Provincial Nesika Awards

Today, British Columbia is one of the world’s most culturally diverse regions, with virtually all cultural, religious and linguistic communities represented across the province. Multiculturalism is an important and growing part of our provincial identity, and it is vital to recognize, honour and celebrate British Columbia’s strong cultural diversity and rich Aboriginal heritage.

The Provincial Nesika Awards are organized and sponsored by the Government of British Columbia and the Multicultural Advisory Council. First proclaimed in February 2008, the Provincial Nesika Awards honour and celebrate British Columbia’s cultural diversity and indigenous communities. They recognize the people, organizations and communities whose exceptional work helps to bring our diverse cultures together.

The 2009 Provincial Nesika Awards winners were announced in February 2010. We congratulate all nominees, judges and the B.C. Multicultural Advisory Council for their efforts towards this year’s awards – we salute their outstanding contributions towards cross-cultural understanding in British Columbia.

Did you know?

Nesika (Ne-SAY-ka) is Chinook jargon for “we, us, our.” It comes from a trade language used by many different Aboriginal linguistic groups along the west coast of North America. Chinook jargon was used extensively in British Columbia during the 19th and early 20th centuries to help Aboriginal people communicate, first among themselves and then with European newcomers.

Learn more about the Provincial Nesika Awards Nomination process, and past winners and nominees by clicking on the links below.