Several citizens in the Cariboo Chilcotin are recent recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medals.
Ten people from the region were among more than 30 people recognized for their efforts by Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty in award ceremonies held in Williams Lake on Saturday, March 8 and in Prince George on Sunday, March 9.
"Our region is blessed to have incredible individuals who go above and beyond everyday," Doherty said in a Facebook post about the recipients.
Doherty's office provided the write-ups about the region’s recipient as follows.
Ellen (Honey) Alexander Affleck
Honey’s extensive volunteer history includes time with the Royal Canadian Legion in Quesnel, fundraising for the Anglican Church in Parish Council, the Better at Home program (in-home help for seniors) and more.
She is the presidents of the Friends of Quesnel Museum, chair of the Museum Commission, a member of the Wells Historical Society, a director for the North Cariboo Seniors Council and a Quesnel School District trustee.
Honey has been awarded the Order of Eastern Star as a worthy matron three times.
Roy Lloyd Call
For 40 years, Roy was involved in British Columbia as a rodeo stock contractor. The lengthy commitment to promote the western way of life as well as working to improve the skill of young rodeo contestants was a driving force in his life.
His business helped new rodeos get started, allowing our sport and way of life to be seen in new non traditional markets. He was a founding member of the Williams Lake indoor rodeo and he helped plan and produce rodeos from Fort Nelson to Victoria and from Kitimat to Cranbrook.
Roy also coached minor hockey for over 20 years. His most cherished moment is a Provincial Championship on home ice with his daughter’s U-18 team. Sports continue to be a way of life for Roy’s family, and he will keep working to make his community one of the best places in Canada to live.
Terry Capnerhurst
Terry is one of the longest-serving volunteers with the 108 Mile Volunteer Fire Department, with 38 years of dedicated service to the community.
During the wildfires of 2017, when the 108 community was evacuated, Terry remained behind to help fellow volunteers protect the community, demonstrating his leadership and commitment.
His eight years as a leader with the Junior Forest Wardens showed his dedication to youth development and set an example for them as they grew into responsible adults.
Terry is a tireless volunteer in the 108 community, working to make it a better place to live, work, and play.
Carrie Chard
Carrie is a hardworking industrious person with a dedication to preserving our province’s heritage. She has held a number of positions and currently serves as the general manager of the Historic Town of Barkerville for the Barkerville Heritage Trust.
During the wildfires that threatened the town in the summer of 2024, Carrie remained behind, putting herself at risk to ensure every effort was made to save Barkerville.
With fire at the town's doorstep, she stood her ground, providing leadership to the firefighters who battled the fires surrounding the community.
Carrie also volunteers with the local Friends of Barkerville, is a volunteer firefighter in Barkerville, and served as fire chief of the nearby community of Wells for many years.
André Albert Chevigny
Through grief and loss of André’s daughter Avril Chérie Chevigny in May of 1996, André had a passion to give back to those in similar circumstances with families suffering childhood cancer. From the time Avril was diagnosed in April of 1994, he saw a financial area of need for families. In the past 28 years in a very confidential manner André has helped literally dozens and dozens of families in similar circumstances. He does so in a very confidential way through the Avril Chevigny Fund. He reaches out to families and offers emotional, and financial help. This helps and heals families devastated with childhood cancer. This also helps André with the blessing of his daughter continuing to be active in the community and the world.
in 1996 André and family along with hundreds of Williams Lake community members and businesses spearheaded construction of an Avril Chevigny Memorial Playroom. This provides a 12 foot by 16 foot area in Cariboo Memorial Hospital by the ER for children to play while either it be waiting siblings or patients themselves. This area continues to be a blessing in CMH. the hospital is currently having a huge upgrade to be completed in 2027, and Andre has been part of relocating and moving the Avril Chevigny Memorial Playroom by Interior Health. André has also organized huge fundraisers for Ronald McDonald House and BC Children’s Hospital.
