Lisa Omatayo is decked out in the colours of her Jamaican homeland behind a table laden with fragrant Caribbean staples — jerk chicken, curried goat, oxtail gravy, and rice n’ peas. The rhythm of Philippine drumbeats inspires Lisa to dance as she moves behind the table, laughing as she dodges the other women proudly serving food.
Nigeria is also represented at the table, as is Ghana — the Jamaica of Africa, according to some.
This is multicultural day at the small Mississauga Schlegel Village of Erin Mills Lodge (EML), and despite the fact that Lisa worked the night shift, she was eager to begin decorating in the early morning hours after her shift ended. In a small, tightly-knit community like EML, everyone is eager to celebrate their culture with the Village family of residents and team members from around the world.
“We have such a good turnout today,” Lisa says, noting that that team is always ready for a reason to throw a fun event for their community.
“We decided, why not? Let’s celebrate,” Lisa says.
EML Recreation Director Alanah Kelly points out that the entire event has been driven by the broader team — she and fellow leadership team members simply helped track down any supplies needed to fuel the day’s success.
And with music, huge amounts of homemade food, and cultural performances from India, the Philippines and Latin America, residents and guests were treated to the most special aspects of the diversity that is so cherished across the broader Schlegel Villages family.
“It is very nice to see,” says Melody, a long-time resident of Erin Mills Lodge, as she soaks up the surrounding atmosphere. “The team puts tons of energy into this, and I said I’d come any time they put it on. Everybody loves it.”
Evan, who has worked at EML for three years, was dressed in traditional Chinese costume, soaking up the atmosphere alongside the only other Chinese representative, a resident named Po Chun, who was sharing some of her delicate paintings at a small nearby table.
Evan says he loves seeing the diversity represented on a day like today, but is equally proud of what people share in common.
“It’s nice to see all the differences, but honestly, it’s nice to see what’s different and what’s the same,” he says. “Usually it’s the food,” he adds. “I work in the kitchen, so that’s the first thing I look at.”
Yes, there are different flavours and spices, but in many ways, traditional dishes have much in common around the world, he says. “They all have the same form: meats and buns — there’s always some sort of stuffed carb.”
And another similarity is pride. People are proud of their culture, music and food, and proud to be part of a Village like Erin Mills Lodge, where people from around the world share a common love of caregiving and form deep connections every day.
