More about our patrons...

Leonard George was Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (the Burrard Band of the Squamish Nation) from 1989 to 2001, following the death of his father, Chief Dan George. He is presently spiritual leader of the Children of Takaya Wolf Clan. Leonard is well known for his dedication to peace and racial harmony, an accomplished film actor, and a brilliant storyteller.

Leonard George values and embodies the unbroken chain of the oral tradition of the Coast Salish people. As a board member of the Chief Dan George Centre for Advanced Education at Simon Fraser University, he is active both in supporting First Nations perspectives in education, and in fostering learning in native communities. Leonard is also a leader in the Nation’s real estate and other commercial activities.

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Mary Hill has been an effective and vigorous advocate for Canada’s older people. Her engagement in research and action with seniors spans her tenure on the faculty of the UBC School of Social Work, and has continued throughout her retirement.

Mary Hill was a founding member of the Canadian Association on Gerontology, and a member of the B.C. Medical Association’s Committee on Geriatrics. Her commitment, knowledge and policy focus are evident in her book Alone in a Crowd? Social Isolation of Seniors in Care Facilities, published in 1997.

A member of the City of Vancouver Seniors Advisory Committee for many years, Mary was instrumental in the establishment of the City’s Cross Cultural Seniors Network – building links among seniors of many cultures and promoting cultural inclusion.

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Wil Holland is Past President of the Old Age Pensioners Organization of BC, and remains active in seniors’ activities. Wil has been married to his wife, Marg, for 57 years, since his discharge from the Navy and Marg’s completion of service with the Air Force. Wil’s degree in agriculture from the University of Alberta led them, with their four children, to positions across Canada and the world – including Sri Lanka and Chile.

Wil Holland worked with the federal Forest Service for twenty years, completing ecological surveys of western national parks. He and Marg retired to Abbotsford, where they tend their roses – some 600+ plants – and contribute actively to the community. In 2000, Wil was honoured by the City of Vancouver for his volunteer work.

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Bikkar Lalli came to Canada from India in the 1960s to complete a PhD in mathematics at UBC. Surjit Lalli and their three children joined Bikkar later. While Bakkir was on the faculty of the University of Saskatchewan, Surjit completed a B.Ed. at that university. Following retirement in 1995 they returned to B.C.

Bikkar Lalli directed, and Surjit contributed significantly to the creation of A Wellness Model for Indo-Canadian Seniors. Bikkar is now a member of the senate of the University of British Columbia. He has given lectures by invitation in academic institutions in various countries, including Ukraine, China, Japan, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary.

Surjit has collaborated with Kwantlen University College in presenting workshops on nutrition. Both have been active members of the BC Coalition for Elimination of Abuse to Older People. Together they are presenting computer learning programs for seniors in the Surrey area. This year the couple celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage.

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Program Highlights

Dr. K. C. Li, having already served as a family physician for 14 years, came to Vancouver in 1969 from Hong Kong. Completing his specialty training in psychiatry here, Dr. Li served for 23 years in the public mental health system of B.C., and on the faculty of the UBC School of Medicine, until his retirement in 1996. Acclaimed by his peers as a leading pioneer in multicultural psychiatry, Dr. Li led the Strathcona Mentral Health Team as the major psychiatric centre for citizens of Chinese and South East Asian origin.

He was a vital force in developing SUCCESS (the United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society) as a vibrant volunteer social service agency, and last year established the SUCCESS Health and Wellness Centre. For his many contributions to our community, Dr. Li is the recipient of numerous citations and awards.

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Margaret Mitchell continues to be a leader in community development, social policy and women’s rights. She was an NDP Member of Parliament for Vancouver-East from 1979 to 1993, and played a key role in having women recognized in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Margaret Mitchell Fund for Women supports Vancouver organizations assisting omen to help themselves and better their communities.

Margaret Mitchell’s full life of service includes her work with war refugees with the Red Cross in Asia and Europe, and her more recent leadership as the first Chair of the BC Advisory Council on Human Rights. In 2000, Margaret was recognized as a Member of the Order of British Columbia.

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Milton Wong is Chairman of HSBC Asset Management (Canada) Ltd., and Chancellor of Simon Fraser University. He is also the founder of the Laurier Institution, a non-profit organization addressing the social and economic implications of cultural diversity.

Milton Wong has been a key fundraiser for the Red Cross, Science World, the Salvation Army, and the YMCA. His many contributions to the colourful vitality of Vancouver include serving as founding Chairman of the International Dragon Boat Festival.

Milton Wong serves as director on a number of Boards, including the Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program, the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. He has also been awarded the Order of Canada, and in 2003 was named to the Order of British Columbia.

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