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YORKTON - Saskatchewan Multicultural Week is upcoming.

At their most recent regular meeting Yorkton Council heard about the significance of the week in a presentation from Rhonda Rosenberg, Executive Director of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS).

Rosenberg note in 1974, Saskatchewan was the first province to enact multiculturalism legislation which recognizes the right of every community to retain its identity, language and traditional arts and sciences for the mutual benefit of citizens.

So this year marks the anniversary of the original legislation.

A year later, in 1975, MCoS was founded and has been instrumental in the development and promotion of the multicultural values enacted in the legislation and has been raising awareness for the benefits of cultural diversity and the dangers of racism since its inception, said Rosenberg.

It is important to mark multiculturalism, she continued.

“Diversity and inclusion are the foundation blocks of the Canadian identity and are globally acknowledged,” said Rosenberg. “. . . MCoS is constantly looking for and creating opportunities to support the five streams of multicultural work: cultural continuity, celebration of diversity, anti-racism, intercultural connections, and integration.

This year’s theme for Saskatchewan Multicultural Week is - Celebrate Community, Honour Diversity, and Act for Equity and is being celebrated from Nov. 16 – 24.

“Throughout the week we hope to see the message of community, diversity and equity spread far and wide,” said Rosenberg.

The week celebrates a united community too.

“Each of us deserves to live in dignity and to be treated with respect. We are enriched by the diversity in our communities, businesses, and organizations through the ways we see the world, our stories, values, beliefs, traditions, and expressions of these cultural foundations,” said Rosenberg.

That also means looking back.

“It requires recognizing historical legacies and current realities experienced by marginalized communities due to systems of supremacy, power, and privilege. Where equality offers the same opportunities or resources regardless of circumstances, equity intentionally addresses inequalities,” offered Rosenberg.

The city plays a role.

“It is important for municipalities to work on ways to ensure that the full diversity of voices in the community are reflected in decision-making, for instance on committees,” said Rosenberg.

When a community is inclusive it is a better place, said Rosenberg.

“When our communities are welcoming and inclusive, they create a sense of home and belonging. We recognize the creativity and innovation that arise from bringing different cultural perspectives together and cultivating the unique contributions of all. Integration is achieved when all members of a community are reflected, are seen and see themselves as belonging for all aspects of their identities, are valued for their contributions, and are able to appropriately access services. Yorkton can be an integration leader,” she said.