DiverseCity onBoard - Open the Doors to Your City

One may not think themselves as being able to sit on a board of directors for local non-profit, but the truth is so many of us have much to offer. With Boards throughout the city often seeking membership, obtaining such a position can open many doors, both professionally and personally. Further still, you don’t need to serve on the board of a publicly traded company to reap the benefits of board service. Serving on a local nonprofit board or joining the board of a trade association can get you in the spotlight, build your network and help you increase your business knowledge. From the perspective, of a newcomer to Canada, the power of this opportunity increases tenfold.

In addition to the career reasons for serving on a board of directors, you can gain an opportunity to make a difference in your community or profession. Board service gives you a strong voice regarding a charity or trade association’s mission. If you serve on a for-profit board, you’ll have more say regarding the company’s policies and business practices. If you’re looking to give back, board service is one way to do that. Once again, from the perspective of those new to the city this becomes and great opportunity to not only become a part of one's community, but to make the community a part of you.

Canadian cities are among the most diverse regions of the world, with immigrants and visible minorities comprising an increasing share of their population. There are more than 170,000 nonprofit and charitable organizations in Canada, many of which are headquartered in our urban centres. All are governed by boards of directors, drawn from members of the public. In addition, municipal, provincial and federal governments appoint thousands of citizens to serve the public good on their many agencies, boards and commissions. However, there is a disconnect between who sit on these boards and the increasing diversity of the population.

Bow Valley College's DiverseCity onBoard Training program directly addresses this challenge with a board matching service that identifies, trains and facilitates the placement of qualified candidates in governance roles on not-for-profit organizations and public agencies, boards and commissions. We provide online governance training that is available to everyone, anywhere, including individuals who are not part of our matching program.

DiverseCity onBoard bridges the diversity gap in governance and raises the standard for modern governance. It is the “go-to” program that provides governance training for everyone and connects qualified candidates from underrepresented groups to not-for-profit organizations and public agencies, boards and commissions. Training is provided through an online learning campus supplemented with in-person discussions and events. Connections are made through a searchable database that matches qualified diverse individuals with board opportunities. DiverseCity onBoard promotes full inclusion, working with individuals and organizations to diversify boards and reap the benefits diversity provides.  For more information on this program visit their website.

CIES Receives Children's Book Bundles from SAIT

As a part of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology's (SAIT) Library & Information Technology program, students, for their Marketing project, collected children’s books, as well as funds donated to purchase children’s colouring books, crayons, stickers etc. Their project was to collect this material for children of the Syrian refugees that have settled in Calgary.  They put together a number of very exciting packages for young children, with the idea of helping them with their English language skills as well as giving them pleasure from colouring and other activities.  The end result was CIES receiving three boxes containing 50 children’s bundle-bags and the first batch were donated to our both our current and past Refugee Express Drop in and Integration REDI’s current and (past clients who have switched to LINC).  We also put a few aside so that Syrian refugee families who will be starting next month will have access to them, too.

The two-year Library Information Technology diploma offered at SAIT is a cutting edge program resourcing high-tech adventure and training graduates in what has become a very sought after skill. Various industries need employees with people skills to organize, access and manage the expanding volume of information in today's world. Library Information Technology students gain proficiency in every area of library operations, from database searching, library network technology, cataloguing and classification to public relations, web design and records management. as a daytime diploma program. Students can also begin this diploma by completing Continuing Education courses. This program also prepares graduates for numerous career opportunities in public and school libraries, as well as specialty libraries in areas of petroleum, law, medicine, geology, social services, government, or in related organizations such as records information centres, library wholesalers, software companies and bookstores.

CIES would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to SAIT's LET program for reaching out and helping young children new to Canada adopt to their new home. Keep up the great work! For more information on SAIT's program visit their website and for more photos CLICK HERE. 

CIES Casino Night

Every year, thanks to the generosity the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, CIES holds its annual casino night to help raise finds for the society. This year we will be hosting two nights, this Thursday and Friday, September 1st and 2nd, at the Elbow River Casino. Completely volunteer driven, positions like banker, cashier, general manager and counters are filled throughout he course of these two days by CIES clients and staff.  

