The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is pleased to share programing plans for Canada Day on Thursday, July 1.

Canada Day this year will see select, COVID-19 safe programming dispersed throughout Whistler. Whistler, originally known as Cwítima (Lil’wat) and Sk̲wik̲w (Squamish), is in the shared, unceded territory of the Lil’wat People and the Squamish People. The municipality recognizes that this July 1 will be a time to reflect on all of Canada’s history, including its past and present truths about our relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Part of the programming includes 215 orange hearts that mark a path between the Maury Young Arts Centre and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. These hearts are installed to represent the 215 children who lost their lives at a Kamloops residential school and never returned home to their families. It is hoped that this path of hearts provides an invitation to everyone to deepen their understanding about local First Nations peoples so that our future in Canada can be one of truth, reconciliation, love and understanding.

Programming includes:

• Free admission to the SLCC throughout the day
• Yoga in the Plaza at Whistler Olympic Plaza from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Spo7ez Performance Team Drum Circle at Whistler Olympic Plaza at 10:45 a.m.
• Whistler’s Moving Meadows art showcase at Whistler Olympic Plaza from noon to 4 p.m.
• Scavenger Hunt pick up at Whistler Olympic Plaza from noon to 4 p.m.
• Live painting with local artists Dave “Pepe” Petko, Taka Sudo and Ben Poechman at Whistler Olympic Plaza from noon to 4 p.m.
• Paintillio large paint-by-numbers mural at Town Plaza Gazebo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Street entertainment including Treeline Aerialists and roving characters from noon to 4 p.m.

Everyone is also encouraged to explore places throughout Whistler, such as:

• Taking one of Whistler’s Self-Guided Tours, including Nature Walking Tour, LIFTing the Community, Public Art Tours, and the Whistler 2010 Games Experience”
• Visiting the Audain Art Museum, Whistler Museum & Archives, Valley of Dreams Walking Tour, Discover Nature pop-up museum at Lost Lake Park, Summer Bobsleigh at the Whistler Sliding Centre, sightseeing and hiking on Whistler Blackcomb and Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Enjoy food trucks and pop-ups at Whistler’s parks with Park Eats, such as crepes, gelato, pizza, burgers, kombucha, sandwiches, salads and more. Portobello is also offering food delivery to many of whistler parks. Learn more.

Get around by walking, biking or talking the bus. The free park shuttle is now in effect, and Whistler Transit will be offered free all day. Free secure Bike Parking is also available at Lost Lake, Rainbow Park and Whistler Olympic Park. Learn more.

For full programming details, visit whistler.ca/CanadaDay.

Funding is made possible thanks to the Province of British Columbia’s Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT Hotel Tax) revenues collected in Whistler.

“Let’s mark this day with understanding,” said Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton. “Through this carefully considered programming, the RMOW hopes to engage non-indigenous people, help foster greater awareness and understanding, and provide a forum for people to positively commit to an act of reconciliation.”