Reserve Your Booth for the Multicultural Expo

Did you know that people come to Wood Buffalo from all over Canada and all over the world? The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo (MCA) is a great first contact for new residents, especially those coming from other cultures. 

The MCA offers a variety of programs, workshops and services to help people who are new to Canada learn more about living in our region. By strengthening our cross-cultural understandings, the MCA also helps to foster a more compassionate and unified community. 

One of the many events that the MCA hosts that truly brings the cultures of Wood Buffalo together is their flagship event: the Multicultural EXPO. 

The Annual Multicultural EXPO is a celebrated event that educates and engages citizens and visitors alike. Showcasing a plethora of vibrant customs including dance, fashion, and culinary delicacies, patrons are always delighted to explore the cultures of the world…right here in Wood Buffalo!

If you are interested in sharing the splendours of your culture, then register to host a booth at the EXPO. At a booth you are welcome to display information, offer activities, sell and/or teach traditional crafts, sell customary foods and more! 

Click here to register for your booth. Act fast as the application deadline is January 16th, 2017! 

The 2017 Multicultural EXPO will be taking place at MacDonald Island Park on February 18, 2017 from 11:00am – 8:00pm. Entrance fee is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and free for children of 5 years and younger.
More information can be acquired by visiting www.multiculturefm.org or, contact Rodas Ardres, Events and Volunteer Coordinator of the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo at events@multiculturefm.org or call the office and speak with Rodas at 780-791-5186


Photos courtesy of Greg Halinda.

Volunteer Opportunities and Upcoming Events with the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo

Here is some information on Volunteer Opportunities and Upcoming Events with the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo.

Community Block Party, April 16, 2016 1:00pm – 4:00pm: The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo (MCA) cordially invites you to the Community Block Party held at the Jubilee Plaza (9909 Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray AB T9H 2K4). This event is put on by the MCA in partnership with McMurray Experience and Full Circle from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Expect to see multicultural foods, performances, door prizes, and whole lot of family friendly fun!

Volunteer Positions available:

    

MCA Ambassador:

1. Welcome guests to the event
2. Door prize tickets: people can fill out their information on tickets for a chance to win free tickets to Multicultural Cookery for month of May and June. Winners will be announced every hour
3. Count attendance using clickers
4. Inform people of the programs and different events the MCA puts on throughout the year

Shifts 1: 12:30pm – 2:30pm, 3 volunteers

Shifts 2: 2:00pm – 4:00pm, 3 volunteers

    

Photo Booth Assistant

1. Explain to participants about the use of the photo booth.
2. Tell people who pass by to have some fun and use it!
3. It is completely free – pictures are printed instantly

Shifts 1: 12:30pm – 2:30pm, 1 volunteers

Shifts 2: 2:00pm – 4:00pm, 1 volunteers

Upcoming Events:

Timeraiser: April 12, 2016

Timeraiser is a volunteer matching fair, silent art auction and a night out on the town. The big twist, rather than bid money on local artwork, participants bid volunteer hours.

Over 3700 volunteer hours were raised last year!

Date: April 14, 2016

Time: 6:30 – 9:00pm

Location: Macdonald Island Community Art Gallery

Metis Festival: May 25, 2016

Email Rodas Asres at events@multiculturefm.org to schedule a volunteer shift or for more information on any of the events.

Volunteers Needed

The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo (MCA) is having its Annual Fundraising at Boom Town Casino (9825 Hardin St, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4G2). This fundraising event will be held on January 5 and 6, 2016.

The Multicultural Association’s mission is to encourage ethno-cultural groups to develop and preserve their individual cultures and communities within the Canadian context. Promote and encourage inclusive multiculturalism at all levels in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Facilitate communication between individuals, groups, industry, businesses and government with respect to ethno-cultural groups within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and promote equality, social justice, inclusion and institutional change.

This is an opportunity for you, as a volunteer, to make sure MCA's services, programs, initiatives, and events continue to grow. Please click HERE for more details or contact Rodas Asres (780) 791-5186 or email admin@multiculturefm.org.       

                                                                                                                 

Apply NOW for the Multicultural Expo!

The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo is looking for local cultural groups to get involved in their annual Multicultural EXPO in February 2016. This is your chance to show the community glimpses of the beauty and magic of your culture and a chance to showcase all that is unique and special about your home country.

About the Multicultural Expo: The Multicultural EXPO-2016 hopes to bring together all diverse cultural groups in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Last year they had over 26 cultures represented and around 2600 attendees at the event. The EXPO features traditions, customs, artifacts, dress, food, and dances from all over the world. The event not only brings the Wood Buffalo community together but aims to break down barriers between cultural groups and enhance cross-cultural awareness, understanding, and appreciation.

