The British Columbia Reconciliation Award recognizes extraordinary individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in the province of British Columbia, or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts. Learn more about the BC Reconciliation Award recipients.

Dwight Ballantyne

Phyllis Webstad Emerging Leader Award

Dwight Ballantyne, founder of The Ballantyne Project, is transforming awareness into action by amplifying the voices of Indigenous youth living in remote First Nations. Born and raised in Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, Dwight spent 21 years feeling “invisible,” facing the deep inequities and isolation that shape life in many northern communities. His journey, from those early experiences to building a new life in British Columbia, has become a bridge for understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.

In 2019, Dwight launched The Ballantyne Project and its powerful campaign #WeSeeYou, using storytelling, mentorship, and education to shine light on “the invisible segment of Canada.” Through in-person and virtual presentations, he has reached thousands of students, educators, corporations, and community groups, sharing lived experiences that reveal how colonial history continues to affect Indigenous youth today.

Dwight’s work directly supports reconciliation by advancing truth-telling and empathy. He develops educational tools and short films that address topics such as residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and the Pass System, helping Canadians understand the roots of intergenerational trauma.

Beyond awareness, The Ballantyne Project delivers tangible impact—sending resources to remote communities, organizing youth mentorship trips, and fostering partnerships that create opportunities for Indigenous youth. In 2025, Dwight opened the Bridge House in Maple Ridge, a place where Indigenous youth from remote and northern communities can stay while exploring education, employment, and life pathways that are often inaccessible at home. Dwight’s dedication exemplifies reconcili-action: using personal truth to build understanding, connection, and hope across cultures.