Margaret Jardine sat behind a table full of memorabilia from Ireland, ready to tell visitors to the White Fox Community Hall about the culture both of her parents had hailed from.
Both White Fox and Melfort celebrated Culture Days Sept. 30 in a similar way: people originating from many different countries, like Nigeria, Mexico, Ukraine and the Netherlands, hosted displays to educate visitors about their culture.
“It’s been really good,” Jardine said. “People come in and tell you stories and they like looking at the pictures. Their ancestors came from there, some of them, and they’re inspired that somebody’s keeping the booth going and representing their culture.”
Arlene Wingert, the secretary of the White Fox Museum, which hosted the event, said they’ve been holding it for five years.
“It brings people out to see all of the different cultures that live in our area, that came to our area,” she said.“It’s a day for all of us to come together as one, as a community, all belonging to Canada.”
In addition to the country displays, the White Fox event had a Canada 150 table as well as tables with art pieces and woodcarvings. There was also entertainment, which included the Nipawin Line Dancers and the Singing Pines.
Like the White Fox Museum, Melfort’s event, held at the Kerry Vickar Centre, has been held for five years.
“I think it’s really important to celebrate culture,” said Gailmarie Anderson, the Melfort Museum’s curator. “It’s not only where you’re from or what you do in terms of music or art or drama, but it’s just the way you’ve lived your life,” she said. “It’s nice to celebrate that.”
The curator said the event allows people to learn about other cultures and listen to stories.
“So many people have so much at home in terms of memorabilia. It gives them an opportunity to show off, to let people know about their culture.”
As well as the country displays, the Melfort event did an interactive mini-suitcase project, where people made little paper suitcases and put a note explaining what they’d put in the suitcase if they were moving to another country.
“We all think about people who came a long time ago from the old country into Canada, but we have new immigrants all of the time and it must be really something to think that you’re moving from your home to an entirely new country: what could you bring with you, what would be important,” Anderson said.
Anderson said that some of the displayers brought some food samples and the We Love To Cook Women provided lunch for the day.
