Inspiring Stories
Watch the films and discover the powerful stories of BC Achievement alumni—whose impact shapes and uplifts our province.
4 Generations Creations, founded by Secwepemc artist and entrepreneur Ashley Michel in 2013, is a vibrant expression of culture, creativity, and community.
James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry, a 2021 recipient of the BC Achievement First Nations Art Award, is redefining Indigenous design through a unique fusion of traditional Coast Salish teachings and contemporary artistic practices.
North Vancouver-based artist and furniture maker Brent Comber transforms the raw beauty of the Pacific Northwest into sculptural works that explore themes of connection, memory, and impermanence.
A 2019 recipient of the Applied Art + Design Award, Gordon Hutchens is a master ceramist whose work reflects a rare blend of technical mastery and artistic vision.
Kari Morgan, of Nisga’a (House of Kw’isk’ayn), European, and Métis heritage, is a sculptor, painter, and designer whose multidisciplinary practice bridges tradition and innovation.
A Kwakwaka’wakw artist from Alert Bay, Cole Speck brings both deep cultural roots and contemporary vision to the world of Northwest Coast art.
Since 2002, Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. (ICT) has been equipping individuals and organizations with the tools they need to work respectfully and effectively with Indigenous Peoples.
Born into the Eagle Clan in Haida Gwaii, James Hart 71DANsu has dedicated his life to the preservation and evolution of Haida art and culture. Apprenticing under the renowned Bill Reid, he developed exceptional skill across carving, sculpture, and jewellery-making.
At just 22 years old, Elijah Mack-Stirling brought his dream to life by becoming the first-ever franchise owner of Kekuli Cafe in Merritt, BC. With its welcoming motto, “Don’t panic… we have bannock,” the cafe quickly became a local favourite and one of Merritt’s top dining spots.
Learning alongside her mother, renowned artist, Susan Point, and beginning at just 12, Kelly Cannell developed a deep understanding of Musqueam and Coast Salish visual language, mastering storytelling through form, pattern, and symbolism.
Vancouver-based sculptor Marie Khouri creates powerful works that explore identity, belonging, and community.
Victoria-based luthier Robert Anderson has dedicated more than 25 years to crafting stringed instruments that are as visually stunning as they are acoustically refined.
Today, Latham is an established artist with works in prestigious collections including UBC’s Museum of Anthropology and the Burke Museum in Seattle. While rooted in traditional Nuxalk forms, his art bends and evolves, embodying a contemporary style that remains deeply respectful of its origins.
Russell Hackney is a third-generation ceramic artist whose porcelain work reflects more than four decades of dedication to craft and design. Trained in Stoke-on-Trent, England—the historic centre of fine ceramics—he apprenticed under his father before earning a degree in 3D Design.
Stephanie Anderson, a member of the Likhsilyu “Small Frog” clan of the Witsuwit’en Nation, is using her art to honour her roots and uplift her community. Based in Terrace, BC, on Tsimshian territory, Stephanie began her fine arts journey at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art in 2009, later returning as an instructor from 2020 to 2023.
Teara Fraser, a proud Métis woman and visionary entrepreneur, is reshaping Canada’s aviation landscape. As founder and CEO of Iskwew Air, she launched the country’s first 100% Indigenous woman-owned airline, creating vital connections to remote Indigenous communities and paving new pathways for economic empowerment.
Tyler James Goin is an emerging voice in contemporary ceramcis, creating sculptural works that bridge industrial precision with emotional depth. With nearly two decades of creative exploration across painting, music, and writing, Tyler brings a rare interdisciplinary approach to his practice.
Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Lets’lo:tseltun, of Cowichan (Hul’q’umi’num Coast Salish) and Okanagan (Syilx) descent, is one of Canada’s most influential contemporary artists. For over four decades, he has used painting, installation, and performance to confront colonial narratives, challenge systemic injustice, and assert Indigenous sovereignty.
Founded by Squamish ethnobotanist and researcher Dr. Leigh Joseph (Styawat), Sḵwálwen (skwall-win) Botanicals is an Indigenous skincare line rooted in the ancestral plant knowledge of the Skwxwú7mesh people. The name Sḵwálwen means "heart" in the Squamish language, and each product is a heartfelt expression of tradition, healing, and respect for the land.