and storytellers.