PAGE 1 OCTOBER 2013 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS IT’S CULTURE TIME! MAGMA celebrated Culture Days in style again this year. This annual grass-roots event encourages local communities to stage free, interactive cultural activities across Canada, so September saw museum tours, plays and art shows throughout Greater Moncton. Here at MAGMA we had our students see past the limitations of their language and find what they could do with the language they had, whether they were advanced learners or just learning basic literacy skills. We’ve collected their stories and poems and will be putting the collection together for a special Culture Days edition! Through partnerships with the YMCA and the Indo-Canadian Association we also hosted a free bhangra dance class at the “Y”, with Canadian participants being joined by others from Morocco, South Korea, Australia, India and Cuba. Look for all the details in the upcoming special edition! A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT MIKE TIMANI With summer behind us I can look with incredible pride at the accomplishments of the MAGMA team already this year—with the rest of fall and winter still ahead! So far this year the Settlement Team has helped over 300 independent newcomers join the MAGMA family. They ranged from skilled workers to investors and entrepreneurs, and that doesn’t even count the 80 additional international students, refugees and visitors that have benefitted from our services. We’ve also met with nearly 150 other prospective entrepreneurs on their exploratory visits, promoting the benefits of bringing their investment capital to set up business in Greater Moncton. The depth of services all those clients can expect from us continues to impress me. There can be no integration without communication, and the implementation of the Portfolio Based Learning approach means our language classes quality has reached even higher levels. We are at near maximum capacity in all classes, so we have more and more students who can confidently connect with their neighbours, colleagues and new friends. Newcomers bring not just their skills, experience and business savvy but most importantly, their children. Through MAGMA’s School and Youth program we’ve helped place over 100 newcomer children into local schools this year as well as a range of camps and recreational programs to ensure they’re successfully integrating into their social groups. For the youngest children the redesign of the Childcare Centre has created an amazingly warm environment for our client’s children to learn, play and interact while their parents are in language classes. Integration means we also have another key client—our local community, who we continue to support in taking on the skills and perspectives needed to ensure our newcomers feel welcomed and part of their new home. Our Public Education program has now delivered cross-cultural skills workshops to over a thousand participants ranging from major employers to government departments, and most importantly has greatly increased our focus on youth through delivery to universities, colleges, schools and daycares. So on behalf of my incredibly hard-working board, leadership team, staff and volunteers, I’d like to thank you all for the support you’ve given MAGMA, and promise to do even more as we move forward with our ambitious plans and goals. PAGE 2 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS AT DAWN, WE RIDE! Five of MAGMA’s bravest and fittest (well, mostly) once again mounted stationary bikes and pedaled for all they’re worth to raise money for the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Sporting the fun gear that is the hallmark of the ride and cheered on by throngs of enthusiastic clients and supporters, Miriam Conrad (Childcare), Jacques D'entremont (Admin), André Gallant (Language) and Sherrilynn Lackie (Settlement) were all led by their faithful but panting team captain Justin Ryan (Labour Market Integration) through a tag-team set of eight-minute rides. Captain Spirit (a.k.a. School and Youth Coordinator Katelyn Manning) sported a red cape featuring the MAGMA logo and whipped the supporters into a frenzy as they shook tambourines, blew horns, clapped and sang to spur the riders on. It definitely worked, for not only did the team ride over 30 km combined, but one again MAGMA won the Team Spirit Award! It was MAGMA spirit at its best, so we proudly say: Spirit! Yeah, yeah! We’ve got spirit! Yeah, yeah! We’ve got: What? What? What? What? MAGMA’s got spirit! Esprit! Oui oui! Esprit! Oui oui! E-S-P-R-I-T Nous avons l’esprit! PAGE 3 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS DIGGING DEEP FOR JDRF While our five riders had to dig deep into their reserves in the final flagging minutes of their frenzied peddling madness, each of them was supported by their respective departments who had to dig even deeper to raise the funds to support each team’s rider. There can never been any doubt that the MAGMA staff don’t love a healthy dose of competition, so pitting each department against the others for the highest fundraising was a given. The efforts of our staff to raise money for the ride have proven to be beyond