Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) author and activist and a recipient of the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award, is one of the most recognized voices in Canada for raising awareness about the painful legacy of the Indian Residential School system. A member of the Stswecem’c Xgat’ First Nation, Phyllis dedicates her life to sharing her story, supporting survivors, and amplifying the call for reconciliation.
Her journey of advocacy began in 2013, when she spoke publicly about her childhood experience at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake. On her very first day there, the new orange shirt she proudly wore was taken from her—a small but powerful symbol of the immense loss suffered by thousands of Indigenous children who were stripped of their identities, cultures, and dignity. That story inspired what we now know as Orange Shirt Day, recognized annually on September 30 underpinning its mantra of ‘Every Child Matters”. The grass roots’ movement shares its day of recognition with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time for Canadians to reflect, learn, and commit to building a more just and inclusive future.
Beyond Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis continues to guide others on the path toward healing. As a member of the Survivors’ Circle, she offers support to fellow residential school survivors, and through her books, The Orange Shirt Story and Every Child Matters, as well as the documentary Returning Home, she ensures these truths are not forgotten. Her advocacy helps younger generations understand the past and inspires hope for the future.
To recognize her extraordinary contributions, the BC Reconciliation Award program introduced a new category this year: The Phyllis Webstad Emerging Leader Designation. This designation celebrates the leadership and resilience of young people who carry forward the spirit of reconciliation—echoing Phyllis’s own words:
“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.”
As September 30 approaches, let’s wear our orange shirts with purpose and remember that reconciliation is not a single day but an ongoing journey. Together, we can honour survivors, support healing, and create a more inclusive tomorrow.
At BC Achievement, we are committed to advancing reconciliation through the BC Reconciliation Award program, which shines a light on leaders and changemakers across the province. We invite you to join us in this important work—because every step toward understanding and respect brings us closer to true reconciliation.
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ, (Tsleil-Waututh) / Vancouver, BC (August 19, 2025): The BC Achievement Foundation announces the recipients of the 21st annual Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design. The award program honours British Columbians who excel in creating functional art and design, advancing the dialogue on its importance and impact in our lives.
“The 2025 recipients of the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design exemplify a visionary approach to design that unites beauty, utility, and impact,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “Their work honours the legacy of this award by pushing boundaries and enriching our cultural landscape through innovation.”
The Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design program showcases inspiring examples of functional art that enhance everyday life while contributing to the province’s creative economy. Awardees represent exceptional achievements across a variety of disciplines, including furniture, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, glass, fashion, and industrial design.
The 2025 recipients are:
Bettina Mueller Reichl – Vancouver
Mario Pao – Vancouver
Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist:
Tyler James Goin – Vancouver
Award of Distinction:
Russell Hackney – Bowen Island
The 2025 recipients are selected by an independent jury, including Dr. Trish Kelly, President of Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Anicka Quin, Editor-in-Chief of Western Living magazine, and Jeff Martin of Jeff Martin Joinery, 2020 recipient. Advisors to the jury are Ron Kong, craft advocate and Toby Barratt, Propellor Design, 2010 recipient.
Recipients will be celebrated at a ticketed award presentation and exhibition reception on November 25, 2025, at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre in Vancouver. The evening will feature two short films highlighting each recipient’s creative accomplishments and will be amplified through the online campaign #shinethelightbc.
BC Achievement is also honoured to present a combined exhibition featuring the 2025 recipients of both the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design and the Polygon Award in First Nations Art. This free, public exhibition will be held at the Roundhouse from November 18 to November 25, 2025.
Interviews with BC Achievement Foundation representatives and award recipients are available upon request. A media kit, including awardee bios and high-resolution images, can be found here.
For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation or the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design program, please visit www.bcachievement.com.
The BC Achievement Foundation extends its gratitude to community partners Denbigh Fine Art Services and The Roundhouse, whose support is instrumental in elevating excellence through the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design program.
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About BC Achievement
BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 that celebrates the spirit of excellence in our province and serves to honour the best of British Columbia. In addition to the Applied Art + Design Award, the organization presents several established programs, including the Indigenous Business Award, the Polygon Award in First Nations Art, the Community Award and in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the BC Reconciliation Award. By recognizing the accomplishments of our province’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth and volunteers, BC Achievement’s award programs pay tribute to exceptional people, doing exceptional work, while carving a path forward for others to follow. www.bcachievement.com.
