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5 reasons William and Kate are missing out by skipping Powell River

Posted by on Sep 19, 2016

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We’ll never be (with) Royals…

On September 24, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in BC for a royal tour–the first time they’ve been to the coast since they were newlyweds in 2011. William, Kate, George (3) and Charlotte (16 months) are spending significant time with First Nations, charities, and governments. Plus, the woods. See the full schedule at the end of this post.

While the family will fly over Powell River several times, they won’t appear here.

William and Kate hiking in Bhutan in April. Photo from www.people.com.

William and Kate hiking in Bhutan in April. Photo from www.people.com.

Here are 5 features that are totally in their wheelhouse that they’ll miss out on by skipping Powell River.

1. Sunshine Coast Trail

The 180-kilometre hut-to-hut trail is awesome – no doubt. But it’s also unique in ways that would appeal to the Royal Family, given their love of charity, fitness, First Nations, and environment. It was built entirely by volunteer labour. It crosses Tla’amin Nation land. And, it showcases both the untouched coast, and the logged and re-grown coast.

2. Model community for adults with disabilities

Going back more than half a century, Powell River has developed itself into a place where adults with disabilities can find full integration. That’s thanks to agencies such as Inclusion Powell River, the Model Community Project, Strive and the Community Resource Centre. Plus, the many businesses in town who employ people with disabilities. And, amenities such as the Trailriders,  and Inland Lake (plus huts) and Willingdon Trails. All of these hinge on a general population that makes integration a priority. This goes beyond charity – it’s a very unique community quality.

3. Tla’amin Treaty

Just a handful of BC’s 60+ First Nations have pushed their treaties all the way through to the implementation stage. Tla’amin did this spring – and built a rockin’ new Governance House with six poles to mark the occasion. Plus, Tla’amin boasts significant partnerships with the non-indigenous population in the region – the language is taught in schools; it owns land and businesses with the City; and it participates in the forest sector.

4. Catalyst transformation

As a 21st century environmental story, it doesn’t get much better than the once-biggest newsprint manufacturer in the world. The hydro-electricity generated on site, the new waste steam-to-energy generator, the strict air and water quality standards, the collaboration with WWF, and more all serve a good-news transformative narrative. Plus, it may be bought by an Indian company–another Commonwealth nation.

5. Fashion

Princess Kate uses fashion to connect with locals – as this article from the Royal Tour in India this April demonstrates. Here, the family could don Pollen Sweaters, Thick T-shirts, Kozy Knits Cowichans, and much more. Plus, no doubt, she’d take it to the next level, schooling the locals, as she tends to do.

Too bad, so sad, Royals. Maybe next time.

The following is a detailed schedule of the Royal Visit to BC and Yukon, September 24 to October 1 – from CBC.

Sept 24: Travel with the Royal Canadian Air Force to Victoria Airport. After a quick stop at Government House, which will be their base for the trip, they’ll visit the Cenotaph before an official public welcome at the Legislature. In the evening they will meet senior Canadian leaders at Government House.

Sept: 25: Travel by float plane to Vancouver for a civic welcome downtown at Jack Poole Plaza. They will visit to the Sheway charity for addicted mothers on the Downtown Eastside and the Immigrant Services Society of B.C.

They will also meet with young leaders in arts, sports, charity, business and film at Telus Gardens, and later with emergency responders at the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station, where they will depart by hovercraft for Victoria.

Sept. 26: Travel north for an aerial tour of the Great Bear Rain Forest and a visit to Bella Bella and the Heiltsuk First Nation before taking a boat tour and later returning to Victoria for an evening reception at Government House hosted by the government of B.C.

Sept. 27: Kelowna, for a public visit to UBC Okanagan to meet students and watch an exhibition volleyball match, followed by some wine tasting at Mission Hill Winery, and then a flight to Whitehorse that evening, where they will meet members of the Canadian Rangers and see a performance at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

Sept. 28: Visiting Whitehorse’s MacBride Museum and a street party on Main Street, then heading to Carcross, Yukon, for a traditional welcome from the Carcross/Tagish First Nation and a visit to a mountain biking track at Montana Mountain before returning to Victoria.

It is expected they will be joined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, on this day.

Sept. 29: In Victoria for a children’s party in the morning with invited military families at Government House, followed by a private rest day in the afternoon.

Sept. 30: A visit to Haida Gwaii, including a traditional canoe trip from Skidegate to the Haida Heritage Centre and Museum, a hospital opening and fishing trip at the Skidegate Youth Centre, before returning to Victoria.

Oct. 1:  In Victoria visiting charities in the morning, including the Cridge Centre for the Family, the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, sailing on the Sail and Life Training Society tall ship, followed by their official departure from Victoria’s Inner Harbour by float plane and a private tour of the south end of the island.

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