Category: Blog

Capital Corporations are key and essential players within the Indigenous business economy whose contributions help generate and cultivate innovation.

As most people know, a dynamic small business sector with strong entrepreneurship is critical to economic development. But what is the greatest barrier for Indigenous entrepreneurs to meet with success? Access to capital. More than half of Indigenous entrepreneurs rely on personal savings for business start-ups. And that’s where Aboriginal Financial Institutions come in.

In BC, the engines which are providing access to funding are the province’s Aboriginal Capital Corporations. Cliff Fregin, past CEO of New Relationship Trust and current COO of Indspire, an organization committed to investing in the education of Indigenous people, said it best, “the Aboriginal Capital Corporations are the unsung heroes of Indigenous entrepreneurship in this province.”

The National Indigenous Economic Development Board’s June 2019 Progress Report states that Indigenous businesses are increasingly becoming important and innovative contributors to the Canadian economy.

Carol Anne Hilton, 2013 Alumni of the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program, and founder of the Indigenomics Institute, comments that the impact of these Capital Corporations is “improving lives, fueling economic growth, furthering reconciliation, and providing a growing young workforce with opportunity. Success breeds success and recognizing Indigenous organizations builds awareness of Indigenous leadership, models a path for others, and inspires further success. This is Indigenomics in action.”

New Relationship Trust (NRT) provides funding to various Capital Corporations and has been a strong and stalwart partner of the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) since its inception twelve years ago.

The IBA program is grateful to NRT for their financial support, as well as for the past and current support of Capital Corporations, such as ANTCO, NEDC, TACC and Sto:lo Community Futures who have nominated strong businesses, many of whom have become awardees and serve as models for business success. In the words of Carol Anne Hilton, “this leadership contributes to the possibility that a 100 billion-dollar Indigenous annual economy can happen in the near future.”

It takes a community to raise a business to its feet. One such example is Paul Nattrall, owner and operator of Mr Bannock Indigenous Cuisine and recipient of the 2019 Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Indigenous Business Award (IBA). 

At the 2019 IBA presentation, Paul expressed his gratitude to the community that helped his business get to the point it is at today including his partner Kelly and the Squamish Nation. He acknowledged the start-up support received from Squamish Nation Trust “for guiding and helping me start the vision of showcasing Indigenous cuisine to the world.” He also thanked Small Business BC for “helping me plan and execute to get Mr. Bannock, Vancouver’s first Indigenous food truck.” Paul also gave a shout out to the media who helped him share his story and Vancity for providing social media and business strategy support. 

Mr. Bannock creates Indigenous fusion food that focuses on Indigenous ingredients and traditional cooking methods and blends them with modern cuisine. For Paul, it’s about getting back to the roots that First Nations originally used. “I can share this food and create dishes that showcase traditional ingredients and cooking methods while showing my communities that this is our food, and this is what we can do with it.” 

As a young entrepreneur, Paul set a goal to start his business and it took four years to get it all up and running. With the support of his family, his Nation, and business and financial organizations, he fulfilled his dream. 

 “If I can do it, then anyone else can!” 

Today, Mr Bannock Indigenous Cuisine partners with local and Indigenous businesses, Spirit Bear Coffee,  One Arrow Meats, to bring more fresh and local options to its customers, proving that it really does take a community to build a business! 

The Indigenous Business Award is an annual program run by the BC Achievement Foundation to give voice to Indigenous entrepreneurship while modelling success. The program is currently in deliberations to select the recipients of the 2020 IBA program. Watch for an announcement of the awardees, coming this Fall. 

The Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design is named, in part, after artist, leader and educator, Sam Carter. Synonymous with applied art and design in BC and throughout the world, Sam has the gained international respect and admiration of artists, students and art educators. In 2017, he was recognized as the Award of Distinction Laureate of the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design.  

Over the past 50 years, Sam has dedicated himself to the collecting, curating, and designing of exhibitions that reflect and showcase design, craft, and applied arts within Canada.  

Emigrating from California in 1965, Sam began his Canadian career working at the Ontario Science Centre where, as a senior designer, he helped create interactive exhibits, many of which focused on Canadian contributions to science. 

Sam continued his contributions to Canadian art and design, through his work with the Ontario College of Art organizing “culture probes” that engaged students, faculty, corporations, government, and communities in various creative projects. 

Once he settled in British Columbia, Sam taught at the Vancouver School of Art (now Emily Carr University of Art and Design). Here he contributed (and still contributes as a Professor Emeritus) to the documentation and elevation of Canadian design and applied arts, through online history and theory courses, events, and exhibitions. As well, through his mentorship of students, Sam developed life-long friendships with artists now recognized in BC and beyond for their unique and beautiful design creations. 

