Multicultural week in Saskatchewan ran Nov. 16 – 24 this year, and one local organization deserving of recognition is the Prairie Skies Integration Network.
“We operate in the whole region around Moose Jaw. We work by bringing everyone together to support our region and get communities to be more welcoming and responsive toward the needs of newcomers,” said Dalise Hector, the network’s project manager.
As one of around 80 Local Immigration Partnerships (LIP) across Canada, Prairie Skies brings several individual organizations together to form a partnership and to work in unison for common goals. To ensure newcomer voices are heard, the organization partners directly with these new members of the community.
“By placing newcomer voices front and centre, we know what the actual challenges are, so we’re not addressing the wrong things. We hear what’s really needed, and we hear that with more granular detail. When change is made, hopefully it’s a more targeted change,” she said.
The value of the organization’s work is in the co-ordination effort. “If every organization is working in a silo, and the left hand doesn’t really know what the right hand is doing, it’s really hard to make that kind of policy or systemic change, but it’s needed,” said Hector.
One important element at Prairie Skies is the newcomer advisory council. “This is a group of newcomers who provide insight into the work that we’re doing and should be doing,” Hector said.
“We’re here to impact their lives… so it’s critical to know what their experiences are like in our communities and in our region,” she said.
The advisory council has around 15 members, but these numbers do fluctuate. Several open-house events take place throughout the year, allowing anyone new to the community a chance to address the challenges and opportunities they are facing.
Working within the community, Prairie Skies has a few groups operating from the bottom up, which compliments the organization’s primary focus – addressing policy from the top down.
These groups include MJ RADAR (Moose Jaw Residents Against Discrimination and Racism), a regional co-operation working group, a group focused on employment and economic inclusivity, and a research group.
“These groups will change and grow over time as we focus on different priorities,” Hector explained.
To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, Prairie Skies will be planning a march against racism, with March 21, 2024 to be the second such event.
Hector said the organization’s work is well-received, although there’s some frustration with how slow systemic change can be to implement.
“With things like the housing situation, (policy) doesn’t change overnight, and people’s lives are being impacted by that throughout the whole community.
“There’s a lot of gratitude to be working together, and to be heard and understood,” she added.
Starting in July 2018 and officially launched in Moose Jaw on Aug. 25, 2021, Prairie Skies is overseen by a partnership council comprising several organizations including the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the City of Moose Jaw.
Moose Jaw Multicultural Council is a contribution agreement holder, meaning they have fiscal responsibility for Prairie Skies’ projects, but only share a limited role in co-designing projects.
Prairie Skies’ top-down strategic planning looks at housing, employment, access to information, and community support, among other areas.
“Our vision is a vibrant community through co-ordinated community newcomer integration,” said Hector.
For more information, visit psinetwork.ca, or the Facebook page at ‘Prairie Skies Integration Network - Moose Jaw Region's LIP.’
Prairie Skies Integration Network is located at 432 Main Street North and can be reached at 306-690-2324.
In response to some providers blocking access to Canadian news on their platforms, our website, MooseJawToday.com will continue to be your source for hyper-local Moose Jaw news. Bookmark MooseJawToday.com and sign up for our free online newsletter to read the latest local developments.
