The recent events in Kamloops have left many of us feeling deeply saddened and unsettled.
Seeing a group gathered in symbols and imagery associated with white supremacy, on the grounds of the former residential school—a place where Indigenous children were taken, harmed, and buried—is deeply painful. It brings forward wounds and grief that Indigenous families and communities have carried for generations.
At Archway Society for Domestic Peace, we want our Indigenous sisters, brothers, and relations to know that we see you, we honour you, and we stand with you.
We recognize the strength and courage of survivors, families, Nations, and communities who continue to carry and confront this history while facing ongoing harm.
Our solidarity comes from a place of compassion, connection, and care. We believe healing begins when we are willing to listen, face painful truths, and stand beside one another—not only when it is easy, but when it matters most.
Standing in solidarity also means being willing to learn. For those who want to better understand the history of residential schools, the experiences of survivors, and the ongoing impacts on Indigenous communities, we’ve gathered resources below. We invite you to take time to listen, learn, and reflect.
We stand with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc community. We stand with Indigenous peoples across this land. And we stand for a future where racism, hatred, and acts that reopen these wounds have no place.
Creatrix Rising has wrapped up its third year, it is a healing through arts program offered by Archway Society for Domestic Peace.
Creatrix Rising creates space for participants to explore art as part of their own therapeutic journey —one that unfolds uniquely for each individual through thoughtfully planned workshops that support them in processing what they need from the creative process. Participants build connections with each other, artist mentors, and volunteers who both challenge and support them along the way. Thirteen participants took part in 16 workshops from September through February. They gathered to explore with a wide range of mediums including watercolour, encaustic, self-portrait collage, acrylic with mixed media, and re-creation sculptures.
These sessions offered far more than technical skill-building—they created space for personal reflection and provided tools for each participant’s own therapeutic process. Artist mentors Silmara Emde and Alessandra Woodward guided with care, bringing both a love of art and an understanding of art’s power to heal, allowing each participant to move at their own pace.
As one participant shared: “Creatrix Rising has given me a space to express parts of myself that I don’t always share out loud. This program reminded me that creativity isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being honest.”
Another reflected on the deeper internal journey: “When I joined Creatrix, I carried a strong internal message: I don’t belong here… What followed was not a quick shift in confidence, but an ongoing and often uncomfortable inquiry… Why did I need permission or validation around my own lack of safety?”
A central theme this year was inspired by the red high heel from a campaign that brings awareness to gender-based violence called Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. Participants reimagined and recreated red high-heeled shoes as deeply personal art pieces, transforming them into powerful statements about identity, experience, and the stories women carry. These “art shoes” became one of the most memorable and talked-about elements of the exhibit.
The art exhibit at the conclusion of the program is shared with the community to bring awareness to healing through art and gender-based violence, and to celebrate the participants as artists. It showcases their brilliant and inspiring work. Not all participants choose to display their work, and those who do often remain anonymous or exhibit under an alias.
The Creatrix Rising exhibit for 2026 has now wrapped up. It was held at the Caetani Cultural Centre and welcomed approximately 200 visitors over nine days. Eight artists shared deeply personal and impactful works that reflected resilience, profound emotional depth, and personal healing. The exhibit invited viewers not only to witness these stories, but to pause and reflect.
One artist commented: “My art is a bridge to a greater story of exposure and liberation… a reclamation of dignity that extends beyond my own story.”
Two special events as part of this year’s exhibit are worth noting: opening night and the poetry open mic. Opening night was a vibrant celebration, opening in a good way with Margaret Clark an OKIB elder in our community, catering by Gumtree Catering, beverages from Sobre Market, live music by Orion of OM Sound, and once again a special drumming song, “Warrior Women,” shared by Cyndie and Mysterie of Big Stone Cree Nation. The exhibit opening intentionally falls near International Women’s Day to join with voices of solidarity and celebrate women all over the world. The poetry open mic brought six inspired poets to an engaged audience of 25. It was an evening that brought both smiles and tears, adding another layer of depth and storytelling through the art of words. It was a real highlight of the week by those that attended.
The whole program—and especially the exhibit—was brought to life through the dedication of Archway Society volunteers. Their care and commitment shaped every detail and really none of this could be done without their support. Also the support of our partners and sponsors is so valuable, those not mentioned yet; Kaltire, Castanet, Opus Art Supply, The Room Collection, Vernon She shed, Vernon Community Arts Centre and Catani Cultural Centre. We are thankful for all of those that support the program.
Participants consistently spoke to the profound impact of the program:
“Creatrix Rising is an incredibly liberating and positive program. It is a safe space; you are safe to explore your story with curiosity, to explore art, and to simply exist.”
“I felt the program helped me sit in uncomfortable spaces… but also allowed myself to step out of those dark spaces and continue to push through them.”
“Creatrix Rising has been very therapeutic and calming. My mind always feels free after I leave. I look forward to it each week.”
“Creatrix Rising helped me rediscover, protect, and promote my creative voice.”
“The Creatrix Rising Program continues to be an irreplaceable outlet and support for the community.”
Throughout the exhibit and the program as a whole, the art stood as a testament to courage, creativity, and transformation. Creatrix Rising continues to demonstrate the profound role art can play in healing from trauma, violence, abandonment, loss, and grief. This program offers not only a creative outlet, but a pathway toward healing.
“I am the architect of my own recovery, and the author of my own rising.” – CR Artist
Inviting hope & independence for women & children through safe, supported housing.
BC Housing, in partnership with Archway Society for Domestic Peace, and City of Vernon, is planning a 67 unit development that will provide housing for women and children impacted by domestic and sexual violence. This new community is intended to thoughtfully enhance the neighbourhood while providing important next steps towards stability, independence, and healing.
