When it comes to promoting inclusiveness and diversity in the North, there are numerous groups that have taken on the task of making sure no one gets left behind.

But there is a new group that is on the scene and their goal is to do it from the ground up.

Diversity NWT and Nunavut is that group and they had their first public event this past weekend: title sponsors of the Diversity NWT and Nunavut Galaxy Spring Classic soccer tournament at the Fieldhouse.

Adelaide Mufandaedza is the groupSA国际影视传媒檚 president and said the Black Lives Matter protests last year was the impetus behind the formation of the group.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen that started, we wanted to get involved,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t had a great impact on us, emotionally. We thought about our children, what it meant for them going forward and we decided that in our part of the world, we can do something to make a difference.SA国际影视传媒�

There were conversations at home with their children, she added, about why the protests were happening.

SA国际影视传媒淲e wanted to let them know that what was going on wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 right and what can we do to help our children to grow from this and learn from it,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Mufandaedza said she and other parents came together to organize something in Yellowknife in order to show everyone that inclusiveness is important and diversity involves everyone.

Thembi Mpoko, another parent who is on the board, said sponsoring the soccer tournament was the perfect way to introduce people to what theySA国际影视传媒檙e doing.

SA国际影视传媒淲e are looking for ways to expand and to collaborate with other people, hence why we collaborated with Yk Galaxy,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Defny Torindo, Yk GalaxySA国际影视传媒檚 administrative co-ordinator, said having Diversity NWT and Nunavut jump on board made perfect sense because sports has always been something which brings people from all walks of life together.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have different age groups, starting at five years old,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭eaching them diversity at a young age is something that is very important and having kids from many different backgrounds in a small community like Yellowknife makes it important.SA国际影视传媒�

There were conversations among the teams about their understanding of diversity and the answers were surprising, she added.

SA国际影视传媒淭he kids really know whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he kids all wore the T-shirts with the (Diversity logo) on the front and we asked them what diversity means to them. The responses were very touching. They know whatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening in the world.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淕et them when theySA国际影视传媒檙e young and you can teach them,SA国际影视传媒� added Mpoko. SA国际影视传媒淭he core message is to say itSA国际影视传媒檚 not just about Black lives, itSA国际影视传媒檚 about everyoneSA国际影视传媒檚 lives. The North is becoming very multicultural and so how do we live together and celebrate our differences to make our city really great?SA国际影视传媒�

The group has received federal funding to help get off the ground SA国际影视传媒� money made available to assist Black-led organizations SA国际影视传媒� but Mpoko said thatSA国际影视传媒檚 not the ultimate goal.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur goal is about embracing everyone,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲hen we put our proposal together, we told (the federal government) we wanted to embrace everyone, no matter your background. And we got approved.SA国际影视传媒�

And thereSA国际影视传媒檚 no fear of the funding being taken away if there are questions about the sorts of events being sponsored by the group, said Mufandaedza.

SA国际影视传媒淔or example, if you look at the leadership of Yk Galaxy, itSA国际影视传媒檚 mostly Black, so weSA国际影视传媒檙e supporting a Black-led organization,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Going forward, the group is looking to be a part of or organize other events around the city, which is all part of the plan Mufandaedza said the group has.

SA国际影视传媒淪ports was our launching pad but we arenSA国际影视传媒檛 trying to say we will be at sporting events exclusively,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲hatever ideas we have spinning around SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 all about getting a feel for everything. None of us have much experience in something like this and itSA国际影视传媒檚 a learning platform for us. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e trying our best to stick to the guidelines weSA国际影视传媒檝e been given, work with that and when we learn, we can implement more things in the future. We have dreams and we have a vision to reach everyone in our community.SA国际影视传媒�

The learning part is the key because, as Mpoko stated, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a group of five people from regular walks of life.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have three nurses, a lab technician and one IT guy,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are looking at hosting a multicultural festival in the summer. We donSA国际影视传媒檛 have the details nailed down yet but we have collaborated with other non-profit groups in the city to put on something big and amazing for everyone.SA国际影视传媒�

The big drawing point for that? Food.

SA国际影视传媒淛ust know that there will be good food,SA国际影视传媒� said Mpoko.