Reconciliation Award Recipients Recognized for 2025
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, in partnership with BC Achievement Foundation, recognized the recipients of the fifth British Columbia Reconciliation Award at a ceremony at Government House on January 29, 2026.
Reconciliation Award Recipients Recognized for 2025
The 2025 award program recognized four individuals and three organizations each of whom has demonstrated the essence of “putting truth before reconciliation”. Their efforts strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities while inspiring others to continue this important work.
Individual Recipients:
- Charlene Belleau (Eaglestar Woman) – Williams Lake
- Kevin Borserio (Luu G̱aahlandaay) – Daajing Giids
- Deanna Duncan (H̀búkvs λamalayu) – Klemtu
Phyllis Webstad Emerging Leader
- Dwight Ballantyne – Maple Ridge
Organization Recipients:
- Aboriginal Housing Management Association – Squamish Territory, West Vancouver
- Honouring Our Elders Legacy Project Coordinating Team – Smithers
- syíyaya Reconciliation Movement – Sechelt
“Reconciliation is about listening deeply, acting with integrity, and standing together in ways that create real and lasting change,” said BC Achievement Foundation Board Member and honorary award advisor, Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers.
“Across British Columbia, we are seeing powerful examples of leaders who shape solutions that strengthen communities and honour cultural knowledge. The British Columbia Reconciliation Award shines a light on this work — work that transforms systems, restores trust, and opens new pathways forward. It is an honour to recognize the 2025 awardees. On behalf of BC Achievement, congratulations to this year’s recipients, and thank you for showing what reconciliation in action truly looks like.” BC Achievement Foundation has several established programs honouring excellence and inspiring achievement throughout British Columbia, including the Indigenous Business Award and the First Nations Art Award.
The British Columbia Reconciliation 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, this year’s recipients will receive a print of a canoe paddle designed by artist Stephanie Anderson to commemorate the award. Anderson is a member of the Likhsilyu “Small Frog” clan of the Witsuwit’en Nation, and has ancestral ties to Kwin Begh Yikh, the “House beside the Fire”. Anderson is the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist recipient of the 2024 Polygon Award in First Nations Art Award. The paddle designed by Anderson is installed, alongside previous BC Reconciliation Award paddles, at Government House in Victoria.
The selection committee for the 2025 British Columbia Reconciliation Award:
- Chief/Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir – Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
- 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
- Chief Willie Sellars – Williams Lake First Nation of the Secwépemc Nation
Phyllis Webstad Emerging Leader award selection committee:
- Sarika Cullis-Suzuki
- Brendan Eshom
2026 Nominations
Nominations are now open until February 16th for the 2026 awards.
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.
In addition to the Polygon Award in First Nations Art, the organization presents several established programs, including the Indigenous Business Award, the Applied Art + Design Award, the Community Award and in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the BC Reconciliation Award. 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.
Miss604 is a BC Achievement Foundation program media partner since 2024
Follow the BC Achievement Foundation on LinkedIn and Instagram for more information.
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