Multi-Cultural Pride & Inclusion

"A City Of Culture":

The city of Saskatoon has lots for tourists, visitors or newcomers to see and do. Saskatoon has become Canada's cultural capital, with over 50 galleries and theatres in the Saskatoon region; this city of culture showcases the best of Canadian and international art, music, theatre and dance performances. . . Saskatoon is known as the "Limestone City" due to its many landmarks, preserved homes, and churches named after Governor Frontenac. The Saskatoon museums (such as the MacLachlan Museum and the Pump House Steam Museum), various historical monuments, heritage buildings and of course scenic parks are just some of the cultural attractions Saskatoon Saskatchewan has to offer.
                       -http://www.saskatoonkiosk.ca/directory.php?categoryId=184

November 14, 2012

Saskatoon, as described above, prides its societal environment as a very cultural, both historically and currently. According to the SaskatoonKiosk website, Saskatoon produces this multiculturally accepting image through establishments such as: the Western Development Museum, Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Center, German Cultural Center, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society (SCES), various denominational Churches, Saskatoon Ukrainian Museum, the Mendel Art Gallery, Dukhobour Cultural Centre of Saskatchewan, and many more. As well, since 1980, Saskatoon has annually held a multicultural summer event known as Saskatoon Folkfest, which is described as the following on http://www.saskatoonfolkfest.ca/home :

Saskatoon comes alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of our ethnic heritage. Thousands of volunteers contribute hundreds of hours to ensure your visit to each pavilion is a great experience. Performers of all ages, combined with exquisite artisans, global merchants, talented cooks, and enthusiastic servers, are proud to share their unique culture with you. Join us & become part of the cultural heartbeat of Saskatoon!

Despite the city's multicultural attractions and landmarks, the unprejudiced educational centres in Saskatoon are perceived as cultural microcosmic versions of the large city they are encompassed in. For example, note the following quote that was found in the WMCI Administration Team's greeting on the school's website:

Our staff believes strongly in Walter Murray's Code of Conduct created jointly with the student body a short time ago: "The staff and students of Walter Murray Collegiate are committed to a school environment that promotes a sense of safety, belonging, and equality where mutual respect and the pursuit of higher learning are integral components of our learning community." The common language used in our Code of Conduct focuses on treating each person with dignity and respect. At Walter Murray, honouring diversity is a central component of our learning community. Most importantly, we work toward reaching our full potential and helping those around us do the same. 

Walter Murray Collegiate Institute boasts a comprehensive platform for the education of students from grades 9-12, and as seen in the mural at the top of this post, it is home for students from 40 diverse backgrounds! It offers various language programs and extra-curricular cultural activities. The teachers also do their best to incorporate the diversities within the school body, such as studying texts from various perspectives, especially voices from those of the oppressed.

One of my co-op teachers uses the novel titled The Joy Luck Club, written by Amy Tan, which focuses on the struggles that four Chinese families endure throughout the experiences of their pre- and post-immigration to America. There was only one Chinese student in this particular teacher's ELA class, but he was happy to comment on the various traditions and the language dialect intertwined within the book. I believe that by using this book, the teacher has created an opportunity for inclusion within his classroom. He stressed to me that students need to be treated equally, regardless of their culture, and one of the ways he did so was to have students study multicultural texts. He also openly and unbiasedly includes everyones opinions and discusses historical and current events through every involved party's perspective.

We need to acknowledge, embrace and celebrate the various cultures that coincide with our growing population, particularly through providing a positive example and clearing the path to acceptance for our children, especially when they are the leaders of our tomorrow.