Whistler Multicultural Society was incorporated in January 2020 out of a grassroots community group created in April 2012 as part of the Welcome Sea to Sky project, funded by the SMART Fund, Vancouver Coastal Health. This group of local immigrants came together to support immigrants and newcomers to get established, building intercultural understanding and learning by providing opportunities for cultural sharing, dialogue, and learning, and on growing a voice for local immigrants and newcomers. Our programs have developed to encompass cultural and racial equity to achieve our 

Vision

Whistler Multicultural Society works with newcomers and individuals from diverse backgrounds towards a community where cultural and racial diversity truly enriches our community and local life, different world views are valued and respected, and where racism and discrimination are recognized and addressed by all community members who actively seek to build social justice and equity.

WMS is a catalyst, an enabler, providing the resources, support, and environment to empower newcomers and individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate equitably in the way they want to self-fulfil and thrive.

Mission

Whistler Multicultural Society’s mission is to foster equitable community by:

• educating local community members about the importance and contributions of culturally and racially diverse populations

• creating opportunities and support for equity-seeking individuals to network, collaborate and thrive, and

• providing a safe and supportive forum to address issues facing equity-deserving Canadians.

Purpose

Whistler Multicultural Society’s (WMS’) purpose is to empower immigrants, newcomers, and other racialized individuals to participate and thrive in our communities and to create the conditions for greater equity and social inclusion. 

While the Welcome Sea to Sky project, supporting wellness and developing leadership in newcomers and immigrants,  remains at our organization's core, WMS is now also funded to deliver federally-funded migrant worker services, and develops anti-racism initiatives and dialogue through Resilience Whistler.  Our Intercultural Cultural Building program, delivered with federal, provincial and local government support, includes the Whistler Multicultural Festival, Multicultural Community Kitchens, multicultural camps, and cultural sharing events and activities hosted by local cultural ambassadors.

For more information on the Whistler Multicultural Society, check out our annual reports...

For more information on supporting immigrants, newcomers, and other culturally and racially diverse community members by volunteering on the Whistler Multicultural Society board, see this WMS board member information sheet or email: info@wmsociety.ca