June ‘Culture Connect’ a celebration of diversity and culture

PEMBROKE - Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) - Lanark & Renfrew will launch its first annual Culture Connect this June. Culture Connect is an opportunity for the communal celebration of beauty in diversity and the importance of culture. Culture Connect brings together community groups and organizations from across the Ottawa Valley and creates space for learning, social connection, and fun.

Culture Connect consists of a series of events crafted to bring people together for collective learning, celebration, and honouring the cultures and traditions that make up our community. Thanks to community partners, Algonquin College - Pembroke Campus, Algonquin Students’ Association - Pembroke, Deep River Public Library, Laurentian Hills Public Library, Ottawa Tuckers Cricket Team, Pembroke Pride, The Perth & District Union Public Library, Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre (PMFRC), Garrison Petawawa Personnel Support Programs, Petawawa Public Library, Renfrew Public Library, and Starbucks Carleton Place, residents of the Ottawa Valley can explore our community and while making social and cultural connections.

“There are so many great multicultural activities already happening across our region. Culture Connect makes a conscious effort to bring these communities of practice together, unifying our efforts to celebrate culture, reconnect, and make new connections,” said Jodi Bucholtz, Manager of LIP-Lanark & Renfrew.

Community members can engage in month-long activities such as Book Bingo and Culture & Diversity Word Walk to the Community Read Event culminating in a meeting on June 29 to discuss common book themes, explore experiences in crossing cultures, and contribute to a community discussion.

There are two opportunities to learn about Indigenous culture by exploring what it means to be Two-Spirited and “Got Land” Indigenous Comedy Show. Travel the world without leaving the Ottawa Valley with Culture Connect’s Middle East Cane Dance lesson and People of Cameroon led by local residents. From painting welcome rocks to having a coffee with a neighbour, welcoming communities are created when we share space that is open, caring, and inclusive.

Thanks to title sponsor, Hyska’s Your Independent Grocer, Culture Connect welcomes the Ottawa Tuskers Cricket Team for the unique event, Battle of the Bats: Where a love for cricket meets passion for softball. Bring the whole family to Petawawa on June 26 to watch the Ottawa Tuskers match up with the PSP Softball Team as they teach one another about their favourite sport. After some tutorials, it’s game time with one softball game and one cricket game.

You are encouraged to take part in the various in-person and virtual events and activities happening throughout the Ottawa Valley this June and be part of creating space to enhance intercultural learning. Learn more about this initiative here.

Local Immigration Partnerships are funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a department of the Government of Canada, and support communities in bringing together service providers, settlement agencies, community groups, employers, municipalities, and other key organizations to create a welcoming and inclusive community for newcomers. In Lanark and Renfrew Counties, the work of Local Immigration Partnership is administered by Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.