Category: Blog

Recognize Remarkable: Nominate by February 15, 2026 

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Each year, BC Achievement celebrates the people who make British Columbia stronger, more creative, and more connected. We’re excited to launch the 2026 Recognize Remarkable campaign—a province-wide call for nominations across all five of our award programs. 

Whether they are artists shaping our evolving culture, entrepreneurs driving innovation, or leaders lifting others through service and mentorship, remarkable British Columbians are all around us. Now’s the time to help them shine. 

Why Nominate? 

A nomination is an act of recognition, the effect of which ripples widely across the province. 
By nominating someone for a BC Achievement award, you: 

  • Elevate excellence in your community and strengthen the connections that make BC vibrant. 
  • Inspire change by example, driving others to strive, create, and lead with purpose. 
  • Share success and amplify positive stories of impact. 

Every nomination tells a story of dedication, creativity, and leadership. When shared, those stories motivate others to do the same—creating a ripple effect of excellence. 

The Awards : The Recognize Remarkable campaign includes nominations for all five BC Achievement award programs: 

  • Indigenous Business Award 
  • Polygon Award in First Nations Art 
  • Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design 
  • Community Award 
  • BC Reconciliation Award 

Each program honours distinct forms of achievement, yet together they celebrate one shared spirit—the power of excellence to uplift us all. Easy. Meaningful. Impactful. 

The nomination process is designed to be simple and accessible. With clear online forms, straightforward instructions and staff support available, it’s easy to take part. 
You don’t need to be an expert—just someone who’s seen the impact of another’s work and wants to see it recognized. 

Join the Movement – Help us Recognize Remarkable. 
Visit bcachievement.com/nominate to start your nomination today. 
Deadline: February 15, 2026. Be part of it. 

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

Russell Hackney: Carrying Forward a Legacy in Porcelain 

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

For over four decades, Russell Hackney has shaped porcelain with precision, patience, and poetry. A third-generation ceramic artist based on Bowen Island, he continues a lineage rooted in the famed pottery traditions of Stoke-on-Trent, England, while infusing his work with the quiet reflection and natural beauty of British Columbia’s coast. His refined slip-cast and relief-modelled forms stand as both technical marvels and meditations on what it means to make by hand in an increasingly mechanized world. 

From Stoke-on-Trent to Bowen Island 

Russell’s artistic journey began in the heartland of fine ceramics. Growing up in the “Potteries,” where his father and grandfather worked before him, he absorbed the craft from an early age. At 16, he joined the family workshop, learning the fundamentals of slip-casting, mould-making, and the disciplined rhythm of production pottery. But even amid traditional forms, he sought a personal language—one that questioned convention. Early experiments using car parts and unexpected borders hinted at the contemporary sensibility that would later define his practice. 

After earning a degree in 3D Design and apprenticing under his father, Russell emigrated to Canada in 2002. Settling on Bowen Island, he established a studio that has become both a workspace and a teaching ground, where he continues to mentor emerging artists in the technical and aesthetic possibilities of clay. 

Defining Confidence and Mastery 

A defining moment in Russell’s early career came through a daunting commission: creating an elaborate porcelain clock to commemorate a factory’s 200th anniversary and a royal visit. The piece—symbolizing arts, science, and mathematics—demanded meticulous detail and absolute precision under intense deadlines. The process, he recalls, was both isolating and transcendent, revealing to him the meditative power of making and the serenity found in total creative focus. That project instilled the confidence that continues to guide his work today. 

Art in a Technological Age 

Today, the Bowen Island studio is where Russell contemplates the shifting intersections of nature, humanity, and technology. He often speaks of walking through what he calls the “Thought Corridor,” a wooded path that fuels his creative thinking. Recently, those walks have been charged by reflections on artificial intelligence and its potential to distance us from imagination. His response has been to reassert the human touch—literally and symbolically—through pieces that celebrate the sacredness of ordinary life. Some of his latest explorations include attaching halos to common figures or adding subtle colour to elevate the everyday into the divine. 

