Red Deerians should be empowered by their beliefs and fight racism in the community.
That was the message at the third annual CommUnity: The Power of One, hosted by Central Alberta Refugee Effort (CARE) and Red Deer Native Friendship Society at the Golden Circle Seniors Resource Centre Saturday.
The event was held to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
“It’s a very powerful event to both commemorate the day and to recognize what racism exists and how we can work as a community to combat it and change that,” said Tessa Murphy, CARE settlement practitioner.
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A few dozen people attended the event, which is a similar number to the previous two, said Murphy.
“It’s great the community continues to get involved.
“I can only hope we have more and more people each year,” she said. “We hope to be welcoming, inclusive and support people.”
The theme is for this year’s event was “empowerment through our beliefs.”
There were a few workshops Saturday to support that theme – one of those workshops was “Tipi Teachings.”
Diane Gardipy, one of the workshop leaders, said she wanted to teach others about indigenous culture.
“We wanted to highlight the family foundation, family values, family structure prior to colonization.
“I’m very thankful to share here today,” Gardipy said. “I wasn’t raised with these teachings. Now I get to teach … people about what the tipi symbolizes, it’s very rewarding.”
Dean Johnson, another workshop leader, said he’s happy to teach people about his culture.
“Every time I put up a tipi I learn so much more. It takes a community to bring that wisdom and knowledge of what they’ve been taught,” he said.
“There was a separation that happened and now we’re trying to bring everyone together,” Johnson said.
Another workshop at the event featured local refugees sharing their stories and experiences with racism.
On Wednesday an event was held at École Secondaire Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School Wednesday to recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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