Category: Blog

Celebrate an Evening of First Nations Art, Culture and Community 

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Some evenings stay with you long after they’ve ended, and the Polygon Award in First Nations Art celebration is one of them. 

On Tuesday, November 24, we invite you to join us at The Roundhouse in Vancouver for an evening that brings together artists, families, friends, collectors, supporters and community members to celebrate this year’s recipients of the Polygon Award in First Nations Art. Purchase your tickets here.

For $150, your ticket includes dinner and an opportunity to experience the incredible artistry and stories of the award recipients in an atmosphere grounded in cultural respect, tradition and celebration. 

The evening begins with time to wander through an exhibition of the recipients’ work, reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones. During the celebration, you’ll experience the premiere of beautifully produced short films that introduce each artist and offer a glimpse into their creative journey, inspiration and connection to culture. Over dinner, we’ll honour the recipients whose work continues to strengthen, preserve and reimagine First Nations artistic traditions for future generations. 

One of the most memorable parts of the evening is the sense of community in the room. Artists, Elders, supporters, partners and guests from across the province come together not only to celebrate extraordinary achievements, but also to recognize the important role that First Nations art plays in sharing stories, building understanding and strengthening culture. 

Whether you’ve attended before or are joining us for the first time, we hope you’ll be part of this special gathering. 

Event Details 

Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 
Location: The Roundhouse, Vancouver 
Tickets: $150 

We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring evening celebrating the artists whose work continues to enrich British Columbia and beyond. 

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

Celebrate Creativity at the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design Reception

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Tickets are now available for oneof the most anticipated evenings celebrating creativity, innovation and craftsmanship in British Columbia. 

Join us on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at The Roundhouse in Vancouver for the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design Reception, where artists, designers, collectors, supporters and art enthusiasts come together to honour this year’s outstanding recipients. 

Tickets are only $55 and include an evening designed to inspire connection and conversation within BC’s vibrant creative community. 

Guests will enjoy: 

  • A curated art exhibition 
  • Delicious food stations throughout the evening 
  • Opportunities to meet fellow artists, designers and supporters 
  • The premiere screening of short films featuring each of this year’s recipients 

The Sam Carter Award recognizes excellence across applied art and design, celebrating artists whose work combines creativity, technical skill and beauty while enriching the cultural landscape of British Columbia. 

Whether you’re an artist yourself, a collector, or simply someone who appreciates exceptional design and craftsmanship, this reception offers the chance to experience remarkable work while connecting with others who share a passion for the arts. 

Come celebrate the people whose creativity shapes our communities and inspires us all. 

Event Details 

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026 
Location: The Roundhouse, Vancouver 
Tickets: $55 

Reserve your tickets today and join us for an evening celebrating the best in applied art and design.  

We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring evening celebrating the artists whose work continues to enrich British Columbia and beyond. 

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

Early Bird Tickets Now Available for the 2026 Indigenous Business Award Gala 

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Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Indigenous business excellence at the 2026 Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Gala. 

Early Bird tickets are now on sale for $250, with tables of ten also available for organizations, businesses, families and friends who want to celebrate together. 

Taking place on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, the Gala is the signature celebration of the Indigenous Business Award program, bringing together entrepreneurs, community leaders, partners, supporters and guests from across British Columbia to recognize outstanding Indigenous businesses and achievements. 

The evening will be guided by Directors of Ceremonies Geena Jackson and Chief Willie Sellars, who will lead us through an inspiring program honouring this year’s recipients. Tsetasiya Geena Jackson returns for her fifth year as Co-Director of the IBA Gala, bringing her experience and passion for celebrating Indigenous business excellence. Kúkwpi7 Willie Sellars’ Nation is a recipient of the 2022 IBA for its business Sugar Cane Archaeology and Chief Sellars is also a program alumnus of the 2023 BC Reconciliation Award and 2026 Community Award. 

The Indigenous Business Award Gala is a gathering that celebrates innovation, resilience, leadership, and the remarkable contributions Indigenous businesses make to communities and the economy throughout British Columbia. 

Whether you’re reconnecting with long-time colleagues, making new connections, or celebrating the achievements of this year’s recipients, the IBA Gala is an evening that reflects the strength and vibrancy of Indigenous entrepreneurship. 

Secure your Early Bird tickets today and be part of one of BC’s most inspiring celebrations of Indigenous business excellence. 

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 
Location: Hyatt Regency Vancouver 
Early Bird Tickets: $250 
Tables of Ten: By request 

We look forward to celebrating with you. 

