Photo: Recipients and Selection Committee members of the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award
The 2024 BC Reconciliation Award ceremony, held at Government House in Victoria on January 23, 2025, was marked by a respectful and traditional presentation.
The award program honoured four outstanding individuals and two remarkable organizations whose dedication to reconciliation shines through their work. These recipients embody the values of truth, integrity, respect, and collaboration, making meaningful contributions to fostering understanding, addressing historical injustices, and building strong partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across British Columbia.
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 2024 award recipients serve as inspiring examples of what is possible when individuals and organizations commit to reconciliation in meaningful ways. Their efforts honour the past and help create a more inclusive and just future for all British Columbians.
The British Columbia Reconciliation Award draws inspiration from the work of Steven Point [Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl], the 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, the 2024 recipients received a print of a canoe paddle designed by Tsm’syen/Nisga’a artist Shawna Kiesman to commemorate their 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 on November 5, 2024.
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey—one that requires listening, learning, and action. By celebrating these achievements, we recognize the power of truth and the enduring strength of Indigenous communities in shaping a more united and respectful society for all British Columbians.
2024 recipient Phyllis Webstad, speaking for all the awardees, shared her truth in telling her residential school experience along with her drive to tell her story through the Orange Shirt Day initiative. Following Phyllis’ moving remarks, T’esóts’en, Patrick Kelly, who served as Director of Ceremonies, announced that in recognition of Phyllis’ tenacity, courage and loving nature – in sharing her story of survival and incredible strength – the BC Reconciliation Award program will have a new category moving forward:
The Phyllis Webstad Emerging Leader in Reconciliation.
As we look to the future and the challenges that lie ahead, it is more important than ever to recognize the achievements of youth in our province: “in our children, in our young people, we have hope. They are the ones who will lead us forward, and we need to support and encourage them every step of the way”.
BC Achievement holds immense gratitude for Her Honour, Janet Austin and how she has worked closely with the Foundation to advance reconciliation in BC. She is a champion for the award programs BC Achievement administers and made reconciliation one of her mandates during her tenure. We look forward to partnering with the 31st Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Wendy Cocchia and her office on the continuation of the reconciliation journey.
Nominate someone or an organization worthy of the BC Reconciliation Award before the deadline of February 15, 2025 at bcachievement.com.
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