Okanagan College is bestowing its highest honour on five notable residents of the region.

Pamela and Wilfred (Grouse) Barnes of Westbank First Nation, Robert Foord of Vernon, Neskonlith Band member Louis Thomas of the Shuswap and Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Don Turri have been selected by the college as its 2020 Honourary Fellows.

Each recipient has made unique and meaningful contributions through education, public service, mentorship and philanthropy.

害羞草研究所淚t would be impossible to quantify or to adequately put into words the positive impact this year害羞草研究所檚 Honorary Fellows have had in their communities,害羞草研究所� said Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton of Vernon. 害羞草研究所淭heir contributions to the social and economic fabric of the region are vast and inspiring. We害羞草研究所檙e proud to count them as Honorary Fellows, and are in awe of the work they do as champions for education and community.害羞草研究所�

Pamela and Grouse Barnes are Indigenous educators and knowledge keepers from Westbank First Nation. They are highly dedicated to preserving Syilx language, knowledge, and culture.

Both are currently adjunct professors in the Faculty of Health and Social Development with UBC害羞草研究所檚 School of Nursing, where they facilitate cultural sensitivity training. Both also facilitate Syilx teachings for the public in partnership with Kelowna Heritage Museums, the Kelowna Art Gallery, Rotary Centre for the Arts and Regional Parks.

害羞草研究所淲hat an honour it is to be recognized as an Honorary Fellow by Okanagan College, as I began my post-secondary journey here in business administration, later moving on to study Aboriginal government at UVIC,害羞草研究所� said Pamela Barnes. 害羞草研究所淭his recognition is important to me, my family, and community after several generations of residential school. I was fortunate that both public school and the teachings of my Elders were available to me. I am privileged to have opportunities to share my perspective from both educational experiences with others.害羞草研究所�

Said Grouse Barnes: 害羞草研究所淚 am honoured to receive this fellowship. As a Syilx Elder I enjoy sharing the history, cultural teachings, and language of this land to promote understanding of our ways. I look forward to continuing my work with students offering support through our cultural teachings and practice to ensure their future success. Limlimt.害羞草研究所�

Foord is known for his strong commitment to community. Under his guidance, Kal Tire gives back in numerous ways, including the donation and reuse of recycled tires for playground surfaces, flooring and roofing through Kal害羞草研究所檚 RePlay program and support of the college害羞草研究所檚 Vernon Trades Training Centre.

Foord, who studied at Okanagan College, has long been a supporter of students and a passionate advocate for education and training. Last year, the Foord family donated a plane which previously belonged to Kal Tire founder and their late father, Tom, to be used as a training tool for students in the College害羞草研究所檚 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) program.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 very proud and humbled to be recognized as an Honorary Fellow,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚t would be difficult to put into words how important both education and community are to me, and to our family, so this recognition is meaningful on many levels.害羞草研究所�

Thomas is a Secwepemc knowledge keeper and a councillor with the Neskonlith Indian Band. He works actively with the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society, Shuswap Trail Alliance, Shuswap District Arts Council, the City of Salmon Arm Housing Taskforce and many other groups in the region.

He has shared his guidance and knowledge with the college in many ways over the years, including providing the traditional welcome and sharing other aspects of his culture at countless events and ceremonies.

害羞草研究所淭his is a pleasant surprise. I害羞草研究所檓 honoured. I like to work in the background, but it害羞草研究所檚 nice to be recognized,害羞草研究所� said Thomas. 害羞草研究所淓ducation is so important. The world is changing and we all have to adapt. Education is one of the things that will help our people thrive. I am a firm believer in sharing. Our culture is all about sharing, about passing on our knowledge and culture to future generations. I害羞草研究所檝e always tried to support that however I can.害羞草研究所�

Turri is a Partner and Family Enterprise Advisor with the accounting firm Crowe MacKay LLP in Kelowna. He has been active in the Kelowna Community throughout his career, volunteering his time to the United Way, Kelowna Sunrise Rotary, minor football and hockey, the Central Okanagan Foundation, and as a co-chair of the Okanagan College Alumni Awareness Campaign.

In 2008, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Okanagan College Alumni Association (OCAA) 害羞草研究所� the association害羞草研究所檚 foremost honour. He has also supported his alma mater as a judge for numerous competitions organized by the Okanagan College School of Business.

害羞草研究所淥kanagan College has been a constant in my life for over 40 years,害羞草研究所� said Turri. 害羞草研究所淎s a student I was provided with the academic foundation to start my career as a CPA. As a partner at Crowe MacKay our firm has been provided with a steady stream of talented, practical new hires, many of whom have gone on to partnership and other senior roles in our firm. In fact, Okanagan College alumni constitute the majority of our Kelowna team.害羞草研究所�

The college normally would have invested its 2020 Honorary Fellows at Convocation ceremonies in June. Due to the pandemic, Okanagan College, based on the feedback of graduating students, has opted to postpone ceremonies until COVID-19 conditions allow for the events to be held in person.

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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