How can the Tri-Cities community move toward reconciliation with the First Nations community?
That is the question that will be addressed Thursday, June 8 during the Community Stories of Truth and Reconciliation event at the David Lam campus of Douglas College in Coquitlam.
Organized by Community Volunteer Connections (CVC) in partnership with the First Nations Support and Healing Organization and Spirit of the Children, the panel discussion is an opportunity to bridge gaps in knowledge and understanding, says an event spokesperson.
Hayley Sinclair, membership services coordinator for CVC, said the discussion will help community groups, volunteer board members, institutions and engaged citizens to learn ways to integrate reconciliation into their mandates and actions.
A similar event held in New Westminster recently, was very successful, bringing representatives from a lot of groups together to discuss ways of integrating the First Nations experience and knowledge, Sinclair said. The decision was then made to offer the same event in the Tri-Cities with a goal of helping professionals in helping roles improve their practice.
"This is an opportunity for everybody to come together and learn a little bit more," Sinclair said.
Born out of the the 2015 call to action report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the event will bring indigenous speakers together to speak on their experiences and knowledge.
Among those are Fred Hulbert, who is a council member of the Kwikwetlem First Nation, ethnobotanist Cease Wyss, First Nations Cree scholar and activist Harlan Pruden and Douglas College’s own Natasha Webb, representing the Aboriginal Students Collective.
The event is free, although donations are encouraged and will go to Spirit of the Children Society, which serves aboriginal families in the region. A reception with appetizers and refreshments will begin at 5 p.m., with the guest panel at 6 p.m. and a moderated questions and answers session at 7 p.m.
To register, visit www.volunteerconnections.net.
