Awards

JESSIA reacts after winning the award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year presented by the Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez and singer-songwriter Donovan Woods at the 51st annual JUNO Awards in Toronto on May 15. (CARAS/The JUNO Awards photo)

B.C. TikTok sensation JESSIA is Canada’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Homegrown Ucluelet singer-songwriter’s wins her first Juno, celebrates with European tour

JESSIA reacts after winning the award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year presented by the Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez and singer-songwriter Donovan Woods at the 51st annual JUNO Awards in Toronto on May 15. (CARAS/The JUNO Awards photo)
African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island president William Goldiet, left, presents a Community Partnership Award to Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes on behalf of the municipality, for its work to promote diversity and inclusion. (Photo by Richard Michaels)

Saanich recognized for its work promoting ethnic diversity and inclusion

Island’s African Heritage Association presents Community Partnership award

African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island president William Goldiet, left, presents a Community Partnership Award to Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes on behalf of the municipality, for its work to promote diversity and inclusion. (Photo by Richard Michaels)
Lisa Farquharson opens the 2022 Ma Murray Awards on May 14, 2022, in Richmond, B.C. (BC Care Providers photo)

Black Press Media reporters win big at B.C. and Yukon journalism awards

Black Press Media news teams received 88 nominations in 42 out of the 45 award categories

Lisa Farquharson opens the 2022 Ma Murray Awards on May 14, 2022, in Richmond, B.C. (BC Care Providers photo)
Charlotte Cardin poses for a photograph at the media wall after winning in three different categories during the opening night of the 2022 Juno Awards at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Juno Awards celebrate Avril Lavigne, Deborah Cox and host Simu Liu’s many talents

Charlotte Cardin emerged as the biggest winner of the year with a total of four trophies

Charlotte Cardin poses for a photograph at the media wall after winning in three different categories during the opening night of the 2022 Juno Awards at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
Dr. Barney Williams. Submitted photo/ Coast Mental Health

Renowned B.C. First Nations therapist recognized for resilience

Dr. Barney Williams receives 2022 Courage To Come Back Award in the Addictions category

Dr. Barney Williams. Submitted photo/ Coast Mental Health
Dr. Barney Williams. Submitted photo/ Coast Mental Health

Renowned B.C. First Nations therapist recognized for resilience

Dr. Barney Williams receives 2022 Courage To Come Back Award in the Addictions category

Dr. Barney Williams. Submitted photo/ Coast Mental Health
Pharis and Jason Romero filmed their latest video with Rick Magnell in the historic 153 Mile Store. (Rick Magnell video capture)

VIDEO: Juno-award winning folk duo showcase B.C. history in new song

Video filmed in historic 153 Mile Store was the ‘perfect place’

Pharis and Jason Romero filmed their latest video with Rick Magnell in the historic 153 Mile Store. (Rick Magnell video capture)
Jackie Elliott’s ‘Hell’s Half Acre’ is one of five finalists in a new category for the 2022 Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence. A winner will be announced on May 26. (Photos submitted)

Nanaimo author shortlisted for national crime writers’ award

South Wellington’s Jackie Elliott named a finalist in new category by Crime Writers of Canada

Jackie Elliott’s ‘Hell’s Half Acre’ is one of five finalists in a new category for the 2022 Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence. A winner will be announced on May 26. (Photos submitted)
Josh Brown beams over his Vancouver Island Tourism Employee of the Year award overlooking the spectacular view from Black Rock Oceanfront Resort’s lounge on April 23. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Ucluelet hospitality champion honoured as Island’s top employee

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort’s Josh Brown named Employee of the Year at Island Tourism Conference

Josh Brown beams over his Vancouver Island Tourism Employee of the Year award overlooking the spectacular view from Black Rock Oceanfront Resort’s lounge on April 23. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Dr. Tracey Thorne, from Gabriola Island, and Bill Yoachim, from Nanaimo, have been conferred with B.C. Achievement Community Awards. (Photos courtesy B.C. Achievement Foundation)

Kw’umut Lelum exec, Gabriola doctor recognized for strengthening community

Bill Yoachim, Dr. Tracey Thorne conferred with B.C. Achievement Community Awards

Dr. Tracey Thorne, from Gabriola Island, and Bill Yoachim, from Nanaimo, have been conferred with B.C. Achievement Community Awards. (Photos courtesy B.C. Achievement Foundation)
Abby and Roger St. Pierre put the finishing touches on a dogwood tree planted in their honour at Latoria Creek Park Friday, April 22, as part of being awarded the first-annual environmental award by the Citizens’ Environmental Network in Colwood. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Colwood couple recognized for park cleanup efforts on Earth Day

Abby and Roger St. Pierre were recognized by the Citizens’ Environmental Network in Colwood