Through André's previous global business career, managing Pioneer Log Homes of British Columbia of nearly 30 years, he used the platform to build awareness for families in need, and childhood cancer. It became a very natural thing for André to become an ambassador not only for Williams Lake, but the whole Cariboo Chilcotin and province of B.C. through a globally recognized business. An upgrade on the Avril Chevigny Memorial Playroom in 2015 was also featured on the TV Show Timber Kings which aired four seasons on HGTV and networks across the globe.
Liz Jones
During the 2010 fire season in the Cariboo Regional District, Liz was a tireless volunteer with the Cariboo Regional Districts Emergency Social Services group.
Not only does Liz volunteer in this group, but she also acts as a leader, mentor, recruiter and trainer for the many volunteers required to help in the event of emergencies.
During the devastating 2017 fires in the Cariboo, Liz once again led the Cariboo Regional District’s ESS group. For her outstanding efforts during these fires, Liz was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2018.
Liz continues to be a dedicated volunteer in her home community of the 108 Mile Ranch which recently recognized her as its citizen of the year. She continues in her role as the ESS coordinator providing support for victims of flooding and fire year round.
Larry Knutsen
Larry is a dedicated community volunteer in his community of 108 Mile Ranch. He has volunteered in nearly every organization from Junior Forest Wardens (where he was a leader for 8 years), the local community association, and the 108 Volunteer Fire Department.
With 38 Years of service with the 108 Volunteer Fire Department, he is one of the two longest serving members of the department.
During the Wildfires of 2017 the 108 Community was evacuated and Larry stayed behind to defend it from the advancing fire. A true community volunteer, Larry continues to be involved helping others doing whatever he can to make their lives just a little better.
Carey Price
Many of you probably know Carey for his incredible NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens — but he’s much more than that; he’s one of the most powerful voices for mental health in Canada.
Both during and after his NHL career, he bravely opened up about his own struggles, showing others that seeking help is a sign of strength. Through the Carey and Angela Price Foundation, he supports Indigenous youth and underserved communities, focusing on mental wellness and education.
He has also worked closely with Kids Help Phone and other initiatives to ensure people get the support they need.
Carey’s greatest legacy isn’t just his achievements on the ice—it’s philanthropy and his unwavering courage to speak up, break the stigma, and remind others that they’re not alone.
Bryan Frank Reid Sr.
Bryan is the founder and president of Pioneer Log Homes of BC, the largest handcrafted log home company in the world.
A recipient of the Ryan Job award from Camp Patriot USA, Bryan donated half a million dollars to veterans groups in Canada and the U.S. including the Royal Canadian Legion, the Boot Campaign and the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum Foundation.
He entertained U.S. military veterans in Bella Coola from Operation Comfort and has
served on the board of directors for the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum Foundation of USA.
An instrumental part of an investor group he helped save Harmac Pulp Mill in 2008 from closing permanently and was also instrumental in saving CHEK TV in Victoria from closing in 2008.
In 2010, Pioneer was awarded BC exporter of the year.
Bryan was part of Timber Kings, which for four years running was HGTV’s number one show and sold to networks in 150 countries.
Bryan travelled to the U.S. and Europe with the Prime Minister and Premiers to promote Value Added Wood Industry in Canada.
In 2017, during the wildfires in the Cariboo Chilcotin, Reid purchased two fire trucks from the city of Abbotsford and donated them to the 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department.
Allan Frederick Richmond
Allan is a recipient of BC Tel Leadership Awards in 1995 and 1996 and the BC Tel Brian Canfield Distinctive Leadership Award 1996.
Also in 1996, Allan was the recipient of the GTE Corporation’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
He was awarded 108 Mile Ranch Citizen of the Year in 1994, and won the 108 Mile Ranch LifeTime Achievement award in 2021.
The Coronation Medal commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada.
Eligible candidates must have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada, and be alive on May 6, 2023. The award can be made posthumously, as long as the candidate was alive on that date.
With files from Conservative MP Todd Doherty
