The B.C. government is encouraging all British Columbians to participate in their local National Aboriginal Day celebrations on June 21 as a means of fostering reconciliation through awareness of Aboriginal culture and achievements.

The official opening of the Aboriginal Gathering Place at the New Westminster campus of the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) marks the completion of 31 Aboriginal gathering places at all of the public post-secondary institutions in the province.

Twenty-four Aboriginal organizations and communities throughout B.C. will receive $1.5 million from the provincial government to support culture-based domestic violence programs for Aboriginal families and communities.

Seven Aboriginal organizations and communities on Vancouver Island will share approximately $310,000 from the Province to support culture-based domestic violence programs for Aboriginal families and communities.

Three Aboriginal organizations within Greater Vancouver will receive nearly $210,000 in funding from the Province for culture-based domestic violence programs for Aboriginal families and communities.

An Aboriginal culture-based domestic violence program in D’Arcy is receiving funding support from the B.C. government.

Two Aboriginal organizations in the Okanagan will receive approximately $135,000 from the Province to support new culture-based domestic violence programs for Aboriginal families and communities.

Two Aboriginal communities in Kamloops will receive approximately $140,000 from the Province to support culture-based domestic violence healing and prevention programs in their communities.