Last week when  Lt. Gov. Janet Austin announced the sixteen individuals appointed to the Order of British Columbia for 2021, the province’s highest form of recognition, Brenda Baptiste from the Osoyoos Indian Band was among the recipients. 

Baptiste has been an unstoppable force for over two decades in her work to elevate and support Indigenous cultural tourism throughout the province. 

When the Osoyoos Indian Band first were conducting a feasibility study for a possible cultural centre that would preserve syilx cultural heritage and highlight it to locals and visitors alike, Baptiste was a major asset behind this project. 

Back in 2003, Baptiste coordinated the planning for the $10 million first phase of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. Since then, she was elected to be on the board of the Indigenous Tourism BC (then Aboriginal Tourism BC), which has now grown to 500 members. 

More recently. Baptiste also coordinated a cultural program for Indigenous inmates at the Okanagan Correctional Centre. This included cultural spiral counselling, singing and drumming, and sylix language and crafts. 

“As representative of the Crown in British Columbia and as Chancellor of the Order of British Columbia, I am delighted to welcome 16 new members to the order,” Austin said. 

“Their extraordinary leadership has been a source of strength for communities across the province. In difficult times, they have connected us through art, culture, public service and more. As we move with optimism toward the future, their achievements will be a foundation of success for future generations. It is with great honour that I share congratulations to these remarkable individuals.”

This year, 257 British Columbians were nominated for the Order. Since its inception, 475 British Columbians have been appointed to the Order of B.C from all regions of the province.

“Each one of this year’s Order of British Columbia recipients has made tremendous contributions to their communities,” said Premier John Horgan. “I want to extend my congratulations and honour them for their leadership and dedication as community leaders. Trailblazers in medicine, that carried us through an incredibly difficult pandemic with expertise, grace and of course, kindness. Inspiring philanthropists, determined protectors of the environment and powerful Indigenous leaders. We are all truly grateful for your leadership.”

This year’s recipients are:

  •  Chief Joe Alphonse of Tsilhqot’in Nation
  • Joe Average, MGC, of Vancouver
  • Brenda Baptiste of Osoyoos
  • Frances Belzberg, OC, of Vancouver
  • Dr. Debra Braithwaite of Victoria
  • Ajay Dilawri of Vancouver
  • Debra Doucette (Hewson) of the District of North Vancouver
  • Dr. Bonnie J. Fraser Henry of Victoria
  • Carol A. Lee of Vancouver
  • James McEwen, OC, of Vancouver
  • Andrew Petter, CM, QC, of Victoria
  • Dolph Schluter of Vancouver
  • Dr. Poul Sorensen of Vancouver
  • Arran and Ratana Stephens of Vancouver
  • Marvin Storrow, QC, of Vancouver