Multiculturalism in the Valley

Langley Times Feb 24, 2008
Many multicultural events planned for Fraser Valley:

As the calendar marches forward, there are many diversity events and celebrations being planned for the Fraser Valley.It is shaping up to be a busy one as preparations are underway to make this year’s events the finest ever.Canada is becoming a place where the world meets and connects. Citizens from all over the globe are coming to Canada to be part of this multicultural nation.Canadians are reaching a plateau of cultural awareness and are getting involved in their communities to build a bridge of understanding. Diversity is becoming a way organizations and community thinkers provide leadership and integration.Get your day planner ready — these are just some of the diversity events happening near you.The annual Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards take place on March 7 at the Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre in Abbotsford. Nominees are from Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack and Langley.Guest speaker will be B.C. Lieutenant Governor Steven Point, the first person of First Nations ancestry to hold the ceremonial post. Point is from Chilliwack.Master of ceremonies will be CBC broadcaster Margaret Gallagher.
For more information and tickets, please call Abbotsford Community Services at 604 859-7681 or 604 859-6334.A Multicultural Festival is being planned for this summer, which will showcase a wide variety of cultural diversity in Abbotsford. A steering committee has been set up, a date and the location will be finalized soon.It plans to be a premier event and input is needed. If you like to get involved, or for more information, please contact Musleh Hakki 778 240-5786.Culture Fest is taking place in Langley from June 23-28, during the week leading up to Canada Day. It is taking place throughout various venues in Langley. Guest speaker will be Jim Diers from Seattle. He will be speaking about hands-on community development. For more information on this event, please contact Ana David 604 533-4380 or go to www.bcharmony.orgThe next meeting of the Langley committee on anti-racism and multiculturalism will be held Thursday, Feb. 28 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hampton Inn on the Langley Bypass. A roundtable discussion is planned. It is called “Dialogue on Diversity,” bringing together adults and youth in a unique community discussion on how we can approach diversity with better awareness and understanding. A light buffet dinner will be served and will feature several guest speakers. For more information contact slittle@tol.bc.ca or call 604 533-6011.
One of the largest multicultural events was recently held at H.D. Stafford Secondary School. It celebrated the “Year of the Rat” on Feb. 2 in Langley.The event was well- attended with approximately 400 guests participating from different cultures.It was jointly hosted by Immigrant and Multicultural Services Program of Langley Community Services. Some of the entertainment included performances by Taiwanese, Chinese, Korean, Egyptian, Irish and Punjabi Bhangra dancers.Cultural diversity is alive and well in Langley, as well as the rest of the Fraser Valley. Come and celebrate the world in the valley in 2008.
Ken Herar is a columnist with the Abbotsford News.
He can be reached at KenHerar@gmail.com