Category: Blog

Orange Shirt Day | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Posted on by bcachievement

September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is designated as an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the tragic legacy of residential schools. It is a time for conversations about reconciliation and an exploration of opportunities to do better for generations of children to come. 

It is in the spirit of reconciliation that BC Achievement in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of BC launched the British Columbia Reconciliation Award in 2020. Through educational opportunities, shared projects and a desire to do more towards understanding, the recipients of this award demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering reconciliation. BC Achievement Foundation board member Judith Sayers noted, “We can live together and achieve great things if there are willing people working towards a vision of reconciliation.”   

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 need to create a better understanding amongst all people that we are in the same canoe. No matter where you are from, we all need to paddle together.” 

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. 

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not. Orange Shirt Day was started in 2013 by Chief Fred Robbins, a former student of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. On Phyllis’ first day at residential school at age six, she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt from her grandmother, which was then taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture and identity experienced by Indigenous children over generations. Wearing an orange shirt on September 30 signifies that #everychildmatters and must be recognized and valued. 

How you can participate on September 30

On September 30, all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to raise awareness of the tragic legacy of residential schools and to honour the thousands of Survivors. 

Listen and watch for opportunities for learning. CBC is marking the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a full day of programming and content showcasing First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives across their radio, television and online channels.

Have a look at the list of virtual and live events you can participate in, shared through BC Museums Association.  

The Vancouver Art Gallery, Xweýene:msta:m ?əkwəsqwel, seýeḿ is hosting an in-person performance to honour Orange Shirt Day. 

The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation, where more than 200 unmarked graves were found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, has shared a video to help people learn the Secwépemc Honour Song to drum and sing at 2:15 p.m. PST on September 30.  

Participate virtually, post pictures, share your story #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters 

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

Vancouver General Hospital raises house posts by First Nations artists

Posted on by bcachievement

A house post carved by First Nations artist and Fulmer Award recipient, Xwalacktun, is on site at Vancouver General Hospital’s (VGH) Diamond Family Courtyard.  

As one of three house posts, meant to represent the three Nations on which VGH is based, Xwalacktun designed and created the symbol to represent the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation. Local carvers Brent Sparrow Jr. of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Band, and Zac George of the Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation carved the other two house posts on display.  

Meant to commemorate the strong ties the First Nations have to the lands, and to represent an important step of VGH’s larger journey towards reconciliation, Vivian Eliopoulos, CEO at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), said the house posts would be an “everyday reminder of VCH’s deep commitment to improving the care and health experiences of all Indigenous people in the region.” 

Each of the three posts express messages of health and well-being with the Squamish Nation house post telling the story of Xwech’taal, a Squamish hero who slew a serpent and earned the ability to heal others. “I create native art with a connection to the past, present and future like our ancestors did,” says Xwalacktun. 

Squamish Chief Ian Campbell who serves on the VGH’s Foundation’s Board of Directors recognizes the house post project as “a visible reminder that First Nations have strong ties to these lands and have been here for thousands of years. It’s time to celebrate that our history is your history and we can stand together in strength today.” 

The eye-catching art is one step forward in creating more accessible and culturally-sensitive health care services for all British Columbians. 

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

Iskwew Air takes off

Posted on by bcachievement

Business owner Teara Fraser is really taking off with her latest venture, Iskwew Air. 

Iskwew Air recently began its first regularly scheduled service flying passengers between Qualicum Beach Airport and Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The inaugural scheduled flight from Qualicum was welcomed with traditional blessings upon touch down at YVR on August 17. 

Teara Fraser is the first Indigenous woman to start her own airline, offering charter services to remote Indigenous communities in BC and maintenance services in addition to regularly scheduled flights.  

She chose the name Iskwew which means “woman” in her ancestral Cree Language to celebrate lifting women. It was chosen as an act of reclamation of womanhood, matriarchal leadership and language. 