If you would like to help out, Thursday shifts are as follows: 11:20 am to 7:45 am and 7:15 am to 4:00 am. Friday shifts are 11:20 am to 7:45 pm and 11:30 pm 4:00 am. Volunteers get a free meal, travel money and a Volunteer certificate, plus the chance to see how it all goes down in a Casino! For more info contact Melissa at 403-235-3666.

Calgary Jobs, Information & Training

Here at CIES we always do our best to stay plugged into the Calgary community. so you can be too. From Day one CIES has always believed that strong community partnerships are the best way to have both a meaningful and sustainable impact on the life of immigrants here in Calgary.  We are affiliated with a number of key organisations throughout the city and this expansive network allows us to stay informed on your behalf. Below is a list of upcoming opportunities for a wide range of skills sets and experience levels to improve your skills, network and submit resumes for employment.Click on the provided posters for more details.

JOB FAIRS
Centre for Newcomers is hosting a Job Fair today from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Bring your resumé and meet with hiring representatives!  

Alberta Works Fort McMurray (please note location) is hosting a Labour Force Job Fair on September 8 from  1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  

The Old Spaghetti Factory (Marlborough in Calgary North-East) is holding its first Hiring Fair and will be hiring over 100 new staff.  Attend on September 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and September 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Coast Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre.  

INFORMATON SESSIONS
Acquire skills for entry level employment in the millwright/machining trades!  Attend an Information Session with CCIS on September 9 at 9:00 a.m.  

 
 

CIES @ Globalfest

CIES took in the finale of Globalfest 2016 and despite the rain and behind a big crowd was on hand to finish up this year's annual event. The groundwork for GlobalFest began in 1993 with the formation of The Calgary Fireworks Festival Society. The not-for-profit Society searched for a suitable fireworks launch site in Calgary for eight years to no avail. There were many potential sites, but none combined the suitable large viewing area, safety regulations, and ability to allow large-scale pyrotechnics to be launched. It wasn't until 2001 when the Society discovered Elliston Park in Calgary's Greater Forest Lawn district that the dream could now become reality.

This was a chance encounter that brought together The Calgary Fireworks Festival Society and the International Avenue Arts and Culture Centre, who were interested in beginning a multicultural festival based in East Calgary. The two groups met and they made presentations to the International Avenue BRZ on the same day. Discussions began, and the two groups soon realized the amazing impact their events would have if they partnered together to give Calgary a truly world class celebration of cultural diversity.

GlobalFest burst onto the scene in 2003 with 10 cultural pavilions and three countries presenting pyromusicals in Calgary's very own international fireworks festival. On the fourth and final night of the festival, GlobalFest celebrated a remarkable accomplishment. The festival reached attendance of close to 100,000 in the very first year, making GlobalFest one of Calgary's top draws for local citizens and tourists alike.

GlobalFest's mandate as a not-for-profit society is to produce an inclusive, world class, multi-faceted arts and culture festival that celebrates and showcases cultural diversity and artistic excellence within our communities and across the globe. CIES would like to congratulate Globalfest for another amazing year and we look forward to next summer! For more photos of CLICK HERE.

CIES Presents at ISC ILVARC Workshop

Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC) provides a variety of services to support the settlement and integration of newcomers in the Calgary community. Committed to the success of newcomers, they are dedicated to making those new to Calgary feel at home.

Assistance in finding language training opportunities and other community resources, adjusting to life in Canada by supporting one through the settlement process, gaining Canadian work experience through volunteer opportunities, and meeting people from diverse cultural groups are all part of what ISC has been doing for newcomers for more than three decades. One of the ways in which ISC accomplishes this is through free workshops for clients and the immigrant community in general. In attending these workshops, one can learn relevant information about job searching, career development, and useful directions for adapting to life in Canada. At ISC's latest workshop, held at the beautiful Genesis Centre in Calgary's NE, CIES presented information on their Employment Skills Training Program, as well as our Clerical and Accounting Training Programs.

