Two Prince Rupert groups receive funding for anti-racism projects on North Coast

Tackling the issues of racism will be the focus for two Prince Rupert based community organizations, with the Change Makers' Education Society and North Coast Immigrant and Multi-Cultural Services Society both among a lengthy list of BC groups to share in 1.2 million dollars in funding announced by the Province of British Columbia today.

192 projects received a boost from the province today with the details for the two Prince Rupert based groups as follows:

Change Makers, will be putting 10,000 dollars to use towards the development of: łoomsk - respect: A project to honor traditional Indigenous Ts'msyen teachings and promote łoomsk respect. Their work is designed to bring members of our community together to cultivate mutual łoomsk and gain a deeper understanding of each other. 

Five thousand dollars has been awarded to the North Coast Immigrant and Multicultural  Services Society, which is looking to host a presentation and workshop towards new understandings. 

The NCIMSS will use their funding to present: Life without fear thru new paths of understanding: To invite, Bob Joseph, a hereditary chief, as well as a writer and the author of several books including "21 things you didn't know about the Indian Act" to do a community presentation as well as smaller group workshops in schools. 

Funding was also awarded to community groups in two communities, one on the Central Coast the other in the Skeena Valley.

Terrace

Kermode Friendship Society -- $10,000
Skeena Diversity Society -- $10,000

Bella Bella 

Qqs(Eyes) Projects Society  -- $9,0900 

Rachna Singh, the Parliamentary Secretary for Anti Racism Initiatives highlighted the priority towards addressing racism that the projects that received funding today achieve.

"Racism is pervasive and it reaches into every corner of our province. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the situation worse. That’s why these grants prioritize projects addressing anti-Indigenous, anti-Asian and anti-Black racism. These grants will not only help organizations across the province to address systemic racism, but also provide learning opportunities to foster better understanding and encourage intercultural conversation in B.C. communities.”

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice also noted how the funding would benefit this region and help to build bridges in the community.

“Everyone in our community has the right to feel safe and respected here in the North Coast. These projects will help people of all ages in our community build up trust and understanding in order to speak out against racism and discrimination.”

Details on those projects and a look at the full list can be reviewed here.

More notes on today's funding announcement is available here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.