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

Guided by Indigenous Leadership: Celebrating the Indigenous Business Award Advisory Committee

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This year, BC Achievement’s IBA program is delighted to welcome its newest Advisory Committee member, Simon Baker. Simon is the Managing Partner at Baker Brothers Consulting and brings valuable experience, insight, and a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous business and economic development. We are honoured that he has chosen to share his expertise with the program and look forward to the perspectives and contributions he will bring as we continue to grow and strengthen the Indigenous Business Award community.

Since its inception in 2008, the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program has been guided by a dedicated all-Indigenous Advisory Committee. Their leadership, wisdom, and commitment have been instrumental in shaping the program into one of British Columbia’s most respected celebrations of Indigenous business excellence.

The strength of the IBA program lies not only in recognizing outstanding Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, partnerships, and community-owned enterprises, but also in ensuring that the program remains grounded in Indigenous values, perspectives, and priorities. The Advisory Committee plays a vital role in this work.

Each member brings a unique combination of professional expertise, lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community connections. Together, they represent a broad spectrum of industries, regions, and Indigenous business experiences from across British Columbia. Their collective insights help ensure that the program continues to evolve in ways that are meaningful, relevant, and responsive to the changing landscape of Indigenous business.

The Advisory Committee provides strategic guidance and thoughtful advice on all aspects of the program. From strengthening outreach and engagement efforts to informing program development and growth, their contributions help ensure that the Indigenous Business Award remains reflective of the communities it serves. Their perspectives influence how the program recognizes achievement, celebrates success, and creates opportunities to elevate Indigenous business leadership throughout the province.

As Indigenous entrepreneurship continues to grow and thrive, the Advisory Committee helps the program adapt and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges. Their guidance supports innovation while maintaining the integrity and purpose that have defined the awards for nearly two decades.

Beyond their professional expertise, committee members generously contribute their time, energy, and passion. Their dedication extends far beyond meetings and recommendations; they serve as ambassadors for the program and champions for Indigenous business success. Their commitment strengthens the relationships between the program and Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations across British Columbia.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every member of the Indigenous Business Award Advisory Committee, past and present. Your leadership, direction, and unwavering support have helped shape the growth and development of this program since 2008. The success of the Indigenous Business Award program is a reflection of your vision, guidance, and belief in the power of Indigenous business to create lasting economic, social, and cultural impact.

To Simon, welcome—we are excited to have you join us on this journey.

To our Advisory Committee members, thank you for helping guide the program with integrity, generosity, and purpose:

Simon Baker, Managing Partner, Baker Brothers Consulting

Brenda Baptiste, OBC, Chair, Indigenous Tourism BC

Jacob Beaton, Founder Tea Creek Enterprises, 2009 IBA Awardee

Louis De Jaeger, 2011 IBA Recipient

Paulette Flamond, Minister of Skills, Training, Employment and Post-Secondary, Metis Nation BC, 2019 IBA Award of Distinction

Denise Halfyard, Co-Founder, Halfyard Studios, 2011 IBA Awardee

Peter Lantin, Consultant & Past President, Haida Nation

Alexia McKinnon, Director of Indigenous Programs SFU

Jeff Ward, CEO Animikii Indigenous Technology, 2010 & 2019 IBA Awardee

Laara Yaghujaanas, MA, Consultant, Carden Consulting

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

Russell Hackney and the Art of Making

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Applied Art + Design program’s most recent Award of Distinction recipient, Russell Hackney, leads a life shaped by material, process, and an enduring commitment to craft. His art philosophy is grounded in patience, precision, and the belief that making something beautiful matters.

Russell Hackney, based on Bowen Island, is a third-generation ceramic artist whose work reflects more than four decades of refinement in porcelain. Trained in Stoke-on-Trent, England, the historic centre of ceramic production, his early years were immersed in a culture where making was both livelihood and legacy. Entering the studio at a young age and apprenticing under his father laid the technical foundation that continues to inform his work today.

Russell has spoken candidly about his early desire to push against tradition and to find his own direction within an industry defined by convention. That tension between heritage and innovation continues to shape his practice. His embossed porcelain works, created through slip-casting and relief modelling, are deeply rooted in historical technique while remaining distinctly contemporary in expression.

Russell draws inspiration from the natural environment and the rhythms of daily life. Walks through the forest, what he describes as a “thought corridor,” become a space for reflection where ideas begin to take form. These moments of contemplation often translate into intricate, meditative works that invite viewers to slow down and look closely.

His process is as thoughtful as it is technical. From initial sketches to the careful modelling of plaster, Russell describes the act of making as a kind of stillness, a focused and meditative state. It is here, in the quiet repetition of form and detail, that his work takes shape.

