Vancouver, B.C. – The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, in partnership with BC Achievement Foundation, is honoured to announce the recipients of the fourth British Columbia Reconciliation Award.
The award recognizes four extraordinary individuals and two incredible organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect and commitment to furthering reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in the province of British Columbia, or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts.
Individual recipients:
Sdahl Ḵ’awaas, Lucy Bell (Old Massett)
Corporal (Retired) Chris Gosselin, M.O.M. (West Kelowna)
Gloria Morgan (Enderby)
Phyllis Webstad (Williams Lake)
Organization recipients:
Qwelmínte Secwépemc (Kamloops)
Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (Port Alberni)
“The essence of reconciliation as a vital process for fostering connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities is illuminated through the work of the BC Reconciliation Award program,” said Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers, a BC Achievement board member. “The importance of recognizing historical injustices, while also celebrating transformative actions that empower Indigenous Peoples, underpins the program’s intent as we mark its fourth year celebrating outstanding reconciliation practices. The recognition of the 2024 recipients of the BC Reconciliation Award honours their contributions and also serves as an inspiration for others to engage in meaningful reconciliation efforts. It’s a powerful reminder of the collective journey we are undertaking in British Columbia toward healing and accountability.”
BC Achievement Foundation has several established programs honouring excellence and inspiring achievement throughout British Columbia, such as the Indigenous Business Award and the First Nations Art Award.
“The stories of this year’s BC Reconciliation Award recipients give me hope,” said Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. “These are stories that awaken hearts to the truths of some of the most difficult history of our country, but also stories of resilience, generosity, healing and bravery. Every year, I am deeply inspired by the work of these recipients, the depth of their communities, and their commitment to authentic, respectful relationship building. I am honoured to share the work of the recipients and express my gratitude for all they have contributed to reconciliation in British Columbia.”
Her Honour Janet Austin has chosen reconciliation as one of the key priorities of her mandate. This commitment includes participation in promotion of public awareness of the ongoing journey of reconciliation and developing a legacy through the creation of this award.
The British Columbia Reconciliation Award draws inspiration from the work of Steven Point
[Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl], 28th lieutenant governor of British Columbia and a founder of the award. His hand-carved red cedar canoe, Shxwtitostel, currently on display at the B.C. Parliament Buildings, was created as a symbol of reconciliation, with the understanding that “we are all in the same canoe” and must “paddle together” to move forward.
In honour of this legacy, this year’s recipients will receive a print of a canoe paddle designed by Tsm’syen/Nisga’a artist Shawna Kiesman to commemorate the award. Shawna is the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist recipient of the Polygon Award in First Nations Art. The paddle designed by Shawna was installed alongside previous BC Reconciliation Award paddles at Government House in Victoria on Nov. 5, 2024.
The 2024 recipients of the BC Reconciliation Award will be recognized in a ceremony held at Government House in the new year.
The selection committee for the 2024 British Columbia Reconciliation Award is:
- p̓i·q̓, Christopher Horsethief – Ktunaxa Nation
- Chief/Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir – Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc
- Xyolholemo:t, Brenda Crabtree – Spuzzum Band with Nlaka’pamux and Sto:Lo ancestry
- Dr. Danièle Behn Smith – Eh Cho Dene of Fort Nelson First Nation and Franco-Manitobain/Métis, Red River Valley
- Brendan Eshom – Gitga’at (Hartley Bay) Nation
Interviews with BC Reconciliation Award recipients, as well as Her Honour Janet Austin or representatives of the BC Achievement Foundation, are available by request. Biographies of award recipients and high-resolution images are available online: https://bcachievement.com/media-kit/
BC Achievement Foundation gratefully acknowledges Teck Resources Limited for its presentation support of the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award ceremony.
Contacts:
Rachel Rilkoff
Communications and Events Officer
Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia:
Rachel.Rilkoff@gov.bc.ca
778 679-2278BC Achievement Foundation:
Gemma Bishop
Gather Public Relations
gemma@gatherpublicrelations.com
604 375-6953
2024 BC Reconciliation Award Recipients – Backgrounders
Sdahl Ḵ’awaas, Lucy Bell, PhD (ABD)
Old Massett
Watchmen, Skyáanaa ‘la’áaylang, stand atop Haida poles, watching for visitors and for danger. Lucy Bell, Sdahl Ḵ’awaas, has served as a Watchman in the museum world, advocating for reconciliation, repatriation, and anti-racism.
As a founding member of the Haida Repatriation Committee, she has spent nearly 30 years helping return over 500 ancestral remains to Haida Gwaii, guided by Yahgudang (Respect), and reconnecting the Haida with their 12,000 belongings in global museums.
As the inaugural Head of Indigenous Collections and Repatriation at the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), Lucy advanced reconciliation, co-authored the Indigenous Repatriation Handbook, and pushed for systemic change despite facing institutional racism. Her public resignation led to a year-long investigation and significant changes in the museum sector. She received the Sterling Prize for Controversy for speaking out against racism. Lucy will soon host a Haida Tla Yahda (Making it right) ceremony with the RBCM for closure, and to receive an apology in a Haida way.
Lucy continues to speak out for reconciliation and justice in the heritage field, advising the BC Museums Association, and the Canadian Museums Association. Her co-authored From Stealing to Healing Report on repatriation costs and benefits for First Peoples’ Cultural Council is a first of its kind in Canada.
Lucy is passionate about protecting and supporting her daughter and other upcoming museologists. She co-created a UVic course on decolonizing museums and co-founded Indigenous Museum Cousins. Her forthcoming dissertation will show how the Haida reconcile and work with museums.
Corporal (Retired) Chris Gosselin, M.O.M.
