Category: Blog

Women-owned and -operated IBA alumnae continue to shine and empower

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Photo: Nene Kraneveldt, Imagination FX, 2021 Awardee

IBA alumnae have always been a strength to their communities and serve as examples of tenacity and vision. In the last few years, we’ve witnessed a surge in Indigenous female-owned and -operated businesses in BC. And Indigenous Business Awardees reflect this powerful trend. Take a look at the alumnae businesses run by Indigenous women entrepreneurs: 

Imagination FX 2019 IBA Awardee 
Nene Kraneveldt of Port Alberni has been running her company since 1999. Imagination FX that has created numerous film and video projects for clients, priding itself on its storytelling. Nene’s vision and her continuing education has allowed her to expand her business and now includes leadership coaching and Indigenous language preservation and development, creating multi-generational impact.  

Paulette Flamond 2019 Award of Distinction, IBA Awardee 
Fort St John’s Paulette Flamond was honoured with the 2019 BC Indigenous Business Award of Distinction in recognition of her extraordinary efforts towards economic development and business in the BC. As Executive Director of the Northeast Aboriginal Business Centre since its inception in 2002 and owner of Scoop Clothing Ltd., Paulette Flamond leads by example and strives to improve communities and has served on numerous boards and committees. In July 2019 Paulette joined the board of ICBC marking its first Indigenous appointment. In September of 2020, Paulette ran in the Métis Nation of BC provincial election and won as the Northeast Regional 7 Director. She was appointed thereafter and now serves in the Métis BC Cabinet. 

Nechako Valley Animal Health 2019 IBA Awardee 
Nechako Valley Animal Health Services of Vanderhoof provides quality veterinary care to pets, horses and livestock while offering outreach programs that focus on animal health and well-being in remote and under-served rural and Indigenous communities in northern BC. Dr. Cori Stephens has built her clinic from a one vet to two vet practice; diversified the services offered; and reached out to areas that are in need due to lack of qualified professionals in northern BC. 

Persistence Training Centre 2019 IBA Awardee 
Persistence Training Centre in Merritt, founded by Kylee Street in 2017, offers specialized trainers and coaches to a wide demographic of individuals. Its goal is to increase the overall health and wellness locally and especially within the First Nations community. Kylee opened her first training facility in her hometown and has worked diligently to grow her clients to a point where she has been able to recently sell her business to embark on a new chapter in her life.

There are many Indigenous women-led businesses being built in communities around the province. Get to know them, support them, and help them shine! 

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

Looking for a mentor, an ambassador or a successful business model?

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If you want to know who’s making waves in your community, tap into BC Achievement’s online alumni library and explore the leadership resource this province has to offer.  

The online alumni library includes information on each of the recipients of the Indigenous Business, First Nations Art, Applied Art + Design, Community and the BC Reconciliation Awards. For 19 years, BC Achievement has been celebrating the accomplishments of the province’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, leaders, visionaries, and volunteers, so the alumni library is quite an extensive resource. 

Program alumni are a talented, motivated and inspiring group of individuals and businesses who do amazing things to make their communities better. The recognition they receive is used as a tool to showcase excellence and inspire change. 

Take for example, Elijah Mack, owner and operator of Kekuli Cafe Merritt and recipient of the 2021 Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Indigenous Business Award. Since receiving the award, Elijah has expanded his business and opened a new location in Kamloops. At the same time, he continues to donate to local groups, homeless shelters, and sporting organizations through the friendship centre movement. 

Jeff Martin is a furniture designer and collaborator who opened a large production facility based out of Vancouver’s 1000 Parker Street studio. This space serves as a showroom and makes space for other designers to help promote their work. It is in keeping with Jeff’s mentorship to younger artists and designers that helped earn him the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design in 2020. 

2022 Community Awardee, Baylie McKnight is a champion for those struggling with complex mental health concerns, homelessness, addiction and trauma. Since starting her community service at age 16 as a youth speaker focused on substance abuse, she carried on as a volunteer outreach worker on the streets of Victoria. In 2012 Baylie founded Borderline Personality Disorder Society of BC and has become a support for many in need. Now with a Master’s in Clinical Social Work in hand, she is continuing to serve and advocate for others. 

