B.C. HERITAGE AWARD 2008

Murphy Shewchuk

Murphy Shewchuk has demonstrated great leadership within his community and has made numerous contributions to the stewardship and promotion of BC’s history and heritage resources, particularly those near his home in the Nicola  Valley.

Mr. Shewchuk was the first president of the Nicola Valley Museum and Archives Association when it was established in 1976 and has remained active in its leadership to this day, undertaking a myriad of activities over the years to ensure the effective development and management of this important community institution.

Mr. Shewchuk is a highly regarded local historian and travel writer with eleven books to his credit and over 300 magazine articles, many of which explore the history and heritage of the Thompson-Okanagan and Cariboo regions. He is also an accomplished, award-winning photographer with over 1,000 images of B.C.’s natural and cultural heritage appearing in many national magazines, including “Beautiful BC”.

In addition to his contributions to historical scholarship and to his community museum and archives, Mr. Shewchuk has had a keen interest in encouraging the recognition, protection and recreational use of B.C.’s historic trails, and is currently the President of Trails BC.

British Columbia is fortunate to have individuals such as Murphy Shewchuk that have demonstrated decades of outstanding commitment to volunteer leadership and the conservation and presentation of provincial history and heritage.

The British Columbia Heritage Award was presented to Mr. Shewchuk at the Heritage BC conference in Langley on June 6, 2008