This is our story

The Tibetan Cultural Society of British Columbia (TCS of BC) was incorporated in 1981 by Tibetans living in the Greater Vancouver region as a non-sectarian and charitable organization under the B.C. Societies Act. Our mission is to promote and preserve Tibetan culture and heritage in British Columbia, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that future generations of Tibetan-Canadians have the opportunity to learn and appreciate their unique cultural identity.

Our guiding principles are deeply rooted in the non-violent values espoused by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet.

Tibetans have lived in British Columbia since 1971, even though the province did not take part in the 1972 federal resettlement program. Over the decades, the community has flourished and become a valued part of Canadian society. In recognition of these contributions, the cities of Vancouver, Surrey, and Burnaby now officially proclaim March 10 as Tibet Day each year.

TCS of BC has had the honor of hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1980 and 1993 (in partnership with the Canada Tibet Committee), and played a leading role in his 2004 visit, during which he received honorary doctorates from UBC and SFU. We were also one of the main organizers of a large-scale public religious teaching attended by over 13,000 Dharma followers. Proceeds from the event were donated to Tibetan schools, monasteries, and old age homes in India, while a portion was used to support language and culture programs for youth in B.C. An endowment at UBC’s Institute of Asian Research continues to support Tibetan scholars to this day.

Tibetan Resettlement Initiative (Completed in 2017):

TCS of BC proudly participated in the Tibetan Resettlement Project, launched under a temporary public policy on December 18, 2010, by the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism. Under Section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the program aimed to resettle 1,000 displaced Tibetans from Arunachal Pradesh, India, to Canada.

As a community settlement organization, TCS of BC helped support the integration of newly arrived Tibetans into life in the Greater Vancouver area. With strong support from our members, we raised $50,000 by December 2012 to sponsor and support the resettlement of two Tibetan families. We are proud to share that this initiative was successfully completed in 2017, and the newcomers have since become thriving and contributing members of our community.

To learn more about the original policy, visit the Government of Canada: Tibet Public Policy – cic.gc.ca

Our Community:

Currently, TCS of BC had 159 registered members, including 139 regular and 20 subsidized members (based on age). Membership numbers vary annually based on registration.

We continue to grow as a hub of cultural preservation and community support through a variety of programs and activities that foster a strong Tibetan cultural identity:

Weekend Tibetan Language and Cultural Classes for children and youth
The Vancouver Tibetan Football Club, promoting physical wellness and youth engagement
Laksam Methok, a senior women’s traditional Tibetan dance group that performs at cultural events
Annual community events including Panchen Rinpoche Gedun Chokyi Nyima Bithday, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Birthday, Tibet Fest, Tibetan Democracy Day, Nobel Peace Prize day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Losar (Tibetan New Year)and Tibetan National up rising Day

Through our programs and initiatives, TCS of BC continues to build community, preserve cultural heritage, and support the next generation of Tibetan Canadians.