Abby and Roger St. Pierre put the finishing touches on a dogwood tree planted in their honour at Latoria Creek Park Friday, April 22, as part of being awarded the first-annual environmental award by the Citizens’ Environmental Network in Colwood. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Camosun Chargers women’s basketball player Tamiya Ness and men’s volleyball player Graham Basi were co-winners of the President’s Cup at the annual Chargers Athletics awards night on April 7. (Photo by Erich Eichhorn/courtesy Camosun College)

Camosun Chargers student-athletes honoured with annual awards

Reynolds alum volleyballer Graham Basi shares President’s Award with hoop star Tamiya Ness

Camosun Chargers women’s basketball player Tamiya Ness and men’s volleyball player Graham Basi were co-winners of the President’s Cup at the annual Chargers Athletics awards night on April 7. (Photo by Erich Eichhorn/courtesy Camosun College)
Goldstream Food Bank president Gayle Ireland received the Medal of Good Citizenship on March 24 from Premier John Horgan in person, after a technical issue prevented her from participating in the planned virtual ceremony. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Premier)

Goldstream Food Bank president honoured for pandemic efforts in Langford

Gayle Ireland receives Medal of Good Citizenship personally from premier

Goldstream Food Bank president Gayle Ireland received the Medal of Good Citizenship on March 24 from Premier John Horgan in person, after a technical issue prevented her from participating in the planned virtual ceremony. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Premier)
Nanaimo’s Aimee Chalifoux, Indigenous literacy coordinator with Literacy Central Vancouver Island, won a Breaking Barriers Award at the B.C. Multicultural and Anti-Racism Awards. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo literacy worker wins B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award

Aimee Chalifoux recognized for her social work and cultural connection efforts

Nanaimo’s Aimee Chalifoux, Indigenous literacy coordinator with Literacy Central Vancouver Island, won a Breaking Barriers Award at the B.C. Multicultural and Anti-Racism Awards. (News Bulletin file photo)
Victoria duo Jon Middleton and Sierra Lundy of Ocie Elliott are nominated for the Juno Awards’ breakthrough group of the year. (Photo by Sara Laking)

Juno Awards nominees have strong connections to Greater Victoria

Ocie Elliott, Spiritbox nominated for breakthrough group; Spiritbox up for metal/hard music album

Victoria duo Jon Middleton and Sierra Lundy of Ocie Elliott are nominated for the Juno Awards’ breakthrough group of the year. (Photo by Sara Laking)
Actor Simu Liu poses for photographs on the red carpet for the premiere of ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, at a cinema in west London, Thursday, Aug 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP

Simu Liu to host first outdoor Juno Awards at Budweiser Stage in Toronto

May 15 event will be the first time the awards show will be held outdoors

Actor Simu Liu poses for photographs on the red carpet for the premiere of ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, at a cinema in west London, Thursday, Aug 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP
Josh Handysides, chief administrative officer of the Malahat Nation, was honoured by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce for his efforts to help get the Malahat SkyWalk built and promote other south Island initiatives. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)

Malahat Nation CAO honoured with Greater Victoria chamber award

Josh Handysides’ work integral to success of Malahat SkyWalk, other projects within nation

Josh Handysides, chief administrative officer of the Malahat Nation, was honoured by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce for his efforts to help get the Malahat SkyWalk built and promote other south Island initiatives. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)
Downtown Victoria streets have been emptier with less tourists in town since the pandemic started, but the South Island Prosperity Partnership has been working hard to get the economy bouncing back. It earned three international awards for its efforts. (Black Press Media file photo)

South Island Prosperity Partnership wins 3 global awards for COVID economic response

Conglomerate’s 2 gold, 1 silver won for innovation, special events, education partnerships

Downtown Victoria streets have been emptier with less tourists in town since the pandemic started, but the South Island Prosperity Partnership has been working hard to get the economy bouncing back. It earned three international awards for its efforts. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kathy Ajas (left to right), Cheryl Chalifour, Kristina Quinn present their People’s Choice Award winning gingerbread creation, Revera Retirement 2050. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)

PHOTOS: Many interpretations of futuristic theme among Victoria Gingerbread Showcase winners

Revera Living wins 2021 People’s Choice award, Habitat for Humanity Victoria raises over $37,000

Kathy Ajas (left to right), Cheryl Chalifour, Kristina Quinn present their People’s Choice Award winning gingerbread creation, Revera Retirement 2050. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)
Ralph Nilson, former president of Vancouver Island University, has been appointed as a member of the Order of Canada. (Vancouver Island University photo)

Former VIU president named to Order of Canada

Nanaimo’s Ralph Nilson announced as one of 135 appointees

Ralph Nilson, former president of Vancouver Island University, has been appointed as a member of the Order of Canada. (Vancouver Island University photo)