Award Year: 2022

Brendan Eshom

Brendan Eshom is a member of the Gitga’at (Hartley Bay) First Nation. He graduated from Prince Rupert’s Charles Hays Secondary School as valedictorian in 2020 and is currently studying in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia. Brendan is a long-time advocate for Ts’msyen culture and heritage. Brendan took advantage of School District 52’s language education programs to become conversant in Sm’algyax, the language of the Ts’msyen Nation. He became a regular speaker at public events, delivering greetings in Sm’algyax, and providing the English translation of spoken addresses by Elders. 

Throughout 2018 and 2019 Brendan worked with Indigenous speakers of Sm’algyax and educators, preparing for the launch of a website dedicated to sharing the language, one word at a time. The site – www.smalgyaxword.ca – launched in 2019. Since then, the online resource has grown and expanded into social media. In mid-2020, Brendan launched a complementary mobile app that further amplifies his mission to document and share the Sm’algyax language. Further developments include a daily text message subscription service and Braille alphabet. 

Brendan’s language advocacy work has been widely reported by media and recognized by his community as part of a new generation of Indigenous cultural leadership. Through his dedication to the preservation of Ts’msyen heritage, Brendan is connecting the past and present in a way that builds understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. “Part of my vision for this project has been to promote dialogue, both in and about the   Sm’algyax language,” Eshom says. “People have all kinds of reasons they want to learn a specific word, and this allows them to share their unique interest with the community of Sm’algyax learners and allies.” 

T̓łaḵwagila - Chief Bill Cranmer

T̓łaḵwagila – Chief Bill Cranmer has been a strong, and vital voice for the sustainment of the ‘Namgis First Nation language and culture. He led the repatriation of cultural objects including masks, bentwood boxes, and regalia that were confiscated under duress in 1921 after a Kwakwaka’wakw potlatch held in the village of ‘Mimkwamlis on Village Island, BC. The confiscation was sanctioned through Canada’s “Anti Potlatch Law” which existed between 1884-1951. Twenty community members were sent to be imprisoned at the other end of the province because of practicing their traditions.   

A fluent speaker of Kwak’wala, Bill worked tirelessly to retrieve the appropriated pieces and raise awareness about need to preserve and maintain language, history and culture. The repatriation of the some of the 750 confiscated items has had a significant, positive impact on the community. He has travelled to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere to share the story and present on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations and the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation.    

As Chief Councillor of the ‘Namgis First Nation, Bill negotiated economic treaties to develop businesses for his nation to prosper. Bill has spent numerous terms on the Executive Board of the Native Brotherhood of BC and has been an Elder / Cornerpost with the First Nations Health Authority, giving historical and cultural input into meetings. His efforts in the preservation of First Nations’ traditions have gone a very long way towards reconciliation. In a speech at the opening of the U’mista Cultural Centre, which houses much of the reclaimed potlatch items, in 1980 he said, “It’s important to know your past if you are going to fight for your future.”   

  

Carol Camille

Carol Camille is the Executive Director of the Lillooet Friendship Centre Society (LFCS), serving her community for the past 13 years. She has organized and led the LFSC team with courage and energy to support hundreds of clients and members. Carol has been at the helm through significant challenges: the pandemic, economic hardships, fires, floods, landslides, road closures, homelessness and more. Because of her strength and dedication, the LFCS stayed open through the pandemic providing much needed services to the community.

Carol also works with the food bank and local grocers to provide food for those in need. These food sharing services reach neighbouring communities including Bralorne, Fountain and Goldbridge. When nearby Lytton was ravaged by wildfires in 2021, the LFCS was transformed into a dormitory with meals, medical attention and counselling offered to evacuees. As a proud Secwepemc woman from Tk’emlups, Carol ensures traditions and culture are actively featured and promoted in every way at LFCS.