Mentorship and Meaning 

As both maker and mentor, Russell Hackney embodies the living continuity of craftsmanship. His influence extends beyond his own studio, supporting artists throughout BC who work in slip-casting and mould-making. Reflecting on his path, he admits wishing he had pursued more personal, expressive works earlier—but he takes profound satisfaction in the evolution of his practice. His advice to emerging artists is simple yet powerful: create the work that truly excites you, pursue beauty with intent, and find fulfilment in the making itself. 

Through his artistry and teaching, Russell continues to shape not only porcelain, but also the creative spirit of BC’s design community—one thoughtful impression at a time. 

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

Harold Calla: Building a Framework for Economic Reconciliation 

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Photo: Harold Calla, 2025 IBA Award of Distinction

Harold Calla, member of the Squamish Nation, has spent a lifetime transforming how Indigenous governments across Canada build prosperity. As Executive Chair of the First Nations Financial Management Board, he has helped more than 370 First Nations strengthen their financial systems and access capital markets—laying the foundation for a new era of Indigenous economic self-determination. 

A Vision Rooted in Service 

After years in international business, Harold stepped into leadership roles that on Squamish Council where he helped advance economic opportunities and strengthen governance frameworks. His work extended nation-wide, influencing some of the most significant Indigenous-led legislative reforms in Canadian history. 

A driving force behind the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, the First Nations Land Management Act, and the First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act, Harold helped craft pathways for communities to move beyond the restrictions of the Indian Act. These tools empower Nations to manage their own lands and resources, borrow at competitive rates, and reinvest directly in their people. He also helped found the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, ensuring that Indigenous communities have an active voice and equitable role in major resource projects. 

A Legacy of Leadership 

Colleagues describe Harold as a listener, bridge-builder, and visionary. “He would listen, he always listened,” one longtime collaborator reflected. “He never came across as domineering or paternalistic—he came even to them, and what he heard he brought to the federal government and built the legislation that built the organization.” 

That approach has led to tangible outcomes: through the work of the First Nations Finance Authority, more than $3.3 billion in financing has been issued to support community projects—from roads and schools to green-energy developments. These investments have not only created infrastructure but have also restored economic agency to Nations that were, as Harold often reminds audiences, “legislated out of the economy.” 

Global Impact and Recognition 

Harold’s leadership has earned respect well beyond Canada’s borders. He has led delegations to Australia, spoken twice at the United Nations, and served on the boards of Trans Mountain Corporation, BC Ferries, and previously Fortis BC and CMHC. In 2024, he was inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to financial governance and Indigenous economic empowerment. 

A Lasting Message 

Those who have worked alongside Harold say his impact cannot be measured solely by the policies he’s shaped, but by the confidence and capacity he has instilled in others. “I would follow Harold into any room,” one colleague shared. “His vision for economic reconciliation is so powerful.” 

For Harold, the work remains deeply personal: “We needed systemic change,” he has said, “so that communities could realize their economic potential and take care of themselves.” 

The Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement acknowledges an individual whose leadership has redefined what economic reconciliation looks like in practice. Through vision, persistence, and quiet determination, Harold Calla has helped ensure that Indigenous communities across Canada can participate fully—and proudly—in the nation’s economy once again. 

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

PacifiCan’s Support Sparks Indigenous Entrepreneurship  

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Multi-year funding is a game-changer for the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program and Gala Dinner. In 2024, BC Achievement welcomed PacifiCan as a two-year partner, helping ensure stability, thoughtful planning, and strong engagement. Now in the second year of this commitment, we remain deeply grateful for PacifiCan’s investment, which strengthens our ability to honour Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, and leaders across British Columbia.  

Together, we are elevating Indigenous businesses that create jobs, generate opportunity, and collectively employ hundreds across the province. PacifiCan’s support also enriches the Gala by engaging Indigenous entrepreneurs (who are also program alumni) in event services—from DJing and floral design to video production, décor, emcees, and performers.  

“Indigenous business leaders are driving innovation, creating opportunity, and strengthening British Columbia’s economy and culture,” said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “By investing in the Indigenous Business Awards, PacifiCan is proud to celebrate their bold ideas, honour their achievements, and inspire future generations of Indigenous entrepreneurs.” 

BC Achievement extends heartfelt thanks to PacifiCan for its vision and support. Together, we are building a platform that celebrates success while inspiring future generations of Indigenous entrepreneurs across the province.

