BRITISH COLUMBIA RECONCILIATION AWARD

Submit your nomination by February 15

Photo: Danièle Behn Smith, 2023 Award Recipient

Nominate Now

Award Info

Why this award matters

The BC Reconciliation Award honours efforts to address the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization while honouring those implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. By celebrating the exceptional leadership of individuals, groups, and organizations dedicated to reconciliation, this recognition inspires others to engage in dialogue, build collaboration, and support healing within communities.

The award reflects the essence of reconciliation as a process to strengthen connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. It takes inspiration from the Honourable Steven Point (Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl), former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and award co-founder. His hand-carved red cedar canoe, Shxwtitostel, symbolizes the need to “paddle together” toward reconciliation. Currently displayed at the BC Legislature, the canoe reminds us that progress requires collective effort and shared purpose.

“Collectively, we need to lean into reconciliation, we need to really understand what our job is…and we need to keep doing that heavy lifting, because without it, we can’t move forward and we can’t heal all together, and heal these relationships with ourselves, with one another and with Mother Earth. “

– Danièle Behn Smith, 2023 Award Recipient

Video Highlights

2024 British Columbia Reconciliation Award Presentation Ceremony

Photo Gallery

AWARD INFORMATION

AWARD PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The British Columbia Reconciliation Award recognizes individuals, groups and organizations who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering the Calls to Action outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report; and/or inspired others to do so.

WHY NOMINATE

The award program provides an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the work of those individuals, groups and organizations committed to furthering the principles of reconciliation in British Columbia.

DATES TO REMEMBER (2026 award program)

February 15, 2026 – Deadline to submit for the 2025 award program
Fall TBD – Awardees Announced
Fall TBD – Award Presentation Ceremony -TBD

The completed nomination form and all materials must be by submitted by February 15 @ 11:59 p.m. for the nomination to be considered for the 2025 award program.

Save and Continue Later – If you don’t have all the information on hand, click on the ‘Save and Continue Later’ button at the bottom of the online nomination form – you will be prompted to enter your email and will receive a link that you can access and complete your nomination prior to the deadline.

CHECKLIST – BEFORE YOU START

  • Review the REC Nomination Guide with tips for submitting a compelling nomination
  • Ensure the nominator and nominee meet the eligibility criteria
  • Prepare the Nominator Statement, Outcomes & Impact Statement in a word document, then copy and paste the content into the required field
  • Have all nominator and nominee contact information
  • Have all documents ready to upload
  • Schedule 15-20 minutes to complete the form

NOMINATOR ELIGIBLITY

Any person, group or organization may submit nominations for the award with exceptions noted below:

  • Current members of the jury panel, or members of the jury panel’s immediate family may not submit a nomination
  • BC Achievement board members may not submit a nomination
  • Family members (e.g., parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins) may not submit a nomination

NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY

 An eligible nominee must:

  • Have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to furthering the principles of reconciliation in BC
  • Have resided in British Columbia for at least three years; or be a former long-term resident; or a British Columbia-based group or organization

An eligible nominee may be:

  • A sitting federal, provincial or municipal representative
  • A Chief or other members of a governing body of an Indigenous nation
  • A self-nomination for a group or organization

A person may receive the award posthumously only if the jury panel has recommended the nomination to the Lieutenant Governor before the nominee’s passing.

The following are ineligible to receive the Award:

  • Self-nomination by an individual
  • Posthumous nominations
  • Past recipients*
  • BC Achievement board members
  • Current members of the jury panel or members of the jury panel’s immediate family
  • Members of the judiciary

*Visit BC Achievement’s Awardees webpage to see if your nominee is a past recipient of the award.

Nominations of any individual under the age of 19 must be accompanied by a letter of permission from the nominee’s parent or guardian stating that they are aware of the nomination.

SELECTION OF AWARDEES

The independent jury panel for the BC Reconciliation Award includes representation by Indigenous Elders and BC First Nations leadership. The jury panel reviews the nominations and selects the awardees. The decision of the jury panel is final. Nominees are notified only if selected for an award. The BC Reconciliation Award is awarded by the Lieutenant Governor on the recommendation of the jury panel.

RECOGNITION

Award recipients receive a commemorative certificate plaque signed and presented by the Lieutenant Governor and BC Achievement Board Member, the BC Achievement medallion and lapel pin designed by renowned First Nations artist, Robert Davidson, OC, OBC, and artwork created by the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist in First Nations Art. The awards shall be presented to the recipients as arranged by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

Rescission of an Awardee’s Recognition

HOW TO NOMINATE / APPLY

Download the REC Nomination Guide with tips on submitting a compelling nomination.

The nominator must complete the online Nomination form and include the following:

  • Nominator name & contact information
  • Nominee name & contact information
  • Nominator Statement (max. 3000 characters incl. space or approx. 500 words)
  • Outcomes & Impact Statement
  • Two support letters from two separate individuals other than the nominator
  • Additional Materials – optional, but strongly recommended (up to 5 items max.)

Additional Materials – optional, but strongly recommended

  • Include materials such as the nominee’s biography, letters of support, links* to articles, recorded testimonials, YouTube videos, photos, website links, etc.
  • A maximum of five items will be accepted
  • Jury members will review up to 10 pages total and five minutes of video

*Each link submitted is considered one additional material.

UPDATING A NOMINATION

To update a nomination:

  • Click on the link for the nomination form
  • Select ‘yes’ to the question ‘Is this an update to a previous nomination?’
  • Include the year the nomination was first submitted
  • Complete the online nomination form and include updated information & materials about your nominee

Nominations are valid for three years including the first year of nomination and two subsequent years.

Nominators are strongly encouraged to update their nomination for consideration by the following year’s jury panel if their nominee was not recognized in the previous year’s awardee cohort.

We are happy to send the documents previously submitted for your nominee. Please email info@bcachievement.com  to make your request.

All updates should be submitted by February 15 @ 11:59 PM

PRIVACY POLICY

BC Achievement is committed to protecting the privacy of people through responsible management of information received. Nominations are kept confidential between the nominator and BC Achievement.

Photographs and information about the award recipients may be used for the promotion of the award program and other promotional activities (i.e., on BC Achievement’s website, social media channels, in media releases etc.).

Past Programs

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

Sponsors

Support the British Columbia Reconciliation Award

Supporting the BC Reconciliation Award program amplifies the voices and actions of those advancing meaningful reconciliation, fostering understanding, respect, and stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples across the province.

Donate
Newsletter
REC