Stephanie Davis has been on the job for about three weeks now and already the new program co-ordinator for Southeast Newcomer Services, has lined up a series of events aimed at introducing new Estevan and area residents to the community and its people.
“I’m used to co-ordinating things,” said Davis, who was a newcomer herself about five years ago, moving to Estevan from her previous home near Clearwater, Florida to be with her husband-to-be Jack Davis. She said the kind of services the Newcomers team offers today’s immigrants, would have been a big help to her when she was making her move, so it is not going unnoticed.
But programming is her forte with this group.
Davis did some co-ordination work with the Estevan Humane Society in the past.
“We have some winter events scheduled, including a Winter Day of Fun on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum,” she said.
The fun begins at 1 p.m. she said with guest presenter Carol Daniels, a First Nations writer, singer, drummer, artist and storyteller from Regina. Daniels, who has appeared in Estevan before, will bring tales from her Cree Nation history as well as some other entertaining and educational additions.
The participants will enjoy some outdoor fun by building a snowman, constructing some snow globes, getting involved in a scavenger hunt and building pasta snowflakes plus some painting of winter scenes.
“We will warm up with real coco and some other refreshments,” said Davis.
Another favourite for newcomers and local residents alike is the International Kitchen, which is back by popular demand with four dates set aside to experience the creation of culinary delights from different regions of the world, brought to the Newcomers’ kitchen by the newcomers themselves.
On Feb. 21, the first installment of the International Kitchen will feature food from the Mediterranean, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
There will be 20 participants with each person allowed to register for a maximum of two sessions. A modest fee covers costs for maintaining the program.
This year the International Kitchen evenings will be held at Nicholson Centre in the Estevan Leisure Centre, the home of the Estevan Lions Club who are giving the newcomers’ team the use of their kitchen for these sessions.
The second round of the International Kitchen will see a focus on Russian cuisine on March 7 followed by some Peruvian dishes on March 21 and then Filipino delicacies on April 4. These are all Tuesday evening events that begin at 6:30.
“We also have a learn-to-skate program being lined up with the Estevan Bruins this winter, once again, but I haven’t been able to get a firm date yet. We’ll let everyone know when that is going to happen,” Davis said.
The traffic through the Southeast Newcomers headquarters on Sixth Street in Estevan and at their branch outlets in Weyburn and Carlyle, is more intense than ever with about 200 requests for assistance coming in last week alone throughout the southeast part of the province. Last month, saw 300 people registered for assistance with such things as citizenship issues, translations and daily living issues.
Davis said a pet awareness program will be offered in the future, to bring new arrivals in touch with laws, rules and regulations around owning pets in the province and the safety factors and risks, including cost. She believes that workshop will take place sometime around mid-March.
“We work on a grant basis and we move forward with the program once it gets approved,” Davis added.
This year, to help celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary as a country, Davis said the S.E. Newcomers will be entering a big float in the annual Bienfait July 1 parade.
“We’d like to make a statement using that venue and that event,” she said. “Our role is to help immigrants feel more at home and if that means helping with paperwork or getting people involved in a parade, that’s good.”
Davis said when she picked up and moved, she left a job, car and some belongings behind, just to come to be with her mate and to experience a new lifestyle. She said she has now come to appreciate Canada, including the seasonal changes and the sometimes harsh winters.
“I also like the fact Canada doesn’t make it too easy to gain full citizenship or residency. It took me four years to get processed through the systems for permanent residency and that’s probably a good thing in the long run. But I can definitely relate to others who are experiencing the frustrations that can accompany the application,” she said with a smile.
What else might be on the Newcomers’ agenda this winter?
Well, how about some ice fishing or snowmobiling, courtesy of local clubs and organizers who are willing to volunteer their time and talents to make new citizens a part of the community and culture. A little cross-country skiing will also be on the agenda seeing as how snow volumes are high this season.
The team is also getting involved in a Métis culture learning evening on Feb. 28 at the Estevan Public Library, beginning at 6:30.
The guest presenter for that event will be Christine Blondeau Perry. There will several Métis crafts and artifacts on display to help those in attendance understand the Métis back-story and cultural pursuits. The co-sponsor of the event will be the Métis Federation of Canada and Estevan Literacy Group.
“There is a lot of potential to experience winter here before it ends,” she added.
Community Initiatives funds many of the programs and, she emphasized again that the events are arranged for the entire community, not just newcomers.
“We want local residents to get out there with us, to mix and mingle so that everyone gets an idea as to how diverse we can be, yet still do things together and enjoy one another’s company. Newcomers also means arrivals from another province or city or town too. You are a newcomer to Estevan or Weyburn or the southeast. So come out and get acquainted with other newcomers and the local people,” Davis said in conclusion.
