Today, four First Nations – the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations – announced they have jointly entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler to begin the process of assessing the feasibility of hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Host Nations Exploratory Assembly for 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
The MOU creates a Host Nations Exploratory Assembly for the consideration of a 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games bid.
“The Líl̓wat Nation is pleased to partner with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the City of Vancouver to explore the first Indigenous led bid to host the 2030 Games,” says Chief Dean Nelson. “The Nations’ participation in the 2010 Games as a bid partner was ground-breaking, and with this announcement and our desire for this to be the first Indigenous led bid for an Olympic Games, we continue to lead the way in Indigenous participation in major events.”
“The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games brought our four nations together in a new and exciting way. Since then, we have continued to work together for the benefit of our communities,” says Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow. “By exploring the possibility of bringing the Games back to our territories, we have an opportunity to create a new Olympic legacy that is grounded in our unique Indigenous perspectives – an approach that should be considered for all future Games.”
“In the spirit of Reconciliation, it is important for our Nations to understand the impact and potential benefits of hosting the 2030 Winter Games,” says Squamish Nation Councillor and Spokesperson, Wilson Williams. “Should a bid go forward, our Nations will lead and engage in all aspects of planning and hosting the Games. It is an opportunity to announce to the world that we are not invisible, we are still here and will always be here.”
My favorite time of year is finally on the horizon and I am ready for it! I am most looking forward to the coziness, celebrating with loved ones and gift giving to come. This year I have put together a guide to help us all shop with intention, a gift guide of holiday must-haves from Indigenous businesses you can shop online or in person:
Gift Ideas from Indigenous Businesses
Note: Prices are those that were available at time of publishing of this article, and they may vary. The price on the retailer’s site is always the right one to go by.
Business:Ay Lelum Browse Instagram:@aylelum Online Ordering: Direct or through a variety of retailers Featured Gift Item:3 Layer Masks $25 Ay Lelum is a second-generation Coast Salish design house in Nanaimo, recently featured in New York Fashion Week. Shop online for their original 3 Layer Masks designed in collaboration with Oddball Workshop. Oddball’s comfortable fabric combined with the breathtaking art by Joel Good and William Good creates a tasteful gift to show everyone on your list you care about their safety.
Business:West Coast Wildflowers Browse Instagram:@westcoast.wildflowers Online Ordering: Yes or in-person at 1175 Shoppers Row, Campbell River Featured Gift Item:Standing Spruce Cedar & Yarrow Balm $21 Based in the unceded traditional territory of the Ligwiłda’xw people (Campbell River) strives to stock its shelves with 75% local and 25% North American products. West Coast Wildflowers supports small shops, women in business, and Indigenous small business owners.
Also worth mentioning from West Coast Wildflowers is their scholarship to assist Indigenous, Metis and Inuit students to pursue post-secondary education in BC. Applications are open December 2021 and August 2022. Contribute yourself by adding to your cart or donate in someone’s name as a gift, from $5 to $100.
Business: Stó:lō Gift Shop Browse Instagram:@stologiftshop Online Ordering: Yes or in-person at 7201 Vedder Rd, Chilliwack, on the Coqualeetza grounds Featured Gift Item:Ceramic Nesting Measuring Cups $22 Shop in-person from 9:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays or online anytime for local, one-of-a-kind, authentic Indigenous and Indigenous-inspired arts, crafts, paintings, prints, glassware and cards. A practical, and beautifully designed gift is the set of nesting measuring cups featuring artwork by Haisla, Heiltsuk artist Paul Windsor. Pick up your online order at the store in Chilliwack or have it shipped directly to your door.
Business:Skwachàys Gallery Browse Instagram:@skwachayslodge Online Ordering: Yes or in-person at 29 W Pender St, Vancouver Featured Gift Item:Beige Eagle Flocked Tote $38 The first Indigenous boutique hotel in Canada. Skwachàys hosts an in-house gallery with online shopping services featuring Indigenous artwork, including original paintings, framed limited edition prints, jewelry, pottery, wood carvings and giftware. A social enterprise owned and operated by Vancouver Native Housing Society. Their Beige Eagle Tote with flocked fabric designed by Kelly Robinson is the perfect gift for the fashionable recipient always on the go.
Business: Bill Reid Gallery Browse Instagram: @billreidgallery Online Ordering: Yes or in-person at 639 Hornby St, Vancouver Featured Gift Item:Wool Blanket, Strength of our Ancestors $100 Bill Reid Gallery features traditional and contemporary artwork and accessories, including hand-painted sculptures, fine jewelry and art prints. This charitable organization also has two street-level locations. Proceeds from all purchases support local Indigenous artists and artistic and educational programs. Their new Wool Blanket, suitable for ceremonial gifting or any household, is a cozy and thoughtful gift. Royalties are always paid back to the artist, Terry Horne, Stó:lō/Yeqwyeqwí:ws.
