National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Thursday, September 30th Events National Reconciliation Day Ride
10 am-noon PST at Centennial Square in Victoria Capital Bike and Victoria Orange Shirt Day are hosting a bike ride in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, with stops at locations of significance to the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ people where organizers will share stories about each stop’s history. More information ReconciliAction Oak Bay
10-11 am PST at the Sno’uyutth Welcome Pole,
in front of Oak Bay High School, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd. A group of community organizations invites residents to an event honouring residential school survivors, their families and the children who never came home. Members of the Songhees Nation will be present to share their wisdom. ReconciliAction Oak Bay is also hosting a film screening of Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket on October 1st at 7 pm PST at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, 1701 Elgin Rd. More information Xe xe Smun’ eem-Victoria Orange Shirt Day:
Every Child Matters Ceremony
Noon-2:30 pm PST at Centennial Square in Victoria This is an annual event organized by residential school survivor Eddy Charlie and Kristin Spray and supported by the City of Victoria. The event features Indigenous performers and speakers, the raising of the Orange Shirt Day flag and a minute of silence to honour children who died at residential schools.
The name of this event, Xe xe Smun’ eem, means “Sacred Children” in the Cowichan or Quw’utsun ¬ language. More information Open House at Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Noon-5 pm PST at 1040 Moss St. in Victoria A group of community organizations invites residents to an event honouring residential school survivors, their families and the children who never came home. Members of the Songhees Nation will be present to share their wisdom. More information |
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Wet'suwet'en Urgent Call for Support
Submitted by The Unist'ot'en Solidarity Blockade |
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The Wet'suwet'en nation have lived on their territories in what is now known as central British Columbia for thousands of years. They have never signed treaties or sold their land to Canada. The Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs represent a governance system that predates colonization and the Indian Act which was created in an attempt to outlaw Indigenous peoples from their lands. The Wet'suwet'en have continued to exercise their unbroken, unextinguished, and unceded right to govern and occupy their lands by continuing and empowering the clan-based governance system to this day. Under Wet'suwet'en law, clans have a responsibility and right to control access to their territories. The validity of the Wet'suwet'en house and clan system was verified in the Delgamuukw and Red Top Decisions that uphold the authority of the hereditary system on Wet'suwet'en traditional territories. At this very moment a standoff is unfolding, the outcome of which will determine the future of Northern “BC” for generations to come. Will the entire region be overtaken by the fracking industry, or will Indigenous people asserting their sovereignty be successful in repelling the assault on their homelands?
Wet'suwet'en are currently occupying a Coastal GasLink (CSL) drill site on their land to stop the drilling under the sacred headwaters that nourish the Wet'suwet'en, the Yintah and all those within its catchment area. They are urgently calling for support both on the ground and in solidarity.
Days ago, Coastal GasLink destroyed their ancient village site, Ts'elkay Kwe. When Gidimt'en Checkpoint spokesperson, Sleydo' attempted to monitor the CGL archaeological team and contest the destruction of Wet'suwet'en cultural heritage, she "was aggressively intimidated by CGL security guards. Tensions have continued to rise as CGL pushes a reckless and destructive construction schedule with the support of private security and the RCMP." For more information, please visit www.yintahaccess.com and share here:
Instagram: @yintah_access Twitter: @Gidimten FB: @wetsuwetenstrong |
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Stop Funding Fracking at the B.C. Legislature!
