Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table

08/07/2026

🌍✨ Celebrate Welcoming Week with Us! ✨🌍

Join us at the Welcome to Burnaby Fair for a special celebration of the diversity, cultures, and connections that make Burnaby such a welcoming community:

🎭 Live cultural performances
🤝 Community resource booths
🎨 Children's activities
💡 Educational Workshops
🎉 And more!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
🕑 2:00–6:30 p.m.
📍 Burnaby Village Museum

💙 FREE admission! Everyone is welcome — newcomers, immigrants, long-time residents, families, and community members. Come connect, learn, celebrate, and experience the vibrant spirit of Burnaby together.

📣 Save the date, invite your friends and family, and help us spread the word!

07/07/2026

🤝 Building Belonging, One Story at a Time 💙

The Human Library interview videos are now online! 🎥

Hear inspiring stories from members of Burnaby's Sikh and Japanese Canadian communities as they share their journeys, challenges, resilience, and what belonging in Canada means to them.

✨ From History to Hope, these powerful stories remind us that every voice matters and every story has the power to inspire understanding and connection.

🎥 Watch the interview videos: https://www.burnabytogether.com/humanlibrary

We hope you'll take a moment to watch, learn, be inspired, and share. 💙

07/03/2026

✨ Every story has the power to change the way we see and connect with one another. ✨

Around 60 community members came together on June 30 for the community forum “Many Voices, One Community”, hosted by BIPT and Burnaby Together.

🎤 Together, we listened to the inspiring lived experiences of Kanatiio (Allen Gabriel), Abdelrahman Mustafa, and Alin Arakelian at the panel discussion, reminding us that inclusion starts with kindness, curiosity, respect, and meaningful human connection.

🤝 Through interactive GBA+ activities, led by Sangeeta Subramanian, participants reflected on identity, power, and privilege—and how each of us can help build a more equitable and welcoming Burnaby.

💬 "The stories challenged my unconscious bias."
💬 "Meaningful dialogue is essential to creating a more inclusive and welcoming Burnaby."

❤️ Thank you to our panelists, facilitator, volunteers, and everyone who joined us with open minds and open hearts.

🌱 When we listen deeply, we build understanding. When we build understanding, we build a community where everyone belongs.

06/11/2026

🌟 Many Voices, One Community 🌟

Join us for an afternoon of stories, conversations, and community connections! 💬✨

Hear from Indigenous and Racialized community members, take part in interactive activities (GBA+), and have community dialogue to help shape a more inclusive Burnaby. ❤️

📅 June 30, 2026
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 BONSOR Recreation Complex, Burnaby

✅ FREE event, everyone is welcome!
🍪 Refreshments provided
♿ Wheelchair accessible

Register by June 25:
https://mvocforum.eventbrite.ca
Spaces are limited — save your spot today!

05/29/2026

✨ From History to Hope: A Powerful Community Gathering of Japanese Canadian Storytelling and Dialogue ✨

Thank you to everyone who joined the Asian Heritage Month Celebration – Japanese Canadian Human Library, hosted by BIPT and Burnaby Together, on May 28 at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre! 🌸

A heartfelt thank you to Karah Foster, Executive Director of the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, for her inspiring opening address about the Centre’s important work and the Japanese Canadian history. 💛

Together, we reflected on powerful stories of Japanese Canadian history, resilience, resistance, and belonging through community interviews, meaningful dialogue, and our Human Library panel featuring Masako Fukawa, Hiroshi (Frank) Kamiya, and Joyce Oikawa. 🎥📚🗣️

One message that deeply resonated was “Ganbatte!” — a spirit of perseverance, resilience, and strength through difficult times. ❤️

We are grateful to all participants, speakers, and community members who helped create such a thoughtful and welcoming space for learning, connection, and anti-racism dialogue. 🤝

This event is part of the Human Library: The Art of Belonging project funded by Canadian Heritage.

05/20/2026

🎉 What a fruitful weekend at TJ Fest 2026! 🎉

For the 3rd year in a row, BIPT was thrilled to be part of this vibrant community celebration on May 2 & 3 💛

From music, food, and dialogues to spinning wheel games and kids’ play — we loved soaking in all the amazing energy and connecting directly with community members.

These conversations remind us why community outreach matters: learning about community needs and sharing ways we can help make Burnaby more welcoming, inclusive, and connected for everyone 🌎✨

05/06/2026

✨ Stories that connect. Voices that inspire. 📚

💬 Join us for the Asian Heritage Month Celebration: Japanese Canadian Human Library — a unique experience where people become books and stories come to life!

📅 May 28, 2026
⏰ 3:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre

🤝 Step into a Human Library, hear powerful lived experiences, challenge stereotypes, and be part of meaningful community conversations.

🌸 Highlights: Japanese Canadian Human Library Showcase & Community Dialogue

🎟️ FREE event — limited seats! Register by May 23:
https://asiancelebration2026.eventbrite.ca

Let’s celebrate Asian Heritage Month by building understanding, connection, and belonging together. 💛

05/02/2026

05/02/2026

✨ Sikh Heritage Month Celebration in Burnaby: Stories, Culture & Connection ✨

On April 30, the Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table and Burnaby Together hosted a meaningful Sikh Heritage Month Celebration at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

👥 Around 50 community members came together for an afternoon of learning, storytelling, and connection — honouring Sikh heritage while deepening understanding and strengthening our shared sense of belonging.

🌿 Event Highlights:
🧡 Indigenous Welcome by Deborah Baker (Squamish Nation)
📚 Sikh Burnaby history presentation by Dr. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra
🎥 Premier video screening of insightful interviews with Manjit Panesar, Baljinder Kaur Narang & Kiran Singh
💬 Human Library panel + Q&A moderated
🙏 Closing “Gratitude” poem by Bayantseva Singh Pandher

💛Participants shared that the stories were very moving and enriched their knowledge of Sikh-Burnaby history, while learning that the gems of Sikhism revolve around selfless service, compassion, optimism, and resilience.

🤝 This event is part of the Human Library: The Art of Belonging, funded by Canadian Heritage.

📣Stay tuned for our next celebration in May featuring Japanese Canadian Heritage!

04/26/2026