Month: December 2023

Nominations Now Open for BC Achievement’s 21st Annual Community Award

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Vancouver, BC (December 1, 2023): Today the BC Achievement Foundation opened the called for nominations for the 21st annual Community Award. The award program recognizes, celebrates and stewards outstanding British Columbians while elevating their stories of excellence. Individuals are celebrated for their efforts in raising the quality and character of their communities while serving as the ultimate example of dedication and excellence.

“The Community Award program is a testament to the best of BC. The program has lifted up and told the stories of over 660 British Columbians who have carved a path forward through their community achievement. This requires strength, courage and skill – for others to emulate and, in doing so, builds stronger and more engaged communities,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “Every year, the nominees impress with their desire to be of service to their communities and with their commitment to improve the lives of their neighbours and province.”

A new designation is included in the launch of the 2024 Call for Nominations. The new Emerging Leader designation will be added to recognize and celebrate young people who are making a difference in their communities and striving to make BC a better place. This distinction will acknowledge the incredible dedication and efforts of young leaders. Through this empowerment, a ripple effect will transpire – one that resonates far beyond the initial act of service.

“As we look to the future and the challenges that lie ahead, it is more important than ever to recognize the achievements of youth in our province. They are the ones who will lead us forward, and we need to support and encourage them every step of the way”, added Pela.

“It is an incredible honour and privilege to receive a BC Achievement Community Award. The award has reaffirmed my interests in community service, sustainability, and accessibility and the incredible work of those I am surrounded by. I think it is important to recognize excellence in community service as it helps to increase engagement and foster pride and collaboration in our communities.” Stephanie Quon, 2023 Awardee

Nominations open December 1, 2023 – January 31, 2024

Nominations for the Community Award are now open and can be submitted online until January 31, 2024. An independent jury panel of community leaders, which includes program alumni, adjudicate the submissions.

Be part of it #nominatenowbc.

The 2024 Community Award recipients will be recognized at a formal ceremony in Victoria in May 2024, where the Lieutenant Governor and a representative of the BC Achievement Foundation will present awardees with the BC Achievement medallion and lapel pin designed by renowned artist Robert Davidson, OC, OBC. Awardees will also receive a commemorative certificate and letter from the Premier of BC recognizing their achievements. In addition, BC Achievement curates an online #shinethelightbc social campaign highlighting each awardee’s accomplishments through its channels.
For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation and the Community Award program, please visit www.bcachievement.com.

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About BC Achievement
BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 that celebrates the spirit of excellence in our province and serves to honour the best of British Columbia. By recognizing the accomplishments of our province’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth and volunteers, its award programs pay tribute to exceptional people, doing exceptional work. www.bcachievement.com

Media Contact
Rup Kang
Communications and Program Director
BC Achievement Foundation
T: 604-261-9777
E: rup@bcachievement.com

Celebrating the spirit of excellence: bringing continued joy to the season 

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We know very well there are injustices taking place in the world around us and in our very own neighbourhoods. This can often be hard to process and confusing on how to take action. 

Our mission is to elevate excellence and see the good that is happening in BC and we support the work of those who takes action towards justice, hope and love. Our communities thrive when we work together for a common good. 

So keeping love, community and action in mind, we want to continue the joy, adding to the festive season and highlighting a few of this year’s awardees who are doing things to light up and lift up their communities. 

Riley McFerrin of Hinterland design lights up a room! – No pun intended. This hardworking and creative furniture and lighting designer brings life and beauty to functional items. His light Dendera Light Fixture lit up the BC Achievement Applied Art + Design exhibition at The Roundhouse Community Centre last month where guests could see his work up close. And he took the time to share with the audience what drives his artistic passion: 

”People are more important than things. I’ve spent my entire life making objects to the best of my ability but ultimately, it is people that I care about the most. It’s the users of the things that I make, the people that I get to work alongside of – this community of designers and makers here in BC – or the entire rest of the world that is impacted by the materials and processes used.” 

Riley McFerrin, Hinterland Design 

Indigenous Business Award recipient Marcia Turner of Daxgedim Haanak’ Nation Building is a leader focused on advocating for self-determination and self-government among Indigenous peoples across the province. With a mission that revolves around transformation and systems change at the governance and leadership levels, Marcia works alongside Indigenous communities to amplify their voices, advancing Indigenous rights and title and is inspired by those she aims to serve. 

“A lot of our nations are really doing tremendous work to revitalize our cultural processes and practices. They are doing work in the resurgence of our cultural teachings and languages, and I think that’s really powerful. And it’s what keeps me going in terms of doing this work as I see tremendous innovation and advancement in what communities are doing. I am so honoured and privileged to have visibility to the great work our nations are doing…with the strength of our culture and ancestral traditions to guide us and that’s what makes this so exciting and powerful.”  

Marcia Turner of Daxgedim Haanak’ Nation Building 

Gerry Nellestijn, Community Award recipient, is a founder and trailblazing force behind the Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society an organization that promotes research, awareness and restoration of threatened fish and wildlife and their habitat in the Salmo watershed and beyond. His advocacy has led to several long-term fisheries monitoring projects being funded for over 20 years while protecting the watershed for generations to come. Gerry shared his thoughts on the importance of recognition and how receiving a Community Award creates impact. 