Monday, October 4, 9:30 am PST Dogwood BC and Stand Earth are pleased to host a Beyond Gas media event on the lawn of the B.C. legislature. Instead of listening to the science and winding down the fossil fuel industry, the B.C. government is expanding fracked gas production with billions in taxpayer handouts. They’re paying fracking companies to pollute our air and water, violate Indigenous rights, and fuel the climate crisis — and it needs to stop. Join us for the launch of a big push this fall to get the government to Stop Funding Fracking! Come down to the Legislature to hear from inspiring speakers, listen to some great music and check out a pop-up art installation on the lawn of the B.C. Legislature that MLAs won’t be able to ignore! Then you'll have a chance to take action on the spot: after the event wraps up, we’ll hold a short on-site volunteer training and lunch-hour community canvass. |
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Introduction to Drawdown Climate Solutions
Monday, October 4, 7-8 pm PST Peer reviewed international research shows that it is possible to actually drawdown our greenhouse gases. These solutions to our climate crisis exist right now - we just need to implement them on an individual, community, national, and global level. This 45 minute Introductory webinar by Drawdown BC is for anyone interested in learning about climate solutions, the concept of drawdown, and how to get into action! |
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West Coast Climate Action Network Official Launch Celebration
Tuesday, October 5, 7-9 pm PST The West Coast Climate Action Network, representing 175 climate action groups or initiatives, hosts a special launch celebration featuring speakers, musicians and poets: - Christine Lowther, widely published Poet Laureate of Tofino.
- Connie Larochelle, WE-CAN Chair, from the Beaver Clan, Haisla First Nation.
- Dan Mangan, two-time Juno Award musician and songwriter.
- Druv Kent, India-born, Singapore-based singer and songwriter.
- Grand Chief Philip Stewart, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Grand Chief of the Okanagan Nation.
- Guy Dauncey, author, co-founder of the West Coast Climate Action Network.
- Katia Bannister, youth activist, poet, leader of the Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians.
- Seth Klein, author of A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency, and founder of The Climate Emergency Unit.
- Tonye Aganaba, multidisciplinary artist, musician, and facilitator residing on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam & Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Their new album Something Comfortable is an intentional and devotional endeavour inspired by their battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
- Tracey Saxby, marine scientist, musician, and accidental activist, Executive Director of My Sea to Sky.
- Tzeporah Berman, International Program Director at Stand.earth, Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Committee.
- Vanessa Prescott, Métis poet and clinical herbal therapist.
The West Coast Climate Action Network (WE-CAN) mission is to promote and support the work of climate action groups across BC to urge more rapid and urgent climate action, while bringing forth Indigenous and other under-represented voices. Click here to register or watch on Facebook |
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Trees Matter Replay National Tree Day (Sept. 22, 2021), marked the launch of the world premiere of Trees Matter, a 7-minute film produced by Creatively United for the Planet non-profit society. Through music, dance, song and stunning visuals, the importance of protecting, preserving and planting trees is artfully expressed in this unique collaboration involving members of the Victoria Symphony, the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, the Emily Carr String Quartet and Ballet Victoria. In addition to showing Trees Matter, this half hour launch event, included Leq’á:mel First Nation (Stó:lō Nation) Indigenous Leader, Patrick Kelly, plus a Fairy Creek old growth forest update with popular singer/songwriter, Luke Wallace, and ecoforestry advocate, Kathleen Code. This is the second of two films produced in the past year by Creatively United for the Planet Society made possible by the City of Victoria's Strategic Plan Grant and the Gail O'Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund. The first, Awaken - A Forest Ballet, features members of Ballet Victoria dancing in a local forest to original music composed, sung and orchestrated by Canada’s multi award-winning legend, Ann Mortifee, in collaboration with former Chilliwack band member, Ed Henderson (guitar), and Finn Manniche (cello). Awaken debuted at Ballet Victoria’s live opening night performance of The Little Prince this past year and was successfully used in campaigns to protect and preserve the 49-acre pristine urban forest in the heart of Greater Victoria in which it was filmed. The story follows the delightful journey of a young girl and her dog who discover the magical wonders of the forest thanks to guidance from forest sprites enacted by Ballet Victoria dancers.
Please visit and subscribe to Creatively United's YouTube channel to see our many productions.
