Vancouver Whitecaps FC will host the Indigenous Peoples Celebration Match on June 29th and they have also announced the launch of two new mini-pitches. Last week, Hope and Health, with the support of the Whitecaps, opened their seventh and eighth mini-pitches in First Nations communities across the province.
The pitches will provide innovative, high quality and inspiring play environments to engage Indigenous children and youth in the beautiful game.
On June 17, the Sts’ailes Strong Mini-Pitch officially opened. A traditional welcome to the territory was led by Grand Chief Willie Charlie and council, as well as an inspiring speech from youth council leader Jeremy Charlie. In addition, Sts’ailes member Terry Felix was honoured as the former Canadian international and forward with Vancouver Whitecaps during the NASL-era had his number 15 highlighted on each of the four archways.
On June 20, the Cowichan Strong Mini-Pitch was opened. A community celebration featured a welcome to the territory from Cowichan Tribes with Chief Cindy Daniels, ribbon cutting and ball drop.
In addition to the pitch being built, a 5V5 Champions League will be activated to give youth a competitive environment with high-level coaching to help their technical development. As more pitches are constructed, Champions League play will expand across communities and fellow nations.
Penelakut Strong was the first mini-pitch opened in September 2021, additional pitches include Snaw-naw-as Strong, Tla’amin Strong, Stz’uminus Strong, Snuneymuxw Strong, Ts’uubaa-asatx Strong, and Malahat Strong, set to open this summer.
About Hope and Health
The The Hope and Health movement utilizes the beautiful game of soccer and mentorship to inspire hope, as well as improve the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and life conditions for Indigenous children and youth. The team is committed to come together as one heart, one mind to maximize sport as a tool for reconciliACTION in relation to the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls To Action, specific to Sports and Reconciliation (87-91). The Hope and Health vision is for Indigenous children and youth to carry themselves with pride and confidence, achieve their highest potential and dream big.
Enter to Win & Support a Great Cause
If you’ve noticed the Winning Wednesday box on Miss604.com lately, it’s in support of Hope and Health’s weekly 50/50 draw. Every Wednesday they’ll draw a new winner this summer so there are lots of chances to win. They are also giving away tickets to the Whitecaps match on June 29th (Indigenous Peoples Celebration). Follow on Facebook for details.
2024 Whitecaps FC Indigenous Peoples Celebration logo by Austin Aan’yas Harry
Whitecaps Indigenous Peoples Celebration Match
The 2024 Whitecaps FC logo for the Indigenous Peoples Celebration was designed by Austin Aan’yas Harry, a digital artist and a dedicated member of the Squamish Nation, with ancestral ties to the Namgis Nation. There will be an artisan market and performances from Land Back Records recording artists and dancers. Visit the Warmup at Terry Fox Plaza from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, and during the match the anthem will be sung by Hayley Wallis, with Eli Gosselin-Rattlesnake and Dakota Bear performing at the half.
Did you know that we have a professional rugby team? Not only that, the Vancouver Highlanders have announced that tickets to their opening matches against Barbados and Canada Selects on June 28th will be free! This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to watch and enjoy international-calibre rugby up close and personal pitchside.
Photo courtesy of Vancouver Highlanders Rugby
Vancouver Highlanders Professional Rugby
Location: Burnaby Lake Rugby Club (3760 Sperling Ave, Burnaby)
Fans are encouraged to bring their own chair and grab a seat close to the action.
Canada’s only professional rugby team, will kick off its first season of play with the inaugural Rugby Player’s Challenge Summer Series. It begins on Friday, June 28th when the Highlanders play a double bill against the Canada Selects and the Barbados National Team. On July 20th, they will face Germany, with Brazil next up for the challenge on August 3rd. The series will close out on August 17th with the arrival of the Canada XV national team.
Each of the five matches will showcase elite rugby in a festival atmosphere at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club with traditional bagpipes, DJs, food, and a fully licensed fan zone. Sports lovers and rugby die-hards can gather pitchside to experience bone-crunching hits and the immersive atmosphere in an intimate and unique sporting environment.
In preparation for the season, Vancouver Highlanders will be hosting an open practice from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on Friday, June 21st at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club. Members of the public are warmly invited to watch Vancouver’s newest professional sports team go through their paces as they prepare for a summer of international competition.
About the Team
Vancouver Highlanders were founded with the mission to offer a pathway for players to develop their game and grow as a person while building their rugby skills. The Highlanders also aim to grow the sport’s grassroots and community by creating a style of play Canadian fans can embrace and tapping into British Columbia’s deep-seated passion for rugby. The team name, Gaelic player names and tartan jerseys celebrate Scottish heritage, while the team motto “Fortitude” captures the values the sport encompasses. Follow the team on Facebook for more info.
There are just a few days left in Indigenous History Month and to check out “UNCEDED: S7ULH TEMÍXW / TI TMICWKÁLHA / OUR LAND – A Photographic Journey into Belonging”, a photo exhibition created and curated by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler.
Unceded Photo Exhibition at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver
This exhibit offers guests and visitors the opportunity to experience breathtaking places through a unique lens bringing a sense of belonging to Indigenous peoples. The exhibition features environmental portraiture of Nation members on the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), L’il‘wat7úl (Lil‘wat Nation), and their shared territories in Whistler.
In addition, there will be pop-up booths showcasing a variety of Indigenous-owned businesses, providing an excellent opportunity to explore and support local Indigenous entrepreneurship during the exhibition.
“As a research project, the exhibit invites audiences to reshape their understanding of land. It emphasizes that the land does not belong to us; we belong to the land. It also encourages us to reflect on our stewardship of the land.” – Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal (Lil’wat Nation), SLCC Curator of the UNCEDED exhibit.
Set in breathtaking Sea to Sky locations from K’emk’emeláy (Vancouver) to Ts’zil (Mount Currie) mountain, the UNCEDED photography exhibit asks the guest to look at the world through a different lens. Marrying regalia, elders, chieftainship with the modern world around us, reshaping how we view our presence here, bringing a sense of belonging to both the viewer and the people celebrated in the exhibit.
Read more about the photography, the artists, and exhibits at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and follow along on Instagram for more info.
Island locals and visitors alike can enjoy a summer of adventure at the Malahat Skywalk near Victoria. There’s a lineup of activities over the next few months along with new experiences, and a free shuttle service.
Courtesy of Malahat Skywalk
Summer at the Malahat Skywalk
Date: Until September 15 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00am to 6:00pm; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday open until 7:30pm
With its elevated TreeWalk set deep in nature, panoramic views on the 10-storey Spiral Tower plus thrills along the mesh Adventure Net and eight-storey spiral slide, this award-winning attraction is a highlight attraction on Vancouver Island.
This weekend around Vancouver you can enjoy events related to Indigenous Peoples Day, the Dragon Boat Festival (with drone show), a fundraising festival for the food bank and more! Find these activities and more things to do listed below:
