Esk'etemc News

Please join us for the Lantern Walk in honour of World Su***de Prevention Day — a time to reflect and remember those we’ve lost to su***de.

🕯️ Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
🕖 Doors Open: 7:45 PM
🕗 Lantern Creation: 8:00 PM – 8:30 PM at CMHA (201-35 Second Avenue South)
🚶‍♀️ Walk Begins: 8:30 PM
🏛️ Walk Ends: 9:00 PM at City Hall (450 Mart Street)

We will begin by creating personalized lanterns in honour of loved ones lost to su***de. At 8:30 PM, we will walk together, holding our lit lanterns. The evening will end with a closing reflection and a moment of silence at City Hall.

All are welcome.

Join our Grief and Loss Circle on Tuesday, September 9th for a Water Ceremony. ❤️‍🩹

Today’s canoe paddle with RCMP Indigenous Policing Unit and Esk’etemc youth and leadership was not just a great way to start the day, it was a significant step in building relationships, reconciliation, and community connections.

I must admit, this was my first time on Williams Lake. Now I can share what I learned with visitors from my own experience. The calm, the beauty, and the sense of connection are hard to describe until you feel them for yourself. Being on the water in Secwepemcúl’ecw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc people, adds deeper meaning. You don’t just see the land, you feel it. The lake carries stories, strength, and culture that go far beyond what any map can display.

This experience speaks directly to the heart of our Indigenous project, where youth empowerment, land-based learning, and cultural connection are key. It also reminds us of what makes our region special for visitors: authentic, powerful stories shared on the land and water. This is tourism rooted in truth. As a Chamber, we are proud to support these kinds of partnerships that make a real difference, from cultural exchange to leadership development.

Whether paddling at sunrise or watching birds from the shore, Williams Lake offers not only beauty but also abundance, energy, and connection. Come see it. Hear it. Feel it. This lake isn’t just a view, it is alive. This is Williams Lake!!