Iskwew Air isn’t Teara’s first venture in the airline industry. As a pilot, Teara founded an aerial survey company in 2010 called Kisik, which provided specialized aerial image acquisition services and earned her an Indigenous Business Award in 2012.  

Since those early days, Teara has been dedicated to encouraging Indigenous women to advance in aviation, science and technology. She’s encouraged Indigenous women entrepreneurs to support and lift each other up and initiated the Indigenous Lift Collective, to amplify and celebrate Indigenous female led businesses and create network opportunities for these entrepreneurs. 

Driven by leadership and community, during COVID-19 Teara used her airline to help deliver essential goods to Indigenous communities affected by COVID-19. 

She’s also been recognized as one of Business in Vancouver’s 500 most influential business leaders in BC in 2021 and received the WXN Award in 2019 as one of Canada’s Top 100 influential women who are first in their fields and have made a great contribution to Canadian Society. 

Given her impact, it’s no wonder Teara has also been called a real-world Wonder Woman. Teara will soon be featured as a character in an upcoming DC Comics’ graphic novel, titled Wonderful Women of History, sharing stories of real heroes who change the world. 

For more information and to book your next flight within BC, have a look at offerings by Iskwew Air. 

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

Inspiring hope – Lou-ann Neel

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: 2020 Awardee, Lou-ann Neel

Kwagiulth artist, Lou-ann Neel, is the Curator, Indigenous Collections and A/Head of Indigenous Collections and Repatriation Department at the Royal BC Museum. As well, she’s a visual artist –  working with digital art, carving, sewing, and more recently oil painting. She is an arts’ advocate, a community volunteer, and a protector of Indigenous arts. 

BC Achievement had the privilege of speaking with Lou-ann, a recipient of the 2020 Fulmer Award, following the public’s positive reaction to her re-design of the BC flag. It became so popular that The Flag Shop contacted her after getting swamped with requests to buy the flag.  

“Not even remotely close. Was not my intention at all.” Lou-ann answers when asked if she expected this kind of pick up, “I realized this year it was BC’s 150th birthday and because the news of the children’s’ gravesites, we weren’t going to be celebrating. Even non-Indigenous people didn’t want to celebrate. I was so moved by that. If I had any doubts about us having support around us, those fell away really quick.” 

“I had always meant to change the flag so made my own version, and I shared it online a couple of days before BC Day and it got lots of shares. Two weeks later, John Mackie from the Vancouver Sun called and said there was a lot of hoopla around the flag and he did a story. And that’s when it grew. I was doing interviews every day. I just wanted a discussion out of it. The Flag Shop called and asked if I’d be willing to make this a flag and we figured we’d just do a small run of 100 to respond to the attention. And it hasn’t stopped There’s about 300 people on the list waiting to get one!”  

Lou-ann was not afraid to start the conversation about BC’s flag and it’s an approach she takes often in her work. “If I’ve given my all, I’ve got nothing to lose on any front. People fear what they can potentially lose. I was like that at the beginning of my career but then I gained my certainty. Now I’ll just say it.” Advice she received from an elder years ago reminds Lou-ann that she only has to be true to herself first and the rest will flow from there. “Stop giving away your power, that was my biggest lesson. Finding my power in my art.” 

With this certainty grounding her, Lou-ann frequently shares her art on social media. It reflects what’s happening around her and she always seems to be creating something new in response. When asked how art serves her during times of community discomfort such as the recent discovery of the grave sites of Indigenous children in BC, she says art grounds her. “It’s my touchstone and balance. I can process. I’ll take my computer to the beach and go and think and offer some prayers and allow that ocean energy and salt water to cleanse away residue energy off of me.”

“Other times it’s a knee jerk reaction to things that are going on and I think I have to say something. The images are more powerful than text sometimes.”

It’s in times like these that Lou-ann wants her art to bring hope to others. She thinks about one of the first times that she realized her art could be more than just self-reflection and that was in reaction to her digital print entitled “Four Noble Women”. “So many people, especially women, came forward and said this is so powerful and gives them strength for the day. When I can pop things up on social media and make someone’s day, that’s amazing. I want to have that kind of impact on people – supporting other people and feeling the support back, that give and take and balance. That’s just one of the things that art can do.”

