JULY 2013

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M A G M A’ S C U L T U R A L C H O R D S MINISTER KENNEY RETURNS We were honoured to once again host Federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney at MAGMA in May, and he was even more impressed the second time around. He spent several hours meeting with our clients, taking the time to learn their stories of how they came to Canada, and with our staff to understand how we’ve helped our clients in their journey.

HOW WAS YOUR DAY? If today you…     

woke up in an actual bed, in home with a room and a floor; turned on a light; had breakfast using a toaster, a stove, or refrigerated food or milk; left your home using personal or public transport; or most importantly; if you were where you wanted to be, with your family intact and free from the fear of war, disease and imminent death;

then you had a really good (and on a global point of view, a really rare) start to your day. World Refugee Day was established by the United Nations to honor the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence, including the world’s 43.7 million refugees and internally displaced people. Here at MAGMA we joined our clients and the public in an informational session on the world refugee crisis, and took a moment to truly appreciate, not just the big things, but the hundreds of little things that make up the best of Canadian life.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER On June 18th, we held our 33rd Annual General Meeting. To me this is the end of one year and the beginning of a brand new year. I would like to highlight that for the second year in a row, Minister Kenney visited MAGMA and declared that “we are one of the best settlement agencies in Canada.” Here at MAGMA the classes, the childcare center and the halls are filled with the excitement that summer has finally arrived and with it brings our very exciting Mosaïq Multicultural Festival, which this year takes place on July 19th and 20th. We are excited that we are able to provide free concerts, a variety of ethnic food in the World Village and our very exciting Kids Pavilion which will include a number of activities for children but especially some bouncy castles. We’re looking forward seeing new and old faces at the festival! So as we move forward into another year, I look forward to the promise of many exciting events and activities. I am also very confident that with the amazing team of staff and volunteers that this year will be just as successful as our previous year.

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MAGMA’s Cultural Chords

MOSAÏQ PUTS THE WORLD ON STAGE IN GREATER MONCTON Preparations are in full swing for the annual Mosaïq Multicultural Festival, and this year is looking to be our biggest and best yet! Running at Moncton City Hall Plaza on Fri 19th–Sat 20th of July and at locations throughout Greater Moncton, it promises to be the jewel in the region’s cultural crown.

With artists from five different continents, we’re truly bringing the world to Greater Moncton! The city will be alive with music, food, literary activities, dancing and cultural crafts in venues across the three municipalities, from the main International Stage at Moncton City Hall Plaza to the Riverview, Dieppe and Moncton markets, the libraries and Plan B.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all there. For a full program of events, go to www.mosaiqmoncton.ca.

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MAGMA’s Cultural Chords

WHAT’S HAPPENING WHERE You can see the full schedule of events online at mosiaqmoncton.ca/schedule, and while two pages just aren’t enough to even come close to covering it all, here are some samples of events around town:

RIVERVIEW MARKET (WED 6:30–8:00 P.M.) Put your international dancing shoes on and head for the Chocolate River Station! We’ll be Scottish singing and highland flinging to the Moncton Riverview Highland Dancers, rhumbaing and sambaing to Brazil’s Marlyse Loureiro’s infectious Latin Zumba rhythms and bhangraing to the IndoCanadians!

MARKET RISE AND SHINE (SAT 9:30–11:30 A.M.)

FRIDAY (4:30–11:00 P.M.) Artists are creating a blend of styles from across the world and bringing them right here! Whether it’s the Brazilian-African fusion beats of Triolet d’Nord, the award-winning Irish-Francophone blendings of Ten Strings and a Goatskin, or the folk -rock conundrum that is Eastcoast Love Story, you’ll find it all on the International Stage at Moncton City Hall Plaza. Some, like Élage Diouf from Senegal and H’Sao from Chad, are bringing their home culture’s musicianship to us, while others like Cape Breton’s Keith Mullins have studied with master drummers in Cuba and West Africa and are bringing their musical findings back home. They’ll all presented by the unique stylings of mixed-media emcee Marc “Bones” Leblanc.

Grab at bite at the Dieppe and Moncton Farmers’ Markets and check out everyone from The Motorleague, the young ladies of AfroFilles, belly-dancers from Sephira Studios, Mi’kmaq Pow-Wow Dancers and more. They’ll also be joined by performers from CAFi and the Irish, Latino and Filipino Associations. How could you start your day better than that?!

SATURDAY MAIN STAGE (12:00–11:00 P.M.) The Mi’kmaq Pow-Wow Dancers return for a traditional opening, and then local multicultural associations will be taking the stage along with Maritime cultural artists such as Arseneault, Alan Jeffries, Samantha Robichaud, the John Boulay Blues Quartet and the province’s first Salsa band, El Fuego, all rounded out by Rômmel Ribeiro from Brazil.

