Walk of the Nations 2009
PRESS RELEASES
September 21, 2009
SOCIAL PLANNING COWICHAN RECEIVES $14,000 GRANT TO FUND THE SECOND ANNUAL WALK OF THE NATIONS FESTIVAL
Social Planning Cowichan gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program) to fund the second annual Walk of the Nations Festival. The Walk of the Nations began in 2008 as a legacy of the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games. Last year the Walk Committee planned the event that saw the entire community come together and walk for acceptance, understanding, respect and reconciliation of all peoples living in the Cowichan Valley.
Last year, more than 1,300 people from all over the Island walked together. This year organizers are already working hard to put together the second annual Walk which will include a multi-cultural festival component. "I fully support the "Walk of the Nations" event each year. It shows us that the division and barriers between cultures and people can be overcome with patience, understanding, and being together, to recognize our strengths through community." Said Mayor Phil Kent, City of Duncan on the Walk of the Nations website.
"This grant will support an important community event. The Walk of the Nations is something we are very proud of," said Valerie Nicol, Chair of Social Planning Cowichan. "The addition of a multi-cultural festival on Saturday night, combined with the end program for Sunday's Walk will enhance our community building efforts through utilization of arts and heritage. Social Planning Cowichan is working together with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to create an event that signifies the turning of a page in our history and celebrates new relationships, new possibilities and a future that reflects the very best we have to offer."
The Walk of the Nations Festival will take place October 3rd and 4th in Downtown Duncan. On the 3rd, there will be a Cultural Festival in the Duncan City Square from 3-8 p.m. and then on Sunday Oct 4th, beginning at 1:30pm there will be a 'Community Walk' commencing at Centennial Park on Second St. proceeding to the Quw'utsun Cultural Centre, followed by a short closing program.
For more information and updates about the Walk of the Nations Festival, or to view Harold Joe's short documentary highlighting last year's Walk, we invite you to visit www.walkofthenations.ca.
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Contact:
Valerie Nicol (250)746-1004 ext.250
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August 17, 2009
NAIG SOCIAL LEGACY CONTINUES
Social Planning Cowichan has created a new Cowichan Cultural Connections Council. The purpose of
the new Council is to continue to build and encourage cultural relationships in the Cowichan Region.
The Council will be carrying forward the vision of the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous
Games (NAIG) -- to serve as a catalyst for reconciliation by building new and meaningful relationships
among families, communities and governments.
The Cowichan Cultural Connections Council honors that vision by pursuing opportunities to build
bridges between cultures with a spirit of "Nuts' amat Shq waluwn": Hul'q'umi'num for "One Mind, One Heart, for the Good of All."
"The vision to bring the North American Indigenous Games to Cowichan had much to do with the
desire for reconciliation. In the end, I believe that the Games unified the community through our
collective efforts to stage the largest event ever held in the region," said Rick Brant, Cowichan 2008
CEO. "While delivering the 'Best Ever' NAIG was a focal point, leaving a positive and last imprint on
the region was our corporate mantra. Its reassuring to see that Social Planning Cowichan has
established the Cowichan Cultural Connections Council and brought together community leaders
committed to furthering the meaningful relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people
that were established through Cowichan 2008."
The Council is comprised of key leaders in the Cowichan Region representing local government,
including Aboriginal government officials, organizations, agencies, associations and businesses. The
Council members have strong commitment to community and to the value of building bridges between
all cultures in the Valley.
Council's key work involves education, facilitation, and communication of cultural activities and
programs in the Cowichan Region. Currently, the Council is developing a comprehensive plan and has
identified two major initiatives: the second annual "Walk of the Nations" and an online Community
Cultural Calendar.
Building on the success of last year's "Walk of the Nations" the committee is anticipating some very
interesting changes for this year's event. Under the leadership of Jenn K. George and Ryan Bruce, the
Walk of the Nations Committee is planning a two-day festival. The Festival and Walk will be an opportunity for everyone on the Island to come together and celebrate acceptance, understanding,
respect, and reconciliation of all peoples.
Proposed dates for the "2009 Walk of the Nations Festival are October 3rd and 4th. "It's a positive
reason for everyone in the community to come together and, in the process continue to build on
relationships that were formed during last summer's North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and
also to support the work of the newly formed, Cowichan Cultural Connections Council," says Chief
Lydia Hwitsum.
If you would like to join the Walk of the Nations Sub-Committee or find out other ways you can help,
contact Jenn K. George at 250.701.8381. You can also check out the newly improved website,
www.walkofthenations.ca
The second initiative is a community calendar which will be a way to highlight and share information
about cultural events, gatherings, meetings and celebrations in the Cowichan Region, including those
that are ongoing. If you have information about any such initiatives we would like to hear from you!
To contact Social Planning Cowichan, call 250.746.1004 ext.250 or e-mail
info@socialplanningcowichan.org
Media Contacts:
Co-Chairs: Gerry Giles, Deb and Tousilum George, or Candace Spilsbury 250.710.4959
Click here to download this Press Release as a PDF
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