The Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the BC Achievement Foundation announce 2024 Award Recipients

November 5, 2024

Vancouver, B.C. – The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, in partnership with BC Achievement Foundation, is honoured to announce the recipients of the fourth British Columbia Reconciliation Award.

The award recognizes four extraordinary individuals and two incredible organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect and commitment to furthering reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in the province of British Columbia, or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts.

Individual recipients:

Sdahl Ḵ’awaas, Lucy Bell (Old Massett)
Corporal (Retired) Chris Gosselin, M.O.M. (West Kelowna)
Gloria Morgan (Enderby)
Phyllis Webstad (Williams Lake)

Organization recipients:

Qwelmínte Secwépemc (Kamloops)
Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (Port Alberni)

“The essence of reconciliation as a vital process for fostering connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities is illuminated through the work of the BC Reconciliation Award program,” said Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers, a BC Achievement board member. “The importance of recognizing historical injustices, while also celebrating transformative actions that empower Indigenous Peoples, underpins the program’s intent as we mark its fourth year celebrating outstanding reconciliation practices. The recognition of the 2024 recipients of the BC Reconciliation Award honours their contributions and also serves as an inspiration for others to engage in meaningful reconciliation efforts. It’s a powerful reminder of the collective journey we are undertaking in British Columbia toward healing and accountability.”

BC Achievement Foundation has several established programs honouring excellence and inspiring achievement throughout British Columbia, such as the Indigenous Business Award and the First Nations Art Award.

“The stories of this year’s BC Reconciliation Award recipients give me hope,” said Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. “These are stories that awaken hearts to the truths of some of the most difficult history of our country, but also stories of resilience, generosity, healing and bravery. Every year, I am deeply inspired by the work of these recipients, the depth of their communities, and their commitment to authentic, respectful relationship building. I am honoured to share the work of the recipients and express my gratitude for all they have contributed to reconciliation in British Columbia.”

Her Honour Janet Austin has chosen reconciliation as one of the key priorities of her mandate. This commitment includes participation in promotion of public awareness of the ongoing journey of reconciliation and developing a legacy through the creation of this award.

The British Columbia Reconciliation Award draws inspiration from the work of 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 B.C. Parliament 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, this year’s recipients will receive a print of a canoe paddle designed by Tsm’syen/Nisga’a artist Shawna Kiesman to commemorate the award. Shawna is the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist recipient of the Polygon Award in First Nations Art. The paddle designed by Shawna was installed alongside previous BC Reconciliation Award paddles at Government House in Victoria on Nov. 5, 2024.

The 2024 recipients of the BC Reconciliation Award will be recognized in a ceremony held at Government House in the new year.

The selection committee for the 2024 British Columbia Reconciliation Award is:

• p̓i·q̓, Christopher Horsethief – Ktunaxa Nation
• Chief/Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir – Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc
• Xyolholemo:t, Brenda Crabtree – Spuzzum Band with Nlaka’pamux and Sto:Lo ancestry
• Dr. Danièle Behn Smith – Eh Cho Dene of Fort Nelson First Nation and Franco-Manitobain/Métis, Red River Valley
• Brendan Eshom – Gitga’at (Hartley Bay) Nation

Interviews with BC Reconciliation Award recipients, as well as Her Honour Janet Austin or representatives of the BC Achievement Foundation, are available by request. Biographies of award recipients and high-resolution images are available online: https://bcachievement.com/media-kit/

BC Achievement Foundation gratefully acknowledges Teck Resources Limited for its presentation support of the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award ceremony.

Contacts:

Rachel Rilkoff
Communications and Events Officer
Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia:
Rachel.Rilkoff@gov.bc.ca
778 679-2278BC Achievement Foundation:

Gemma Bishop
Gather Public Relations
gemma@gatherpublicrelations.com
604 375-6953

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