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MAGMA’s Cultural Chords

CHILDREN’S PAVILION & YOUTH OLYMPÏQS

This year’s Mosaïq Multicultural Festival also features a raft of kids activities, with Friday featuring Roland & Monsieur Crapaud and Scotty & the Stars on stage for lunchtime (11:00–1:00).

Both Friday and Saturday will be filled with multicultural activities at the Children’s Pavilion. From 11:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on Saturday, the kids’ tent will be busy making everything from Chinese fans and Greek pottery to matryoshka (Russian stacking dolls), origami, decorative Mexican mirrors and learning to write their names in languages from around the world.

From 3:30–4:30 on Friday, the Moncton Public Library will be hosting our World Tales session, with story corners in both English and French where kids can hear newcomers read traditional stories from their home countries.

Oh, and considering that there are no real castles in Canada, let’s just all agree the bouncy castles count as “international entertainment”…

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WHAT’S HAPPENING WHERE FOR THE YOUTH

YOUTH OLYMPÏQS On Friday from 1:00–3:30 the picnic area outside the Children’s Pavilion will be home to the Youth Olympïqs, where kids will take part in traditional sports from across the globe. From a Trinidadian limbo or Chinese tug-o’-war to a good old Scottish Highland caber toss (well, giant pool noodle toss, in this case), youngsters will be able to put their skills to the test.

Saturday from 1:00–2:00 will feature ECMA-winning children’s performers Razzmatazz on the Moncton City Hall International Stage. Their fans include “First Ladies” Aline Chrétien and Laura Bush, and one of their songs was even made into a video for Sesame Street!

There are even rumours of an actual Quidditch World Cup…?!

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MAGMA’s Cultural Chords

CANADA DAY One of our happiest moments is to see our clients celebrate their new home, and there’s no better opportunity than Canada Day. Our own Sima Roohani was featured on the front page of the Times & Transcript as she celebrated her first Canada Day as a Canadian citizen. (Photo by Ron Ward of Times & Transcript)

We were also honoured to once again have RCMP officer Corporal Steven Conrad arrive in full serge, providing the perfect photo opportunity for our clients and friends, like ESL teaching assistant Tsukasa Nishibori.

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MAGMA Annual General Meeting Moncton Mayor George Leblanc, Dieppe Mayor Yvon Lapierre and Riverview Deputy Mayor Cecile Cassista all took to the microphone at MAGMA’s Annual General Meeting to warmly thank our hard-working board and staff for continuing to add a truly cosmopolitan flair to the fabric of the municipalities that make up Greater Moncton. MAGMA President Mike Timani then took time to speak on our many successes and to set a vision for the future, while Executive Director Tradina Meadows-Forgeron led us in remembering and mourning the passing of beloved teacher Penny Carruthers. It was also a chance to say goodbye to one of the longest-serving and active members of the MAGMA family, past president Dr. Narendra Srivastava. He and his wife Susan will be moving to be closer to their family, and there were few dry eyes left in the Peace Centre Forum as they were surprised with a painting of Hopewell Rocks by a local Korean artist Cheol Hwang as a keepsake of their times here. As the meeting came to a close it was time to celebrate the coming year, with endless help from our hard-working volunteers!

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MAGMA’s Cultural Chords

MULTICULTURALSIM DAY CELEBRATIONS With June 27 of each year having been designated as Canadian Multiculturalism Day, a crowd of over 150 filled the Moncton Market for MAGMA’s celebration. From Middle-Eastern belly dancing and African hip-hop to some home-grown Acadian foot-stomping, it was a day that showcased the changing face of Greater Moncton.

Studio Sephira wows the crowd with swinging swords and swaying hips.

Chad’s Ange Mandalou lays down a beat for his “African Queens”.

Mario Le Breton and his band has the whole crowd singing along with a musical lesson in French.

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MAGMA’s Cultural Chords

NEW STAFF—KATELYN MANNING If you’ve ever thought it was a lot of work registering your children for summer camps or starting school, then take a moment to give a mental round of applause to our new School & Youth Coordinator Katelyn Manning, who in just her first few weeks has already helped enrol over 20 students in school and more than 100 into summer camps! Katelyn, originally from Sussex, had spent the last six years studying and teaching in Fredericton before moving to Moncton. She has truly hit the ground running, including beginning to co-present our education program Creating Culture, a classroom workshop where kids discuss multiculturalism. They then work in teams to imagine and create their own country and culture, and welcome classmates from other “countries” to feel welcome in their new home.

