Month: December 2022

Photo: (L-R) Douglas Coupland, Sam Carter & Dr. Gillian Siddall

It is timely that we are ending the year on a note of celebration. This year we were able to bring back live award ceremonies where we gathered to honour awardees from four BC Achievement programs. The most recent of which was a celebration of the Indigenous Business Awardees on November 29 – a room filled with over 650 people to honour eight program recipients. Coming together enabled us to appreciate the energy in a fist pump, the connection in a handshake and the warmth in a hug. It also allowed us to welcome this year’s awardees into the BC Achievement alumni family which boasts over 1000 British Columbians strong! 

Honouring awardees is a role our small and mighty organization embraces and we do it in concert with so many of you. It’s a testament to the support of community partners, sponsors, nominators, leadership and those of you who share our calls for nomination and our stories of the awardees. So, from our hearts, we thank you. It is with gratitude that we close this year and open the new one with promise of stronger relationships, increased nominations and more stories to elevate and inspire achievement.  

If you’re wondering why we do what we do, and the importance of recognizing wonderful people doing incredible things, you just have to ask our former board chair Anne Giardini and our incoming chair Walter Pela about why they choose to represent and support the work of BC Achievement. 

“It is a hallmark of successful organizations and societies that they not only recognize achievements but celebrate them. All of us – if we are lucky – have a memory of giving or receiving recognition for an act of creation, collaboration, inspiration or community building. BC Achievement exists to shine light on those whose actions make this province a better place for us all.” 

Anne Giardini, OC, OBC, KC, Past Chair 

“British Columbia is built by truly remarkable people doing incredible work in varied fields throughout the province. They deserve to be recognized and celebrated, and their achievements amplified, inspiring all of us in our ambitions to make an impact.”

Walter Pela, Chair 

Happy holidays from BC Achievement. Enjoy, stay safe and #nominatenowbc! 

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

Photo: 2022 Crabtree McLennan Emergist Artist, Jamie Gentry, moccasins

Now is the perfect time of the year to support a local business or artist and surprise a loved one with a gift made with passion and excellence. Check out the artwork from 2022 BC Achievement award alumni: 

Fulmer Award First Nations Art 

Jamie Gentry – stitches beautiful beadwork on custom moccasins for clients – she’s in demand so book ahead to get a pair 

Latham Mack – his traditional Nuxalk style is infused with a contemporary flair and is found at galleries around the province 

Dylan Thomas – carves wood and stone focusing on Coast Salish sculpture 

Reg Davidson – best known for his traditional ceremonial objects, his work can be found in select BC galleries  

Carter Wosk Award Applied Art + Design  

Robert Anderson – creates hand-built instruments worthy of passing down to future generations 

Caine Heintzman – one of three co-founders of ANDlight, a decorative luminaire design studio and manufacturer to light up your spaces 

Louise Perrone – believes special occasions deserve special jewellery like the pieces she builds using recycled textiles 

Cathy Terepocki – produces ceramics that are strongly rooted and reflective of her natural surroundings in Chilliwack 

And there are many more award-winning artists and businesses to check out at bcachievement.com! 

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

Photo: Paul Larocque, President & CEO, Arts Umbrella & Yuri Fulmer, BC Achievement alumnus

Many of you have asked the question, “What does engagement mean at BC Achievement?” First and foremost, please consider contributing to the work of the foundation in a way that is meaningful for you. Whether that is by:   

• submitting a nomination (we cannot thank the nominators enough – your efforts underpin the work of the foundation)
• sharing the call for nominations and expanding our reach (#nominatenowbc for the 2023 Reconciliation and Community award programs);
• amplifying recipients’ stories through all your communication channels; and, 
• by donating through BC Achievement’s website (#donatenowbc). 

There’s no shortage of excellence in British Columbia and for close to two decades the foundation has been honouring the best of British Columbia. Every one of these recipients is a conduit for change. The effects of their work rippling outward, building momentum while impacting countless lives.  

BC Achievement’s partners are vital to the sustainability of its programs. The work we are doing now builds the foundation for future artists, community leaders and entrepreneurs and we are grateful for those who support this vibrant community and celebrate the best of our province. It is a straightforward equation – the more British Columbians who engage with BC Achievement programming the more our programs can share the success of their awardees and inspire real change. 

As an independent, registered not-for-profit, BC Achievement relies upon corporate and philanthropic support for all five of its programs. Every contribution makes a difference, and we invite you to join the movement – #bepartofit and invest in the innovative work of program recipients and, in doing so, inspire achievement.   

If you would like to explore contributing to the work of the foundation, please contact our Executive Director Cathryn Wilson at cathrynwilson@bcachievement.com 

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