Highlights
Located at 1701 43 Avenue, Vernon, BC
Construction begins Spring 2027*
Approximate opening Summer 2029*
67 units
Mix of single-bedroom & family units
5-story building
Operated & staffed by Archway Society
On-site support services
Referrals to community resources *timelines are estimated and may shift
In Vernon, we know all too well the devastating impact of losing a woman – a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and colleague – to intimate partner violence. We know what happens when patterns of violence are ignored, when warnings from friends and family go unheard, and when the systems meant to protect women fail. Just over a year ago, our community lost Tatjana Stefanski, and we continue to grieve alongside her family and friends.
Forty-eight percent of women and girls in British Columbia have experienced intimate partner violence. In January 2025, Premier David Eby declared gender-based violence a national epidemic. Dr. Kim Stanton’s report to the Attorney General outlines clear, actionable steps that could prevent tragedies like these. The Gender Equity Office leads the Safe and Supported Action Plan. But without concrete action these are only empty words and headlines.
What we (Archway) are doing is connecting with various media outlets, as well as our Member of Parliament. We are attaching the media release for your information. We have also been receiving calls and emails from members of the public and we have been encouraging them to also speak to their elected officials. We encourage you to do the same. Click here to read the press release.
Creatrix Rising – Exploring Stories through Art – Art Exhibit
Archway Society for Domestic Peace wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the Creatrix Rising Art Exhibit such a success! From the volunteers and many visitors who came through the exhibit to the generous artist mentors and supporters who helped bring it all together—this event was truly a celebration of creativity and bravery of the incredible 6 artists who shared their creative works of art.
Creatrix Rising is a program of Archway Society that helps survivors of domestic violence explore their stories through art. From September through February 2025, art workshops in a variety of mediums were offered by artist mentors. Some of the participants, which we also refer to as the artists, choose to put their art into the Creatrix Rising Exhibit.
The Creatrix Rising Exhibit opened on March 7th with a great celebratory opening night, with live music bringing an artistic ambience throughout the evening. The exhibit was open until March 13th for visitors to drop in during open hours and enjoy the exhibit in a thoughtful way, more fully engaging with the emotional expressions within the art work. In total the exhibit welcomed 104 visitors. The response from visitors brought rave reviews, with several pieces being purchased, which brought a lot of delight to the artists. Guests described the exhibit as “Powerful,” “Inspiring,” and “Heart-warming and breaking all at once.”
Thank you again to all involved for making Creatrix Rising such a meaningful and unforgettable experience. We look forward to more opportunities to create, connect, and inspire together with our partners.
This Art Exhibit and journey of healing could not have been done without the generosity of our Funders;
UBCO through PRE Fund (Partnership, Recognition and Exploration fund) Award from The Leon and Thea Koerner Legacy Fund
Exhibit Sponsors:
Caetani Centre
Gum tree Catering
Farming Karma Fruit Co.
The Room Collection
Fair View Family Law
Our Workshop Partners;
Vernon Community Arts Centre
Opus Art Supplies
Caetani House
Our Artist Mentors;
Alessandra Woodward
Asana Hughes
Silmara Emde
Auroara Leigh
our Volunteer Committee Members;
Alessandra Woodward
Asana Hughes
Jody Swart
Patty Farmer
Sue Rooks
Charlotte Barker
Other Volunteers:
Maliya Canty
Bonnie Cameron
Grace Erikson
Brigitte Stass
Opening Night Volunteers and program contributors:
• Margret Clark – Community Elder OKIB – Welcome • Cindy Klassen – CR program lead – MC • Micki Materi – Archway Society ED – Archway spokesperson • Cyndie Roufousse and Daughter Mystery – Indigenous drummers/singers – Song Share • Auroara Leigh – Artist Mentor – song share • Orion Miller – musician – Mood setting music through the evening • Charlotte Baker, Patti farmer, Sue Rooks, Sharon Gaudry and Asana Hughes – Volunteers • Photographer – Seraya Klassen
Invitation to complete a survey titled “The Lived Experience of Survivors of Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence in the BC Legal System”
An independent review is presently being conducted of the BC legal system’s treatment of sexual and intimate partner violence. Through the hard work of survivors and advocates, a lot has already been learned about what is necessary to improve the way that the legal system responds to these forms of gender-based violence. The review and associated research will build on that good work.
However, it is important for the review to hear from those with lived experience about your experiences within the BC legal system in a manner that ensures that you have access to support resources available to you.
This survey has been co-designed by people with lived experience of sexual and intimate partner violence, and reviewed by people who work in the anti-violence sector. We think it’s important to learn more about your experiences and to hear your recommendations about what works well and where improvement is needed.
The survey asks questions about your experience with the BC legal system in order to better understand what was good and bad about your experience, what supports were most helpful to you, and what might have improved your experience. It will not ask you to describe the violence that you experienced. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary, and the BC Society of Transition Houses will provide the support you need regardless of whether you decide to participate. If you do decide to participate, you can skip any question you don’t want to answer and you can share as much or as little information as you wish. The survey is anonymous and you will not be paid for your time. You can choose to provide your email address if you would like to receive a copy of the report that will be produced.
The information we gather will be shared with BC’s systemic review of the legal system’s treatment of sexual and intimate partner violence and will form the basis of publications about survivors’ experiences in the BC legal system. We hope that this survey will lead to improvements in how the legal system interacts with survivors.
The survey will take approximately 45 minutes to complete, if you answer every question.
This survey is being conducted by Professor Emma Cunliffe at UBC’s Allard School of Law. If you have any questions about the survey, you can contact her by email: cunliffe@allard.ubc.ca or phone: 604 822 1849.
