Category: Blog

The inaugural award ceremony for those leading reconciliation efforts in BC 

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: Crystal Behn, 2022 BC Reconciliation Award Paddle

Next week the recipients of the British Columbia Reconciliation Award will gather at Government House in Victoria for a formal award presentation ceremony. The BC Reconciliation Award, one of the first of its kind in Canada, was launched in November 2020 to recognize individuals, groups and organizations who are advancing conversations and action on reconciliation in BC. Over the past two years, the award has attracted province-wide attention with nominations reflecting a range of unique efforts, size, scale and level of impact. 

The awardees from the inaugural offering of the program – the 2021 recipients – as well as the 2022 award recipients were recognized for their accomplishments through a social media campaign upon initial awardee announcements. However, they have not had the chance to meet each other, exchange ideas, share congratulations for their achievements, or be presented their award, until now! 

On January 12, these awardees will be presented with a print of a canoe paddle designed by the Emerging Artist recipient of the First Nations Art Award program. The 2021 paddle was created by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Cole Speck, and the 2022 paddle was created by Dene and Carrier beader Crystal Behn. The ongoing series of BC Reconciliation Award paddles will be displayed in Government House. 

The commitment of these recipients to working toward reconciliation is inspiring and provides hope for stronger relationships and communities. With the mission to elevate excellence, share success and inspire change, BC Achievement, through its continued partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, is honoured to present the third year of the BC Reconciliation Award program. By highlighting those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering reconciliation or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts, we will all benefit. 

Nominate a deserving individual, group or organization for the 2023 BC Reconciliation Award at bcachievement.com. Nomination forms are online and BC Achievement staff are available to answer your questions. Deadline to nominate is January 20, 2023. 

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

Outstanding dedication builds stronger communities 

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: 2022 Community Award recipient, David He

The 20th anniversary of BC Achievement’s Community Award program gives reason to consider the many people in this province who lift up their communities through commitment and service. For two decades, BC Achievement has been honoured to showcase the accomplishments of over six hundred British Columbians for their skill, strength and courage and tell the story of the province’s community engagement. 

The annual Community Award celebrates the spirit, dedication and outstanding contributions of British Columbians. We encourage everyone to join in us in telling the remarkable stories of the people who inspire others through their actions.  

Take for example David He of Burnaby. As a high school student David founded The Global Spotlight Foundation, an international student initiative that transforms youth into changemakers through stories and mentorship. Since then, David has led numerous community projects, including human libraries, conferences, and town halls.  

Last year, David was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to provide policy advice to the Government of Canada through his Youth Council. As one of its leaders, David successfully advocated for the national conversion therapy ban and for increased funding for marginalized communities in the federal budget. His contributions and his leadership are helping communities throughout the country and are the reason he was nominated and awarded the Community Award in 2022. 

Photo: 2022 Community Award recipient, Charissa Tonnesen

Charissa Tonnesen, also a 2022 Community Award recipient, was recognized for her extensive commitment to her Tumbler Ridge community. As a practicing pharmacist in a rural community, she has shared the challenges and rewards of working in a non-urban setting through her volunteer work as a preceptor for UBC Pharmacy students. Charissa has served on numerous boards, inspired youth as a karate champion, and is involved with the local Arts Council. In addition, she now runs the Flatbed Loops for the Wolverine Nordic and Mountain Society. Community activism and youth engagement are two of the numerous reasons Charissa’s nomination stood out to the independent jury who selected her for the award. 

Stories of individuals who work hard and are committed to the betterment of their communities help steward the strength of our province. While these individuals do not seek recognition, it’s important to highlight that the work they do matters, and, in doing so, inspire others to follow their lead. 

You can nominate such a deserving individual for the Community Award at bcachievement.com. Nomination forms are online and BC Achievement staff are available to answer your questions. Deadline to nominate is January 31, 2023. 

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

Ending the year with gratitude 

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: (L-R) Douglas Coupland, Sam Carter & Dr. Gillian Siddall

It is timely that we are ending the year on a note of celebration. This year we were able to bring back live award ceremonies where we gathered to honour awardees from four BC Achievement programs. The most recent of which was a celebration of the Indigenous Business Awardees on November 29 – a room filled with over 650 people to honour eight program recipients. Coming together enabled us to appreciate the energy in a fist pump, the connection in a handshake and the warmth in a hug. It also allowed us to welcome this year’s awardees into the BC Achievement alumni family which boasts over 1000 British Columbians strong! 