Herman Ho, MB, AdeC

For over 40 years, Herman Ho has engaged in a range of volunteer activities improving the quality of life of those around him. His community service began at an early age and after serving with Scouts and Rovers, Herman became a volunteer with the Salvation Army. At the age of 17 he formed the Traffic Auxiliary Corps through collaborations with the Vancouver Police Department and Insurance Corporation of British Columbia on campaigns directed at youth on drinking and driving, seatbelt use and pedestrian safety. Herman subsequently became involved with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards as a leader and assessor for 15 years where he supported over 1,000 youth to achieve the Award.

Herman volunteered with St. John Ambulance (British Columbia and Yukon) for over 30 years serving as Provincial Chair and Provincial Commissioner. In 2007 he was appointed an Honorary Aide de Camp to the Lieutenant Governor and has served three consecutive Lieutenant Governors culminating to his current appointment as Chief Honorary Aide de Camp. In addition to his outstanding volunteer service to his community, Herman displayed tremendous courage by saving a man from drowning in the Fraser River in 1993 and was recognized with the Medal of Bravery.

Dr. Faisal Khosa

An award-winning radiologist and scholar, Dr. Faisal Khosa excels as a clinician-scientist. His work as a mentor, educator and advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) has created a legacy for his profession and also the larger BC community. With more than 240 peer-reviewed scholarly publications, Dr. Khosa’s research has catalyzed initiatives to increase the accessibility of higher education and achievement for underrepresented students. He has created actionable guidelines for institutions in BC and Canada for the equitable inclusion of students, educators and physicians.

Dr. Khosa serves as a mentor for students belonging to underrepresented groups including female, refugee, BIPOC and those with physical and mental disabilities empowering them through hands-on EDI workshops. His purpose and dream are to ensure a level playing field and enable those who have been historically marginalized with the opportunities to shine.

Dr. Khosa was named the 2022 Mitchell Award recipient. Named in honour of Keith Mitchell QC, the Mitchell Award recognizes an individual who, through his or her work and volunteer activities, has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to elevating the community in which they live, and those who serve it. The recipient has a unique and selfless leadership style that encourages and inspires the full participation of those he or she leads. Keith Mitchell served as the BC Achievement Foundation’s Founding Chair and guiding light for 13 years. A leader by example and a mentor at heart, Keith brought clarity to the role of the Foundation in its mission to celebrate excellence in British Columbia.

David Amrik Lau

David Lau has made significant contributions to Greater Victoria. In 2012 he became the Executive Director of the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) and led the transformation of the struggling organization by innovating its programming and human services, stabilizing its finances and workforce, and making it a nationally recognized centre for trauma-based services and collaboration. His service has enhanced the community for immigrants, refugees, and Canadians-in-waiting while enriching connections to existing communities through multiculturalism, anti-racism, business, culture, and the arts.

In 2017, David conceptualized and led the formation of the Victoria Social Innovation Centre (VSIC). This first-in-BC organization unites like-minded human service agencies to create a collaborative enterprise. A notable service of the VSIC that David led is the Little Phoenix Child Care which helps preschool children learn how to manage early traumatic memories. David also established Vancouver Island’s first refugee housing project, a multi-building project with embedded re-settlement services that provide a safe, welcoming community environment for refugees.

Lawrie Mack

The Columbia Valley Food Bank (CVFB) is indebted to Lawrie Mack for his exceptional work in the local community. During his four-year tenure as chair, his leadership increased the organization’s profile, accessibility to services and inclusivity. The CVFB went from a small community organization to one with an active, engaged board and volunteer base. Lawrie instigated a delivery program to include more remote communities, reaching individuals and families who were previously unable to access services.

Lawrie was instrumental and highly involved in tackling another integral initiative – a new facility for CVFB. He took the lead in negotiating an agreement with the district to finance and build on land owned by the town. Lawrie wrote multiple grant proposals to cover building expenses, oversaw the hiring of a project manager to handle the construction, encouraged the provision of “in kind” donations from businesses and organizations, and became the face of the biggest project the CVFB had ever undertaken.