Culture shines through at Westman Multicultural Festival pavilions

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This article was published 03/02/2018 (3031 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Taylor Fleming walked on stage and took her spot front and centre with her bandmates.

Without missing a beat, the 20-year-old fiddle player played song after song and brought the halls of the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium to life.

At one point, a couple waltzed on stage and danced from one end to the other as Fleming continued her set.

“I like to bring a lively show, so hopefully it brings people in the door,” she said.

Fleming has performed for 11 years, but Friday night marked her first performance at the Westman Multicultural Festival.

The chance to share her Métis culture with others was not lost on the Brandon University student from Minitonas.

And although she hasn’t had the chance to perform much while in school, having the opportunity to share the stage at the Métis pavilion was great, she said.

“Everything that they have set up is awesome and I’m glad that I can be a part of it this year.”

Fleming was one of the dozens of performers who graced the many stages on Friday for the second night of the Westman Multicultural Festival.

With nine pavilions scattered across the city, Brandonites had plenty to choose from, including the Métis pavilion at the WMCA.

After taking a year off, the pavilion made a return this year to much fanfare. This year’s festival also features the debut of the Indian pavilion, while the Mexican pavilion has returned after a long hiatus.

As the music continued in the hall of the WMCA, out in the lobby, Teresa Byrne chatted with visitors as they walked by her display near the front entrance of the auditorium.

As the historic tour co-ordinator for the Louis Riel Institute, Byrne said she loves being able to educate others on who the Métis people are.

She, along with the University of Manitoba and Canadian Museum for Human Rights, plan on launching an app for Louis Riel Day this year that will focus on 40 historical sites in the province and describe the birth of the Métis nation.

As a weaver herself, Byrne took a few moments when she had them to add a few more pieces to the sash she started earlier in the day.

“To me, the future is bright for Métis people and it’s really exciting to be a part of this,” she said.

Kim Lemky made her first stop that evening at the WMCA for the Métis events and was on her way to St. Matthew’s Cathedral for the Philippine pavilion.

Lemky had made stops at the Indian and Ukrainian pavilions the night before and said it is wonderful seeing all of the different cultures and people both young and old take part in the festival.

“It’s a whole community effort,” she said. “It’s fun to go out with friends, but I like the different foods.”

Meanwhile, at St. Matthew’s Cathedral , groups of young dancers took to the stage of the Philippine pavilion, performing different routines from modern dances to more traditional performances.

“I just love it because I can express myself through dancing,” said Frances Piedra.

The third-year nursing student at BU, who came to Canada three years ago, has been coming to the Westman Multicultural Festival for two years.

For her, the diversity of the festival itself is what she enjoys most.

“I see how other cultures gather together and we see unity between different races, colours and genders,” Piedra said.

» mlee@brandonsun.com

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