On the May long weekend, during Asian Heritage Month, the Society will recognize and celebrate the contributions of the Chinese settlers to the history of Nanaimo. While there have been four Chinatowns in Nanaimo since the first Chinese settlers arrived in the 1860s, with the burning of the last one in 1960, little physical remains of what was in the 1880s, the third largest urban Chinese community in BC. Yet the story of Chinese settlement offers fascinating insight into one of Nanaimo's oldest communities, and the important economic and cultural role it played in the City’s development.

The weekend event will launch on Friday evening May 16th, with a lion dance at the Harbourfront Library.

Saturday, May 17th, at Port Place Shopping Mall and Harbourfront Library, in partnership with the Chinese Canadian Historical Society we will host Eating Stories: a Chinese Canadian and Aboriginal Potluck with readings by contributors and other story telling. There will also be readings from the Chinese Canadian Historical Society’s other publication Finding Memories, Tracing Routes: Chinese Canadian Family Stories.
On Sunday and Monday at Port Place Mall, we will have static displays of pictures and artefacts and taped oral histories from the Nanaimo Museum, as well as spoken word story telling by members of the Chinese community. 

Our partners in this project are Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo and District Museum, the Nanaimo’s Chinese Cultural Society, the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC and Port Place Mall as well as members of the Chinese Community. Imogene Lim, Chair of Anthropology and an expert on Nanaimo’s Chinese community will act as consultant.  Port Place Mall will assist with publicity.

Healthfest 2008: A Multicultural Health Fair

Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Beban Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Rd. Nanaimo

Mark your calendars! The Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society is pleased to host
Nanaimo’s first Annual Multicultural Health Fair;

Are you interested in exploring a healthy life style for you and your family?
Are you new to Nanaimo and want to learn about the health resources available in this community?
Do you speak a language other than English and want access to healthcare information in your own language?

Then come to Healthfest 2008.

Just like accessible health care, Healthfest 2008 is for everyone. There will be interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops, fun demonstrations and health screenings as well as programs for children. 

Everyone Welcome! Admission Is Free.

If you are health service provider and would like to be an exhibitor, contact us today. We are also looking for volunteers that speak a second language to assist with translation for the day.

Eunhee Lee - Bookkeeper
I was in Calgary 8 years since I immigrated to Canada from South Korea in search of a new challenge. In the meantime, I have worked a few different jobs in Calgary and through past work experience I found an accounting area gave me fun and eventually made it career by completing a two-year diploma degree at SAIT in 2006. Last summer my husband and I moved to Nanaimo with three children before it was too late because we just made a decision of one more turning point in my family life. When I dropped by the Employment Service Centre of the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society to get help in seeking my job, I very luckily had an opportunity to get a job interview for the bookkeeper of the Society. I really enjoy working with numbers and making things balance as much as interacting with a great group of people at work. I am very proud of being a part of the Multicultural Society. I admire and give special thanks to everyone who gets involved in such a pleasant and welcoming environment of this community.

Pat Simpson - Receptionist
I was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and went to Langara college for a two year program in the Human Social Arts field. When I earned my diploma, I was soon hired by the Provincial Government in the Social Services field within the Ministry of Human Resources.   I spent several gratifying years as a Financial Aide Worker, and then went on to be a Rehabilitation Officer and then as the Labour Market Development Coordinator and finally the Regional Contract Manager. My partner and I had a wonderful opportunity to move to Gabriola Island to look after a home that had been in our family for many years. I received a transfer through the Ministry and continued my work here on Vancouver Island. After twenty years working within government, I decided that I wanted to do something different so left government work. My partner and I know that I made the right decision because it has freed me up to work here as an Administrative Assistant at the Central Island Multicultural Society, which I truly enjoy. You will find me sitting at the reception desk waiting to welcome you here, so please stop by and say hello.

Dawn Fulton- ELSA Instructor, Level 4/5
I consider myself fortunate to have parents who have always enjoyed learning, doing, and teaching. My parents fostered a spirit of adventure, and an appreciation for diversity in nature and culture, in me from a very early age. I was born in Dawson City, Yukon. And, since then, I have lived in big cities and in small remote areas of Canada - by the ocean and inland. Abroad, I have traveled to Greece, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, Hawaii, and other places in the U.S.A. Upon completion of a degree in Liberal Studies and Psychology, I went on to acquire a teaching certificate. In 2004, I taught English (TEFL) in South Korea; and in 2005, I taught English (TEFL) in China. Here at home, I have taught ESL and Summer Language programs atMalaspina University-College. I have been happily married for almost 23 years, and I have three almost grown children (a daughter and two sons). My husband is a general contractor, who has successfully run his own business for over 20 years. I’m, now, very happy to be teaching ELSA level 4/5 at CVIMS.

Carolina Ponsford - Employment Advisor
I was born in Bogota, Colombia, where I studied Social Work at the National University and later I obtained a Masters degree in Human Resources. After 10 years of working is this field, in 1998, I decided to go to Canada to study English. In 2001, I immigrated to Canada to start a family and we settled in Vancouver. Three years ago, a day trip to Nanaimo made us decide to move to this beautiful and peaceful place. I enjoy my work as an Employment Advisor where I am able to use my Human Resources background and my own experience as an Immigrant in assisting newcomers with their job search. My interest in helping immigrants encouraged me to enroll in a Career Management Practitioner Program with an Immigrant Specialization. I hope to make a positive contribution to the lives of many immigrants. I enjoy trips to the beach in spring and summer with my husband and my son. This year we are so excited to include our Aire dale puppy Nick.

Nanaimo: A Community Everyone Can Call Home
An Invitation to Learn Together

Hosted by The Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (CVIMS)
In partnership with Malaspina Unviersity College, City of Nanaimo, School District 68 - Aboriginal Education and Multicultural Race Relations Committee, and Nanaimo Interfaith Community.

November 22, 2007

In the bright, spacious Lounge of the Beban Park Social Centre, a venue generously provided by the City of Nanaimo, approximately 60 invited guests came together to participate in a conversation about the future of Nanaimo’s changing community. The purpose of the dialogue was threefold: to have a full and deep conversation about the changes and challenges the community is facing, to get to know each other through an honest and open exchange of ideas, and to agree to some concrete actions that will help the community move forward in a positive and productive way.

Available here:
Report on Process and Outcomes - pdf format

Prepared by:
Rhonda Margolis
Associate, Dialogue Programs
Simon Fraser Univeristy

Often immigrants identify that their accent is holding then back from communicating effectively when speaking English. We all want to be understood when we speak, and strong oral communications skills are essential in the workplace.

CVIMS is certified in the CVIMS is certified in the Krieger Method© AndyKrieger.com to provide Accent Reduction Training through our agency.

Training delivered in a private session and includes: a three hour lesson, a CD/ DVD to take home for practice, and one hour follow-up lesson. Group sessions in your workplace are also available.

If you would like to support our programs and services, you can become a member or make a donation online via paypal. We are a registered charity and your tax deductible donation is important to us.