Movies of War

ArtsNews FacebookXLinkedinCopy URL Submitted Photo Performers share music and drumming during a previous Prince Albert Multicultural Council event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination at the Travelodge Hotel. The PAMC will host a similar community gathering on March 20 focused on art, storytelling and dialogue about racism. The Prince Albert Multicultural Council (PAMC) is inviting residents to take part in an evening of discussion, art, and storytelling aimed at encouraging conversations about racism and inclusion in the community. The event, titled Prince Albert Rises Against Racism through Art and Storytelling, will take place on March 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Travelodge in Prince Albert. The gathering is free to attend and will include speakers, an interactive art activity, and a meal for participants. Lemoya Lorensen, skills instructor and coordinator with the Prince Albert Multicultural Council, said the event is part of the council’s efforts each year to recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. “The Prince Albert Multicultural Council serves the whole community,” Lorensen said. “Some of our work is in employment, some of it is in settlement, and some of it is in social justice. It’s to ensure that people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are recognized and valued for their contributions to culture and society.” The evening will begin with a prayer from Elder Liz Settee, followed by a presentation from guest speaker Paula Collins, a CEO and social justice advocate who has been involved in anti-racism work in Saskatchewan. Lorensen said the event will also feature an interactive beadwork activity led by artist Marcy Friesen. Participants will work on beadwork while Friesen shares stories from her own experiences and reflections on racism and discrimination. “She uses beadwork to share and address social justice and discrimination,” Lorensen said. “While people are doing the beadwork with their hands, she shares stories about racism in Canada and her own life experiences.” Lorensen said PAMC chose an approach that combines art and storytelling because it allows participants to engage with the topic in different ways. “Every year we have different approaches,” she said. “Sometimes we have a direct discussion and sometimes we have a community leader talk about anti-racism. This time we wanted to integrate more than one medium.” The event will also include time for discussion among participants, including conversations during the shared meal. Organizers hope the setting will help people exchange ideas about how they can address racism in their own communities. “We want people to walk into a safe space where the dialogue is open,” Lorensen said. “There are people who have a lot of experience talking about racism and others who may not know much about it. It’s an environment where everyone can learn from each other.” Lorensen said conversations about racism and discrimination remain important in communities across Canada, including Prince Albert, where people from many backgrounds live and work together. She also added that discussions in online spaces can sometimes reflect misunderstanding toward newcomers and Indigenous people. “If you look at spaces like the WTF Prince Albert Facebook group, you sometimes see vitriol and hate directed toward Indigenous people and immigrants,” Lorensen said. “A lot of that comes from misunderstanding, and events like this help create a space where people can talk and learn from each other.” She said the event aims to encourage understanding and highlight the contributions people from diverse backgrounds bring to society. “When I came to Canada, I loved that analogy of being a mosaic where the separate pieces create something beautiful,” Lorensen said. “We create beauty in our diversity.” Organizers encourage residents interested in attending to register in advance through Eventbrite so they can plan for the number of participants, though the event itself is free to the public. PAMC hopes the evening will give attendees an opportunity to reflect, connect with others, and leave with ideas about how they can help build a more inclusive community. arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca -Advertisement-