Today, Sept. 30, and Oct. 4 are two very important dates to educate, reflect, and pay respect to Indigenous people and those who have gone into the Spirit World. My dear local Whistler friends and community, you are blessed to live, play and enjoy the beauty of the unceded territory of Lil’wat and Squamish Nations. What settlers now call Whistler.
What are you doing on Sept. 30? On this day, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, I challenge you to spend the day educating yourself and others and compose an action plan on what you, as a human being, will do to move towards walking together, beside and for Indigenous people in Canada.
On Oct. 4, I typically organize Whistler’s Sisters in Spirit Vigil, which honours the Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited who have gone missing or have been murdered in Canada. I decided not to organize a gathering/vigil due to COVID-19, but it is my hope to hold a vigil in 2022.
However, red dresses are installed around Whistler, so on Oct. 4, please visit a red dress location and honour the lives lost and show support for the families of those who have lost a loved one. Have a moment of silence, light a candle and reflect on the fact that each dress represents an individual.
Red dress locations are Maury Young Arts Centre, Whistler Public Library, The Beacon Pub & Eatery, Blenz Coffee, Caramba Restaurant, El Furniture Warehouse Restaurant, Stonesedge Restaurant, Tapley’s Pub and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC).
Thank you for supporting this cause and bringing awareness to others. Let’s all stand together with one heart, one mind and take one step towards reconciliation.
Please visit the Maury Young Arts Centre (MYAC) to see the red dress installation along with recommended books that are available from Armchair Books.
Go to the Whistler Public Library on Sept. 30 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., to see the red dress display and pick up a recommended book on Truth and Reconciliation.
Write on the Truth and Reconciliation banner at MYAC or the library. Of course, go visit the SLCC and meet Lil’wat and Squamish ambassadors. Buy something from their gift store and share this amazing culture with others.
Please educate yourself.
Have an open mind and see the humans behind the trauma. Canada’s best-kept secret is out. So, how will you walk towards reconciliation Whistler?
All my relations.
Linda Epp // Sechelt Nation
