We will be CLOSED July 1st – 3rd, as the H&H team will taking the long weekend to REST and reflect upon the ongoing colonization of the unceded Indigenous territories we reside upon. We also specifically emphasize the rest as pandemic practicing continues to be intense and demanding, we will take the weekend to recharge so we are ready to continue to serve our community.
We encourage all of you to critically consider what the symbol of the Canadian flag means to you, but more importantly to take the opportunity to learn more about the land we occupy, the original peoples who were stewards of this land and their respective histories. May you celebrate respectfully and safely this weekend.
If it is within your means, we encourage you to support one of these organizations, in the spirit of reconciliation:
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society began in 1994 as a working committee of the First Nations Summit. We were known as the Residential School Project, housed out of and as a part of the BC First Nations Summit. Our work was primarily to assist Survivors with the litigation process pertaining to Residential School abuses. In more recent years our work has expanded to include assisting the descendants of Survivors and implementing Community education measures (Indigenous & Non-Indigenous).
- Pacific Association of First Nations Women (PAFNW)
At Pacific Association of First Nations Women (PAFNW) we envision a matriarchal community where all Indigenous women in BC are safe and respected with a sense of belonging and connection to cultural traditions.
- Victoria Native Friendship Centre
The Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) has been in existence for over 45 years. VNFC provides services to an estimated 20,000 Indigenous people living off reserve in the greater Victoria area; as well as the 5,000 residents from the First Nations communities in the southern Vancouver Island region, in addition to a sizeable Indigenous population from across Canada. VNFC takes great pride in their exceptional approach to First Nation social issues.
- Unist’ot’en Camp
The Unist’ot’en Camp is an indigenous re-occupation of Wet’suwet’en land in northern “BC, Canada”. Year-round volunteer support is needed on the frontlines and beyond.
The sculpture featured, “Salish Sea” by Coast Salish artist, Chris Paul, installed at Spewhung/Turkey Head in Oak Bay
