Every year, the B.C. Achievement Foundation honors a variety of fields and communities. The organization is now accepting nominations for Indigenous art, design, and business awards. 

The slogan, “Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change”, plainly states the goal of the organization: to celebrate the best of the best in British Columbia “while inspiring others to build stronger and more engaged communities”. 

Awards up for nomination at this time are: the Indigenous Business Award Program, the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art, and the Carter Wosk Award Program in Applied Art and Design. 

Those awards break down as follows:

Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Program: Nominations open: June 1 to 30

This award program recognizes outstanding Indigenous business accomplishments and entrepreneurs across the province. Categories for this award are Young Entrepreneur, Business of the Year, Community-Owned Business, and Business Partnership of the Year. 

Fulmer Award in First Nations Art: Nominations open: June 1 to July 7

Winners are chosen in this category to those who, through traditional, contemporary or media art, have proven a dedication to their art practice, created a body of work, and are established artists in their communities. 

Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art and Design Program: Nominations open June 1 to July 14

Awards in this program recognize artists who contribute to the cultural economy of the province through their art and design work. Practical or functional artists and designers may be considered for this award. 

“Representation matters,” Leigh Joseph, the 2020 winner of the Indigenous Business Award said in the press release for the awards. “The more Indigenous businesses that are successful, the more inspiration there will be for up-and-coming Indigenous entrepreneurs to pursue their entrepreneurial path. The more stories of resilience, strength and innovation that are shared from Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs the more we as a society shift the narratives of trauma and deficit that are often at the forefront of news stories amid ongoing anti-Indigenous racism that exists in our country.” 

Experts in each of these program areas will review the nominations and select the awardees. Winners will be announced in the fall through films and a social media celebration campaign. 

As COVID-19 protocols are assessed, plans for the annual in-person presentation galas remain on hold.

To learn more or to nominate someone you know, visit: www.bcachievement.com