Creating Cross Cultural Harmony in Smithers

Creating Cross Cultural Harmony in Smithers

June 25, 2007

On an early summer
afternoon of June 27, 2007 in this northern community, full sun, rain, partial sun,
cloud cover, rain again, and sunshine graced the high school grass field. In this
location stood an enormous tent sheltering more than 80 elders, youth, students,
parents, artists, government officials, business and community leaders and interested
citizens from the town of Smithers and the outlying Moricetown. Invited by the
Smithers Bridging Committee, they had come for the dialogue and the opportunity to
share lunch and talk about questions that matter to them: What is harmony? What is
cross- cultural harmony? How might more harmonious relationships across cultures
be forged? And what commitments to action might be made to realize these qualities?
Through the positive and productive exploration of ideas and experiences and
identification of potential shared actions, the day produced a sense of good will and
hope among the participants. The dialogue reminded this group what is best about a
community – the caring and respectful relationships among people.
The dialogue process, the people who organized and facilitated the event and the ideas
that emerged are documented here. In the appendices there is a collection of materials
produced for the event including the invitation, the on-site program, a tip sheet for
good dialogue, and the press release.
But most important of all are the thoughts of the people of the Bulkley Valley who
assembled one day in late June to examine what mattered most to them: what it takes
to create a harmonious community.

Full report here