10 Sep PRESS RELEASE: SLCC Welcomes Guests to Commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday September 30
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2024, (Whistler, BC) – The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler (SLCC) – the heart of Whistler’s authentic Indigenous experience, welcomes guests on Monday, September 30 to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a full day of immersive programming. The SLCC is grateful to be supported by Proud Partner CIBC offering Free Admission on Monday, September 30 and programming made possible by the Government of Canada and the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
While the SLCC’s regular operating hours are Tuesday – Sunday, the SLCC will be open on Monday, September 30, 2024 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Monday, September 30 will be a day of listening, learning and reflection filled with programming throughout the Great Hall, Theatre, Galleries, and out on the Mezzanine patio. Visitors can hear the Guest Speaker Series, experience Spo7ez cultural sharing, carving and weaving demonstrations, immersive crafts, First Nations-inspired cuisine and explore books for learning, authentic art and keepsakes. Full programming will be announced leading up to the event day.
The SLCC welcomes community members and guests to show support by wearing orange to honour the children, survivors and families of Residential Schools for Orange Shirt Day / National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The SLCC Gallery and Gift Shop offers Orange shirts, along with books for learning about Truth and Reconciliation and the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada – available for purchase in-store and online. Purchasing at the SLCC Gallery & Gift Shop supports authentic Indigenous artists and authors and meaningful employment for members of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation.
On Friday September 20, the SLCC will launch the online Silent Auction Fundraiser where residents and guests can bid on over a hundred experiences and products donated by the Sea to Sky business community supporting cultural revitalization through the SLCC. Guests can view auction items and place final bids online through Sunday, September 29, giving a meaningful opportunity for guests to contribute to an impactful community fundraiser for an authentic Indigenous organization ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Live carving for the Salish Summer Carving Series is extended through late September, featuring Master Carver Jonathan Joe (Lílw̓at7úl) and Apprentice Redmond Q̓áwam̓ Andrews (Lílw̓at7úl) carving the story pole that incorporates designs that honour the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribes. The story pole will rise to stand alongside the house post carved by Xwalacktun (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh / Kwakwak’wakw / Namgis) and Brandon Hall (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh of the Squamish Nation in 2023 at the entrance to the SLCC on Lorimer Road in Whistler, with an awakening ceremony to be held at a date to be determined for the fall.
Guests can experience three feature exhibitions with historical importance; Chief Dan George – Actor and Activist, Declaration of the Lillooet Tribes, and Truth and Reconciliation. The Chief Dan George exhibit highlights his life, legacy and influence as a First Nations rights advocate, and significant events in the First Nations rights movement in BC and Canada, and is a touring exhibition created by MONOVA: Museum and Archives of North Vancouver. The Declaration of the Lillooet Tribes exhibition shares the history of the eleven St̓at̓y̓emc Nation communities including the Lil’wat Nation and their Chiefs that came together to sign the declaration, on May 10, 1911.
SUGARCANE the award-winning National Geographic Documentary film by Co-Directors Julian Brave NoiseCat (Tsq’escen/Lil’wat) and Emily Kassie will be shown on Friday September 27 at 7pm and Monday September 30, 3pm. The film is an epic cinematic portrait of a community and a stunning tribute to the resilience of Indigenous Peoples and their way of life. Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere. Tickets can be purchased in advance at slcc.ca/sugarcane-film/
Once confirmed, the full programming schedule for September 30, 2024 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler will be shared. To learn more visit slcc.ca/ndtr
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