Join us on Wednesday, November 5, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver to honour the remarkable 2025 recipients. Tickets available on Eventbrite here.  

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

Recognize Remarkable: Nominations for 2026 are Being Accepted

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Photo: Pam Baker, 2024 recipient, Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design

When Pam Baker (Himikalas/Sewid-duuk) received the 2024 Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design, her design which are rooted in traditional Indigenous forms and expressed through contemporary fashion, were celebrated across the province. That recognition amplified her voice and her practice, inspiring others and affirming the cultural and creative leadership she continues to share with British Columbia. 

Photo: Wendy Toyer, 2024 Community Award recipient

Pam’s story is joined by others. Wendy Toyer, honoured with the 2024 Community Award, has dedicated decades of volunteer work and mentorship to raising ALS awareness and providing support for families impacted by the disease. Her efforts have strengthened networks of care and resilience across BC. 

Photo (left to right): 2024 Polygon Award in First Nations Art recipients Kelly Cannell, James Hart, 71DANsuu, and Stephanie Anderson

James Hart, 71DANsuu, celebrated with the Award of Distinction in the 2024 Polygon Award in First Nations Art, is one of the most accomplished Haida artists of his generation. His monumental carvings and mentorship of emerging artists have advanced cultural knowledge and inspired new voices in First Nations art. 

Each of these awardees shows how recognition matters—not just to them personally, but to the communities and audiences their work touches. 

Celebrating Excellence Across BC 

This fall, BC Achievement will honour the 2025 recipients across its five award programs, each reflecting the values and strengths that shape our province: 

  • Community Award – recognizing service and leadership that make life better for others. 
  • BC Reconciliation Award – celebrating efforts that further reconciliation and strengthen relationships. 
  • Indigenous Business Award – uplifting innovation, leadership, and economic empowerment. 
  • Polygon Award in First Nations Art – showcasing artistic excellence and traditional knowledge. 
  • Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design – supporting creative innovation in applied art and design. 

The upcoming celebrations will add new stories to the legacy of recipients like Pam, Wendy, and James—individuals whose recognition has already inspired British Columbians across communities, industries, and generations. 

Why Nominate? 

Recognition does more than honour one person, it validates contributions, amplifies impact, and sparks inspiration. For many awardees, the award becomes a platform to share their work more broadly, to build new connections, and to mentor others. 

By nominating someone in your community, you help ensure their story is told and their impact is celebrated. You help say: your work matters, and we see you. 

Nominations Now Open 

Nominations for the 2026 award programs are open until February 15, 2026. Beginning the process now gives you time to gather letters of support, collect materials, and prepare a strong submission. 

Visit bcachievement.com to learn more, view past awardees, and begin your nomination. Let’s continue to #RecognizeRemarkable, one story at a time. 

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

Be There: Secure Your Seat at the 17th Annual Indigenous Business Award Gala 

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Get your tickets today for one of the most anticipated nights of the year! On November 5, 2025, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver will open its doors to the 17th annual Indigenous Business Award Gala. The evening will shine a light on Indigenous entrepreneurs whose leadership, creativity, and vision continue to shape stronger economies and brighter futures across British Columbia. 

Seats will sell out quickly—secure yours now to be part of the celebration and the connections shaping the future of Indigenous business in British Columbia. 

This is the night that honours Indigenous entrepreneurs whose vision and innovation are driving stronger economies and brighter futures across the province. When you join us, you’re stepping into an evening that will inspire, connect, and uplift. 

This year’s theme, Stronger Together “highlights leadership grounded in relationships, reciprocity, and respect for cultural knowledge systems. True strength comes from shared community responsibility and diverse voices. When we lead through collaboration and cultural understanding, we don’t just build strong teams, we create inclusive communities where our diversity becomes our greatest strength.” 
– Statu Stsuhwum, Angela Marston, Director of Indigenous Relations & Program Director, Indigenous Business Award Program, BC Achievement 

This spirit will be at the heart of the Gala as we honour the 2025 recipients—entrepreneurs and businesses who embody unity, cultural values, and collective prosperity. 

