Throughout November, BC Achievement Foundation will honour its 2026 award recipients – 16 businesses and individuals who have made their mark on the province through their creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship, and service. Beginning November 4th, across three award ceremonies, the programs will honour the recipients’ achievements, with the Indigenous Business Award, the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design, and the 20th annual Polygon Award in First Nations Art.
Founded in 2003, the BC Achievement Foundation with a mission to celebrate the spirit of excellence throughout BC. Throughout the year the Foundation honours community-nominated individuals and businesses through five award programs.
“We are thrilled to honour this year’s fall recipients who represent the very best of our province from a diverse selection of communities, industries, and backgrounds,” says Rup Grewal, BC Achievement Foundation Executive Director. “At its heart, BC Achievement is about celebrating the remarkable people, artists, entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations that British Columbians nominate from their own communities. Our goal is to use these award programs to amplify people, share their stories, and demonstrate the impact that individuals, businesses, and creative practices can have on communities throughout the province.”
Launched in 2008, the Indigenous Business Award celebrates excellence in Indigenous entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership across BC. With a panel led by Angela Marston of Chemainus First Nation, nominees are evaluated by an independent jury of Indigenous business leaders against four principal criteria––leadership, community impact, innovation, and sustainability.
November 4, 2026 – The 18th annual Indigenous Business Award Gala will take place at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, recognizing the 2026 Indigenous Business Award recipients:
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: West Coast Wildflowers
- Business of the Year – One to Two Person Enterprise: Okimawa Services Inc.
- Business of the Year – Three to Ten Person Enterprise: Skwálwen Botanicals
- Business of the Year – 11+ Person Enterprise: Cedar Brush Site Services & Janitorial
- Community-owned Business of the Year – One Entity: Skeetchestn Dodeca-Homes
- Community-owned Business of the Year – Two or More Entities: Petroglyph Development Group
- Business Partnership of the Year: 700 Spland Road Limited Partnership
- Award of the Distinction: Wendy Grant-John
The awards evening will be hosted by Co-Directors of Ceremonies, Tsetasiya Geena Jackson and Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of Williams Lake First Nation, with music by DJ O Show.
Since 2004, the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design celebrates artists and designers whose work brings together creativity, technical excellence, and function across a multitude of medium. Renamed in 2024, in honour of its founder Sam Carter, an advocate for BC’s creative community.
November 19, 2026 – The 22nd annual Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design Reception recognizes four artists:
- Corrina Hammond
- Alan Hung
- Mona Lisa Ali, Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist
- Omer Arbel, Award of Distinction
The Polygon Award in First Nations Art has been honouring First Nations artists’ role in preserving traditional practices while embracing contemporary art, since 2007. Recognizing their contributions to both their communities and the province’s broader cultural landscape.
November 24, 2026 – The Polygon Award in First Nations Art is presented to four recipients at the Roundhouse Exhibition Hall:
- Gigaemi Kukwits (Capilano, Kwakwaka’wakw, and Tlingit)
- Marika Swan (Tla-o-qui-aht)
- Sheldon Pierre Louis (Sylix), Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist
- Lyle Wilson (Haisla), Award of Distinction
Recipients of all awards receive a commemorative certificate, a medallion and lapel pin designed by Haida artist Robert Davidson. Recipients of the Indigenous Business Award will receive a cash prize. While each recipients of the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design and the Polygon Award in First Nations Art receive a cash prize and their artwork will be displayed in a combined exhibition at the Roundhouse Exhibition Hall from November 17-24, 2026.
“On behalf of the BC Achievement Board, I want to thank the independent jurors, community partners, and sponsors whose dedication makes these programs possible, and offer my sincere congratulations to all of this year’s recipients. Their achievements reflect the strength, creativity, and resilience found in communities across BC,” says Walter Pela, Board Chair, BC Achievement Foundation.
For more details on the awards, artists’ bios, the full award gala programs and tickets visit bcachievement.com