The 2026 Africa Pavilion was an amazing experience, and SALNAM was proud to once again showcase the beauty of Sierra Leonean culture. While our culture is much more than dancing, we were excited to share this important part of our heritage with the community.
The SALNAM Dancers did an outstanding job. Their energy, commitment, and pride brought the stage to life and represented the spirit and culture of Sierra Leone.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped make this year a success. Thank you to the mothers and volunteers who prepared food and supported the children throughout the week, and to our Vice President and Sia Yamba for their leadership, coordination, and support.
To all the parents, thank you for trusting us with your children and supporting their participation. To our community members, thank you for attending, cheering us on, and showing your support.
A special thank you to everyone who donated and contributed financially. Your generosity helped make our participation possible, and we truly appreciate your continued support.
Thank you to DJ Naza and Mr. Tee for keeping the stage full of energy, and to ACOMI for providing this wonderful platform for us to celebrate and share our African cultures.
Most importantly, thank you to every SALNAM Dancer for representing Sierra Leone with pride.
Canada Day 2026 Canada Day Celebration @ Kildonan Park
The Sierra Leone Nationals Association of Manitoba (SALNAM) proudly hosted its annual Canada Day Celebration and Soccer Games on July 1, 2026, at the Deer and Fox Shelter in Kildonan Park, bringing together families, friends, and community members for a day of unity, culture, and celebration. Although rain and thunderstorms were forecast, the weather held off throughout the day, allowing everyone to enjoy the event from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It was a wonderful day filled with laughter, friendship, and community spirit. The park came alive with Canadian and Sierra Leonean flags as people of all ages gathered to celebrate the country we proudly call home while honouring our Sierra Leonean heritage. Children played, families shared meals, friends reconnected, and new friendships were formed. The soccer games were once again one of the highlights of the day, bringing exciting competition, teamwork, and sportsmanship to the field. The event also provided an opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate, and strengthen the bonds that unite us. We were honoured to welcome Don Woodstock, a registered candidate in Winnipeg’s 2026 mayoral election, who took the time to visit our celebration and meet members of the Sierra Leonean community. We sincerely appreciate his support and his willingness to celebrate Canada Day with us. This memorable event would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers, organizers, sponsors, players, and everyone who attended. Your continued support helps SALNAM grow stronger and continue building a welcoming community for future generations. The SALNAM Canada Day Celebration is more than an annual gathering it is a celebration of our shared values, our cultural heritage, and the friendships that continue to strengthen our community. We hope that many years from now, people will look back on this day and remember a community that came together with pride, respect, and hope for the future.
Sierra Leone Canada Trade and Investment Summit (September 18-20, 2025)
Sierra Leone-Canada Trade, Investment and Cultural Show (SLCA) hosted its first ever three-day event in Canada, held in Toronto. This landmark gathering brought together community members, cultural performers, and leaders to spotlight Sierra Leone’s heritage, promote social causes, and strengthen diaspora ties. Among the distinguished guests were Ministers from the Government of Sierra Leone, and Her Excellency the First Lady of Sierra Leone. Their presence underscored the event’s importance and signaled strong governmental support for the diaspora and social issues.
Special thanks to First Lady Fatima Maada Bio for her inspiring leadership and for positioning Hands Off Our Girls as a central message of the event. Deep gratitude to the Ministers from Sierra Leone whose presence and contributions added gravitas and policy relevance. Thanks to the organizing committee: those who handled logistics, programming, promotion, volunteer coordination, and finances. Thanks to all performers, cultural troupes, speakers, panelists, vendors, and sponsors who came together to make each day meaningful. And of course, heartfelt thanks to the community members those who attended, engaged, shared, raised voices, and made the event alive.
This year at the 2025 Africa Pavilion was nothing short of amazing, and SALNAM showed up in full force each day to proudly showcase our culture. While we know our heritage is much more than dancing, we were delighted to share a vibrant part of it with the community through dance. The SALNAM Dancers truly shone this year perhaps the best team at the pavilion, captivating audiences with energy, passion, and pride. Our performances were more than entertainment; they were a celebration of Sierra Leone’s spirit, rhythm, and unity.
We want to take this moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude:
To all the mothers and volunteers who cooked and fed the kids throughout the week your love and effort kept us going.
