Applied Art + Design Award

Nominations open for the 16th annual Indigenous Business Award  

May 1, 2024
Vancouver, BC (May 1, 2024): British Columbians are encouraged to nominate those who demonstrate excellence in Indigenous entrepreneurship for the 16th annual Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program, announced today by BC Achievement Foundation chair Walter Pela.  “By nominating deserving entrepreneurs for the Indigenous Business Award, we honour their innovation, resilience, and vital contributions to our provincial economy,” said Pela. “Celebrating Indigenous business excellence shines a spotlight on the achievements of entrepreneurs and inspires future generations.”  “Receiving the Indigenous Business Award transformed my thinking about how ...

21st Annual Community Award Recipients named by BC Achievement Foundation

April 24, 2024
Vancouver, BC (April 24, 2024): Premier David Eby and Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation, today named the recipients of the 21st annual Community Award. The program, presented by BC Achievement – an independent foundation that honours excellence and inspires achievement throughout the province – recognizes extraordinary British Columbians who build better, stronger and more resilient communities “Community Award recipients are recognized for their outstanding contributions in making life better through innovation, dedication, and volunteerism,” said Premier David Eby. “From young leaders to experienced organizers, from ...

Sḵwálwen Botanicals: incorporating sustainability into plant-based skincare products

April 2, 2024
Photo: Leigh Joseph, Skwálwen Botanicals, 2020 Indigenous Business Award recipient Sḵwálwen Botanicals exemplifies the profound intersection between sustainability and Indigenous business practices. Based in Squamish, Sḵwálwen Botanicals is a recipient of the 2020 Indigenous Business Award, showcasing its dedication to both cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.  Skwálwen creates small batch botanical skincare products based on Indigenous plant science while honouring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge. Its products incorporate wild harvested plants with organic, high-quality ingredients. As an ethnobotanist and scientist, founder, and PhD candidate, Leigh Joseph leads ...

Indigenous Business Award alumni, OneFeather, Launches AI Tool for First Nations’ Elections 

March 27, 2024
OneFeather, an Indigenous-owned technology company, continues to revolutionize the Indigenous experience through a unique blend of tradition and innovation. With a strong foundation in First Nations values and principles, OneFeather offers a range of digital services aimed at modern nation-building, including election and voting services, data sovereignty, community engagement, and comprehensive banking solutions for individuals. Having already made significant strides in supporting over 190 First Nations and Métis Nations across Canada, serving a community of 230,000 members, OneFeather recently unveiled its latest tool – the ...

Celebrating Indigenous business excellence through film 

February 1, 2024
Photo: Teara Fraser, 2023 Indigenous Business Award of Distinction recipient Storytelling has the power to illuminate, educate, and bridge gaps in our understanding of diverse cultures. The Indigenous Business Award (IBA) films stand as a testament to the importance of Indigenous narratives, offering a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, resilience and cultural heritage.   Each year the annual Indigenous Business Award program uses storytelling through short films as one avenue to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements and contributions of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Now in its sixteenth ...

Nominations Now Open for BC Achievement’s 21st Annual Community Award

December 1, 2023
Vancouver, BC (December 1, 2023): Today the BC Achievement Foundation opened the called for nominations for the 21st annual Community Award. The award program recognizes, celebrates and stewards outstanding British Columbians while elevating their stories of excellence. Individuals are celebrated for their efforts in raising the quality and character of their communities while serving as the ultimate example of dedication and excellence. “The Community Award program is a testament to the best of BC. The program has lifted up and told the stories of over ...