The 2025 recipients exemplify BC Achievement’s mission to celebrate excellence, share success, and inspire change. The foundation is honoured to share their stories, aligning with its ongoing commitment to recognize and elevate outstanding creative achievement.
Rup Grewal Communications Director BC Achievement Foundation T: 604-261-9777 (Ext 102) E: rup@bcachievement.com
2025 Applied Art + Design Awardee Backgrounders
Tyler James Goin, Vancouver
Tyler James Goin is an emerging voice in contemporary ceramics and metal-based craft, recognized for sculptural works that merge industrial precision with emotional depth. With nearly two decades of creative exploration across painting, music, and writing—and early mentorship from sculptor Tony Bloom—Tyler brings rare interdisciplinary fluency to his practice. His foundation as a Red Seal Millwright in Vancouver’s heavy industrial sector grounds his work in structure, material sensitivity, and a deep respect for process.
Tyler’s practice centres on large-scale ceramics and forged metalwork that evoke the strength and solitude of the mountainous landscapes he grew up in. His forms carry a quiet complexity—pieces that feel both monumental and intimate. With a growing presence in BC’s design and craft community, Tyler exemplifies the values of innovation, resilience, and material intelligence.
Russell Hackney, Bowen Island
Russell Hackney is a third-generation ceramic artist whose porcelain works reflect over four decades of skill, refinement, and dedication to the art of slip-casting and relief modelling. Trained in Stoke-on-Trent, England—long considered the heartland of fine ceramics—Russell apprenticed under his father in the family pottery before earning a degree in 3D Design. Since immigrating to British Columbia in 2002, he has become a vital contributor to the province’s design and clay communities through both service and artistry.
Working from his studio on Bowen Island, Russell draws inspiration from the natural world and cultural undercurrents, producing embossed porcelain forms that merge technical mastery with contemplative design. His dual role as maker and mentor has introduced many to the possibilities of slip-casting and mould-making, supporting artists across BC. In both functional ware and sculptural expression, Russell’s work carries forward a legacy of excellence in applied art.
Bettina Mueller Reichl, Vancouver
Bettina Mueller Reichl is the founder and creative force behind Cape de Coeur, a Vancouver-based outerwear label that represents a groundbreaking fusion of high performance and high fashion. Drawing on a lifelong passion for clothing design and a deep-rooted artistic sensibility, Bettina has developed a line of high-fashion rain capes that are both waterproof and windproof—crafted using a proprietary three-layer fabric developed in partnership with an innovative European mill. Her garments challenge conventional fashion narratives while responding directly to British Columbia’s climate and lifestyle.
Inspired by the Pacific Northwest’s natural elements and informed by the province’s legacy of technical innovation, Bettina creates pieces that reflect timelessness, individuality, and environmental consciousness. Her work contributes significantly to BC’s cultural economy by advancing innovation in fashion and showcasing the region’s creative potential on a global stage.
Mario Pao, Vancouver
Mario Pao is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and maker whose practice bridges architecture, traditional craft, and material innovation. Trained as both an architect and a woodworker, Mario leads Workbench Studio—an interdisciplinary design studio that produces conceptually rich, technically precise, and boldly original work.
From large-scale installations to finely detailed furniture and objects in wood, metal, and ceramics, Mario’s work reflects an intuitive understanding of materiality and form. His pieces are grounded in rigour and craft yet always reach beyond function—inviting deeper dialogue about space, identity, and the handmade. Beyond the materials and the creation of the physical objects themselves, he shows a deft hand at bringing people into his studio that can contribute their own knowledge and artistry to elevating the body of work beyond the output of a single person.
Mario’s art has a growing influence across BC’s creative landscape, exemplifying ambition, ingenuity, and cultural contribution.
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ, (Tsleil-Waututh) / Vancouver, BC (August 12, 2025): The BC Achievement Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Polygon Award in First Nations Art. Presented annually, this award honours excellence in traditional, contemporary, and media art by Indigenous artists in British Columbia, celebrating their creativity, cultural knowledge, and contributions to community.
