Stronger Together: Building Belonging in Uncertain Times
BVIP Members and Bow Valley Community Members enjoy learning some Indian-Fusion dance moves from Shyamili and Rose Mary at the BVIP 10-year celebration at artsPlace in June 2024.
The results of the 2025 federal election are in, and Canada is beginning a new chapter. As a new government forms, many people are feeling a mix of emotions - hope, curiosity, uncertainty, and concern. Whether you voted or not, these moments remind us that we all have a role in shaping our communities.
Times of change give us the chance to think about what matters most. What kind of community do we want to live in? What values will guide us? How can we move forward together, even when the world feels divided?
Here in the Bow Valley, we know something important:
Community doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people work to build it.
Maybe your story started here. Maybe you arrived from somewhere else. You might be new to the Bow Valley, or your family might have lived here for generations. No matter where we come from, what ties us together isn’t just where we live now, it’s the feeling of being part of something together. That feeling of community grows stronger when we welcome and include newcomers.
Why community-building has to include everyone
Many people in our Bow Valley communities are facing more than one challenge at a time. You might be new to Canada and raising a young family. You might be learning a new language and trying to find work. You might be a senior and helping others in your community.
Many long-time residents are also facing big questions - about change, about connection, and about how we can keep finding common ground as our communities grow and change.
It’s important to see the full picture of someone’s story, not just one part of it.
Things like where you come from, how long you’ve lived here, your age, your health, and your family situation all shape how you experience life in the Bow Valley.
Belonging is a two-way street. Newcomers to Canada need to feel seen, valued, and supported. Long-time residents also need to feel included in shaping what our communities look like.
When we take time to understand each other, we build a stronger, more welcoming place for everyone.
Inclusion isn’t about checking a box. It’s about making sure:
A newcomer to Canada learning English as a second, third, or even fourth language can still access the help they need,
Someone who is facing discrimination has safe places to be heard and supported,
Long-time community members feel part of the conversation and confident in their role in building a more inclusive Bow Valley.
This is the kind of inclusion BVIP members work for: real, meaningful, and built together.
Banff Residents Lily, Travis, and their family. This photo was part of the 2021 ‘Stories of Resilience’ project, capturing the experiences of Bow Valley locals during Covid-19.
What we do next will shape the Bow Valley for years to come
We’re living through complex, changing times. And that’s exactly why this strategy matters now. It gives us direction, clarity, and shared purpose. For over a decade, BVIP members have worked together to build inclusion in the Bow Valley. This strategy helps us take that work further - responding to real needs with real action.
The 4-year strategy is built around six community-informed goals that reflect what matters most to the people who live and work in the Bow Valley. And thanks to the efforts of BVIP members, partners, and residents, we’re already seeing those goals come to life.
Left to Right: Paul and Javan, long time members of the BVIP Immigrant Advisory Group, at the Inclusion in Action event on March 24th, 2025
How we’re turning the strategy into action
Goal 1: Valued Immigrant Voices
Goal: Immigrants have equitable opportunities to actively participate in local decision-making processes.
What we’ll do: Improve two-way engagement between immigrants and decision-makers to create more inclusive programs and policies.
When people can take part in decisions that affect them, communities grow stronger.
Ahead of the 2025 federal election, Natasha Lay, Executive Director of BVIP, was invited by BVIP member Bow Valley Food Alliance (BVFA) to moderate the Eat. Think. Voice. Vote. event. This community gathering gave residents, including immigrants who may not have been able to vote, a chance to ask questions, share stories, and raise concerns about food security, affordability, and wellbeing.
This event wasn’t just about politics, it was about being heard. It showed the power of bringing newcomers and decision-makers into real conversations.
This is what collective action looks like: members, partners, and residents working together to make sure immigrant voices are valued, not just included. We’re working to make this the norm, not the exception.
Left to Right: Natasha Lay - BVIP Executive Director; Yellowhead Candidates: Avni Soma – New Democratic Party Candidate; Dale Heath - Christian Heritage Party of Canada Candidate; Vicky Bayford - People’s Party of Canada Candidate; Michael Fark – Liberal Party Candidate, and Michelle Backhouse – Bow Valley Food Alliance Coordinator.
Goal 2: Inclusive Wellbeing
Goal: Immigrants have equitable and culturally appropriate access to care that fosters inclusion and promotes overall wellbeing.
What we’ll do: Strengthen cross-sector coordination to improve health and wellbeing services for immigrants.
Wellbeing means more than just getting healthcare. It’s about feeling safe, connected, and supported in everyday life. It’s also about creating spaces where people can talk about mental health without fear or shame.
In 2022–2023, BVIP led the Bow Valley Mental Health Participatory Action Learning Project as part of the Rural Mental Health Project. The findings were clear: rural life, language barriers, and cultural differences shape people’s experiences with mental health, and solutions must reflect that.
