A  major B.C. environmental group has decided to honour two Indigenous leaders who've led the fight against the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.

The Wilderness Committee has announced that its 2017 Eugene Rogers Environmental Award will go to Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and his wife, Joan Phillip, a former member of the Penticton Indian Band council.

Stewart Phillip is president of the B.C. Union of Indian Chiefs and he's often publicly stated that he wouldn't have amounted to much were it not for the wisdom and support of his wife.

The Eugene Rogers Environmental Award is given each year to citizens who "have gone above and beyond in their efforts to protect the environment and advocate for a better society".

The Phillips have not only opposed pipelines, they've also been steadfast critics of the Site C dam, standing side by side with First Nations leaders in northeastern B.C.

In addition, the couple has been at the forefront in battling fish farms and raising awareness of the impact of climate change on future generations.

“Stewart and Joan are two of the hardest working environmental activists that I have ever met,” Wilderness Committee national campaign director Joe Foy said in a news release. “They are constantly attending gatherings, meetings, and rallies, visiting communities and speaking to the public and the media on the environmental issues of our time. Stewart and Joan have provided invaluable direction and support to those working to protect B.C. from ill-conceived industrial projects.”