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Fairy Creek Legal Decision Upholds Rights |
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British Columbia Supreme Court judge, Justice Douglas Thompson, has denied an application to extend an injunction against old-growth logging blockades on southern Vancouver Island, writing that the actions of RCMP officers have put the court's reputation at risk, citing that there was a substantial infringement of civil liberties. "We've known for a long time that the police actions out of Fairy Creek are illegal and violate the order of the injunction," said Luke Wallace, a spokesperson for the Rainforest Flying Squad and one of our Trees Matter guest speakers. "This is really vindicating and encouraging to see the court standing with us in acknowledging that." Protestors will remain in the Fairy Creek area to continue to protect the old-growth forest from logging by Teal Jones. For further information, please visit Rainforest Flying Squad on Facebook and LastStandforForests.com |
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Convoy to Fairy Creek Thursday, September 30 Led by a small group of Elders with hope of getting to the Grandfather tree, now slated to be cut. Please contact Jack - 250-665-6314, jackthornburgh2@gmail.com for details. We Serve & Protect Rally
Friday, Oct. 1, 4-6 pm PST at the RCMP admin building, Topaz & Blanshard Elders Bus Trip to Fairy Creek and Multi-Faith Circle
Tuesday, October 5 This trip falls between the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Thanksgiving, an opportunity to express thanksgiving for ancient forests and the world that sustains us and to recognize the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Settlers, Indigenous Peoples and all Beings. Register by email to oldfolksforoldgrowth@gmail.com. Put in subject line: October 5 Bus - and include names and phone numbers. Deadline Sunday, Oct. 3rd evening. Details on pickup times, etc. will go out later to registrants. |
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Actions From Home Action 1: Pressure Canada’s Environment Minister, and your MP, to save those vulnerable and endangered species! Share this message with Jonathan Wilkinson, Federal Environment Minister: Under the Federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) the federal government may take over provincial land management if they believe the province fails to protect the critical habitat of a species at risk effectively. The federal nature preservation fund has billions committed to the preservation of 30% of Canada's lands and waters by 2030. Phone/email your own MP and email Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson or phone his constituency office: 604-775-6333 Talking/writing points on Fairy Creek endangered species:
* Marbled Murrelets - Learn more
* Oldgrowth Specklebelly Lichen - Learn more
* Western Screech Owls - Learn more Action 2: Let the BC Government know what matters to you by participating in the Budget 2022 Consultation by Sept. 30th. You can write something, even just one sentence, and send by email, make a short video, or take their short survey and creatively use the “other” box to make your point. Action 3: Contact Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety & Solicitor General, over his failure to insist on accountability and oversight of the RCMP at Fairy Creek, or call 250-387-5311. |
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Getting to Ada'itx/Fairy Creek Weekend buses (Saturday & Sunday) leave at 7:30 am from Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2121 Cedar Hill X Road. For questions or to book your seat, text Rachael at 250-889-2512 or email fairycreekbusservice@gmail.com. Supplied Needed
Food donations: High-nutrition — trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, eggs, bread including GF, non-dairy milk, dehydrated meals, some vegan welcome.
Non-Food items: Rain gear, tarps, rubber boots, hiking boots, warm clothes, firewood, large stew pots, propane camp stoves.
Clothing Donations: Warm clothes: merino wool layers, socks, underwear, long johns, undershirts.
Jan Marshall will collect items and get them to the frontlines. Drop off at 1748 Lee St., email janandbill.victoria@gmail.com or phone 1-604-396-2152. |
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Creatively United Solutions Hub |
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Healthy, happy communities begin from the ground up. Help us inspire generations to protect and preserve the natural world and confront climate change, so families, communities and nature can prosper together. |
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About Creatively United & Our Community Partners |
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The Creatively United for the Planet Society is a registered non-profit society. Since 2012, we have brought together more than 10,000 people from throughout the region who care about happy, healthy, and resilient communities. We have done so through eight zero-waste sustainability showcases, numerous community events and educational talks, collaborative partnerships, a video series, and the CreativelyUnited.org free community information network, resource and solutions sharing hub. The Gail O'Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund, supported by The Victoria Foundation, is dedicated to changing human consciousness towards global environmental change by combining science with the creativity of the performing arts. |
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