Five Vancouverites were in Victoria this week to receive awards for their volunteerism.
Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon handed out the awards at Government House Tuesday afternoon.
The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers honours the exceptional volunteer achievements of citizens across the country. Eight British Columbians received the award this week, including four Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»residents.
Steven Hanuse has served as the liaison between the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Police Department and Musqueam First Nation. He has established a good rapport between the two groups, which has led to a reduction in crime and a safer community.
Rick Lavallee is an Aboriginal liaison officer in the VPD’s diversity and aboriginal policing section. He is dedicated to ensuring safety and a positive connection with members of the urban Indigenous population, working as a youth mentor and communicating the needs of the community to the department.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»police officer Desiree Sparrow is one of the few Indigenous officers representing the department in the Aboriginal Employment Initiative. With her endearing nature and wisdom, she has gained the trust of First Nations community members and liaises with the department to make sure their needs are met.
For nearly a decade, Collin van Uchelen was worked with the Heart of Belonging workshop, Vancouver’s Collective House Network and Kitsilano Neighbourhood House to empower citizens and promote community engagement in the city. He strives to connect people in a profound and productive capacity, and constantly works to build bonds and remove barriers between individuals.
At the same ceremony, Vancouver’s Karen Joseph was awarded the Meritorious Service Decoration (civil division). Joseph founded Reconciliation Canada to promote meaningful dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians about our shared past and a unified nation. Her initiatives include the city’s Walk for Reconciliation, history courses on residential schools and workshops for multicultural communities.
