Local event helps bridge culture gaps

There was a small gathering of youth, elders and community leaders at the Indian Metis Friendship Centre (IMFC) Thursday night to show their support for an event which helps eliminate racism

The mini round dance, organized by the IMFC, Prince Albert Multi-Cultural Council and YWCA Settlement Service, has been held twice in the past three years and some of Prince Albert’s newest residents are invited to take part. Kayla Koivisto, a settlement worker in the schools, said the event represents a great opportunity for the young people, who come from other countries like the Congo.

“Indigenous culture is a very big part of Canada’s history and with having new young people coming to Canada it’s very important they understand that integral part of our past, our present, and our future,” she said.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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The event Thursday night was not the first time the young government assisted refugees have been exposed to indigenous culture. Koivisto said last fall’s Thanksgiving Powwow was also a big hit.

“And they had tons of questions and they really loved it and they didn’t want to go home, they thought it was awesome,” she said.

Vera Butoto, 17, from the Congo, was among the refugee residents at the event Thursday.

“It’s very different like the dance style from ours but the dance is really nice and I like it a lot,” she said.

The mini round dance marks phase three of the Common Ground program, which was initially launched in 2015 as a way to help bridge the gap between cultures. Lemoya Lorensen is the project coordinator with the Prince Albert Multi-Cultural council.

“We wanted to start with indigenous and newcomers because they sometimes face similar issues and challenges, issued related to colonialism, and issues related to treatment in society,” she said

People of all ages and backgrounds were encouraged to get up and dance. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

The Saskatchewan Indian Metis Friendship Centre and Saskatchewan Multi-Cultural Council are the provincial partners of the program, but each city has its own local committees. Sorenson joked in Saskatoon and Regina, they call it the Bridges program.

“Prince Albert is not too fond of bridges (she laughed), so we decided the name Common Ground was way better,” she said.

Georgette Arcand, program director at the Indian Metis Friendship Centre, was also on hand Thursday night. She said she has had a great response from the elders.

“From what I’ve been told, they say it’s good to open your arms and accept everybody and bring together people and celebrate,” she said.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell