Zazpiak Bat Basque Society

The Zazpiak Bat Basque Society is the Basque club of British Columbia, and it was born in Merritt, inspired by the Basque clubs of the United States. According to the club itself, David Maritorena and José Miguel Etchart founded it there in 1993; the Basque Government's register gives 1995 as its founding year. Over time its administration moved to Vancouver, where more Basques lived. Elena Sommer was its president from 2002 to 2019, the period in which, according to the club, it was most active, and since 2019 it has been led by Julia Etchart, who moved its base back to Merritt. It organises mus and dancing, guides those who want to learn Basque and has 148 members in the register.