Month: July 2025

Celebrating Excellence: The Ripple Effect of Recognition 

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: Kelly Cannell, 2024 recipient, Polygon Award in First Nations Art

At BC Achievement Foundation, our mission is simple yet powerful: to honour excellence and inspire achievement throughout British Columbia. Each year, we have the privilege of shining a spotlight on individuals and organizations whose dedication, creativity, and leadership are shaping communities across the province.  

Recognition acknowledges that someone’s hard work, often done quietly and without expectation, has not gone unnoticed. For many recipients, the honour of receiving a BC Achievement award marks a pivotal moment—an affirmation that their contributions matter and it serves a catalyst for future growth. 

As artist Kelly Cannell, a 2024 recipient of the Polygon Award in First Nations Art, reflected, “I had never considered awards important to me as an artist until receiving the Polygon Award. Watching the film specifically made me reflect on all the work I had done. Seeing it compiled was deeply rewarding and gave me the opportunity to step back and appreciate my accomplishments.” 

More than just accolades, these awards create ripples. They elevate stories that may otherwise remain untold, fostering pride in recipients, in their families, communities, and sectors. When a community leader from a remote region is recognized, the award brings attention to local initiatives and often sparks broader conversations around identity and belonging.  

Take, for example, Valerie Jerome, 2025 Community Award recipient and long-time advocate for inclusion and opportunity, “My way forward in life was made possible by the likes of the people who are being honoured; kind-hearted, generous, loving individuals who gave of their time, energy and enormous compassion to give me a chance to develop my abilities, to grow and to achieve my goals against all odds.” 

Photo: Valerie Jerome, 2025 recipient, Community Award & Mitchell Award of Distinction

Her words, delivered at the 2025 Community Award ceremony, highlight how the act of recognition also honours those who empower others—and how it reinforces a cycle of mentorship, encouragement, and progress. 

For many, the award isn’t just an endpoint—it’s a stepping stone toward greater impact. Tyson Atleo of Ahous Adventures, a 2024 Indigenous Business Award recipient, shared, “We are a thriving eco-tourism here in Tofino. We are looking to benefit the community and open the eye of the public which has been dominated by colonialism for decades. We are excited to be here [as an awardee] and have an impact for the youth.” 

Photo: Ahous Adventures, 2024 recipient, Indigenous Business Award

This is the ripple in motion: recognition that turns into resources, which turn into renewed efforts to educate, engage, and uplift community. 

Behind each award is a network of nominators, jurors, and supporters who believe in the value of recognition. They help surface stories that deserve to be shared and supported. 

At BC Achievement, we believe that honouring excellence is the beginning of each awardee’s journey with the foundation. It’s a call to action for all of us to recognize, to uplift, and to be inspired by those who lead by example.  

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

KPMG celebrates Indigenous Excellence through Partnerships with BC Achievement

Posted on by bcachievement

Behind every BC Achievement award recipient is a story of perseverance, creativity, and community impact. These stories are strengthened by the partnerships that bring them to life. A key partner in our work is KPMG, whose support of the Indigenous Business Award and the Polygon Award in First Nations Art helps shine a spotlight on Indigenous entrepreneurs and artists. Through financial contributions and creative initiatives, KPMG is helping BC Achievement broaden its reach and deepen its commitment to celebrating excellence.

KPMG’s Innovative Approach to First Nations Art

KPMG’s partnership with BC Achievement’s Polygon Award in First Nations Art (FNA) program goes beyond traditional sponsorship, taking shape in creative, meaningful initiatives that directly benefit First Nations artists. A recent example is their engagement with FNA alumni through two significant paid commissions that ensure recognition is paired with real opportunities for artists to thrive and share their work with wider audiences.

The first commission in 2024 involved collaborating with a number of FNA alumni to create works for a fundraising silent auction. The event generated substantial proceeds, which KPMG matched and donated back into the FNA program. The approach  raised critical funds while underscoring the value of art as both a cultural and philanthropic force.

