Carey Newman (left), David Anderson (centre) and Tracey Herbert (right) were awarded the Order of B.C. (Herbert photo-fpcc)
The province’s highest honour has recognized three Vancouver Island residents.
David Anderson, a former MP and MLA, Carey Newman, an indigenous artist and Tracey Herbert a leader in First Nations language preservation and revitalization have all been awarded the Order of B.C, along with 11 others.
Anderson was recognized for his worked to safeguard coastal waters and wetland areas from environmental pollution in his capacity as an elected official and in many roles on special committees and panels.
He worked as an MLA for Victoria in 1972 to 75 and as an MP for Esquimalt and Saanich in 1968 to 1972, and Victoria from 1993 to 2006.
He was the Minister of National Revenue, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and eventually became Canada’s longest-serving Environment Minister.
Newman, a master carver, singer, volunteer and well-known speaker about the spirit of reconciliation created the Witness Blanket, a powerful monument to the impact of the residential school era and the healing journey of First Nations.
He created the project using hundreds of objects from residential schools, to honour truth, and help Canadians start a conversation about residential schools and colonialism in Canada.
READ MORE: Your Country, Your Story: First Nation Master Carver Carey Newman
Herbert of the St’uxwtews First Nation has served in the public service for more than 30 years in the areas of health education, employment, community development and strategic planning.
For the past 16 years, she has been instrumental in First Nations language preservation and revitalization, and led the development of an award-winning exhibit on Indigenous languages of B.C., showing the critical level of endangerment of the province’s First Nations’ languages.
“These exceptional recipients are pillars of our communities who have demonstrated excellence and distinction in their fields. I wish to extend my thanks to all new members for their commitment to meaningful work that leaves a lasting legacy, which benefits and elevates our province for future generations,” said Lt. Gov. Janet Austin, chancellor of the order in a statement.
William (Bill) Millerd, of Denman Island was also recognized.
He has devoted more than four decades to nurturing the growth of professional theatre in British Columbia. Under his leadership, the Arts Club Theatre Company is now the third-largest theatre company in Canada and operates out of the newly built BMO Theatre Centre in the former Olympic Village district.
The other 10 recipients are:
- Deborah Abbey, New Westminster
- Domenic Cuccione, Port Moody
- Brian Fehr, Vancouver
- Anne Giardini, O.C
- Andrew Way Yin Joe, Vancouver
- Grand Chief Percy Joe, Merritt
- Mary Kitagawa, Delta
- Brenda Martens, Vancouver
- George Melville, White Rock
- Brian Minter, Chilliwack
Julian Kolsut