successful, with every team reaching their target goal within a three week time period. Overall the MAGMA team reached their goal by sheer determination and teamwork. Each department, although acting separately, came together in the end to cheer on their riders and support a worthy cause. Each team created their own unique way of raising money and through successful advertising, peddling (wares, not pedals) and genuine enthusiasm, MAGMA successfully supported all five riders past their individual $125 goal before well before the October 4 th deadline for a total of $745! As part of the fundraising efforts the Labour Market Integration team sold peeler cards, offering up a guaranteed good time with BOGO burgers and bowling—a delightfully pleasant combo. Let’s see what the other teams did! The Childcare team attracted our inner child by hosting a breathtaking art exhibit where paintings created by our tiny clients were up for display and sale—proving once again that tiny fingers have the most imagination! The Administration team approached the task by appealing to our indulging sides, offering raffle tickets on an autumn inspired basket filled with goodies, a Holiday Candy Wreath and a silent auction on Michel Goguen’s CD of easy listening music. The Language Department struck a chord with the hungry crowds of the Peace Centre by hosting a Soup & Snack event where delightful aromas basked the atrium during lunch time, demonstrating that their goal could be reached with one well organized and delicious event. The Settlement Team added a feminine touch by selling tickets on a set of silverplated bangles and hoop earrings. PAGE 4 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS DRESSED FOR SUCCESS THANKS TO MOORES Have you ever seen that nervous teenager waiting for a job interview and sporting a brand new suit, or maybe his father’s? Dressing the part is a right of passage for those entering the workforce, and it can make all the difference between landing the job of your dreams and winding up part of a set of statistics. With 7 out of 10 newcomers underemployed compared to their education and experience, we need to give our clients every possible opportunity to overcome the barriers between them and success. Otherwise, we run the risk of losing the skills and knowledge they have to other regions, and with businesses struggling to find high-skilled labour locally, that’s a recipe for economic problems. Fortunately, MAGMA was once again chosen as the local recipient of the Moores Clothing Drive. For the third year in a row our clients got to peruse the huge range of suits, shirts, blazers, ties and more in their quest to look the part as they enter the Canadian workforce, and came out looking spectacular! So on behalf of everyone involved, a huge thanks to Moores Clothing for Men for their incredible generosity, as well as to those women’s clothiers who have since expressed interest in hosting a similar event to get our professional women looking the part. After our client Ricardo Hernandez was featured by photographer Viktor Pivovarov in the Times and Transcript sporting his new suit (above) he was inspired to write by way of thanks: Dearly teacher, I want to tell you that in the school gifted me two suits. They were very beautiful. When I will go to Cuba maybe I’ll wear them. I received the suits in an office of the school. The people that gifted me the suits were pretty friendly. I would like one day share with them in my house. Well I very pleased for the gift and I have to say goodbye. Love, Ricardo PAGE 5 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS BUT KINDERGARTEN’S NEXT YEAR! Yes, amazingly, kindergarten registration time is coming up again. It’s been a wonderful experience for Anike, SeoYoun, Yubin and Prince learning and growing in MAGMA’s Childcare Centre while their parents have been attending our language classes. However, together with new arrival Benjamin, these MAGMA kids couldn’t be more excited about finally going to school—just like big kids! Registration for the anglophone district will take place at your local school from October 15–18 for children who will turn five by December 31, 2014 and who start school next fall (September 2014). Those going into the francophone system can register online, and then go to the district office to bring copies of their Medicare card, immunization records, previous school records if any and if relevant, either a passport or Permanent Resident Card/Papers. PAGE 6 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS THE LAZY CHEF’S GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL FOOD JUSTIN RYAN I love to cook. More to the point, I love to cook multicultural foods. Indian, Thai, South American, Chinese, Moroccan—you name it. Give me flavours, spices, herbs and fill the house with the fragrances of the world. My friends sometimes find spicy cooking intimidating, especially if (like me) they grew up with more standard Western fare. As a novice they either see the spices in the store and spend time scratching their head while you wonder what to do with it, or see them in a recipe and scratch their head some more wondering where on earth to get sambal oelek. Good news