We are proud to call Immigrant Services Calgary a partner in the collective community effort to help newcomers to Calgary become productive and confident citizens! For more pictures CLICK HERE.

Growing With CIES: Inside the CIES Classroom

Perhaps the most unique and accessible of all our programs, CIES has been delivering its one of kind Drop-In ESL Program since 1988. Last year we served over four hundred clients from 66 countries with the program and clients consistently say the structure allows them to improve their overall communicative competence and work on their language skills in a flexible way, despite their other commitments. Funded by Alberta Human Services, it is one of our few programs even open to Canadian citizens.

As a helpful guide to quick and practical ways of engaging students in a low level classroom, the common environment in our Drop-in Program, we will release a series of videos demonstrating different ways to do just that. Take a look at our first Growing With CIES below!

The Changing Face of Calgary - CIES 6th Annual Summer Festival Highlight Reel

Calgary, throughout its history, has had a sustained increase in the number of immigrant and visible minority persons arriving in the city. The result has been a continually growing range of culturally diverse experiences, perspectives and vibrancy. Calgary’s ethno-cultural make-up is changing rapidly.

There is a significant increase in the number of Canadian-born as well as immigrants belonging to visible minority groups. According to Statistics Canada, Calgary’s visible minority population is expected to grow from 22 per cent to 38 per cent between 2006 and 2031, That said, based on our current rate of growth, the visible minority population is projected to reach upwards of 40 per cent in Calgary by 2020. In other words, Calgary is joining the likes of Vancouver and Toronto, as major urban centre of multiculturalism and preferred destination for newcomers. This is why the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society, serving our great city for nearly three decades, is on the front bumper of urban culture and we count ourselves as lucky because of it. The beauty of diversity is our strength and a look at our recent Summer Festival Highlight reel below shows us just that. Once again thank you to all who participated in any way, shape or form. The Festival would not have been possible without you!

CIES Receives RESP Grant from Momentum

CIES is pleased and thankful for a recently received grant for Register Education Savings Plan (RESP) and Canada Learning Bond work from Momentum.

Momentum exists because, despite all of Calgary’s prosperity, there are still people living in poverty in our city, many of whom work full-time hours. These Calgarians do not need a band-aid approach to crisis management; they need the tools to prevent such crises from happening. Momentum serves people who are ready to make a change and make it last.Through skills training, financial literacy education and business development support, Momentum helps people maximise their economic potential. The results are individuals and families with sustainable livelihoods, who are able to contribute to their community. Momentum conducts presentations at CIES several times a year and we count them as an invaluable partner in the services we provide our clients.

Since its inception, CIES is mandated to provide resource information and support to immigrants and low income earning individuals for their socioeconomic development.  In addition to other settlement and employment support for such individuals, CIES has offered formal financial literacy education since 2013 involving many stakeholders, including Momentum, to provide education to immigrants and other newcomers. CIES organised over 20 RESP education seminars geared towards the immigrants and low income earning Calgarians. The result is very encouraging as 90% people indicated that the program helped them to understand the financial basics and 80% people indicated that their confidence level has been increased  and CIES would like to continue providing education and helping them to open RESP.

As a result of the generous grant from Momentum, CIES will continue organising presentations on RESP in 2016/2017.  Additionally, clients will be supported through personal financial counseling on the importance of RESP for their children’s future education on an ongoing basis.  At least ten people will be provided RESP personal counseling every month and it is expected that 60% of them will open an RESP account for their kids. If required, clients will be accompanied by a CIES facilitator to the financial service providers to open RESP.  CIES clients will open at least 30 RESPs by the end of December 15, 2016.

RESP seminars will be conducted by CIES on Sept. 12 and October 17 of this year and November 16, 2017, For more information give us a call at 403-291-0002.

