Fresh water is our most precious resource. Rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands provide safe, clean water for drinking, growing food, sustaining communities and culture, and powering local economies. Join us for this symposium to learn about how investments in Healthy Watersheds are creating jobs and bringing communities together to protect fresh water, restore salmon habitat, adapt to climate change, and build prosperity, resilience, and relationships.
This event is an opportunity to engage with community leaders and project teams from across the province to celebrate the outcomes and learnings from this important investment in watershed security.
Our Water, Our Future: How Investments in Healthy Watersheds Support Resilient, Prosperous, Sustainable Communities.
Keynote | Anne Haira
Deputy-Secretary Climate Change/Partnerships & Public Affairs, Ministry for the Environment for the Government of New Zealand
Charlene Aleck
Councilor, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation
Leanne Sexsmith
Co-Director, Healthy Watersheds Initiative
Director, Strategic Programs and Partnerships, Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia
Zita Botelho
Co-Director, Healthy Watersheds Initiative
Director, Watersheds BC
Mark Gifford
CEO, Real Estate Foundation of BC
Tara Marsden
Former Senior Indigenous Advisor, HWI
UNDRIP Fellow, Real Estate Foundation of BC
Fin Donnelly
Parliamentary Secretary for Watershed Restoration, Ministry of Water, Lands, and Resource Stewardship, The Province of BC
Michelle Buchholz
Graphic Recorder, Cassyex Consulting
Debut screening of "The Wetlands"
A documentary on the Yaqan Nukiy Wetlands Restoration Project. Created and filmed by Norm Allard, Community Planner, Lower Kootenay Band.
We are honoured to continue our conversations and celebrations with you at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.
Please Note: We are at capacity for our Celebration Dinner. If other individuals from your organization are hoping to attend they can join our waitlist.
If you are no longer able to attend this event, please connect with us at hwiprogram@refbc.com
Emcee | Ta7talíya Nahanee
Founder and CEO of Nahanee Creative
Chief Janice George & Willard 'Buddy' George
Elders & Knowledge Holders, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation)
Mavis Underwood
Chair, Indigenous Leaders Advisory Circle
Governor, Real Estate Foundation of BC
Chief Lydia Hwitsum
Chief, Cowichan Tribes
Indigenous Leaders Advisory Circle
Shawna Davis
Author & Artist
Hon. Minister Nathan Cullen
Minister, Ministry of Water, Lands, and Resource Stewardship, The Province of BC
Hon. Minister George Heyman
Minister, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change, The Province of BC
We are honoured to have jazz musician Cheri Maracle join us for the evening.
Cheri is an Aboriginal Canadian actress and musician of Mohawk-Irish descent. She is joined by pianist Brendan Peltier of the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory.
Dinner will be catered by Bon Vivant Catering. Partners in life and business, Chef Dino Renaerts and Nessa van Bergen focus on marrying the joy of food and wine, with the art of providing top-notch hospitality.
For all allergies: Bon Vivant can accommodate most allergies and dietary restrictions, but are NOT a nut or gluten free facility. They will do their best to avoid cross contamination but assume no liability for adverse reactions to products produced in our facility.
For both Symposium and Celebration Dinner we encourage you to dress for celebration and for comfort. Semi-formal attire (including regalia) for the Celebration Dinner is encouraged.
