[BCMA] Multiculturalism on the river

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Media Release

For Immediate Release

May 12, 2010

 

Multiculturalism on the river

New Westminster - As part of New Westminster's Multicultural Festival on
Saturday May 22, the Fraser River Discovery Centre is celebrating
multiculturalism in the early Fraser River boat building industry with
displays from Pharos and the Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC and the
Japanese Canadian National Museum.

For thousands of years, people have shared the resources of the Fraser River
resulting in a rich and diverse history. About 100 years ago, people from
many cultural backgrounds came together to work in the Fraser boat-building
industry including the Greeks, Scandinavians, Croatians, Japanese and First
Nations. "The contributions that these boat builders made to communities was
immense and during the Multicultural Festival we will be celebrating their
skills and cultural traditions" says Shannon King, Education Coordinator.

King is excited about the plans for the festival. "From 11 -4, Peter
Capadouca will be at the Centre to share his family stories of growing up in
the Greek community at Deas Island, we will have a display from the Japanese
Canadian National Museum with objects and photos of Japanese boat builders."
King is hoping that hearing these stories will inspire visitors to reflect
on their own personal family histories. "We designed a series of art
activities for visitors to show us their own stories."

Multiculturalism in boat building is an important theme in the Discovery
Centre's exhibit Build-a-Boat: Wooden Boat Building on the Fraser. For the
past 3 months, volunteers and visitors at the Fraser River Discovery Centre
have been busy building an 18' wooden skiff right inside the Centre using
traditional tools and techniques. This exciting and innovative exhibit was
developed in partnership with the Oarlock and Sail Wooden Boat Club and
sponsored by the City of New Westminster and Douglas College.

Build-a-Boat: Wooden Boat Building will continue into the summer but the
multicultural displays will be up at the Fraser River Discovery Centre on
Saturday May 22 from 11-4 only. Boat building will continue on Saturdays
until the late spring when the boat is expected to be complete. 

The Fraser River Discovery Centre is an interpretive centre connecting
communities in discovery and celebration of the living, working Fraser
River. It is located at 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster. The Discovery
Centre and Discovery Shop are open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.
Admission will be by donation during the Multicultural Festival.

-30-

For information about the Multicultural Festival, please visit the New
Westminster Downtown Business Improvement Association at www.newwestbia.com
<http://www.newwestbia.com/> . 

For more information about the Fraser River Discovery Centre, please
contact:

 -- 

Kathleen Bertrand | Exhibit and Communication Coordinator

Fraser River Discovery Centre

788 Quayside Drive 

New Westminster, BC V3M 6Z6 Canada

T 604.521.8401 ext. 104  |*F 604.521.9401

www.fraserriverdiscovery.org

 

 

To restore the river to health, we first have to comprehend it. - Alan
Haig-Brown The Fraser River

 

* Do you need to print this email? Please consider the environmental impact
before printing.

 

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