Medicine Hat Public School Division celebrates diversity at fourth annual Mosaic Culture Day

“It’s a chance for our school just to celebrate everybody, every single person in the school, no matter where they came from. Learn a little bit more about each other.”

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(Image Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

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A large communal table was placed at the center of the event, a feature organizers hoped would symbolize unity among students, staff and families.

“To be a bit of a symbol for how we want our families and ourselves just to move from silos to togetherness,” LeBlanc said.

“We want to eat together, celebrate together.”

LeBlanc said sharing food is a simple but effective way to create connections between people from different backgrounds, with the event’s broader message being one of inclusion and belonging.

“If we make one giant table we all can sit at, then I think that really encourages us to sit down, have some rice together and enjoy each other’s company,” LeBlanc said.

“We value every single child and family member associated with our school,” she added.

“We are a true community school, and we want to be that for the people who live around our school.”

Leblanc said the celebration provides an opportunity to recognize the unique histories, traditions and cultures that students bring with them.

“We know each of our kids is unique, each comes with a different history, a different set of traditions and cultures, and we value every single one of them,” LeBlanc said.

The event also coincides with National Indigenous History Month, a connection LeBlanc said is reflected in some of the school’s programming.

One initiative introduced this year was a garden club, where students are growing vegetables that families can take home.

“Something we focused on this year is actually growing our own food in school, we’re growing little vegetables that every family gets to take home for free,” LeBlanc said.

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(Image Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

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Throughout the event, attendees enjoyed live music by a guest accordionist and performances by the student choir.

“Sometimes we have some spontaneous dancing that happens, it sort of just takes on a life of its own as the day progresses,” LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc said the success of Mosaic Culture Day has shown that families are eager to participate when given the opportunity.

“If we just open the door, let our families know we want to see them, we want to learn about everybody,” LeBlanc said.

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat Public School Division celebrates diversity at fourth annual Mosaic Culture Day

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