Four Vancouverites have been appointed to the Order of B.C., joining the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Bryan Adams, and Trevor Linden.
Lily Lee, Brenda (Xyolholemo:t) Crabtree, qiyəplenəxw VII Howard Grant, and Gary Segal, C.M., have all joined the order, which was created in 1989 as the the province's highest honour, celebrating the people who have excelled in their fields and brought prestige to B.C.
This year 12 people where named to the order, including Lee, Crabtree, Grant and Segal.
Crabtree has been an important figure in B.C.'s indigenous art world. A member of the Spuzzum Band, she's spent decades not only as an artist, but as a leader working with a variety of organizations, including several significant roles over the years at Emily Carr University.
"She played a pivotal role in the First Nations Art award program and the establishment of the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist designation," reads her Order of B.C. bio. "Her efforts in expanding art exhibitions and supporting the BC Reconciliation Award highlight her dedication to reconciliation and cultural preservation."
Grant, currently a councillor with the Musqueam Indian Band, has spent decades working as a leader in First Nations governance locally and provincially. Notably, he's been key to organizations like the MST Development Corporation, the First Nations Health Authority, and the First Nations Finance Authority.
"His multi-cultural heritage, with a Chinese father and Musqueam mother, fuels his mission to promote cultural understanding, evidenced by his work producing films highlighting the connections between Chinese and First Nations communities," reads his bio.
Lily Lee's name may be familiar to anyone who works, lives or is often in the Downtown Eastside, thanks to the Lily Lee Community Health Centre Hastings. Educated as a nurse, Lee and her husband RObert H. Lee (who was named to the order in 1990) became philanthropists.
"Together with her late husband, Robert H. Lee, Lily's philanthropy has shaped Vancouver with contributions to the Robert and Lily Lee Family Community Health Centre, the Robert Lee YMCA, the Robert H. Lee Graduate School, the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre and establishing the Lily Lee Scholarship in Nursing at the University of British Columbia," reads her bio.
Segal, a real estate investor and philanthropist, is not the first person in his family to be named to the order, as his father, Joe Segal, and brother, Lorne Segal, were previously appointed. And Segal himself has been named to the Order of Canada.
"Notably, as capital campaign chair for Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon, Gary played a pivotal role in raising $32 million to establish a new, state-of-the-art facility at B.C. Children’s Hospital, vastly expanding support for over 2,000 families annually across B.C. and Yukon," reads his bio.
Along with the four Vancouverites, eight other people were named to the order this year, including Juno-award winner Colin James from North Vancouver. They are:
- John Anderson of West Vancouver "for transforming global farming with sustainable practices and championing community causes."
- Karimah Es Sabar of West Vancouver "for being a pioneering force in B.C.’s health care and life sciences sectors."
- Don Mattrick of Victoria "for transforming B.C.’s tech landscape from a basement startup to global leadership."
- William P.J. McCarthy of Burnaby "for his historic and transformative support of health care and community as one of B.C.’s most impactful philanthropists."
- Colin James Munn of North Vancouver "for shaping Canadian music with his guitar mastery, electrifying performances and unwavering dedication to his community."
- Imant Raminsh, C.M. of Coldstream "for enriching B.C.’s cultural life with his profound contributions as a composer, conductor, teacher and mentor."
- Elana Rosenfeld of Invermere "for her business acumen leading Canada’s largest organic coffee company, unwavering commitment to sustainability and championing of conservation efforts."
- Catherine Ulrich of Prince George "for her legacy of leadership and innovation in Northern Health care."
At the same time, the province announced 18 people have been named awarded the Medal of Good Citizenship.
- Louise Allen of East Vancouver "for championing affordable housing."
- Helen Campbell and Bill Erving of Saanich "for transforming lives through agriculture."
- Janice Dallaire, Invermere "for pioneering fire rescue."
- Mary Daniel of Port Moody "for inclusion and empowerment advocacy."
- Dale Douglas and Murray Stewart of Victoria "for driving success of childrens charities."
- Rabiah Dhaliwal of Surrey "for promoting community empowerment and mental-health equity."
- Donna Furneaux of Qualicum Beach "for a lifelong commitment to resilience and community service."
- Steve Hamilton of Prince George "for conservation and community stewardship advocacy."
- Matthew Heneghan of Falkland "for mental-health advocacy and dedication to veterans."
- Jim Kojima, C.M., of Richmond "for a lifetime of dedication to martial arts and community service."
- Christopher Lee of Vancouver "for inspiring youth to volunteer."
- Reihaneh Mirjani of Coquitlam "for addressing food insecurity."
- Margaret Mubanda of Surrey "for working toward the elimination of poverty and social exclusion in the Lower Mainland."
- Lawrence Napier of Mackenzie "for promoting volunteerism and community spirit."
- Thelma Rodriguez of Pitt Meadows "for migrant farm-worker support and advocacy in the Fraser Valley."
- Carla Stephenson of Ymir "for championing arts and community engagement in the Kootenays."
