BC Culture Days

The Qualicum Beach celebration of BC Culture Days offers a diverse program centered on the themes of sustainability, community, and the protection of local ecosystems. Scheduled to coincide with the salmon spawn and World Rivers Day, the event highlights the environmental importance of local landmarks like Beach Creek. Activities are designed to engage the public in conversations about avoiding overconsumption and understanding the impact of the fashion industry on global waterways.

Key public activities include the Fashion Forward Clothing Swap and a repair cafe hosted at Berwick Qualicum Beach, where participants can learn slow-stitching techniques to restore garments. The Qualicum Beach library serves as a central hub for artistic displays, including the 'Re-Cycles with Salmon' collaborative fibre-art piece. This installation uses upcycled clothing and painted salmon to represent the intersection of local culture and environmental stewardship.

The event also features a strong focus on reconciliation and indigenous perspectives. Photographer Joanna Recalma will present an artist talk and host an exhibition titled 'Waḵ’𝚊̲nala g𝚊̲n ts𝚊̲daka: The woman whose body the river runs over.' Her work explores meaningful action toward reconciliation and highlights the beauty of West Coast wildlife and forests through her lived experience as a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw and Pentlatch nations.