Food, fashion bring people together
Multicultural night a rousing success
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 2, 2016
INUVIK
With hundreds turning out and dancing into the wee hours of the morning, this year's Multicultural Night was a rampant success.
Karlene Flemming-Fortune walks in the fashion show at Multicultural Night May 28. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo
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"We sold all the tickets and still had a wait list," said organizer Shinikwa Mutua. "I like to see the way everybody came together."
More than 200 people turned out for the event May 28 at the community hall, which was bedecked with flags from around the world, along with people from many countries. With more than 50 dishes from dozens of countries, the food was definitely the star of the show.
"I think we did well with the entertainment line-up," said organizer Bright Lubansa. "And we had ample food this time, enough for everyone and more."
Although he was keen to note that nothing went to waste, any leftovers, he said, were donated to the Inuvik Emergency Warming Centre and the women's shelter.
Apart from the expansive buffet, the night was full of fashion from around the world. While the featured fashion show itself was an impressive spectacle, many of the guests wore a wide variety of garments off the runway as well. Headscarves from a few African countries paraded next to bejewelled veils from India and parkas from right here in Inuvik.
"It's very exciting," said Jasmine Kapoor, who organized and walked in the fashion show herself. "It's been such an experience, seeing all these beautiful clothes from so many places in the world."
While speeches were kept to a minimum, Mayor Jim McDonald did speak at the beginning of the evening, praising the organizing committee and the town in general. He also noted that this year's celebration seemed even larger than the last.
"I would say that we're the United Nations of the North, if not Canada," he said, adding that he hoped to see everyone back next year.
As for plans for next year, Lubansa said there is still work to be done wrapping up this year's event. In the end, organizers credited all the volunteers and everyone who participated in the event with its success.
"We couldn't have pulled through without them," said Lubansa. "It was really a team effort. The contributions of everybody cannot be overemphasized."