Honouring awardees is a role our small and mighty organization embraces and we do it in concert with so many of you. It’s a testament to the support of community partners, sponsors, nominators, leadership and those of you who share our calls for nomination and our stories of the awardees. So, from our hearts, we thank you. It is with gratitude that we close this year and open the new one with promise of stronger relationships, increased nominations and more stories to elevate and inspire achievement.  

If you’re wondering why we do what we do, and the importance of recognizing wonderful people doing incredible things, you just have to ask our former board chair Anne Giardini and our incoming chair Walter Pela about why they choose to represent and support the work of BC Achievement. 

“It is a hallmark of successful organizations and societies that they not only recognize achievements but celebrate them. All of us – if we are lucky – have a memory of giving or receiving recognition for an act of creation, collaboration, inspiration or community building. BC Achievement exists to shine light on those whose actions make this province a better place for us all.” 

Anne Giardini, OC, OBC, KC, Past Chair 

“British Columbia is built by truly remarkable people doing incredible work in varied fields throughout the province. They deserve to be recognized and celebrated, and their achievements amplified, inspiring all of us in our ambitions to make an impact.”

Walter Pela, Chair 

Happy holidays from BC Achievement. Enjoy, stay safe and #nominatenowbc! 

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

Celebrate the season with artwork by award-winning artists

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: 2022 Crabtree McLennan Emergist Artist, Jamie Gentry, moccasins

Now is the perfect time of the year to support a local business or artist and surprise a loved one with a gift made with passion and excellence. Check out the artwork from 2022 BC Achievement award alumni: 

Fulmer Award First Nations Art 

Jamie Gentry – stitches beautiful beadwork on custom moccasins for clients – she’s in demand so book ahead to get a pair 

Latham Mack – his traditional Nuxalk style is infused with a contemporary flair and is found at galleries around the province 

Dylan Thomas – carves wood and stone focusing on Coast Salish sculpture 

Reg Davidson – best known for his traditional ceremonial objects, his work can be found in select BC galleries  

Photo: 2022 Carter Wosk Award Recipient, Louise Perrone, jewellery

Carter Wosk Award Applied Art + Design  

Robert Anderson – creates hand-built instruments worthy of passing down to future generations 

Caine Heintzman – one of three co-founders of ANDlight, a decorative luminaire design studio and manufacturer to light up your spaces 

Louise Perrone – believes special occasions deserve special jewellery like the pieces she builds using recycled textiles 

Cathy Terepocki – produces ceramics that are strongly rooted and reflective of her natural surroundings in Chilliwack 

And there are many more award-winning artists and businesses to check out at bcachievement.com! 

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

What does engagement mean @bcachievement – #bepartofit

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: Paul Larocque, President & CEO, Arts Umbrella & Yuri Fulmer, BC Achievement alumnus

Many of you have asked the question, “What does engagement mean at BC Achievement?” First and foremost, please consider contributing to the work of the foundation in a way that is meaningful for you. Whether that is by:   

  • submitting a nomination (we cannot thank the nominators enough – your efforts underpin the work of the foundation)
  • sharing the call for nominations and expanding our reach (#nominatenowbc for the 2023 Reconciliation and Community award programs);
  • amplifying recipients’ stories through all your communication channels; and, 
  • by donating through BC Achievement’s website (#donatenowbc). 

There’s no shortage of excellence in British Columbia and for close to two decades the foundation has been honouring the best of British Columbia. Every one of these recipients is a conduit for change. The effects of their work rippling outward, building momentum while impacting countless lives.  

Photo: 2022 Fulmer Award in First Nation Art Presentation Ceremony & Combined Exhibition at The Roundhouse

BC Achievement’s partners are vital to the sustainability of its programs. The work we are doing now builds the foundation for future artists, community leaders and entrepreneurs and we are grateful for those who support this vibrant community and celebrate the best of our province. It is a straightforward equation – the more British Columbians who engage with BC Achievement programming the more our programs can share the success of their awardees and inspire real change. 

As an independent, registered not-for-profit, BC Achievement relies upon corporate and philanthropic support for all five of its programs. Every contribution makes a difference, and we invite you to join the movement – #bepartofit and invest in the innovative work of program recipients and, in doing so, inspire achievement.   

If you would like to explore contributing to the work of the foundation, please contact our Executive Director Cathryn Wilson at cathrynwilson@bcachievement.com 

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

BC Achievement Community Award – recognizing service to others #nominatenowbc

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: 2022 Community Award Recipient, Dr. Tracey Thorne

We at BC Achievement believe that our communities are sustained and strengthened by those among us who aspire to excellence. Our vision is to honour and inspire achievement throughout British Columbia. We do this by recognizing, celebrating and supporting outstanding British Columbians and sharing their stories. Every year we are galvanized  by the commitment of program nominees, people from across British Columbia who have taken action, driven by a desire to contribute to their communities.

