For three days this week, Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) showcased diversity as 33 flags were raised to honour the many cultures represented within the Portage la Prairie School Division (PLPSD). Now in its third year, the event has become a cherished annual tradition that continues to grow with the community it represents.
Honouring community
The idea was sparked by PLPSD's former superintendent, Todd Cuddington, who was serving on a committee planning a division-wide diversity and anti-racism week. Kendra McKenzie, the division’s English as an Additional Language (EAL) Consultant, says he envisioned a meaningful way to celebrate the division's multicultural makeup.
"He thought a great way to honor that would be to raise flags representing all the different cultures and countries that are represented within our school division," McKenzie notes.
While Cuddington ordered the flags, McKenzie coordinated families to ensure that their cultures would be recognized during the event.
"We might have to celebrate it over more than three days at some point, because we only have 13 flag poles," she jokes.
The tradition began three years ago with 28 flags and has grown each year. This past week the school raised 33 flags over three days with each day dedicated to a different group of cultural identities. Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, China, Congo, Dakota Nation, El Salvador, Métis Nation, and Germany's flags were raised on Tuesday. The following day, Greece, Hungary, India, Nunavut, Israel, Long Plain, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria's flags were represented. On the last day, the flags from Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Palestine, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Syria, Treaty One, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Zambia were displayed at the PCI football field along Saskatchewan Ave.
The growing number of flags reflects the steady increase in newcomer families to the region and the division’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all students feel seen, respected, and valued.
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The value of diversity
McKenzie, who works directly with newcomer families throughout the school year, reflected on how far the community has come in embracing cultural diversity.
“When I look back on when I went to school, the hallways were predominantly white middle-class people, and we didn't know a lot about other cultures back then. I think when you open your mind and your heart up to other ideas, traditions, and beliefs, it strengthens who you are as a person and then strengthens us as a community.”
Before the flags were raised on the second day, McKenzie delivered a heartfelt speech to those gathered on the school grounds, emphasizing that diversity is not just about representation, but also about transformation.
"It has been truly an honour to help newcomers to Portage la Prairie register in schools and to be able to share their stories of how they came to Canada. Diversity is more than just a word. It is the richness of human experience, which is shaped by culture, language, religion, gender, ability, and many other aspects of identity. When we include diverse voices in our conversations, we don't just change policies or institutions, we change hearts, we become more thoughtful, more informed, and more just.”
Each year, this growing tradition serves as a reminder to students and families that no matter where their journey began, they are seen, valued, and have a place in the PLPSD community.
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