Humboldt may not have an international reputation for culture on par with Paris or Rome, but it is part of an increasingly multicultural province.
The proof is in the pudding, as SaskCulture was just awarded a 2013 Gold Quill Award of Merit from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). The award was for SaskCulture's Saskatchewan Loves Culture: Community Engagement through Culture Days program, which came to Humboldt last September. Over 22,000 people attended the nearly 240 events that SaskCulture put on across the province last year.
"Saskatchewan has such a vibrant cultural community and the celebration of Culture Days each year provides an excellent opportunity for residents to explore and experience the diverse opportunities available in their communities," said Rose Gilks, SaskCulture's general manager.
Here in Humboldt, a collaborative effort between the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery and the Humboldt Regional Newcomers Centre brought Culture Days to a city that is increasingly diverse.
"We wanted to bring exposure to the different cultures that we have here," said Janine Hart, executive director of the newcomers centre. "The different food and instruments bring the community together."
Jennifer Hoesgen, the museum's curator, agreed that events like Culture Days could open the eyes of people in the community.
"It's important to embrace cultural diversity and to raise awareness of the benefits of diversity," she said. "Working with the newcomers centre was a great fit, they brought in dancers and food of all ethnic varieties."
Hart said the experience of newcomers to Humboldt, many of whom have come from halfway around the world, is positive.
"The feedback we get from newcomers is that everyone here is friendly and wants to get to know you," Hart said, "even if it's on a shallow basis at first, just 'Hello, what do you do?'"
There are plans afoot to hold another Culture Days event here in Humboldt this September. To make this a sustainable annual event will require the participation of younger people in town. "It's great to have younger people taking part in these events," Hart said.
