Award Year: 2013

Ingrid Jeffrey is honoured today for her work with children affected by all types of physical, mental health and educational special needs. Building on the foundation of the Variety Learning Centre that she helped found in 1991, Ingrid established the Mediated Learning Academy, a school that serves special needs’ children. As Director of the Academy, Ingrid has created a caring place for children to thrive and to reach their maximum potential. Every day, Ingrid makes every one of her students know how they can make a difference in the world. Ingrid is an inspiring, compassionate and dedicated educator.

We are privileged to honour Dr. James McEwen for his technological innovation, his entrepreneurial spirit and his profound commitment to the public good. He is the driving force behind the medical device industry in BC. A biomedical engineer, Jim invented a surgical tourniquet device that is used more than 20,000 times a day in medical procedures around the world. It is the co- founding of the not-for-profit Medical Device Development Centre that is one of his great successes. This centre helps companies from BC succeed in the development, manufacturing and sale of home-grown BC medical devices on the world market. He has also served as President of the Board of the ALS society of British Columbia. Entrepreneur, inventor, philanthropist, mentor and volunteer.

Kelly Mann is recognized today for his promotion of sport, volunteerism and community engagement. As a community volunteer, his work with Kidsport Victoria has been integral to the organization’s success. As President & CEO of the BC Games Society, his impact on thousands of athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials is legendary. With enthusiastic leadership, organizational expertise and team spirit, Kelly has carefully nurtured a lasting legacy in all the host communities of BC Games by working with mayors and community leaders to ensure positive outcomes. Kelly’s ability to create results speaks directly to his quality of work, great sense of humour and ability to engage all in a shared vision.

Amrit Maharaj embodies what it means to be a valued volunteer – he gives of himself completely, never expecting anything in return. Amrit volunteers at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Vancouver where he is a family support volunteer and a mentor to other volunteers. With humour, compassion and empathy, Amrit offers assistance wherever asked – often in circumstances that are extremely difficult. Among his other volunteer activities, Amrit has worked at fundraising events throughout the city, the UBC Meal Exchange, Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Vancouver Foodbank. Amrit has also been known to contribute anonymously to children and organizations that need help and support.

Gray Creek is a remote settlement on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, about an hour and half’s drive from Nelson. Owner and operator of the landmark Gray Creek Store for more than 50 years….an enterprise his Father established in 1911 and his son continues today. Tom Lymbery is the community’s driving force. He has been involved in everything from business to health to transportation to tourism to sports to emergency services, to name only a few. We applaud his enthusiasm for preserving the community’s history for future generations through his writings and willingness to share his knowledge. In Gray Creek, Tom Lymbery is the keeper of community memory…its story teller…and its inexhaustible promoter.

Jason Louie is an innovative thinker with a clear vision for the success of his community. Elected chief of the Lower Kootenay band in 2011, Jason worked quickly to establish excellent working relationships between the Lower Kootenay Band and key agencies in the Creston Valley such as the RCMP, Mayor and Town Council and College of the Rockies, to name a few. He openly built bridges that share the Ktunaxa (Too-na-ha) culture and history. And, in this way, he has created the awareness and knowledge that makes these relationships thrive. At the same time, in his First Nation community, he is engaging the young people in preserving their language, culture and traditions.

Her nominators describe Susan Lane as a revolutionary. For over 25 years, Susan has made an extraordinary difference in the lives of infants and youth with hearing loss. A speech-language pathologist and audiologist, Susan led the BC Family Hearing Resource Society, introducing services and a facility that maximized communication and language development for children across the Province. Now the Provincial Intervention Coordinator with the BC Early Hearing Program, Susan ensures that every infant is screened for hearing in the hours or days after birth. Susan is acknowledged as visionary by families, her colleagues, and peers for her groundbreaking approaches to managing youth and infant hearing loss.

Internationally acclaimed Cree – Soh-Toe performing artist Margo Kane has created a dynamic theatre company called Full Circle that showcases the great stories, talents and artistic traditions of Aboriginal peoples. The Talking Stick Festival, her annual celebration in the Lower Mainland, brings a wide range of artistic forms to a diverse audience. The community outreach from this Festival is exemplary – from Workshops in School to community ticket programs and field trip programs, Margo has enabled thousands to enjoy the performing arts. Margo Kane’s creative spirit is indomitable whether as a mentor, a producer, a storyteller, an artist or a nurturer.

Lennette McLean is recognized today for her outstanding contributions to Dease Lake and the Stikine Region. An exemplary citizen, she has gone above and beyond to be a courageous leader for a never-ending list of boards, committees, clubs and events. From the breakfast program at the school to driving elders to overseeing the building of the first Recreation Centre, Lennette does not have the word ‘no’ in her vocabulary. Now living in Smithers where her children are attending high school… she is still known in Dease Lake, as the energy source that motivated others to get involved and participate in creating a healthy community.