On December 1st we opened nominations for the Community Award which for the past 20 years has celebrated British Columbians who go above and beyond in their dedication and service to others. It honours individuals who devote their time and energy to making their communities more caring, dynamic, beautiful, healthy and inclusive.  

2022 Community Award Recipients

We are honoured each year to shine a light on individuals who have made their communities more livable, sustaining and inclusive.  Just one example of many is 2022 Mitchell Awardee, Dr. Faisal Khosa. At the Community Award ceremony in May 2022, Dr. Khosa commented on his mission-driven sense of service: 

“All of us have a mission in life, for some of my friends it is changing the world through serving the homeless; for some, it is feeding the hungry and for some, it is giving voice to those traditionally marginalized and underrepresented. My fellow recipients are endowed with both vision and courage which gives me confidence that solutions to hunger, homelessness, and inequality will no longer be an elusive dream.”  

It is this passion and dedication that strengthens communities and deserves recognition. By providing a platform that showcases the excellence that thrives here, the BC Achievement Community Award ignites a movement that captures the best of BC and carves a path forward for others to follow. With every story shared, there is the potential for inspiration to spark elsewhere. It’s this potential and these small sparks that allow hope to rise-up within our province.  

Nominations for the 2023 BC Achievement Community Award are open December 1, 2022 until January 31, 2023  #nominatenowbc 

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

Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Gala 2022 elevates excellence! 

Posted on by bcachievement

The fourteenth annual IBA Gala presented by BC Achievement on November 29 was a huge success thanks to the exceptional Indigenous Business Awardees and the invaluable people behind each one of them. We’re grateful for everyone who came together to support and honour the 2022 recipients. 

The Gala celebrated and shared stories of Indigenous business excellence and, in doing so, underlined the theme for the 2022 program: thuyshaynum: preparing the path, directing the feet. “We are all working to correct the understanding of Indigenous history with guests in our territory and mindfully building respectful and meaningful relationships to prepare the path.” Angela Marston, IBA Program Director. 

The evening’s hosts Geena Jackson and award alumna, Carol Anne Hilton, welcomed guests and captured the attention of the sold-out room. DJ O Show, another IBA alumni member, kept the atmosphere electric, ushering awardees to the stage with their selected individual walk-up songs. Thank you to everyone who took to the stage or sent greetings to acknowledge the awardees, including newly minted award alumni! 

We raise our hands to the to the 2022 recipients: Dark Arc Welding, dK Architecture, Culture Shock Life, Warrior Plumbing, M’inuw’ilum DBA Cheanuh Marina, Sasuchan Development Corporation, Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd, and Chief David Jimmie. We’re honoured to celebrate your achievements and hear your inspiring stories of hard work and success. These stories have been captured in short films produced on each awardee – premiered at the IBA Gala and now viewable on BC Achievement’s YouTube channel. 

A huge thanks to all the program sponsors. It was a pleasure having all of you join the awardees and guests at the  #IBAgala, celebrating Indigenous business excellence. 

If you missed the livestream, watch a recording at bcachievement.com or through Telus’ Optik TV Indigenous Channel 126 across BC after November 30. 

Nominations for the 2023 Indigenous Business Award open June 1, 2023. 

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

Installation of two canoe paddles honour the journey of reconciliation

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: the Honourable Janet Austin and T’esóts’en, Patrick Kelly

Two canoe paddles honouring the achievements of the 2021 and 2022 BC Reconciliation Award recipients were installed at Government House on November 22, 2022. The installation of the paddles also marks the call for nominations launch for the 2023 BC Reconciliation Award program.

The BC Reconciliation Award is a partnership between the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and the BC Achievement Foundation, and recognizes individuals, groups and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering reconciliation or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts.

The BC Reconciliation Award draws inspiration from the work of the Honourable Steven Point [Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl], 28th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and a founder of the Award. His hand-carved red cedar canoe, Shxwtitostel, currently on display at the BC Legislature buildings, was created as a symbol of reconciliation, with the understanding that “we are all in the same canoe” and must “paddle together” to move forward.

In honour of this legacy, each year, recipients are presented with a print of a canoe paddle designed by the Emerging Artist recipient of the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art. The 2021 paddle was created by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Cole Speck, and the 2022 paddle was created by Dene and Carrier beader Crystal Behn. The ongoing series of BC Reconciliation Award paddles will be displayed in Government House.

