An event was held at the Newcomer Welcome Centre in Moose Jaw Wednesday as they recognized the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and shared information to a group of local people who hope to play a proactive role in society.

The Multicultural Council and the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association gave a combined presentation. Melissa Mitchell, Community Connections Coordinator for the Multicultural Council, said our city has already had a lot accomplished in this area.

"Our community has done an amazing job in welcoming different people from different cultures and really getting involved in their lives and helping them integrate." said Mitchell. "Moose Jaw is already on the right path and we just want encourage it to continue."

Topics of discussion were ways to keep moving in a positive direction, how to form an inclusive community as well as truth and reconciliation. Mitchell added that recognizing your own privileges is a good first step in breaking the cycle of generalization and stereotypes.

Terri Bosner, was one the attendees at the event this week and believes getting to know your neighbour is an easy start then realizing there's a short list of things that separates us. "Visually, maybe we're different but for the most part, we're very much the same."

"We all laugh and love and cry the same and we all suffer the same and I think the more we get to know each other, the more we understand how alike we are."

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was created by the Untied Nations to spread awareness about racism and prejudicial treatment of others.