In addition to being an artist, Lou-ann feels she is a protector of Indigenous arts, not just through her work on repatriation at the Royal BC Museum, but in advocating for copyrights for Indigenous artists. She’s motivated to do these things with passion because they align with values she learned growing up. “I always wanted to look out for our artists because I was surrounded my whole childhood by artists. It was probably the early potlatches I went to and I saw the care and respect and wearing these beautiful things our artists had created. Why would I not want to wrap myself in that for the rest of my life. It felt like strength, certainty and power.”  

Lou-ann is true to her values and she lives them out through her activism, her art, and her work at the Royal BC Museum. It’s grounded in her certainty. “I am certain, I know who I am. I am Kwagiulth. I have a standing within our system. I have a say. But I also have responsibilities. I usually look at my responsibilities first and do what is expected of me – being a leader and speaking up.”  

Through her oldest sister Sandra, Lou-ann learned if she can recognize the problem, she can find the solution. “There are a lot of people waiting for someone else to step up and be brave and take that first step. I realized very early on in my career that I wasn’t afraid to ask the controversial question.” Her certainty in who she is and where she comes from, is what gives Lou-ann Neel hope and the confidence to speak out and share her ideas with the world. 

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

FOOD + FAMILY = COMMUNITY:
The 2021 Mitchell Award of Distinction Recipient Amber Anderson

Posted on by bcachievement

Amber Anderson catches herself singing as she drives into work each day: “How lucky am I? I can’t wait to get to work. I love the people I work with – it really is about family – it is about our community and how close we are here. It’s incredible to see the people who walk through my doors, who have been broken and it takes a couple of weeks just get them to look you in the eyes and build them up. It takes them awhile to know that we are all family – we all do the same work and we all sit down and have breakfast together.” 

The doors are open and welcoming at Hope Action Values Ethics (HAVE) Culinary Training Society. Since 2007 Amber has successfully led the society – a non-profit, registered charity and social enterprise operating in Vancouver’s DTES. HAVE provides food service job training and work opportunities to all individuals who experience barriers to employment. Amber’s accomplishments at HAVE were recognized with a 2021 Community Award along with the Mitchell Award of Distinction by BC Achievement. Amber was quick to share her thoughts on her team and the importance of this recognition: 

“An award brings credibility and opens the door for new opportunities and improves employee engagement. An award shows we take pride in our work, and we do it well. It helps to inspire others to want to be and do better. By acknowledging excellence in the achievements, you are encouraging more of it to happen in the community. Recognizing the good work being done is setting a standard and inspiring others to follow. I am especially grateful to my amazing team at HAVE. I want to dedicate this award to them. Without all their hard work HAVE would not be what it is today.” 

Using food to help people, to build a community has been part of Amber’s life for more than 20 years. Her distinctive style creates an equal playing field for all who engage with HAVE. Inclusion drives her instruction and her ability to build people up, support and help them defines the intent of the Mitchell Award which signals out those whose leadership empowers others. She is a keen listener who continually asks her students and staff what they need and then encourages them to collaborate with each other to land on the best solution. Her unique and selfless approach involves the full participation of those she leads: “They keep me honest, they keep me inspired, they just make me want to do better!”  

COVID has changed HAVE’s program delivery as it pivoted to provide community meals through its catering arm while pausing the culinary training programs. A peer program has been initiated where individuals unable to work full-time come to work two or three days a week and progressively increase their time at work. Building on the emotional capacity and confidence of her students and seeing them become whole is a marker for Amber of the program’s success and fuels her inspiration. 

Amber continues to have a vision for the future. Her aim is to grow the current programs and develop a stronger connection for seniors. Noting that there are no safe spaces for seniors in the DTES, Amber’s goal is to begin serving breakfast, lunch and dinner while training those seniors who are interested in food services at the same time. The pandemic has revealed seniors are falling between the cracks within this community and Amber is keen to fill that need.  

