29 Sep National Day for Truth and Reconcilation: An open letter to Whistler Businesses
It takes a Village
Leading up to National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Whistler Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to deliver Orange Heart Window decals across the Village and Valley. The package included letters from SLCC Executive Director, Liza Walli, and Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton, and we are pleased to shared them here.
A message to Whistler Businesses from the SLCC
Hello,
As we move towards National Day for Truth & Reconciliation on September 30th, we raise our hands to you in thanks for reflecting and considering how to support our collective journey towards Truth and Reconciliation. We are all partners in creating a meaningful way forward, together.
The SLCC has designed a day of programming on September 30th that will honour the children, survivors and families of the Indian Residential School system, and enable us all to listen and learn from living voices of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl. Proud Partner CIBC has helped make September 30th free admission to visitors and residents. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and the Government of Canada graciously provide support for programming on this important day of commemoration.
Your relationship with National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is a personal one – If you choose to close, we encourage your team to spend the day creating a deeper understanding of what Truth and Reconciliation means. We extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you to visit us at the SLCC, and to share the invite with your friends and family – this is how change is made, one small step at a time.
Like us, many Whistler businesses will remain open on September 30th, as we are hosts to guests from around the world. This year we ask you to consider some of your daily proceeds going to support the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC), Whistler’s iconic and authentic indigenous experience. Every effort helps – from becoming an SLCC member, referring your guests to visit us, dining at the Thunderbird Café, including us in your employee orientations, booking our unapparelled venue spaces or shopping in our gift shop, these are all small actions that create big shifts.
Our Ambassadors and the communities from both Nations are directly affected by Indian Residential Schools and generational trauma. We share the history and celebrate the original peoples of this land, providing meaningful employment and empowering SLCC Ambassadors as leaders and stewards. The future starts with listening, learning and connecting our collective appreciation for this land into a reverence for the original people and stewards whose ancestors are buried here.
As you walk through these forests, relax lakeside, breathe in the mountain air and enjoy the boundless outdoor recreation, we offer a gentle reminder to continue to read, research, and learn abut the first peoples of these lands. Take action in your community, and alongside family and friends; speak with reverence of the Lil’wat and the Squamish people and their resilience in sharing their culture and presence in Whistler.
We invite you to experience the SLCC as part of your learning journey, and action in reconciliation. Whether you visit us on September 30th, or choose to come another day, you will be welcomed with love, ancient stories, and youthful voices.
Huy Chexw (thank you) Wa Chexw Yuu (take care)– Squamish Language
Kukw`stumc`kalap (Thank-you all) – Lil’wat Language,
Liza Walli
Executive Director
liza.walli@slcc.ca www.slcc.ca/ndtr
A message from Mayor Jack Crompton to Whistler businesses
To our valued business partners,
As Mayor of Whistler, I am pleased to share this Business Tool Kit for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, in partnership with the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.
I am deeply grateful to live and work in the territories of the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation.
We believe some of the most important actions we can take to support Truth and Reconciliation are to listen and learn. The municipality continues to contemplate meaningful ways to learn and acknowledge our colonial past and support Council, staff and the community in their learning journey.
Now is the time to stand with Indigenous Peoples and to acknowledge the trauma that colonialism and residential schools has caused. This acknowledgment of our shared history is an important first step in advancing reconciliation locally and nationally.
For the past four years, we have recognized National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, inviting Whistler businesses to join the Resort Municipality of Whistler in showing our solidarity and support for those impacted by the injustices of the colonial systems and the residential school system.
Enclosed you will find an orange heart decal to be displayed on your business door or front window. As Truth and Reconciliation is a commitment to ongoing listening and learning, we encourage you to permanently display this decal year-round as a beacon of hope, and a reminder that this learning journey continues.
Along with the display of the decal, we recommend setting aside a portion of an upcoming staff meeting to review the Frequently Asked Questions created by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and to watch one or more of the videos.
We strongly encourage you and your employees to include a visit to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre for an immersive cultural experience and to learn more about the Shared Territories of the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation. We also recommend visiting www.slcc.ca/ndtr for additional resources.
We look forward to sharing more opportunities for learning, listening and action in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
Best regards
Mayor Jack Crompton
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