In 2024, BVIP joined the working group for Banff Mental Health and Addictions Week. We’re proud to be supporting several events again in 2025, including:
Wellbeing grows when we break isolation, build connections, and create space for healing. Together, we are building a mental health system rooted in care, connection, and community.
Bow Valley locals are stronger together.
Goal 3: Lifelong Learning
Goal: Immigrants have access to education and training that enable them to succeed in the community and adapt to future opportunities.
What we’ll do: Enhance language skills and career readiness for immigrants of all ages to support successful integration into the community and workforce now and in the future.
Lifelong learning helps people grow, adapt, and build strong futures. It’s how individuals and communities stay resilient.
BVIP members work hard to make sure immigrants have the education and training they need. At the Bow Valley Adult Learning Centre, language classes, digital skills programs, and workplace training help open doors for newcomers of all ages.
Learning isn’t limited to a classroom. Through mentorship, community programs, and more, people are building skills, gaining confidence, and connecting with others every day.
Left to Right: Heather Bates - Settlement Services in the Bow Valley, Ashley Wells - The Fat Ox of Banff, Jeffrey Carpenter - Banff Pride Society, and Perrine Le Dreff – artsPlace, discuss why inclusion matters at BVIP’s Inclusion in Action: Awards & Community Vision event on March 24th, 2025.
Goal 4: Supportive Workplaces
Goal: A coordinated network of support enabling immigrants to thrive in both their workplaces and the broader community.
What we’ll do: Build a coordinated support network to enhance workplace and community integration.
In 2024, we celebrated real progress in building more inclusive workplaces. At Inclusion in Action: Awards & Community Vision, we launched our new Strategic Plan and celebrated the achievements of the Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter.
Here’s what we’ve achieved together in 2024:
26 Employer Champions
70 Participating Workplaces
834 Actions completed to build inclusion
Nearly 6,000 employees positively impacted
Employers who joined the Charter said it helped them:
Improve workplace policies
Build stronger, more connected teams
Increase employee morale and retention
Together, we are changing the way workplaces welcome, support, and celebrate diversity. The Bow Valley is becoming a place where everyone can succeed - not just at work, but in every part of life.
2025 Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Champions. Learn more about the Workplace Inclusion Charter.
Goal 5: Better Housing Experiences
Goal: Immigrants have housing experiences that meet their cultural and practical needs.
What we’ll do: Facilitate immigrant participation in housing discussions to ensure solutions are accessible, inclusive, and culturally sensitive.
Having a safe and stable place to live is the foundation for feeling secure and connected. But in the Bow Valley, finding appropriate housing is a challenge for many, and immigrants often face extra barriers.
That’s why BVIP members are working to make sure immigrants have a voice in housing discussions. When immigrants help shape housing plans, solutions become stronger and more inclusive for everyone.
The 2023 Banff Community Social Assessment highlights how important housing is to building healthy, connected communities. Lead Tourism for Good also explores how tourism and community life can work better together to meet local needs.
Housing solutions can be complex, but by working together and including immigrant voices, we can build communities where more people have the chance to feel at home.
Goal 6: Welcoming Communities
Goal: A Bow Valley where immigrants feel a deep sense of belonging, are valued for their contributions, and are actively included in community life.
What we’ll do: Foster belonging for immigrants by improving public perceptions and strengthening community connections.
A truly welcoming community is one where everyone feels they belong, and their contributions are valued. Across the Bow Valley, BVIP members are creating spaces where newcomers and long-time residents can create real connections. Whether through shared meals, storytelling events, or volunteer opportunities, we are building a stronger community.
Our work goes beyond hosting events. It’s about changing the way people see each other. It’s about making inclusion a part of daily life - in schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and more.
Welcoming and inclusive communities are not accidental. They are built through small actions, shared experiences, and strong partnerships.
By celebrating diversity, building bridges, and challenging stereotypes, we are creating a Bow Valley where everyone can find their place, and feel proud to call it home.
Javan Mukhtarov - BVIP Immigrant Advisory Group, and Natasha Lay - BVIP Executive Director, join the Diwali Celebration in Banff, October 2024.
Together, We Build Belonging.
Building a welcoming, inclusive Bow Valley is something we can all be part of. Whether you’re a resident, an employer, a service provider, or a newcomer yourself, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
Join a Working Group: Help bring our Strategic Plan to life by participating in one of our community working groups.
Sign on to the Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter: Commit to building more inclusive, supportive workplaces by joining the Workplace Inclusion Charter.
Explore ways to get involved with BVIP: Whether it’s volunteering, participating in events, or sharing your story, everyone has a role to play.
Together, we can create communities where everyone feels valued, connected, and at home.
As we work together to implement the 2025-2029 Bow Valley Immigrant Inclusion Strategy, we’ll provide regular updates so we can track our progress and see the difference we’re making together.
We invite you to join us.