2022-23: Reflecting on Partnership in Action
Summer is here… it’s a great time to look back on what we’ve achieved together over the past year and what we’re looking forward to as well!
Here are some of the highlights from the past year that we'd like to share:
Bow Valley Mental Health Participatory Action Learning Project (MHPAL)
In 2021-2022, we were pleased to secure a grant from the Canadian Mental Health Association's Rural Mental Health Program.
This grant supports the Bow Valley Mental Health Participatory Action Learning Project (MHPAL), which was initiated by BVIP, Ethiocare, Alberta Health Services (AHS) Addictions and Mental Health, and Bow Valley Primary Care Network (PCN).
The MHPAL project is a community-led initiative focused on gathering culturally-informed, action-oriented ideas on how to support mental health and understandings of emotional wellbeing.
Over the past months, community-based team members worked with ethnocultural organizations and community members from Spanish speaking, Muslim, Filipino, Ethiopian, and Eritrean communities to plan learning activities including surveys, focus groups, and small group meetings.
The MHPAL project team is now considering how to share the lessons learned with the broader Bow Valley community and carry into action some of the suggestions emerging from the project.
2022 Community Week
45 events
25 community partners
100s of locals connecting to their community!
In November, Bow Valley locals (newly arrived and long-time residents!) joined in the events and connected with new friends and community resources. We heard positive feedback from community members on how the events helped to foster a sense of inclusion and connection with local resources.
A big thank you to our 2022 Community Week partners (also including Banff Park Church & Banff/Canmore Chess Club)!
We are starting to plan Community Week 2023. We welcome all our BVIP members and partners, as well as organizations, service providers, businesses, and community groups to join in welcoming newcomers and building community connections.
We will be sending out a call for partners and event registration soon. If you are interested in hosting an event or a table at the Newcomer Resource Fair, sign up to receive updates.
Workplace Inclusion Champions
11 local employers participated in the Workplace Inclusion Charter 2021-2022 program. These businesses represented 66 workplaces and over 4500 employees in the Bow Valley! Key outcomes include increased awareness and referrals to local newcomer-serving agencies, improved inclusive recruitment practices, and more.
Here's what local employers had to say:
”[I was] impressed by how achievable & impactful the charter is.”“The WIC has been really helpful in engaging managers… people are realizing this is something we need to do.”“We’re catching more people” for referrals to important services. “"The concrete commitments [were] really helpful guidance [for putting] words into action."
Become an Inclusion Champion!
We’ve launched the 2023 Workplace Inclusion Charter:
Review the 2023 Commitments
Sign up to become a 2023 Workplace Inclusion Champion
Anti-Racism Community of Practice
The Bow Valley Anti-Racism Community of Practice is a group where individuals can learn, share, and collaborate to tackle racism in the Bow Valley.
In 2022, we met to explore, discuss, and reflect on anti-racism and inclusion in the Bow Valley. Bow Valley Food Alliance, artsPlace, and BVIP staff co-convened and shared facilitation of the group.
The Anti-racism Community of Practice will be of interest if you:
Are working on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
Have questions about anti-racism and want to connect with others locally
Are curious about anti-racism and want to learn more
Learn more and sign up for the Anti-racism Community of Practice
Intercultural Competence Facilitator Training (ICFT) Program
17 people representing 16 organizations took this year's ICFT Program, a train-the-trainer program that helps locals spread intercultural awareness and skills in the places they work and volunteer. Building on feedback from the past session, our facilitators worked to create a more interactive and participant-driven program.
Participants valued the program, stating:
"I found it challenging, and made me question my assumptions, and put me out of my comfort zone. I've recommended the program to my colleagues and friends.""Like everything else in life, the more you put in, the more you take out. I recommend participating in as many of the discussions as possible. Understanding that everyone is different and may be shy. However, it's a safe space to learn and develop.""Thank you so much for such a great course. I have enjoyed it so much. I now have more understanding and can go on to raise awareness on a variety of topics."
