Dozens of Okotokians, new and established, turned out to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Tuesday.
Attendees heard from an Indigenous keynote speaker and Mayor Tanya Thorn, before enjoying a meal of pierogies, kielbasa and borscht made by the local Ukrainian community
Entertainment followed, with dance performances from the Mexican, Latino and Cross-Cultural Society of High River, a poem from a member of the Mozambique association, martial arts demonstrations from the Brazilian community and even a surprise saxophone performance.
The event was the first held by Welcoming Okotoks, a partnership between the Town of Okotoks and Foothills Community Immigrant Services. The partnership aims to develop capacity and readiness of the community to support, welcome and retain immigrants through various initiatives.
Representatives from the Okotoks RCMP, the Okotoks Public Library and the McMan Family Resource centre were also in attendance.
