Keynote Address by Evangelist Mrs. Deborah Kanko Kamara (Former First Lady of SALNAM) at the Sierra Leone 64th Independence Anniversary Celebration in Winnipeg on April 26, 2025.
Honoring Our Cultural Provenance: A Beacon of Identity, Transformation, and Unity
Fellow Sierra Leoneans, distinguished guests, and friends.
It is a privilege to celebrate with you tonight, honoring the enduring legacy of our beloved Sierra Leone – the traditions, values, and heritage that unite us.
Sixty-four years ago, our independence was declared – more than political freedom, it was a reclamation of our identity, dignity, and hope.
It marked the beginning of our shared journey rooted in our collective values to build a dynamic nation that will become the pride of every Sierra Leonean.
Tonight, we honor the courageous individuals who secured our freedom from British colonial rule.
From Sir Milton Margai’s unifying efforts and Karefa Smart’s crucial negotiations to Lamina Sankoh’s advocacy for unity and Isaac Wallace-Johnson’s impactful activism – each leader’s sacrifice and vision laid the foundation for the independent Sierra Leone we cherish today.
As we celebrate their legacy, let us ask ourselves: How do we honor their courage and carry forward their vision of unity, resilience, and progress?
Their dream demands our meaningful action, both in the diaspora and in Sierra Leone.
This celebration is not just about history; it is a call to action: to honor our cultural provenance and harness its power to inspire transformation, unity, and development, both here in Canada and in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone’s inspiring cultural diversity, woven from the traditions, music, dance, and art of our numerous ethnic groups, creates a rich tapestry of expression.
This vibrant diversity reflects our heritage and binds us together, giving Sierra Leonean culture its unique strength and beauty, wherever we may be.
Our cultural provenance is our living legacy: the stories, values, and practices that define us.
It is the language of our ancestors, the songs of our villages, the artistry of gara fabric, the timeless wisdom of our proverbs, the vibrant flavor of jollof rice, and the taste of cassava leaves cooked with love.
These are living expressions of our identity.
As Mahatma Gandhi wisely said, “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.”
This reminds us that our culture lives through us, carried forward with pride and purpose, binding us as one Sierra Leonean family across the globe.
Consider the practices that connect us to our past and each other:
Our music, dance, performances, and vibrant food – expressions of joy, celebration, and our unique identity.
Our storytelling and oral traditions – preserving ancestral wisdom and guiding values.
And our religious harmony – a hallmark of Sierra Leone – serves as a shining example of unity and mutual respect in an often-divided world.
These pillars define us and inspire us to strive for more.
I recall the warmth of community gatherings in Sierra Leone, where elders shared stories of resilience and hope, instilling in us the values of integrity, perseverance, and unity – values that continue to strengthen me even now, far from home.
Here in the diaspora, honoring our cultural provenance is vital. In multicultural Canada, our heritage is both a bridge to our roots and a beacon enriching our adopted homeland.
By celebrating our culture, we share Sierra Leone’s unique beauty and resilience with Canada.
Crucially, we ensure our children and grandchildren grow with pride in their heritage, understanding its strength and wisdom. Though they grow in a new land, far from Sierra Leone, we empower them to know their origins.
Here in Winnipeg, SALNAM is central to preserving our heritage and fostering unity.
Initiatives like their occasional Cooking, History, and Language Training Classes aim to transmit our cultural knowledge to future generations, building a strong sense of identity.
SALNAM’s Seniors Luncheon Program beautifully exemplifies our cultural values, providing a space for elders to socialize, share wisdom, reminisce, and enjoy the warmth of community.
And who could forget the SALNAM dancers, our cultural ambassadors who bring the vibrancy of Sierra Leone to events like Folklorama, our independence celebrations, and other functions in Manitoba, inspiring pride and connecting us with diverse audiences.
However, cultural provenance is not static; it is a dynamic force of adaptation and transformation, not just a look backward.
As Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora, particularly here in Winnipeg, we uniquely blend our cherished traditions with the realities of our new context while staying deeply connected to our identity – a vibrant transformation we witness daily within our Canadian community.
Also, through our music, stories, and values, Sierra Leoneans have demonstrated resilience and creativity.
Just look at the creative energy of young Sierra Leonean artists who are weaving traditional gara patterns into modern fashion, or the compelling influence our music is having on global genres like Afrobeat.
These artistic expressions powerfully illustrate that honoring our cultural heritage is a journey of growth and evolution.
