Burns Lake, Hazelton, and Smithers are all benefiting from an arts and culture resiliency grant program that was recently announced.
The $535,000 program is designed to enhance community engagement and strengthen BC’s smaller communities, through the power of arts and culture.
Burns Lake:, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, awarded amount: $13,000
Project description: Two week long camp outs on the traditional territory to immerse everyone in our culture
while spending time together as a community back on our traditional territory
Hazelton:, Misty Rivers Community Arts Council, awarded amount: $9,000
Project description: Canadian indigenous song writers will instruct youth in song writing and adults in ways to
provide song writing support. A concert will follow the workshops.
Upper Skeena Development Centre Society, awarded amount: $9,000
Project description: Community Celebration showcasing Gitxsan culture and Senden’s youth program
participants to larger community to develop trust, self-esteem and resilience through
traditional art forms such as cedar weaving and carving and connection the land.
Smithers, Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre Society, awarded amount: $15,000
Project description: Solidarity Paddle. Using Cultural Tools and Protocols to return to Cultural Wellness from
Resiliency to Thriving. Protocols, Making Paddles, Bentwood Boxes, and pulling War
Canoes.
Witset First Nation, awarded amount: $12,500
Project description: Youth and elders planting and harvesting traditional native plants to use in programming
and demonstration at museum tours.
Stikine MLA and Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development,Doug Donaldson, gives us his take on the announcement.
“We know that small communities in B.C. experience many environmental, social and economic hardships,” said Donaldson. “These grants will go a long way to improve the lives of those struggling to overcome natural and social devastation, by showcasing the unique culture, art and enduring strength of all people in this province.”
Grants of up to $15,000 were provided for projects that include community arts and culture celebrations, Indigenous cultural camps, concerts, youth murals, festivals, community feasts, photography and video series, original books, Elder cultural workshops, performances and Indigenous dance troupes.
The full list of grant recipients and projects can be found here.