Students at St. Anthony’s school had a unique opportunity to celebrate each other at Multiculturalism Day.
On Wednesday, May 3, the school hosted a school–wide Multiculturalism Day. Students from all grades were able to take time and check out 13 student made displays from countries around the world, learn about these cultures and sample foods. The day also included a presentation by Brock Harrington on an around the world trip he undertook and was capped off with a performance by the Blackfoot Horsethief Powwow Dance Troupe.
Grade 11 student Fatima Rehan organized the day, and she was happy with how the day went.
This is the second year they have held a multicultural festival, but this was the first time it was school-wide.
“The first time we did it, it was very small it was part of our Connections leadership project, and was just in a classroom,” she explains.
The inspiration for the festival comes from her life experience.
“As a child, I moved around a lot and have explored a lot of countries and cultures. I think it can really build on your personality and help you learn a lot more and how to interact with people around you,” she said.
Learning about other culture fosters understanding.
“As the world around us is growing we are getting more connected, I think students should be aware of this and how to deal with different cultures. If someone lives in one place their whole life and never goes out of their culture and they go into something it’s a culture shock.”
She says it also helps build the school community.
“It gets the students together, and it is something fun,” she said. “I think when I walk around my school, kids say ’we’re Canadian’ and that’s great, but sometimes they almost don’t remember their own culture. I think it is important to value your own background.”
Community support for the project was also strong and they were able to garner support from the Bank of Montreal, which sponsored the prizes, and the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce sponsored the dance performance.