Registration is open for the next ICFT program session in February - March 2024.
New Resources
Check out our updated Welcome Poster! Free to print and display everywhere.
New to the Bow Valley?
Check out our new web resource with information for newcomers on moving to the Bow Valley.In 2022, we also wrote a blog on to help locals understand the global refugee crisis, what it means for the Bow Valley, and how we can all help.
Our Intercultural Competence Facilitator Training Program 'sold out' (it's free) again this year, so we created this list of other intercultural communications courses locals can take.
Supporting Community
BVIP worked with cultural, faith, and language groups and associations to:
Enable projects such as the Mental Health Participatory Action Learning Project (MHPAL).
Facilitate access to relevant information on community issues and resources.
Organize discussions on issues such as housing needs.
Connect ethnocultural group leaders with BVIP and community members, and continue exploring new ways of engaging volunteers and community leaders in the partnership.
Support and participate in community and cultural activities — always a great opportunity to connect with friends and enjoy amazing food!
Fostering Inclusion in the Bow Valley
June 2022:
We hosted an all-member meeting and panel discussion on the theme “Let's Talk Immigration” that brought together 27 BVIP members to (re)connect and find inspiration on how we can continue to come together to build a welcoming and inclusive Bow Valley.
Whyte Museum, Town of Banff, Bow Valley Food Alliance, ACFA, Primary Care Network, and others collaborated to host a week of activities for National Indigenous Peoples Day, St Jean Baptiste Day, and Multiculturalism Day. BVIP staff were thrilled to attend and help with Multiculturalism Day festivities.
September 2022:
artsPlace's Festival of Arts and Creativity featured performances and appearances by diverse cultural groups, as well as the special We Are Locals exhibit, supported by BVIP and the Bow Valley Food Alliance. artsPlace shares culturally diverse stories, traditions, and talents throughout the year, such as the recent performance by ’the Balladeer', Jyn San Miguel.
March 2023:
Nous étions fiers d'assister aux cérémonies de lever du drapeau franco-albertain avec l'ACFA. We were proud to attend the Franco-Albertan flag raising ceremony with the ACFA.
Behind the Scenes & Across Canada
BVIP staff were delighted to consult for, provide input to, and develop new partnerships with Parks Canada, Banff Canmore Community Foundation, Canmore Folk Festival, Town of Canmore, Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce, Canmore for Ukraine Group, Moving Mountains Initiative, Town of Banff, Banff Lake Louise Tourism, Resilient Canmore, Banff Coordinated Food Meeting, Filipino Organization in the Rocky Mountains, the Moving Mountains Project, Biosphere Institute of the Rocky Mountains, Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley, and more.
BVIP staff actively collaborate in the settlement sector and with other Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) throughout Canada in many ways such serving as a co-chair of the NLS Research Working Group and as member of the National LIP Secretariat (NLS) Executive Committee.
In the Media
The partnership was featured in 6 media stories this year and appeared in a special video shared with seven Primary Care Networks in the Calgary area celebrating the "unsung heroes" of the pandemic. A few other opportunities included:
Tannia Burrelo and Meagan Reid joined Canmore Museum's Ron and Dr. Adriana Davies for a special podcast on a Century of Welcoming Newcomers to Canmore
Tannia spoke with Mountain FM's Rob Murray about the Bow Valley Mental Health Participatory Action Learning Project (MHPAL).
Check out all our media stories here: https://bvipartnership.com/media
A Big Thank You to Our Members!
Our Executive Committee, Partnership Council, Immigrant Advisory Group, thematic Working Groups and other community partners have continued to advise, support and take action on initiatives such as the Workplace Inclusion Charter, Community Week, Mental Health Participatory Action Learning Project (MHPAL), and Inclusion in the Outdoors.
Your efforts and commitment to advancing BVIP’s Strategic Plan and continuing to build a welcoming and inclusive Bow Valley for all are the heart of BVIP’s impact.