Here within our Sierra Leonean community in Winnipeg, SALNAM is a driving force behind this evolution, spearheading initiatives that thoughtfully blend tradition with innovation.
Take, for example, the 2015 community envisioning exercise – a collaborative effort that brought together diverse voices with the goal of promoting sustainable change deeply rooted in our core values.
Similarly, the cross-cultural understanding workshop aimed to promote cross-cultural understanding to support our members’ integration into Canadian society and foster greater intercultural awareness.
It also served as a vital reminder that cultural transformation is about generously sharing our identity and enriching the beautiful tapestry of Manitoba’s diversity.
The attendance of the Manitoba Minister of Multiculturalism, along with the greetings received from the Mayor of Winnipeg, added significant value to the event.
Another compelling example of an innovative program that champions growth and unity within our community is the “We Yone Palaver Hut” Project, thoughtfully founded by our very own Mr. Victor Kaicombey.
This remarkable community-based restorative justice initiative draws profound inspiration from Sierra Leonean traditions of open dialogue and heartfelt reconciliation, fostering deeper understanding and strengthening the bonds of our community.
These programs embody our core values – respect, harmony, integrity, and community spirit – demonstrating the enduring strength and adaptability of our culture in action.
Core Values: The Pillars of Our Community:
In the very spirit of transformation and unity, let us wholeheartedly embrace and actively live these empowering values each and every day, both here in Winnipeg and in our beloved Sierra Leone:
– Respect and Harmony:
Our rich heritage profoundly emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and meaningful collaboration.
The inspiring religious harmony we cherish in Sierra Leone serves as a powerful example of peaceful coexistence.
Let us actively embody this same spirit in our daily lives, diligently fostering understanding and respect in all our interactions with one another.
– Education and Empowerment:
Knowledge bridges cultural preservation and progress. By valuing education and empowering our youth, we ensure our traditions inspire innovation. SALNAM’s classes demonstrate the power of this investment in our enduring legacy.
– Community Spirit:
Our vibrant culture deeply values the strength found in togetherness. As the cherished proverb in Sierra Leone wisely reminds us, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Sierra Leonean culture strongly celebrates the transformative power of community, and programs like the seniors’ luncheon remind us of the strength in meaningful connection.
Let us support one another in our endeavors, advancing our community to new heights with steadfast collaboration and genuine care.
– Integrity and Accountability:
Our ancestors instilled in us the timeless value of living with integrity – doing right even when unseen. Let us hold ourselves accountable to these principles in all aspects of our lives.
– Resilience and Adaptability:
The people of Sierra Leone are no strangers to adversity, yet our inherent resilience radiates with strength and hope.
Let us purposefully channel this strength into diligently building a brighter and more promising future for ourselves, our community, and our homeland Sierra Leone.
Let us resolutely carry these core values and our resilience forward, inspiring others with our example, and proudly showing the world the power of unity, heritage, and pride.
Our transformation is a dedicated pursuit of excellence; let us collectively strive to make Sierra Leonean culture a globally admired and respected example for all to witness.
Unity and Development: A Shared Responsibility:
As Sierra Leoneans in Canada, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility: to share our rich heritage in this multicultural nation, showcasing Sierra Leone’s beauty.
Our responsibility extends to our homeland, supporting education, healthcare, and sustainable development.
Imagine our collective impact if every Sierra Leonean in the diaspora supported a community project or development in our homeland.
Imagine the legacy of transformation we could leave for future generations.
Unity and development are not just duties; they are opportunities to build a lasting legacy of pride and progress.
We must rise above personal issues that may diminish our individual or collective power to contribute maximally to the socio-economic and cultural advancement of our community and our nation, Sierra Leone.
United as one, we can create a legacy of transformation and lasting unity for future generations by enriching our Sierra Leonean roots with the knowledge and perspectives of our global experiences, creating a powerful synergy.
With this vision in mind, I now ask each and every one of you:
How can you honor your cultural provenance? How can you live our core values daily and embrace transformation that unites and develops our community? How can you support programs that uplift us and strengthen our community?
Remember, your actions today shape the legacy we leave for tomorrow.
Finally, tonight, let us renew our commitment to honoring our cultural provenance, living our values, and embracing transformation.
Let this anniversary remind us of our shared heritage and purpose.
Thank you. Together, with pride, determination, and hope, let us carry the spirit of Sierra Leone into a bright future.
Keynote Address by Evangelist Mrs. Deborah Kanko Kamara (Former First Lady of SALNAM) at the Sierra Leone 64th Independence Anniversary Celebration in Winnipeg on April 26, 2025.
