A mosaic of cultures is what Canada is known for, and Lac La Biche County is no exception.
The Lac La Biche area is as diverse as the smorgasbord of leftovers from last week’s International Potluck dinner hosted by the Welcoming Communities Committee.
The fourth-annual event was held on Nov. 19 at the Bold Center in the Devon Room and saw about 175 people turn out for the evening, each bringing dishes from their cultural backgrounds. The dishes varied from vegetarian options to meats, curries, stews, salads and desserts.
“We had a great turnout this year,” said Mel Kuprowsky, one of the members of the Welcoming Communities Committee. “We want to get newcomers to the community to bring their families out. It’s not just for the parents. It’s turned into a family event and that is what we wanted from the start.”
The night consisted of family-friendly entertainment for all ages starting with numerous games for the children including musicals chairs and a freeze dance. Some special cultural events that took place included a dance put on by Métis dancers from Kikino Settlement as well as instruction on Korean, Japanese, and Mexican traditional games.
“The kids caught onto the games pretty quick,” Kuprowsky noted. “The games were from all around the world and the ladies that were giving the instructions didn’t speak English too well but the rules were simple and the kids really enjoyed themselves. It’s funny that no matter where you are from, kids will always be kids.”
Kuprowsky noted also that out of the 50 or so kids that came to the event, there were many different ethnic groups and diversity amongst them and yet they all managed to still get along and have fun together, something that he feels is the way that is should be.
The night rounded off with a dance for everyone.
Kuprowsky said there were many cultures in attendance but the Welcoming Communities Committee would like to see more of the long time residents of Lac La Biche make their way out to the event next year.
“This is the same group year after year and we would like to get more of the long-term folks and communities to come out next year. We’d like to see more people from the Lebanese, Italian, French, Russian communities to come out,” Kuprowsky said. “Let’s break down some barriers and see more folks come out. The whole intention of the Welcoming Communities is that we want to welcome newcomers in and bring communities together.”
Another member of the committee, Anita Polturak, says that bringing people together is the best way to make everyone in the community stronger.
“Realistically we want to be helping the community to be more opening and welcoming to new people and cultures and this will ultimately help the [whole community] prosper,” Polturak noted. “Helping to get people connected to others in the community will help them to be resilient in the end.”
Overall, both Kuprowsky and Polturak agree that the International Potluck was a success this year, and hope to have it be an even bigger success in years to come. They would like to thank all the people who came out and enjoyed themselves and cooked the delicious food and hope that next year they see some new faces in the crowd on the dance floor and new delicacies at the buffet.
