New Canadians celebrate Canada Day at newcomer’s picnic

No day exemplifies a shared sense of national pride quite like Canada Day.

In Regina, Wascana Park was filled with festivities all throughout the day on Monday. One of the events was a newcomer’s picnic, hosted by the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum.

The picnic helps connect new Canadians to crucial information about housing, employment, education, and health care while celebrating the nation.

Carol LaFayette-Boyd is the volunteer executive director for the event. She said her ancestors came to Regina in 1910 from Oklahoma to escape the racism and danger they faced in the southern United States.

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LaFayette-Boyd said the picnic takes place next to the Honouring Tree, a memorial remembering the more than 200 people who fled Oklahoma and found a new home in Regina. The Honouring Tree, created by Canadian artist Ron Baird, was put up in the park in 2011.

“We kind of use that like the Statue of Liberty, welcoming people to Regina and Saskatchewan,” explained LaFeyette-Boyd.

“To do that, every year we want to have a newcomer’s picnic to welcome people here.”

The picnic included free food, speeches from government officials, and fun activities for children like as balloon art and craft stations. The picnic was part of a cultural village that featured 19 performers from different ethnic origins.

Monday’s picnic was the second time the event has been held.

LaFayette-Boyd said she hopes the picnic will continue to grow well into the future.

One of the organizations at the picnic this year was Rooted Connections, a group that helps new Canadians find jobs and offers family support services, counselling, and a youth mentorship program.

“We help newcomers settle in Regina,” said Kevin Beza, with Rooted Connections.

“We offer employment counselling. We help newcomer(s) be ready for the job. We help them job search, we guide them on reviewing their resume (and) cover letter, and also we connect them to the employers.”

Beza said he moved to Regina from Rwanda just over a year ago.