M’akola Housing Society hosted the first Change-Makers Gathering to celebrate the launch of Indigenous People’s Week.
The event was a community gathering based on the Elders teaching “You set the table and the lesson will come.” Where we brought change-makers, leaders and families from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together to share a day, a meal and some stories.
The afternoon was focused on children “future change-makers” and we had local sports teams PacificFC, Rugby Canada, and Shamrocks Lacrosse offering FREE sports clinics to kids. We also had mountain biking, tennis, golf clinics and drop-in swimming – also free – provided by Bear Mountain Resort. More than 100 kids and their families participated.
In the evening we hosted an Indigenous-themed feast at Bear Mountain Resort with traditional drum and dance groups from Songhees Nation, Beecher Bay First Nation and Stz’uminus First Nation (Young Wolves) as well as a community art project hosted by Songhees artist Geena Sutherland.
Our feast included Chiefs and Councillors, Elders and families, including M’akola families. We also had Mayors and Councillors from municipalities across Greater Victoria, leaders and staff from Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and many community groups. The entire City Council of Langford was in attendance to support the event and to start those conversations.