CIES 6th Annual Summer Festival

Yesterday CIES held its 6th annual Summer Festival and by all accounts it was an unparalleled success. Hundreds of attendees came by throughout the day in the form of local residents, clients, sponsors, partners, and both members of the municipal and provincial governments, including recently elected MLA Robyn Luff and the City of Calgary's Jason Luan. Food, dance and music from all over the world was on display, as well games, contests and activities. More than 75 countries from around the globe were represented on what was a remarkable day.

The theme for this year's festival was Around the World in One Day and seeing so many customs and traditions, so much culture and so much diversity all in one place was truly special. CIES would like to thank all those who attended, the artBOX for graciously providing us with an absolutely great venue, the International Avenue Business Revitalization Zone's support, and most especially a heartfelt thanks to all those who participated in the days events. Without your input, without your pride in sharing your culture and donating your time, we could not have put on such a truly amazing day.

What was without a doubt a day of fun also had a very important subtext and in the end, very much stands for what the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society strives for each and every day. There are many differences amongst us and there are no absolutes, this much I know to be true.  Despite these differences, we are more alike than different, no matter how difficult it may be to recognize our similarities. It’s in our nature to see our differences before we see that which is the same, but when given the chance to truly see, like a blind man regaining his sight, what was always right in front of us becomes an emancipating vision of truth. On a grander scale, the reflection of our internal selves can be seen in almost any human soul. We are all mirrors, all reflections of one another.  A video highlight reel of the festival is coming soon but for now, to see pictures of the day's event CLICK HERE.

A human being is a part of the whole called by us the universe,          

a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his

thoughts and feelings as something separate than the rest, a kind

of optical delusion of his consciousness. The delusion is a kind

of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection

for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves

from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all

living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

                                                                                          -Albert Einstein

CIES Summer Festival - Colombian Folk Dance Performance

The list of Performers for the 2016 CIES Summer Festival on August 16th at the ArtBOX on 17E (1807 42 St SE) continues to grow and this year will include Colombian Folk Dancing. The Colombian culture is a melting pot of the European, African and Indigenous people. This amazing blend of backgrounds of art, music and dance has created a society full of tradition, whether it be song, music or choreography. Not many cultures can lay claim to such a diverse landscape of customs. It is indeed a landscape because the geographical areas of this country are also defined by their music and dance. From the Llanos or the eastern plains to the coast of the Caribbean to the Andes mountains and on to the Pacific coast, we find a heritage specific to each region.

The dance is traditionally performed by pairs of men and women. Women play with the skirts, waving them, while holding a candle in one hand. Men dance behind them, taking their hat on and off with one hand while the other is hidden behind their back. Until the 20th Century, the dance was considered indecent and was therefore restricted to the lower classes. Today, of course, almost every Colombian knows how to at least imitate the dance. Stay tuned for more on the CIES 6th Annual Summer Festival!

Canadian World Champion Looks to Bring World Police Games to Calgary

The World Police Games are the third largest and most diverse sporting event in the world. It is third only to the Olympics and the Asian Games. Amarpal 'Sunny' Singh, who immigrated to Canada from India via the UK, has put forth a petition to the City of Calgary to assist in bringing the World Police Games back to Canada and to Calgary for 2017. The Games were scheduled to take place in Montreal next summer, but the Mayor of the City recently cancelled the games due to a Labour dispute currently taking place in Quebec. Sunny is the only Canadian athlete to have won three gold medals at the World Police Games in Taekwondo. His hope is to bringing the World Police Games to Calgary marking the 20th anniversary that our city held the games. This historic event would give a much needed boost to Calgary and to Canada.

Sunny has met with the coordinator of Calgary Peace Officer Unit Mr. Brian Whitelaw and Mr. Russ Velke, staff sergeant of Calgary Police Service, he is looking to assist with this cause. His fight to bring the games to Calgary was recently shared in the Metro News and he was also recently interviewed by CTV.  A non-profit organization, Reel Diverse,  whose mission is “Supporting a Diverse World.” They are promoting the call to bring the World Police Games to Calgary via an exclusive documentary. It is his hope to attract more supporters to this cause by way of signing a petition. If you wish to support Amaral call to have the World Police Games come to Calgary simply CLICK HERE.  

