The SEIU-West Workers of Colour Multicultural Mentorship Committee (WoCMMC) has attended and supported many of the events hosted by The People's Bridge Advocacy (TPBA), and most recently attended their 2nd annual Champions for Change Gala, which featured inspiring stories and honoured the achievements of ethnocultural and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) community leaders.
Here are their reports:
I was able to attend the People's Bridge Advocacy 2nd Annual Champions for Change Gala on January 18th, 2025. Before being invited by an SEIU-West coworker to attend this event, I had no idea this organization existed. It was very heartwarming to be in a room with such a diversity of cultures all coming together to celebrate inspiring community leaders. There was also great entertainment and food. Thank you, SEIU-West, for providing me the opportunity to learn more about the PBA and the great work they are doing.
Arlene L:
This is our 2nd Annual PBA Gala Night, and this year it was held at Prairieland Park. There was a huge difference with the awards night from last year. I noticed lots of politicians who attended, and it was a good night for everyone.
The group of people who attended came from different culture and majority of it are people from last year.
The PBA Gala Night is a night for all cultures who showed the bridges to all the nations within Saskatchewan, and the leadership of PBA created this to make us feel that we from different culture belong to each other. The unity of different cultures and groups show what we do in our community. The smile on the faces of everyone, especially with everyone who received the well-deserved awards, are so overwhelming.
We are unified and the mission of the PBA grows every single year. I am happy to be a part of it.
Leta R:
First, thank you to SEIU-West for the chance to attend and be part of the celebration at this event.
Secondly, the event was great. The impact was very positive; we saw the community come together to celebrate each other’s success and to receive leadership awards. We celebrated the diversity of our communities and the power of working together, accepting the differences makes a difference. Understanding the differences between us empowers us together. It was very moving to hear all the speeches, from the founder of PBA to the last speaker, seeking the best possible outcome for our community and hearing how we can be better when we work together.
I really enjoyed it, and I had fun seeing and reconnecting with the people I knew and with meeting new people.
It’s a great feeling when people realize that diversity is stronger when we come together to create a world where everyone is equal with differences.
Jeanne J:
First, I would like to thank SEIU-West for giving us an opportunity to attend the PBA gala awards night.
I once again experienced the diversity, inclusivity and equitable acceptance of everyone inside the venue of the said event.
I would like to thank PBA for building bridges, sustaining the bridges and continuing the building of more bridges for different cultural groups within our community. Proud to be a part of this awesome community.
Again, thank you.
Yolanda S:
Thank you to SEIU-West for sponsoring us to attend the Peoples Bridge Advocacy Awards Gala, it was an awesome night. The room full of diversity was amazing; it was a great experience. Learning from different cultures was a great opportunity for all of us. I wish more members would be able to experience and attend this event. It's highly recommended. Again, thank you so much.
Exodor S:
Thanks, SEIU-West for allowing me to take part in The People's Bridge Advocacy Awards Gala! It was a great experience, the food was great, the entertainment was amazing, we got to learn a lot from all the different cultures there. We heard from the mayor of Saskatoon. The event was a wonderful learning experience, and an opportunity to mingle with other folks who come from different backgrounds.
I had fun and I would love to attend again, but I know that every member should have the opportunity to attend as well.