Throughout all his work, Sam’s exhibitions and events have shone a light on works by Canadian designers, craftspeople, and applied artists from all regions of this country. He has enabled people from all walks of life to enjoy the diverse elegance of Canadian design, craft, and applied arts and, in doing so, has brought international attention to Canadian talent, for which he has an enduring and dedicated passion. 

As the curator for all fifteen annual exhibitions which have celebrated the awardees of the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design program, Sam Carter continues to be a leading advocate and champion for applied art and design in BC. His efforts have advanced and elevated the collective conversation around Canada’s functional art and design successes while creating a legacy to inspire future generations. 

Dr. Yosef Wosk delivered a thoughtful and empowering speech to the awardees, their colleagues, friends and families at the 2019 Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design presentation ceremony. 

He spoke of the age-old debate between art versus design, what distinguishes art from design, and how this award unites them both. 

“The artist, the fine artist, the free artist, the pure artist operates more perhaps as a shaman, as a revolutionary as a transformer and as a lover. Whereas the applied artists’ work is more often thought of as domesticated, as tamed, as practical, as ritualized. Perhaps the greatest champion and master of applied art and design was Willam Morris, the author, the designer, the printer and the seller of this book from the Kelmscott Press 130 years ago. 

One of his most famous statements, ‘If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it, have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’.  

There are two different things he’s brought together as we have brought together tonight art and design. ‘Know’ means to understand; it’s a rational idea, it’s logic, it’s most often related to practical design. And ‘believe’ is more transcendent, intuitive, the pure art.  

Those who we celebrate this evening are among the few, the rare, the best who are both artists and designers, mystics and manufacturers. You are the hybrid few who bridge both worlds and allow the rest of us to cross between otherwise unreachable dimensions.” 

To those applied artists who are recognized by the Carter Wosk Award program, we salute you for making the practical, more beautiful. And we invite those of you who are artists and designers to nominate now for the 2020 Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design.  

Online nomination forms are at bcachievement.com until August 9^th. 

#nominatenowbc 

The Fulmer Award celebrates the intersection of art and culture, while honouring First Nations artistic traditions from throughout the province. 

Richard Adkins, Haida Nation, 2018 Fulmer Awardee, shared his thoughts on why honouring First Nations art is so meaningful: 

“I think what’s happening tonight for me and for my family is something that is very important. This would not have happened for me when I was 13 years old – it was a different world. What we did wasn’t appreciated at all. This is positive. What’s happening is very important. My sisters and my mother are down here, along with one of my nieces and all are very proud of me. They are going to go home with this story and they are going to talk about this to my nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. I never had any children, this story about what their uncle did is going to have a profound effect on these little native children. They are going to think about what I did (although I am not affected by it) but in their little minds they are going to be thinking – this is what is expected of me. This is important. This change is important.” 

The annual program is designed for artists from BC First Nations who have demonstrated a commitment to their art practice, have accumulated a body of work, and who are recognized in their communities as artists. Nominate now and elevate excellence – nominations close on August 2, 2020.

“When we create art it’s every part of our spirit…it’s healing, and it’s teaching me the values that we once carried strong within us, like patience and innovation.” 

Doreen Manuel, 2019 Fulmer Award in First Nations Art Awardee 

#nominatenowbc 

The Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program is a platform for connections and change. COVID-19 has shifted the economic landscape and Indigenous businesses throughout the province have demonstrated their respective resilience in remarkable ways.  

Fostering Indigenous entrepreneurship is an important step towards economic independence. Indigenous businesses help generate cultural resurgence and build significant socio-economic opportunities across the province. The IBA program provides a showcase for these successes.  #nominatenowbc

THE IMPACT – IBA 2009-2020 

Over the past 11 years, the IBA program has represented Indigenous communities from throughout the province, honouring and sharing the impact of almost 200 businesses.

Let’s take a look at the 12 Reasons to Nominate Now! 

ONE: 2020 Nene Kraneveldt – 2019 Alumni  

“Now more than ever we need to create space to lift people up and celebrate the cycle breakers and change agents that are creating a path for a better future. As a recipient of an IBA award, I am grateful for the new opportunities, friendships and recognition that have been afforded to me.”

TWO: 2019 Carol Anne Hilton – 2013 Alumni 

“Tonight’s awardees reflect the achievements of Indigenous Business in BC. Their efforts are accelerating the Indigenous economy. In doing so they are improving lives, fueling economic growth, furthering reconciliation, and providing a growing young workforce with opportunity. Success breeds success and recognizing Indigenous organizations builds awareness of Indigenous leadership, models a path for others, and inspires further success. This is Indigenomics in action. This leadership contributes to the possibility that a 100 billion-dollar Indigenous annual economy can happen by 2024.” 