Crystal Behn (2021 Awardee), was recently selected as the winner of the Tony Onley Artists’ Project Scholarship, an artist residency held each summer in Wells, BC. This Fulmer Award in First Nations Art recipient has been getting noticed for her intricate, traditional beadwork. 

Atomic Cartoons received a 2022 BC Reconciliation Award for their ground-breaking leadership in the production of the animated children’s series Molly of Denali, which airs on CBC Kids in Canada and GBH/PBS in the United States. By celebrating stories of Indigeneity, family and community life, Molly of Denali provides an important platform to address racism, colonialism and reconciliation. Atomic Cartoons ensures Indigenous perspectives is included at all levels, with more than 60 Indigenous crew and advisors recruited to work on the series.

BC Achievement shines a light on the incredible accomplishments of its awardees, creating a platform for their story to be celebrated to inspire others. British Columbians can see themselves in these remarkable examples and then take the first step to create stronger, more engaged communities throughout the province. 

We encourage British Columbians from all parts of this great province to reflect on the stories of these individuals and learn from their perspectives and follow in the path they have carved forward.

Want to know more about these inspiring folks? Check out the Awardee Library on our website or view the short Awardee recognition films on our YouTube channel. And contact info@bcachievement.com for more information. 

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

Woman-owned and -operated IBA alumnae shine  

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There is a growing economy of female-led businesses: owned and operated by Indigenous women. Many of these businesses take traditional ways of being and frame them in a contemporary way that opens them to a new audience. From wellness products to books and to learning opportunities, today’s business leaders are fearless Indigenous women. And these exceptional change makers listed below, are all recent IBA alumnae: 

Sisters Sage, 2021 IBA Awardee
Sisters Sage of Vancouver is an Indigenous brand that handcrafts wellness and modern self-care products inspired by the owners’ culture and traditions.  Founders, Lynn-Marie and Melissa Rae Angus, create soaps, bath bombs, salves, and smokeless smudge sprays that pay homage to their ancestral teachings and combine traditional with non-traditional scents while promoting environmental sustainability. They’ve been keeping busy and receiving lots of media attention for their products and their commitment to social responsibility, raising awareness for causes they believe in. 

Photo: Sisters Sage, Bath Bombs

Carol Anne Hilton, 2020 Award of Distinction, 2013 IBA Awardee 
Carol Anne Hilton is the CEO and Founder of the The Indigenomics Institute  and the Global Center of Indigenomics. Carol Anne leads the line of thought called #indigenomics – the building and strengthening of Indigenous economies and, is the author of ‘Indigenomics: Taking A Seat at the Economic Table’.  Featured in numerous publications and keynote at speaking events, Carol Anne is busy preparing for the inaugural Indigenomics SHE conference: a space for the vision of Indigenous women’s participation in the Indigenous economy. 

Photo: Carol Anne Hilton, MBA, Indigenomics Institute

Raven Reads Books Ltd., 2020 IBA Awardee 
In 2017 Founder and CEO Nicole McLaren launched Raven Reads – a subscription box service that delivers custom, curated books and giftware written or created by Indigenous people from around the world. Born from a desire to educate others about the devastating impact of residential schools on Indigenous people in Canada, Raven Reads aims to create a safe space for dialogue while providing opportunities to learn about other cultures and history. Since its inception, Nicole has grown her company substantially, all while investing over $300,000 into other Indigenous businesses and authors. 

Photo: Nicole McLaren, Raven Reads

Skwálwen Botanicals, 2020 IBA Awardee 
Brackendale based Skwálwen Botanicals is a luxury beauty brand that creates small batch botanical skin care products based on Indigenous Plant Science while honouring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge. As an ethnobotanist, researcher, and community activist, founder Leigh Joseph aims to contribute to cultural knowledge renewal by drawing on teachings learned from family and community members in connection to Indigenous plants. Her products have a global fan base thanks to profiles in leading beauty and lifestyle magazines. 

Photo: Leigh Joseph, Skwálwen Botanticals

Indigenous female-run businesses are a making a big impact in the economy, locally and globally. These leaders are taking a seat at the table and bringing their ideas and energy to the marketplace. BC Achievement is honoured to recognize and celebrate these businesses. 

