March 16th, 2023
Hyatt Regency Apology Letter – PDF
March 16, 2023
The BCAAFC welcomes the apology from the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Vancouver hotel. While the Hyatt Regency’s immediate response was disappointing and deeply troubling, we are grateful that the hotel is now taking steps to address this incident as seriously as it should.
We honour the humility that the Hyatt Regency Vancouver has shown in its conclusion, and look forward to the engagement that will follow its proposed actions. BCAAFC is appreciative of the Hyatt Regency for reversing the charges incurred in our now-cancelled contract in regards to the 2023 Gathering Our Voices (GOV) Indigenous Youth Leadership Training event.
Gathering Our Voices will now be held at other venues, including the Fairmont Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront, and Templeton Secondary. We deeply appreciate the many organizations that reached out offering their space.
Anti-Indigenous racism is an embedded feature of White-settler society that enables incidents of hate and violence against our people at a tragic rate. Our hope is that this incident sparks discussion on how others can improve Indigenous cultural safety within their own circles.
To our Indigenous community: thank you. Thank you for standing by our side in support of us and our beloved Cultural Advisor. We raise our hands in deep respect to the First Nations Leadership Council for its unwavering support, and its guidance through this hardship. To our allies and accomplices who are standing beside us demanding action and change, we humbly thank you and hold dear your support for drawing the line against anti-Indigenous racism.
Let’s call out all forms of discrimination when we see it. There is no tolerance for anti-Indigenous racism in 2023. Exposing discriminatory and anti-social behaviour helps in preventing needless violence against our people.
–BCAAFC
Media Contact: communications@bcaafc.com