THREE: 2018 Chief Wayne Christian – Community Owned Business of the Year Awardee  

“We walk in two worlds – we have the western science and then our own science, our traditional knowledge. We have to have an understanding of both so that there is a balance all the time. I am proud of our young people. Especially those that have challenged themselves to become business owners. They are trying to create their own wealth. They want to be agents of change and make a difference.” 

FOUR: 2017 Chief Gibby Jacob – Award of Distinction, Individual Achievement 

“These stories of business excellence are the continuation of an agenda set by our ancestors, and our people are starting to take hold of the opportunities.” 

FIVE: 2016 Robert Louie – Award of Distinction, Individual Achievement 

“Everyone must benefit from a business deal – we cannot leave anyone behind …follow three rules: walk a straight line and never deviate or go off the path; keep your ego in your pocket; allow things to flow off yourself like water off a duck’s back.”

SIX: 2015 Erica Ryan Gagne – Alumni retrospective film: Where are they now? 

“Receiving the award gave me a voice that people would listen to…it told people something relevant about me and the importance of overcoming struggles.” 

SEVEN: 2014 Wendy John – Closing Remarks, BC Achievement Board Member 

“To the awardees, thank you for creating opportunities that have legacies for our children, for our grandchildren to follow. And, they will be able to share stories about how you broke through, time and time again, to ensure that we have wealth creations in our communities that are based on our values and our traditions.” 

EIGHT: 2013 Erica Ryan Gagne – Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee 

“Do you know where I was three years ago tonight? Right where you are now – watching a young woman, just like myself, receiving the young entrepreneur award…I leaned over and said that’s going to be me before my 30th birthday! The IBA is where I was inspired and for that I am grateful. My wish for you is soak it up, enjoy it, charge your batteries, take it home and rub it on your children, tell your cousins and get inspired.” 

NINE: 2012 Doug White – First Nations Leadership Council Awardee Tribute 

“It is a remarkable acknowledgement of what each of these businesses reflects of Aboriginal values, of hard work and giving back to communities. They matter, they are looking after their communities and their families and they are an integral part of the economic success of this amazing province.” 

TEN: 2011 Chief Clarence Louie – Award of Distinction, Individual Achievement 

“This is a WE award and not a ME award which is for the past, the present and the future of our communities. We have proven that we can retain our culture and still do good business.” 

ELEVEN: 2010 Shawn Atleo – Regional Chief BC AFN, Welcome Remarks 

“We cannot underestimate the important of self-sufficiency – and as Leonard George advises – what we are recognizing this year is ‘just the tip of the iceberg’. Wait until you see what is going to be possible next year. Our ancestors were getting on with business and we are rising up and following in their footsteps.”  

TWELVE: 2009 Jacob Beaton – Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Inaugural Awardee

  “I am here today but out of respect for those who have gone before and those who are yet to come. One misconception that really upsets me is that Aboriginal business is a new thing – it’s not. The spirits of the ancestors who are in this land are strong – they were here, and they were conducting amazing businesses and that continued after contact…it’s my duty to encourage all of the leaders to involve youth in your organizations from top to bottom and help develop the leaders of tomorrow.”  #nominatenowbc

“Within art, there is no time when traditions stop or start – there has been a gap in the timeframe of rebuilding Northwest Coast art – but now artists are making new and more powerful statements and the vitality of their work is on display here tonight – it has the connection and it has the artist behind it – this is a phenomenal thing”.  Bill McLennan, Fulmer Award Artist Talk, November 2019 

Bill deeply and intimately understood the cultural and historical connection between Northwest Coast Art and First Nations identity. He devoted his career to revealing this connection and its importance. So much so that it became his personal passion and quest to repatriate art pieces back to their respective ancestral homes. At a November 2019 BC Achievement Fulmer Award Artist Talk, Bill shared how it is an obsession for him to track down this missing art from museums and collections all over the world: 

“I am a bit obsessive – in October (2019) I was back in Montreal in meetings with a foundation that supports MOA. On the last day after the meetings, I got up at 5:00am and took the train to Toronto – then the subway to the Royal Ontario Museum. There, I photographed, in infrared, the pieces that I missed 30 years ago. Northwest Coast Art is spread all around the world – so, unfortunately – these pieces are not (yet) making their way back to their home communities. There are more and more cultural centres which can house the art but just tracking these pieces down and finding ways that other artists can find them – it is so important. It is what I think about all the time – where can I find them”? 

