Join us for 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), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
This year, the event will also be available in a hybrid format where attendees can attend plenary and breakout sessions virtually if preferred.
Important! Register by April 15, 2023 to guarantee your hotel room, as spots are limited.
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About the Event
Our Gathering, kexwkexwntsút chet, tə sq̓əq̓ip is an annual event in partnership with the First Nations Leadership Council, Indigenous Services Canada, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. First Nations leaders and administrators across British Columbia are invited to come together at the event with senior departmental officials to engage in dialogue, share knowledge, and collaborate to continue advancing First Nations interests.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a series plenary and breakout sessions on a wide range of topics, and have the chance to explore over 40 exhibitors.
An agenda and list of speakers will be shared closer to the event. Until then, here is a preview of topics that will be covered:
Indigenous Services Canada
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Housing and Infrastructure Reform
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Land Management
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Economic Development
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Emergency Management
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Community Planning
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Communications
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Child and Family Services Reform
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
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Specific Claims
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United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan
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Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls
There will be booths held by the First Nations Public Service Secretariat, New Relationship Trust, First Nations’ Emergency Services Society, BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society, Canada Revenue Agency, Reconciliation Canada, Public Services Commission Canada and many more.
Curious about what happened at our last in-person event? Check out this summary report.
Event Resources
Agenda and Guides coming soon!
Event App
Once registered for Our Gathering 2023, attendees will receive an invitation to join. Attendees will have to ‘join’ the APP, once completed attendees will be able to receive updates and event details via the Our Gathering 2023 Event APP.
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, up to two delegates designated by the First Nation may register, along with up to two youth and two elder representatives per community.
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) by April 15, 2023, to ensure guaranteed availability. 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) 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)
7) 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. No other expenses will be reimbursed for travel in a private vehicle (e.g. fuel).
8) 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.
9) 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.
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
10) What does the daily incidental rate cover?
The daily incidental allowance is intended to cover the cost of items such as gratuities, laundry, bottled water, telephone calls and other needed services while traveling, for which no other provision is made.
11) Event Meals?
Meals provided during the event are not eligible for reimbursement. 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.
12) 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.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please reach out to Naut'sa mawt Events Management at events@nautsamawt.com.