26 Oct Ambassadors Named Winner of Citizens of the Year Award
Prestigious Award winners in Whistler Excellence Awards 2023
With immense pride, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre announces the SLCC Ambassadors win for Citizens of the Year Award in the Whistler Excellence Awards for 2023. Whistler Chamber’s premier event – the Awards Gala celebrated finalists and winners on October 25, 2023, at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
The Indigenous Ambassadors at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre have been citizens of this land long before Whistler was a town. Whether they are giving guided tours, curating the next museum exhibit, teaching their languages, sharing traditional foods, or caretaking for the business and building, the SLCC Ambassadors give an immeasurable amount of inspiration and belonging to future generations of Indigenous Youth, while beckoning people from all over the world to see Indigenous peoples in a more fulfilling and powerful light.
By volunteering their stories with the curious people who live in Whistler and the visitors who travel here, they are gifting us with history and language – sometimes opening up wounds so that the community can listen, learn and grow together. Although none live in Whistler’s town lines, they travel up to 4 hours a day to be here, moving around the valley, leading the protocol of Welcome Ceremonies, speaking on local community panels, sitting on Whistler boards and committees, sharing stories and persevering through tough days in hopes and appreciation for the brighter ones to come.
The Citizen of the Year Award was created in 1969 and is Whistler’s longest-standing celebration. Honouring those who positively impact the community, empowering others to build strength and resilience, including community in a way that builds trust and promotes a sense of belonging. The Whistler Community Foundation was honoured with the task of selecting the annual recipient of this prestigious award, and was presented by Race and Company LLP.
As the home of authentic Indigenous experience in Whistler, and as a world-class venue – Ambassadors’ contributions to daily experiences at the SLCC include Cultural Sharing, Curatorial, Gallery & Gift Shop, Thunderbird Café, Events, Administration, Finance, Operations, and Maintenance.
Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap to all SLCC Ambassadors for the dedication, pride and heartfelt energy you bring to sharing the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Lí’wat7úl experience with the world.
This story was updated on October 26, 2023.
Learn more at Whistler Chamber Awards
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