What you can do at the Multicultural EXPO:

• Sell cultural dishes for all to enjoy (Apply for Temporary Food Vendor Permit)
• Sell handicrafts inspired by your culture (Apply for Daily Licence)
• Educate the public about different aspects of your culture (ie. traditions, festivals, beliefs, customs, dress, artifacts, dances, etc.)
• Reach out to newcomers
• Spread the word about your cultural group or organization

An ambassador for each cultural group will serve as the sole representative for their cultural group liaising between their group and the Multicultural Association.

Ambassador Responsibilities:

• Serve as the liaison between the cultural group and the Multicultural Association
• Attend committee meetings prior to the EXPO (about 3 short meetings will be scheduled)
• Keep the Multicultural Association updated on the progress and any changes within the group
• Organize the booth for your cultural group to be displayed at the EXPO (find people to provide artifacts, traditional costumes, and info)
• Get commitment from the group for organizing a food stall or handicraft stall

Apply Now!

• To apply to be an Ambassador and book your booths or for more details please email the Multicultural Association at events@multiculturefm.org or call 780-791-5186.

IMPORTANT DATES AND NOTES:

• November 30, 2015 - Information Session at the MCA Board Room at 6:00pm
  
• December 11, 2015 - All Applications must be submitted before the end of the day
• Application for the Temporary Food Vendor Permit must be filled out and sent to events@multiculturefm.org before end of December 11, 2015
• Application for Daily Market License must be submitted to:

Mailing Address: 9909 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray AB T9H 2K4

Business Licensing Office Location: 309 Powder Drive, Fort McMurray AB

     T 780-799-8695 F 780-743-7874

• A copy of the Daily Market License Application must be sent to events@multiculturefm.org before end of December 11, 2015 

The Multicultural Association is looking forward to working with you to make this year’s Multicultural EXPO a huge success!

The World Meets in Wood Buffalo

From September 23-27 the Regional Municipality will be celebrating Alberta Culture Days. Alberta Culture Days started in 2008 as Alberta Arts Day – one day to recognize the value of the province’s arts and cultural communities, with 100 events held in 30 communities. Since then, it has expanded into an annual three-day celebration that helped inspire the creation of Culture Days — a pan-Canadian movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. In 2014, there were more than 1,200 events in 98 Alberta communities.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has taken part since 2009 and the event has become so popular that three days are not enough to showcase the community’s vibrant arts, rich heritage and cultural diversity. We are devoting five days to promoting and appreciating the artists, creative professionals, volunteers and non-profit groups that help make the region a great place to live, work and PLAY! From September 23-27, there are all kinds of activities and performances for residents of all ages. All of the events are planned and presented by our very own community members and are FREE to attend.

 

The World Meets in Wood Buffalo, created and organized by the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo, has been a highlight of the Alberta Culture Days Festival for the past two years.  The event brings together cultures from around the world onto one stage to preform cultural and folk dances plus music from their home countries. This year the show will feature over 15 different cultural dances. Admission is free plus there will be multicultural snacks for purchase. The event will be taking place September 26, 6pm-9pm and September 27, 2pm-5pm at Shell Place, SP Grand Ballroom CD.  The World Meets in Wood Buffalo is proudly sponsored by Nexen, The United Way, the Government of Canada, and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.  

The Multicultural Association’s mandate is to support cultural groups and newcomers through services, programs, events and initiatives that foster cross-cultural awareness and understanding. By integrating newcomers and encouraging local residents to take pride in their heritage the Multicultural Association helps to build and celebrate the diverse culture of Wood Buffalo.  Their vision is to create unity in diversity with the goal that our diverse cultures are reflected in all aspect of our society from the economy to government.

“Building bridges across different cultures and developing friendships are the bedrock of building community; it also makes a community welcoming and inclusive and helps people stand up against racism and discrimination. Multiculturalism adds colour and vibrancy to the community, breaks myths and misconceptions about uncommon cultures and building a place all can call home,” says Executive Director Mary Thomas. 

If you would like to support the Multicultural Association they are seeking volunteers to help at their upcoming events, their language clubs taking place at local schools, and participants to take part in dialogues and discussions.  

For more information on The World Meets in Wood Buffalo and all the events happening at Alberta Culture Days please visit www.rmwb.ca/culturedays and download their online festival booklet. For further information or questions please contact Michael Beamish, michael.beamish@rmwb.ca, 780-788-1498.