Day: August 1, 2024

Nominations for a 2025 BC Achievement Award now open year-round! 

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Exciting news! For the first time, nominations for all five of BC Achievement’s award programs are open year-round. This change means you can now celebrate the remarkable achievements of BC’s entrepreneurs, community leaders, and artists anytime by submitting nominations throughout the entire year. 

Do you know someone in your community who is doing exceptional work? Now you can honour their contributions by nominating them for a BC Achievement award whenever the moment strikes. Whether it’s a groundbreaking entrepreneur, a dedicated community leader, or a visionary artist, their incredible work deserves recognition. 

Nominations are open 24/7, giving you the flexibility to submit your nominations at your convenience. However, if you want your nomination to be considered for a 2025 award program, make sure to submit it before February 15, 2025. Nominations received after this date will be accepted but considered for the following year’s award programs. 

Submit a nomination Nomination is considered in 
On or before February 15, 2025 2025 
After February 16, 2025 2026 

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary individuals who make our province great. Nominate someone today and help us celebrate the outstanding talent and dedication found throughout British Columbia! 

Make Your Nomination Count 

From January 1 to February 15, we will be running our Call for Nominations campaign, reminding you to make a submission. Nominating is straightforward and convenient—all done online through bcachievement.com. We provide tips to help you craft a compelling nomination package, including guidance on what makes a strong nominator statement, selecting impactful images, and using YouTube or news articles to support your nominee’s contributions. If you need any assistance, BC Achievement staff are always ready to help. 

Our five annual programs celebrate excellence in various fields: 

  • Indigenous Business Award: Elevates excellence within Indigenous-owned businesses. Categories include Business of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Community-Owned, and Business Partnership of the Year. 
  • Polygon Award in First Nations Art: Celebrates artistic excellence in traditional and contemporary visual arts by First Nations artists. 
  • Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design: Honours excellence in functional art and design. 
  • Community Award: Honours excellence and inspiring achievement in community service and leadership. 
  • BC Reconciliation Award: Recognizes individuals, groups, and organizations committed to furthering the principles of reconciliation. 

If you know someone who demonstrates excellence in their field or through their community contributions, don’t wait! Nominate them by February 15, 2025, to ensure they are considered for a 2025 award. 

Nominations are open year-round at bcachievement.com. Be part of the movement to elevate excellence and drive change in BC—and nominate today! 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.  

James Harry, pioneering the future of First Nations design 

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Photo: 2021 First Nation Art award recipient, James Harry

James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry, a 2021 First Nations Art award recipient, is redefining the landscape of Indigenous design. James’s work merges traditional and contemporary elements, creating a unique artistic blend of his Squamish Nation heritage. His journey reflects his exceptional talent and creativity and his commitment to honouring his culture. 

James’s artistic path is deeply influenced by his father, Xwalacktun, a well-established Squamish Nation carver and recipient of the Award of Distinction, Polygon Award in First Nations Art.  

Growing up under the tutelage of Xwalacktun, James was immersed in the world of Indigenous art from an early age. Watching his father carve intricate designs into wood, he developed a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and cultural significance behind each piece. “My dad, he’s been an amazing mentor teaching kids about Coast Salish art. I was really surrounded by a lot of people in my life who have made a lot of positive change around identity.” 

In secondary school, James began his career as an artist by carving the doors of the BC Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame. He later attended Emily Carr University of Art and Design, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 2014. The YVR Art Foundation honoured James with the Career Artist Scholarship in 2011 and resulted in “From Sea to Sky”, a 6’ high aluminum totem pole that emits LED lights through Coast Salish iconography cut by water jet.  

By combining the use of modern tools, materials and techniques, James integrates the traditional with the contemporary. “I have to start from a piece of wood or a block of wood, it gets ingrained in my DNA, that way I can then bring it into the computer, change the curvature quickly as opposed to having to start over again.” 

James envisions a future where Indigenous design is not only respected but celebrated globally. He is working on several projects that aim to bridge the gap between Indigenous art and mainstream design. One such initiative is his collaboration with his life partner and fellow artist. “Dreamweaver, a collaboration with my partner Lauren Brevner, was done in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement through Coast Salish iconography – thinking about the history through this Indigenous lens, talking about it through Coast Salish ways of knowing.” 

