Members of the Association of Nigerians in Portage la Prairie recently joined evacuee support efforts at CanadInns, focusing their energy on a critical behind-the-scenes task: packing blankets for those displaced by regional wildfires.
A change in task, but not in plans
Their original plans had been to help give back by serving food, but the group adapted their plans after learning sufficient staff were already on hand for food service.
Adebola Adesanya, Secretary of the association, explained the shift in duties.
"Initially, we were going to help serve, but the CanadInns had lots of staff, so we couldn’t serve that way. The good thing is that the Red Cross needed to tidy up the blankets, so we were able to help with that. I didn’t get to count the bags, but I think we had over 20 bags that we packed up. It was a good thing to be able to help in that area."
For Adesanya, the act of volunteering is deeply personal. She shared her own experience with displacement, which fuels her commitment to supporting others.
"Personally, I’ve had the experience that I had to vacate my house with my family when I was about 15 because of a tribal war happening. I felt how much people helped and felt the support of the community. Going to help out with the evacuees is a way of giving back to the community. It helps me to appreciate the value of support as a community and to just preach love and being kind to everyone. Irrespective of your background, your colour, your accent, just be human."
Empathy drives action
Felicia Oke, another association member, echoed the sentiment, reflecting on the evacuees' situation.
"I feel like that’s an opportunity for me to do my own little part. Going in there, seeing those beds... everyone just kind of is in one single open space. You literally have just your bed, no privacy. It reminds you how life could turn overnight. People don’t expect that to happen to them," she says, and goes on to reflect, "It makes me feel, as an immigrant here, that Portage has always been good to me. I’ve had good people who impacted my life so positively. So I feel like just doing whatever I’m able to do to uplift."
Oke emphasized the universal need for compassion, saying, "This is a really difficult moment for these people. I hope everyone would be as accepting as possible, to offer whatever we could to just help lift their spirits."
Adesanya adds to that by reinforcing the association's message of gratefulness to the community, saying, "As an association, as a community, we left our loved ones back home and have been welcomed here in the community of Portage, which has allowed us to thrive. So, going to help the evacuees, it's a way of giving back, helps us to appreciate the value of community support; to just preach love and kindness to everyone irrespective of your colour or culture. Just be kind."
Cultural celebration ahead
The association now turns its focus to sharing its heritage with the wider community. They invite everyone to attend Nigerian Cultural Day this Saturday, June 14th, at Prairie Fusion.
Adesanya encourages the community to come share in the celebration.
"We’re inviting everyone to come and taste Nigeria, to come and feel our culture, our music, our food. Come and experience the kind of human beings that we are," she encourages, "We’re trying to put it out there for people of Portage to recognize that we Nigerians are here to be a part of the community."
Oke added details about the event’s offerings, noting, "We have lots of cultural foods. We would have other foods that might not be so cultural, probably for some other people, because we just want everybody who is able to come to be able to eat."
Beyond food, Oke adds that there will be cultural dress on display from many of the Nigerians in attendance, and cultural music to take in as well.
The event promises an immersive experience into Nigerian traditions, fostering connection and understanding in Portage la Prairie.