Business:Squamish Lil’ wat Cultural Centre Browse Instagram: @slccwhistler Online Ordering:Yes or in-person at 4584 Blackcomb Way, Whistler Featured Gift Item:Mug Glass – Eagle’s First Flight $35 Authentic and exclusive handcrafted Northwest Coast First Nations art and merchandise. The glass mugs on their site immediately caught my eye as a tea and coffee lover. This intricately designed piece by Ernest Swanson, Haida Nation, makes a wonderful holiday gift for anyone. If you wish to purchase a gift card on their website, they are also available at any time.
Business:I-Hos Gallery Browse Instagram: @ihosgallery Online Ordering: Yes or in-person at 3310 Comox Rd, Courtenay Featured Gift Item:Finger Puppets in Canoe $35.90 I-Hos carries traditional and contemporary Indigenous art from the Northwest Coast, including masks, prints, gold and silver jewelry and wood carvings. The physical gallery is located on the original K’ómoks Village site, open Tuesday – Saturday. This soft, plush, finger puppet set it a lovely gift for children on your list, featuring Hoppy the Frog, Valdy the Eagle and Moka the Spirit Bear by artist Bill Helin.
Business: Crowfoot Collective Browse Instagram:@crowfootcollective Online Ordering: Yes or in-person at 1725 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cowichan Bay Featured Gift Item: Sterling Silver Bangles $38 An Indigenous-owned boutique in the heart of Cowichan Bay carrying local and global goods. All handmade, Fair Trade and ethically sourced and 10% of profits are always donated to Indigenous Organizations. Crowfoot Collective’s Sterling Silver Bangles are a classic gift and can be adjusted to fit any wrist. They will look great paired with other statement pieces, as well.
We’ve got theatre, choirs, pop-up markets, and quite a few free activities happening this weekend in Metro Vancouver and beyond the holiday season. Miss604 is proud to sponsor Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum and you can find more fun things to do in Vancouver listed below:
Tis the season for more giveaways! Foley Dog Treat Company started 10 years ago as a home-based business on Vancouver Island, BC, determined to create healthy treats for dogs with real ingredients and no fillers or preservatives. It turns out many dog owners were looking for healthier options for their beloved pups and the business grew into its own facility with distribution now stretching across Canada.
Foley Dog Treat Company
Foley Dog Treats are a favourite among pups because of their fantastic flavour and texture, and are much-loved by dog owners because of their superior quality and rich nutritional profile. The treats are sold across Canada and are made on Vancouver Island from human-grade ingredients that are:
Locally sourced
Unprocessed
Preservative-free
Hormone and antibiotic-free
Gluten-free and grain-free
The company’s brands include Foley’s Vitality Dog, FoleyBites, Dog’n It, and Treat Haus WholeDog. They are a proud member of “Island Good” and a Living Wage Employer. All dogs deserve the best nutrition options and the company is proud to make delicious, healthy treats for all the “Foley Dogs” out there.
Add a Comment
by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Chabad Lubavitch BC Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
It’s back and it’s bigger than ever! You can enter to WinaBMW.ca and drive away with a Brian Jessel BMW 330e xDrive Plug In Hybrid valued at over $72,000 plus up to $4,000 in auto Insurance from Allwest Insurance. There’s also up to $650,000 up for grabs in the added 50/50 lottery with proceeds supporting Chabad Lubavitch BC.
Win A BMW Raffle Sponsored By Brian Jessel BMW
Tickets:Buy online now, tickets are limited only 58,500 available
50/50 tickets are: Single Ticket for $10, 3-Ticket Pack for $20, 10-Ticket Pack for $50, 20-Ticket Pack for $100.
Car Lottery tickets are: Single Ticket for $50, 3-Ticket Pack for $100, 7-Ticket Pack for $180, 20-Ticket Pack for $250.
Deadline: Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 5:00pm
Draw Date: Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 6:00pm
Anna Maria Aramil from Vancouver just won the first early bird draw and there’s another coming up on December 19th for a $2,500 cash prize.
Proceeds support Lubavitch BC which provides financial, spiritual, and emotional assistance to new immigrant families coming from impoverished countries to British Columbia. The Organization also provides critical outreach, youth, and educational opportunities, to over 20,000 people across the province. No one is ever turned away from the Lubavitch outreach programs thanks to the assistance from the annual Win A BMW campaign, its sponsors, and donors.
View the Rules of Play online. Know your limit, play within it. Must be 19+ to participate.
