BC Achievement Community Award Recipients 2026
The BC Achievement Foundation has announced the recipients of the 23rd annual Community Award. The program recognizes outstanding British Columbians whose leadership, generosity and dedication strengthen communities across the province.
BC Achievement Community Award Recipients
This year’s recipients, representing communities throughout British Columbia, are:
- Damineh Akhavan — West Vancouver
- Kit Ashenhurst — Kaslo
- John Kehinde Atoyebi — Vancouver
- Anita Atwal, K.C. — Surrey
- Simon Baker — Squamish Nation
- Varun Banthia — Vancouver
- Mariel (c̓ʕ̓n̓ c̓ʕ̓an̓) Belanger — Okanagan Indian Band / Syilx Nation
- Don Blakely — Armstrong
- Andrea Castro — Langley
- Carl Cavanagh — Victoria
- Cecilia Ching Yee Leung — Vancouver
- Jacquelyn Cragg — Vancouver
- Dr. Ramneek Dosanjh — Delta
- Beatrice Frank — Victoria
- Rosaline Glynn — Port Hardy
- Kobe Li — Vancouver
- Shelley Magwood — Cache Creek
- Jacki McPherson — Penticton Indian Band
- Rochelle Prasad — Surrey
- Haley Regan, Syilxwa Spuʔus — Okanagan Nation
- Chief Willie Sellars — Williams Lake First Nation
- Chyanne Trenholm — Campbell River
- Crystal White — Tumbler Ridge
- Dan & Sandi Wiebe — Nakusp
The Mitchell Award of Distinction, selected by the BC Achievement Foundation Board, recognizes an individual who elevates others through their work and volunteerism. The 2026 recipient is Jacquelyn Cragg, whose work in research, education, and outreach has expanded access to science and created supportive learning environments for youth across the province. Bridging research and community impact, she is also recognized for advancing mentorship initiatives that support youth affected by violence and adversity.
Recipients are selected by an independent jury panel, whose 2026 members include Mayor Spencer Coyne (Princeton), City Councillor and UBCM President Cori Ramsay (Prince George), and program alumni: Susan Scott Gabe (Duncan), Dr. Jane Jae Kyung Shin (Coquitlam), and Upkar Singh Tatlay (Surrey).
Awards Ceremony
The 2026 Community Award recipients will be honoured at a formal presentation ceremony in Victoria, BC on May 6th, in the presence of the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. The ceremony will be livestreamed on BC Achievement’s website beginning at 2:00pm and will be broadcast on TELUS Optik TV Channel 707 following the event.
Each awardee will receive a medallion designed by Robert Davidson, OC, OBC, and will be celebrated through BC Achievement’s #shinethelightbc campaign, sharing their stories of excellence and community impact across the province.
Miss604 has been a BC Achievement Foundation program sponsor since 2024
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.
Related:
- Reconciliation Award Recipients Recognized for 2025
- BC Achievement Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design Recipients 2025
- BC Achievement First Nations Art Award Recipients 2025
- BCAF Indigenous Business Award Recipients 2025
- Community Award Recipients – BC Achievement Foundation 2025
Follow the BC Achievement Foundation on LinkedIn and Instagram for more information.
Follow Miss604 on:
