2012 BC First Nations' Art Recipients Honoured

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 19, 2012) - Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Ida Chong and Keith Mitchell, chair of the BC Achievement Foundation, honoured six award recipients today at the presentation ceremony for the sixth annual BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations' Art.

"The artists honoured today reflect the spirit and generosity of the First Nations history, traditions and culture," said Minister Chong who is a director of the BC Achievement Foundation. "Through their carving, painting, jewellery and performance art, these recipients share with all British Columbians their interpretation of the stories which have been passed down through the generations."

"It is a privilege to recognize these artists who through their creativity enrich the lives of all British Columbians," said Mitchell. "I congratulate the 2012 award recipients for their outstanding achievements."

Five juried award recipients received $5,000 and the seal of the British Columbia Creative Achievement Award for First Nations' Art. Below are their names:

• Wayne Alfred, Kwakwaka'wakw, Alert Bay
• Morgan Green, Tsimshian, Vancouver
• Philip Janze, Gitxsan, Hazelton
• Skeena Reece, Tsimshian/Gitxsan/Cree, Ucluelet
• David Wilson, Okanagan, Vernon

The BC Creative Lifetime Achievement Award for First Nations' Art was presented to Norman Tait, a Nisga'a artist from Vancouver, B.C. This award recognizes First Nations artist whose dedication to their work has had a profound impact on both their community and First Nations culture.

The BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations' Art was presented with the generous sponsorship of Polygon Homes Ltd.

Kathleen Bartels, director of the Vancouver Art Gallery and a director of the BC Achievement Foundation, chaired an independent jury panel that selected the 2012 award recipients. The jurors included Brenda Crabtree, Aboriginal program manager, Emily Carr University of Art and Design; Bill McLennan, curator, Pacific Northwest, UBC Museum of Anthropology, Richard Sumner, Kwakwaka'wakw carver and artist and recipient of a 2010 BC Creative Achievement Award for First Nations' art and Cathi Charles Wherry, art program manager, First People's Heritage, Language and Culture Council.

The British Columbia Achievement Foundation was established and endowed by the Province of British Columbia in 2003 to celebrate excellence and achievement in the arts, humanities, enterprise and community service. For information on British Columbia Achievement Foundation, visit www.bcachievement.com.