The Canadian Colours of Kingston Foundation aims to continue to encourage and promote the diversity that has made Kingston such a great place to live for all Canadians. We believe that this diversity doesn’t have to and shouldn’t conflict with Canadian values. In fact, the diverse cultures and religions that make up our great city should be seen as a source of strength. There’s no reason that we c
an’t encourage individual cultural differences without losing sight of our Canadian values. We created the Canadian Colours of Kingston Foundation to bring our different cultures together and foster understanding and communication. Acceptance and Understanding
Acceptance and understanding of different ethnic, cultural and religious groups starts with a real conversation. By establishing open and honest channels of communication we can create a productive and ongoing dialogue. The goal here is to begin to learn about the different cultural backgrounds of our fellow Canadians. There’s a great deal of diversity in the Kingston area. All major religions are represented in the city including: Christians, Jews, Muslims, and many others. Our people also come from all corners of the globe. They come from places such as India, South Korea, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. While we may have very different backgrounds we’re united in the belief that Canada offers the best opportunity for us and our families. Learning and Growing with History
All of us have our own history and customs. The fact that we left our ancestral homes doesn’t mean we left them behind completely and we shouldn’t have to. Our traditions and beliefs are a valuable part of who we are and our fellow Canadians can benefit from learning about our past and we can grow by learning about theirs. Our mission is to facilitate and encourage the various groups in our community to come together and share their experiences. Accepting and learning about the various cultures that make up our community will not weaken our Canadian identity – it’s a part of it. Canadians are known throughout the world for their tolerance and understanding. It’s an attitude that helps to define us and one we should be heartily proud of. The challenge is to maintain this identity even when times are tough. A Forum for Guidance
When you first arrive in a new country it can be a difficult transition – even in a country as open and tolerant as Canada. Our foundation recognizes the challenges that new Canadians are facing and we’re here to help bridge the gap. We offer a forum for guidance that will help you learn about what it means to be a Canadian in a city like Kingston. It’s our goal to show you how to truly integrate into Canadian society and adopt its values. The road that brought us here and made us part of the Canadian family was the right path, but now that we’ve chosen Canada as our new home and country of choice it’s important to accept and follow its values. The Path Forward
One of the great things about Canada is that we don’t have to give up our customs and traditions as long as they don’t fundamentally violate Canadian values. Canada is a country dedicated to multiculturalism and everything it represents. It was founded on a belief that new Canadians bring with them a valuable part of the Canadian puzzle. We believe that the rich and diverse cultural past of our ancestors should be celebrated and remembered. The Colours of Kingston Foundation believes strongly in the importance of all of the various groups that make up our community. There’s no reason we can’t celebrate the customs and traditions of our ancestral homelands in our homes and communities. Those traditions can and should be handed down for generations to come. Canada as a whole is a rich mosaic of cultural diversity that makes us stronger and the envy of the world. We also have a strong Canadian value system which enables so many different cultures to live and work together without the discord found in many other places.
