Richard Hardy of the K'ómoks First Nation is among 15 recipients of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award.
He won in the Environment and Natural Resources category for protecting aquaculture and preserving shellfish harvesting grounds.
After graduating from a shellfish aquaculture course in 2001, Hardy helped develop Pentlatch Seafoods, of which he is manager. The company is the third largest shellfish grower in the region with two tenures in Comox Harbour and five in Baynes Sound, totalling 64.3 hectares.
Founded in 2004, Pentlatch received the 2005 Town of Comox Community Service Award for contributions to Comox and its citizens. The 2007 B.C. Shellfish Growers’ business-of-the-year and 2008 MISTIC science and innovation awards followed.
Hardy and other recipients were presented to the House of Commons on Tuesday in Ottawa, where they were recognized by Members of Parliament.
Television/movie star Adam Beach (arts) is among the award winners who will be honoured at a National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation gala event February in Vancouver.
“Each and every one of our award recipients is a leader and role model who has made a profound impact on communities across Canada and worldwide,” foundation president/ CEO Roberta Jamieson said. “By honouring their achievement we continue to inspire many others waiting to demonstrate their potential — which is why the work of the foundation in providing much-needed resources to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students is so essential.”