At the same time, his practice engages directly with the contemporary world. By elevating ordinary figures through symbolic forms such as halos, he explores how art can hold space for meaning in a rapidly changing technological landscape. It is a reminder that applied art and design are not only functional, but deeply expressive.

Beyond his own studio practice, Russell’s impact extends into the wider artistic community. As both a maker and mentor, he has introduced many artists across British Columbia to the possibilities of slip-casting and mould-making, helping to strengthen and sustain the province’s clay and design communities.

Receiving the Award of Distinction marks an important moment in a long and dedicated career. In the film produced by BC Achievement in recognition of his work, Russell reflects on the recognition with humility, sharing that it has given him renewed motivation to continue making and to pursue the next idea.

His message to emerging artists is simple and lasting. “Make the work you feel compelled to make. Value the process. Pursue beauty, not as an endpoint, but as a way of thinking and working.”

In celebrating Russell Hackney, BC Achievement honours a master of his craft and approach to art that is deeply human.

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

Celebrating the 2026 BC Achievement Community Award recipients

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There is something uniquely uplifting about spending an afternoon surrounded by people who have dedicated their lives to helping others.

That feeling was on full display at Government House in Victoria on May 6 as BC Achievement Foundation welcomed recipients, families, friends, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate the 2026 Community Award recipients. In the presence of His Honour Sergio Cocchia, we gathered to recognize 24 outstanding British Columbians whose leadership, generosity, and commitment are making a lasting difference in communities across the province.

From the moment guests arrived, there was a sense of anticipation and pride in the room. Recipients travelled from every corner of BC bringing with them stories of service, perseverance, innovation, and compassion. While their work spans a remarkable range of causes and communities, a common thread connected every person honoured that afternoon: a belief that stronger communities are built through service to others.

As each recipient crossed the stage to receive their recognition, the audience learned about lives devoted to creating opportunities, supporting neighbours, mentoring young people, preserving culture, advancing inclusion, and strengthening the social fabric of British Columbia.

One of the most memorable moments of the ceremony came from Mitchell Award of Distinction recipient Jacquelyn Cragg. In her remarks, she reflected on the profound influence of mentors who helped guide her through difficult circumstances following the loss of her father when she was a child. She spoke about the power of curiosity, community, and people who generously share their passions with others. Looking out at her fellow recipients, she observed that each of them represents the kind of community that helps others heal, grow, and believe in what is possible.

Her words captured something many of us felt throughout the ceremony.

Again and again, conversations returned to the people who make a difference quietly and consistently—the mentors, volunteers, advocates, coaches, teachers, and neighbours who show up for others without expecting recognition. It was a reminder that while the award celebrates individual achievement, it also celebrates the communities that nurture and support that work.

That sentiment echoes the spirit of past Community Award ceremonies. Previous Mitchell Award recipients have spoken about the importance of compassion, belonging, and collective action. Whether it was Valerie Jerome’s reflection on the “compassionate ones” who help others overcome barriers, or Marcus Mosely’s moving message about making a place for everyone at the table, the recurring theme is clear: meaningful change happens when people invest in one another.

In a world where headlines often focus on division and challenge, the Community Award recipients remind us that positive change begins locally, through acts of kindness, courage, and commitment that ripple outward to strengthen communities throughout British Columbia.

Congratulations to the 2026 Community Award recipients. Thank you for inspiring us, and for helping shine a light on what is possible when people choose to serve.

Missed the ceremony? The full recording is available to watch at bcachievement.com and on TELUS Optik TV Channel 707.

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

Polygon Homes and BC Achievement renew partnership honouring First Nations art in BC 

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Photo: Rebecca Baker Grenier, 2025 recipient, First Nations Art Award 

The 2026 Polygon Award in First Nations Art marks the 20th anniversary of the program. Highlighted by the renewed collaboration between Polygon Homes Ltd. and the BC Achievement Foundation, this partnership will deliver the annual BC Achievement Polygon Award in First Nations Art program for the next three years. The foundation salutes Polygon Homes for its generous donation with grateful thanks and is excited to continue this shared endeavour to elevate excellence and inspire change in our province. 

BC Achievement’s 12-year partnership with Polygon Homes has recognized, supported, and celebrated more than 50 First Nations artists. This enduring legacy continues to uplift communities and inspire new generations, highlighting the significance of First Nations art and its place in British Columbia, 

The First Nations Art program recognizes artistic excellence and honours First Nations traditions that permeate the artists’ work, and in doing so, create a platform for engagement, mentorship and storytelling. Since 2007, BC Achievement has celebrated the FNA recipients through year-long amplification of recipient stories using its online film library, digital campaigns (since 2020), and recipient art exhibitions and presentation ceremonies at The Roundhouse. A culture of celebration and storytelling has been developed through the lenses of program recipients and alumni.  

