By Adam Ophus

Cultural Days

Town, Rocky Native Friendship Centre and FCSS to host multicultural event

Sep 5, 2019 | 4:36 PM

The Rocky Native Friendship Centre has partnered with FCSS and the Town of Rocky Mountain House to bring a multicultural day event to Rocky.

“We’re looking at bringing in different cultures and ethnic groups to do a song or dance or food sharing,” says Executive Director of Rocky Native Friendship Centre Kirby Bigchild.

He explains that as of right now they will be having a Maori group from Edmonton that are going to be coming in, and someone that will be doing a traditional Hawaiian song and dance.

They’ll also have a resident Italian singer performing a love song in its native language, and a local indigenous drum group while promoting different styles of dancing and describing what those dances mean and the importance of the regalia.

“We’re also doing a call out to the community, if anybody has something they want to share in regards to singing or dancing or for showcasing their traditional foods they’re welcome to join the event,” Bigchild explains.

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Town council was quick to fully back the event with open arms. Chief Administrative Officer Dean Krause even stated they already had the funds tucked away for such an event.

“The town was granted ACE (Active Creative Engaged communities) funding almost a decade ago and there is $2000 left in that, and that ACE funding was for diversity, so this suits well,” he shared.

“I think it’s a great collaboration, it fits in with our strategic plan, I can’t see an argument against this, and we definitively don’t want to discourage this type of activity,” Councillor Michelle Narang said of the decision.

“I like the timing, we have tons of things in the summer and not to many after, and this is just a great thing to bring people here,” Councillor Jason Alderson spoke of the added benefits of the event.

Besides funding, the Town of Rocky, FCSS and the Rocky Native Friendship Centre will have a strong working commitment in this multi-cultural experience set for October 19 at the Lou Soppit Centre in Rocky Mountain House.

“I want the community to see those key community stakeholders working together, promoting what the community has in regards to our diversity,” said Bigchild while explaining the benefits of the collaborative effort.