Orca Lelum Youth Wellness Centre- Opening Ceremony

Tseshaht First Nation- Orange Shirt Day

Thank you to Tseshaht First Nation for welcoming us to its territory on Orange Shirt Day, also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day when we remember the children who died in the Indian Residential Schools, the suffering of all those who were removed from their families through many decades and the legacy of intergenerational trauma caused by the government’s policies. It was a day to re-commit to the reconciliation of historical wrongs and the implementation of all 94 Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Klecko Klecko to Elected Chief Councillor waamiiš (Ken Watts), Tseshaht Elders and all the community members who worked to make this year's walk and cultural events so successful and to the residents and visitors to the Alberni Valley for showing their support on this important day.

Tour de Rock riders in Port Alberni

It was a thrill to see the Tour de Rock riders in Port Alberni on Friday and to pay tribute to their mission at a fundraising dinner hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 293 that evening.

I was privileged to sit with Port Alberni’s Chris Barrato (BC Ambulance Service/Sproat Lake Fire Department). Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is an exciting annual event where police agencies and emergency service personnel cycle for 14 days across 1200 km on Vancouver Island, raising money for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society.

It was moving to have such emotional conversations with families who have been recipients of their fundraising over the years which has now reached $29 million since the ride started in 1977.

Thanks to the Legion, volunteers, cooks, servers and most of all, the riders and their support teams for bringing Vancouver Islanders together for this important cause. You can donate here:

https://bit.ly/3Bq5Ztu

State of Emergency in Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations

Back in the riding this morning to meet with constituents and stakeholders around numerous issues. None more serious than the daily tragedies faced by First Nations communities during the mental health and toxic drug crisis. Thanks to Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Judith Sayers for her hard work in the search for solutions and for taking time to talk to me about the State of Emergency in NTC First Nations. I was able to brief her on my meetings with ministers and senior officials in the search for much needed support.