“The 2025 Polygon Award in First Nations Art recognizes artists whose work reflects deep cultural roots and a powerful creative voice. This year’s recipients carry forward tradition while shaping new ways of seeing, reminding us of the strength, courage, and vitality of First Nations art today,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. Now in its 19th year, the Polygon Award in First Nations Art recognizes BC-based Indigenous artists for excellence in their discipline, as well as their mentorship, storytelling, and cultural stewardship.
The 2025 recipients are selected by an independent jury of past awardees and First Nations artists recognized for their artistic accomplishments:
Lisa Hageman Yahgulanaas (Haida) – 2010 awardee
Thomas Cannell (Musqueam) – 2014 awardee
James Harry (Squamish) – 2021 awardee
Advisors to the jury are Connie Watts (Nuu-chah-nulth, Gitxsan, Kwakwaka’wakw) and Brenda Crabtree, OBC (Spuzzum Band, Nlaka’pamux, Sto:lo).
A ticketed award ceremony and dinner will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre in Vancouver, BC. The event will feature short films honouring each awardee’s artistic journey.
The 2025 First Nations Art and Applied Art + Design Exhibition will run from Tuesday, November 18 to Wednesday, November 25 at the same venue. This free, public exhibition will highlight the work of all 2025 recipients across both programs.
Online recognition will continue via the #shinethelightbc campaign, featuring the artists’ stories and impact.
Interviews with representatives of the BC Achievement Foundation and award recipients are available upon request. A media kit, including awardee bios and high-resolution images, can be found here.
For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation and the Polygon Award in First Nations Art program, please visit www.bcachievement.com.
About BC Achievement
BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 that celebrates the spirit of excellence in our province and serves to honour the best of British Columbia. In addition to the Polygon Award in First Nations Art, the organization presents several established programs, including the Indigenous Business Award, the Applied Art + Design Award, the Community Award and in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the BC Reconciliation Award. By recognizing the accomplishments of our province’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth and volunteers, BC Achievement’s award programs pay tribute to exceptional people, doing exceptional work, while carving a path forward for others to follow.
Partners
BC Achievement gratefully acknowledges the generous support of program donors Polygon Homes Ltd and KPMG, and community partners Denbigh Fine Art Services and The Roundhouse, all of whom play key roles in elevating Indigenous artists across the province. BC Achievement remains committed to celebrating excellence, amplifying success, and inspiring future generations through the accomplishments of these talented artists.
Rup Grewal Communications Director BC Achievement Foundation T: 604-261-9777 (Ext 102) E: rup@bcachievement.com
2025 First Nations Art Awardee Backgrounders
Kari Morgan, Nisga’a Terrace 2025 Crabtree McLennan Emerging ArtistRecipient
Kari Morgan, of Nisga’a (House of Kw’isk’ayn), European, and Métis heritage, is a sculptor, painter, and designer whose multidisciplinary practice bridges tradition and innovation. Born in Prince Rupert and trained at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art under master carvers Dempsey Bob, Stan Bevan, and Ken McNeil, Kari’s work explores the tension between contemporary expression and traditional form.
Kari believes traditional art is more than a visual language for the people of the Northwest, she believes it is medicine for the soul. Her practice honours ancestral knowledge and aims to display the strengths of her culture and people to entice a positive narrative change.
Through exhibitions across BC and the Pacific Northwest, Kari uplifts Indigenous voices and invites new ways of seeing. Her commitment to cultural strength and creative exploration marks her as a powerful emerging force in the art world.
Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Lets’lo:tseltun,Cowichan (Hul’q’umi’num Coast Salish) and Okanagan (Syilx) Vancouver 2025 Award of Distinction Recipient
Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Lets’lo:tseltun, of Cowichan (Hul’q’umi’num Coast Salish) and Okanagan (Syilx) descent, is one of Canada’s most influential and unflinching contemporary artists. For over four decades, Lawrence has used painting, installation, and performance to challenge colonial narratives, confront systemic injustices, and assert Indigenous sovereignty. His work is both politically charged and artistically groundbreaking—often combining traditional Coast Salish aesthetics with surrealist and pop art influences to powerful effect.
Living and working on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, Lawrence has exhibited globally, including at the Tate Modern, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the National Gallery of Canada.