West Kelowna
Corporal (Retired) Chris Gosselin, M.O.M., whose traditional name is Makadewaa Makwa (“that comes from the black bear people), is a band member of Tootinaowaziibeeng, a reserve in Manitoba. Chris served over 23 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in BC, building strong relationships between Indigenous communities, RCMP and provincial and federal government agencies. In 2010, Chris was recognized nationally with Order of Merit for Police Award in Ottawa by the Governor General of Canada.
Of Ojibwe and Métis descent, Chris became known for his diplomatic approach to improving tripartite policing agreement with Stó:lō communities. His work centered on reconciliation, cultural sensitivity, and ensuring Indigenous voices were respected within the justice system.
Chris championed cultural education within the RCMP, training officers on Indigenous traditions and advocating for tailored policing services. Noticing gaps in Community Tri-Partite Agreements, he helped to establish the Urban Indigenous Liaison position and formed a specialized unit focused on cultural sensitivity. His leadership culminated in the signing of the Community Safety Agreement in 2021, for 14 Indigenous communities without a policing agreement, solidifying the RCMP’s commitment to culturally responsive policing. Chris’ dedication to fostering trust and mutual respect leaves a lasting legacy in community-focused policing. On October 19, 2022, the Stó:lō Tribal Council communities honoured Chris upon his retirement with being adopted and covered with an ancestral name, Qelets’telts (protector of the people).
Gloria Morgan
Enderby
Gloria Morgan, a survivor of St. Eugene’s Indian Residential School and the 60s Scoop, exemplifies resilience and leadership in her lifelong commitment to reconciliation. After serving as an RCMP officer for 11 years, she transitioned to law in 1994. Gloria practiced until 2001, when she was elected Chief of the Splatsin First Nation, serving two terms. Her dedication to justice extended to her role as a Federal Adjudicator for the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, supporting survivors across the country.
Gloria has contributed to numerous boards, including Tsm7aksaltn Teaching Center and Okanagan College, where she championed Indigenous curriculum development and ensured that Indigenization and Reconciliation worked hand in hand. As an advocate for education and cultural preservation, she has promoted fundraising for Indigenous students and taught Secwepemc Youth Language and Cultural Arts classes. Currently a board member of the Provincial Health Services Authority, Gloria remains a force for reconciliation, bridging cultural divides through her work with the Enderby and District Arts Council and community events.
Qwelmínte Secwépemc
Kamloops
Qwelmínte Secwépemc is a collective of leadership and technical experts from eight Secwépemc communities, working in partnership with four BC government ministries to advance reconciliation and foster shared governance. Formed in 2019 through a Government-to-Government Letter of Commitment (LoC), the partnership enhances Indigenous law and land management capacity, while ensuring Secwépemc people play a central role in regional economic development, and Governance.
In 2022, the Sku7pecen’s Journey LoC reinforced this collaboration with multi-year funding, resulting in the Joint Intentions Paper (JIP) that outlines a strategic path forward. Embracing the “Walking on Two Legs” philosophy, the collective integrates both Western and Secwépemc knowledge in governance.
Qwelmínte Secwépemc’s work spans forestry, water, wildlife, and energy. Its recent successes include successful co-development of Forest Biodiversity Principles with BC as a precursory step to its Forest Landscape Plan work, and Collaborative Stewardship Forum. The Qwelmínte Secwépemc Office (QSO) staff have also contributed to the drafting and creation of the Together for Wildlife Strategy and advises its implementation. QSO staff and interns’ contributions to this work includes co-development of innovative ways for the Province to approach reconciliation at a strategic scale in an inclusive fashion by drafting an approach to non-Statutory Shared Decision-Making and collaborating on a principled approach to reconciliation through a potential wildlife act review. The #TeamSkú7pecen Knowledge Builders Program ensures future generations continue this work by providing interns with hands-on education in reconciliation work, including a Summer Speaker Series that connects interns with Elders, fostering cultural healing, learning, and leadership.
Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
Port Alberni
Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family & Child Services (Usma), part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, is an Indigenous Child and Family Services Agency dedicated to the protection and cultural continuity of Nuu-chah-nulth children. “Usma,” meaning “precious one,” reflects the agency’s mission to ensure the safety and well-being of children while preserving their cultural identity.
Central to Usma’s approach is the Nuu-chah-nulth Haahupa Program, brought to the agency by Elder Geraldine Edgar-Tom, which combines traditional teachings with modern education to support healing and cultural resilience. “Haahupa,” meaning “teaching in a loving way,” offers initiatives such as the Chaputs Program in collaboration with local School District 70-Pacific Rim, which incorporates traditional food and medicine teachings, and language revitalization. A key element is the “From Residential Schools to Reconciliation” course, educating local service providers about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools to foster community-wide understanding.
Through its programs, Usma reconnects children with their heritage while building bridges between Nuu-chah-nulth and non-Nuu-chah-nulth communities, advancing reconciliation and cultural preservation.
Phyllis Webstad
Williams Lake
Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) author and activist, is a leading voice in raising awareness of the painful legacy of Indian Residential Schools. A member of the Stswecem’c Xgat’ First Nation, Phyllis is a founding member of the Orange Shirt Society, dedicated to educating the public about the lasting trauma of these institutions and honouring survivors and their families. Her activism began in 2013 when she shared her own residential school experience, which inspired the creation of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Phyllis is also a member of the Survivors Circle, supporting fellow survivors and promoting healing. Through her books, The Orange Shirt Story and Every Child Matters, and the film Returning Home, she amplifies the call for reconciliation. Phyllis’s advocacy ensures that the history of residential schools is remembered, transforming trauma into education and hope for future generations.