QUIRK-E welcomed MLA Amshen/Joan Phillip, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits, to our table at REACH Health Fair on October 24, 2025 at Britannia Community Centre. Joan is a respected Indigenous leader who has dedicated her life to fighting for justice, human rights, and the environment. Prior to being elected, she worked as a Youth Counsellor at Britannia Secondary School, as Education and Program Director at the Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and as the Lands Manager for the Penticton Indian Band. Joan has been married to Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, the long-serving President of the BC Union of Indian Chiefs, for nearly 40 years. In addition she is the granddaughter of Tsleil-Waututh actor and author Chief Dan George. and the sister of writer Lee Maracle. Joan represents the people who live in the Britannia neighbourhood riding of Vancouver-Strathcona.
The theme of the Fair was Rooted in Community Cross-Cultural Health & Wellbeing. Over 250 folks attended. More than 90 of us got flu or Covid vaccinations. REACH created a warm, inclusive space with performances by groups served by their Health, Equity and Engagement Department: Indigenous elders, Latin American dancers, Vietnamese dancers and Arabic women dancers. QUIRK-E members were happy to hand out rainbow Pride and Unity band-aids, bookmarks and zines to such a diversity of artists.
