From participating in local events, to providing product and monetary donations to local Indigenous organizations, Western Varieties values the opportunity to give back to our amazing community.
Here are some of the organizations we've partnered with recently:
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Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women
The IAAW objectives are to:
Develop and deliver services that advance the individual capacity of Indigenous women, their families and communities.
Create opportunities to address discrimination against Indigenous women.
Identify and promote opportunities for Indigenous women to participate in policy development and decision-making.
Celebrate the strengths and achievements of Indigenous women.
Establish forums and networks for Indigenous women to exchange information and experiences.
Western Varieties is honored to be able to contribute financially to ongoing IAAW programs such as the annual Esquao Awards which honors Indigenous women who are making huge impacts in their communities throughout Alberta, and the 2023 10 week "Walking in Your Moccasins" program that provides awareness and education about violence prevention and support for Indigenous women.
Esquao Awards 2024
Esquao Awards 2022
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UBUNTU Children and Families
UBUNTU Children & Families works together with children, youth, and families who have involvement with Children's Services. Our team works, through Boyle Street Community Services, with the families to address safety concerns and identify flexible, culturally competent, community-based supports and services to help the family be healthy and work towards their goals
Western Varieties is proud to donate 100 orange shirts for UBUNTU Children and Families
UBUNTU CHILDREN & FAMILIES 2024
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Oti Nekan - Treaty 8 125th Anniversary
2024 Marks the 125th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 8. Western Varieties was pleased to make a donation towards the commemorative gathering and events.
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TELUS World of Science Annual ᒥᔪᐑᒉᐦᑐᐏᐣ ᐆᑕ ᐊᐢᑮᕽ Walking Together fundraiser.
"The evening is dedicated to promoting Indigenous perspectives in science and funds raised will support the Indigenous Access Fund, a fund that allows the Science Centre to welcome Indigenous Peoples through subsidized admission, school programs and camps, transportation, and meals."
ᒥᔪᐑᒉᐦᑐᐏᐣ ᐆᑕ ᐊᐢᑮᕽ Walking Together 2023
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"Niginan Housing Ventures is an Indigenous-led registered charity that serves those who are hardest-to-house with complex medical, social and housing needs. Niginan Housing Ventures leads with love and follows the four natural laws: kindness, honesty, sharing and strength. Residents are provided with loving and caring support for all areas of their lives, and Niginan Housing Ventures ensures access to Indigenous ceremonies and cultural support for all of its residents.
Western Varieties is proud to lend financial support to Niginan Housing Ventures' effort to help our most vulnerable, unhoused neighbours.
2024
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The Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta
The Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta is a volunteer-based organization that advocates for Indigenous veterans to receive necessary supports upon their return home.
Western Varieties was proud to provide a monetary donation for their first Indigenous Veteran's Day ceremony, in collaboration with The City of Edmonton, on November 8th, 2023.
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The Indigenous Sports Council of Alberta
The Indigenous Sports Council of Alberta (ISCA) “leads in creating and promoting a strong foundation of holistic health and wellness, and competitive opportunities for Indigenous people, their families and their communities through sport, physical activity, recreation and culture” (ISCA, 2023). At the start of the pandemic back in 2020, ISCA launched their virtual fitness challenge and Western Varieties became their first sponsor of this campaign. Since then, each season ISCA continues to offer a virtual fitness challenge six to ten weeks to all urban and rural Indigenous communities throughout Alberta. We value the commitment ISCA has to the health and well-being of Indigenous Albertans and are proud to be a supporter of their endeavors. Whether it’s partnering with them in the Moose Hide Campaign, the North American Indigenous Games, KidSport ISCA, Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk, or their Fitness Challenges, we recognize the importance of fostering solid relationships and sharing resources in an effort to strengthen the Indigenous community.
"Western Varieties has always been a pleasure to visit and partner with in many community events. They provide quality Indigenous goods and have the most friendly staff to assist when needed. Thank you Western Varieties for your continuous support in events and virtual challenges!" - Taylor McPherson, ISCA Program Coordinator
Western Varieties is proud to partner with ISCA for many of their fundraising events, including sending Indigenous youth athletes to the Alberta Indigenous Games in 2023.
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Turtle Island Solutions
Western Varieties was proud to sponsor a team for the Turtle Island Solutions' 2023 golf tournament, benefitting the Warrior Golf Academy
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"The Moose Hide Campaign recognizes that all forms of violence are unacceptable, regardless of gender. We see the disproportionate number of women who are victims and the importance of engaging men and boys in addressing this issue. We also know that “shame and blame” isn’t the answer."
Western Varieties was proud to participate in the Moose Hide Campaign Day 2022 in Edmonton, AB.
Moosehide Campaign in Edmonton, Alberta. (May 2022)
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Orange Shirt Day
Western Varieties is proud to volunteer our team annually for the Edmonton Orange Shirt Day Walk/Run, as well as providing swag bags for the hundreds of participants that attend the event.
This even aims to raise money for https://orangeshirtday.org/ who focuses on:
"Commemorating the residential school experience, witnessing and honouring the healing journey of the Survivors and their families. In 2015, the Orange Shirt Society was formed to create awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools with the purpose of supporting Indian Residential School Reconciliation and promoting the truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS."
Orange Shirt Day Run and Walk in Edmonton, Alberta. (September 2022)
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It was a pleasure for Western Varieties to provide door prizes to Edmonton Public School Board's "Learning to Soar" Conference 2024 where high school-aged Indigenous youth were presented with information regarding careers and continuing education.
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Western Varieties was happy to provide Buffalo Cross shawls and scarfs for the cosmetology class at Campus Regina Public to use in their year-end photoshoot project.
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The Edmonton Aboriginal Seniors Centre is a one of a kind membership based registered charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected annually in the City of Edmonton.