To our dedicated Vice President, for coordinating, encouraging, and creating an environment for the kids to perform at their very best.
To Fatisha, for your invaluable assistance and support.
To every SALNAM Dancer, for showing up every single day with commitment and joy.
To all the parents, thank you for trusting us with your children and allowing them to shine on stage.
To our community members, who came out to cheer and support us, your presence meant everything.
To DJ Naza and Mr. Tee, for keeping the stage alive and full of energy.
And of course, to ACOMI, for making this incredible platform possible.
This week was a powerful reminder of what happens when we come together, we don’t just represent Sierra Leone, we live it.
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s pavilion such a success.
The SALNAM Dancers will be showcasing their amazing talents at Folklorama 2025! Come and celebrate our culture, rhythm, and heritage through dance. Everyone is welcome bring your friends and family! Check out some videos below! Let’s show our support and make this year unforgettable!
Join Us at SLCA 2025 – A Historic Celebration of Trade, Culture & Opportunity!
Dear SALNAM Community,
I bring you warm greetings on behalf of the Sierra Leone National Association of Manitoba (SALNAM).
It is with great pride and excitement that I invite you to participate in SLCA 2025 the first-ever Sierra Leone-Canada Trade, Investment, and Cultural Show, taking place from September 18th -20th, 2025 at the Viceroy Banquet Hall, 4220 Steeles Ave W, Toronto.
This landmark event will bring together leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, cultural performers, and professionals from both Sierra Leone and Canada. It’s a powerful opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate who we are as Sierra Leoneans and as a proud part of the Canadian multicultural fabric.
Why You Should Attend:
Engage with government officials and private sector leaders from both countries
Explore new business and investment opportunities
Enjoy rich cultural exhibitions and live performances
Network with fellow Sierra Leoneans and professionals from across Canada
Let’s represent Manitoba strong at this national gathering! Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, professional, or community member there is something for everyone at SLCA 2025.
If you have any questions or would like support with registration or travel planning, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Together, let’s make this event a powerful expression of unity, progress, and pride.
Warm regards,
Moe Koroma|SALNAM President The Sierra Leone Nationals Association of Manitoba Inc. T: 204.417.5843 | C: 204.557.8384
The Sierra Leone Nationals Association of Manitoba (SALNAM) proudly hosted a vibrant and fun-filled Canada Day Celebration on July 1st, 2025, at St. Vital Park, bringing together community members, families, and friends for a day of unity, joy, and cultural pride.
Under the sunny skies and the shade of beautiful park trees, the celebration brought out a large crowd dressed in red and white to honor Canada’s national day. Flags of both Canada and Sierra Leone waved proudly throughout the venue, symbolizing the strong ties between our cultural heritage and our home in Canada.
The event was filled with energy, laughter, and togetherness as people of all ages came out to participate. Children, parents, and grandparents alike joined in on the festivities, with plenty of activities, music, food, and fun to go around.
We were especially honored by the presence of NDP MLA Jamie Moses, who took time out of his busy schedule to come show support for the Sierra Leonean community in Manitoba. His presence and words of encouragement were deeply appreciated and reflected the inclusive spirit of the day.
The celebration featured a range of exciting games and competitions for both kids and adults. One of the standout moments was the classic tug of war, which brought fierce but friendly competition to the field!
Winners of the games didn’t go home empty-handed. A few lucky participants walked away with tickets to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ home game on August 1, 2025 a perfect summer prize for any football fan!
One of the most heartwarming moments of the day was the group cake cutting ceremony, where everyone gathered around a beautiful Canada Day cake to celebrate together. Laughter, cheers, and smiles surrounded the table as children and adults alike took part in the joyful moment.
The cake was decorated with the Canadian flag and the words “Happy Canada Day SALNAM,” a sweet representation of the love and unity within our community.
The SALNAM Canada Day event served as a reminder of how far we’ve come as a community. It was not just a celebration of Canada, but a celebration of culture, family, and shared values. With Canadian and Sierra Leonean flags flying side by side, we showed what it means to be proud citizens of both our native and adopted homelands.
We thank everyone who attended and supported this memorable event, especially our volunteers and community partners. SALNAM remains committed to fostering connection, celebrating our identity, and building a stronger future for all.
