BC Elders Gathering

BC Elders Gathering
Name	BC Elders Gathering
Formation	1980s
Type	Indigenous cultural event
Location	British Columbia, Canada

BC Elders Gathering is an annual assembly of Indigenous elders held in British Columbia, Canada, bringing together knowledge holders from diverse Nations for cultural transmission, health discussions, and ceremonial exchange. It convenes community leaders, cultural practitioners, and representatives from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit organizations, fostering intergenerational dialogue and policy engagement. The Gathering connects with provincial institutions, national assemblies, and international Indigenous forums to advance language preservation, healing, and treaty discussions.

Overview

The event features keynote addresses, panel discussions, cultural performances, and workshops involving representatives from First Nations Summit, Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, Native Women's Association of Canada, and regional bodies such as Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs and BC Assembly of First Nations. Partners and attendees have included delegations from Cowichan Tribes, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Heiltsuk Nation, Haida Nation, Squamish Nation, and organizations like Vancouver Coastal Health, First Nations Health Authority, and academic institutions including University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and Royal Roads University. Ceremonial leaders have included elders with ties to cultures represented by figures associated with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Hereditary Chiefs, Elder Mary John, and cultural bearers analogous to Chief Dan George and Buffy Sainte-Marie in outreach contexts.

History

Early iterations drew influence from regional gatherings connected to activism by groups such as Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs and policy forums tied to the Calder case era and post-Constitution Act, 1982 developments. Over decades the Gathering intersected with treaty negotiations referencing bodies like the British Columbia Treaty Commission and events such as the Delgamuukw v British Columbia litigation. Notable milestones paralleled national initiatives like the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and provincial initiatives tied to reconciliation promoted by the BC Treaty Commission and collaborations with institutions like Health Canada and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.

Purpose and Activities

Objectives align with cultural revitalization exemplified by language programs tied to efforts by First Peoples' Cultural Council, health and wellness approaches in line with First Nations Health Authority, and advisory roles similar to those played for Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada processes. Programming commonly includes storytelling sessions referencing oral histories akin to those preserved by archives such as Royal BC Museum and academic projects at Province of British Columbia universities. Workshops address topics spanning elder care influenced by models from National Aboriginal Youth Council initiatives, traditional governance comparable to practices of the Haida Nation and Sto:lo Nation, and Indigenous law dialogues reflecting jurisprudence from cases like Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia.

Organization and Participation

Organizing committees often include representatives drawn from tribal councils such as Nisga'a Lisims Government, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Kwantlen First Nation, and community organizations like Native Education College. Funding and sponsorship have involved provincial departments linked to the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation (British Columbia), federal agencies comparable to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and philanthropic partners akin to Vancouver Foundation and cultural funders like Canada Council for the Arts. Invited participants have included knowledge keepers alongside politicians, scholars, and activists similar to Jody Wilson-Raybould, Philip Owen, Phil Fontaine, Shirley Bond, and academics affiliated with University of Victoria and British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Locations and Schedule

The Gathering rotates among urban and rural sites across British Columbia, hosted in municipalities such as Vancouver, Victoria, Prince Rupert, Kamloops, Nanaimo, and regional centres like Bella Bella and Alert Bay. Scheduling typically aligns with seasonal calendars to accommodate ceremonial cycles and travel logistics, with multi-day events often timed to coincide with cultural festivals like those celebrated by the Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Cowichan peoples, and larger conferences coordinated near forums such as Indigenous Peoples' Summit gatherings and national conventions.

Impact and Recognition

The Gathering has influenced policy dialogues informed by advocacy seen in cases such as Delgamuukw v British Columbia and reports like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada findings, contributed to language revitalization efforts modeled by First Peoples' Cultural Council, and supported health initiatives paralleling programs by First Nations Health Authority. It has been recognized by community leaders, cultural institutions like the Royal BC Museum, and academic bodies including University of British Columbia for its role in cultural continuity, elder care advocacy, and contributions to reconciliation conversations involving provincial actors such as the Government of British Columbia and national entities like Parliament of Canada.

Category:Indigenous organizations in British Columbia