The second initiative is an annual commission to acquire a work from the most recent emerging FNA artist for KPMG’s permanent collection for the Downie-Wenjack Legacy Space Program. Emerging artist recipient, Shawna Kiesman’s custom piece “Rooted Strength” features two eagles perched on branches of a single tree, looking in opposite directions, underpinning the values Integrity, Excellence, Courage, and the power of Unity. The eagles represent strength, vision, and resilience, embodying courage in the face of challenges and the clarity of purpose needed to pursue excellence. These pieces are proudly displayed in the firm’s downtown Vancouver offices, where they stand as a testament to the vibrancy and strength of First Nations artistry. By investing in these artists, KPMG helps amplify their voices and ensure their stories are seen, shared, and celebrated.

Strengthening Indigenous Business

In addition to its support of First Nations art, KPMG is a valued sponsor of BC Achievement’s 2025 Indigenous Business Award (IBA). The IBA program recognizes Indigenous entrepreneurs whose innovation, leadership, and community impact contribute to the economic and cultural fabric of British Columbia. KPMG’s financial commitment ensures that the IBA program from nomination to recognition remains a meaningful platform for uplifting excellence and amplifying Indigenous voices in the province’s business landscape.

Looking Ahead

Partnerships highlight the role of collaboration in advancing BC Achievement’s mission. Through KPMG’s financial support, innovative programming, and a deep commitment to Indigenous excellence, our partnership builds a strong legacy of recognition and opportunity for others to emulate. As BC Achievement evolves, these partnerships remain essential to celebrating the stories and successes that shape British Columbia.

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

Celebrating Material, Place, and Process: Brent Comber and the 2025 Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design 

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: Brent Comber, 2024 Award of Distinction recipient

The 2025 Sam Carter Award program continues to celebrate excellence in BC’s vibrant design and craft community. Last year’s Award of Distinction recipient, Brent Comber, is a shining example of how material, story, and place intersect to create powerful, lasting work. 

A designer and sculptor based in North Vancouver, Brent has spent decades exploring the dialogue between nature and form. His studio practice is rooted in the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on reclaimed and locally sourced wood. His signature works—bold, sculptural furniture pieces and installations—are beautiful, and they carry the weight of history, environment, and transformation. 

The short film produced about the 2024 Award of Distinction recipient offers a moving portrait of Brent’s process and perspective. For Brent, design is about listening—to the material, the context, and the cultural landscape around him. 

One of the most compelling themes in the film is Brent’s respect for the inherent life of wood—its knots, grain, and imperfections—and how these are celebrated rather than erased. “There’s a story in every tree,” he reflects, “and our job is to honour that.” This philosophy aligns beautifully with the values of the Sam Carter Award, which recognizes practitioners who elevate material-based design into cultural dialogue. 

The film also highlights Brent’s dedication to mentorship and community. His North Vancouver studio is a hub for emerging designers, artisans, and collaborators. Through this open-door approach, he has helped shape a generation of makers who are redefining BC’s creative identity. 

The Sam Carter Award, named for the legendary educator and design advocate, celebrates those who blend innovation with tradition, aesthetics with ethics, and art with function. Brent’s work exemplifies all of this—and more. 

This award program honours individual achievement and also highlights the rich diversity and strength of applied art and design across the province. From textile artists to woodworkers, ceramicists to jewellery designers, the recipients are a reminder of how creativity can transform both material and mindset. 

Brent’s work reminds us that good design is not just something we see—it’s something we feel, inhabit, and use in daily life. 

Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 Sam Carter Award recipients and join us in celebrating the incredible talent shaping BC’s design future. 

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

The 2025 Indigenous Business Award Gala: A Celebration Not to Be Missed 

Posted on by bcachievement

Every November, the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Gala stands out as one of the most inspiring and joyful evenings of the year—and this year’s celebration on November 5 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver promises to be uniquely special. 

Now in its 17th year, the IBA Gala shines a powerful spotlight on Indigenous excellence in business across British Columbia. It’s a night that blends recognition, connection, and celebration—and it’s quickly become known as a can’t-miss event for leaders, changemakers, and supporters across sectors. 

