Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) is one of nine recipients to be awarded the inaugural BC Reconciliation Award.
The award is in recognition of the Nowh Guna "Our Way" Foot in Both Worlds Carrier Agility Training. The Nowh Guna Training program started in 2017 for all people to learn basic information on Carrier culture. The program also allows learners to acquire some basic tenets of cultural awareness and humility to best support communities and provide culturally competent services and service delivery.
Now in its fifth year, the Nowh Guna Training program continues to be delivered, pivoting to a digital landscape to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions. The program is provided both internally and externally to organizations, businesses, and agencies from across the province.
What is the British Columbia Reconciliation Award?
The inaugural British Columbia Reconciliation Award is given to organizations or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, respect, integrity, and a commitment to furthering Reconciliation.
The award is presented in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and the BC Achievement Foundation.
The Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, has chosen Reconciliation as one of her mandate’s key priorities.
The British Columbia Reconciliation Award draws inspiration from the work of the Honourable Steven Point (Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl) who was the 28th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and a founder of the Award. His hand-carved red cedar canoe, Shxwtitostel, is currently on display at the BC Legislature buildings The canoe 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 by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Cole Speck. The print is of a canoe paddle painted to commemorate the award.
Visit the British Columbia Reconciliation Award webpage to learn more and read about the other winners from across the province.