Citizens' Services and Open Government Minister Ben Stewart presented the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal today to Dr. Ruth Williams, CEO of the All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO), in recognition of her exceptional achievements and distinguished service to her fellow citizens.

Over the past 27 years, Dr. Williams has served as a leader in social and economic development for Aboriginal people in British Columbia. Dr. William's heritage is of the Shuswap First Nation, from the Big Bar/High Bar Indian Band. She is also President of the Kamloops Native Housing Society and Vice Chair of the First Nations Market Housing Fund.

Since its inception in 1984, Dr. Williams has been overseeing the activities of ANTCO, British Columbia's largest Aboriginal Capital Corporation. Having secured funding from the provincial and federal governments in 2008 and 2009, Dr. Williams, and the Pathways to Technology project team, has been the driving force behind connecting First Nations communities in B.C. to the Internet.

Dr. Williams' efforts to meet B.C.'s Aboriginal communities social and economic needs have been widely recognized over the past few years. She was inducted into the Canadian Aboriginal Business Hall of fame in 2011. In 2010, she received an honorary doctorate of law from Thompson Rivers University. She received national recognition for her accomplishments in 2007 by being awarded the Economic Developer of the Year Award from the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).

Dr. Williams has also been a founding member of eight non-profit organizations that are working to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal persons in the B.C. interior. These organizations include the Round Lake Treatment Centre, the Aboriginal Health Advisory Council and the Central Interior Ministry of Child and Family Services Advisory Board.

Medal recipients have made a significant contribution to a province, territory, region or community within Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. Like Her Majesty, those recognized have dedicated themselves to service their fellow citizens, communities and country.

Quotes:

Ben Stewart, Minister of Citizen Services and Open Government -

"I am very proud to recognize Dr. Ruth Williams for her outstanding work as a prominent leader in B.C. Aboriginal communities over the past 27 years. This award acknowledges Dr. Williams' immense contributions at ANTCO, along with her devoted commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal people all across British Columbia."

Dr. Ruth Williams, Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal recipient -

"I am honoured to receive the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. It has been a privilege to work with the provincial and federal governments in connecting B.C.'s First Nations people to the Internet and it has been rewarding to see how these projects have brought opportunities to these communities in health care, education, culture and economic development.

Quick Facts:

• The Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne.

• This commemorative medal is a tangible way to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country.

• During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving Canadians from across the country will be recognized.

• The government of B.C. is presenting approximately 760 medals.

• All MLAs and ministers have been involved in awarding the medals, ensuring the medals reach as many deserving people in the province as possible.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, visit: http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14019&lan=eng

To learn more about the All Nations Trust Company, visit: http://www.antco.bc.ca/

Contact:

Lara Perzoff
Communications Manager
Ministry of Citizen's Services and Open Government
250-387-0172