We know very well there are injustices taking place in the world around us and in our very own neighbourhoods. This can often be hard to process and confusing on how to take action.
Our mission is to elevate excellence and see the good that is happening in BC and we support the work of those who takes action towards justice, hope and love. Our communities thrive when we work together for a common good.
So keeping love, community and action in mind, we want to continue the joy, adding to the festive season and highlighting a few of this year’s awardees who are doing things to light up and lift up their communities.
Riley McFerrin of Hinterland design lights up a room! – No pun intended. This hardworking and creative furniture and lighting designer brings life and beauty to functional items. His light Dendera Light Fixture lit up the BC Achievement Applied Art + Design exhibition at The Roundhouse Community Centre last month where guests could see his work up close. And he took the time to share with the audience what drives his artistic passion:
”People are more important than things. I’ve spent my entire life making objects to the best of my ability but ultimately, it is people that I care about the most. It’s the users of the things that I make, the people that I get to work alongside of – this community of designers and makers here in BC – or the entire rest of the world that is impacted by the materials and processes used.”
Riley McFerrin, Hinterland Design
Indigenous Business Award recipient Marcia Turner of Daxgedim Haanak’ Nation Building is a leader focused on advocating for self-determination and self-government among Indigenous peoples across the province. With a mission that revolves around transformation and systems change at the governance and leadership levels, Marcia works alongside Indigenous communities to amplify their voices, advancing Indigenous rights and title and is inspired by those she aims to serve.
“A lot of our nations are really doing tremendous work to revitalize our cultural processes and practices. They are doing work in the resurgence of our cultural teachings and languages, and I think that’s really powerful. And it’s what keeps me going in terms of doing this work as I see tremendous innovation and advancement in what communities are doing. I am so honoured and privileged to have visibility to the great work our nations are doing…with the strength of our culture and ancestral traditions to guide us and that’s what makes this so exciting and powerful.”
Marcia Turner of Daxgedim Haanak’ Nation Building
Gerry Nellestijn, Community Award recipient, is a founder and trailblazing force behind the Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society an organization that promotes research, awareness and restoration of threatened fish and wildlife and their habitat in the Salmo watershed and beyond. His advocacy has led to several long-term fisheries monitoring projects being funded for over 20 years while protecting the watershed for generations to come. Gerry shared his thoughts on the importance of recognition and how receiving a Community Award creates impact.
“The Community Award recognition gives us something that is often overlooked, a reward for our efforts. It’s not money or things it’s a form of appreciation. In many cases, and in many places, resilience, collaboration, inclusion and consensus building are often unnoticed even denigrated. The Community Award corrects that and provides honour to our activities. This honour rewards our community as well as the individuals that implement solutions. The Community Award is a milieu for providing a role modelling reward”.
Gerry Nellestijn, Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society
These awardees and the almost 1000 more that BC Achievement has recognized in its 20 year history, are examples of the impact of one person on the world around them. They elevate excellence and in doing so, inspire change.
Cheers to those who bring light, love and hope to their communities and carve a path forward for others to follow.
The future is bright. Thank you to everyone who supports the work we do and helps inspire change. We look forward to working with the people of this province and continuing the celebrations of excellence in 2024. #bepartofit #nominatenowbc #elevateexcellence
BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change