Congratulations to Annita McPhee: 2025 YWCA Woman of Distinction in Reconciliation

Destination BC is proud to celebrate our board member, Annita McPhee, on receiving the prestigious 2025 YWCA Vancouver Woman of Distinction Award in the category of Reconciliation.

Presented by Scotiabank, the Women of Distinction Awards recognize individuals who demonstrate extraordinary leadership and advocacy in their communities. The Reconciliation category honours those advancing meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples through dialogue, understanding, and action. Annita’s work is a shining example of that commitment.

Anita is from the Tahltan and Tlingit Nations in northwestern British Columbia and has long been a powerful advocate for Indigenous rights and community empowerment. As the former three-term President of the Tahltan Central Government, she has helped lead her Nation through complex negotiations and transformative partnerships. Her strategic leadership and unwavering vision have earned her national recognition—including the Indigenous National Native Role Model Award—and now, one of Canada’s most esteemed honours for community impact and leadership.

Annita’s contributions also extend beyond her community, having served on numerous boards and advisory bodies including the Legal Services Society, BC Hydro’s Strategic Aboriginal Engagement Committee, and the Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women. She is also a founding director of the BC First Nations Justice Council and the founder of Annita McPhee Strategies, a leading Indigenous-led consultancy focused on facilitation, reconciliation, and leadership development.

Annita continues to contribute to Destination BC through her wealth of experience and insight that help guide our commitment to reconciliation, inclusive tourism, and meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities across the province. Her work aligns closely with Destination BC’s corporate values and strategic direction, including our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

We are deeply grateful for Annita’s leadership, wisdom, and generosity. Her recognition as a Woman of Distinction is a proud moment not only for her community and Nation, but for all of us working to ensure a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant future for British Columbia’s visitor economy.

To read more about the 2025 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards and the recipients, visit the YWCA website.