It is her personal calling and the daily mission of HAVE to “rebuild lives, reconnect families and strengthen its diverse community.” 

Thank you, Amber, for your remarkable leadership and congratulations on your recognition! It’s a privilege for BC Achievement to shine a light on your achievements. 

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

Carleen Thomas appointed Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: Carleen Thomas, Chancellor, Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Founded in 1925, Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) is one of B.C.’s oldest universities focusing on education and learning in the arts, media and design. 

Marking a new direction for the university, Carleen Thomas was appointed Chancellor earlier this month. Carleen is the first Indigenous person to be appointed Chancellor of ECU in the institution’s 96-year history. 

“I believe her appointment will encourage us to reflect on our responsibilities to this land and to each other and to foster transformation within the university,” says Patrick Christie, president of the school’s alumni association. 

Carleen has a history of leadership having served as an educator and former council member for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. As a former teacher she has worked to educate people about Tsleil-Waututh history and Indigenous issues and has participated in a number of panels and initiatives that support reconciliation and the modernization of institutions.  

“I am honoured to have been asked to become the Chancellor of Emily Carr University,” says Ms. Thomas. “I’m passionate about education, as a former teacher and a life-long learner. I look forward to taking on this important role and working with the university’s remarkable students, staff and faculty.” 

Congratulations to both ECU and Chancellor Thomas on what promises to be a meaningful opportunity for discussion, engagement and reconciliation. 

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

Carter Wosk Awardees, Alleles Design Studio, make a jump into the Paralympics

Posted on by bcachievement

With full on Olympic fever around the world, it’s hard not to watch a favourite sport or a home-town athlete perform at their best. The commitment, endurance, strength and passion of these athletes is inspiring. And there are likely a few of us who have been more motivated than before to run a little further, attempt a somersault or to swim a faster lap.  

While the Olympics are exciting to watch, it’s the Paralympic Games running from August 24 – September 5, we’ll be keeping a close eye on. That’s where we hope to watch inspiring athletes compete at a more challenging level. And this year we’ll be watching for athletes sporting fashion-forward prosthetic covers custom designed for them by Alleles. 

Alleles is a Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design alumni from 2019 known for the durable ABS plastic prosthetic leg covers that are lightweight, flexible and modifiable. Owners and designers McCauley Wanner and Ryan Palibroda of Victoria, BC have been busy designing and manufacturing covers for athletes from a wide variety of sports, some of whom we hope to see during the Games.  

They are currently working on a set for Canadian rugby player Zak Madell of Alberta, a two-time Paralympian who is scheduled to complete in Wheelchair Rugby this month. Watch for him and others wearing these stylish covers and let us know if you spot designs from these award-winning BC designers at the 2021 Paralympic Games. 

To learn more about Alleles check out their profile at bcachievement.com or watch this CBC produced video on YouTube or visit their website at alleles.ca. 

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

Ay Lelum’s regalia designs inspire at Chancellor Sayer’s swearing in ceremony

Posted on by bcachievement

Kekinusuqs, Dr. Judith Sayers was officially sworn in as Vancouver Island University chancellor in June, in a ceremony that paid tribute to VIU’s commitment to reconciliation and reflected the culture of the Coast Salish.  

Judith is President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and a long time Indigenous rights and sustainable development advocate. She is also an active board member of the BC Achievement Foundation and has helped develop BC’s first Reconciliation Award, launched less than a year ago by BC Achievement and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. 

The swearing in ceremony was held outdoors on the Good family property, with Snuneymuxw First Nation members and councillors present to witness the event, along with the many who watched the event online. Joining Judith was VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier, who was installed in the Snuneymuxw First Nation longhouse in November 2019. 

The Good family has more connections to the ceremony than just the land they were gathered on. Ay Lelum – The Good House of Design, designed and produced new ceremonial regalia for both Chancellor Sayers and President Saucier. These included a custom cape, headband and frontlet for each. 