2021 Reconciliation Paddle designed by Kwakwaka’wakw artist, Cole Speck

Paddle description by the artist:
“The sea monster has been carrying people through pre-reconciliation as it travels through the ocean. Now it is climbing out of the waves helping to bridge the gap toward reconciliation. No one has seen the sea monster for centuries but now that we are working towards reconciliation, there is hope that we will see the sea monster once again.”

2022 Reconciliation Paddle by Dene and Carrier artist, Crystal Behn

Paddle description by the artist:
“The traditional hand-smoked moosehide has a story. The moose was hunted, its meat fed many families. Tradition and knowledge were passed on from the hunt right to the art that was created from endless hours of preparing the hide. The beaded flower colours represent every nation. The stitching that runs along the edge represents the mothers and grandmothers that stitched together their children’s moccasins, many of those children did not return home from residential school. The red flower at the tip represents all the murdered and missing Indigenous woman, all our stolen sisters, the life givers. This paddle is bound together in the middle, my hope is that one day all nations will meet in the middle with understanding and compassion for one another. That all Indigenous nations will be accepted and shown mutual respect.”

The nomination period for the Awards will be open from November 22, 2022, until January 20, 2023. Nomination forms are available at bcachievement.com.

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

Open for Nominations: BC Reconciliation Award program #nominatenowbc 

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: 2022 BC Reconciliation Award recipient, T̓łaḵwagila – Chief Bill Cranmer

“Reconciliation builds relationships and bridges the gap between two worlds through the efforts of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. By recognizing the truths of past wrongs and showcasing examples of how to make things right, others will be inspired to follow.” BC Achievement Foundation board member Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers 

There’s been much talk of reconciliation and there are many individuals and organizations who are taking action by implementing ideas and programs to move this effort forward. BC Achievement works in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia to deliver the program and we are collectively honoured to highlight the program recipients and inspired by their achievements. 

Now in its third year, the British Columbia Reconciliation Award recognizes excellence in the area of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in the province of BC. It aims to showcase leadership in reconciliation so others will follow on the journey forward. Last year six extraordinary individuals and organizations were recognized as recipients of this award for their exceptional leadership, integrity, respect and commitment to furthering reconciliation.  

Who will be recognized as the recipients of the 2023 installment of the award?

It is time to start considering who is doing this work and tell the stories of reconciliation in action throughout the province and #nominatenowbc! Submissions will be accepted starting November 22, 2022, until January 20, 2023. We encourage you to look around in your community and make note of who is doing great work and deserves to be recognized so their story can be shared. Nominations will be accepted online at bcachievement.com and they will be reviewed by a selection committee including representation from Indigenous Elders and leadership. 

November 22 marks the day that the two reconciliation paddles, designed by First Nations artists and former recipients of the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art will be installed at Government House in Victoria. These two paddles, one created for each year of the award, symbolize the inspiration behind the award. The inspiration is the work of the Honourable Steven Point [Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl], 28th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and a founder of the award, and his hand-carved red cedar canoe, Shxwtitostel, currently on display at the BC Legislature building. It was created as a symbol of reconciliation, with the understanding that “we are all in the same canoe” and must “paddle together” to move forward. 

Watch for the photos from the paddle installment and congratulations to paddle artists Cole Speck and Crystal Dehn on their artistry and their commitment to reconciliation. 

Don’t forget nominations for the BC Reconciliation Award will be accepted November 22, 2023 – January 20, 2023! #nominatenowbc 

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

Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art and Design Recipients Celebrated

Posted on by bcachievement

We are saluting the four talented recipients of the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design!

Congratulations to:

These awardees demonstrate creativity, innovation and skill in designing and creating objects that are both beautiful and functional.

“These artistic works and designs demonstrate a new strength within BC’s creative economy,” said Anne Giardini, OC, OBC, KC, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “The Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design celebrates and honours BC’s creators for ensuring beauty and function are part of our everyday lives. It is always a delight to us at BC Achievement to recognize new ways of marrying art and function with ingenuity and imagination.”

Come visit the exhibit showcasing the works of these artists and the works of the recipients of this year’s Fulmer Award in First Nations Art. The exhibit runs Monday, November 14 to Friday, November 18 at The Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in Vancouver. You’ll see the stunning art of all these awardees including Caine’s spectacular light fixtures, Louise’s bold textile jewellery, Cathy’s ceramics made from locally sourced clay, and Robert’s one-of-a-kind handmade guitars and violins.

At an award ceremony later this month, awardees will be celebrated amongst family, friends and peers. There they will receive a certificate and medallion in honour of their achievements and will be the first to see two films produced by BC Achievement to highlight their artistic accomplishments.

The Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design is named in honour of BC philanthropist, academic and visionary Yosef Wosk, OC, OBC, Ph.D. and Sam Carter, BC educator, designer and curator.

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