Vancouver-based vegan makeup brand SAPPHO New Paradigm has launched a Give Back campaignfeaturing a limited-edition lip gloss. Net proceeds from the Speak Volumes Lip Gloss will be donated to Kílala Lelum, an urban Indigenous health and healing cooperative located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Speak Volumes Lip Gloss Supports Kílala Lelum
The limited edition lip gloss is available for purchase online now and SAPPHO New Paradigm is hoping to raise $10,000 by the end of the year.
“Here is an opportunity for a small but growing company like ours to give back to our community and support Indigenous health and healing” says JoAnn Fowler, an Emmy-nominated makeup artist who in 2016, launched SAPPHO New Paradigm, a consciously created vegan and organic makeup brand. “Formulated for diversity, performance and sustainability, SAPPHO is, in essence, my apology to the next generation.”
The lip gloss is vegan, organic, cruelty-free and a deep shade of red “to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, 2 Spirited, Boys and Men while also taking actionable, tangible steps to directly impact the people in a positive way”, says Alexis Fisher (MSW RSW), a Social Navigator working for Kílala Lelum in the DTES and SAPPHO’s model for this campaign.
Fisher hails from the ʾakisq̓nuk First Nation in Windermere, BC and was raised on St. Mary’s Reservation. In addition to her work with Kílala Lelum in the DTES, she opening her own private Indigenous counselling practice and is continuing to explore modelling.
“Modelling is my newest venture”, says Fisher. “My reasons for doing this are similar to my reasons for doing anything – to raise awareness and representation of Indigenous people. As a little brown girl who grew up in a sea of white faces, I never saw my culture or myself positively reflected in mainstream media. It is time to change all that.”
Model Alexis Fisher, Makeup Artist Jaylene Tyme, Hair Paul Edwards, Photographer & Director Kharen Hill.
Kilala Lelum Urban Indigenous Health & Healing Cooperative
Kilala Lelum is a place where one can recognize themselves in others and can connect to Indigenous teachings and cultural activities, as well as have medical issues addressed in a non-judgmental way.
Kilala Lelum consists of a multi-disciplinary team that goes beyond traditional clinical methods to provide holistic and culturally based care for residents in Vancouver’s DTES.
Elders work alongside physicians to provide culturally safe, trauma informed services guided by the values of equity, wellness, respect, love & kindness.
Kilala Lelum provides medical services with an emphasis on cultural safety as well as relational and social care to honour mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Their team serves Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, guided by Elders and their traditional, Indigenous ways of being when appropriate.
Kilala Lelum participates in research that aims to promote health equality and Indigenous Peoples health and wellness, establishing measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes for Indigenous peoples and to recognize, respect, and address the distinct health needs of the Métis, Inuit, First Nations, and off-reserve Aboriginal peoples. Relevant studies are published on their site.
Kilala Lelum’s outreach support includes medication visits with members, food security deliveries, as well as case management. The latter involves assessment, planning, facilitation, evaluation and advocating for services to meet an individual’s holistic healthcare needs.
The Planted Expo in Vancouver is happening November 20-21, 2021 with two days of speakers and over 200 plant-based brands exhibiting their edible and lifestyle products. This is an opportunity for all to learn more about veganiasm and what a plant-based life means.
Planted Expo in Vancouver
When: Saturday, November 20 & Sunday, November 21 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place)
Tickets: Available via Showpass $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, free for kids
For the health and safety of attendees, staff, and exhibitors, Planted Expo will be requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all aged 12 and up.
Planted Expo Vancouver attendees will hear from inspirational speakers, leading vegan product creators, sustainability drivers and plant-based cookbook authors as they explore over 200 edible and lifestyle vegan brands during the event.
Plant-based lifestyles continue to enter mainstream conversations with an increased amount of people talking about veganism following its steady rise of recognition since the latter 2010s. The Economist declared 2019 “the Year of the Vegan”, solidifying its place in public acceptance. During 2020 and 2021, the world endured a global lockdown and impacted individuals took the time to learn more about the plant-based movement and its impact on sustainability and climate change.
With awareness of how a plant-based lifestyle can positively impact lives, the Planted Expo has gathered leading voices in the culinary, naturopathic and fitness world to speak on the importance of veganism:
Praised as one of the “25 fittest men in the world”, Ultraman World Championship athlete Rich Roll will share his lifestyle journey at the Expo. For those interested in a personal recount of his transformation and his plant-based lifestyle, join An Evening with Rich Rollon November 20th. This special event is a live podcast recording and includes a meet and greet.
Motivational and passionate, renowned fitness expert John Lewis, the Badass Vegan, will share his thoughts on plant-based food and social justice.
Vegan cookbook author, Dreena Burton, with six published cookbooks including her most recent book titled “Dreena’s Kind Kitchen”, will talk on plant-based cooking.
Plant-based Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Matthew Nagra, an advocate for plant-based nutrition as medicine, explains how to improve your own health.