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

Community Partners – Creating Opportunities 

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BC Achievement is fortunate to be embraced by community organizations and private enterprises who support and elevate the foundation’s work. 

Community partnerships enable BC Achievement alumni to engage in new opportunities. For example, some of our Carter Wosk Award alumni have participated in Crafted Vancouver events allowing greater exposure of their art practice while collectively celebrating superb local craft. 

Partnerships with Denbigh Fine Art Movers support the transport the highly delicate art pieces of First Nations Art and Applied Art + Design program recipients to the Roundhouse Centre exhibition to showcase their work at BC Achievement event ceremonies. The support gives the exhibition curators the confidence and ability to select art pieces which reveal the excellence and commitment of the awardee. 

BC Achievement program partnerships include media outlets: Global BC, Stir, CFNR, First Nations Drum and Frog Radio who have each shared the calls for nominations for the award programs throughout the year. And through their reach, they bring attention to the opportunities for British Columbians to learn about the programs we run which honour and celebrate the best of the province. 

BC Ferries is the latest partner to support our mission and they recently helped transport Community Awardees to Vancouver Island for a recognition ceremony in Victoria at Government House in May. 

As we forge ahead with new community partnerships, we are grateful for their reciprocal opportunities for both the organizations as well as BC Achievement programs and their respective awardees: building awareness, sharing successes and inspiring change. 

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

Making a difference: With thanks to the IBA program sponsorship family 

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In its fourteenth year, the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program boasts over 200 remarkable businesses within its alumni. The IBA program serves to: 

  • raise the voices of Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses who are building significant socio-economic opportunities and generating cultural resurgence across the province 
  • facilitate increased Indigenous representation in the business sector 
  • create a platform for sharing stories of resilience and ingenuity to help ‘shift the narrative and deficit that are often at the forefront of news stories’ and  
  • foster strategic partnerships with key stakeholders that lend their support to elevating excellence and inspiring achievement in Indigenous business. 

Recognizing Indigenous businesses that are generating economic development opportunities, creating partnerships and shaping communities is a one of the key goals of the IBA program. BC Achievement is privileged to showcase Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs, share their stories of achievement and continue to inspire change. It is the inspiration which defines another goal of the IBA program – as these business success stories lead the way for others to follow. 

A film archive dedicated to the IBA program speaks to the ongoing and developing importance of Indigenous business in B.C.’s economy. The archive serves as a resource and learning tool accessible to all through BC Achievement’s YouTube channel.  

We are indebted to the program’s sponsorship family who share our collective goals to elevate excellence, share success and, in doing so, inspire change and thank them for their ongoing involvement.

Presented by BC Achievement in partnership with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, the IBA program is generously supported by the 2022 sponsorship family. Their commitment elevates the stories of IBA awardees, invests in their achievements while shining a light on business excellence and innovation so others may follow their example. 

Indigenous Business awardees serve as examples of resilience and innovation and each entrepreneur delivers a message of hope and optimism for the future. With tenacity, hard work and a passion to reclaim their Indigenous practices, these businesses will continue to be an economic force in B.C. and beyond. 

Achievement is defined as strength, courage and skill – and each IBA awardee embodies this in their respective lives. As we consider the time in which we live and its many challenges, IBA program awardees are leading the way, building stronger more engaged communities. 

Thanks to our partners, sponsors and supporting organizations for your commitment and investment in the 2022 Indigenous Business Award program. We look forward to celebrating the 2022 recipients at a Gala Dinner presentation in late November in Vancouver. 

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

Appreciation for the nominators

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Thank you to nominators for leading the way! Your submissions have been coming in since June 1 when nominations first opened and you’ve opened the door for so many people to be seen, recognized and celebrated. We are grateful to be able to share these many stories of success. 

After six weeks BC Achievement’s fall award programs closed their respective calls for nominations. The Indigenous Business Award closed its call for nominations on June 30, followed by the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art on July 7, and the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design  followed a week later on July 14. It has been a busy and rewarding nomination phase! 

We commend the commitment and effort taken in the preparation of each nomination package. 

