Frank Brown is a Heiltsuk leader who has been working on climate change and conservation for decades.
Heiltsuk hereditary chief Frank Brown has joined the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions at the University of Victoria as its next Indigenous climate fellow.
Brown is a Heiltsuk leader who has been working on climate change and conservation for decades. His fellowship will support a relationship protocol established between Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions and the First Nations Leadership Council.
“I look forward to ensuring First Nations leadership and knowledge are deeply considered in climate solutions in the Pacific region,” said Brown.
He said the relationship protocol provides a framework to “bring together Indigenous and Western ways of knowing to benefit nations and the lands and waters that sustain us.”
Brown served as senior events planner for the Tribal Journeys to Bella Bella for Qatuwas in 1993 and 2014. He is a board member for Heiltsuk Climate Action, a senior adviser to the Indigenous Leadership Initiative and is involved in the Guardians movement.
The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions is a research network focused on climate change and involves four universities in British Columbia: University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and University of Northern British Columbia.
The group studies climate change impacts and proposes mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Visitors to Greater Victoria will soon have increased access to water-bottle refill stations in several hotel lobbies across the region.
Destination Greater Victoria is moving forward with a Circular and Sustainable Drinking Water Program, a region-wide initiative designed to reduce single-use plastic water bottles.
Though still in the early stages, the project will help select hotels install new drinking water stations and develop educational information to promote refilling reusable water bottles with Greater Victoria’s clean, safe tap water.
Participants so far include Hotel Grand Pacific and the Parkside Hotel & Spa.
Mountain Galleries is opening at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
It is the fifth location for the gallery in Canada, and features original fine art in a variety of mediums by renowned artists, including Paul Nicklen, Hunt Slonem, Dylan Martinez and many more.
A grand opening is being held June 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Mountain Galleries also has locations in Fairmont hotels in Banff, Whistler, Jasper and Mont-Tremblant.
Applications are now open for StrongerBC future skills grants for the fall semester.
The grants cover up to $3,500 for eligible short-term training programs at 24 public post-secondary institutions to gain new skills for in-demand jobs. The grants are open to B.C. residents over age 19.
The programs are aimed at jobs that address the province’s labour market needs and government priorities, including training opportunities in health care, construction and mining.
Course offerings from participating post-secondary institutions will be released daily through June and July.
Those interested should check educationplannerbc.ca for updates and program additions.