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Reaching out through culture
Performing in the great outdoors: the
Chinese Cultural Centre of Ottawa choir | The Chinese Cultural Centre of Ottawa is making a difference to the city’s Mandarin-speaking seniors. A linguistic minority among Ottawa’s 28,000 Chinese-Canadians, who mostly speak Cantonese, these seniors were often in effect confined to their families’ homes. Today, a new Mandarin Seniors Project brings them together to explore interests ranging from choral music and dancing to reading circles and calligraphy classes.
A 2001 survey conducted in Ottawa’s Chinese community described Mandarin-language social services as “poor and unavailable,” with more than 90% of respondents expressing a particular need for seniors’ programs. Most of these seniors came to Canada to reunite with family and have been isolated by their lack of personal income and their limited knowledge of English. Owen Prince, a former executive with the Ministry of Multiculturalism said: “As a gesture of compassion, Canada opened its doors to seniors but failed to realize the attendant problems that accompany that policy.”
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Tai Chi sword set demonstration at the
Chinese Cultural Centre of Ottawa
| In response to the study, the Centre worked with other west Ottawa groups to launch a Mandarin Seniors Project, providing these seniors with meaningful social and cultural outlets. Since September 2001, over 600 people have participated in the Centre’s programs and events. A $25,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is helping the Centre to establish regular Tai Chi classes, and seminars and workshops to help seniors function independently in their new, English-speaking environment—enhancing mental and physical well being for the thousands of Mandarin-speaking seniors in the Ottawa region.
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