Fundraiser for Malahat Kwunew Kwasun Cultural Resource Centre
Celebrates Nation’s Partnership with Aboriginal Leader Steven Point and the Rotary Club
The Malahat Nation is holding a fundraiser for the creation of the Malahat Kwunew Kwasun Cultural Resource Centre and to celebrate its partnership with Aboriginal leader and former Lieutenant Governor of BC The Honourable Steven Point.
“We are looking forward to creating a positive dialogue about the future of our Nation with this fundraiser,” said Malahat Chief Michael Harry. “The creation of the Malahat Cultural and Learning Resource Centre will be part of the ‘Malahat Way’, a path developed by the community to facilitate change and protect, sustain and grow the Nation. We are proud to have The Honourable Steven Point as a partner, as his advocacy for Aboriginal education is an inspiration for us moving forward.”
The Government House Rotary Literacy Community Building Project came about when then Lieutenant Governor Steven Point and Rotary District Governor Elect Bob Blacker, an Aide de Camp to his Honour, discussed the need to provide isolated BC communities with their own libraries.
“The conversation turned in to action quickly and providing the books and libraries is now accomplished by Rotary Clubs working collaborative with communities to build libraries and supply books.” said Bob Blacker. “We are currently developing six projects and believe that the Malahat Kwunew Kwasun Cultural Resource Centre will be the crowning jewel in this line-up of extraordinary community hubs. We are convinced that the Malahat Centre will stand as an example of grass roots energy turned into long-term cultural and educational benefit.”
The Malahat Kwunew Kwasun Cultural Resource Centre is envisioned as a place for community to learn, teach the values and re-build the strengths of its culture and provide books and other educational resources. The unique facility, which is designed to bring multigenerational programming and educational opportunities to the community, will focus on literacy development and preschool programming.
The fundraiser will be held at Brentwood College on November 2nd from 5 pm to 8 pm. The fundraiser’s primary purpose is to raise money for the Centre, which is fully supported by the creation of an endowment fund. A dinner created by the culinary team of Brentwood College in collaboration with the Malahat Nation will be accompanied by traditional entertainment as well as a live and silent auction, showcasing some of the best in Aboriginal art and craftsmanship today. The event will also celebrate the Malahat Nation’s partnerships with companies such as Britco.
“Britco’s Building Stronger Communities initiative donates 1.5% of corporate profits back in to the communities it does business in,” said Christoph Neufeld, General Manager for Britco. “The single largest portion of Britco’s giving annually is to support Aboriginal-lead Education and Literacy Programs by working with The Honourable Steven Point to provide remote First Nation communities with library facilities. It is in this way, that Britco is supporting the Nation’s vision of a Malahat Cultural Resource Centre.”
The Malahat Nation has 300 members and is located on the shores of the Saanich Inlet in Mill Bay, 40 km north of Victoria, BC. Malahat Nation Slogan: “Where We Gather, We Thrive.” For more information about the fundraiser, please visit malahatnation.ca.
About The Name: Kwunew Kwasun means “Catch a Star”. The Malahat community chose this phrase as it signifies the Nation’s strong desire to pursue its vision and the Malahat Way.
About Lawrence Lewis
I do a number of things professionally...but most of all and the true purpose of what I do through "my work" is to provide for my family, be a good husband and great father, and try to make a difference as a world citizen...I guess it's not much more complicated than that 🙂