Hey everyone, there’s a cool event happening next week for anyone interested in doing some exploring: click here to be taken to the event page on the FSI calendar.
Ray’s Retro Friday Night Music…

…with Self Advocates of the Rockies (SAOR)! Happening TOMORROW:
Chill with Ray’s Retro Friday Night Music on July 23 from 5-6 pm MST (4-5 pm Pacific) with Raymond (email Shanda Johnson at s.johnson@realmbc.ca for info) using the Google Meet Link (https://meet.google.com/cfs-kpth-rrg).
Check out upcoming events!
- Visit the SAOR Facebook page
- Visit the new Calendar for Connection hosted on the Family Support Institute website
- Request regular updates from SAOR email: cranbrooksaor@gmail.com
Break Away From the COVID Blues…

…with Self Advocates of the Rockies (SAOR)! Happening TOMORROW:
Breaking Away From the Covid Blues Presents: My Summer Bucket List on July 21 from 1-2 pm MST (12-1 pm Pacific) with Lynnetta (email Shanda Johnson at s.johnson@realmbc.ca for info) using the Google Meet Link (https://meet.google.com/osy-vnsv-din) and Dial Number: 1-613-778-3895 with PIN: 464 255 934#.
Check out upcoming events!
- Visit the SAOR Facebook page
- Visit the new Calendar for Connection hosted on the Family Support Institute website
- Request regular updates from SAOR email: cranbrooksaor@gmail.com
LAST CHANCE: Have Your Say In…the CCSS Check In!
Hey everyone, just a reminder to jump in with your check-in if you haven’t had the chance yet .
You can click here to be taken to the question page.
Thanks!
JUNE 2021: Pride month!
Hey everyone! Many communities in Canada and around the world are celebrating diversity throughout June 2021 as PRIDE month.
We thought we would take this opportunity to highlight some PRIDE activities, resources, and organizations for you here:
- As you may have noticed, we made some changes to the CCSS website with our Justice & Diversity statement
- The United Nations Free & Equal campaign has promoted equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTI since its launch in 2013
- CBC created a slideshow about using they/them pronouns, included in this article
- CBC also made a list of 16 books to read by Canadian LGBTQ authors, along with a list of 17 books for kids and teens
- These are links to local Pride organizations in Kelowna, the Kootenays (on Facebook), Cranbrook (on Facebook), and Fernie
- The Fernie Pride Society is conducting a diversity and inclusion survey for people identifying as part of the LGBTQ2+ community, for businesses, and for allies
- Here is a list of Pride celebrations taking place around BC
- CBC featured the “Trans Canada Project” started by Kelly Schwab and Cary Scott to highlight gender diverse voices (check out their videos below)
Let us know in the comments what’s going on in your community for Pride month!
REMINDER: Have Your Say…by June 25th!

Two weeks ago we asked you to take a few minutes to help us by answering a question about your experiences over the past year. Please consider taking this opportunity to check in! This link will be open until June 25th.
You can click here before June 25th to be taken to the question page. Thanks!
JUNE 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day!

Hey everyone, today is National Indigenous Peoples Day – and it’s the 25th anniversary of celebrating Indigenous Peoples on June 21st each year. *Last week we posted some ideas to help find opportunities to participate in National Indigenous History Month, check it out for ideas to celebrate today– and look in the comments section of that post for local events!
*Since last week, we found a few more ideas to add to the list:
- list of First Nations celebrations taking place over the summer
- free virtual workshops – next up is “Honouring Wellness” on June 22
Let us know what else is going on in your community in the comments!
JUNE 2021: National Indigenous History Month

Hey everyone, as we are coming up on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) we are also commemorating the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous History Month – here are some ideas to help find an opportunity to participate:
- Visit the Government of Canada webpage about National Indigenous History Month 2021
- Check out this interactive events map or this events listing page
- Plan a visit to a local art gallery – this summer, the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna is showing three Indigenous artists’ video works inside a unique mobile gallery
- Watch visuals and movies made by Indigenous artists – there are some ideas to start with here
- Listen to storytelling and podcasts here
- Learn more about National Indigenous History Month by reading here
- Visit the Indigenous Tourism BC website and plan a staycation
- Check out these creative and interactive resources
- Explore the stories of Indigenous History-Makers here
- Find out what’s going on with your local library – the Fernie Heritage Library is hosting a week of events to celebrate the culture and heritage of Canada’s indigenous peoples
Share what’s going on in your community below in the comments!
Celebrate National Indigenous History Month…
…with a WEBINAR TOMORROW (June 18) from 9 am – 12 pm! The webinar is called “How Indigenous Businesses Reflect Worldviews, Values, and Ways of Life” and it is presented by Small Business BC. Click here if you want to REGISTER.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In advance of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2021, let’s celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations in BC, with a special focus on entrepreneurs and small businesses!
This webinar will cover how Indigenous businesses reflect Indigenous worldviews, cultural values, and ways of life. We will play, explore, and share some of our favourite examples.
Join Erika Doehring, Gwich’in granddaughter and together we will foster community, celebrate Indigenous peoples and our successes, and highlight how Indigenous businesses thrive in diversity.
Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission website
ONLINE: Concussion Awareness Training Tool
Hey everyone, one of our awesome employees passed along a great resource with online training about concussions provided through the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU) here. It’s called the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT), and it includes educational modules and resources developed for different perspectives (i.e. taking training as a medical professional, as a coach, as a parent or caregiver…etc.). Check it out!