BC Achievement Foundation Announces 2022 Indigenous Business Award Recipients

BC ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2022 INDIGENOUS BUSINESS AWARD RECIPIENTS

The BC Achievement Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2022 Indigenous Business Award (IBA). Presented annually, the IBA recognizes the contributions of extraordinary Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs across BC, while helping to elevate
connections between the province’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies.

“When we come together to celebrate Indigenous business achievement, we are also blazing a path for today’s youth and for the generations that will follow. The Indigenous Business Award program recognizes business achievement, honouring innovative ideas and new ways of making our economy more robust and more inclusive,” said Anne Giardini, OC, OBC, KC, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “Every year, the enterprises recognized with an Indigenous Business Award highlight ways we all benefit from an ongoing reconciliation of the practices of the past with the economies of the future.”

By recognizing outstanding people and businesses, the IBA gives voice to Indigenous entrepreneurship while modelling success for others to follow. Now in its 14th year, the program counts over 210 remarkable businesses among its alumni.
This year’s award theme is “Thuyshaynum: preparing the path, directing the feet,” which addresses the tireless work being done to correct perceptions of Indigenous history and build respectful, meaningful relationships. A total of eight Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, partnership entities and community-owned enterprises have been selected by a jury panel that includes Jessie Ramsay, Métis, a partner with Baker Newby Law; Jeff Ward, Ojibwe and Métis, founder and CEO of Animikii; and Leah George-Wilson, past Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation who practices Indigenous law with Miller Titerle + Company.

2022 Indigenous Business Awardees

Young Entrepreneur of the Year:
Dustin & Ashley Kucher – Dark Arc Welding Inc., Dawson Creek

Business of the Year – one-to-two person enterprise:
dk Architecture, North Vancouver

Business of the Year – three-to-ten person enterprise:
Culture Shock Interactive Gallery, Alert Bay

Business of the Year – 11+ person enterprise:
Warrior Plumbing, North Vancouver

Community-owned Business of the Year – one entity:
M’i nuw’ilum Marina Inc., Sooke

Community-owned Business of the Year – two or more entities:
Sasuchan Development Corporation, Takla Lake

Business Partnership of the Year:
Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd., Williams Lake

Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement:
Chief David Jimmie, Chilliwack

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. In addition to the IBA, the organization presents several established programs, including the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art and the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design. By recognizing the accomplishments of our province’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth and volunteers, BC Achievement’s award programs pay tribute to exceptional people, doing exceptional work, while carving a path forward for others to follow.

The 2022 IBA recipients will be recognized in a formal gala ceremony – open to the public – held on November 29 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Tickets are $200 per person and can be purchased online here. Each awardee will receive a certificate and medallion designed by First Nations Artist, Robert Davidson. They will also be celebrated through an online campaign #shinethelightbc to commemorate their excellence and inspirational achievements positively impacting British Columbians.

For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation or the IBA program, please visit www.bcachievement.com.
The IBA program is presented by BC Achievement in partnership with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and is generously supported by Lead Sponsor: Vancity; Title Sponsor: Enbridge; Alumni Program Sponsor: TD; Presentation Sponsor: Teck; Film Sponsor: BC Hydro; BC Transit; New Relationship Trust; Ovintiv; Seaspan; Port of Vancouver – Vancouver Fraser Port Authority; Supporting Sponsors: All Nations Trust Company; Bennett Jones; Coast Capital; Copper Mountain Mine; Dentons; Ledcor; West Fraser.

BC ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF
2022 FULMER AWARD IN FIRST NATIONS ART

The BC Achievement Foundation has announced this year’s recipients of the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art. in First Nations Art. Presented annually, the program celebrates First Nations artistic traditions while creating a platform for community engagement, mentorship, and storytelling.

“All of us at BC Achievement Foundation are delighted to recognize the four 2022 recipients of the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art. Their work ranges widely, inspiring us with new visions while building on deep traditions,” said Anne Giardini, OC, OBC, KC, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “This year’s awardees join almost 90 artists from the Award’s past16 years. Fulmer Award alumni show us this year and every year that British Columbia is a place where artistic innovation and
creativity are second to none anywhere in the world.”

The Fulmer Award honours First Nations artists in BC who have demonstrated a commitment to their practice, accumulated a body of work, and are recognized in their communities for their craft. The Award is presented by BC Achievement, an independent foundation that honours excellence and inspires achievement throughout the province.

