Members of the Workers of Colour Multicultural Mentorship Committee (WoCMMC) recently attended the Peoples Bridge Advocacy's (PBA) Gala 2024 and have the following reports to share with our members:
Arlene:
I went to the PBA Gala Night on January 27th at 6:30pm and I was amazed with how many people of different cultures gathered together for this wonderful event.
People are amazing, from the officers to all the people in the room.
At our table, I was able to meet the former Saskatoon Police Chief, Troy Cooper. We had a chat and he shared that his daughter is a nurse in Prince Albert and has a Filipino coworker that knew the member I brought to the gala with me. It was a great evening. We were able to have a group picture with Saskatoon's Mayor Charlie Clark, and the program they prepared was good.
During the awards ceremony, SEIU-West's WoCMMC was given an award, and I was crying over being recognized as a committee. Thanks for all the hard work of everyone on our committee and especially to our Chair, Jeanne, who worked so hard to make it possible. I was so overwhelmed. At the end of the program, Mayor Clark acknowledged and thanked everyone. It was a very emotional time and he asked everyone to stand and thanked each and every one for their contribution of all different cultures to the community. He cried while acknowledging everyone and I felt like I belonged.
I belonged to the group of people who make a difference. I saw that if everyone unites with one goal, we can achieve something. This Gala Night reminds me that it doesn't matter what your colour is, wherever you came from, there is no judgement and I felt that I belong to this group of people with pride. That we accomplished something, that we can make a difference, that this is possible that we can unite, and that this is happening, that we are in one place with lots of different cultures, we respect everyone, and we had fun. We talked, we laughed and lastly, we knew that we are one. That no matter who we are, I can tell the whole world that I belong, and I did something for my community and for the people.
Thank you, SEIU-West, for this wonderful experience. I will never forget this one of a lifetime event that I can always treasure and can tell my children and grandkids. No matter who you are, you can make a difference.
Jeanne:
It was such a memorable experience attending the PBA gala. I would like to thank SEIU-West for giving us an opportunity to be part of the said event.
Nice to see how the "used to be vision and idea" coming from a couple became a reality with the help of the community with the same advocacy, to create a just and fair community.
Again, thank you and the award we got from this event is not ours but for all the members that we represent wherever we go.
Teresa:
I would like to say thank you for the opportunity and the amazing experience from the Peoples Bridge Advocacy Gala.
I enjoyed the party and met people from different cultural backgrounds with one common goal and vision. Advocating for one another was the best. It was really an amazing experience.
Thank you so much.