CIES Summer Festival - Food of the World For All

Aside from our list of performers for the 2016 CIES Summer Festival on August 16th at the ArtBOX on 17E (1807 42 St SE), this year will also include food from around the world. Our gastronomic world tour of food will tempt your taste-buds with unique flavours and classic dishes alike.

Dishes from, Ethiopian, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Filipino cuisine just to name a few will be on hand for you to try and all you it is on us! All you have to do is come down to the ArtBOX Tuesday with a good appetite! More details on the Summer Festival Coming Soon!

CIES Summer Festival - Brazilian Capoeira & Samba Performance

The list of Performers for the 2016 CIES Summer Festival on August 16th at the ArtBOX on 17E (1807 42 St SE) continues to grow and this year will include Capoeira Camara Calgary.  Capoeira Camara offers instruction in Capoeira, a form of martial art developed in Brazil over 400 years ago that combines self-defence with elements of Brazilian culture, music, dance and acrobatics.

Mestre Bola (Marinaldo Da Silva) founded Capoeira Camara in 2005 which now includes academies in Toronto, Peterborough, Montreal, and Calgary, Canada, Bermuda, Russia and Brazil. Professor Frankenstein teaches dedicated students in Calgary and always welcomes new faces! Visit their website for more information and for a quick peek at what to expect next week at the Festival watch below.

CIES to Attend Calgary's Inaugural Kite Festival

CIES will be attending Calgary\s first ever Kite Festival for a weekend of aviation delights anchored by a host of flying kites of all shapes and sizes, face painting, henna tattoos, kite workshops, music shows and Food stalls and much more...Many activities have been planned for family fun and adventure throughout the day at the Shaw Millennium Park to enjoy.

Bring your kids, your cameras, and your lawn chairs for some great family fun! Due to the games and attractions on site, all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Shaw Millennium Park will come alive with the unprecedented excitement of one-of-its-kind that unites the multinational community in a colourful and action-packed spectacle.The event is being organised by Realzim eSociety in anticipation of bringing people of all age groups and ethnicities to come together for a family fun day. They are invited to the sheer merriment and excitement of kite flying, the amazement of watching kites of various hues, shapes and sizes, soaring over the skies, matched by the carnival mood on the ground with kite making workshops, children’s play areas and activities, food stalls along with music & dance performances and more. For more info visit their website. 

CIES Summer Festival - Bollywood Dance Performance

Chakita Shankar

The line up of performers for the 2016 CIES Summer Festival on August 16th at the ArtBOX on 17E (1807 42 St SE) just keeps getting bigger and better and this year will include Chakita Shankar. Chakita is a dancer, singer, actress, choreographer, and model based here in Calgary as well as Edmonton. Her dance forte includes Bharatanatyam, Hip Hop, Bollywood, and African. Chakita has also been a Dance Teacher at Swarajathi Fine Arts Academy and a former performer at Calaway Park.

The university of Alberta Student, majoring in Psychology and Drama, will be joining the Celebration Stage to perform a Bollywood Dance and we couldn't be happier to have her join us on what is sure to be an amazing day. More updates on our Summer Festival Coming Soon!

CIES Recognizes International Day of the World's Indigenous People

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed on August 9 each year to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. This event also recognises the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection. It was first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994, marking the day of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, in 1982.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995–2004). In 2004, the Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade, from 2005–2015, with the theme of "A Decade for Action and Dignity".[1] People from different nations are encouraged to participate in observing the day to spread the UN’s message on indigenous peoples. Activities may include educational forums and classroom activities to gain an appreciation and a better understanding of indigenous peoples.

This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is devoted to the right to education. The right of indigenous peoples to education is protected by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which in Article 14 states that “Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education in their own languages, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning.”

The right of indigenous peoples to education is also protected by a number of other international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.

