Social Planning Cowichan Receives $14,000 Grant To Fund The Second Annual Walk Of The Nations Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2009

Social Planning Cowichan gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program) to fund the second annual Walk of the Nations Festival. The Walk of the Nations began in 2008 as a legacy of the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games. Last year the Walk Committee planned the event that saw the entire community come together and walk for acceptance, understanding, respect and reconciliation of all peoples living in the Cowichan Valley.Last year, more than 1,300 people from all over the Island walked together. This year organizers are already working hard to put together the second annual Walk which will include a multi-cultural festival component. “I fully support the “Walk of the Nations” event each year. It shows us that the division and barriers between cultures and people can be overcome with patience, understanding, and being together, to recognize our strengths through community.” Said Mayor Phil Kent, City of Duncan on the Walk of the Nations website.

“This grant will support an important community event. The Walk of the Nations is something we are very proud of, “said Valerie Nicol, Chair of Social Planning Cowichan. “The addition of a multi-cultural festival on Saturday night, combined with the end program for Sunday’s Walk will enhance our community building efforts through utilization of arts and heritage. Social Planning Cowichan is working together with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to create an event that signifies the turning of a page in our history and celebrates new relationships, new possibilities and a future that reflects the very best we have to offer.”

The Walk of the Nations Festival will take place October 3rd and 4th in Downtown Duncan. On the 3rd, there will be a Cultural Festival in the Duncan City Square from 3-8 p.m. and then on Sunday Oct 4th, beginning at 1:30pm there will be a ‘Community Walk’ commencing at Centennial Park on Second St. proceeding to the Quw’utsun Cultural Centre, followed by a short closing program.

For more information and updates about the Walk of the Nations Festival, or to view Harold Joe’s short documentary highlighting last year’s Walk, we invite you to visit www.walkofthenations.ca

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Contact:
Valerie Nicol (250)746-1004 ext.250