is, I can help out with both. But here’s the thing. I’m lazy, so I cheat a lot. My wife and I both work, so I’m not spending all day making curry pastes and such from scratch. Plus, I had a skilled but fairly traditional cook for a mother, so I didn’t grow up with a knowledge of spices and such. That means if you’re looking for recipes from an expert spice master, look somewhere else. However if you’re the rookie who thinks it all looks interesting but a little overwhelming and you don’t know what half those spices even are, then you’re in safe hands. Mine are all “toss in the crock-pot in the morning and have for supper when I get home from work” fare, pure and simple. I just figured that since I’ve invested a lot of time and effort into being lazy, I should share the fruits (and vegetables) of my labours. WHERE TO FIND THE SPICE OF LIFE “Let food be thy medicine And thy medicine be food” ~Hippocrates~ For spicy cooking you’re going to need, well, spices. Shopping for the key ingredients in Greater Moncton can be a challenge, so it’s been great for me to see more stores opening with what I need. So here’s my insider scoop on some local spots (mostly run by MAGMA clients and board members) that make your multicultural cooking life just a little easier when plunging head-first on your opening foray into the world of spicy cooking. Dolma Foods This long-time Moncton fixture at 251 George St has now opened a second venue for more of the same success. After Dieppe Mayor Yvon Lapierre finished cutting the ribbon on the new Dieppe Boulevard site I got to browse shelf after shelf of hard-to-get ingredients and eventually walked out of my first visit with some much-needed kaffir lime leaves (oh so essential for the citrus flavourings in my Thai dishes) and galangal ginger. Main Stop Oriental Market This Jones Lake convenience store has become my go-to store for Thai curry pastes. The Korean owners have stocked the shelves with a dazzling array of spices, plus prepared food like gyoza (pan-fried dumplings). Blue Olive Mediterranean ingredients abound at this Paul St store, so if you’re wondering how to use contents of the various bottles and jars you can just take a seat in the restaurant section and see how they’re turned into a well-spiced Middle-Eastern dish. PAGE 7 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS IT’S NOT THE FANCY STUFF I find that the most truly traditional ethnic food comes not from restaurant cooking, but from kitchen cooking. It’s not the fancy stuff that makes the hallmark food of a region—it’s the home-cooked, “I was raised on this” comfort food that mom made. This heritage actually makes the meals far more versatile, since traditionally the wife would make a base and then simply add whatever was available or fresh in the market that day. Dad caught a rabbit? Then it’s rabbit stew time, kids. He missed? Vegetable stew. What makes it “local” is therefore the base. In Europe that’s usually a stew, broth or pasta sauce. Asia often favours curries while cooking “south of the border” may mean tossing the ingredients into a chili or soup instead. Taking this approach to India, this recipe is therefore designed to give you a way to make any curry you like (fish, chicken, vegetarian, soup etc.) by showing how to make the curry base, and then how to combine your choice of ingredients to suit your taste. RECIPE—INDIAN CURRY Being lazy I use e.g. Patak-brand curry paste: Madras, Biryani, Korma, Vindaloo—pretty much anything except Tandoori. Make sure it’s the curry paste, not sauce (the latter being the “pour the whole jar into a pan with ingredients for an instant meal”. Bleah.) So first we’ll look at how to make a very simple base, and then we’ll add this base to make a curry . BASE Ingredient Qty Indian Curry Paste 2 Tbsp Chili Paste ¼ tsp (to taste) Onions/green onions 1 Garlic (minced) 1 clove Oil 1 tsp INSTRUCTIONS Fry the onions in the oil until brown. Reduce heat and add remaining ingredients. Stir-fry on low for 1-–2 minutes. CURRY Ingredient Qty Base as above Tomatoes (tinned, diced) 1 can Main Ingredient (to taste) INSTRUCTIONS Choose a base of beef, chicken, seafood, tofu, vegetables etc. and stir-fry in the curry base with the garlic. For vegetables the traditional ones are very robust “winter” vegetables—cauliflower, carrots, potatoes etc. You can use tofu, but my favourite is to add a can of either chick peas (to make a chana masala) or lentils—make sure you strain and wash them well in a colander. Either add the tomatoes in to the pan (if you’ve got a good one with a lid) or better yet into a slow-cooker. This lets it all simmer for hours, including while your away at work. The longer the better to marinate and tenderize the ingredients— preferably overnight. You’ll wake up thinking you’re in New Delhi. So that’s it—fry some onions, throw in curry and chili paste, stirfry in your chosen ingredient and throw the lot into a slowcooker with a tin of diced tomatoes! PAGE 8 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS VOLUNTEER CORNER This has been a month of consolidating, organizing and re-vamping the Volunteer department here at MAGMA. Our focus for the past month has been on building the framework