An International Mother Language Day event takes place Feb. 20 from 2-5 p.m. at the Bear Creek Park Pavilion (13750 88 Ave.)
The event will celebrate a diversity of languages and cultures with presentations, performances, and visual displays of local Indigenous and heritage languages, including Hul’q’umi’num’, Cree, Punjabi, Tagalog and Cantonese.
International Mother Language Day has been observed annually since February 2000 to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism.
MC’d by Ranbir Johal, KPU Department of Languages & Cultures, the events schedule inlcudes:
• 2:00-2:15: Opening Prayers – Lekeyten, KPU Elder in Residence
• 2:15-2:20: Welcome + Introduction – Diane Purvey, Dean, KPU Faculty of Arts
• 2:25-2:45: Cree Songs – Iskwew Singers
• 2:45-3:05: Punjabi Poetry – Parabjot Singh
• 3:05-3:25: Cantonese in Canada | Zoe Lam and Raymond Pai
• 3:25-3:45: Tagalog Poetry and Songs – Rosette Correa
• 3:45-4:05: Hun’q’umi’num’ Stories – Fern Gabriel, Kwantlen First Nation
• 4:05-4:10: Closing Remarks – Anita Hamm, KPU International
• 4:10-5:00: Visiting Exhibits – Canadian Language Museum Cree Language Exhibit | Lingua Aqua Artwork – Information tables
For more information, emial hbliss@uvic.ca