24 community-based projects, celebrations and initiatives happening for Canada 150
Getting involved is so 2017.
1. 150 Edmonton Volunteer Voices: 150 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are sharing their stories of community building and the benefits of service in hopes of constructing the a history of volunteering
This is just a small taste of celebrations planned for Canada 150. To make the most of your year, check out this list of 150 ways to get in on Canada's 150th.
in Edmonton. These stories will be displayed online. (Edmonton)
2. 150 Seniors Celebrate Canada: Wawel Villa Senior residences are holding monthly events ranging from musical performances and dining experiences to crafting activities and community events to celebrate Canadian heritage. Each event aims to help seniors learn while also sharing their cultural experiences. The events are open to visiting seniors, as well. (Mississauga, Ont.)
3. 150 Student Volunteers: Simon Fraser University's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is matching 150 student volunteers with 150 projects happening in the Lower Mainland throughout the year. (Burnaby, B.C.)
- Related: My small B.C. town helped raise a generation of young refugees
- Volunteer for Canada's 150th birthday
4. 150 Thank You Open House at Al Rashid: Over 60 countries and 1,000 non-Muslims tour the Al Rashid mosque annually. This event is aiming to highlight intercultural and interfaith communities by celebrating 150 years of Confederation and 100 years of the Edmonton Muslim community, together. (Edmonton)
5. 2017 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project: This is Habitat for Humanity's biggest job ever: building 150 homes across the country and providing 150 Canadian families with access to affordable housing. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn will also be joining in to celebrate 34 years of community building.
6. The Art Hives Network: Art Hives are community space where people can gather to make art. For 2017, the Art Hives network is making an interactive map of their past arts-based social inclusion initiatives. Using video to document present grassroots community arts found in Canadian art hives, the project will culminate in an art hive collaborative traveling exhibit on Truth and Reconciliation. (Montreal)
7. Canada 150 Food Forest & Pollinator Garden: ReThink Red Deer and supporting organizations are planting a 15,00 square foot garden. The garden will have 150 varieties of medicinal, edible and pollinator plants, focusing on including as many native species as possible. The perennial garden aims to create a legacy for future generations. (Red Deer, Atla.)
8. Canada 150 for 150: Throughout 2017, Ottawa is challenging Canadians to volunteer 150 hours of their time, encouraging community engagement and celebration the spirit of giving back. Participants are encouraged to share their volunteer stories.
- Related: Community comes together to support St. George skating rink
- Some kids don't eat on weekends, Food4Kids aims to change that
9. The Canadian Heritage Gardens: Based on research of agricultural practices in Nouvelle France and Confederate Canada, twenty young Canadians from Innovation Youth are making a large urban garden using historical Canadian plants and species. (Montreal)
10. Celebrate Canada 150 at Canada Place: Throughout the year, Vancouver's Canada Place will be hosting a series of events, commemorations and exhibits full of food, music and fun, right on the waterfront. (Vancouver)
11. Centennial Park 150 Revitalization Project: This volunteer-driven initiative aims to revitalize MacGregor's Centennial Park to create a safe and accessible natural green space for residents and visitors to enjoy. (North Norfolk, Man.)
12. Cuisiner pour se connaitre et se comprendre (Cooking for understanding): Rencontres Cuisines, Centre Lartigue and CEGEP Vieux Montreal are working to support newcomers to Canada through food, in hopes of reducing social isolation, instilling healthy eating habits and improving practical day-to-day French. (Montreal, Que.)
13. Edmonton's Capital Boulevard Legacy Public Art Project: Five original sculptural works, created by Alberta artists, will be commissioned for Edmonton's Capital Boulevard. The renovation project hopes to create new city landmarks that celebrate community collaboration and partnership. (Edmonton)
14. Flint Corn Community Project: Through the Tides Canada Initiatives Society, this Indigenous community-based project is planning to grow and expand seed stock of heritage flint corn in Peterborough. (Peterborough, Ont.)
15. Forest Lawn Natural Park: Six park benches and picnic tables are being transformed by youth and adult volunteers into artworks that reflect the natural beauty of Canada. The finished pieces will be unveiled during a community celebration. (Calgary)
16. Founding Families of Huronia: Led by local Huronia high school students, this photo and storytelling preservation project hopes to connect youth and community elders, while passing on the histories of the town. (Huronia, Ont.)
17. Miyo Wahkohtowin (Good Relations) Gathering: Organized by Edmonton's Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, this event is joining Syrian newcomers and Indigenous peoples in hopes of strengthening community support systems and celebrating cultural identity. (Edmonton)
18. Multicultural Canada Day Festival: Organized by the New Canadians Centre in Peterborough, this outdoor gathering of over 10,000 people aims to promote the positive impact of cultural diversity through the celebration of food, music, art and dance, with an emphasis on accepting newcomers through education and awareness. (Peterborough, Ont.)
19. The Nanaimo Five-Acre Farm Project: The Nanaimo Foodshare society and the Growing Opportunities Farm Community Cooperative are working together to restore one of the region's original five acre parcels to a working and learning community farm space. (Nanaimo, B.C.)
20. North America's Largest Playground: The TVO show Giver is planning to build a 50,000 square foot playground Ottawa in the weeks leading up to Canada Day. If successful, it will be the largest playground constructed in North America, breaking the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest set of continuous monkey bars. (Ottawa)
21. Of Heart and History: Run by the HeartWood Centre for Community Youth Development, this community program aims to bring together youth to share their culture, history and identity. (Halifax)
22. Replanting our Roots: The Calgary Horticultural Society is creating a legacy forest to engage Calgarians in Canadian history and the value of the urban canopy. (Calgary, Alta.)
23. Spirit of Place Peace Flags: The Nanaimo Women's Resources Society is bringing together community members, including seniors, Indigenous peoples and Syrian families, to make peace flags. (Nanaimo, B.C.)
24. Tree to our Nation: Tree Canada is giving you the chance to add more green to your neighbourhood. They are offering $5,000 grants to communities, businesses and individuals looking to host planting events. Applications are open until February 17.