About

MCoS

The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan has been raising awareness of the benefits of cultural diversity and the dangers of racism since November 22, 1975. MCoS currently offers 3 types of membership. Our members include thousands of volunteers committed to promoting the benefits of multiculturalism. MCoS also worked with 57 partners this past year on a variety of projects and events. MCoS became a provincial not-for-profit, non-governmental agency that works to ensure ethnocultural survival, strength and prominence and foster opportunities for cross-cultural interaction.

We support our members and the public with promotional campaigns and materials (including Multifaith Calendars), a monthly electronic newsletter, investment in programs that accomplish our goals, information and community connections, workshops and other learning opportunities. We maintain an involvement with SaskCulture that has included establishing the Multicultural Initiatives Fund and serving as the Secretariat for the Multicultural Community of Interest.

Our Vision

Multiculturalism is central to the cultural, social, economic, and political life of Saskatchewan.

Our Mission

We are leaders in the promotion of multicultural values by:

  • Advocating

    for the advancement of multiculturalism at the state and societal levels.

  • Supporting

    members and schools with financial and non-financial resources.

  • Partnering

    with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

  • Coordinating

    provincial multicultural initiatives for use at the provincial, regional, and local levels.

Our Story

The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan has served as a cultural advocacy leader in our province for over 45 years.

  • 1975

    November 22 - Founded

    Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS) founded in Regina.

    We are particularly proud to have been part of the creation of the provincial motto:
    “From Many Peoples Strength (Multis e Gentibus Vires), a powerful statement about who we are – past, present, and future.”

    Member of the Saskatchewan Committee for the Elimination of Racism in Sport and Recreation.

    Development, management and distribution of Multicultural Education Initiatives (MEI) to schools to encourage understanding and interest in multiculturalism.

  • 1987-2008

    Funding Progress

    Member funding for operations and projects, supporting various groups, and projects in Saskatchewan focused on multiculturalism, understanding, integration, and the elimination of racism.

    1987-2008

  • 2009 onward

    Advancing Multiculturalism

    Strategic investment in member and partner projects that advance our mission, aims and objectives.

    Promoting multicultural events, campaigns, and projects around the province to members and the general public.

    Youth conferences and workshops on the subject of anti-racism and multiculturalism, including Youth Action Now with Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Saskatchewan Provincial Council (UCC-SPC) and current Arrêt/Stop Racism workshops.

    Organizing seven national conferences held in Saskatchewan on multicultural matters.

    Promoting our cultural heritages across the country during Saskatchewan’s Centennial year.

  • 2012 to present

    Multicultural Honours

    Multicultural Honours event hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan that recognizes significant contributions to the multicultural community. Betty Szuchewycz and Youth Leadership Awards are presented annually.

    2012 to present

  • 2013 - 2014

    We Are SK PSA

    We Are SK PSA project is a partnership between seven organizations: Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan (AFCS), Conseil Culturel Fransaskois (CCF), MCoS, Saskatchewan Film Pool (SFP), Saskatchewan German Council (SGC), Saskatchewan Organization for Heritage Languages (SOHL), and UCC-SPC with support from the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.

    This project features six PSAs with the following themes: Culture is a Two-Way Street; From Many Peoples Strength; Cold Land, Warm Hearts; Look Beyond the Surface; Home and Overcoming Discrimination. The PSAs have been available through broadcast, website (www.WeAreSk.ca) and on social media.

  • 2014 to present

    Building BRIDGES

    Building Relationships Interculturally through Dialogue and Growing Engagement in Saskatchewan (BRIDGES) with the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan (AFCS) and Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies (SAISIA). Work has included research and consultations, a pilot project in Prince Albert, and a series of Indigenous Welcome events for Syrian refugees, Youth BRIDGES in Regina, and organizational networking in Saskatoon.

    2014 to present

  • 2014 & 2015

    40th Anniversary

    Multicultural Forum in honour of the 40th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Multiculturalism Act in partnership with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.

    Also hosted Integration Forum with SAISIA and SaskCulture in October 2015.

  • 2015 - 2018

    Integrating Newcomers

    Integrating Newcomers with Volunteer Opportunities to add Leadership Value through Education (INVOLVE) is a partnership with SAISIA, SaskCulture and Regina Open Door Society (RODS). A very successful pilot was run in Regina in 2015 and another in Weyburn in 2017. Facilitator training took place in April 2017 making it available in numerous communities. Youth INVOLVE launched as a pilot project in 2018 as a partnership with North Central Family Centre and RODS with 47 participants.

    2015 - 2018

  • 2016 - 2018

    Welcoming Communities

    Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) project in 2016-18. Activities include the Welcome Home Pledge (over 300 taken), facilitator training (over 40 trained) and WIC Toolkit endorsed by SUMA and adopted by over 20 communities so far.

  • 2018

    Community Engagement

    Hosted the Saskatchewan community consultation with community members, leaders, experts, those with lived experience), and academics to provide input for the federal anti-racism strategy. Engaged the community: members, leaders, experts, academics, and those with lived experience.

    2018

  • 2020

    Human Rights Champions

    Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC) conferred the inaugural awards of Human Rights Champions on Rhonda Rosenberg, MCoS Executive Director, along with Kamao Cappo and Francois Brien. All three were recognized for their purposeful leadership to create positive change and training from an incident of racism.