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Description
Photograph of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union participating in the International Women's Day parade which took place in Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.).

The B.C. Government and Services Employees' Union is one of the largest and most diverse unions in British Columbia with over 90,000 members in 550 bargaining units in the public and private sector. They trace their beginnings back to the early 1900s when provincial government employees formed an association to address their working conditions. Since then, the union has organized thousands of workers outside the government service. About a third of the B.C. Government and Services Employees' Union membership works in the direct government service. Their jobs include protecting children and families, administering social assistance, managing natural resources, staffing provincial correctional facilities, fighting forest fires and providing the government's technical and clerical services.

International Women's Day (IWD) is a specific day dedicated to the advancement of women worldwide; celebrated annually on March 8, to honor the achievements of women across all aspects of life – social, economic, cultural, and political – while also advocating for gender equality. Originating from labor movements in the early 20th century, IWD has evolved into a globally recognized occasion marked by events, discussions, and initiatives advocating for inclusivity and equity. IWD was marked for the first time in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, on March 19, with more than one million women and men attending rallies.
Description
Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals, playing Indigenous drums, participating in the International Women's Day parade which took place in Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.).

Indigenous drums occupy a central place in the cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Canada. They are much more than just musical instruments; they are sacred objects, bearers of spirituality, history and cultural identity. Native American drums have been present in indigenous cultures across North America for thousands of years. Their precise origins are difficult to determine, as they are an integral part of oral and spiritual traditions passed down through generations. The materials used to make drums vary by region and nation, but the process of making them is always deeply respected and rooted in cultural practices. For Indigenous peoples in Canada, the drum is often considered the "heartbeat of Mother Earth." It is a sacred link between the physical and spiritual worlds. When the drum resonates, it calls forth the spirits and creates a connection between humans, ancestors, and the Creator. This resonance is believed to align the rhythm of human life with that of the Earth and the universe. Drums are used in a variety of settings, including religious ceremonies, powwows, healings, and community gatherings. Each nation has its own songs and rhythms associated with its spiritual and cultural traditions. Beyond their spiritual and cultural role, Indigenous drums are also powerful symbols of resistance and resilience for Indigenous peoples in Canada. For decades, colonial policies sought to erase Indigenous cultural traditions, including the use of drums, by banning ceremonies and forcing assimilation. However, Indigenous communities resisted these attempts by continuing to practice and pass on their musical and spiritual traditions. Today, drums are used at protests, Indigenous rights marches, and other public events to demand recognition and respect for Indigenous cultures. The beating of the drum is a reminder of the strength and vitality of Indigenous peoples, despite the historical and contemporary challenges they have faced.

International Women's Day (IWD) is a specific day dedicated to the advancement of women worldwide; celebrated annually on March 8, to honor the achievements of women across all aspects of life – social, economic, cultural, and political – while also advocating for gender equality. Originating from labor movements in the early 20th century, IWD has evolved into a globally recognized occasion marked by events, discussions, and initiatives advocating for inclusivity and equity. IWD was marked for the first time in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, on March 19, with more than one million women and men attending rallies.
Description
Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals, holding signs and banners, participating in the International Women's day parade which took place in Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.).

International Women's Day (IWD) is a specific day dedicated to the advancement of women worldwide; celebrated annually on March 8, to honor the achievements of women across all aspects of life – social, economic, cultural, and political – while also advocating for gender equality. Originating from labor movements in the early 20th century, IWD has evolved into a globally recognized occasion marked by events, discussions, and initiatives advocating for inclusivity and equity. IWD was marked for the first time in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, on March 19, with more than one million women and men attending rallies.
Description
Photograph of a public park in Vancouver with the Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara in the background.

The Akali Singh Sikh Society of Vancouver is a prominent Sikh organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia. As a not-for-profit organization, the society plays a crucial role in promoting Sikhism and providing religious education to its members. Central to their activities is the Gurdwara (Sikh temple), which serves as a spiritual and community centre for the Sikh community. The Akali Sikh Gurdwara was first established in 1952, but the current larger structure was constructed in 1981. The society offers religious services, educational programs, and community initiatives aligned with Sikh principles.
Description
Photograph of a public park in Vancouver with the Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara in the background.

The Akali Singh Sikh Society of Vancouver is a prominent Sikh organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia. As a not-for-profit organization, the society plays a crucial role in promoting Sikhism and providing religious education to its members. Central to their activities is the Gurdwara (Sikh temple), which serves as a spiritual and community centre for the Sikh community. The Akali Sikh Gurdwara was first established in 1952, but the current larger structure was constructed in 1981. The society offers religious services, educational programs, and community initiatives aligned with Sikh principles.
Description
Photograph of a Cityscape of Vancouver showing the typical blend of urban development and natural beauty that defines Vancouver's landscape.
Description
Photograph of Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan seated on a couch backstage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver during a concert, surrounded by unidentified individuals standing beside him.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948–1997) was a Pakistani vocalist and composer, renowned for his mastery of qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music. Leading his family's qawwali group from 1971, he modernized the genre and introduced it to global audiences through international collaborations and film soundtracks. Known for his powerful voice and emotive performances, he remains an influential figure in world music.
Description
Photograph of Pakistani singer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan standing with an unidentified individual backstage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, during one of his concerts.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948–1997) was a Pakistani vocalist and composer, renowned for his mastery of qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music. Leading his family's qawwali group from 1971, he modernized the genre and introduced it to global audiences through international collaborations and film soundtracks. Known for his powerful voice and emotive performances, he remains an influential figure in world music.
Description
Photograph of an unidentified individual at Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's concert at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948–1997) was a Pakistani vocalist and composer, renowned for his mastery of qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music. Leading his family's qawwali group from 1971, he modernized the genre and introduced it to global audiences through international collaborations and film soundtracks. Known for his powerful voice and emotive performances, he remains an influential figure in world music.
Description
Photograph of Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan seated on a couch backstage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver during a concert, with an unidentified individual beside him.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948–1997) was a Pakistani vocalist and composer, renowned for his mastery of qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music. Leading his family's qawwali group from 1971, he modernized the genre and introduced it to global audiences through international collaborations and film soundtracks. Known for his powerful voice and emotive performances, he remains an influential figure in world music.