Municipality’s diversity to be celebrated

There is no denying Cape Breton’s rich history of multiculturalism.

After all, the Mi’kmaq have been here since time immemorial and the age of European exploration brought people from France, Portugal and England, while later waves of immigration included the Scots and the Irish. At the turn of the 19th century, the newly constructed Sydney steel plant and its surrounding coal mines attracted workers and their families from Italy, eastern Europe and the Bahamas.

More recently, Cape Breton University has lured many students from across in the world, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, while the ongoing conflict in Syria has resulted in scores of refugees making their way to this area.

To celebrate the rich diversity of its people, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality will recognize National Multiculturalism Day on June 27, when a celebratory event will take place at the Cape Breton University courtyard, starting at 6 p.m.

“This event showcases the rich diversity of culture that CBU provides to our students and to the community,” said CBU Dean of the Library and Multicultural Learning Shawn Bethke.

“CBU invites all of Cape Breton Island to come and experience all that CBU has to offer at this wonderful once-a year-event which we hope will be even bigger and better than last year’s, which drew thousands to campus and culminated in an extraordinary fireworks display”. Registration is now open for cultural fashion show participants and for vendors, who while allowed to sell products are not permitted to sell food. Interested parties are asked to contact the CBRM recreation department either by phone (902-563-5510) or on the municipality website.