Meet one of our 2026 Patrons: Nolan Charles - Science World
Nolan Charles remembers dancing with the Musqueam Warriors group for Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the opening of Expo ’86, the world fair which put Vancouver on the map and the reason Science World’s geodesic dome was built. Now, forty years later, he is grateful to be named a Patron of Science World. “I […]
Nolan Charles remembers dancing with the Musqueam Warriors group for Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the opening of Expo ’86, the world fair which put Vancouver on the map and the reason Science World’sgeodesic dome was built. Now, forty years later, he is grateful to be named a Patron of Science World. “I never thought of being acknowledged,” says Nolan, with regards his work for the organization. “No, you do it because you're part of the community and you have to give back to the community. “My late Aunt Ethel always said, ‘Honey, a) remember who you are; b) remember where you come from; and c) never forget a and b!’” Nolan hoots with laughter. “So, I was humbled. ”Nolan, who lost his father Percy as a young boy, was raised by his late mother Mary and his community. The Musqueam Elders were there when he needed them, and it was them that helped him become the person he is today. Nolan reflects how it was all his coaches and teammates at Musqueam who taught him unity as a team and, more importantly, as a community, “Osiem. ”For more than thirty years, Nolan served as a Council Member for the Musqueam Indian Band, the Musqueam Capital Corporation, and the Fraser River Discovery Center. He continues to play an active role in local communities. A former Science World Board Director, Nolan served on various Board committees during his time including the Indigenous Relations Advisory Group. Kinship and communityThe word ‘Siyey̓e’ in the traditional language of the Musqueam people means “we’re all bound by kinships,” says Nolan. “We’re all here to help each other. We need each other. ”“Under our laws, we all live under the blue sky. [It is] the one roof that we all live under. ”As such, Nolan believes firmly that true Reconciliation must be inclusive. “[It] has to focus onalllittle ones, to get all little ones ready to be successful. ”That is the heart of Science World’s Science for All strategy, and indeed the spirit of our most ambitious fundraising campaign yet:The Future is Nerdy. Outside of Science WorldAside from the impact he’s made and continues to make on Science World, Nolan also worked with the British Columbia Golf Association to promote the First Tee program, which helps young people access the sport and its inherent life lessons. Nolan believes the game of golf teaches etiquette and respect for each other. Nolan is also a natural-born comedian, having placed third out of 50 contestants at Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver’s Search for New Talent in stand-up comedy. “All the troubles and battles that I’ve been through,” he says, “it’s humour that kept me going. “It’s like, OK, cancer’s knocked me down twice and I kept saying to myself, ‘Get up!’ I can laugh about it now, but I sure as heck wasn’t laughing about it while I was going through treatment. ”As Nolan points out, “It was my culture and ancestors, and my amazing team of doctors and nurses, and the entire staff at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Cancer Agency that got me through my cancer battle. Those are my real heroes, they all helped, now that’s Reconciliation. ”Put on some teaWhen it comes to getting things done, Nolan takes an old-school approach. “How did our grandparents resolve issues before these?” he asks, raising his smartphone to illustrate his point. “[They said] ‘Put on some tea, I’m coming over, let’s talk. ’”It’s plain how much Nolan values the power of speaking to one’s neighbours. “The colonial approach is, ‘Well, I’ll get my lawyers and my consultants, and you bring your lawyers and consultants, and we’ll try to figure this out. ' Wrong approach, theIndian Actdoesn’t help anyone!”Nolan continues, “Reconciliation promotes thinking outside of the box because there is no box. Is there a road map for reconciliation? No, there's not. So, it needs to be community-owned, community-driven, and more importantly, community-led. ”He repeats, “It's as simple as, put on some tea, I'm coming over. ”As the interview wraps, Nolan raises his hands to all Musqueam Members, Science World Board Members, and all Staff past and present, especially Scott Sampson and Tracy Redies. He says, “You are good people, we needed each other, we helped each other, and for that I am humbled. ”Nolan adds, “Thanks Mom, every day is a good day! Osiem. "Cookies Ahead!Read our privacy policyto learn about how our website uses cookies for analytics and marketing purposes.