Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the House to pay tribute to the life of Russell John Collier, artist and poet, awarding-winning academic, farmer, environmentalist, and a loyal and loving friend, father, and husband.
Russell was one of British Columbia's foremost aboriginal land use planners, a cultural translator between his ancient Gitxsan heritage and his knowledge of modern science. His writings on language and the land are internationally recognized.
Russell was a kind and loving man whose respect for life and nature permeated his every action with the people and the world around him. He dedicated himself to building a more sustainable, loving, and respecting world. His wife Lori and children Khyrin Alexander and Nicholas Aubrey will continue to make these dreams a reality.
Russell passed away suddenly as he was dancing, and his last words were “Give my love to my family and friends. I had a great time tonight.” Russell made bright the lives of those he touched. It is now our turn to carry on his work and his hope to leave the world a better place than we found it.