left PR Keith Jones and right is High Commissioner E.
Evelyn Greaves in the White Hat Ceremony
The Barbados Canadian Association of Calgary celebrated Barbados’ 46th Anniversary of Independence on Nov. 17 at Abbeydale Community Centre. Several members, friends and associates were on hand for the festivities.
The Barbados Association’s executive is comprised of: David Skeete President, Hilton Joseph, Vice-President, Sean Prosper, Treasurer, Ann Thorne, Secretary, Keith Jones, PR, and Arnold Ramsay and Dacosta Searles as Trustees. His Excellency E. Evelyn Greaves, Barbados’ High Commission was a special guest from Ottawa. Greaves spoke about the importance of Western Canada to Barbados, in particular Alberta with its booming energy sector. He said that the Northern Alberta Institute of Alberta (Edmonton) is working with the Trades sector in Barbados for a recognition program to fast track learning for Bajans who plan on coming to Canada for future employment.
The Highlight of the evening was when PR Keith Jones wearing a brown Stetson hat, presented the Calgary White to Commissioner Greaves during what is known as the White Hat Ceremony. Calgary, with its Western-cowboy-ranching heritage, is known for the famous Calgary Stampede and the White Hat is presented to Dignitaries, or those that exemplify Public, Professional, and/or Humanitarianism. Keith Jones read the White Hat Proclamation and Greaves repeated the Oath of the White Hat Ceremony. By Len Chan
TheAfroNews Vancouver : On Saturday, November 17, 2012 the Barbados Cultural Association of BC gathered to celebrate 46 years of independence for Barbados. More than 300 guests attended the celebration that was held at The Hilton Hotel, Metrotown.
The Afro News interviewed the Consul/Liaison Officer, James A. Innes from the Consulate General of Barbados office in Toronto.
Innes reported that this was his second time attending the event in Vancouver and that he was here in the stead of the Consulate General who accepted an invitation to be in Calgary on the same day to celebrate this year’s event there.
Innes mentioned that Barbados’ economy is based on Tourism. There are no natural resources so Tourism is the main economic source. Tourism to Barbados is heavily promoted in Canada.
Youth involvement in the association is strongly encouraged in order that they may one day take the lead and sustain the Barbadian Society’s history and legacy here in Canada.
