One advantage of the diverse horizons and backgrounds in Powell River is the possibility of open cultural exchange. 

The new Powell River Diversity Initiative (PRDI) starts this year in creative and exciting ways to make Powell River an even more welcoming and inclusive place to live and visit.  

During the next five months, the Powell River Employment Program Society kicks off a series of fun events where people of all ages, both long-term residents and newcomers, can share their stories in a variety of ways. 

At a potluck dinner in March, families will enjoy a great movie on a theme that will encourage sharing their own stories and experiences. In April, teenagers will be invited to express themselves at their own chili dinner and a movie.

PRDI plans to collect culturally diverse recipes, with their accompanying stories, from interested community members at these events and elsewhere. This “Community Secret Recipe Book” will then be published! 

An art exhibit, the “There and Here Art Show”, will be the PRDI’s culminating event in May. Community members can display their paintings, collages, prose and poetry, and photography depicting their cultural homeland or scenes of their current habitat in Powell River. 
The PRDI team invites everybody in the community to take part in this “cultural exchange.” If all work together, this project will be a delicious success, a feast for all the senses! If you have a secret recipe that you dare to share with PRDI and the whole community, please call Miyuki or Vincent at (604) 485-2675 or send an email to oce2@prepsociety.org 

The PREPS received funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development for this project.  

The Open Cultural Exchange Project team is excited to participate in this great diversity project with all of you!

—Miyuki Kamiya, Assistant Coordinator, PRDI