(Surrey, BC) – The BC Métis Federation partnered with the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC) with support from the Kwantlen First Nation to co-sponsor an event hosted by the Vancouver Multicultural Society entitled the “3 R’s of Universal Co-Existence; Respect, Recognition and Reaching Out.” The event was held in Surrey at the Fiji Canadian Association Hall.

There were over 150 representatives and members from the Vancouver Multicultural Society and several supporting organizations throughout the lower mainland in attendance including special delegates from the Malaysia Conul General office, MLA Richard Lee, former Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer, and several others. The evening included presentations from the leadership of Kwantlen First Nation Chief Marilyn Gabriel, an overview of the positive impacts on Aboriginal tourism and a significant Métis cultural showcase from the BC Métis Federation team.

The evening included Aboriginal cuisine from Salmon n Bannock from Vancouver and several other multicultural performances representing various other countries.

BC Métis Federation President Henry stated, “I was proud to share Métis cultural together with First Nations in our efforts to demonstrate our respect, recognition, and reaching out even between Aboriginal communities. The event was positive and informative and a success from every angle.”

BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “Thank you to the Vancouver Multicultural Society President Violet Chan and their board. This event was brought together through our mutual efforts to support understandings and demonstrate how our all cultures can work together. I acknowledge Kwantlen First Nation Chief Gabriel for the protocol welcome and mutual respect to work together. Finally thank you to the BC Métis Federation team for showcasing Métis culture to so many people who had almost no knowledge about our community. This included partner community President Ken Fisher from the Nova Métis Heritage Association for the comments, BC Métis Federation Vice President Rene Therrien as well as board members Betty Fisher and JJ Lavallee. A special appreciation to our youth dancers Rowan and Quinn Pickering, Métis sash weaver Mechtild Morin, and of course Office Manager Sherry Daniels for coordinating our presenters. This work showcases the work of BC Métis Federation to promote Métis cultural awareness and education to all British Columbians and we are very proud. This was our most recent work towards the 2015 summer of culture work. It is going to be a great summer with many more events to come including next weekend at Eurofest in Burnaby.”

For more information about the BC Métis Federation also be sure to view our website at www.bcmetis.com.

Media Inquiries: 

Keith Henry, President 

BC Métis Federation 

#300-3665 Kingsway 

You can now follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on twitter@keithhenrymetis

You can follow the BC Métis Federation on twitter @bcmetis

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