“The Community Award recognition gives us something that is often overlooked, a reward for our efforts. It’s not money or things it’s a form of appreciation. In many cases, and in many places, resilience, collaboration, inclusion and consensus building are often unnoticed even denigrated. The Community Award corrects that and provides honour to our activities. This honour rewards our community as well as the individuals that implement solutions. The Community Award is a milieu for providing a role modelling reward”. 

Gerry Nellestijn, Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society 

These awardees and the almost 1000 more that BC Achievement has recognized in its 20 year history, are examples of the impact of one person on the world around them. They elevate excellence and in doing so, inspire change.  

Cheers to those who bring light, love and hope to their communities and carve a path forward for others to follow.  

The future is bright. Thank you to everyone who supports the work we do and helps inspire change. We look forward to working with the people of this province and continuing the celebrations of excellence in 2024. #bepartofit  #nominatenowbc #elevateexcellence

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change

Nominate now for the 4th annual BC Reconciliation Award  

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Now in its fourth year, the BC Reconciliation Award recognizes excellence in the area of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in the province of BC. It aims to showcase leadership in reconciliation so others will follow on the journey forward.  

The BC Reconciliation Award is a partnership program between the BC Achievement Foundation and The Office of the Lieutenant Governor. It draws inspiration form 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 are all in the same canoe” and must “paddle together” to move forward. 

“Reconciliation serves as the foundation for forging meaningful connections and closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Through acknowledging historical injustices and highlighting transformative initiatives, we inspire others to follow a similar path,” said Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers, board member of the BC Achievement Foundation. “As we step into the fourth year of the BC Reconciliation Award, we call for submission of nominations for the award program to help share the efforts of individuals and communities.” 

In honour of this legacy, each years’ recipients receive a print of a canoe paddle designed by  the Polygon Award in First Nations Art Emerging Artist. The following artists have been commissioned by BC Achievement to design the paddle and share their understanding of the reconciliation journey: 

Kwakwaka’wakw artist Cole Speck (2021); 

Dene and Carrier beader Crystal Behn (2022); and,  

Kwakwaka’wakw moccasin maker Jamie Gentry (2023)  

The ongoing series of BC Reconciliation Award paddles will be displayed in Government House. 

Six extraordinary individuals and organizations were recognized in 2022 as recipients of this award. Their exceptional leadership, integrity, respect and commitment to furthering reconciliation, was honoured along with the 2021 recipients at an inaugural ceremony at Government House in Victoria. 

“Nominating individuals and organizations for the BC Reconciliation Award is a powerful testament to collective pledges to healing, unity, and understanding. My hope is that this recognition continues to inspire positive change and strengthens the bonds of reconciliation in our province.  As a juror and past recipient of the BC Reconciliation Award, I am humbled and honoured to witness and be a part of the transformative power of reconciliation efforts in British Columbia and encourage you to nominate those who are making a difference, change is transformative and we all must to our part,” said Chief/Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, former recipient and 2023 Selection Committee member. 

Nominations open November 15, 2023 – January 31, 2024 

Nominations for the BC Reconciliation Award are now open and can be submitted online at bcachievement.com until January 31, 2024. An independent jury panel of Indigenous Elders and leadership, which includes program alumni, adjudicate the submissions.  

Be part of it #nominatenowbc. Share the news! 

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

Nominations are now open for the 21st annual Community Award  

Posted on by bcachievement

This month marks the call for nominations for the 21st Community Award. The award program recognizes, celebrates and stewards outstanding British Columbians while elevating their stories of excellence. Individuals are celebrated for their efforts in raising the quality and character of their communities while serving as the ultimate example of dedication and excellence. 

“The Community Award program is a testament to the best of BC. The program has lifted up and told the stories of over 660 British Columbians who have carved a path forward through their community achievement. This requires strength, courage and skill – for others to emulate and, in doing so, builds stronger and more engaged communities,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “Every year, the nominees impress with their desire to be of service to their communities and with their commitment to improve the lives of their neighbours and province.”  

A new designation is included in the launch of the 2024 Call for Nominations. The new Emerging Leader designation will be added to recognize and celebrate young people who are making a difference in their communities and striving to make BC a better place. This distinction will acknowledge the incredible dedication and efforts of young leaders. Through this empowerment, a ripple effect will transpire – one that resonates far beyond the initial act of service.  

“As we look to the future and the challenges that lie ahead, it is more important than ever to recognize the achievements of youth in our province. They are the ones who will lead us forward, and we need to support and encourage them every step of the way”, added Pela. 

“It is an incredible honour and privilege to receive a BC Achievement Community Award. The award has reaffirmed my interests in community service, sustainability, and accessibility and the incredible work of those I am surrounded by. I think it is important to recognize excellence in community service as it helps to increase engagement and foster pride and collaboration in our communities.” Stephanie Quon, 2023 Awardee 

Nominations open December 1, 2023 – January 31, 2024 

Nominations for the Community Award are now open and can be submitted online at bcachievement.com until January 31, 2024. An independent jury panel of community leaders, which includes program alumni, adjudicate the submissions.  

Be part of it #nominatenowbc. Share the news! 

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