Our Gathering will be held in the Spring of 2024
Thank you for joining us at Our Gathering, kexwkexwntsút chet, tə sq̓əq̓ip 2023!
May 16-18, 2023 at the J.W. Marriott PARQ Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia, on the on the unceded, traditional, ancestral territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy ̓əm (Musqueam), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
The First Nations Leadership Council, Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada held the first in-person Our Gathering, kexwkexwntsút chet, tə sq̓əq̓ip ct since 2020 on May 16-18, 2023, and it was a huge success. Across the three days, there were over 700 attendees in-person and 150 attendees online, with 133 BC First Nation communities at the event.
The event hosted various plenaries, breakout sessions and information booths on a wide range of topics, including a speech from National Assembly of First Nations Chief RoseAnne Archibald, a recorded message from Minister Patty Hajdu, and a Question and Answer session with Minister Marc Miller. Attendees also had an opportunity to witness the strength and perspectives from the youth delegation, along with Elders who shared their wisdom and knowledge at Elders’ Tea and through a graphic recording by artist, Tiaré Jung.
This year marked the 10-year anniversary of co-hosting the event with our First Nations partners and we are appreciative of the opportunity to come together to engage in dialogue, share knowledge and collaborate to continue advancing First Nations interests.
Day 1 - FNLC UNDA National Action Plan Submission with DOJ Senior Officials
Day 1- Indigenous, Federal, Provincial Collaboration to Addressing MMIWG and 2SLGBTQI+ People
Day 1 - Specific Claims Reform
Day 1- Strengthening Communities - An Open Dialogue on Collaboration in Residential School Initiatives
Day 1 - Emergency Management - BC Wildfire Service
Day 1 - Emergency Management - EMCR
Day 1 - Emergency Management - FNESS
DAY 2:
Day 2- Foundations for Communications
Day 2 - Gender-Based Analysis Plus with the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations
Day 2 - CFS Community Prevention Programming - K'wumut Lelum
Day 2 - CFS Community Prevention Programming - Seabird Island
Day 2 - Housing- BC Housing
Day 2 - Housing - CMHC
Day 2 - Housing - FNHIC
Day 2 - Housing - ISC
Day 2 - Launching Infrastructure Reform - FNHA
Day 2 - Launching Infrastructure Reform - FNII
Day 2- Launching Infrastructure Reform - Monetization and the Sts'ailes Visions
DAY 3:
Day 3- Additions to Reserve Policy Overview and Redesign
Day 3- Bill C-38 From Litigation to Legislation
Day 3 -Comprehensive Community Planning
Day 3- Revitalizing First Nations Languages, Arts, Cultures, and Heritage
Other Reference Materials
About the Event
The next gathering is tentatively scheduled for January or February 2024. Stay tuned!
Event App
If you were registered for the Our Gathering Conference, but haven’t downloaded the Events Communication App, please go to your App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (Android/Tablet) and search for and download the “Hawk Communications” App. For instructions on how to login, please review the attached App User Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
REGISTERING & ATTENDING
1) Who can attend?
The event is by invitation only to all British Columbia First Nations.
For in-person attendance, up to two delegates designated by the First Nation are eligible for travel support, along with one youth and/or one elder representative per community. For a Tribal Council representative to be eligible for travel, they must be appointed by proxy to represent a member Nation as one of the First Nation’s two delegates eligible for travel.
Please note that spots for youth and elders will fill quickly and they may be placed on a waiting list depending on interest.
For online attendance, registration will be closed when we reach maximum capacity.
The event is not open to the media or general public.
2) I’ve been invited, how do I register?
TRAVEL INFORMATION
3) Booking Accommodations
Individuals are asked to book at the J.W. Marriott PARQ Vancouver Hotel (BOOK Hotel Reservations). Reservations can be booked online and by phone (604) 676-0888 noting the Group “Our Gathering”. Each delegate is eligible for up to three (3) nights for lodging (single or double occupancy, special rate of $345/night plus taxes and subject to your travel itinerary. A personal credit card is required at time of reservation for incidentals and any possible room charges.
