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 Kelownasa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淚t would be impossible to quantify or to adequately put into words the positive impact this yearsa国际传媒檚 Honorary Fellows have had in their communities,sa国际传媒� said Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton of Vernon. sa国际传媒淭heir contributions to the social and economic fabric of the region are vast and inspiring. Wesa国际传媒檙e proud to count them as Honorary Fellows, and are in awe of the work they do as champions for education and community.sa国际传媒�

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 UBCsa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淲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,sa国际传媒� said Pamela Barnes. sa国际传媒淭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.sa国际传媒�

Said Grouse Barnes: sa国际传媒淚 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.sa国际传媒�

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 Kalsa国际传媒檚 RePlay program and support of the collegesa国际传媒檚 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 Collegesa国际传媒檚 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) program.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 very proud and humbled to be recognized as an Honorary Fellow,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淚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.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淭his is a pleasant surprise. Isa国际传媒檓 honoured. I like to work in the background, but itsa国际传媒檚 nice to be recognized,sa国际传媒� said Thomas. sa国际传媒淓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. Isa国际传媒檝e always tried to support that however I can.sa国际传媒�

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) sa国际传媒� the associationsa国际传媒檚 foremost honour. He has also supported his alma mater as a judge for numerous competitions organized by the Okanagan College School of Business.

sa国际传媒淥kanagan College has been a constant in my life for over 40 years,sa国际传媒� said Turri. sa国际传媒淎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.sa国际传媒�

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
Like us on and follow us on .