Clarence Martin has committed much of his life to improving life for First Nations people on the North Coast.
Whether it was his role in evolving Canadian First Nations Radio (CFNR) and the All Native Basketball Tournament (ANBT) into what they are today, advocating for First Nations people in various jobs or leading by example with his practice of Nisga'a traditions and a healthy lifestyle, Clarence has kept First Nations people in the forefront of his mind.
For most of his life Clarence has called Port Edward home, growing up in the First Nations village of the Nelson Brothers cannery.
"There was no television, no phones, no electricity, no indoor plumbing. But we had fun," said Clarence, adding all of the village's First Nations children played with each other.
When Clarence was a teenager he relocated to Vancouver Island to attend high school, where he was able to receive his diploma at an exclusive all-boys private school in Shawnigan Lake thanks to the Anglican Church in Prince Rupert.
"It was a culture shock for me, coming from a little cannery town going into this environment of rich, spoiled kids. But wow, what an education," he recalled.
After completing his schooling, Clarence returned to the North Coast and began working steadily in the cannery.
In the '70s, Clarence's involvement with the All Native Basketball Tournament began through his photography hobby. Clarence attended games to shoot photos of the action and crowds for fun, with the tournament's organizers eventually approaching Clarence about using his photos.
"Then I just started volunteering ... it turned into 33 years," said Clarence, who became chair of the ANBT organizing committee, a position he held for about 20 years before stepping down.
For Clarence, it wasn't the games, but the social aspect of the ANBT that caught his interest.
During his time as chair, Clarence said he never watched a full game because he was always busy talking with attendees.
"I bookmarked in my mind what they were saying about basketball and gradually made changes to the event over the years that reflected people's comments," he explained.
Some of these changes included the introduction of the Masters and Women's divisions in 1993, and bringing all of the tournament's games under one roof with the purchase of the portable floor for the civic centre arena.
In 1974, Clarence switched professions and became a First Nations court worker, helping individuals navigate through the judicial system.
"Our people would want to get out of there fast, so they would plead guilty. My job was to demystify and advocate for them," he explained.
That sentiment carried on during Clarence's time on the North Coast Tribal Council, comprised of seven Aboriginal communities in the north mandated to manage and administer their own affairs.
After fulfilling its mandate 12 years later, Clarence switched fields once again, this time moving into radio.
When Clarence started his time at CFNR, he said the station's library was comprised of mainly prairie music and had absolutely no advertisements, being funded by government entirely.
Clarence wanted to see CFNR's format changed to help bring in a larger audience and knew classic rock and local programming was key.
When the station tested the theory by rebroadcasting a Vancouver rock station, it proved to be a smart move.
"After three days, our phones were ringing and ringing. People just loved it; I knew it worked," Clarence said.
Despite some opposition from mainstream broadcasters in the region, CFNR slowly grew to become the station it is today.
Clarence said a key in the process was taking advice from others. He attended countless provincial and national broadcaster conventions and asked an endless stream of questions.
"You can never do anything all by yourself, you have to ask for help," he said.
Today, CFNR broadcasts in more than 50 communities across B.C., with listeners from anywhere in the world being able to tune into the station through its website.
And working with CFNR has had its fair share of perks over the years, with Clarence being able to meet celebrities such as Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and Lou Diamond Phillips.
But for Clarence, the most noteworthy experience was partying with members of AC/DC in 2000.
It happened after an AC/DC concert in Vancouver that CFNR had held a contest for. Clarence and his wife Yvonne attended the show and decided to have some drinks in the lounge of their hotel afterward, the Four Seasons. Because it was a Sunday night, the lounge was empty. So when members of AC/DC walked in, Clarence spotted them right away. Clarence said he invited the band to join their table, with lead singer Brian Johnson reportedly responding, "alright mate".
"Brain Johnson was sitting right beside me all night. We were telling jokes all night," he said, adding they were invited to the following night's concert as the band's guests.
"He was so much fun."
Although Clarence has many personal achievements to be proud of, his family tops the list.
Clarence and his wife Yvonne will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary this July. Over the years the couple had four daughters and one son together and today are the proud grandparents of nine grandchildren.
"I'm proud of my kids for developing into great adults with great families. It make my wife and I very happy," said Clarence.
With Clarence drumming and dancing with the Gitmaxmak'ay Dance Group for more than 25 years, he's thrilled to have his daughter and granddaughter by his side during weekly practices every Monday.
"I was so happy that they decided to join and follow our traditions," he said.
Clarence said he's relieved he's still alive today, as a number of years ago a doctor told him he'd only live another eight years if he continued on with his lifestyle.
Clarence immediately started long distance walking and changed his diet, losing a significant amount of weight in one month.
"I still do five and a half miles a day. I walk from my house in Port Edward to the Galloway Rapids bridge and back at least four days a week," he said.
Never one to give unsolicited advice, Clarence said he's pleased to see other seniors around him making healthier choices because of his actions.
During his walks, Clarence said there's always an unending stream of smiling faces and waves coming from the vehicles passing by on his way to and from his home in sunny Port Edward.