Guestrooms for the two designated First Nation representatives, along with one youth and/or one elder representative per community will be paid for by the Our Gathering master bill. Additional room charges, however, are the responsibility of the delegate. Any other additional delegates must pay their own hotel room costs.
4) Booking Travel
Individuals are responsible for coordinating and booking their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
5) Travel Advances
Travel advances will not be issued.
SUBMITTING TRAVEL CLAIMS
6) What can you submit your claim for?
Designated delegates must submit a travel claim with receipts, except for meals and incidentals. Standard rates for travel include:
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Meals/Incidentals: Breakfast ($22.80), Lunch ($23.05), Dinner ($56.06), Incidentals ($17.30)
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Airfare: Lowest economy flight
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Taxis: To/from YVR airport to hotel
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Private Vehicle: $0.57/km (taxes included) to a maximum of $400.00 for one return trip from residence to event. No other expenses will be reimbursed for travel in a private vehicle (e.g. fuel).
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Other: See travel claim form
7) When must I submit my travel claim?
Eligible delegates are responsible for requesting reimbursement by submitting their Travel Expense Claim with original receipts within 30 days of the event start date.
Download your Travel Claim here
Claims with required receipts can be forwarded to:
ATTN: Our Gathering 2023
Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council – Attn: accounting@nautsamawt.com or by mail to PO Box 21029, Duncan BC, V9L 0C2
To guarantee reimbursement, please submit no later than 30 days (June 15, 2023).
Questions about this form? Email Adrien Castle at acastle@nautsamawt.com or call the NmTC office at 604-943-6712 or 1-888-382-7711 (toll free)
8) What if I’d like to drive instead of fly?
The most cost-effective method should be used. If you intend to use your own car to travel to the event, you will be reimbursed the number of kilometres between your residence and your lodging and the event. See travel claim form for more details. No other expenses will be reimbursed for travel in a private vehicle (e.g. fuel).
9) What receipts are required?
No receipts are required for meal allowances or incidentals. You cannot claim a per diem for a meal which was provided at the event. Examples of required receipts would be any eligible parking or ferry costs.
10) Parking Costs?
The two designated First Nations delegates and one youth and/or elder per community can request reimbursement for self-parking during the event dates. Receipts are required. No valet parking charges are eligible for reimbursement. Hotel rates for parking are as follows:
Self Parking
$4 for 1 hour
$8 for 2 hours
$12 for 3 hours
$15 until 5pm
$25 until midnight
Parking after 5pm: $15 until midnight (if there is a major event in BC place or Rogers Arena, the rate will be $25)
24 hours or overnight hotel parking - $50
11) What does the daily incidental rate cover?
The daily incidental allowance is intended to cover the cost of items such as gratuities, laundry, telephone calls and other needed services while traveling, for which no other provision is made.
12) Event Meals?
Meals provided during the event are not eligible for reimbursement. Meals provided during the event are not eligible for reimbursement. This includes breakfast and lunch for all three days along with light refreshments for breaks (coffee, tea, snacks) in the morning and afternoon. Per diems for other meals are eligible for reimbursement to the two designated First Nation delegates and the one youth and/or one elder delegate and are listed in the Delegate Travel Claim Reimbursement form.
13) Other Costs?
Delegates will not be reimbursed for the following – travel time to or from the event, any expenses not specifically referenced in this document or on the travel form, or an incremental cost due to a change of plans or cancellation by the participant.
PLEASE NOTE: as of June 30th – this webpage will no longer be available. As of July 1st, all the Our Gathering 2023 PDF Presentations and Videos will be accessible on the Event APP. If you require access, please email: OurGathering@sac-isc.gc.ca
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please reach out to Naut'sa mawt Events Management at events@nautsamawt.com.
