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Srijana (a.k.a. Jana) Sunuwar was born in Janakpur, Nepal. She spent her early childhood in Japan but immigrated with her parents to Vancouver in grade 9. The move from the East to the West changed her life in multiple ways, but Sunuwar believes that it was a positive transition and that she changed for the…
From Vietnam to Vancouver…via the Yukon? Kim Dinh now celebrates the Autumn Moon Festival of Vietnam with Vancouverites, but that festival has come by a circuitous route. Dinh’s original immigration – and the festival’s first Canadian incarnation – was in the Yukon, where Dinh moved to be with her husband. “I went straight from home…
Valerie Malla will be moderating Culturalism versus racism: What is the difference between them? How is our DNA connected to these concepts? at the Surrey Central Branch Library on Sept.11 as well as Racialized propaganda: how has this strategy affected modern times? What will it take to get past our radicalized underpinnings? at the Anvil…
Envision a safe space where you are able to play a game with your peers, controlled by each of the participants’ emotions. Students at Simon Fraser University (SFU) have developed a futuristic design concept for an interactive and artificial intelligence (AI) driven holotent designed to support the development of empathy in children. The EmotoTent generates…
Although Canadians are increasingly connected via media and social experience, people frequently find themselves separated by both language and political ideals. Enter Diversity Votes, a website and media initiative that aims to educate the general public about the demographic, economic and social characteristics affecting electoral strategies, increase the accountability of regional and national media sources…
With strong family ties, a mixed ethnic and cultural background, and an extremely protective father, Vivan Kayeg El Jamal never really dreamt of moving abroad for education. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil to a Lebanese and Italian immigrant family, El Jamal experienced all the challenges of a kid living among three different cultures. She was intensely…
It’s a French festival…with a Canadian twist! The upcoming Bastille Day celebration will bring French art and culture to all corners of the world, including Vancouver on July 14. And this worldwide event may have been started by Canadians, says Victoria Batrel. “It’s National French Day. In French we call it, “la fête du 14…
There is much history to be found in Vancouver, and this is no less pertinent in the case of the city’s Jewish community and its resilient pioneers. Michael Schwartz, director of community engagement at the Jewish Museum will be conducting walking tours of Vancouver’s Jewish landmarks on July 14 and August 25. He explains that…
The unique Uyghurs! This Chinese ethnic minority shows influences from Turkey, Asia and Europe, but the Uyghurs have their own distinct traditions, says Turnisa Masidik. In Vancouver, 300 Uyghurs are holding onto that identity. “Uyghurs are a Turkic ethnic group,” says Masidik, an Uyghur activist and long-time member of Vancouver’s Uyghur community. “Some are in…
As Vancouver’s Italian heritage month comes to a close, Angela Clarke, curator and director at the Italian Cultural Centre, reflects on architect Bruno Freschi’s contribution to the Vancouver architectural scene. In 1986, the World Exposition was hosted by what would become one of the most important cities in the Pacific West; Expo 86 brought Vancouver…
The Croatian Cultural Centre will be holding their fourth annual Croatia Days Festival this year. According to Ante Pocrnic, Vice President of the United Croats of Canada, over 3000 people attended the festival in previous years and he expects the turnout to increase yet again. This year the three-day event is being held from June…
Progressive organizations across Canada engage employees through diversity and inclusion programs. “The business community is motivated to develop intercultural competency (IC),” says Taslim Damji, an intercultural practitioner and facilitator for MOSAIC, Multilingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities. Understanding cultural diversity and learning to empathize and embrace different behaviours is key to building strong relationships…
World’s best city to live in”, and “World’s most reputable city” were the accolades thrown around by just about anyone who learned about my imminent departure to Vancouver. To my mind, the city has an immediate appeal and aura that these various reports and surveys seem to have tapped into: it’s pleasant, safe and in…
