West Vancouver honoured nine individuals with Community Awards on June 9, 2022, at a special presentation held at Kay Meek Arts Centre.
The awards were presented by members of West Vancouver Council, with winners selected by the District’s Awards Committee. Learn more about the 2022 Community Award Winners!
ARTS & CULTURE – XWALACKTUN (RICK HARRY)
Xwalacktun is being recognized for his exceptional contributions to the arts in West Vancouver.
Xwalacktun is a Squamish Nation artist whose works are recognized internationally. An accomplished artist in wood, paper, stone, glass, and metals.
Xwalacktun has been involved in the public education system since 1980, contributing to enhancing the experience of thousands of children and educators with song, dance, art, and storytelling.
Xwalacktun has participated in the Harmony Arts Festival for many years by supporting and mentoring artists at the carving tent
Xwalacktun has generously volunteered for many programs and events sharing the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) culture with the community and donating several works of art to various fundraising initiatives.
Recent significant works can be seen at the West Vancouver Community Centre (30-foot conference room panel), Capilano University (Chancellor’s mace), and West Vancouver Secondary School (welcome carving), among many others.
He is currently working on double doors for the West Vancouver school district.
HERITAGE – JENNIFER CLAY
Jennifer Clay is being recognized for her exceptional contribution to the preservation of North Shore’s heritage through conservation, projects, advocacy, and education.
Jennifer is currently the Vice President of the North Shore Heritage Preservation Society.
She is actively involved and passionate about saving heritage resources, buildings, and homes.
Her friends and colleagues are enthusiastic about her passion, commitment, and dedication to all matters heritage, and her effort to bring attention to a wide variety of interesting heritage topics.
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT – GODFREY LYNUM
Godfrey Lynum, a lifelong resident of West Vancouver, is being recognized for his significant impact and substantial contribution to the well-being of the community.
Godfrey has significantly contributed to the West Vancouver Police Department for over 20 years. In 1994, he was instrumental in establishing Block Watch in his Ambleside neighbourhood.
Godfrey also volunteered for over 25 years with the West Vancouver Seniors’ Centre.
In addition to his volunteer work, Godfrey is a committed philanthropist, making regular donations to charitable organizations such as the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, the Salvation Army, and West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation.
Currently, he is co-sponsoring a local initiative to pronounce a Pay it Forward Day in West Vancouver.
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT – TERRI GREEN
Terri Green is being recognized for her contributions to the community in different aspects, including sports, film, education, and youth events.
Terri Green has served on the board of the Enhance West Van since 2017, supporting different initiatives such as the Pumpkin Fest and the Forum for Dialogue and Learning, among others.
She has volunteered with the PAC and the DPAC during her children’s elementary school years.
Terri has also volunteered in the West Van Run and other sports events.
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT – YANG WANG
Yang Wang is being recognized for his dedication and leadership to local organizations, promoting cultural diversity and engagement in the community.
Yang has been a Director of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce since 2018, where his support and leadership have contributed to the well-being of the business community.
Yang directed the visioning and the execution of the Chinese New Year events, collaborating to a broader involvement of the Asian community in events such as the Bridge Festival.
He is actively involved and taking leadership roles in a variety of non-profit organizations across the North Shore, including Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, Enhance West Van, and West Vancouver Foundation.
HEALTH, WELLNESS & ACTIVITY – RUTH BURR
Ruth Burr is being recognized for her significant contribution to enhancing mental, physical, and emotional well-being, as well as active lifestyles in the community.
Ruth is the President of the West Van Football Club. Prior to taking on the role as president, Ruth was a team manager and also a director serving on the Board.
She has been a devoted contributor to the club and sees it as being more than just a sports club; she sees it as a major legacy project that will support children of all sports on the North Shore.
Despite the interruptions and the limitations that COVID-19 placed on all sports, West Van FC was able to continue providing safe programs, and ultimately even increasing their membership.
Ruth works passionately to ensure the soccer club provides a place of belonging and connection between players and parents, contributing to the well-being of many youths and adults in our community.
ENVIRONMENT AWARD – FREDA PAGANI
Freda Pagani is being recognized for her active contributions to environmental stewardship, protection, and education.
Freda has been actively involved in a variety of non-profit organizations, including the West Vancouver Advisory Design Panel, the West Vancouver Advisory Planning Commission, and the West Vancouver Housing Working Group.
She was the founder and Director of Sustainability at UBC. As a member of Force of Nature North Shore, she advocated for more efficient and effective public bus transportation.
Freda has made major contributions through her participation in the West Vancouver Community Energy and Emissions Plan and the West Vancouver Climate Action Working Group.
ENVIRONMENT AWARD – LORI WILLIAMS
Lori Williams is being recognized for her outstanding contributions to environmental causes in our community.
Lori was chair of the Coastal Marine Management Working Group and participated in the Coastal Marine Management Plan report, which was approved by Council in February 2022.
She was part of the team that organized and hosted environmental all-candidates meetings prior to the last two elections.
Lori was co-chair of the working group that produced the Parks Master Plan in 2021, and of West Vancouver’s Invasive Plants Working Group.
ENVIRONMENT AWARD – PETER SCHOLEFIELD
Peter Scholefield is being recognized for his outstanding contributions to address climate change and tireless advocacy for safe and convenient active transportation on the North Shore.
Peter’s ideas and views as an everyday user of a bicycle for transportation have helped shape notable improvements to the Spirit Trail, such as the Gleneagles-Horseshoe Bay section.
As a member of the West Vancouver Community Energy and Emissions Plan Working Group and the Community Plan Stakeholder Group, Peter supported positive actions to address the climate crisis.
Peter is the West Vancouver Liaison to the HUB Cycling North Shore Committee and President of the Gambier Island Conservancy, contributing to the protection of the near-shore ecology of Howe Sound and the Burrard Inlet.
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