We invite all Africans and Aboriginals to explore and celebrate their
differences and similarities, and to co-operatively seek solutions which challenges both groups. Futhermore, we invite all Canadians to participate in the facilitation of inclusion and to join us in creating a welcoming Canadian community in the spirit of equality and harmony.
We offer the following programs and services:
Driver Training Radio Talk Show Drumming & Culture
Youth Programs Immigrant Issues Advocacy Drop-in English Classes
Sharing and Solving Common Problems
VISION
The Winnipeg Afro-Aboriginal Cross-Cultural Association (WAACA) is a non-profit facilitator organization providing an improved quality of life for new African immigrants through basic education, pre-employment skills, employment, and shared cultural experiences with the aboriginals.
Through shared cultural experiences (e.g., drumming), WAACA services strengthen:
social acceptance; self-confidence; bureaucracy trust; feelings of community; and connections across different ethnic groups.
VALUES
Respect, dignity, integrity, accountability, effectiveness, care of one another, and transparency.
Commitment to basic education, pre-employment skills, employment, and cross-cultural seminars/workshops with the first peoples of Canada.
HISTORY
WAACA was created as a non-profit organization in March 2009.
MISSION
WAACA is motivated by the demand for recent African immigrants and Aboriginal neighbors to gain a sense of belonging and acceptance in the Winnipeg community. To meet these challenges, WAACA is dedicated to identifying and addressing grass roots issues. In order to meet these needs, programs such as basic education, driver training, and pre-employment skills provide African immigrant students with training that will assist them to find gainful employment.
STAFF
Hilaire Ndyat, founder and Executive Director of the WAACA, earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Development Studies and French Studies from Menno Simons College and the University of Winnipeg. He co-founded “Zambili Gallery d’Afrique,” a non-profit organization in the Republic of Zambia, Lusaka in Africa.
Administrative support when required, is drawn from the Board of Directors and other volunteers. Additional staff members, if necessary, may be hired on a sub-contract basis.
Accountant, Kim Meuler
VOLUNTEERS
Approximately 30 volunteer members of various talents ranging from consultants to lawyers are available, as needed. WAACA is always interested in hearing from individuals interested in volunteering! For more information on current volunteer opportunities, please contact us at: (204) 954-3863.
DRIVER TRAINING
Driving program (theory) is offered for African immigrants and Refugees in
multiple african languages.
Locations:
Accueil Francophone
420 rue Demeurons, unit 104
St-Boniface
Winnipeg, MB R2H 2N9
Days: Thursdays & Fridays
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
WAACA Head Office
210 - 388 Donald Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 2J4
Days: Saturdays
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Boardroom
DRUMMING AND CULTURE
The aim of our drumming and cultural programs are to icrease cross-cultural awareness amongst African, Aboriginal, and other ethnic communities in Winnipeg. There are weekly drumming classes on Mondays and Tuesdays, along with occasional workshops and story telling by elders of both communities. For more information or if you are interested in participating in any of our drumming or cultural programs, please contact us at: 954-3863
YOUTH PROGRAMS
WAACA offers youth recreation and sport programs in partnership with Winnipeg Alliance. Aboriginal youth and immigrant youth open dialogues on different cultural issues in partnership with Ka Ni Kanichihk. In addition, WAACA also provides various youth outing activities throughout the year.
IMMIGRANT ISSUES ADVOCACY
Immigrant Issues Advocacy helps by assisting for new immigrants who are facing various challenges, such as housing issues, family issues, social assistant issues, legal issues, etc., and provides facts and information to existing agencies or government departments. The goal of the program is to help new immigrants navigate Canadian laws and policies, as well as resolve any difficulties caused by language barriers or lack of information.
If you are new to Winnipeg and experiencing difficulties, please contact us at:
info_waaca.mb.ca or call (204) 954-3863 for more information.
DROP-IN ENGLISH
Drop-in English classes are offered every Saturday from 3 - 5 pm at the WAACA head office located at 210 - 388 Donald Street.
This program aims to provide reading comprehension, writing skills, and grammar lessons for those who would like to improve their english and prepare for employment.
UPCOMING EVENT:
April 7, 2011 - "WAACA 2nd Anniversary Cross Cultural Event" at the West End Cultural Centre
Summer Events of 2010:
March 18, 2010
"Summer Soccer Camps" ( Boys & girls 7 to 14 yrs of age) at CMU University
July 13 & 14, 2010
"2010 Central Soccer Fest" at Winnipeg Central Park
Events of 2009
October 2, 2009 - “Fair Trade Fair Chance”
A fine dining, drumming, dancing and delicate desserts fundraiser was hosted by the Chocolate Shop on Fundraiser
October 2, 2009
"WAACA 1st Anniversary" at the West End Cultural Centre
RADIO TALK SHOW Started 27 March 2010
The Program’s Mission
Exploration of inter-cultural relationships and understanding. It is an opportunity to learn about various African and Aboriginal cultures, beliefs, traditions and customs. It is an attempt to build bridges between people who have historically remained segregated. Manitoba has the highest population of newcomers percapita and this number is increasing to well over 12,000 per year. The show will give listeners a chance to learn about the diversity of people living among them.
The show primarily features live in studio interviews (with some pre-recorded interviews and phone interviews at times) with members from Aboriginal and African communities as well as people with an interest in building peace among these communities. The show is a great opportunity to feature world music as well as traditional Aboriginal music and songs, both live and recorded. Interviews have an educational focus and topics include everything from food to traditional cultural attire to music and more in depth social issues like poverty, crime, politics, inter-relational/cultural understanding and misunderstanding, racial profiling, prejudice, racism, gangs, adapting to a multi-cultural city, integration, what it all means, fears, hopes, dreams, and finding solutions to the challenges of living together.
Audience
Audience includes members of all communities featured as well as those working with and involved with newcomers, people with an interest in multi-cultural topics and issues. Topics covered have mass appeal.
Host Driven vs. Concept-Driven Programs
The host determines the topics or themes ahead of time and schedules the interviews accordingly. The role of the host is to engage those who are being interviewed and contributing to the program in whatever ways. There is some flexibility of topics and content given the diverse subjects to be dealt with.
Hil
The
News
On April 7th, 2011 WAACA had its
"2nd ANNIVERSARY CROSS CULTURAL EVENT" at the West End Cultural Centre
The Winnipeg AfroAboriginal Crosscultural Association (WAACA) celebrating its Second Anniversary with an energetically charged and unique crosscultural concert featuring ten different performing groups including; Chango African Drumming group, Spirit Call Choir, The Flaming Trolleys, WAACA drumming group and many more. They included songs and dance by African and Aboriginal performers in colorful traditional dress as well as local Canadian musical entertainment.
Thursday, April 7th
at the West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice Avenue.
Doors opened at 7:15p.m.; show started at 8:00p.m.
Tickets were available at the West End Cultural Centre or by calling (204) 391-7672
$15 Regular/$10 Students
SUPPORTED BY:
KanicKaNich, CNDC, CKUW and Winnipeg Soccer Alliance.
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WAACA
Winnipeg Afro-Aboriginal Crosscultural Association
210-388 Donald Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2J4
Phone: 204-954-3863
Fax: 204-954-3869
Cell: 204-391-7672
Web: www.waaca.mb.ca
Email: info_waaca.mb.ca
Copyright © 2010 WAACA.
All Rights Reserved.
