Award Year: 2019

Marianne Nicolson, AOD

Marianne Nicolson is a well-known mixed media artist who utilizes painting, photography, mixed-media, sculpture, and installation to create modern depictions of traditional Kwakwaka’wakw concepts.

As an artist of Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw First Nations descent, Marianne’s training encompasses both traditional Kwakwaka’wakw forms and culture and Western European based art practice. She has exhibited widely in Canada and throughout the world since 1992 and has been vocal on issues of Aboriginal histories and politics arising from a passionate involvement in cultural revitalization and sustainability. Her work, A Lament for National Histories, questions the status of international agreements/treaties and the land jurisdiction these agreements reflect.

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.

Beth Applewhite

As founder of the first Secondary Black Student Committee in western Canada, Beth Applewhite promotes awareness and understanding amongst all students while fostering pride, dignity and inspiration in those who directly identify with Black/African heritage. As Vice-Principal at Pine Tree Secondary, Beth builds strong, strategic relationships with other community-based groups and coordinates annual youth events that have a profound impact on the lives of those she touches. Her energy and passion have reshaped cultural and racial understanding in her community.

Dr. Biju Mathew

Dr. Biju Mathew is a psychiatrist, researcher, and author of the book Super 30 – Changing the World 30 Students at a Time. His determination to help marginalized individuals struggling with mental illness and addiction is reflected in his contributions as Director of the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation and President of the BC Psychiatry Association. As founder and president of the Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society, Biju has dedicated his philanthropic efforts to highlighting the outstanding contributions made by South Asian immigrants to Canada and to raising awareness about mental health and its impact on communities.