2024: A Year of Growth, Resilience, and Belonging
2024 End of Year Message from BVIP Coordinator, Natasha Lay
What makes a community truly thrive?
What makes a community truly thrive? It is the people who come together with open hearts, shared goals, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed here. In 2024, the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership (BVIP) proved that when we work together, we can create lasting change that ripples across our community.
This year brought big changes and milestones for BVIP. We farewelled Meagan Reid, who led with incredible dedication as BVIP Coordinator for 10 years. Stepping into the leadership role has been an honor for me, and I’m excited to continue building on her legacy. We also welcomed Tineke Van Der Merwe, whose fresh energy and ideas are already inspiring new possibilities. These transitions reflect our ability to adapt, grow, and embrace opportunities ahead.
2024 Highlights: What BVIP Members Achieved Together
In 2024, BVIP members achieved incredible milestones together, showcasing the power of collaboration and community spirit. We celebrated diversity by collaborating with community groups to support vibrant events like the Chinese Cultural Potluck, Diwali Celebration, and Filipino Community Potluck, while also marking a decade of BVIP's impact with a memorable anniversary celebration.
Bow Valley community members learning a fusion of Indian dance styles from Rose Prakash and Shyamili Rajan at the BVIP 10-year celebration, hosted at artsPlace Canmore.
Photography by Kristy Wolfe.
BVIP's Annual Workplace Inclusion Forum celebrated the 2023 Workplace Inclusion Charter signatories by bringing together 75 guests for an engaging session on Psychological Safety in the Workplace, expertly facilitated by Scale Naturally. In 2024, we advanced workplace inclusivity across the Bow Valley through the Workplace Inclusion Charter, launched in partnership with Settlement Services, AWES, Banff Pride, Canmore Pride, Vecova, and YWCA Banff, with a record 28 participating employers.
Scale Naturally facilitators Fia-Lynn Crandall (she/her) and Makaylah Rogers (they/them) discuss psychological safety in the workplace at the
2023 Workplace Inclusion Forum. Photography by Kristy Wolfe.
BVIP was proud to be part of the first Banff Mental Health and Addiction Week. As a steering group member, we helped guide the event's direction. Our contributions to the marketing committee shaped key initiatives, including graphic design and the tone and style of communications. We’re excited to continue this important work for the next Banff Mental Health and Addiction Week, happening May 4–9, 2025.
Our commitment to understanding the needs of our Bow Valley Communities continued through our Immigrant Integration Research. We gathered insights from over 500 locals and held a successful pilot of the Newcomer Voices Panel. We also invested in building local capacity by graduating 21 participants from BVIP’s signature 35-hour Intercultural Competency Facilitator Training Program, sharing resources to support Jasper Wildfire evacuees, and more.
During Community Week 2024, we encouraged event hosts and supported community partners to collaborate, fostering powerful events with diverse perspectives. The week of FREE events featured 35 partners, hosting 24 events attended by over 300 Bow Valley Locals. BVIP partnered with community organizations to host "Words to Actions: Building Accountable Land Acknowledgements Together," a two-part event featuring an immersive walk guided by Adam from Experience Howl and Travis Rider, followed by a 'Donuts and Conversation' session led by Dawn Saunders Dahl and Makaylah from Frankie D's Donuts. 35 Participants reflected on creating genuine, personal, and accountable land acknowledgments, deepening their connection to the land and understanding of Indigenous perspectives, and leaving with actionable steps toward reconciliation.
Community Week 2024 was made possible through the collaboration of 35 partners, who hosted 24 events, and the participation of over 300 local Bow Valley residents.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we prepare for the new year, we know there will be challenges – from changes in immigration policies and funding, to meeting the evolving needs of our workforce and community. But we’ve already built a strong foundation, and our greatest strength is in working together. Through collaboration, we can embrace change and shape a future where everyone can thrive here in the Bow Valley.
Next year, we’ll focus on fostering collaboration, strengthening partnerships, and working across sectors to build a more welcoming and inclusive Bow Valley. Our priorities include co-creating and launching the third BVIP Strategic Plan (Community Plan) to address the region’s most pressing needs, coordinating community responses to immigration policy shifts and their impact on the local workforce, and adopting culturally appropriate approaches to diverse well-being needs to ensure no one is left behind. We will also work to promote more equitable practices that address overlapping identities and barriers, driving meaningful change for all. Want to get involved? Contact us
As we approach the end of the year, we recognize that December and January hold many culturally significant celebrations for Bow Valley community members. From festive traditions to meaningful observances, this season reflects the rich diversity that makes our region so vibrant. You can learn more about these celebrations through the BVIP Multicultural Calendar
Thank you to all the individuals, groups, and organizations that worked so hard to make the Bow Valley a welcoming and inclusive place for all this year. Your hard work, passion, and commitment to building community are truly inspiring. It’s been amazing to see the impact of our collective efforts. 2025 will bring even more opportunities to collaborate and build a stronger, more connected Bow Valley. I’m so excited to see what we can achieve as we continue this important work together.
BVIP Coordinator