I hope most of you will make it to Alberta Culture Days at the Boyle Street Plaza on September 26 and 27.

The Bissell Centre is working with the Boyle Street Community League to put together a fun program of Lion dancers, African drums, and salsa dancing as well as the Mad Hatters Circus from Circus of Hell and the Inner Voice Choir .

When we do Alberta Culture Days we gather people from various ethnic groups and we experience the way they express themselves through art and music. We have found out some protocol and expectations involved around having performers and attendees at an event and when I learn these things I feel privileged to be “taken in” to another culture’s inner world. We learned that others might have different values than we do. Culture tells us how we think about certain actions and what characteristics we value. So, yes culture is an expression of who we are in the form of arts and outward displays but it is also a set of guidelines as to what people expect. Culture is vital because it makes it possible for people to function with one another without the need to negotiate meaning at every moment.

Sometimes culture is a social thing. Boyle Street definitely has it’s own culture. I’m proud of our inclusiveness and of how respectful we are of one another.

I also think that every ethnic and social group has traditions that we could incorporate into our daily lives. For instance, in Native talking circles a feather is passed around which gives the holder the floor, and no one would dream to interrupt. What if we mentally picture that others in a setting are holding a feather and quietly listen to others while they speak their minds? I’m told that at the average gathering most people only hold the floor for 30 seconds. I think we need a few more feathers out there. Are there traditions that are particular to your culture that you would like to see incorporated into our daily lives? Make a point of asking one of your neighbours that question this month and let’s see what comes out of it.

Visit the Boyle Street Community League on Facebook and post your suggestion for cultural traditions that we might want to adopt as a community.

Manon is a resident of Boyle Street, a former member of the BSCL Board, and an active volunteer in the community.