Heritage Day celebrates cultural diversity

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on August 2, 2022.

Herald photo by Al Beeber Chinese dancers perform during Heritage Day festivities Monday at the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association multicultural centre downtown.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily put the brakes on public gatherings, the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association staged its popular and long-standing Heritage Festival on Monday.

The SAEA multicultural centre downtown was packed with people of all ages and backgrounds listening to and watching entertainment while indulging in the available food offerings.

The Watch manager Jeff Cove was given a Blackfoot name in a pair of ceremonies, one first staged outdoors under the shade of trees while the Community Taiko Drumming Association performed indoors and again during the official opening ceromonies, which featured an opening address from SAEA president Victor Wutor.

Cove was bestowed the name “Travelling Amongst Us” by Maurice Little Wolf, who came up with it after prayer.

Cove, a long-time former member of the Lethbridge Police Service, said he was humbled and honoured with the title. The Watch, is a community-based program that uses outreach, intervention and connections to make the streets of Lethbridge safe.

In his remarks, Wutor addressed the history of Heritage Day which was created in 1974 with the passing of the Heritage Act by the Alberta Legislative Assembly to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of Albertans. The first Monday in August was made the official date of the holiday.

“I’m very excited that we are able to host this event at the multicultural centre. This will be the first time we are doing that and it was a promise I made to the association when I took over as the president because for me, this means a lot to the association. People come here to see what we do here and then they get to know what we stand for as an association,” said Wutor.

Wutor said Alberta is a province of different cultures and ethnicities.

“Heritage Day is intended to celebrate the province’s heritage rights from the Indigenous people to the modern-day diversity that enriches the daily life in Alberta. Heritage Day is to celebrate and recognize and honour all that makes Alberta such an incredible place to live,” Wutor said.

“We all have great heritages which are filled with fantastic traditions that span over several generations. Since 1977, the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association has been showcasing ethnic diversity in southern Alberta by highlighting different global cultures, languages, cuisines, cultural dancing, performances and ethnic music as well as thoughts and philosophies,” he said.

“This association represents a true taste of the diversity of Alberta and by extension, Canada from every angle,” Wutor said.

“For us, Heritage Day has become one of our flagship events. Alberta is stronger and better as a province because of diversity and the strength this beautiful province derives from diversity and multiculturalism must not be under-estimated by anyone,” added Wutor.

He said Albertans must remember their history and acknowledge their shortcomings while celebrating their achievements.

“Promoting diversity is the best way to promote tolerance and true inclusion and acceptance.”

He said people who experience diversity in their everyday lives will be exposed to people, cultures, traditions and practices unlike their own.

Diversity is needed for the human race and survival depends on it, Wutor added.

“Diversity is strength, diversity is so needed to grow as a nation,” he added.

Performers at the event that ran until 4 p.m. included a wide range of genres and styles. Food vendors also offered a diversity of tastes.

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