Creeland Dancers during Tapestrama Cultural Festival 2020. (Government of Saskatchewan)

By Alison Sandstrom

COVID-19

Prince Albert Multicultural Council continues creating connections despite pandemic

Nov 19, 2020 | 4:37 PM

The Prince Albert Multicultural Council (PAMC) has adapted its operations to the pandemic, but Executive Director Michelle Hassler says the lack of large in-person gatherings has been especially hard.

“Part of having our community events and festivals is that you visit and mingle with people, you talk to them, you give them a hug… with COVID that just disappeared,” Hassler told paNOW.

Despite the challenges, Hassler explained staff knew they had to find a way to continue their two most popular annual events, Tapestrama and Canada Day, which serve as important avenues for newcomers to make connections in the community.

“We all thought, whatever happens we can’t afford to end the year without Canada Day and Tapestrama Cultural Festival,” she said, explaining the celebrations took on added importance with many people feeling isolated because of the pandemic.

Prince Albert Multicultural Council hired professionals to live stream and film the events, and both registered thousands of views, with over 18,000 people tuning in to the Canada Day celebration.

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PAMC staff during Virtual Celebrate Canada Day Celebrations. (Government of Saskatchewan)

Although Hassler said they’re looking forward to the return of large in-person events in the future, a comment from a viewer has inspired them to continue to make a live streaming option available.

“They were so thankful because they said they hadn’t participated in Canada Day in the park because of a chronic illness,” she explained. “That really spoke to us, so what we’re looking forward to next year or the year after is whatever it takes, even if we go back to a regular event, we want to make sure that we will add a live stream component of it to make it accessible.”

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom