Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke celebrated 10 years of learning and relationship building at a Monday, Oct. 21 annual general meeting and celebration. Members, community partners and supporters joined to share stories of the impact the society has had since it began as a way to foster Indigenous education within Revelstoke’s schools and support Indigenous families seeking cultural resources.
“The school district was holding too much. They were the be all, end all of Indigenous education and the only go-to place in the community,” Michelle Cole, co-treasurer shared, recounting the early days. “We needed to build a basket so all of this could be put into it.”
Among the original goals, the society now hosts Elders from local nations to teach in the schools, acts as a consultant on housing and health initiatives in the region and organizes language and culture workshops throughout the year.
“Everything we’re doing is in that spirit of friendship,” Cole said. “Maybe that looks like connecting the city with the local nations, or bringing in an Indigenous artist because people in town are interested in drum making.”
From managing the Food Commons Project with the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative to supporting the Sinixt Canoe Journey, the friendship society has built inroads throughout the community. A decade in, the organization is looking ahead and refining its goals.
“We need to be telling our stories. We need to be sitting around the fire, metaphorical or real and sharing what we do,” Cole said, explaining the society is shifting attention towards ‘fire keeping’ for the future.
Long-term sustainability will require support from all levels of Revelstoke to maintain stable revenue streams through merchandise sales and developing a physical space that can host community events.
“Some of this will be logs for our fire, some of this will be wind that keeps our flames going. Everyone will be able to help us to keep from burning out.”
The Revelstoke Truth and Reconciliation group, now known as the Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke ally subcommittee, is a recent component of work toward sustainability and delegation. After a 2023 call-to-action for non-Indigenous members to take on organizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events, the society was able to bring the Revelstoke Truth and Reconciliation group into the organization.
It’s the first of many subcommittees, Cole said, explaining the adoption of the ally subcommittee now gives organizers access to grants and resources for future events.
For Cole, the ally subcommittee is evidence that Revelstoke is looking for ways to support Indigenous nations throughout the region and she encourages residents and visitors to keep taking actions.
“What work are you doing towards reconciliation? And what is that work doing to create friendship and community with Indigenous populations? That’s the goal, that’s how we keep our fire going.”
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