Qualicum Beach First Nation's Cultural Centre

The room was alive with the delight of visiting teachers at Qualicum Beach First Nation’s cultural centre on September 5th as they arrived to pick up Indigenous resource kits for their classrooms. The Qualicum First Nation Culture Program received funding to create and distribute free Indigenous resource kits province-wide during the next three years. For Vancouver Island, the resource kits feature Kwakwakawakw artist Adam Lewis, Ucluelet First Nation cedar weaver Brian Wilson and Tsimshian First Nation artist Bill Helin who designed the wonderful tee-shirts included in each kit. Thanks to Bill for signing my shirt! Elementary teachers (kindergarten to Grade 2) and daycare educators have been booking culture kits for 2024-25. Congratulations to the entire Qualicum First Nation community for its outstanding leadership and generosity providing important in-school cultural support on Vancouver Island.

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Poppy Flag Raising Ceromony

Thank you to the Qualicum Legion #76 for inviting me to attend the Poppy Flag raising ceremony and Poppy Campaign Kickoff for 2023 on Friday. Every year from the last Friday of October to November 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a Poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada's Veterans and remember those who scarified for the freedoms we enjoy today. 

The Poppy is distributed freely to all who wish to wear one, and the Legion gratefully accepts donations to the Poppy Fund, which helps military an RCMP veterans and their families. Thanks to QB Legion Poppy Campaign Chair Arlene King an outgoing Poppy Campaign Chair Bruce Ballingal for their service. 

King Charles III Coronation Medal to Respected Elder Grace George

It was my very great honour to present the King Charles III Coronation medal to respected Elder Grace George on October 16th at wonderful ceremony at Wickaninnish Community School in Tofino. The King Charles III Coronation Medal is awarded to 30,000 Canadians who have made significant contributions to their community and their country and there is no more deserving recipient than Grace.
I was privileged to present this honour to Grace on behalf of the Governor General of Canada for her dedication to Nuu-chah-nulth language revitalization over thirty years as an education support worker. Her dream of a day when children would enthusiastically learn their own language has come true because of her willingness to share her knowledge and provide loving guidance to her fellow educators. Klecko Klecko to Grace for making such a difference to so many.
Thank you to the children of Wickaninnish for their songs and dance and to Chief Elmer Frank, Chief Maquinna, Principal Dani Stone, Tofino Mayor Dan Law and School District 70 Superintendent Tim Davie, Chair Pam Craig, Trustees Janis Joseph and Cynthia Orr for attending.

'State of the Island" Economic Summit

Great discussions at the 2024 ’State of the Island’ Economic Summit in Nanaimo. I love the group shot with these amazing economic leaders: Tseshaht First Nation Chief Ken Watts, former Huu-ay-aht First Nation Elected Chief Councillor Robert Dennis, four-time Mayor of Port Alberni, Ken McRae and City of Port Alberni Economic Development Officer Pat Deakin. The whole conference was about partnerships and for the limited time my schedule allowed me to stay, I enjoyed the panel discussions with Chief Watts, Carol Anne Hilton, former Chief Dennis, Huu-ay-aht Councillor Trevor Cootes and others on economic reconciliation. Congratulations to the organizers, speakers and delegates for such a wonderful conference.

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