Members of the Williams Lake Filipino community and Esk'etemc hosted a prayer vigil Saturday, May 10 to acknowledge the recent tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver where 11 people died when a person drove into the crowd.
In Williams Lake, people gathered at the A&W parking lot at 3 p.m. for prayers, singing, drumming and exchange of condolences.
Describing it as a horrific incident that left its impact on many people, Filipino community member Shelly Herrera-Llanera said "we pray the power of unity can shine through."
"We are gathered here today in this observance of Luksa Ng Bayan, or national mourning," she told the crowd. "The Williams Lake community as a whole is here to express our heartfelt condolences in solidarity with the victims and families affected by this recent tragedy."
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor brought condolences on behalf the city council.
"I want to make sure the Filipino community knows we're here for you 100 per cent and in 2025 there is no room for this kind of tragecy," Rathor said. "We are strong when we are standing together."
Alliance Church pastor Chris Harder ask God to provide a peace that surpasses the ability to understand.
"Tragedies such as this remind us of the fragility of life and the need for compassion and for unity. Help us now to support one another with tender hearts to lift each other up in prayer and to be agents of your love and your healing," he prayed.
Esk'etemc chief Fred Robbins offered his community's deepest condolences and asked everyone to keep leadership accountable when it comes to mental wellness of membership and staff.
"Most of all we must keep them accountable to ensure there is no place for racism, discrimination, bullying and harassment."
Esk'etemc elder David DeRose presented Herrera-Llanera with a drum he'd made for the Filipino community. The drum, he said, had the four directions as well as a dream catcher on the back.
Robbins said whenever you hear a drum it attracts attention.
"You know there is something going on. No matter where you go in the world and you hear the drum, you know there's something happening either in prayer, forgiveness or in celebration," the chief said.
Irene Johnson, an elder from Esk'etemc, said she was there to feel the pain, the warmth, the welcoming and the power of prayer.
Esk'etemc education director Calvin Dubray said when he heard about the incident he was in shock.
"My mind as an educator but also as a parent and grandparent went to wondering if there was someone at the event that I knew. I then thought about the families I had the privilege of working with in the school," Dubray said. "I knew the impact it was going to have not only in Vancouver, but across Canada."
Thanking everyone for coming, Filipino community member Erika Tenorio shared that a fellow Filipino working at Tim Hortons received a gift card from a Canadian with a trembling voice saying, 'I'm so sorry what happened to Filipinos in Vancouver.'
"That act of kindness pierced through the sorrow and reminded us of the shared humanity that binds us," Tenorio said.
Filipinos have long been part of the fabric of Canada and Williams Lake, working hard and sharing a smile to say 'I'm here to help you,' she added.
"This afternoon we felt seen, we felt loved, we felt part of a community that still believes in kindness, in compassion and in standing together. To each and everyone of you who came and who mourns with us, thank you."
