Hey everyone, some weather and air quality alerts in our area – stay safe!
Heat warnings
Hey everyone, with the current heat warnings in effect please take extra precautions to keep cool at this time.
Stay updated on heat warnings and current wildfire info (https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/) and find out what measures are in place locally for cooling centres and heat response/resources, should you need them. Example from Kelowna here: https://www.kelowna.ca/our-community/news-events/news/cool-down-locations-available-public-temperatures-climb
Stay safe everyone!
Active living this winter…
Hey everyone, the City of Kelowna’s activity guide WINTER EDITION is now live! Check out the activities happening locally this winter to help get out and get active.
Candy Cane Lane!
Hey everyone, there’s a local lights display starting up for the holidays today in Kelowna! Candy Cane Lane has a wonderful neighborhood display from December 1-January 1, and it’s a fun and festive (and socially-distanced!) activity for all this winter. Check out the article on Castanet or watch here:
OKANAGAN: Community Cooling Centres Activated
Hey everyone, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations centre has been activated to support the opening of several cooling centres, in response to the heat warning issued by Environment Canada, and has circulated an information bulletin with additional information — we are passing on the information in that bulletin here for you.
Elevated temperatures over several days put seniors, children, people with underlying health conditions and those who do not have access to air conditioning at greater risk of heat-related illness.
Starting June 27, the following locations will be available as cooling centres for the community:
City of Kelowna
- Parkinson Activity Centre, 1700 Parkinson Way, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Rutland Activity Centre, 765 Dodd Rd., 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
City of West Kelowna
- Lakeview Heights Baptist Church, 2630 Alhambra Dr., 11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
District of Peachland
- Peachland Community Centre, 4450 6th Street, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations bulletin outlines COVID-19 safety at cooling centres:
- Centres will follow Provincial Health Orders for COVID-19 to keep populations safe
- Centres will have supplies of water, masks and hand sanitizer on-hand
- Physical distancing measures will be in place
- Wearing masks in the cooling centres is required per the guidelines for cooling centres from the BC Centre for Disease Control.
The cooling centres will remain open until the heat wave subsides. Additional cooling centres may open in the coming week. Keep an eye on local news and cordemergency.ca. CORD Emergency officials recommend checking on neighbours and family to ensure that they are staying cool, keeping hydrated and determining whether they need any assistance.
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!
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
