TC CAT Annual: International Overdose Awareness Day
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On International Overdose Awareness Day, we invite the Tri-Cities community to join us in creating a supportive, gentle space to honor the lives we have lost to the toxic drug crisis. This free event is designed to blend quiet remembrance with life-saving education, connection to resources, and an opportunity to stand together against stigma.
What is International Overdose Awareness Day?
Initiated in 2001, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those we have lost without stigma, and acknowledge the deep grief of the family and friends left behind. This global movement—marked by the symbolic silver ribbon and the color purple—reminds us that overdose is preventable, and that collective community action is key to saving lives.
You can learn more about the history and global campaign at overdoseday.com.
What to Expect
- Remembrance & Honoring: We will open with a traditional Indigenous opening, singing, and smudging ceremony, providing a dignified and welcoming space for collective grieving.
- The Memorial Tree & Art: Attendees are invited to add names, memories, or messages to our community Memorial Tree and contribute to a collaborative community art canvas.
- Life-Saving Education: We will offer low-barrier education on the toxic drug supply and hands-on, on-site Naloxone training.
- Community Support: Local support organizations specializing in mental health, substance use, and grief support will be on-site to offer resources and conversational support.
Optional Interactive Healing Workshops:
Our service provider booths will remain open for connection throughout the entire event. These workshops are completely optional—please feel free to drop in or simply continue connecting in the main space at your own pace.
A finalized schedule with exact start times for each session will be shared once solidified.
Wokshops include:
-Tree Meditation
Facilitated by Wondrous Tree Fellowship
A nature-connected, guided meditation to help us ground ourselves in the space early in the day. (Find them on Facebook: Wondrous Tree Fellowship)
- Dot Calm (Rock Painting)
Facilitated by Denise
A quiet, sensory-based mindfulness practice. Using the repetitive and rhythmic flow of painting smooth stones, this session is designed to ease a busy mind, reduce stress, and keep us anchored in the present moment.
- Yoga Nidra
Facilitated by Brandi (Bee the Yogi)
Brandi is an RYT 500 instructor who has been teaching since 2018. She will guide a mini Yoga Nidra session—a trauma-informed meditation focused on calming the nervous system and finding a quiet moment of physical rest.
Participating Service Providers
We are grateful to have the following organizations on-site to offer care, guidance, and resources:
- ASTRA
- Moving Forward
- Spirit of The Children Society
- Artivity Finder
- Fraser Health Overdose Outreach Team
- iHART
- Naloxhome
Event Details - Free to the community
Location: Town Centre Park Community Centre, Coquitlam. (Near Lafarge Lake SkyTrain)
General Timeline:
11:00 AM: Event opens, and booths open
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Welcoming remarks
12:30 PM – 2:25 PM (approx.): Optional community workshops
2:25 PM – 3:00 PM: Closing circle (A quiet space for shared stories and coming together)
3:00 PM: Event concludes
This event is proudly supported by the Coquitlam Foundation.
What is International Overdose Awareness Day?
Initiated in 2001, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those we have lost without stigma, and acknowledge the deep grief of the family and friends left behind. This global movement—marked by the symbolic silver ribbon and the color purple—reminds us that overdose is preventable, and that collective community action is key to saving lives.
You can learn more about the history and global campaign at overdoseday.com.
What to Expect
- Remembrance & Honoring: We will open with a traditional Indigenous opening, singing, and smudging ceremony, providing a dignified and welcoming space for collective grieving.
- The Memorial Tree & Art: Attendees are invited to add names, memories, or messages to our community Memorial Tree and contribute to a collaborative community art canvas.
- Life-Saving Education: We will offer low-barrier education on the toxic drug supply and hands-on, on-site Naloxone training.
- Community Support: Local support organizations specializing in mental health, substance use, and grief support will be on-site to offer resources and conversational support.
Optional Interactive Healing Workshops:
Our service provider booths will remain open for connection throughout the entire event. These workshops are completely optional—please feel free to drop in or simply continue connecting in the main space at your own pace.
A finalized schedule with exact start times for each session will be shared once solidified.
Wokshops include:
-Tree Meditation
Facilitated by Wondrous Tree Fellowship
A nature-connected, guided meditation to help us ground ourselves in the space early in the day. (Find them on Facebook: Wondrous Tree Fellowship)
- Dot Calm (Rock Painting)
Facilitated by Denise
A quiet, sensory-based mindfulness practice. Using the repetitive and rhythmic flow of painting smooth stones, this session is designed to ease a busy mind, reduce stress, and keep us anchored in the present moment.
- Yoga Nidra
Facilitated by Brandi (Bee the Yogi)
Brandi is an RYT 500 instructor who has been teaching since 2018. She will guide a mini Yoga Nidra session—a trauma-informed meditation focused on calming the nervous system and finding a quiet moment of physical rest.
Participating Service Providers
We are grateful to have the following organizations on-site to offer care, guidance, and resources:
- ASTRA
- Moving Forward
- Spirit of The Children Society
- Artivity Finder
- Fraser Health Overdose Outreach Team
- iHART
- Naloxhome
Event Details - Free to the community
Location: Town Centre Park Community Centre, Coquitlam. (Near Lafarge Lake SkyTrain)
General Timeline:
11:00 AM: Event opens, and booths open
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Welcoming remarks
12:30 PM – 2:25 PM (approx.): Optional community workshops
2:25 PM – 3:00 PM: Closing circle (A quiet space for shared stories and coming together)
3:00 PM: Event concludes
This event is proudly supported by the Coquitlam Foundation.
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Where is it happening?
1207 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC V3B 7Y3, Canada
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherTri-Cities Community Action Team - TC CAT