“When we celebrate and steward outstanding British Columbians and elevate their stories, we help to ensure that we truly see the enormous range of potential and achievements all around us.”
Anne Giardini OC, OBC, QC – Chair, BC Achievement Board 

It’s important to elevate excellence through nominations for award programs – it raises awareness of the powerful things happening in our communities and sets the path for innovation, change and leadership. Nominating an individual, artists, organizations or businesses for an award, showcases their creative initiative, their dedicated commitment to their practice, their tenacity and their excellence in their chosen field. The process demonstrates respect and gratitude for someone who achieves excellence in their endeavours and whose story can inspire others through this recognition.  

What are the benefits of a successful nomination to an awardee? Most importantly, it helps raise the profile of the awardee and the community they serve. It reinforces that the awardee is on the right path, and it helps validate all the efforts they’ve put into their chosen field as being worthwhile. A successful nomination also helps share experiences with others in the field, creating role models and establishing platforms for change while bringing people together over common interests and passions. 

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. Recognition serves as a tool that can contribute to growth and development of individuals, communities and organizations throughout the province.  

Thank you to  the  nominators, the champions, who put in the time to support the work of the leaders, volunteers, makers, organizers, and doers. This province is a better place to live because of your efforts and we thank you for leading the way!  

To learn more about the programs BC Achievement offers, check out  bcachievement.com 

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

Carter Wosk Award program nominations close July 14 #NominateNowBC! 

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Photo: 2021 Awardee, Nicholas Purcell, furniture designer

The Carter Wosk Award program recognizes excellence in applied art and design and has been doing so since 2005. Applied artists and designers create works that have a practical or functional application but yet offer so much more through their design aesthetic. In 2021 the award was presented to a ceramicist, a furniture designer, a textile artist and a craniofacial prosthetics artist. Each awardee creates pieces that are both functional and pleasing to the eye.  

Open to artists who create works that include, but are not limited to, furniture, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, weaving, glass, fashion, and industrial design, the program shines a light on functional art. Art that enhances day-to-day life while enriching our collective experience. It celebrates British Columbians whose work directly contributes to the cultural and economic fabric of the province. 

“These acknowledgements honour individuals and groups who dedicate their lives to creating a vital society of art and culture. It is important to preserve the integrity of artistic expression and, in turn, perpetuate the cycle of inspiring one another.” 2021 awardee Elen Danielle, inaugural recipient of the Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist designation, Carter Wosk Award Applied Art + Design.   

If you, or someone you know deserves recognition for their dedicated effort, expert skills and undaunted courage to create functional art, nominate them for the Carter Wosk Award. Elevate excellence and inspire achievement and share the stories of BC’s creative economy. 

“I feel truly honoured to have received the Carter Wosk Applied Art + Design Award of Distinction. There are so many talented artists working in BC, to be recognized by my peers fills me with gratitude.” 2021 awardee Ann McLaren, Award of Distinction, Carter Wosk Award Applied Art + Design.  

BC Achievement is grateful for the generosity of the Yosef Wosk Family Foundation toward the Carter Wosk Award program.  

Nominate now for the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design! Nominations are open until July 14, 2022 at bcachievement.com Elevate excellence in BC and nominate a deserving individual for this award. Together we can inspire achievement through recognition. #nominatenowbc #elevateexcellence 

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

Remembering the late Bill McLennan (1948 – 2020) 

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Photo: William (Bill) McLennan (1948-2020)

William (Bill) McLennan, renowned for his vast knowledge of Northwest Coast First Nations art, was a change maker for many First Nations artists and their practices throughout British Columbia. If you are engaged with the First Nations art community in any way, you will have undoubtedly come across his name, his writings and, if you were lucky enough, Bill himself. 

Bill held a deep passion and intimate knowledge of Indigenous peoples and their art and their histories. It was Bill’s discovery through extensive research that infrared film could reveal Northwest coast paintings that had disappeared under the patina of age. The research led to an exhibit and ultimately the influential book he wrote with colleague, Karen Duffek, The Transforming Image: Painted Arts of Northwest Coast First Nations. Just before his untimely death, Bill had completed another book with Karen Duffek and Jordan Wilson, Where the Power Is: Indigenous Perspectives on Northwest Coast Art. 

Bill fuelled his passion for First Nations art through his work with museums, non-profit organizations, and youth. He had a close working relationship with artist Bill Reid and helped numerous artists through his mentorship, advice, or even offering up his home to those artists who needed a place to stay while visiting Vancouver.  

