The Order of Canada is getting 99 new members in 2018, including one from New Westminster.
Marjorie White is an advocate for improving the lives of Indigenous people in urban centres, notably through the establishment of friendship centres across the country.
When White left her reserve on Vancouver Island in the mid-50s to pursue a nursing career in Vancouver, she never imagined what kind of footprint she’d make in the years that followed.
Shortly after arriving to the Lower Mainland and realizing there was no support for First Nations people migrating to urban centres, the New West resident helped establish the first aboriginal service agency in Canada. From one friendship centre grew 24 more, making it the largest network of service-providing agencies in the province. White also helped create the National Association of Friendship Centres, which currently represents 118 groups and seven provincial and territorial associations.
She was the first aboriginal person appointed as a citizenship court judge in Canada, as well as the first woman and first aboriginal person appointed to the Vancouver police commission.
Six others from Vancouver have also been honoured.
Officers of the Order
• Gordon Muir Campbell, public service, former Vancouver mayor, B.C. premier and high commissioner to Britain
Members of the Order
• David R. Cameron, scholar, academic, expert in federal negotiations and constitutional affairs
• Gabor Mate, physician, author and advocate in the fields of addictions and mental health
• Bruce McManus, researcher in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and organ failure
• Mark Thompson, academic arbitrator and author who has worked in industrial relations and public policy
• Veronica Jane Strong-Boag, activist, historian and researcher who has made the history of women an integral part of the study of history in Canada
The only other recipient from British Columbia is:
• Deanna Hamilton, Kelowna, promoter of First Nations fiscal management and governance.
- With files from Canadian Press
