You are invited to join Senator Gerry St. Germain, P.C. Langley – Pemberton – Whistler, British Columbia, Government of Canada; Hon. Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing; Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver; and the Vancouver Native Housing Society for the official opening:
Skwachàys Healing Lodge and Vancouver Native Housing Society’s Street Party Celebration
Date: Monday, June 11, 2012
Opening Ceremony: 9:30 a.m.
Street Party: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: 31 West Pender Street, Vancouver
Vancouver Native Housing Society (VNHS ) will celebrate the completion of the Skwachàys Healing Lodge on June 11, 2012. Vancouverites and visitors to the city on that day are invited to the official naming and ceremonial blessing of this remarkable architectural achievement that combines a northern style longhouse and story pole sitting atop a beautifully restored, century old yellow brick Victorian façade.
“We have been working on this project for ten years,” said Richard George, Board President of the Vancouver Native Housing Society, “…that is a long time and the path has had many unexpected twists and turns. To celebrate we are going to close off the street and throw a big party and on Monday, June 11th we want to invite Vancouver to come down to Pender Street (between Abbott and Carrall) just west of the Millennium Gate in Chinatown to celebrate with us.”
The building is of particular interest to architecture and heritage planning enthusiasts because of its unique balance of Victorian and Aboriginal styles. “This project is a total game changer when it comes to heritage planning in Vancouver,” explains VNHS CEO David Eddy. “It was a long process, but it was very, very important to us that the building not only reflected the past 100 years of history, but also reflected the millennia of First Nations history in this sacred land. Architect Joe Wai did a fabulous job of realizing our vision”.
The building will house the Urban Aboriginal Fair Trade Art Gallery, 24 units of low income housing, and a medical stay facility for people traveling to Vancouver for treatment. The building is a triumphant reflection of the rich and diverse heritage of Aboriginal people living in the urban landscape: balancing a 100 year old Victorian facade, a 40.5 foot story pole and capped by a traditional longhouse, Skwachàys features a sweat lodge, smudge room and traditional gathering spaces.
The community celebration will take place on June 11th, 2012. The official opening starts at 9:30am, and cultural performances run from 10:30am-2:00pm. Performers include Juno award winning Murray Porter, APCMA winner Wab Kinew, Tsatsu Stalqayu, Love Medicine, M’Girl, Easter Sky Ambassadors and Kalan Wi. A free community feast will be served, and there will be building tours throughout the day.
***
One comment
Looks so cool! Excited for this event and this building.