The Gala experience begins with a reception powered by the sounds of IBA alum DJ O Show, leading into fine dining, recognition, and shared stories in one of Vancouver’s most iconic venues. 

Returning hosts Tsetasiya Geena Jackson and Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars, will welcome guests through their energy, bringing the spirit of celebration to the stage.  

Films by 2016 IBA alum Nolan McAllister of Orenda Productions will premiere during the celebration, capturing the journeys of the 2025 recipients. Each film shares resilience, innovation, and leadership—testament to the strength and vision that define Indigenous business in BC today. 

Seats are limited and will sell out fast. This is the party, the celebration, the gathering that defines Indigenous business in BC. Purchase your ticket now and claim your place where leadership, celebration, and opportunity come together. 

Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 
Location: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 

An Investment in the Future: Every ticket purchased supports Indigenous economic empowerment—uplifting today’s leaders and inspiring the next generation. Raise a glass to the visionaries, trailblazers, and changemakers shaping a more inclusive and prosperous tomorrow. Celebrate their success, embrace their stories, and be part of this remarkable journey. 

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

Recognizing the 2025 Emerging Leaders: Voices of the Next Generation

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Photo (left to right): Community Award 2025 Emerging Leaders Margaux Wosk, Trevor Mack & Wenonah North Peigan

Each year, the BC Achievement Community Award recognizes individuals who are making remarkable contributions to their communities – and among them, the Emerging Leaders shine as voices of the next generation. These awardees demonstrate vision, passion, and a commitment to creating positive change. 

In this feature, we catch up with the 2025 Emerging Leaders to learn what they’ve been working on since receiving the award and the impact of the recognition on their journey. Their stories remind us that leadership takes many forms, and that even early in their careers, these changemakers are making a lasting difference. 

Margaux Wosk – Champion for Disability Justice and Inclusive Design 

Vancouver-based advocate, artist, and entrepreneur Margaux Wosk has built a reputation as a trailblazer for disability justice and neurodivergent inclusion. As President of BC People First, Margaux works to amplify disabled voices and advocate for systemic change across the province. Through their business, Retrophiliac, Margaux creates communication tools and products by and for disabled, LGBTQIA2+, and neurodivergent individuals fostering pride, reducing stigma, and building community. 

Their leadership also extends nationally: Margaux spoke on Parliament Hill at the Disability Without Poverty rally, collaborated with People First of Canada, McMaster University, and Curiko on accessibility and education, and was featured on AMI’s Our Community for their advocacy and small business endeavors. Their artwork has even been included in York University’s Mental Health Literacy Guide for Autism, reflecting their belief in advocacy through creativity. 

Following their Emerging Leader recognition, Margaux has continued to expand their advocacy and creative entrepreneurship. They’ve grown their product line, built new wholesale partnerships, and used their platform to ensure that self-employment is recognized as a valid and inclusive form of work for disabled people. Beyond business, Margaux also engages in public speaking and mentorship, supporting disabled individuals who want to pursue creative and self-employed paths. 

Wenonah North Peigan – Policy Advocate and Indigenous Rights Leader 

Wenonah North Peigan is a member of the Piikani Nation, Blackfoot Confederacy, and Anishinaabe Odawa from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. She has devoted her early career to advancing Indigenous governance, cultural preservation, and self-determination. As a Policy Analyst with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), Wenonah works to bring Indigenous voices into decision-making processes and advocate for systemic change. 

Her leadership first gained attention through the Vancouver Foundation’s LEVEL Youth Policy Program, where she spearheaded the development of a comprehensive policy framework on repatriation and cultural sovereignty. That work continues to influence legislative change aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). 

Since receiving the Emerging Leader recognition, Wenonah has expanded her impact. At UBCIC, she continues to advance First Nations’ priorities while also contributing to housing solutions through the 7 Generations Society of Alberta, supporting rent-to-own housing initiatives for Indigenous Peoples. Looking ahead, she plans to apply to law school to strengthen her advocacy and legal expertise. 

Trevor Mack – Storyteller, Cultural Advocate, and Community Builder 

Trevor Mack, a Tsilhqot’in filmmaker, cultural advocate, and community leader, is dedicated to uplifting Indigenous youth through storytelling, cultural revitalization, and mentorship. His debut feature film, Portraits from a Fire, explores the lived experiences of Indigenous youth, offering a message of healing and resilience. 

