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You Believed! It Happened As you approach the Indo-Canadian Arts & Cultural Centre, you understand the purpose of Noah’s ark and the fundamental need of preservation of the species and the culture. It is an elusive but eternal hope for solidarity and a longing for prayerful peace in our times. The building at 479 St, Mary’s Rd. will be a beacon for the Arts. It will be the place where the community comes to connect and to energize its spirits. The India School of Dance, Music & Theatre Inc. will have its own exclusive and shared space at the centre. Priority will be given to the performing arts and cultural events, but consideration will also be given to bookings for fundraising banquets and revenue generating causes for I.C.C.. Each organization will retain its own identity and programs, but also plan for collaborative evenings that benefit all the patrons. The India School has taken the leadership in making the initial offer to purchase, to collect the majority of interest-free loans, donations and taking all the responsibility of attending to the period of “due diligence”, by paying for appraisal retorts, inspector services, survey, etc. India School entered into contractual arrangements with Prairie Architects to take the wish list and the ideas from the community and translate these goals into realistic concepts that can be developed in phases. The Collective Design Process on Nov. 25 th, ’07 was a success in that it allowed all the players, the architects, engineers, funders, and members to interact and voice their opinion and concerns during the design phase, and how this centre will touch their lives. The Gala Inaugural Dinner held on Nov. 17 th ’07 was just a rehearsal of forthcoming exciting events. In 2008 we have begun collecting funds pledged at this dinner. We encourage our membership to participate in the process of strategic planning and embrace the highs and lows that change brings. Be involved and represent the India School on the many working sub-committees so you have a hand in shaping the future shape and scope of things to come. The vision of a pre-school Arts program reflects pro-active thinking and planning, and is essential to the growth of the centre as a national Arts & Cultural Institute. This day program will nicely dove-tail with the existing India School’s after school classes, and provide the facility with the much needed profile and involvement with the St. Boniface/St. Vital community at-large. Seniors will not only drop in, but be part of the meditation, yoga and other activities planned by Age & Opportunity. Newcomers to the province of Manitoba will be welcomed and mentored. A Host Family Directory will be available depending on their needs. A Buddy system for children and youth will be on off-shoot, and help with the adjustment and settlement barriers. Bringing the West-Indian and East-Indian organization together, under one roof means offering a smorgasbord of activities, catering to every taste. In keeping with our proud peacock, you can tickle your fancy and choose from an assortment of classes, workshops and theatre productions. All dreams have their bright and dark sides, and all decisions need to be clearly highlighted in black and white. We have travelled a long and difficult path and we have made the slogan “Let’s make it happen” a delirious happening. The exploration and process has been an unbelievable experience, where we learnt the strength of our resolve, the pitfalls of partnership tempered by the glue of wisdom. It is the enduring love of the children, the family that is India School that makes the impossible, possible. The reality of a fully-functioning, high energy Indo-Canadian Arts & Cultural Centre is within our grasp. Together we can hold on to the brass ring and let the golden millennium unfold in all its glory. Pamela Rebello, O.M. |