Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2016 | Page 128
Chatting with Monifa | Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
What motivated you to become involved with the Grenadian Cultural Association of BC (GCABC)?
Give us a brief history of the GCABC The Grenadian Cultural Association of British Columbia, Canada, was incorporated on July 21, 1998. For the past 18 years we have worked tirelessly to showcase our beautiful Islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to communities in British Columbia and beyond. This showcasing is done by participating in Multicultural/ Caribbean Festivals, hosting our annual Independence Banquet, organising Food Festivals, Cultural Performances and fundraising events, to support our charities in Grenada and Canada. Our work in the Caribbean community and the community at large, allows us the opportunity to continue on a larger scale to showcase Grenada.
I have always been involved with different organizations since my arrival in Vancouver. In 1982 Grenada was the focus of the media because of its political problems. Dot to the negative press, Grenada was known as the country that was invaded by the Americans. I was determined to have Vancouverites know more about my beautiful Island. We have a very small population of Grenadians in the Vancouver lower mainland, but in 1998 we were fortunate to be visited by the late Casper Shade, the then Honourary Consul for Grenada at Winnipeg. He assisted us in setting up the Association. Together with the OECS Ambassador, the late George (Mario) Bullen we registered our Association and are now an active and respected Association, in the Caribbean community and the community at large.
Is the GCABC affiliated with other organisations in BC? Our Association is affiliated with other Caribbean and non- Caribbean organizations and agencies in BC. We consider our GCABC to be a true multicultural organization. Our members have held executive positions in with many organizations such as British Columbia Organization of Caribbean Cultural Associations (BCOCCA), Congress of Black Women Vancouver Chapter, Provincial Committee on Cultural Diversity and Policing, Coquitlam Festival Planning Committee, United Cultural Children Christmas Club.
How would you define the Organisation’s purpose? Our aims and objectives are: to develop and maintain a sense of unity among Grenadians in BC; to act as a resource for Grenadians in BC and to promote awareness of Grenada within the community. In addition, the Grenadian Cultural Association of BC works cooperatively with other Cultural Associations and Organizations in BC, to foster, build relationships and to make a meaningful contribution to British Columbia. 124