FCAWI CULTURAL HERITAGE

The FCAWI Cultural Heritage Program was formally organized in 1977, a year after the Association was founded.  Through grants from both the Federal and the Provincial government under the Canadian Multicultural Program, Language and Heritage classes were held in three different areas: Montreal East, West Island and South Shore. Along with the dedication of a volunteer teaching staff composed of members of the Filipino community in and around Montreal, the program was very successful.

In the late 1980's the students of the Cultural Heritage program began to visit the Father Dowd nursing home in downtown Montreal and senior citizens' homes in the West Island during the Christmas season in order to entertain them with traditional Philippine folk dances and Christmas Carols. This tradition of spreading good cheer in the holiday season continues to this day.

From 1990 to the year 2000, FCAWI's Cultural Heritage Program had to be scaled down to a single area in the West Island due to cuts in Federal and Provincial government grants. Despite the decrease in enrolment and the need to rely on our own ability to raise funds in the wake of the governmental cuts, students in the Cultural Heritage Program continue to represent FCAWI at various annual events in the West Island particularly the International Day celebration that started in 2001 sponsored by the City of Dollard Des Ormeaux through the performance of Philippine folk dances.

Due to the lack of children registrants in 2011, the program is being modified to include adults in the Language & Heritage Folk Dance classes.