Every step of Bill’s career took him further along his quest, beginning with the Image Recovery Project which he started in 1980 at the UBC Museum of Anthropology (MOA). He discovered that taking photographs using infrared film could reveal Northwest Coast paintings that had disappeared under the patina of age. What came out of this research was the book, “The Transforming Image: Painted Arts of Northwest Coast First Nations” by Bill and his MOA colleague Karen Duffek. It became a guide for many Northwest Coast First Nations artists as they discovered their artistic identity. Tsimshian artist Phil Gray (2014 Awardee) labelled the book as a ‘game changer’ for artists as it allowed them to be able to see photographs of their ancestors’ work that revealed a design style that was a disciplined and strict art form. He said, “it was like having a thesaurus with you at all times” and shared its impact on his artistic development:  

“I really studied it – I wanted to be more than just be a Northwest Coast Native Artist – and, I was able to understand my Tsimshian identity. ‘Transforming Images’ gave me pride as I had never seen any representation of Tsimshian art before”. 

Bill’s advocacy for repatriating First Nations Art to its rightful communities permeated his daily world and he framed his quest with stories and narratives which outlined the connections between art and culture: 

“The removal of all these artifacts was the physical removal that connected families to their histories. So, it was much more than just a really nice bowl – it connected to all the families who had ever used it – it had the history built into it in at a potlatch or a feast – it had all this knowledge embedded into it and then it was basically taken away. These pieces left the Northwest Coast and became something else in different communities in Europe – but they are the history of the Northwest Coast. These pieces need to come back because of the knowledge imbedded within them and can be extracted by current day artists – creating sense of identity for them”.

Bill took pride in celebrating First Nation Art in BC while supporting emerging and established artists and he did so with an unrelenting dedication and quiet determination. He seemed able to make time for everyone and injected a warm and quick sense of humour into all his conversations. For over 15 years he was a committed advisor, friend and inspiration to BC Achievement’s First Nations Art program and the foundation is so grateful for his willingness to share his vast knowledge. His sage and passionate voice along with his kind and thoughtful nature will be much missed but his repatriation quest and its legacy will continue. Thank you, Bill. 

In lieu of flowers, Bill’s family has asked for donations to the Downtown Eastside women’s shelter. When Bill retired from MOA, a scholarship was established in his name at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, and this is another option for honouring his memory.

Photo (left to right): Brenda Crabtree,  KC Hall (2018 Awardee, Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist), Bill McLennan

“It takes an entire village to raise a business to its feet and have it take flight…I honour you and I am proud to stand in circle with you.” 
Teara Fraser, Iskwew Air CEO, 2012 IBA Awardee 

COVID-19 has changed the economic landscape but Indigenous businesses throughout BC are leading in remarkable ways and demonstrating their resilience, tenacity and ability to give back.  

The Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program recognizes these businesses that are generating economic development opportunities, helping to create partnerships with industry, and shaping communities to build a prosperous economic future. Now, more than ever, it’s time to nominate an Indigenous business from your community and share its story of success. Nominate, Nominate, Nominate!

Marking the 10th anniversary of the IBA program, Chief David Jimmie of the Squiala First Nation expressed the importance of nominating Indigenous business and recognizing success because communities are doing good work. Their efforts are leading by example as they are generating revenue and contributing back to the community through education, elderly support and governance. 

Geena Jackson, an active IBA nominator, has shared that she nominates businesses “to raise them up and show them that they can be the leaders and mentors their communities need them to be.” Over the past 11 years, the Indigenous Business Award program has showcased 41 community-owned enterprises; 91 small, medium and large businesses; 24 successful young entrepreneurs and 27 partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses!  

Nominate Now for the 2020 Indigenous Business Award and share these important stories of Indigenous entrepreneurship. Chief Gibby Jacob, 2017 Award of Distinction recipient, believes these business narratives “are the continuation of an agenda set by our ancestors, and our people are starting to take hold of the opportunities”.  

Be part of it and nominate today! Nominations are open online until July 26, 2020. 

What is applied art and design you ask?  

As the 2020 Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design opens nominations for the program, it’s an important question to ask.

Applied art and design is the intersection of design and function where the creation of beautiful pieces have practical applications. It’s seen in the svelte sofa of furniture designer Sholto Scruton, the soothing vessel shapes and finishes created by ceramicist Gordon Hutchens, the eco-friendly cork clothing of fashion designer Morgan Mallett and the transformative prosthetic leg covers of McCauley Wanner and Ryan Palibroda. These are just a few examples, all of whom also happen to be the awardees of last year’s Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design. 

