BC Achievement Foundation

2021 & 2022 BRITISH COLUMBIA RECONCILIATION AWARD

JANUARY 12th AT 5:30PM PT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN VICTORIA

The BC Reconciliation Award is a partnership between the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and the BC Achievement Foundation, and recognizes individuals, groups and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering reconciliation or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts. The inaugural ceremony recognizing the 2021 and 2022 recipients took place at Government House in Victoria on January 12, 2023.

The Award draws inspiration from 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.

In honour of this legacy, each years’ recipients receive a print of a canoe paddle decorated by the Emerging Artist recipient of the First Nations Art Award. The 2021 paddle was created by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Cole Speck, and the 2022 paddle was created by Dene and Carrier beader Crystal Behn.

Click on an image to learn more about the awardees