September 2025 Newsletter
- Kelly Greene
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
Happy September!
I hope you are having a great start to the school year. I want to share that September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. This day, we reflect and learn about Indigenous resilience and understand the legacy of residential schools in Canada.
The BC Multicultural and Anti-Racism grants are accepting applications.
If you have any questions or concerns about a provincial issue, or need assistance with a provincial body, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help. My office can be reached at Kelly.Greene.MLA@leg.bc.ca or 604.241.8452.
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day
The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is to reflect on the history and legacy of Canada’s residential school system. It is a time to learn, educate and hold space for Indigenous people and the ongoing process of reconciliation and healing.
Orange Shirt Day is a grassroots campaign founded by Phyllis Webstad. Orange Shirt Day grew out of her own experiences and the experiences of other residential school survivors who attended St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School near Williams Lake, B.C.
Our government denounces residential school denialism and recognizes the harm that it causes not only survivors, families and communities, but all of us. The spread of misinformation about residential schools increases division among us and seeks to deny the real experiences of former students and their families. We cannot build a better future unless we acknowledge and learn from our past.
Resources:
For learning more, the Richmond Public Library has learning resources for all ages at: Richmond Public Library | Indigenous Resources
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation
Whose Land Map: Further engage with reconciliation and use this interactive map to learn more about the traditional territories and Indigenous communities whose land you occupy, as well as where residential schools were located in Canada.
BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants
The BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants program is open for applications.
These grants give up to $5,000 to organizations to cover costs for projects, events, and initiatives that help address and reduce racism or promote multiculturalism and inclusivity. This could include celebration and holiday events, workshops, film screenings, creation of resources, and more amazing initiatives.
You can visit: Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants - Province of British Columbia to learn more and find the application, which closes on October 14, 2025.
Early Literacy Screening
Early literacy screenings help kids by identifying reading challenges earlier, so they can get more support from the start.
Beginning this school year, kindergarten students in B.C. will be screened to determine where they are in their development of reading skills. This brief screening can identify early signs of reading difficulties and help ensure timely, targeted support is provided to students who may benefit from additional assistance.
Additional Support will Address Gender-Based Violence in B.C.
As part of the Canada-British Columbia bilateral agreement to end gender-based violence, B.C. will receive $18 million this year from the federal government to support survivors and break the cycle of violence through Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan.
B.C.’s action plan is focused on boosting services and supports for survivors, strengthening government’s response to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and ramping up prevention and awareness campaigns.
NEW Primary Care Paramedic Class
Three weeks in, the Justice Institute BC’s first Primary Carew Paramedic class at the John Horgan Campus is already hard at work— hoisting rescue dummies, running simulations and preparing for careers on the front lines of emergency care.
Demand for this 12-month program was huge, and it’s inspiring to see these 50 students answering the call to serve their communities. John Horgan believed education was the great equalizer and dedicated his life to public service. This campus, and these students, are a living example of his legacy.
Engage with Let’s Talk Richmond!
Let’s Talk Richmond is asking for public input for both the Steveston Park Legacy Walk and for sharing your Steveston Story.
Building the Steveston Park Legacy Walk Together!
Goals of the project—->
adding interpretive signage with digital content;
improving accessibility and safety; and
integrating a unified palette of paving, planting and wayfinding elements.
Ways to participate —>
Online survey until 11:59 on Sunday, October 26, 2025
In-person: Attend one of two drop-in open houses taking place at Steveston Community Centre (4111 Moncton Street):
Sat, Oct 4 from 9:00 to 11:00am and Thu, Oct 9 from 6:00 to 8:00pm
Share your Steveston Story
What does the Steveston Community Centre and Library mean to you? Share a cherished memory, a story about how the centre has touched you or the lives of your loved ones, your favourite program, or a lively community celebration you'll never forget. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
If there are any suggestions on what our office can do to better promote provincial services to underserved communities and promote health services to those who may face barriers to services, please do reach out to our office. We are a community together. We want to hear from you.
Know a Chinese speaker who wants to read government news more easily? Refer them to the official BC government Weibo - @卑诗省府GovernmentofBC 的个人主页 - 微博 (weibo.com)
For general BC vaccination info, visit this page.
To read and better prepare for household safety, visit PreparedBC webpage.
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