Indigenous leadership and technology come together at the Amplify Awards

This spring, Microsoft Vancouver had the honour of hosting the First Nations Technology Council’s Amplify Awards – an evening dedicated to highlighting Indigenous innovators who are leveraging technology to strengthen their communities. And on this inaugural year of the event, the awards themselves told a story too. Designed by Heiltsuk artist, KC Hall, and brought to life by Cody Church, Lab Manager for The Garage at Microsoft Vancouver, the two pieces were a physical embodiment of the event’s purpose – to celebrate what’s possible when Indigenous leadership and technology come together.

KC’s vision was rooted in the bentwood box, a traditional form used for both ceremony and everyday life by First Nations throughout the Pacific Northwest. “It’s one of the most significant pieces of art in Heiltsuk culture,” he shared. “People would keep their belongings in there – things they care about a lot.” That symbolism made it the perfect foundation for two awards recognizing the hard work and impact of Indigenous technologists. KC’s sketches were bold, intentional, and full of meaning. Cody then worked with cedar to translate KC’s designs into 3D forms across multiple fabrication techniques – from CNC milling to laser cutting. The fish was 3D printed in the Garage and painted by KC in his studio. The result? Two stunning pieces that honor tradition and embrace innovation.

KC designed each award to reflect the spirit of the work it recognized. For Troy MacBeth Abromaitis, recipient of the Indigenous Technologist Award, the look and feel of the box symbolized resilience and return – mirroring his use of GIS and LiDAR to help rebuild his community after the 2021 Lytton wildfires. For the Heiltsuk Nation, recipients of the Innovative Community or Organization Award, the leaping salmon echoed their groundbreaking use of solar-powered AI and satellite technology to enable real-time fish counts and species recognition in the Koeye River, ultimately supporting culturally and ecologically sound harvesting decisions. In both cases, the awards served as emblems – reflecting the stories, values, and futures of recipients’ efforts.

This collaboration marked a first for the Garage – working almost entirely with cedar, a soft and sacred wood, and adapting its properties across every tool in the lab. “It was fascinating to see how the material responded,” Cody reflected. “We were able to recreate KC’s vision almost one-to-one, and the recognition in the eyes of folks who saw the final pieces was incredibly rewarding.”

Microsoft Vancouver’s partnership with the Technology Council is 5 years in the making and the Amplify Awards exemplifies our approach to co-creation. These awards were more than trophies. They were stories, statements. And they were made together.