National Indigenous Peoples Day is coming up on June 21st, and Indigenous Tourism BC (“ITBC”) invites everyone to honour local First Nations cultures, while reflecting on the continuing history of Indigenous peoples. Through a series of virtual workshops that promote support for local businesses, ITBC hopes to raise awareness of the province’s exceptional Indigenous travel experiences, and highlight the many ways tourism supports revitalization of Indigenous cultures.
National Indigenous History Month was first instituted in June 2009, as a way to educate, connect and promote reconciliation in Canada. National Indigenous Peoples Day was declared in 1996, with the date of June 21 chosen to coincide with the summer solstice and the start of berry-picking and fishing season.
ITBC will facilitate deeper connections between Canadians and Indigenous cultures in BC through a series of virtual workshops that promote support for local businesses, raise awareness of the province’s exceptional Indigenous travel experiences, and highlight the many ways tourism supports revitalization of Indigenous cultures.
A Tasting of Indigenous Cultures When: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 2:00pm Where: Online Tickets: Available online now About: An immersive exploration of the rich history and cultures of Indigenous cuisine and wine in BC. Viewers will meet Paul Natrall, second-generation chef and owner of Vancouver’s Indigenous food truck, Mr. Bannock, and Ryan Widdup, manager and sommelier of the Okanagan’s picturesque Indigenous World Winery. Learn how to make authentic bannock from home and learn about the history and practices behind Indigenous wine.
Celebrating Living Indigenous Arts & Culture When: Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 2:00pm Where: Online Tickets: Available online now About: Travel virtually to the U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, BC with Sara Fulla, where you’ll learn about the history and cultural significance of Potlatches as well as the artistic practices of cedar weaving, song and dance. Viewers will then be transported to the remote Great Bear Rainforest in Klemtu, BC where they will meet Sierra Hall at Spirit Bear Lodge. From harvesting traditional foods and wildlife watching to viewing petroglyphs and historical tours, Spirit Bear Lodge fosters deep connections to place and land.
Territorial Acknowledgements, An Interactive Introduction When: Monday, June 21, 2021 from 11:00am to 12:00pm Where: Online Tickets:Available online now About: Join Ta7talíya Nahanee, Squamish, to personalize your connection to acknowledging Indigenous Territories on National Indigenous Peoples Day. This hour-long interactive introduction is hosted on the shared territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples to: share the what, why and how of Territorial Acknowledgements; explain colonial conditioning and decolonizing practices; provide writing prompts and resources to personalize your acknowledgement
Honouring Wellness When: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 2:00pm Where: Online Tickets: Available online now About: Restore your spirit through an exploration of Indigenous wellness rituals. Frank Antoine, co-founder of the Okanagan’s Moccasin Trails, will host a smudging ceremony and attendees will learn about the colonization of Indigenous wellness practices. Viewers will then meet Dennis Thomas of Vancouver’s Takaya Tours, an Indigenous owned eco-tourism venture. Indigenous peoples have travelled the land and waters of traditional territory for thousands of years, and Dennis will share his ancestral knowledge, fostering an appreciation for wilderness and Indigenous culture. Learn how nature and sustainability, through an Indigenous worldview, contribute to social wellbeing.
Ways to Honour Indigenous Cultures When Travelling
Honour physical distancing requirements in Indigenous communities. Follow local travel recommendations to protect Indigenous elders, children, resources and lands.
Add Indigenous tourism experiences in BC to your travel plans.Download the Indigenous Tourism BC app to find local tourism operators. Include Indigenous tourism in your travel plans.
Support Indigenous digital economies. Resourceful entrepreneurs are now serving patrons through online orders, delivery service and virtual events. Shop online for Indigenous fashion, food, wine and art to show your support for Indigenous lands, cultures and businesses.
The 2021 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards are coming up on Monday, June 7th, and there’s a rather new category – Reconciliation in Action – upon which I’d like to shine a spotlight. This category will honour two unique women, an Indigenous leader and an ally, working independently and committed to finding a new way forward.
In 2020, the first recipient of this new award was Marion Buller. The Honourable Judge Marion Buller was appointed the first woman First Nations judge in British Columbia in 1994 and was appointed as chief commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in 2016.
The Honourable Judge Marion Buller – 2020 Recipient
Judge Buller served as both a director and president of Canada’s Indigenous Bar Association and has been a member of the BC Police Commission and the Law Court Education Society. She was the Commission Counsel for the Caribou-Chilcotin Justice Inquiry and published reports and articles dealing with Aboriginal rights and legal services for First Nations in BC. Judge Buller was instrumental in starting the First Nations Court of British Columbia in 2006.
The second recipient, the Reconciliation in Action Ally, was Courtney Daws, Vice President, Governance and Policy at Castlemain Group. Courtney is a lawyer and strategic advisor with extensive knowledge in the areas of Aboriginal law, policy and governance and has held positions in the legal, political and social realm. She was the Director of Operations at the BC Assembly of First Nations under then Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould.
Reconciliation in Action YWCA Award Nominees
Top: Stephanie Allen, Tracy Antoine, Rhiannon Bennett, Margo Kane Bottom: Sheryl Lightfoot, Noorjean Hassam, Isabel Jackson
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by SHINE Experiences / Wings and Wizards Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
SHINE Experiences presents Wings and Wizards at BC Place – an exceptional, immersive entertainment experience that promises to bring back a little magic into the lives of the young and young-at-heart all summer long!
