Welcome Week in Weyburn to include posters, art exhibit, and 'Taste of the Nations'

A local organization is making it easy for Weyburnites to explore the world with their taste buds and experience our mosaic first-hand.

Last Friday, Weyburn's Mayor Marcel Roy recently proclaimed September 8th to 17th as Welcome Week in Weyburn. Read more below in the related article link.

Employment Consultant with Southeast Advocates for Employment, Shannon Fodchuk, said Welcome Week is an initiative of events designed to bring communities together to celebrate diversity and to promote inclusivity.

“These events aim to create a welcome environment for our newcomers, so for welcome week, Southeast Advocates for Employment, in collaboration with Southeast Newcomer Services and SWIS (Settlement Workers in Schools), will be hosting a few events beginning on September 8th.”

One of the events is making posters available for residents and businesses to hang in their windows showing their support, two options of which can be picked up at the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce office beginning Friday. 

“It is our inspiration that through these displays, businesses and residents will showcase their support, extending a warm sense of belonging to our newcomers,” she shared. “Our hope is for businesses and residents to place them in their windows that week, so when newcomers are walking around Weyburn they can see the support from the community showing that they're welcome here.”

The Weyburn Art Gallery will also be having another Newcomer exhibit, entitled, "Gaia Symphony" by Saskatchewan artist Hanna Yokozawa Farquharson, which uses Wabi-Sabi Japanese aesthetic techniques to share all of what the artist has seen since relocating to Saskatchewan in 2011. The exhibit will be up until the end of October.

Food-related events, of course, are always the biggest hit in any community.

Only 200 tickets are being sold for the, “Taste of the Nations” food experience featuring samples of food from 12 different countries, including butter tarts from Canada. It'll be held at McKenna Hall from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on September 15th.

“We will have booths set up from all around the world, serving samples of traditional cuisine made by newcomers here in Weyburn,” Fodchuk said. “Tickets to this event will cost $15, and to purchase these tickets, you can stop by our office, which which is at 203 1st Street, Monday to Friday, or give Laura [Eddy] or myself Shannon a call and we can make arrangements. Our number is 306-842-9081.”

She added they are also looking for a sponsor for this event to purchase non-alcoholic refreshments. 

While the ticket price is only to cover the costs of the food, they will still be giving away two tickets via social media. 

“So keep an eye on our Facebook pages, Southeast Newcomers Weyburn and Southeast Advocates for Employment, in the upcoming days, for your chance of claiming a pair of tickets.”

Fodchuk said newcomers are attracted to Weyburn for its jobs, and its affordability.

“So it's a great opportunity for somebody to start a new life here in Weyburn, because it's affordable and the jobs are here.”

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