Up to $100,000 will go to the Songhees First Nation for a cultural celebration and PowWow on Sept. 30, while $25,000 is to help host a Tribal Journeys stop at Fort Rodd Hill in July
Victoria council has agreed to provide $125,000 to help fund two events being planned by the Songhees and Esquimalt nations this summer and fall.
Council backed a motion Thursday to provide up to $100,000 and waive fees for the use of Royal Athletic Park to the Songhees First Nation for a cultural celebration and PowWow on Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
It also supported a $25,000 contribution to the Esquimalt Nation, which is collaborating with the Songhees to host a stop at Fort Rodd Hill for Tribal Journeys on July 29.
This year marks the fourth year of the PowWow. The last three years, the city has pledged $50,000 in support.
The ceremonial event, which draws more than 10,000 people to the park, honours former residential school students and others, in memory of children who died at the institutions.
Mayor Marianne Alto plans to reach out to neighbouring municipalities to contribute to the event.
The Tribal Journeys event is estimated to cost $65,000, of which the nations have so far raised about $40,000.
About 500 paddlers, elders and guests from communities on the Pacific Northwest are expected to attend the Tribal Journeys event at Fort Rodd Hill.
The site will serve as an overnight stop and gathering place as paddlers continue to the final destination of Elwha, Washington, where five days of cultural celebration are planned.
Funding for both events will come from the city’s contingency funds or its protocol budget.
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