City of Regina Officially Proclaims August 3, 2019 as Igbo Day of Arts and Culture in Regina

His Worship Mayor Michael Fougere and the City of Regina have issued an official proclamation designating August 3, 2019 as Igbo Day of Arts and Culture in Regina.

Requested by the Igbo Cultural Association of Saskatchewan (ICAS), this proclamation represents a show of government support as the Igbo Nigerian-Canadian community of Saskatchewan celebrates their culture in preservation of their heritage and language in Canada.

Please visit the following link for a copy of the official proclamation of Igbo Day by the City of Regina: https://www.icassask.ca/images/pdf/proclamation-regina-2019.pdf.

“Our people are participating in all aspects of the economy,” ICAS President Dr. Chidi Igwe said.

“By this proclamation, the City of Regina has once again displayed an appreciation of our cultural diversity, which is a source of power. We appreciate that government is fully in support of us celebrating and preserving our cultural heritage as Igbo people of Saskatchewan,” Dr. Igwe said.

In issuing this first official proclamation of Igbo Day by a government in Canada, especially during the week of Mosaic, Mayor Fougere emphasizes the importance of diversity and multiculturalism in building a healthier and more prosperous society.

Mayor Fougere enjoined all residents of Regina to recognize August 3, 2019 as Igbo Day in Regina and also to join the Igbo community in celebrating their arts and cultural heritage.

ICAS was founded in 2001/2002 to promote a smooth integration of new immigrants into society and preserve the Igbo Nigerian-Canadian heritage through events, workshops, language and culture education.

Every two years, ICAS dedicates a day to promoting awareness and use of the Igbo language, art, as well as the Igbo Nigerian-Canadian cultural heritage in Saskatchewan.

The theme of the 2019 Igbo Day, “Oganihu Igbo (Igbo Progress and Development)”, was chosen to increase awareness and use of the Igbo language, art and culture in Saskatchewan, as well as honour the contributions of the Nigerian-Canadian people of Igbo descent to the cultural, professional and economic development of Saskatchewan in particular and Canada as a whole.

Native to the present-day south-eastern Nigeria, with a population of more than 32 million, Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. Today, Nigerian-Canadians of Igbo descent pursue a peaceful and gainful life in cities and towns across Saskatchewan and Canada, serving and contributing to the political and economic development of this great nation.

The Igbo Day family-oriented banquet will be held starting from 6:00 p.m., at Carrefour Des Plaines, 3850 Hillsdale Street, Regina. ICAS invites residents to observe August 3, 2019 as Igbo Day and to join the Igbo community this year for a celebration of culture as well as a taste of Igbo cuisine, artistic displays, dance and performances.

For more information, please visit: www.icassask.ca.