Different Cultures

The face of Labrador West is changing.

Over the years, Nina Burford has seen a lot of people from different backgrounds come to work and live in Labrador West.

She was called upon to organize the first of its kind, Multicultural Council of Labrador West. The initial meeting will be held Feb. 20, 3:00 p.m. at the Government and Community Services Centre in Labrador City.

The meeting is open to everyone, she emphasizes, including Labradorians and Newfoundlanders because multiculturalism is about the cultures of all people.

They hope to choose board members from those who attend which will work to enhance awareness of diverse cultural values, promote understanding and harmonious relations between people, and carry out programs and events to promote cultural heritage.

She hopes that they will be able to show that there are different ways of thinking.

She admits that differences can sometimes be a barrier because people from various backgrounds think that others wouldn't be comfortable with their food, the way they speak, or the traditions they practice.

Burford said she had the same issues when she moved to Labrador West 29 years ago and started working as a teacher.

She had originally come from Goa, which was ruled by Portugal, but became a part of India the year she left in 1952.

She ate different food, spoke Portuguese, practiced Roman Catholicism, and had a different attitude towards socializing, so she felt like an outsider.

As part of a multicultural group she hopes to promote understanding and help everyone integrate better.

She was part of a similar group in Brandon, Manitoba and every Canada Day they celebrated multiculturalism by setting up displays of different countries.

Respected members of the community, Dr. V. Pullela, Dr. John Olarte, Asad Naqvi, and Zahoor Bhutta, are also spearheading the council.

Burford encourages people interested in attending the Multicultural Council of Labrador West meeting to send an email to maclabwest@gmail.com