BC First Nations Artists Honoured at Presentation Ceremony

Six accomplished aboriginal artists were recognized for their outstanding work at a special ceremony for the 2013 BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations’ Art.

Hon. John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, presented the awards at a ceremony at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.

Mandy Brown, a Nlaka’pamux artist from Lytton, received this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, an honour bestowed on individuals who have made a profound contribution to their First Nations’ culture.

The Annual BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations’ Art celebrate artistic excellence in traditional, contemporary or media art. The 2013 recipients presented with the awards are:

• Dale Campbell, Prince Rupert
• Marlene Liddle, Old Masset Village
• Joe Martin, Tofino
• Ken McNeil, Terrace
• Sammy Robinson, Kitamaat Village

“The Foundation is honoured to recognize these artists,” said Keith Mitchell, chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “They join 37 First Nations’ artists that the Foundation has had the privilege of recognizing over the past seven years. We thank Michael Audain and Polygon for their tremendous support of the BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations’ Art.”

The awards were judged by: Brenda Crabtree, Aboriginal program manager, Emily Carr University of Art + Design; Bill McLennan, curator, Pacific Northwest, UBC Museum of Anthropology; and Dempsey Bob, OC, 2004 recipient of the British Columbia Lifetime Creative Achievement Award for First Nations’ Art.

The BC Achievement Foundation is an independent foundation established and endowed by the Province of B.C. in 2003 to celebrate community service, arts, humanities and enterprise. For information on British Columbia Achievement Foundation, visit www.bcachievement.com