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Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre gets federal funding
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The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre received $333,000 in federal funding today for new marketing initiatives and to create an on-going central showcase of cultural artifacts.

"This investment from the government of Canada is a decision made to use valuable tax-payers dollars, $333,000, to promote tourism, to promote the culture and history of the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations and to promote sustainability in environmental design - the building has won LEED certification," said John Weston, the Member of Parliament for West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country.

"It stimulates the economy and the long term prosperity of Whistler in the corridor."

Weston said the funding was also recognition that First Nations are playing an increasing role in many sectors across Canada.

"The notion that First Nations are growing into full partnerships with other Canadians in so many walks of life and the vision I have, and it is shared by people in Whistler and around the country, is one of full equality where we magnify our differences in a positive way and constantly achieve common ground."

The money is being provided under the Western Diversification Program and is part of a 10-year journey of hard work and negotiations, which resulted last year in the launch of the Cultural Journey. Phase I last year included extensive granite road signage and highway stop-offs featuring education kiosks for visitors from West Vancouver to Whistler.

This Phase II funding was announced at a ceremony at the Cultural Centre during which Squamish Elders also blessed the Chief Joseph Mathias Welcome Figure, recently added to the centre.

"It is with great pride that we celebrate this funding announcement from the Federal government," said Chief Gibby Jacob of the Squamish Nation.

"Based on past successes and investment into future growth, this funding support represents a continuation of our partnership in the development of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. The support from our funding partners for this project thereby expands the circle of influence and positive awareness that is provided through our programming."

The marketing dollars will be targeted at Alberta, California and Washington residents.

 

 

The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre received $333,000 in federal funding today for new marketing initiatives and to create an on-going central showcase of cultural artifacts.

"This investment from the government of Canada is a decision made to use valuable tax-payers dollars, $333,000, to promote tourism, to promote the culture and history of the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations and to promote sustainability in environmental design - the building has won LEED certification," said John Weston, the Member of Parliament for West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country.

"It stimulates the economy and the long term prosperity of Whistler in the corridor."

Weston said the funding was also recognition that First Nations are playing an increasing role in many sectors across Canada.

"The notion that First Nations are growing into full partnerships with other Canadians in so many walks of life and the vision I have, and it is shared by people in Whistler and around the country, is one of full equality where we magnify our differences in a positive way and constantly achieve common ground."

The money is being provided under the Western Diversification Program and is part of a 10-year journey of hard work and negotiations, which resulted last year in the launch of the Cultural Journey. Phase I last year included extensive granite road signage and highway stop-offs featuring education kiosks for visitors from West Vancouver to Whistler.

This Phase II funding was announced at a ceremony at the Cultural Centre during which Squamish Elders also blessed the Chief Joseph Mathias Welcome Figure, recently added to the centre.

"It is with great pride that we celebrate this funding announcement from the Federal government," said Chief Gibby Jacob of the Squamish Nation.

"Based on past successes and investment into future growth, this funding support represents a continuation of our partnership in the development of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. The support from our funding partners for this project thereby expands the circle of influence and positive awareness that is provided through our programming."

The marketing dollars will be targeted at Alberta, California and Washington residents.

 

Metaphysical Market to blow minds

Metaphysics. It's all about knowing what's out there, man, like beyond our realm of existence. It's heady. What we see is not all there is, or, depending on what type of metaphysicist you're talking to, what we see is all there is and the universe is held within that.

Look, it's terribly confusing and ripe for deep philosophical conversations over coffee, wine or a few peyote buttons. But if you want the long and short of it, the first ever Metaphysical Market will be held at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"It came about thinking about gathering a community of healers and those who, to set their intentions on the spring equinox, to bring about renewal, cleansing and positive intentions for the coming spring," said Caterina Alberti, the market's organizer and owner of Crossover Coaching, which specializes in business and spiritual coaching.

The first ever Mini Reiki Summit will take place, which will provide healing and meditations throughout the day. Pronounced ray-kay, it is the ancient Japanese act of hands healing that uses the life force energy to heal, balancing the subtle energies within our bodies.

There will also be two film screenings of For the Next Seven Generations, a documentary film about the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, an alliance of spiritual women from across the Americas, Africa and Asia bringing change, awareness and healing to global health and spiritual practices.

The film will be shown at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets for this are $13 and can be purchased at the SLCC and Fruv Freedomwear at Marketplace.

Cinema Politica on animal cruelty

With the dog culling still fresh in everyone's minds, it seemed an appropriate time to the people at LUNA to show the award-winning documentary, Earthlings, for the winter season's penultimate Cinema Politica.

Directed by Shaun Monson and featuring narration by Joaquin Phoenix and music by Moby, the film chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries of the world, which happen to rely on animals for profit. It has been nicknamed "the Vegan maker" for its footage of factory farms, slaughterhouses, sporting events, etc., and is considered the definitive animal rights film by organizations around the world.

The film will be shown on Friday, March 18 at the Lost Lake PassivHaus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Entry by donation.

Dilated Peoples to play Telus Fest

Yes, the line up keeps rolling out. California hip hop group Dilated Peoples are the latest addition to the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival musical line up. They will play April 20 as part of the outdoor AXE Concert Series and the Kokanee Free ride series that night.

In other Telus Fest news...

Six finalists have been picked for the OLYMPUS Pro Photographer Showdown and yes; Blake Jorgenson is one of them.

Competing against the esteemed local photographer are fellow Whistlerite Russell Dalby, as well as Bryn Hughes, Steve Lloyd Utah, Mike Yoshida and Re Wilkstrom, who is the first female to have been voted into the competition. Everyone except Jorgenson is in the competition for the first time.

"A lot of local photographers are saying it's the best lineup they've ever seen for this event," said Jess Smith, communications manager for Watermark Communications, which is throwing the contest.

A panel of five judges reviewed the 41 submissions, which came in from Spain, Germany, Australia, Japan and North America and included subject matter from a range of extreme sports, from skiing to surfing to mountain biking.

Each photographer will be flown in, unless they're local, and will submit a nine-minute slideshow of their best images from their lifetime portfolio. They will present their work at Telus Fest on Thursday, April 21. The winner will receive a $10,000 grand prize.

Finalists for Intersection, the newest addition to the Telus Fest line-up, have also been announced.

The finalists are Dendrite Studios, Familytree, June Bhongjan & Joe Carlino from Peep Show Films & Videograss, Nuulife Cinema, Voleurz and Toy Soldier Production.

Smith said less than 100 tickets are left for the Pro Photographer Showdown. The Filmmaker Showdown is completely sold out and tickets for 3PO, Intersection and Film 10 are selling fast

Arts Council calling all artists for ArtWalk

The point is to get your work seen and appreciated and the best way to do it is to have people walking by it. If you're a Sea to Sky artist, well, ArtWalk is your best option.

The Whistler Arts Council is now accepting applications from all artists who work and reside in the Sea to Sky Corridor, and any visual, multi-media or fibre artist, photographer, jeweler or sculpture is welcome.

ArtWalk is the Arts Council's flagship event and will run from June 20 to August 31. For the last seven years, ArtWalk has featured work from a variety of artists while local shops and businesses from have acted as host galleries. It provides big exposure for all artists.

Applications are also being accepted from local businesses interested in participating and hosting any of the galleries. The deadline for both applications is Friday, April 15.

For more information or to apply, visit artswhistler.com