Photo Source: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC)

September 30 marks two very important Days for Indigenous peoples in Canada: Orange Shirt Day, which raises awareness about the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a new federal statutory holiday that invites reflection and the honouring of survivors of residential school.

A hopeful part of the Reconciliation process lies with the many Indigenous-run cultural centres that exist in British Columbia, including the Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay on Haida Gwaii and the U’Mista Cultural Centre at Alert Bay.

At these centres, Indigenous people speak proudly for themselves, as opposed to being spoken for, as has happened and still continues to occur. For example, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) in nearby Whistler does incredible work in celebrating the heritage and stories of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh and L̓il̓wat7úl Nations and their connections to their shared territory. “We really reflect where our Nations have come from but also currently where we are,” says Alison Pascal, Curator at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

Continue reading:
BC Indigenous-Run Cultural Centres: Sharing Stories and Strengthening Community