Red Deer's Welcoming Week runs Sept. 11-21 with citizenship ceremony
The Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership is hosting a series of events under the theme 'Courage to Connect' to mark this year's Welcoming Week.
Red Deer's annual Welcoming Week begins Friday, Sept. 11, organized by the Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership (RDLIP) as part of a national and global movement celebrating community connection and belonging. This year's theme, 'Courage to Connect,' encourages residents to share stories and build relationships across the community, according to program manager Dieulita Datus-Hall.
Activities kick off at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Snell Auditorium in the downtown public library with Courage to Tell Through Stories, Song and Prayer, an Indigenous sharing event featuring storytelling, drumming and song, paired with the Courage to Share Photo Exhibit exploring what home means to Indigenous and newcomer residents. On Monday, Sept. 14, the Journey to Active Citizenship workshop returns as a follow-up to last year's session on civic engagement.
Welcoming Week wraps up Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. with a Citizenship Ceremony at Red Deer Polytechnic's Cenovus Learning Common, bringing together new Canadian citizens, their families and community members. The week's events are funded by the City of Red Deer Community Culture Development Fund, the Government of Alberta Ethnocultural Grant, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
A related event, International Discovery Night, will be held Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. in Three Hills, hosted by Kneehill Adult Learning and Newcomer Services, featuring cultural displays, international snacks and games.
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