Sam Carter, whose name is synonymous with the award program itself, talks about art, craft and design as trilogy that results in something beautiful. Sam is an advocate for applied art and design in Canada and has devoted his career to creating, teaching and promoting applied art and design. In Fall 2019, as a panelist for the Carter Wosk exhibition, Sam spoke of one of his earlier trips to Japan. There he gained appreciation of ‘the people’s art’ ‘Mingei’ where practical items like washing and utensils were looked at in a more beautiful way. In viewing functional items like these in a more magical way, applied art and design elevates the functional aspect of current culture and celebrates it. 

Renée Macdonald, shoe designer and 2015 awardee, was also a panelist at last Fall’s Carter Wosk exhibition. She defined applied art and design as using your craft to make something beautiful, practical and functional. Renée makes bespoke leather shoes and is inspired by her client’s desire to have something unique and of high quality. 

In these times it is important to support artists who create art, who make the functional things fun, innovative and more beautiful. Now more than ever, awards like the Applied Art + Design Award, create a space for shared inspiration, encourage mutual support amongst artists, and provide an opportunity to appreciate the beauty in this time of chaos. 

The Award highlights people creating art, celebrating culture and enhancing the cultural economy of BC. And now that nominations are open online, it’s your chance to share the achievements of an artist, perhaps your own. This province is filled with wonderfully creative people who create practical art and you can help elevate excellence through their work by nominating them for the 2020 Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design. #nominatenow

Today, as BC Achievement launches the 14th annual  Fulmer Award in First Nations Art (FNA), and our province moves forward with COVID 19 Phase 3 of reopening, it’s timely to consider the ever-current words of world renowned Tahltan and Tlingit artist, Dempsey Bob. During recent conversations with First Nations artists and their communities, we have heard that now, more than ever, we need to shine a light on excellence in First Nations Art. Dempsey, who is also the inaugural recipient of the FNA program’s lifetime achievement Award of Distinction, closed the 2018 Fulmer Award ceremony with a powerful address to all artists as to the importance of their work and its impact on identity and culture. 

“The amazing designs of our ancestors represents some of the greatest art ever done, and that’s what we’ve been trying to get close to, but I think they’ve carved a wall that’s so big and deep that we could never get over it. And I’ve realized that the only thing we could do today is carve a new wall, and these artists are going to be part of that wall. Because quality and excellence are what matters in life and in your work along with your belief in your culture and your people. When you look at life, at great art, you’re looking at intelligence. You’re looking at integrity. You’re looking at somebody’s belief system. You’re also looking at truth, a truth that must be said. Because art is what keeps us in line as a people, it gives you identity, and a sense of place. It gives you meaning. It gives you direction.” 

Since 2006, the FNA  program has celebrated the intersection of art and culture, while honouring First Nations artistic traditions. Aiming to create an authentic space for community engagement, mentorship and storytelling where traditions are passed onto younger generations and shared with a BC-wide audience the program has shone a light on 77 outstanding artists. Dempsey challenges today’s generation of artists to ‘come alive and find the balance’ that drawing trains you to see. Noting that the goal for artists is to achieve the ‘magical line’ that dictates power and balance with soft curves and strong forms, he reminds his audiences that ‘talent is cheap and it’s the dedication and the commitment that fosters art’. 

Two FNA program alumni, Tsimshian artist Phil Gray (2014 Awardee) and KC Hall, Heiltsuk Nation and (2018 Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist) spoke to their efforts and commitment to their respective practices last November. They shared what makes them get out of bed in the morning and it is, for each of them, their drive to continually improve upon their art – it is their pursuit of excellence. Phil told us that he loves what he does but that it is not an easy life to live as he digs deep each day to raise the bar and KC said that he constantly wants to keep painting and he longs to get to his desk to produce and get better. They identified with Dempsey’s words calling it the “magnificent struggle’ because as Dempsey warned, ‘you just don’t know if you’re going to get it done’: 

“It’s not easy because you have to motivate yourself. You have to try to get better. We always try to get better, and you have to continuously learn. Because if you stop learning, you stop being an artist.” 

KC and Phil also spoke to the importance of receiving the Fulmer Award and that the resulting validation, boost of confidence and incentive to push forward with their own artistic struggles was paramount to their own pursuits. And now the 2020 Fulmer Award program is open for nominations and ready to highlight a new cohort of artists. During these challenging times artists have much to say about their ability to build resilience.

Nominate Now and #shinethelightbc on a First Nations artist in your community. Be part of it and tell a First Nations artist’s story, perhaps your own, and share how BC continues to be a place filled with astonishing craft, with unique and immensely expressive power, and continuous wonder. #nominatenowbc