This year’s recipients are remarkable examples of innovation, leadership, and impact: 

  • Business of the Year (1–2 person enterprise): Touch of Culture, West Vancouver 
  • Business of the Year (11+ person enterprise): Salish Soils, Sechelt 
  • Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement: Harold Calla, Squamish Nation 

The annual IBA program culminates with the Gala Presentation Ceremony. The 2025 program theme “Stronger Together”, embraces the entire community that comes together to honour the awardees. Their stories come to life through beautifully produced short films—deeply moving portraits that highlight the heart, hustle, and community values behind each business. Watching these films in a room full of peers, mentors, and supporters is powerful. You can feel the pride, the inspiration, and the momentum. 

Beyond the awards, the Gala is a celebration of connection. It’s a chance to gather with colleagues, friends, and new faces. Whether you’re reconnecting with a long-time business partner or meeting someone who might be your next collaborator, the networking opportunities are rich and meaningful. 

It’s also an incredibly fun night. Guests enjoy a delicious three-course meal, beats spun by IBA program alum DJ O Show, territorial welcomes that lift the spirit, and a room buzzing with energy and positivity. The IBA Gala is a night full of warmth, excitement, and heartfelt celebration. 

If you’ve attended before, you know the feeling: the joy of celebration, the power of recognition, and the energy of a room full of people moving forward together. If you haven’t, this is the perfect year to experience it. 

📅 November 5, 2025 
📍 Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 
🎟️ Tickets available now on Eventbrite 

The Indigenous Business Award Gala is more than an event—it’s a celebration of excellence, community, and the future we’re building together. Don’t miss it!

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

Canada Day in BC: Paddling Forward, Together 

Posted on by bcachievement

Each year on July 1, communities across British Columbia gather to mark Canada Day with celebration, reflection, and renewed commitment to what makes this province—and this country—strong: its people. From the mountain towns of the Kootenays to the beaches of Vancouver Island, Canada Day reminds us that we are stronger together, and that diversity, respect, and shared purpose are at the heart of what it means to be Canadian. 

British Columbia is home to over 200 First Nations and a vibrant mix of cultures and languages from around the world. In Richmond, you’ll hear Cantonese, Tagalog, and Punjabi as you walk through the streets. In Prince Rupert, you might watch a Nisga’a or Ts’msyen artist carving a traditional mask while newcomers share homemade food at a community potluck. In Victoria, people gather at the Legislature to hear live music, including Indigenous drumming and local multicultural performances. These celebrations are more than just entertainment—they are a reflection of the many stories, struggles, and contributions that build a stronger province. 

A powerful metaphor shared by Indigenous leader, Honourable Steven Point (Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl) and former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia shares the need to “paddle together” towards progress. We are all in the same canoe. Whether we are First Nations, settlers, immigrants, or refugees, we share these lands and waters—and if we paddle together, we move forward together. Progress requires unity, cooperation, and mutual respect. 

As we celebrate, it’s also important to reflect. Canada Day in BC does not come without complexity. The history of colonization, residential schools, and ongoing injustices must be acknowledged. In places like Kamloops and Williams Lake, the discoveries of unmarked graves have deepened public understanding of the painful legacy Indigenous communities continue to carry. That’s why Canada Day should also be a moment of truth and reconciliation—a chance to listen, learn, and act. 

Many communities are already leading the way. The City of Vancouver has integrated cultural protocol with local Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations into its civic celebrations. Powell River, now exploring a name change to better reflect Indigenous history and relationships, is an example of how we can move forward with respect. In small and large ways, British Columbians are beginning to align our celebrations with a deeper sense of inclusion and accountability. 

And through it all, the contributions of everyday people continue to shape this province: the Filipino care workers in Surrey keeping elders safe; the Syilx language teachers in the Okanagan preserving knowledge for future generations; the refugee family in Kelowna opening a small café and creating jobs; the Haida weaver in Masset keeping tradition alive while inspiring new generations of artists. 

So, as we celebrate Canada lets recognize each other’s stories, and paddle forward as one, there’s no limit to where we can go—together. 

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