Kevin Borserio (Luu G̱aahlandaay)

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.

For more than two decades, Kevin Borserio (Luu G̱aahlandaay) has dedicated his life to the preservation and revitalization of the Haida language. Based in Daajing Giids, Kevin served as Coordinator of the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program (SHIP) for over 20 years, guiding it from its early days into a nationally and internationally recognized model for Indigenous language renewal.

When SHIP began in 1998, there was no regular immersion program for Haida. Through Kevin’s leadership and close collaboration with Haida Elders, the program flourished documenting thousands of words, stories, and teachings that might otherwise have been lost. His work led to the creation of a 26,000-word X̲aayda kil glossary, distributed to every Haida household, as well as children’s books, digital archives, and mobile learning apps that continue to inspire new speakers.

Kevin’s lifelong commitment embodies the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action 13–17, which emphasize the preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages as fundamental to reconciliation. His leadership demonstrates how reconciliation is advanced through language, culture, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing.

The strength and endurance of SHIP stand as a living testament to Kevin’s vision – a reminder that language is not only communication, but connection, resilience, and identity. His legacy ensures that the voices of the Haida people will continue to be heard for generations to come.