The 2022 recipients, chosen by an independent jury, are:

Jamie Gentry – Kwakwaka’wakw, Sooke – Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist Latham Mack – Nuxalk, Kamloops
Qwul’thilum Dylan Thomas – Lyackson First Nation, Victoria
Reg Davidson – Haida, Masset – Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement

The jury was comprised of Nathan Wilson, Nuu-chah-nulth, Gitxsan and Kwakwaka’wakw ancestry and 2020 recipient; Shawn Hunt, Heiltsuk and 2011 recipient; Xémontélót Carrielynn Victor, Cheam First Nation and 2018 recipient. Connie Watts, Associate Director, Aboriginal Programs, Emily Carr University of Art + Design and artist of Nuu-chah-nulth, Gitxsan and Kwakwaka’wakw ancestry and Brenda Crabtree, Director, Aboriginal Programs, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, a member of the Spuzzum Band with both Nlaka’pamux and Sto:lo ancestry, served as advisors.

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. In addition to the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art, the organization presents several established programs, including the Indigenous Business Award and the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design. By recognizing the accomplishments of our province’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth and volunteers, BC Achievement’s award programs pay tribute to exceptional people, doing exceptional work, while carving a path forward for others to follow.

This year’s celebration of the 2022 Fulmer Award in First Nations Art recipients includes a series of short films showcasing each awardee’s artistic accomplishments which will be premiered at an award ceremony next month. Each recipient will receive a certificate and medallion in honour of their achievements. They will also be recognized through an online campaign with the hashtag #shinethelightbc.

BC Achievement is proud to present a combined exhibition showcasing the 2022 award recipients for both the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art and the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design taking place at The Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in Vancouver from Monday, November 14 to Friday, November 18 which is free and open to the public.

For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation and the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art program, please visit www.bcachievement.com.

The Fulmer Award in First Nations Art is made possible through the generous support of the Vancouver-based Fulmer Foundation. The BC Achievement Foundation is also grateful to community partners BC Ferries, Crafted Vancouver, Denbigh Fine Art Services, and The Roundhouse each of which play a key role in elevating change in their support of the Fulmer Award program.

BC ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF
2022 CARTER WOSK AWARD IN APPLIED ART + DESIGN

The BC Achievement Foundation (BCAF) announced the recipients of the 18th annual Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design. The program recognizes excellence among emerging and established artists whose creativity helps drive BC’s cultural economy.

“These artistic works and designs demonstrate a new strength within BC’s creative economy,” said Anne Giardini, OC, OBC, KC, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “The Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design celebrates and honours BC’s creators for ensuring beauty and function are part of our everyday lives. It is always a delight to us at BC Achievement to recognize new ways of marrying art and function with ingenuity and imagination.”

Artists and designers honoured by the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design produce work that has a practical or functional application, such as furniture, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, weaving, glass, fashion, and industrial design. Nominated artists have an opportunity to share their work to a wider audience while inviting critical reflection and feedback.

The 2022 recipients of the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design are:
● Caine Heintzman – Vancouver – Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist
● Louise Perrone – Vancouver
● Cathy Terepocki – Chilliwack
● Robert Anderson – Victoria – Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement

The Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist designation, named in honour of the late BC-based furniture designer, was presented to Caine Heintzman, co-founder of ANDlight, a decorative luminaire design studio and manufacturer.The 2022 Award of Distinction honours Robert Anderson for lifetime achievement as a master luthier. Robert designs stringed instruments that are sensitive to the player’s intent, with a sonority that can only be achieved by hand-building.

Awardees were selected by an independent jury, whose members included Renée Macdonald, Westerly Handmade Shoes (2015 recipient); Claudia Schulz, Claudia Schulz Hats & Accessories (2018 recipient); and Henry Norris, New Format Studio (2018 recipient). Toby Barratt, Propellor Design (2010 recipient) and Ron Kong, craft advocate, served as advisors to the jury.

This year’s celebration of the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design recipients includes two short films showcasing the awardees’ artistic accomplishments which will be premiered at an award ceremony next month. Each recipient will receive a certificate and medallion in honour of their achievements. They will also be recognized through an online campaign with the hashtag
#shinethelightbc.

BC Achievement is proud to present a combined exhibition which is free and open to the public showcasing the 2022 award recipients for both the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design and Fulmer Award in First Nations Art, at The Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in Vancouver from Monday, November 14 to Friday, November 18.

For more information about BC Achievement or the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design program, visit www.bcachievement.com.

BC Achievement is grateful for the generosity of the Yosef Wosk Family Foundation in establishing this important program. The BC Achievement Foundation is also grateful to community partners BC Ferries, Crafted Vancouver, Denbigh Fine Art Services, and The Roundhouse each of which play a key role in elevating change in their support of the Fulmer Award program.

The Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design is named in honour of BC philanthropist, academic and visionary Yosef Wosk, OC, OBC, Ph.D. and Sam Carter, BC educator, designer and curator.

About BC Achievement Foundation
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 work. www.bcachievement.com

Media releases and images provided by Gemma Bishop, Gather PR.