In spite of these instruments, the right to education has not been fully realised for most indigenous peoples, and a critical education gap exists between indigenous peoples and the general population.
Where data exist, they show consistent and persistent disparities between the indigenous and the non-indigenous population in terms of educational access, retention and achievement, in all regions of the world.The education sector not only mirrors the historical abuses, discrimination and marginalisation suffered by indigenous peoples, but also reflects their continued struggle for equality and respect for their rights as peoples and as individuals. Let us make today a day of reflection, change and hope for the future.

CIES Community Investors XIX - Calgary Meals on Wheels

The 19th non-profit highlighted in the CIES Community Investors Series is Calgary Meals on Wheels.  Calgary Meals on Wheels is a not-for-profit organization established on November 15, 1965 in response to an official request to the United Church Women by the Hospital Chaplaincy Committee of the Calgary Presbytery of the United Church, who expressed concerns that elderly people living alone were being discharged from hospitals with no support system during their convalescence.

Food is a basic need, a life necessity.  What we eat or don’t eat affects our mental, emotional and physical well-being.  There is a significant population in our city who, for various reasons, are not able to tend to their basic daily nutrition. Calgary Meals on Wheels is proud to provide programs that directly target the issues of poverty, and hunger.

What began as a small operation, delivering meals to eight clients from a church basement has grown into a thriving, innovative production facility that prepares, packages and delivers 1,700 meals each day; more than 420,000 meals a year.

Although their principal clients are seniors, they offer five different programs that are open to all Calgarians who are in need of a meal service to maintain independence in their own homes, regardless of age or circumstance.  They focus on serving all individuals in need of nutritious meals including the homeless, and vulnerable school children. CIES sends its congratulations and heartfelt thanks for all the work they have done for Calgary for more than 50 years. 50 plus years in which they have never missed a day of scheduled delivery! For more information and details on how you can get involved visit there website.

CIES Summer Festival - Free Laptop Give Away

This year CIES will be giving free laptops away at our CIES Summer Festival. All you have to do is take a look at our big jelly bean jar and guess how many are there. The closet two guesses will win a laptop but that's not all. Both winners will get a free 1 hour computer lesson to go along with it. SO make sure to come on down August 16th to the ArtBOX on 17 E (1807 42 St SE) for your chance to win - not to mention for your chance to take in a line up for sing and dance, great international food, activities and fun for the whole family. More details on our festival coming soon!

CIES Summer Festival - The History Wrangler

The performance roster for the 2016 CIES Summer Festival on August 16th at the ArtBOX on 17E (1807 42 St SE) continues to grow and this year will include the one and only History Wrangler Rob Lennard. A Historian and the Director of Education & Outreach for the Historic Ranch and Fish Creek Provincial Park, Rob is a self-proclaimed VPA (Very Proud Albertan) and this very much shines through in his entertaining and informative presentation entitled Amazing Alberta History for New Albertans.

Rob is an award winning historical fiction writer who has been enthusiastically studying Alberta history for more than a decade. His The Amazing Alberta Time Travel Adventures of Wild Roping Roxy and Family Day Ray contains over 300 historical facts, to celebrate Alberta’s centennial in 2005. For his efforts he received both the Alberta Centennial Medal and prestigious Alberta Awareness Award for “outstanding contribution to provincial history”. Additionally, the book was re-released with 6 additional chapters to celebrate the centennial of The Calgary Stampede in 2012 and the 2nd edition became the best-selling Calgary Stampede centennial book in the Chapters/Indigo book stores chain.

The Amazing Time Travel Adventures of The Iron Crow Brothers and Bree Saint Marie contains over 200 historical facts about First Nation and Metis history and culture and features amazing illustrations from Nathan Meguinis (Traveling Rock) from the Tsuu T’ina Nation as well as a Foreword Message written by Chief Crowfoot’s great-great grand-daughter. The book was voted one of the finest First Nation books in Canada for 2013-2014 by 7 aboriginal judges.

We look forward to Rob's performance and stayed tuned for more info on our Summer Festival! 