More recently, James and Lauren (KWÍKWI) produced a 2023 joint solo exhibit The Seventh. Together, KWÍKWI acknowledges the timeless presence of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, and səlilwətaɬ peoples and their territories. Their explorations honour and respect how these extensive relationships have shaped the diverse communities that have developed here, especially the rich and culturally diverse local neighbourhoods in the city. 

James’s work continues to inspire and challenge both his fellow artists and the broader community. With a unique capacity for developing thematically significant work that connects all people to the ecology of place while building a greater understanding between cultures, his process brings people together, changes ideas, and leaves a legacy to remind the community that transformations can occur. 

Nominations for the 2025 First Nations Art award will be accepted through BCAF’s website until February 15.  

For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation and its award programs, visit www.bcachievement.com.  

#nominatenowbc 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

Announcing Chief Gibby Jacob and Geena Jackson as Co-Directors of Ceremonies for the 2024 Indigenous Business Award Gala 

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Photo: 2024 IBA Co-Directors, Geena Jackson and Chief Gibby Jacob

We are thrilled to announce that Geena Jackson and Chief Gibby Jacob will be the Co-Directors of Ceremonies for the 2024 Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Gala, taking place on October 7 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. This highly anticipated event is the place to be for anyone interested in Indigenous business in British Columbia. 

Meet Geena Jackson 

Geena Jackson whose traditional name is Tsetasiya (‘Sa-TAS-ee-ya’) returns for her third year as Co-Director of the IBA Gala, bringing her experience and passion for celebrating Indigenous business excellence. As a devoted advocate for Indigenous rights, self-determination, and economic development, Geena has over 25 years of experience serving First Nation communities and the industry at large. A proud member of the Shishalh Nation (Sechelt), she is deeply committed to strengthening Indigenous communities through strategic partnerships with industry experts and government bodies. 

Geena has been instrumental in helping over 800 Indigenous entrepreneurs grow their businesses and social enterprises. Her commitment to Indigenous economic growth is further exemplified by her creation of the Bears’ Lair TV show on APTN, where she serves as a core judge. This unique platform supports Indigenous entrepreneurs on a national scale, offering exposure, guidance, and opportunities to scale their ventures, with a grand prize of $100,000. 

Additionally, Geena has created the Bears’ Lair Youth Dream Camps, teaching Indigenous youth aged 11-18 across Canada about entrepreneurship, life skills, and creating tools for future success. In 2023, she facilitated 25 camps and is well on her way to facilitating 40 additional camps in 2024, educating, elevating, and inspiring over 1,000 Indigenous youth nationwide. 

Meet Chief Gibby Jacob 

Joining Geena this year is Chief Gibby Jacob, a distinguished leader and the 2017 IBA Award of Distinction recipient. Chief Gibby, whose ancestral name is Kákeltn siyám, is a hereditary Chief and a member of the Squamish Nation in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a man of quiet power, recognized twice with Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 Award, and honored with The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, The BC Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award, and The Senate 150th Anniversary Medal. 

Under Chief Gibby’s leadership, the Squamish Nation exponentially increased its business revenue, royalties, and real estate assets. He played a pivotal role in brokering the deal that established the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler and the 2010 Olympic land legacy, resulting in the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations gaining several tracts of land in the Whistler community. 

Chief Gibby’s knowledge and experience provide direction and liaison duties for special projects and files, including negotiations between various levels of government, stakeholders, partners, and the Nation on projects dealing with natural resources, accommodation, and consultation. His leadership and vision are highly anticipated to bring a fresh and inspiring perspective to the gala. 

A Night to Celebrate Excellence 

The 2024 Indigenous Business Award Gala is set to be an extraordinary evening of celebrating excellence in the Indigenous economy. This event is an opportunity to honor outstanding achievements, network with industry leaders, and be part of a vibrant community that supports and uplifts Indigenous businesses. 

Don’t miss out on this incredible event. Get your early bird tickets now and be part of a night that celebrates the strength, innovation, and success of Indigenous businesses in BC. 

Chief Gibby’s wise words resonate deeply: “It is by paddling together that we can create a future for our Nation. One that learns from the past, lives in the present, and builds for the future.” 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.