March of Reconcili-Action
Photo: Global Citizen Events
One of the Reconcili-Action events is March 20 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts
The next step in reconciliation is action, and Global Citizen Events has several events planned this month, most of them free, to educate and engage the community.
Organizer Nadine Gagne says they have dubbed it Reconcili-Action. “Because it’s really about not just talking about reconciliation but actually getting out in your community and learning about local Indigenous culture and engaging in different cultural learning experiences.”
The month of events kicks off with a virtual tour of the Westbank First Nation Sncewips Museum on March 11.
That will be followed by a free concert featuring Cheryl Bear at Metro Hub in Kelowna on March 12. Bear is a multi-award winning singer/songwriter from the Nadleh Whut-en First Nation who is also a noted speaker and teacher. She has travelled to over 600 Indigenous communities sharing her songs and stories.
On March 20 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, it’s a night of honouring Indigenous women, where local recording artist Arlette Alcock will be among the performers. The night will also feature fashion shows and a screening of ‘Mel’s Story’, a video production by a local artist about murdered and missing Indigenous women.
A water ceremony is planned for March 22, on World Water Day.
Things wrap up with a Children and family storytelling day on March 26, at the Westbank First Nation’s Community Outdoor Pavilion, and March 27, with Sylix storytelling by Madeline Terbasket in the Kekuli Pithouse at Summerhill Winery.
Several other free events are scheduled throughout March and you can find details and tickets through the Global Citizen Events website.
Founded by local community leaders in 2003, Global Citizen Events is an annual initiative that promotes the UN Sustainable Development Goals and celebrates the impact Okanagan citizens have in global and local humanitarian efforts. It partners with various locally-based organizations to target events at a specific age group or particular focus that encourages social responsibility and inspires positive change.
