Released on November 14, 2014
The Government of Saskatchewan and the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS) are once again partnering to celebrate Saskatchewan Multicultural Week – November 15 to 23, 2014. This year, in addition to annual events, there will be some special activities to note the 40th anniversary of The Saskatchewan Multicultural Act and recognize that Saskatchewan was the first province in Canada to enact legislation in support of cultural communities.“As our province’s population and economy continue to grow, our increasing multiculturalism helps keep Saskatchewan strong,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said. “Now, 40 years after creation of The Saskatchewan Multicultural Act, First Nations and Métis people and those from more than 200 countries call Saskatchewan home and the quality of life we’ve built together is the envy of many.”
“MCoS is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Multiculturalism Act during this year’s Saskatchewan Multicultural Week,” MCoS Executive Director Rhonda Rosenberg said. “The Saskatchewan Multicultural Act promotes the value of cultural diversity to the province from the various First Nations cultures, to the Métis, to generations of settlers, to refugees and immigrants. It expresses the provincial motto From Many Peoples Strength. As interest and investment in multiculturalism increases, we encourage everyone to participate in one or more of this week’s events as well as other activities throughout the year.”
The week kicks off on Saturday, November 15 with a free public forum on multiculturalism at First Nations University of Canada in Regina titled, Remember our Past, Envision Our Future. Anyone interested in sharing ideas on how to grow multiculturalism in Saskatchewan is encouraged to attend. To register for the forum, and for more information on activities, visit www.mcos.ca.
The week wraps up on Saturday November 22, at Government House in Regina, where Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield will host the third annual MCoS Multicultural Honours: A Celebration in Honour of Multicultural Contributions. The event will recognize community members who have worked to support multiculturalism.
Saskatchewan Multicultural Week is celebrated every year in November to recognize our growing diversity, encourage respect for the multicultural heritage in Saskatchewan and foster harmonious relations among people with unique cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Each year, MCoS distributes materials to Saskatchewan schools to help them participate.
This year, the cities of Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw and Yorkton are all recognizing multiculturalism within their communities by holding specific events.
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For more information, contact:
Sean St. George
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9087
Email: sean.st.george@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8635
Justin Waldrop
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan
Phone: 306-721-6267
Email: communications@mcos.ca