Ay Lelum, awardees of the Indigenous Business Award in 2018 are sisters, Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good and they are a second-generation Coast Salish Design House from Nanaimo.  

“These regalia fuse the formality of traditional convocation ceremony robes with beautiful elements of Coast Salish art, culture, history and tradition. It’s an honour and a privilege to be involved in this monumental, historical and ground-breaking project.” said Aunalee. 

Ay Lelum design and produce clothing and fabric patterns featuring traditional Coast Salish Art. The regalia design and production was managed by Aunalee and Sophia, lead design was by their mother, Sandra Moorhouse-Good, the frontlets and button fasteners were carved by their father William Good and their brother Joel Good, and the headbands were woven by their niece Thea Harris – making this a true family business. 

Congratulations to Judith on her installation as Chancellor of VIU and to Ay Lelum for elevating the ceremonial regalia with their distinctive designs. 

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

Sharing stories of Awardees through film

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: 2019 Awardee, Doreen Manuel

What does it take to tell a story? To make it compelling? To truly reflect the voice of its subject? To inspire others by its message? 

Well, a whole lot goes into creating a film that does all of this. BC Achievement has been producing films on its awardees since 2006! There are close to a hundred short films you can peruse through on BC Achievement’s YouTube channel and although their style has evolved over the years, you’ll note that they all have something compelling to say. 

In her film, Doreen Manuel, Fulmer Award alumni, draws us in with her retelling of learning to bead from her grandmother. We learn what compelled Indigenous Business Awardee Nicole McLaren from selecting books by Indigenous authors for her book club, to launching a business that shares those books with people around the world. And we are inspired by the magical forest setting of ceramicist and Carter Wosk Award of Distinction alumnus, Gordon Hutchens, where he mixes colour, creates shapes and fires clay into beautiful art. 

The film production is itself a work of art and the process begins as soon as the awardees are selected by the independent jury. After contacting the awardees to let them know they have received the award, production goes into high gear. It starts with pre-interviews, securing availability for the shoot and meeting in-person with the awardee to film. Then comes collecting B-roll – images and footage that will supplement the visuals in the film. Finally, the film is edited together, music is selected, graphics are added and voilà, the film is complete. Okay, so not always as smooth as that, but we are very fortunate to work with some very talented filmmakers who make the process pretty seamless. 

Everyone has a story. BC Achievement is privileged to be able to capture it and share it for the awardees of the Fulmer Award, the Indigenous Business Award and the Carter Wosk Award of Distinction.  

Take some time to watch these films and prepare to learn something new and be inspired! 

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

Saluting the nominators: thank you for leading the way

Posted on by bcachievement

Just a few weeks ago, three of BC Achievement’s award programs closed their respective call for nominations with participation from nominators across BC. The Fulmer Award in First Nations Art closed its call for nominations on July 7 followed by the Indigenous Business Award on July 10, and the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design followed a few days later on July 14. To put it simply, those of you who made submissions, have been BUSY! 

It is these busy nominators we’d like to salute. Without your hard work – taking the time to put forth a nomination, completing the online form, requesting and gathering letters of support – these achievements would not be recognized, shared or celebrated.  

“I cannot say enough about how grateful I am to those who do nominate – for all BC Achievement’s programs. And I thank them. We need these champions who take the time to tell these stories of excellence and nominate worthy individuals and organizations…I also think that all British Columbians are pretty damn special – and need to be recognized! It is one of the hardest things to acknowledge when you’ve accomplished something notable, yet it is so important. We need to collectively blow our horns to lift up our communities. The momentum created will then take on a life of its own!” says Sophie Pierre, OC, OBC, BC Achievement Board Member.  

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. Nominating is a great way to demonstrate 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.  

Sophie adds, “Recognizing those who rise to the top will allow others to learn from each other and adopt each other’s best practices. We tend to shy away from recognition, but it is so important as communities learn and see the benefits that come from the good work within their own communities.”  

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.