The BC Achievement and Polygon Homes Ltd. collaboration aims to provide an authentic space where recipients and their communities are honoured and celebrated with a goal to elevate excellence and inspire change.  

Polygon’s support helps shine a brighter light on outstanding First Nations artists—from established cultural leaders to emerging voices. Each recipient contributes to the preservation, innovation, and vitality of First Nations art in British Columbia. 

Current award celebrations include an art exhibition which will culminate in a Presentation Ceremony Dinner honouring the recipients of the 2026 Polygon Award in First Nation Art on November 24, 2026 at The Roundhouse, Vancouver. The dinner celebration will feature the premiere of short films highlighting the accomplishments of each 2026 awardee. More details including ticket purchasing options will be available in the weeks ahead.  

Come celebrate excellence with us. 

For more information visit bcachievement.com. 

“It has been such an incredible honour that is still sinking in. A big part of the process is seeing my work the way others see it, to be recognized and validated within this community has been deeply meaningful. There is a high level of respect that BC Achievement upholds within the art space, it is remarkable.” 

Rebecca Baker Grenier, 2025 recipient, First Nations Art Award 

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

Meet the 2026 BC Achievement Community Award Recipients

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Across BC, people are making a difference in ways both visible and unseen. They mentor, organize, advocate, and lead with lasting impact. 

In a time when challenges can feel overwhelming, these people remind us that positive change is already happening, in communities all around us, led by people who care deeply and act generously. 

This year, the BC Achievement Foundation is proud to recognize 24 of these change makers as recipients of the 23rd annual Community Award. Announced on April 14, 2026, the award celebrates those whose leadership, generosity, and dedication are shaping communities across the province. 

From grassroots initiatives to province-wide impact, this year’s recipients reflect the depth and diversity of leadership in British Columbia. Their work spans education, cultural revitalization, youth mentorship, environmental stewardship, and social advocacy. 

As Premier David Eby shared in the announcement, these individuals demonstrate what is possible when people come together with purpose and compassion. Their efforts are impactful while deeply inspiring, reminding us that meaningful change begins at the community level. 

The 2026 recipients represent communities both large and small, from Vancouver to Nakusp, from the Okanagan to Vancouver Island. Each has made a unique contribution, yet all share a commitment to building stronger, more connected communities. 

This year’s awardees include: 

Damineh Akhavan (West Vancouver), Kit Ashenhurst (Kaslo), John Kehinde Atoyebi (Vancouver), Anita Atwal, K.C. (Surrey), Simon Baker (Squamish Nation), Varun Banthia (Vancouver), Mariel (c̓ʕ̓n̓ c̓ʕ̓an̓) Belanger (Okanagan Indian Band / Syilx Nation), Don Blakely (Armstrong), Andrea Castro (Langley), Carl Cavanagh (Victoria), Cecilia Ching Yee Leung (Vancouver), Jacquelyn Cragg (Vancouver), Dr. Ramneek Dosanjh (Delta), Beatrice Frank (Victoria), Rosaline Glynn (Port Hardy), Kobe Li (Vancouver), Shelley Magwood (Cache Creek), Jacki McPherson (Penticton Indian Band), Rochelle Prasad (Surrey), Haley Regan Syilxwa Spuʔus (Okanagan Nation), Chief Willie Sellars (Williams Lake First Nation), Chyanne Trenholm (Campbell River), Crystal White (Tumbler Ridge), and Dan & Sandi Wiebe (Nakusp). 

Recipients are selected by an independent selection committee composed of community leaders and past awardees, ensuring the program reflects the diversity and authenticity of community life. 

The 2026 Community Award recipients will be formally recognized at a ceremony at Government House in Victoria on May 6, 2026, in the presence of the His Honour Sergio Cocchia, Vice Regal Consort of British Columbia. The event will also be live-streamed, allowing people across the province to join in celebrating these outstanding individuals. 

Why These Stories Matter 

At its heart, the Community Award is about storytelling. It is about lifting up examples of excellence so that others may be inspired to contribute in their own ways. 

Their stories are a call to action and a celebration of what it means to belong, to contribute, and to lead. 

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

Russell Hackney and the Art of Making 

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Photo: Russell Hackney, 2025 Award of Distinction, Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design

Applied Art + Design program’s most recent Award of Distinction recipient, Russell Hackney, leads a life shaped by material, process, and an enduring commitment to craft. His art philosophy is grounded in patience, precision, and the belief that making something beautiful matters. 

