BCHF Conference brings history home to Chilliwack — May 4

Sonny Mchalsie
Albert ‘ Sonny’ Mchalsie

The annual conference of the British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) will be held at UFV Chilliwack on Saturday, May 4.
The one-day gathering includes the annual meeting of the BCHF, a keynote presentation from Dr. Si:yémia Albert “Sonny” Mchalsie and UFV’s Dr. Keith Thor Carlson, and a three-hour guided cultural road tour of S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō homelands). The event concludes with an awards dinner where those working in the public history sector are recognized and the winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing will be announced.
The annual conference brings together historians, knowledge keepers, history enthusiasts, and heritage professionals from around the province. This year’s theme, “Bringing History Home,” reflects the work the sector is doing to tell more complete and accurate histories by giving voice and agency to individuals, communities, and organizations whose voices, stories, belongings, and records have been left out of historical narratives. The theme also reflects the work Indigenous nations and heritage organizations are doing to repatriate and rematriate belongings, ancestors, and treasures from institutions around the world.
Members of the public are welcome to register to attend the conference, tour, and awards dinner. Event details and registration information are available on the BCHF website at www.bchistory.ca/conference.
The British Columbia Historical Federation provides a collective voice for over 100 member societies and 24,000 individuals in the provincial not-for-profit historical sector. The Society accomplishes its mission through publishing British Columbia History magazine, holding gatherings, delivering recognition programs, supporting BC history projects, and highlighting the work of its members.

For more info, email Shannon Bettles, Conference Chair, BCHF, at shannon@bchistory.ca.