An advocate for repatriating First Nations Art to its rightful owners, his goal was to bring back Northwest Coast art to British Columbia from wherever it is currently housed. Speaking at the BC Achievement Artists’ Talk in November 2019, Bill shared his determination to repatriate First Nations Art objects with the audience:  

“They are the history of the Northwest Coast. Those pieces need to come back because of the knowledge that’s embedded in there. The knowledge can be extracted by contemporary First Nations artists.”  

Bill took pride in celebrating First Nation Art in BC while supporting emerging and established artists. He was a committed advisor for over 15 years to BC Achievement’s First Nations Art program.  

Bill was celebrated through an online tribute coordinated by the Museum of Anthropology. His knowledge, kind spirit and guidance is greatly missed by the many he lifted up, but his legacy continues to elevate and inspire us all. 

The Fulmer Award in First Nations Art  celebrates artistic excellence in traditional and contemporary visual arts by First Nations artists. Nominations are open until July 7, 2022 at bcachievement.com 

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

Last day to nominate for the 2022 Indigenous Business Award #NominateNowBC 

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The 2022 Indigenous Business Award program is open for nominations until midnight, June 30. 

Since 2009, the IBA program has served to identify and recognize successful Indigenous businesses. It honours excellence and celebrates Indigenous business throughout the province. And in doing so, it supports and sustains Indigenous entrepreneurship while inspiring others to strive for the same. 

Any person, group or organization can submit a nomination and business owners can even choose to self-nominate. As long as the business is at least 51% Indigenous owned and operated, is based in BC and has been in operation for at least two years, it qualifies. 

Photo: 2021 Indigenous Business Awardee, Sisters Sage, soap bombs

An independent jury panel representing Indigenous business expertise throughout BC evaluates nominations based on the documentation provided. The panel selects the recipients in the categories of: 

  • Young Entrepreneur of the Year 
  • Business of the Year – 1-2 employees 
  • Business of the Year – 3-10 employees 
  • Business of the Year – 11+ employees 
  • Community-Owned Business of the Year – one entity
  • Community-Owned Business of the Year – two or more entities 
  • Business Partnership of the Year

The Indigenous Business Award program aims to cultivate innovation while leveraging mutual interests. It creates an authentic space where collaborative and strategic partnerships can thrive together.  

Nominate a deserving Indigenous business! Awardee recognition gives voice to Indigenous entrepreneurship while modelling success for other aspiring entrepreneurs to follow. Be a part of elevating excellence and inspiring success. Nominations are open until midnight June 30, 2022 at bcachievement.com 

BC Achievement is excited to announce the return of the Indigenous Business Award Gala Dinner where the 2022 recipients will be honoured and celebrated at the end of November in Vancouver!! Stay tuned for more information on ticket sales and event details.  

Elevate excellence in BC and nominate a deserving business! Together we can inspire achievement through recognition. #nominatenowbc #bepartofit #elevateexcellence 

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

The dedication of the BC Reconciliation Award recipients shines a light on excellence in reconciliation 

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“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 

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, in partnership with the BC Achievement Foundation, recently announced the recipients of the second British Columbia Reconciliation Award. 

The award recognizes six extraordinary individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in the province of British Columbia, or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts. 

The awardees are: 

Individual Recipients:  

Organization Recipients:  

The British Columbia 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. 

The selection committee for the 2022 British Columbia Reconciliation Award, including representation from Indigenous Elders and leadership, is: 

  • p̓i·q̓, Dr. Christopher Horsethief – Ktunaxa Nation 
  • T’esóts’en, Patrick Kelly – Leq’á:mel Nation 
  • Nicole McLaren – Métis Nation 
  • Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers – Hupacasath Nation 
  • T,łalisam, Kim van der Woerd – ‘Namgis Nation 

Members of the selection committee, along with the Honourable Steven Point, led in the creation and design of the BC Reconciliation Award, ensuring the award was founded on the principles of Indigenous culture and knowledge. 

Congratulations to the awardees on their commitment and leadership. Their reconciliation achievements serve as examples of what can be accomplished by working together with respect, understanding and a common objective. 

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