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From: Local Immigration Partnership - Lanark and Renfrew
Media Release - Local Immigration Partnership - Lanark and Renfrew Launches the 2nd Annual Culture Connect, a Celebration of Diversity and Culture
Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) – Lanark & Renfrew is pleased to welcome the 2nd annual Culture Connect return this June. Culture Connect is an opportunity to celebrate beauty in diversity and the importance of culture. Culture Connect brings together community groups and organizations across the Ottawa Valley, creating space for learning, social connection, and fun.
Culture Connect consists of events crafted to unite people for collective learning, celebration, and honouring the cultures and traditions that make up our community. This year, Culture Connect has a little something for everyone, from ways to connect socially to online and in-person learning opportunities to physical engagement; June will be your opportunity to connect with culture and explore new parts of the Valley. "Culture Connect recognizes the wealth of existing multicultural activities in our region. By promoting collaboration and unifying our efforts, we aim to create even greater opportunities to celebrate culture and forge new connections," says Jodi Bucholtz, Manager of Local Immigration Partnerships-Lanark & Renfrew.
This initiative wouldn't be possible without the over 40 dedicated community partners who didn't think twice about the importance of recognizing and celebrating diversity and culture through an inclusive lens. "Culture Connect is a great way for folks to connect with their community and celebrate cultural diversity. It's an opportunity to learn something new and engage with the unfamiliar, which is why the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is so excited to participate. I think it helps show the value in our differences and the connections in our similarities, which are vital aspects of building a healthy and welcoming community," shares Laila Hack, Archival Assistant.
Personal and professional learning opportunities include learning about allyship and anti-bias practices, Indigenous ceremonies, drumming and actioning Truth and Reconciliation. “The Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre (PMFRC) values diversity and inclusion in our day-to-day operations supporting Military families and the surrounding community. We are honoured to be collaborating with Culture Connect in this community event,” shares Annie Beaudoin, Community Engagement Specialist. You can even learn about culture from the comfort of your home by listening to our OV Boss Babes special podcast and YourTV Ottawa Valley mini-series, Exploring Culinary Cultures. We even have the Ottawa Valley Reads competition, where you can learn about books through our book champions' videos centred on celebrating culture, marginalized communities, and BIPOC voices.
New this year, all Grade 6, 7, and 8 classrooms across Lanark and Renfrew Counties can engage with Jeff A. D. Martin, Diversity & Inclusion Motivational Speaker. Jeff will Zoom into participating classrooms to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion within our community. He will also speak on the importance of belonging to something bigger than ourselves and our social responsibility towards each other.
Maybe you learn best through doing. So why not stop by your local library to engage in Culture Connect activities, catch a documentary screening, connect through yoga, enter our makers' circle activities, learn through dance, pick up a cricket bat, experience curling culture, or discover your beat alongside your neighbours? “Spice up your life by participating in Culture Connect with the cultural experience in food, literature, music, dance, crafts, sports and more. Diversity in cultural experience opens the heart, broadens the mind, lifts the spirit, and replaces barriers with peace, joy and harmony,” shares Suli Adams, Culture Connect Community Volunteer.
Thanks to Culture Connect title sponsor, The County of Renfrew, Culture Connect launches the Culture Connector Award, recognizing individuals and organizations across Renfrew and Lanark Counties going the extra mile to support newcomers' adjustment to a new life in the Ottawa Valley. Nominations are open until May 31 at 5 p.m. Maybe you witnessed a colleague or fellow community member explain the ins and outs of the Canadian workplace to a newcomer. Perhaps you have engaged with an organization that made you or someone new to our community feel welcome. Was there a teacher who inspired you to succeed, a community group offering support, or a new neighbour who helped you make valuable connections as a newcomer to the Ottawa Valley? The Culture Connector Award allows you to recognize someone who inspires that feeling of belonging. Recipients will be announced at the end of June.
You are encouraged to take part in the various in-person and virtual events and activities happening throughout the Ottawa Valley this June and be part of creating space to enhance intercultural learning. Learn more about this initiative https://liplanarkrenfrew.ca/culture-connect or explore the interactive Culture Connect program, https://simplebooklet.com/cultureconnect2023program.
This project is funded in part by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). LIP-Lanark & Renfrew supports communities in bringing together service providers, settlement agencies, community groups, employers, municipalities, and other key organizations to create a welcoming and inclusive community for newcomers. In Lanark and Renfrew Counties, the work of Local Immigration Partnership is administered by Algonquin College's Pembroke Campus.
For more information,
Jodi Bucholtz
Manager, Local Immigration Partnership – Lanark & Renfrew
141 Lake Street
Pembroke, ON K8A 5L8
bucholj@algonquincollege.com
613-735-4700, ext. 2712
liplanarkrenfrew.ca
