Crystal Dunahee, who became a tireless crusader on behalf of missing children after her son, Michael, vanished, was awarded the Order of British Columbia Tuesday.
Michael, four, disappeared on March 24, 1991, from a park near what was then Blanshard Elementary School on Kings Road in Victoria. The police investigation quickly became one of Canada’s largest missing persons cases.
Since then, Crystal Dunahee has become an advocate for missing children, as president of Child Find B.C. and a board member of Child Find Canada. The Dunahee family organizes the Michael Dunahee Keep Hope Alive Drive every April to raise money for Child Find.
At a ceremony at Government House, Lt. Gov. Steven Point, Chancellor of the Order, presented the award to Dunahee, along with 13 other notable British Columbians.
Dunahee said afterwards that she was completely floored when told she had been chosen.
“I was totally surprised. I had to reschedule my Vegas Trip,” she said.
But moments later, Dunahee, became tearful and said it was important to remember what her work is really about. “We are doing it for Michael.”
Premier Christy Clark said after the ceremony that she felt honoured to be part of paying tribute to such deserving recipients.
“Think of what Crystal Dunahee has done,” said Clark.
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“Like Betty Fox, she took an incredible tragedy, the loss of a child, and turned it into incredible work for the benefit of children and families across the country.”
Noticeable by his absence at the ceremony was former B.C. premier, now Canadian High Commissioner to the U.K., Gordon Campbell.
“I am particularly sorry that my friend Gordon Campbell couldn’t be here,” said the Lieutenant-Governor. “It is my belief he is entirely deserving of this recognition.”
Campbell’s early induction into the Order, less than a year after he announced his retirement from provincial politics, sparked a controversy, even an online, recall attempt. A lone protester stood outside Government House Tuesday.
The 12 other recipients of the Order were:
• Luigi Aquilini, of Vancouver, businessman, philanthropist and owner of the Vancouver Canucks
• Peter Baird, Vancouver, supporter on behalf Aboriginal achievements
• Ken Dobell, Vancouver, long-time public servant
• David Emerson, Vancouver, business executive, public servant and federal politician
• Yuri Fulmer, West Vancouver, businessman and philanthropist
• Tim Jones, North Vancouver, rescue worker, instrumental in the North Shore Rescue Team
• Dr. Phil Muir, Hazelton, community doctor and health administrator
• James O’Rourke, West Vancouver, mining executive and community project leader
• Karen O’Shannacery, Vancouver, advocate for the homeless
• Jim Robson, Vancouver, sports broadcaster
• Baljit Sethi, Prince George, counsellor and adviser for immigrants and multiculturalism
Ellen White, Nanaimo, aka Kwulasulwut (Many Stars) of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, story teller, medicine woman, teacher and activist.
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