THE WOMAN FROM BOMBAY We were pleased to host visiting Indo-Canadian author Veena Gokhale to read excerpts from her latest book Bombay Wali, a collection of short stories that provide startling glimpses of contemporary life in Bombay and across the world. Veena took time to discuss her life journey and publishing experiences with her audience, which included Frye Festival Executive Director (Danielle Leblanc) and Chair (Counsellor Dawn Arnold). We’re all looking forward to her next publication!

CAFI NEXT DOOR The support for newcomers just took a step closer—actually, about 15 steps, which is how far it is from MAGMA to CAFi’s new front steps! Our partners in connecting newcomers to local francophone culture are just next door on Church St, and we extend them a warm greeting to downtown Moncton.

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IMMIGRATION SUMMIT

Moncton City Hall hosted its first Immigration Summit, bringing together the many organizations, government departments, newcomers, cultural associations and community members that collaborate in welcoming newcomers to the city. MAGMA’s services and clients were strongly featured in the city’s video that will now be used to attract newcomers to the region and highlight our diverse home. After a main stage presentation on our services by Public Education & Communications Coordinator Justin Ryan, the keynote speaker Michael Niren from immigration and international law specialist firm Niren & Associates was introduced by MAGMA president Mike Timani. Mike also took the opportunity to speak on the tremendous economic impact made by newcomer entrepreneurs and employees, and how they will play an integral part in the future growth of our region.

COOKING UP A STORM Our monthly teaching kitchen workshops at the Moncton Headstart have started again for the summer and fall. Each month, our group of senior clients will prepare and share a healthy meal together and they will learn new skills and techniques in a Canadian kitchen. Our clients will use fresh local products. We can only accept 10–12 participants at each workshop so please register ahead of time! Our next sessions will be held on Tuesday July 30th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MAGMA’s Cultural Chords

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SENIORS TRIP On Wednesday June 12th 2013, a group of senior clients from MAGMA visited the incredible Waldow Farms in Corn Hill (near Petitcodiac) followed by a wonderful lunch at the Cedar Café at the Cornhill Nursery. In the picture, we see our senior clients shopping at Ten Thousand Villages boutique in Petitcodiac. The next day trip will be on July 10th to the Avonlea Village of Anne of Green Gables on PEI and on August 15th to the Pays de la Sagouine in Bouctouche for the Acadian celebrations. Clients should register in advance!

For registration or more information about seniors’ activities, contact Chantal Laviolette, our Immigrant Seniors Coordinator at [email protected] or by calling 858-9659 ext 2299.

REGISTER!

MAGMA & CAFI BRING LADIES CIRCLE TO A SUMMER BREAK On Wednesday June 26th 2013, we celebrated our last ladies Circle before the summer break. In this picture, you will see the group of ladies who have been participating in our monthly Ladies Circle which we started back in October 2012. A special thank you to CAFI and Stéphanie Tardif who collaborated with us to plan and prepare each meeting, and also La Teraz who so graciously offered their Centre for Incredible Events on a monthly basis.

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BRINGING THE WORLD TO GREATER MONCTON For over 30 years, MAGMA has existed for just one reason: to welcome newcomers. Here, in their new home, they can strive to achieve their dreams of success, freedom and security. At no cost, MAGMA aids in all aspects of settlement, including assisting with: 

locating and settling into their new homes and schools;

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securing a job, learning a trade or practising a profession;

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learning English or French; and

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connecting with support agencies and health care professionals.

MAGMA is there with the advice, training and support needed to bring their skills and culture to add to the rich fabric of our society.

Peace Centre 22 Church St Suite C170 Moncton, NB E1C 07P 1 (506) 858-9659 www.magma-amgm.org [email protected]

INSTRUMENT OF THE MONTH—KOREAN SOGO DRUM Many instruments are complex to play, taking years for basic proficiency, let alone true mastery. Then again, there’s the sogo drum. Children throughout Korea learn the basics of rhythm and dance through pounding out a beat on these small, hand-held drums. There’s hardly a festival or celebration across the land that doesn’t feature a sudden entrance of youngsters skipping and spinning in time to the music with adoring parents fondly looking on. Beautifully carved and decorated, sogo drums traditionally feature the distinctive red, blue and yellow swirling samtaegeuk symbol in the middle, signifying the unity of heaven, earth and humanity. So if you’re looking to have your children learn the fundamentals of beat, dance, multiculturalism and design all in a single gift, then here’s the easiest solution you could think of. So relax, and sogo on!