Haisla Nation Chief Councillor Ellis Ross joins 24 other distinguished B.C. citizens as he receives the Order of British Columbia.
The prestigious award recognizes people who have contributed to the province in “extraordinary ways.”
Ross said he only learned about the recognition about a week before they were publicly announced on May 28.
Ross joins a number of other recipients, including First Nations leader Chief Chester Moore of Terrace, a hereditary chief and promoter of Nisga’a culture.
Ross said he doesn’t know much about how he got nominated but is pleased for the recognition it means for him and his whole community.
“It’s really exciting to, basically, know that the work that we’ve done as a council and as a community is actually finally getting recognition and getting results,” he said. “It’s not me. I’m just a face of the organization. I could never do this job on my own.”
Recipients of the Order of B.C. are selected by an advisory committee, from of candidates selected from public nomination.
The official ceremony will take place on November 6.
“The Order of British Columbia is the province’s most prestigious accolade,” said Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon in a news release. “For 25 years, we have publicly recognized those who have dedicated themselves to bettering the lives of their fellow citizens. These recipients exemplify the positive difference one person can make in a community and are an inspiration to all British Columbians.”
“The Order of British Columbia recognizes remarkable accomplishments by extraordinary
British Columbians,” said Premier Christy Clark, also in a release. “On behalf of all British Columbians, I want to thank this year’s recipients for their dedication – and all they do to make B.C. better.”
The official news release on this is available here.