Wings and Wizards Vancouver
When: Starting June 8, 2021
Tickets will be available online only via credit card purchase, with address verification built into that process. Should inter-provincial health restrictions on travel continue past the June 8 opening date, guests may rebook their tickets at no extra charge.
Wings and Wizards is an interactive exhibit that merges world-building, art, tech, storytelling, and design to create a magical adventure. The key to the entire adventure is a trusted magic wand, which will be used by your wizarding group to cast spells, solve riddles, and complete your quest.
I did a quick Q&A with President of SHINE Experiences, Gemma Scott to learn more:
Q: We could all use a little magic and wonder right now, what was the inspiration to bring Wings and Wizards to BC Place this summer?
Scott: Family wellbeing was our greatest inspiration. Many of the people involved in creating this exhibit have children, and we’ve all seen how they’ve been affected by the pandemic. Personally, seeing my kids’ wellbeing affected by the isolation of being at home for so long was heartbreaking. As such, our main goal was to create something really fun and unique for families, bring some joy and magic into their lives and create lasting memories.
Q: Has this been produced before, in any other cities?
Scott: This is the first of its kind! The exhibit was conceived, scripted and created right here in BC. It’s a true collaboration by three family-owned BC companies who bring unique things to the table. And yes, we do have plans to tour the exhibit to other cities across Canada later this year and into 2022.
Q: Will the adventure be suitable for young and old, parents and kids alike?
Scott: Absolutely, all ages will enjoy this, families especially. Once we decided what the theme was, we carefully planned it to be entertaining for everyone. We’ve been getting a lot of comments from young adults about how they’re so looking forward to attending. And rumour has it that a lot of kids and adults plan to dress up for the exhibit and we definitely welcome this!
Q: I read that guests will use a wand to navigate the adventure/story – is there a special technology that will enable that interaction?
Scott: I’m thrilled to say that in addition to the magic wand, there are so many different technologies and techniques being used. A quote from Arthur C. Clarke really captures our vision for Wings and Wizards: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. This is what we want everyone who attend to feel 🙂
Copy to paste the Twitter entry text below, and make sure you’re following @_VanWizards and @Miss604 (1 entry)
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT + follow to enter to win a family six pack of tickets for Wings and Wizards @_VanWizards this summer at BC Place http://bit.ly/WingsWizardsWin” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, June 4, 2021. Please Note: Strobe lights and flickering projections will be part of the exhibit, which will run approximately 45 minutes from entry to exit.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Vancouver Chapter has announced two new Giving Hearts Awards (“GHAs”) categories that will recognize shining examples of support in response to the pandemic. The Community Pandemic Response Awards are to be given to a business, an individual group or family who have gone above and beyond to help others during the COVID-19 crisis.
Community Pandemic Response Awards
Criteria for the two new awards (deadline for nominations is June 18, 2021):
Community Pandemic Response Business Award
A corporation or its corporate foundation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment through financial support and the encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Pandemic Response Individual Award
A youth, individual or family that has demonstrated outstanding commitment through volunteer or financial support and the encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It would be impossible to extend an award to every single one of the community members that have made sacrifices to lift up their peers during this difficult time, “ said Kyle Tiney, CFRE, VP Community Engagement, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Vancouver Chapter. “Nevertheless, we are inspired to put the spotlight on a few who represent the exceptional spirit of giving among our local pandemic response efforts. Our aim is to commemorate the tremendous generosity during COVID-19, be it through leadership, philanthropy or volunteerism, for future years.”
The GHAs honour outstanding individuals, volunteers, leaders, fundraisers, philanthropists and youth of Greater Vancouver’s non-profit and social profit community. Traditionally celebrated on National Philanthropy Day (November) by way of an in-person event, this year AFP Greater Vancouver will recognize its 2020 recipients along with the winners of the successful nominees of the 2021 Community Pandemic Response awards in a virtual format.
Organizations and individuals have until June 18, 2021 to submit their nominations for the Community Pandemic Response Awards nominate here. In Fall 2021, the Giving Hearts Award winners of those nominated in 2020 will be announced for the categories of Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Legacy Philanthropist, Outstanding Corporation, Outstanding Small Business, Outstanding Youth Philanthropist and Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser.
Past award recipients of the Giving Hearts Awards have included Gordon and Leslie Diamond, the Beedie Family, Brenden Parker, Sandy So, David Podmore, Barbara Grantham, and Barbara Stewart. National Philanthropy Day has also had the pleasure of awarding companies for their work in our community, some recipients have been CIBC, National Tile LTD, IA Financial Group, and others.
For more information about the 2020 GHAs and 2021 Community Pandemic Response Awards, follow AFP Vancouver on Facebook. Stay tuned for news about National Philanthropy Day, which is set for Monday, November 15, 2021.
Welcome to Step 1 of BC’s new Restart Plan! Restaurants are open with indoor and outdoor dining, we can have outdoor gatherings with up to 10 friends or family, and it looks like we’re on course for a really fun – and safe – summer in the province. This weekend you can book your free entry at Burnaby Village Museum, catch some great online programming, or visit a local attraction. Find this and more fun things to do in Vancouver this weekend below:
