Saskatchewan Multicultural Week Nov. 16-23 has been proclaimed by Yorkton Council.
Darlene Stakiw, Past President Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan made the official request Monday at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council.
Forty years ago Saskatchewan was the first province to enact multicultural legislation in 1974, she explained, adding the Act was adopted as a way of "recognizing the right of every ethnocultural community to retain its identity, language and traditional arts and sciences for the mutual benefit of its citizens."
In 1997, the Multicultural Act was revised, said Stakiw.
"A section of the Act states the policy should preserve, strengthen and promote Aboriginal cultures and acknowledge their historic and current contribution to the development of Saskatchewan," she added.
As part of the week there will be two events held in Yorkton. Nov.15 will see the first Immigrant Awards of Excellence, and Nov. 16 the annual Festival of Cultures will be held. Both of these events are sponsored by Partners in Settlement.
The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan is committed to promoting, fostering, improving and developing multiculturalism in the economic cultural and political life of Saskatchewan while working to achieve equality of all residents.
