Fourteen exceptional civic leaders, 4 of which are from Vancouver Island, will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province's highest form of recognition.
"I am so pleased to share congratulations with the inspiring individuals joining the Order of British Columbia this year," announced Lt. Gov. Janet Austin, chancellor of the order. "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."
This year, 203 British Columbians were nominated for the order. More than half of the nominations came from the Lower Mainland, with the remaining coming from other regions throughout the province. Since its inception, 432 British Columbians have been appointed to the order from all regions of the province, and in numbers generally proportionate to a region's population.
"British Columbia is strong because of our people. This year's recipients represent the diversity and strength of our province," said Premier John Horgan. "They have all dedicated their lives to making B.C. a better place, and I commend them for their tremendous achievements and service."
This year's recipients from Vancouver Island are:
Carey Newman, M.S.M., Victoria:
Carey is an Indigenous artist, master carver, singer, volunteer and well-known speaker about the spirit of reconciliation. He created the Witness Blanket, a powerful monument to the impact of the residential school era and the healing journey of First Nations.
The Honourable David Anderson, P.C., O.C., Victoria:
David is a federal and provincial politician, who has 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.
Tracey Herbert, Brentwood Bay:
Originally of the St'uxwtews First Nation (Bonaparte Band) in the Thompson Okanagan, Tracey Herbert 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 in B.C., and led the development of an award-winning exhibit on Indigenous languages of B.C., showing the critical level of endangerment of B.C.'s First Nations' languages.
William (Bill) Millerd, C.M., Denman Island:
Bill 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 Order of British Columbia investiture ceremony will be held for recipients and invited guests at Government House in Victoria on Sept. 20, 2018.