MP Kent Hehr @ CIES

Yesterday CIES was privileged with a visit from MP and Minister of Veterans Affairs Kent Hehr. Kent gave a speech on Canada's proud tradition of democracy and afterwards took questions, of any and all kinds, from the audience. A gifted public speaker and all round nice guy, Kent charmed the room of nearly 100 people, on his way to informing them about just how important democracy is and how it works at all levels.

After an informative presentation laced with humour and fun, the selfie line up was lined up outside the room and the questions were sometimes from out of left field, but Kent made time for every single person. It's easy to see why our Prime Minster named him to his cabinet, as he is not only an informed and concerned citizen, but as patient and approachable as one could ever ask a politician to be.

A big thank you to Kent for stopping by and spending some time with us here at CIES and keep up the great work! For more pictures of the event CLICK HERE.

Calgary International Airport Career Fair - Eight Employers, Hundreds of Jobs, One Day

Calgary International Airport (YYC) is Canada’s fourth busiest airport welcoming nearly 15.5 million passengers annually. Even more growth is in YYC’s future with the opening of the new International Terminal on October 31, 2016.

It takes a lot of people, collaboration and hard work to keep our facility running smoothly and efficiently. From airfield operations, security, customer service to food and retail outlets, it takes thousands of driven and customer-focused individuals to make YYC the world-class airport that it is known as today.

In preparation for our new terminal opening, several of our partners will be participating in our YYC Career Fair on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Coast Plaza Hotel.

Whether you’re looking to change career path or enhance your current career, YYC has a variety of opportunities for you. Join us at the YYC Career Fair to learn more about how you can be a part of one of Canada’s busiest airports. See where your career can take you!

Calgary Jobs, Info & Training

Here at CIES we always do our best to stay plugged into the Calgary community. so you can be too. From Day one CIES has always believed that strong community partnerships are the best way to have both a meaningful and sustainable impact on the life of immigrants here in Calgary.  We are affiliated with a number of key organisations throughout the city and this expansive network allows us to stay informed on your behalf. Below is a list of upcoming opportunities for a wide range of skills sets and experience levels to improve your skills, network and submit resumes for employment.Click on the provided posters for more details.

JOB FAIRS

Michael's is hosting a hiring fair to promote job opening for their new store in East Hills. Be sure to apply on-line and attend the hiring fair on August 2, 2016

HIRING

Southland has immediate openings for part-time school bus drivers and full-time access drivers. Please see attached poster for more information.

SKILL BUILDING

• The Warehouse & Logistic Skills Training program, offered by Centric Health Life Mark, is starting on August 8.  
• The Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship Training program offered by Momentum is accepting applications for October 31, 2016.   
• Directions for Immigrants is offering Clear Communication for Business for Internationally Educated Professionals in any occupation in any industry September 12 to 16

CIES Summer Festival - Traditional Ethiopian Dance

The performance roster for the 2016 CIES Summer Festival on August 16th at the ArtBOX on 17E (1807 42 St SE) continues to grow and this year will include Ethiopian Dance. Eskesta is a traditional Ethiopian dance performed by both men and women that is known for its unique emphasis on intense shoulder movement. The dance is characterised by rolling the shoulder blades, bouncing the shoulders, and jilting the chest. Eskesta is typically performed to traditional Ethiopian music, but can often be incorporated into modern forms of music such as is played in modern Ethiopian music videos. The complex nature of eskista makes it one of the most highly technical forms of traditional dance.

The Ethiopian term “Eskesta” means “Dancing shoulders.”  It is often practiced in the Northern parts of Ethiopia (Amhara group) where the indigenous tribes of Amhara, Wollo, Gondar etc. are still performing the dance of Eskesta. The motives and characteristics of the dance are often interchanged during the dance by the performers of the variety of war songs, hunting songs, Shepherd songs, love songs and work songs. The eskesta dance transmits ideas, religious beliefs, historical events, ancient stories, emotions, thoughts, through a ritual of shoulder dancing and body movements performed on a certain musical background.

Check out some traditional Ethiopian dance below and stay tuned for more performer details coming soon!