to really move the community connections program ahead, pairing newcomer families with a local volunteer for a year of support, guidance and friendship. We are already seeing the fruits of our labor, having made three new connections this month with many more to follow. The new database of skills and background will make it much easier for the coordinator to match volunteer skills to opportunities within MAGMA. We have provided some wonderful volunteers to help out with the upcoming Frontier College tutoring project, and like all new volunteers going forward we delivered cross-cultural communication training to better support them as they spend their time with clients from across the globe. FEATURED VOLUNTEER—GHAIDA PETRO Ghaida has been volunteering for MAGMA for over a year. Her energy and good humor are evident in all her activities, whether it’s serving at the presidents reception or answering the phone at the front desk at lunch time. Thank you Ghaida—you and your boys Wa’el, Anmar, and Wa’li have always been ready to help whatever the need. We asked Ghaida a few questions to get to know her better: When did you move to Canada? I moved to Canada and settled in Moncton January 2012. When and why did you start working as a volunteer for MAGMA? I started my volunteer work with MAGMA July 2012. The reason why I chose MAGMA as my volunteer place is that I heard about MAGMA before my arrival. As a multicultural association I found myself as a part of this community. What are some of the things you have done as a volunteer? The MOSAIQ festival 2012 was the first activity I participated in as a volunteer, helping to prepare the tent and other stuff for the big event. I enjoyed helping MAGMA staff setting up the tent and decorating the booths. It was a night fulfilled with joy, happiness and fun with all volunteers and MAGMA staff as if we were a family. And then the events come on row after row. Christmas 2012, I was a volunteer helping in the preparation for the Christmas parade. After that, based on my background in administrative I am doing volunteer at the office receiving calls, filing, dealing with clients since that time. Why do you enjoy Volunteering for MAGMA? I enjoyed what I did and what I`m doing. MAGMA found me the opportunity to volunteer in an amazing environment, staff who likes to draw smiles on the newcomer’s faces, building bridges between cultures and traditions through the events, workshops, networking, and all the other things that touch their clients. MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS PAGE 9 NEW STAFF—MARY REID While many of the MAGMA staff have arrived here from around the world, we also have more than our fair share of Canadian-born seasoned travelers like new English teacher Mary Reid. Having moved away from Lower Sackville in Nova Scotia to Korea and then on to New Zealand, Mary eventually returned to Canada to complete her masters at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. Finally returning to the east coast and joining our team, she’s finding that teaching the MAGMA beginners in Level 2 a fascinating contrast to the more experienced Level 6/7 LINC students. When not travelling or peddling madly through the downtown traffic to get to work, Mary loves to kick back with a good autobiography or find the out-of the way spots where she can hear local Canadian independent musicians rock out the tunes she’s been listening to on CBC Radio 3. Welcome to the MAGMA family Mary! EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER The only way to do great work is to love what you do. ~Steve Jobs~ TRADINA MEADOWS-FORGERON Fall is upon us and so the busy season at MAGMA has begun. Really though, life at MAGMA is always busy. As I watch our calendars begin to fill up with exciting events, it reminded me that we all need to love what we do. If we didn’t then being as busy as we are, would be very difficult. This month I have had the pleasure of watching each one of our departments compete in a friendly competition against each other to raise money for the JDRF Bike Ride. The Labour Market Integration team sold Peeler Cards, The Language Department had a soup luncheon in the Peace Center Atrium, the Administration Department sold tickets on a fall basket, the Settlement Department sold tickets on a bracelet and earrings set and the Childcare Team made paintings with the children and hosted an art sale in the Peace Center Atrium. The money that we raise will go back to another very worthy charity. I believe that this is an important lesson that we are teaching our students to do unto others as you would have done onto you. We are giving back to the community who embraces us so lovingly and supports us in all of our endeavours. A good example of this would be the Moores Suit Drive that was recently held at MAGMA for our clients. Moores gave us over a hundred suits that we were able to give back to our clients. What a powerful moment it was to see our clients smiling and proud to be dressed in their finest attire. This is the community that we are proud to be part of. PAGE 10 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS VOICE OF AGES BRINGING THE WISDOM OF AGE TO GREATER MONCTON The