Motivated by a 280-pound weight loss, Exam Room podcaster Chuck Carroll will educate new vegans and plant-powered lifers with tales from his plant-based podcast.
Plant-based nutrition, wellness, and regeneration expert Nicolette Richer will share transformational health experiences through nutrition and detoxification.
Craig McIntosh and Joel Harrison from Trendi will speak on the future of food waste and the impact we can make in society by rescuing and upcycling our food waste into products.
There’s a new quarterly subscription box in BC that focuses on sustainability and promoting products from Canadian, women-owned, and IBPOC businesses. Essentials Eco delivers curated subscription boxes featuring low-waste products designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine — items like skincare, kitchen items, cleaning solutions, and more. They are now coming out with their very first Winter Box and you can enter to win one!
Essentials Eco
When the pandemic shuttered the events industry, Essentials Eco founder Brielle Hamalainen knew it was the right opportunity to launch the eco-centred business she had dreamed about for years. It was born out of a desire to make those first steps to sustainability easier, to simplify the transition and save time, and money.
The subscription boxes deliver eco-friendly plastic-free goods each quarter along with tips, tricks and ideas that will help you reduce your impact on the planet. “Our hope is that by bringing these items directly to your door in a fun accessible way we can make a small impact on our planet and our families,” says Brielle.
You can purchase one gift box or subscribe to a quarterly box delivery for the year. They are currently taking orders for the Holiday Box which will start shipping December 1st.
Winter Box – Courtesy Essentials Eco
In the 2021 Holiday Box you’ll find:
Bee Kind wax wraps
All purpose salve from Indigenous-owned Wildcraft
An olsen + olsen sisal soap bag
A set of organic cotton napkins from Your Green Kitchen
Relax + Renew tea from New Moon Tea Co.
Reusable tea bags from Your Green Kitchen
Win a Winter Box
I have an Essentials Eco Holiday Box to give away (valued at $72)! Here’s how you can enter to win:
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV.
10th Anniversary Sleep Out: Executive Edition
One Purpose. One Night. 10 Years of Support.
One a cold November night 10 years ago, Covenant House Vancouver held their first Sleep Out: Executive Edition with a small group of dedicated sleepers. With only a piece of cardboard and a sleeping bag in hand, the group tried to make themselves comfortable, on the frigid and unforgiving pavement. Although very little sleep was had, the impact on the participants was huge. That first Sleep Out sparked a movement dedicated to the idea of ensuring that the vulnerable young people in our community have a safe place to sleep every night.
Now hundreds of people sleep out each year, choosing to give up their beds to raise crucial funds and awareness for youth facing homelessness.
For the 10th Anniversary of Sleep Out: Executive Edition on November 18th, Covenant House Vancouver will provide inspiring online programming during the evening of the event and the morning after. Sleepers can participant from home or in person at predetermined businesses across Vancouver.
If you are downtown on November 18th, be sure to check out BC Place, as it will light up in Covenant House blue to show support for the event.
My personal experience with Sleep Out
I participated in the Covenant House Sleep Out for four years. It was uncomfortable, unnerving, and a long and sleepless night — but that’s the point. It’s all for an amazing cause that I highly encourage you to participate in. Read about my first experience in 2013 here, which kept me coming back to support this cause.
Get involved in Sleep Out: Executive Edition
As many as 40,000 young people in Canada experience homelessness every year. Youth homelessness was a crisis before the pandemic, and it continues to be a growing issue. You can help ensure these young people are not forgotten or ignored.
Sign up for Sleep Out: Executive Edition, commit to raising vital funds, and give up your bed for one night on November 18th, so that youth can sleep in one at Covenant House Vancouver.If sleeping out is not possible, please consider showing your support by donating to Sleep Out: Executive Edition today and your gift will be matched, dollar for dollar, by George and Jordan Melville!
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver. Follow Covenant House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.
For many individuals and families, the holidays can be a particularly stressful time. If you wish to give back in a meaningful way this season, or are in need of assistance, we have put together a list of excellent Holiday Hamper and Adopt-A-Family programs available in the Metro Vancouver area.
Holiday Hampers & Adopt-A-Family Programs in Metro Vancouver
Helping a family in need is always a meaningful experience, but helping a family during the holidays changes their entire experience of this time of year.
Surrey Christmas Bureau
Surrey Christmas Bureau
What you provide as a sponsor: As a sponsor, you provide Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as age appropriate gifts for the family you are matched with. Stockings for each child in the family should also be provided. Sponsors may opt to donate a grocery gift card if they wish.
The Surrey Christmas Bureau Adopt-A-Family (“AAF”) program matches individuals, businesses, and other organizations with a family in need that has children under the age of 18. Each year they seek support from 1,000 sponsors so that every family and child in Surrey can celebrate Christmas.
Sponsors are encouraged to deliver their gifts and hampers while practicing social distancing, similar to last year’s protocols. Delivery should be no later than December 19th 2021, unless otherwise arranged with the family. View the guidelines and complete the sponsor application form or contact the AAF program at (604) 585-9670 to participate.
