After being named to the Order of Canada over a year ago, Judith Sayers finally received the recognition on Friday at a ceremony in Ottawa.
The Hupacasath member and current president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council was formally appointed to the Order of Canada in Rideau Hall on Feb. 1, receiving the national recognition by Governor General Julie Payette.
“Judith Sayers is a powerful voice for sustainable energy development in Indigenous communities,” stated the Governor General’s office.
Among her accomplishments the national order cited the development of a 6.5 megawatt run-of-river hydro station at China Creek near Port Alberni. As a partnership with the Hupacasath Firth Nation, Synex Energy Resources, the Ucluelet First Nation and the City of Port Alberni, Sayers led the development of the micro-hydro project when she served as elected chief of the Hupacasath, a role she held for over a decade.
“An outspoken advocate for energy development that respects Indigenous rights, she has hosted conferences and workshops to impart best practices, and developed a toolkit to guide other communities in implementing clean energy projects of their own,” stated the Governor General’s office.
