Ucwalmícwts Program Preserves St’át’imc Nation’s Cultural Legacy
Language is at the heart of culture, carrying the spirit, traditions, and identity of a people. For Indigenous communities working to reclaim their heritage, revitalizing language is more than just education – it is what ties individuals to their ancestors, their land, and traditional ways of knowing. However, access to language programs remains a significant challenge for many communities.
Honouring a Sacred Promise
Shockwaves rippled across Canada and the international community in 2021 with the discovery of suspected unmarked graves in British Columbia. For the people of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and Indigenous people across Canada, it confirmed what they already knew: that hundreds of loved ones who had never returned home from residential school remained forever children.
Talitha Koum Society Creates Space for Learning and Reconciliation
The Talitha Koum Society (TK) in Coquitlam, BC has been dedicated to empowering women struggling with addiction, helping them build healthy and fulfilling lives. Through its supportive housing, 12-step programming and life-skills training, TK provides women with the tools they need to recover and thrive.
Uncovering the Forgotten History of Métis Contributions in the Pacific Northwest
The term "Métis" refers to individuals of mixed Indigenous and European heritage, reflecting the blending of two distinct cultures. The Métis Peoples are an integral part of history in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), having played important roles in the region’s economic, social, cultural, and political life. Yet, much of their history has been overlooked or forgotten, their contributions erased from the mainstream narrative. Métis communities have faced systemic discrimination and marginalization.
Uut Uustukyuu: Bridging the Gap for Indigenous Wellness
The Uut Uustukyuu Indigenous Healing Society, which operates out the Ahousaht First Nation on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, has been addressing the unique healing needs of Indigenous people through a trauma-informed and culturally grounded approach.
EmpowerRoots – Resources for educators to help Indigenous youth thrive
Indigenous communities face significant mental health challenges, many of which are deeply tied to the lasting effects of colonialism. Intergenerational trauma, poverty, unemployment, and housing insecurity have created an environment where mental health struggles are prevalent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 in 5 Indigenous adults reported mental health issues - double the rate of non-Indigenous adults.
Healing on the Water for Indigenous People in Vancouver’s DTES
Many Indigenous people living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) face significant challenges related to substance use. The cycle of addiction - often rooted in historical trauma and marginalization - can make it hard to see a future beyond their immediate surroundings. While the DTES provides a sense of community, it can also be a difficult place to escape the grip of addiction.
The St’at’imc Northern Tribe Powwow Arbour
A Powwow is an opportunity for all people - Indigenous and non-Indigenous - to gather and celebrate Indigenous languages, cultures, and practices. Most importantly, Powwows are a place for Indigenous people to reconnect to each other and find their way home, to their people, language, culture and self-identify.
Supporting Food Security in the Community of Houpsitas
The First Nation community of Houpsitas is located in Kyuquot Sound, on the Northwest coast of Vancouver Island, BC. Community members navigate life on their traditional territories while grappling with food security issues that are exacerbated by inflation and the high cost of transporting goods to the marine-only accessible village.