Together with his wife, Valeria Cazorla Mack, Trevor co-founded the Tletinqox International Cultural Garden Centre, which brings youth into traditional building, food growing, and cultural exchange with Indigenous communities in Mexico. Their food sovereignty projects provide free organic produce and teach food security in Tl’etinqox. They also founded NENQAYNI, a not-for-profit supporting cultural exchange and community healing. 

Trevor has also led the Dasiqox Tribal Park’s Back on the Land initiative, where youth trek the mountains, camp, and learn drumming, art, and medicine gathering blending resilience with cultural pride. Most recently, he was elected as the youngest Councillor in his community and one of the youngest across the Tsilhqot’in Nation, marking another step in his lifelong commitment to service. 

A Glimpse into the Future 

The journeys of our 2025 Emerging Leaders are only just beginning, yet their impact is already being felt across communities and sectors in BC. From disability justice and inclusive entrepreneurship to Indigenous governance and policy reform, to storytelling and youth empowerment, Margaux, Wenonah, and Trevor are proving that leadership is not defined by age or tenure, but by courage, vision, and action. 

We can’t wait to see where their paths lead next and how their voices will continue to shape a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive British Columbia. 

BC Achievement gratefully acknowledges the transformative commitment of RBC, our Foundation Platform Partner, whose support helps shine a light on the remarkable individuals who strengthen our province. We are also thankful to the Connor, Clark & Lunn (CC&L) Financial Group and its support of the Community Award Emerging Leader category. 

Watch the highlights of the 2025 Community Award Presentation Ceremony and experience the inspiration of this year’s recipients: Community Award Highlight Film.

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

Reconciliation in BC: Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future

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Reconciliation is more than a word or a single day—it’s a call to action. It’s important to acknowledge the truth of our shared history and righting relationships between First Nation peoples who have lived on these lands since time immemorial and settlers. It’s about respecting the strength, innovation, and leadership that First Nation peoples have always carried. 

My grandmother was a living example of that strength. She was a single mother of five who ran her own business at a time when it was illegal for First Nations women to do so. Despite laws and policies designed to assimilate and limit our opportunities, she built a livelihood for her family with determination, skill, and courage. Her story is not just one of survival—it’s one of resistance, leadership, and legacy. 

Across BC, there many stories similar to hers—stories that show the strength, building, and leading despite the colonial barriers in their path. While we can see the progress that has been made, barriers still exist. Many colonial policies remain embedded in our institutions and Indigenous people continue to face discrimination, intergenerational trauma, and social inequities. 

Reconciliation is an opportunity to face these truths head-on. It means understanding the impact of policies that banned our cultural practices and tried to silence our voices. We are faced with the challenge of dismantling the systems that continue to limit Indigenous potential today—and rebuilding new ones that uplift, empower, and honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being. 

While breaking down harmful systems is necessary for change, it’s just as important to recognize the beauty and brilliance of Indigenous worldviews: our deep ties to the land, our languages that hold entire worldviews within a single word, and our governance systems that prioritize balance, consensus, and planning for the next seven generations. We have always had laws, education systems, and spiritual teachings—carried through story, ceremony, and relationships. 

Our cultures are rich with reciprocity, respect, and responsibility. We hold up Elders as knowledge keepers, we understand time in cycles, not lines, and we live by teachings that remind us everything is connected. From the art that tells our histories, to the potlatches that honour generosity and community, to the storytelling that transfers law and legacy—these are not things of the past. They are alive and evolving. 

Whether in education, business, government, or community, we all have a role to play. Reconciliation requires more than statements—it requires action. It begins with truth, and it continues with learning, listening, and changing how we show up. 

My grandmother didn’t wait for permission to lead—and neither should we. The time for real, lasting change is now. 

In gratitude to Statu Stsuhwum (North wind strong and clear) Angela Marston, guest blogger and Director of Indigenous Relations & Program Director, Indigenous Business Award

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

Meghan Weeks: Finding Laughter, Connection, and Meaning in Metal 

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Photo: Meghan Weeks, 2024 Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist and Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design recipient

Meghan Weeks, the 2024 recipient of the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design, was honoured with the Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist distinction for her bold, playful, and deeply intentional jewellery practice. A self-described artist, maker, and small business owner, Meghan is the creative force behind MDW Jewelry, a label that fuses storytelling, humour, and cultural memory into tactile, wearable art. 

