The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) congratulates Brenda Baptiste of Osoyoos Indian Band for receiving the Order of BC on March 3, 2022. The Order of B.C. is the Province’s highest honour and recognizes persons who have served with great distinction and excelled in their field, benefiting the people of British Columbia and beyond.

Baptiste was recognized for her extraordinary efforts in developing Indigenous cultural tourism and was instrumental in developing the blueprint for the first-of-its-kind industry that later saw incredible growth, including revenues of more than $1.2 billion and 7,400 full-time jobs.

The medal recipient has also dedicated her time as the director of the Aboriginal Business Showcase for the Four Host Nations during the 2010 Winter Olympics, with a vision of creating an opportunity for visitors reflecting dynamic and diverse Indigenous cultures, and facilitating the growth of cultural opportunities for all Indigenous Nations in Canada.

Baptiste also led the coordination of a holistic cultural program for Indigenous inmates at the Okanagan Correctional Centre, including sylix cultural programming, spiritual counselling, sweat house ceremonies, sylix language and crafts, as well as singing and drumming.

Baptiste was also instrumental in coordinating and planning the operations for the first phase of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre that celebrates sylix culture. The Centre has won numerous awards and Baptiste is now responsible for guiding the Indigenous story for its second phase, which is expected to further anchor the centre as one of the leading cultural attractions in BC.

Mark Pendergraft, Chair

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

With files from orderofbc.gov.bc.ca 

 

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