In 2016, the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia mounted a major 30-year survey of his work, titled Unceded Territories, cementing his status as a critical voice in Indigenous and contemporary art. Lawrence’s art demands engagement, calling viewers to reckon with truth, history, and the future of this land.
Rebecca Baker-Grenier, of Kwakiuł, Dzawada’enuwx, and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh ancestry, is a fashion designer whose work carries deep ancestral connection and cultural strength. A regalia designer since age eleven, Rebecca has created pow-wow and performance regalia for her family and for the Dancers of Damelahamid, with her designs featured on national and international stages since 2016.
Holding a BA in Indigenous Studies from UBC, Rebecca began her fashion design journey in 2021, apprenticing under Himikalas Pam Baker and completing the Indigenous Couture Residency at Banff Centre. Her collections have since appeared at New York Fashion Week, SWAIA Santa Fe, Indigenous Fashion Arts Toronto, and Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.
Her garments have been worn on red carpets and featured in Vogue, Elle Canada, and museum exhibitions, and are known for their elegance, cultural grounding, and refined detail. Through her work, Rebecca offers bold, beautiful reflections of Indigenous resilience, pride, and creativity.
Gordon Dick, Tseshaht and Nuu-chah-nulth Port Alberni
Tseshaht and Nuu-chah-nulth artist Gordon Dick’s creativity and skill advance the visual language of Nuu-chah-nulth art. Inspired by the ceremonial artistry of his grandparents and family Potlatches, Gordon began creating as a young man, initially teaching himself jewellery engraving after watching Kwakwaka’wakw artist Dennis Matilpi at work. His practice has since grown to include masks, panels, totem poles, bronzes, and carvings that reflect his cultural heritage with precision, humility, and beauty.
Deeply rooted in community and tradition, Gordon carries forward the legacy of celebrated artists like Art Thompson, Joe David, and Tim Paul—mentors and peers who recognized his commitment and craftsmanship. Whether crafting a wedding ring or a monumental memorial pole, Gordon’s work radiates care, balance, and meaning.
Through Ahtsik Native Art Gallery, his studio and carving space in Tseshaht territory, Gordon shares knowledge and welcomes the public into a living dialogue with Nuu-chah-nulth culture, strength, and story.
August 15 marks six months until nominations close for the 2026 BC Achievement award programs and now is the perfect time to begin the process. By starting early, you can reach out for letters of support, gather relevant materials, and contact us with any questions to ensure a strong nomination. Every year, the awards celebrate excellence across five distinct programs, and your nomination could help recognize the next outstanding British Columbian.
Join Us to RECOGNIZE REMARKABLE
BC Achievement is proud to present five award programs that honour exceptional people and their contributions across the province:
Community Award
BC Reconciliation Award
Indigenous Business Award
Polygon Award in First Nations Art
Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design
These awards shine a spotlight on individuals and organizations that are shaping BC’s future through community leadership, cultural preservation, reconciliation, innovation, and artistic excellence.
Why Nominate Someone?
Because recognizing achievement does more than honour one person; it uplifts entire communities. It shares the impact of the work being done, ensures it reaches a wider audience, and inspires others to act. When you nominate someone, you’re helping tell a story that might otherwise go unheard.
Take, for example, 2024 Community Award recipient Wendy Toyer, whose volunteer work and mentorship has strengthened ALS awareness and support. Or Pam Baker, recipient of the 2024 Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design, whose design practice integrates traditional Indigenous forms with contemporary fashion to celebrate culture and identity.
Recognition validates contributions, strengthens community bonds, and fosters a culture of well-being and shared pride. For many recipients, the award becomes a platform for furthering their impact. It’s a meaningful step in affirming the value of their work and encouraging others to follow in their footsteps.
Celebrating Impact Across BC
Whether it’s a business leader like Seven Generations Environmental Services, honoured by the Indigenous Business Award program for their site restoration services, or a cultural visionary like artist Jim Hart, 2024 recipient of the Award of Distinction, Polygon Award in First Nations Art, BC Achievement awardees are united by their drive to create lasting, positive change.
These awards highlight innovation, community strength, reconciliation, and creativity, all of which are essential to a vibrant and inclusive future.