A member of Sucker Creek First Nation in Treaty 8 territory and a long-time resident of Vancouver, Meghan brings a unique blend of Cree teachings, childhood recollections, and natural inspirations to her work. Her pieces, often crafted from sterling silver and beads using methods like carving, beadwork, fabrication, and lost wax casting, aim to decolonize traditional jewellery-making while fostering conversation between the wearer and the work. 

“I think it’s super important to have humor in my work,” she shared. “Part of healing is laughter. I love to make people laugh and if I can’t do it personally with my weird sense of humour, I can do it through jewellery. So if I find myself giggling at my bench, I’m hoping the person wearing it later will be doing the same thing.” 

That spirit of joy and resilience is evident in her Survival Collection, a series of pieces that are both functional and humorous. One standout? A whistle cast in sterling silver from a chicken wing bone. “We ordered some chicken wings for supper one evening and I thought, ‘Maybe I can make a whistle out of one of these.’ I boiled it down and made a whistle out of the hot wing, which then became a sterling silver piece.” 

The juxtaposition of the ordinary with the ceremonial, the humorous with the profound, is where Meghan’s work shines. Each piece tells a story rooted in lived experience, family tradition, and cultural knowledge. “To have my wearer feel that—that’s a beautiful thing. It means the translation is working. To think something up and then have someone else wearing it and feeling it—that’s kind of mind-blowing.” 

Her artistic journey is shaped not only by her formal education—she holds a BFA in Media Arts from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design—but also by her roles as a mentor, collaborator, and cultural contributor within BC’s vibrant Indigenous arts community. Since 2018, her work has been featured at festivals, galleries, and in private collections, reaching both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences. 

Receiving the Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist distinction was a deeply meaningful moment for Meghan. “It literally blew my mind. I cried—it’s an honour,” she said. 

Through her artistry, Meghan Weeks is creating space for cultural memory, humour, and human connection to co-exist and she’s doing so with authenticity, curiosity, and a whistle made from a chicken wing. 

Watch the short film on Meghan Weeks and her fellow awardees of the 2024 Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design. 

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

Indigenous Business Award Gala – Get your tickets before they sell out! 

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The future economies of British Columbia are impacted and developed by Indigenous entrepreneurs whose creativity, tenacity, and leadership are transforming industries and communities. The Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program, presented by BC Achievement, honours these trailblazers and showcases their contributions to a growing economy.  

Now, you can take part in an inspiring celebration and cheer on the recipients of the 2025 IBA program. Tickets for the 2025 Indigenous Business Award Ceremony and Dinner are on sale for another month! 

The annual IBA Gala ceremony is a powerful gathering that draws leaders from across BC’s business, government, and Indigenous communities. Guests are welcomed into a space alive with recognition, celebration, and connection. The formal award presentations are punctuated by storytelling, remarks from awardees and short films highlighting each awardee’s journey.  

Guiding the program for the evening are this year’s IBA Gala Co-Directors: 

Tsetasiya Geena Jackson, Creator & Executive, Producer, Bears’ Lair TV, and Founder & Producer, Sparkly Frog Clan Productions Inc. 

Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars, a member of the Williams Lake First Nation, part of the Secwépemc Nation and 2023 IBA alumni

With Special Musical Guest: DJ O Show

At the Gala guests will be treated to an opening reception, multi-course dinner, award presentation and multiple opportunities to meet awardees and connect with other Indigenous business leaders. Many attendees describe the evening as both uplifting and motivating—a reminder of the extraordinary contributions Indigenous entrepreneurs are making every day. 

Join us! 

  • Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025, starts at 5:30pm 
  • Location Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 
  • Tickets: bcachievement.com 

Seats for this signature event are limited, and the Gala always sells out in advance. Secure your tickets now to be part of the 2025 Indigenous Business Award celebration and stand alongside Indigenous entrepreneurs who are redefining business excellence in BC. 

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