The Colombian Alliance in Manitoba Inc. (CAMI) brought the warmth and vibrancy of Colombian culture to Winnipeg during a festive celebration honouring Colombia’s independence day on Sunday, July 20.
The event, marking the 215th anniversary of Colombia’s 1810 declaration of independence from Spain, served as a cultural feast and dance, uniting Colombians from across the province.
The festivities commenced on Friday, July 18 with a flag-raising ceremony at Winnipeg City Hall, attended by community leaders, including representatives from the Elmwood area. This set the stage for the main Sunday gathering, a vibrant display of Colombian heritage fostering community spirit.
Among the attendees was Dana Hernandez, a fourth-year honours anthropology student at the U of M. Hernandez, who has been immersed in Colombian culture since childhood, spoke about CAMI’s role in helping Colombians adapt to life in Canada.
“It’s an organization that helps Colombian immigrants, refugees [and] newcomers with resources to get settled here.” English and music classes are also provided “so that people can begin to really settle and find community in Manitoba,” she included.
Diego Cardenas, a CAMI volunteer since 2019, shared his personal connection. “The biggest joy [CAMI] brings me is keeping our Colombian culture […] alive.” He emphasized CAMI’s commitment to accessibility, offering programs freely to the community, crediting significant support from benefactors like the late councillor, Jason Schreyer, who helped CAMI “tremendously” over the past several years.
Cardenas urged Colombian students at the U of M to get involved with CAMI’s community and their culture. “I’ll invite them to just party like Colombian people party, to bring some joy to their lives.”
CAMI offers programs that preserve tradition and encourage social integration. “Every Friday is Gaita,” Cardenas noted, referring to traditional Colombian folk music classes held weekly.
Also present at the celebration was Marleny Bonnycastle, an associate professor in the faculty of social work at the U of M. A Canadian Colombian herself, Bonnycastle serves as a board member and an active contributor to CAMI where she supports capacity building, funding initiatives and grant applications. This organization, she said, “brings [together] different generations of people,” something she sees as “amazing.”
Musicians’ performance ongoing at the CAMI event, captivating attendees with live music.
She stressed CAMI’s inclusive approach to all ages, stating the organization’s role in helping newcomers adapt to life in Canada through community-led initiatives.
According to Cardenas, it is easy to connect with CAMI. “Our lines are always open. We have WhatsApp groups […] you can just join them to know when the events are going to be.” He added membership is “always free.” More information can be found on their website, colombianalliancemb.org.
The July 20 celebration exemplified CAMI’s ongoing success in creating a vital sense of home and cultural continuity for Colombians in Manitoba.
Founded in 2018 CAMI is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Colombians arriving and residing in Manitoba. Its mission focuses on implementing social projects that promote well-being and culture, facilitate integration and foster community development.
