The Kitimat Chamber of Commerce is hosting the annual flag-raising ceremony next weekend.
Though the flags are already raised, the official ceremony will take place on May 8th, 2021.
Originally hosted by the Kitimat Multicultural Association, the chamber has taken over the ceremony due to the limited capacity of people that is part of the multicultural club.
“Their population is ageing so we’ve been doing it now for the past several years,” said Laurel D’Andrea, executive director of the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce.
Normally the ceremony would be a gathering of cultures in celebration of the many diversities in Kitimat, however, due to Covid, the ceremony will be virtually hosted.
“It’s to pay homage to all the diversity that makes up Kitimat,” said D’Andrea. “Back in the day when RioTinto was first established and this community was built, [Kitimat] was based on people coming from different communities and countries to work at the smelter.”
The video will be on the Kitimat chamber social media page with quotes from dignitaries and leaders of the community. The video will also be dubbing the Canadian national anthem.
Partnering with RioTinto, the chamber will be hosting a contest from May 3rd to 14th where people can share on social media why their heritage is important to them.
Youth will also get the chance to partake in a colouring contest where they draw a picture of a flag from their heritage.
With funds from RioTinto, the chamber will be announcing winners on Monday, May 17th, and will be awarding five contestants a $25 dollar gift certificate to a chamber member business in hopes of supporting the community.
READ MORE: Farewell’s and hello’s to members at the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting
jacob.lubberts@northernsentinel.com
