Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Wellness gathering brings 400 to Mt. Currie

Winds of Change promotes health and community in the Pemberton Valley
news_seatosky1
Change makers: Lindsay May of bananaMay BODYWORKS, Pemberton Library's Marnie Simon and Shannon Ellis and youth worker Henry McDermott were honoured for their work. Photo submitted

The third annual Wellness Gathering, organized by Winds of Change to promote health and community in the Pemberton Valley, drew 423 participants to the Ullus Community Centre at Mount Currie on Nov. 7.

Winds of Change is a collaborative initiative of the Mount Currie Band and the Village of Pemberton to reduce the harm associated with drug and alcohol misuse, with representatives meeting four times a year — and the Wellness Gathering is the main public event, a trade show with workshops and an awards banquet to thank supporters.

Sheldon Tetreault, the chair of Winds of Change, described it as an opportunity to learn more about drug and alcohol misuse and how the community combats it.

"It was really, really excellent. It went smoothly, especially since we had to move the day a few weeks ago. There was a lot of people around, it had a nice energy," Tetreault said.

There were 30 trade show exhibitors, five interactive demonstrations and five healthy living workshops, including one about talking to teens and youth about bullying and another about cooking on a budget.

The festival alternates between Pemberton and Mount Currie each year.

Dozens also attended the evening dinner and recognition awards ceremony. Those honoured for their work were:

Empowering Individuals and Communities to Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Lindsay May, Personal Trainer & Owner, bananamayBODYWORKS.

Bringing People Together in the Spirit of Collaboration and Cooperation: Pemberton and District Public Library — accepting the award Marnie Simon, Friends of the Library Chairperson and Shannon Ellis, Librarian.

Strengthening Individuals or Community Resilience through the Provision of Community Services: Henry McDermott, Youth Outreach Counsellor, Mount Currie Health Centre.

Lil'wat Nation chief Lucinda Phillips, Pemberton mayor Jordan Sturdy and Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Area C director Susie Gimse presented the awards.

"With the awards and dinner, it shines a light on some of the local people who toil away for most of the year. Most of us don't see what they do, but they're out there and contributing a lot to the health and wellness of our community, so this is an opportunity to recognize and honour them," Tetreault said.

"There were 30 to 40 drummers that played and sang songs to all of the nominees to honour them. That's spontaneous, not programmed. It really is quite special."

The event not only builds and strengthens the relationship and respect between Pemberton and Mount Currie but also Area C, which includes D'Arcy and N'Quatqua and then down the lake with Semahquam and Skatin, he added.

"We're trying to build social inclusion. There's a lot of research around that shows that when people are isolated or not part of their community, these are barriers to them either accessing services or they lose out on the social network that helps people get through difficult times," Tetreault said.