MAGMA’s Senior’s Program encourages our “golden-age” (50+) new arrivals to integrate into the community. We have regular activities that allow them to socialize and interact with other seniors and to share their life experiences while making friends and memories along the way. These connections are a crucial part of allowing them to integrate into the community. Each activity is offered in both official languages (English and French) and focuses greatly on encouraging seniors to get out there and interact with the city! Make memories today by contacting Chantal Laviolette, Immigrant Seniors Coordinator. She can help you with establishing yourself in the city and coordinating your way through the fog of languages, sports, medical appointments, job hunting and both cultural and community events. WELCOME MR. DANIEL YABARA! MAGMA would like join Moncton Mayor George Leblanc in extending a warm welcome to Mr. Daniel Yabara. Originally from the Central African Republic, Mr. Yabara arrived in Moncton at the end of September from Cameroon. He immediately impressed us all with his blend of friendliness and impeccable manners, and will spend the next few weeks familiarising himself with the city and all it has to offer. PAGE 11 MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS VOICE OF AGES TANTRAMAR SENIORS’ COLLEGE PARTNERS WITH MAGMA I always tell my kids that “a day without learning is a day lost”, and nowhere is this better exemplified than at Tantramar Seniors’ College. Our senior clients are now able to take full advantage of a new partnership between MAGMA, Tantramar College and the cities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview. By registering at Tantramar Seniors College, our clients over the age of 50 can take part in programs and workshops specifically geared towards seniors. Some of the great courses being offered this fall are: Introduction to Art History Introduction to Computers Roles and Responsibilities of Municipal Councillors Sharing Our Favorite Books Simple Christmas Decorating With Greenery Understanding the News Travel Information For Wandering Boomers For more information please contact Debbie, Volunteer Coordinator for Tantramar Senior College, at 854-4148. She can also provide you with a complete list of all the classes being offered this fall. A new schedule for winter classes will be posted in January 2014. Let’s go! JOIN US FOR MAGMA’S FALL SENIORS’ DINNER You are cordially invited to join us for a Fall Festive Event at La Teraz in Moncton. This very special celebration is in honor of our Senior clients and friends, and provides a wonderful opportunity to socialize and mingle while enjoying a nice warm meal. Date: Thursday, October 17 Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm Location: La Teraz,154 Church St. Moncton Cost: The evening is complimentary (free) but it’s important to reserve a seat by Friday October 11 Contact: Chantal Laviolette, Seniors Coordinator 858-9659 Ext 2299 or at [email protected] We hope to see you there! MAGMA’S CULTURAL CHORDS PAGE 12 BRINGING THE WORLD TO GREATER MONCTON For over 30 years, MAGMA has existed for just one reason: to welcome newcomers. Here, in their new home, they can strive to achieve their dreams of success, freedom and security. At no cost, MAGMA aids in all aspects of settlement, including assisting with: locating and settling into their new homes and schools; securing a job, learning a trade or practising a profession; learning English or French; and 22 connecting with support agencies and health care professionals. MAGMA is there with the advice, training and support needed to bring their skills and culture to add to the rich fabric of our society. 1 Peace Centre 22 Church St Suite C170 Moncton, NB E1C 07P (506) 858-9659 www.magma-amgm.org Email: [email protected] INSTRUMENT OF THE MONTH—DÜDÜK With the tribute to legendary Armenian tenor Charles Aznovour coming to Capitol Theatre on Thursday Oct 10, this issue we’re featuring the düdük, a double-reed Armenian wood-wind instrument. Usually fashioned from apricot wood, the tsiranapogh or “apricot pipe” has actually been used extensively by Western musicians. Peter Gabriel used it when writing film scores for Martin Scorsese, and it was also used in the film scores for Gladiator, Blood Diamond and Syriana, and the music you heard Mr. Tumnus play in The Chronicles of Narnia was actually produced by a düdük. If you’re a Battlestar Galactica fan then you would hardly have watched an episode without some düdük music being featured prominently to give it that haunting air of despair. So don’t miss this unique opportunity to see a dazzling line-up of singers paying tribute to Aznovour and his musical legacy. He’s not just an inspirational singer, but a composer who has written around 1,000 songs. In fact, in 1998 he was named Entertainer of the Century by CNN and users of Time Online from around the globe, edging out Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan, so the tribute singers have a lot to live up to! For more information, go to festivalarmenien.com. Plus there’s a good chance there’s a düdük being played in there somewhere!
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