Russell Hackney, based on Bowen Island, is a third-generation ceramic artist whose work reflects more than four decades of refinement in porcelain. Trained in Stoke-on-Trent, England, the historic centre of ceramic production, his early years were immersed in a culture where making was both livelihood and legacy. Entering the studio at a young age and apprenticing under his father laid the technical foundation that continues to inform his work today. 

Russell has spoken candidly about his early desire to push against tradition and to find his own direction within an industry defined by convention. That tension between heritage and innovation continues to shape his practice. His embossed porcelain works, created through slip-casting and relief modelling, are deeply rooted in historical technique while remaining distinctly contemporary in expression. 

Russell draws inspiration from the natural environment and the rhythms of daily life. Walks through the forest, what he describes as a “thought corridor,” become a space for reflection where ideas begin to take form. These moments of contemplation often translate into intricate, meditative works that invite viewers to slow down and look closely. 

His process is as thoughtful as it is technical. From initial sketches to the careful modelling of plaster, Russell describes the act of making as a kind of stillness, a focused and meditative state. It is here, in the quiet repetition of form and detail, that his work takes shape. 

At the same time, his practice engages directly with the contemporary world. By elevating ordinary figures through symbolic forms such as halos, he explores how art can hold space for meaning in a rapidly changing technological landscape. It is a reminder that applied art and design are not only functional, but deeply expressive. 

Beyond his own studio practice, Russell’s impact extends into the wider artistic community. As both a maker and mentor, he has introduced many artists across British Columbia to the possibilities of slip-casting and mould-making, helping to strengthen and sustain the province’s clay and design communities. 

Receiving the Award of Distinction marks an important moment in a long and dedicated career. In the film produced by BC Achievement in recognition of his work, Russell reflects on the recognition with humility, sharing that it has given him renewed motivation to continue making and to pursue the next idea. 

His message to emerging artists is simple and lasting. “Make the work you feel compelled to make. Value the process. Pursue beauty, not as an endpoint, but as a way of thinking and working.” 

In celebrating Russell Hackney, BC Achievement honours a master of his craft and approach to art that is deeply human. 

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

A Path Forward, Together: BC Reconciliation Award 

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In January 2026, leaders from across British Columbia gathered at Government House, where Her Honour, the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, recognized this year’s recipients of the BC Reconciliation Award. The ceremony offered a powerful reminder that reconciliation is not a single act or moment—it is an ongoing, collective commitment grounded in truth, relationship, and responsibility. 

Established through a partnership between BC Achievement and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the BC Reconciliation Award was created to recognize individuals, groups, and organizations who are advancing reconciliation in meaningful and lasting ways. From its inception, the award has sought to elevate work that acknowledges the truths of the past and actively contributes to a more equitable future. 

Now in its sixth year, the award continues to reflect the many ways reconciliation takes shape across the province. The 2026 recipients—like those honoured in years prior—demonstrate that reconciliation lives in action: through community leadership, advocacy, education, and the quiet, consistent work of building trust. 

“Reconciliation is about listening deeply, acting with integrity, and standing together in ways that create real and lasting change,” says BC Achievement Foundation Board Member and honorary award advisor, Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers. “Across British Columbia, we are seeing powerful examples of leaders who shape solutions that strengthen communities and honour cultural knowledge. The British Columbia Reconciliation Award shines a light on this work — work that transforms systems, restores trust, and opens new pathways forward.” 

At its core, reconciliation requires us to listen, to confront difficult histories, to recognize ongoing impacts, and to commit to change. This work is guided by values of integrity, respect, and shared understanding, and it calls on all of us to participate in shaping a better path forward. 

The BC Reconciliation Award also serves an important role beyond recognition. It creates space to share stories—stories of leadership, resilience, and innovation—that can inspire others to act. Across British Columbia, there are countless examples of reconciliation underway: partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, initiatives that centre Indigenous knowledge and language, and systems-level changes that seek to address inequities. By bringing these efforts into the light, the award helps to build momentum and encourage broader participation. 

The January ceremony at Government House was both a celebration and a call to action. It honoured those who are leading the way, while also inviting reflection on the role each of us can play. Reconciliation is not complete, nor is it linear. It requires sustained effort, openness, and the willingness to learn and unlearn. 

As we look ahead, the work continues—in communities, organizations, and relationships across the province. The BC Reconciliation Award stands as a reminder that leadership exists in many forms, and that by recognizing and supporting this work, we help shape a more inclusive and connected British Columbia for future generations. 

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