Nominate by February 15, 2026
Nominations are open until February 15, 2026. By nominating someone remarkable, you ensure their work is acknowledged, amplified, and celebrated. It’s a chance to say: your efforts matter, and your community sees you.
Visit bcachievement.com to learn more, view past recipients, and begin your nomination. If you have questions along the way, our team is here to support you.
Let’s work together to #RecognizeRemarkable.
BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.
Mark your calendar and secure your seat—early bird pricing for the 17th annual Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Gala ends August 15! Don’t miss your chance to join us for an unforgettable evening on Wednesday, November 5 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, as we honour the 2025 IBA recipients and celebrate Indigenous excellence in business across British Columbia. This year’s Gala Co-Directors are Geena Jackson and Chief Willie Sayers, two inspiring leaders whose work champions Indigenous entrepreneurship and community empowerment.
This year’s theme, Stronger Together, highlights leadership grounded in relationships, reciprocity, and respect for cultural knowledge systems. True strength comes from shared community responsibility and diverse voices. When we lead through collaboration and cultural understanding, we don’t just build strong teams—we create inclusive communities where our diversity becomes our greatest strength.
Program of Events:
5:30 – 6:30 PM: General Reception (featuring music by DJ OShow)
6:30 – 10:00 PM: Dinner & Award Presentation
Early bird tickets are $250 per seat until August 15. After that, regular price tickets will be $275. Each table accommodates up to 10 guests, making it a great opportunity to attend as a group or reserve a full table for your organization.
Need help coordinating your seating or booking multiple tickets? Reach out to us at indigenousbusiness@bcachievement.com—we’re happy to assist with assigned seating or bulk purchases.
Plan Your Stay
Guests traveling from out of town can take advantage of preferred room rates at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Simply call 1.855.516.1090 and mention the BC Achievement – Indigenous Business Award Gala when booking or visit our website to access the direct booking link.
Celebrating the 2025 Awardees
This year’s recipients represent a wide range of businesses and entrepreneurs whose achievements are transforming their communities and industries. Their leadership and success serve as powerful examples of resilience, innovation, and cultural strength. View the full list of 2025 recipients on our Indigenous Business Award webpage.
Visit bcachievement.com to buy your tickets, donate, or learn more. We look forward to seeing you on November 5!
We’ve all just had statutory holiday for BC Day. What does it mean to you?
Did you take time with family? Put in time at work? Volunteer at your neighbourhood organization? Or did you reflect on the history of BC?
Here at BC Achievement, staff did a little of all of the above.
For most of us, BC Day has meant a day off – one where we can enjoy a summer day at the beach, outside reading a book or playing a sport with friends, or getting a task checked off that never-ending checklist of things to do.
Let’s take a little look at the history of BC Day, or Civic Day as it’s called in other provinces. Established in 1974, BC Day was officially established by the British Columbia government. The idea was to create a day to recognize and celebrate the heritage, culture, and achievements of the province.
Knowing a little more about the history of this province, the injustices put on Indigenous people by the original settlers, and our early history with immigrants, we could easily hide our head in the sand. But those things that make us uncomfortable, often make room for growth, realization and understanding. So, BC Day can be a good opportunity to reflect on where we’ve come as a province, how much we’ve learned, and a vision for the future that includes reconciliation, respect, and compassion.
The growth of a community is often dependant on strong foundations and systems to keep it running, but a significant piece of a community’s strength is in its volunteers. At every level of a town or city, you’ll find acts of service performed by those who wish to give back, or to contribute their expertise and time to a cause or event in their community. Without them, our cities would be black and white. Volunteers add the colour! With so many events, festivals, gatherings BC Day is a perfect time to volunteer your services.
It’s also an equally good time to get started on those tasks you’ve been procrastinating on, or haven’t yet had the time to tackle. Organizing your closet, fixing the squeaky door, tuning your bike, or catching up on a work assignment while no one else is at the office – each one can provide a great sense of accomplishment when completed.
I think the most favourite way to spend BC Day for our staff is to make memories with our families. This BC Day we collectively did some fun things: fishing, kayaking, long walks, and even longer dinner conversations.
Whatever you did this BC Day we hope you took the time to rest, recharge, learn and get ready for a new month.
Happy August from us to you!
BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.
