Start Your Journey
EKZIP Community Strategic Plan
Coming March 31st 2026!
Videos
Coming soon … featuring stories and tips from newcomers, employers, and community leaders the East Kootenay.
Videos Coming Soon...
Coming Soon…
Workshops
Coming Soon …
As a part of the ongoing work of building welcoming and inclusive communities, EKZIP and Partners across the region offer community and employer workshops to develop awareness, build knowledge, and grow competence. As such, we are developing content which will be available to organizations and individuals across the East Kootenays.
Videos Coming Soon...
Coming Soon…
Apply Your Knowledge
- Become an ally for someone who needs your support to overcome discrimination
in the community or at work. - Embrace the changes you see around you at work, at the grocery store, in
restaurants, in the community. - Share your new awareness, understanding, and appreciation for a multicultural
society that values diverse cultures, ethnicities, and faiths. - Volunteer to help a newcomer individual or family – when you get to know someone new and hear about their journey you begin to care about their experience and the experience of others.
Spread the Word
Tell your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbours about the EKZIP. Connect people to the EKZIP website and Facebook EKZIP.
Share
Show-off the “good stuff” in your community!
Window Decal
Contact Us for an EKZIP window decal to display in your business, on your car window, etc., to show your commitment to participating in building communities where everyone has a sense of belonging.
Social Media
Keep up with the latest tips from EKZIP by following us on social media:
Facebook EKZIP
Cultural Competence
Commit to cultural competence as an organization, individual, and community:
- Provide workplace bias/intercultural training.
- Ensure proper compensation that is based on experience.
- Invest in meaningful cross-cultural relationships.
- Be willing to listen.
- Evaluate where you stand.
- Create a psychologically safe environment.
- Prioritize cultural competence learning and work on your leadership team.
- Have an ethical hiring process that ensures opportunities are readily available to all.
- Learn about yourself – explore your own historical roots, beliefs, and values; discover the role culture plays in your life.
- Learn about different cultures.
- Learn a different language.
- Interact with diverse groups; create a diverse group if one is not available.
- Attend diversity-focused workshops, conferences, etc.
- Ask for training/exposure at work (or school).
- Share your knowledge, such as gardening and preserving practices, access to community gardens, etc.
A) Ensure that community services are accessible by all, considering Newcomer Experiences, as well as barriers such as language and transportation.
B) Provide culturally relevant and appropriate foods at grocery stores and food banks:
- Halal (Muslim)
- Kosher (Jewish)
- Vegan
- Accessibility of oils and spices
- Accessibility of starches (pasta, rice, potatoes)
C) Provide accessible Community Centres & supports:
- Affordable fees
- Nonpartisan/non-religious/open to all
- Increased availability of faith-based places of worship
Access Community Resources
Learn about and participate in popular community events; join community groups; take part in some sport or popular recreation activity. A list of community events can be found on individual town, city or recreational center websites, or on EKZIP online Introduce yourself to your neighbours, learn their story.
Take advantage of free or low-cost activities in your community – parks, splash pads, libraries.
Participate in initiatives and committees that are committed to building a strong, vibrant community such as service clubs (Rotary and Kinsmen), community volunteer opportunities (hospitals, schools, senior homes, humane society, immigrant services, thrift stores) and the
East Kootenay Zonal Immigration Partnership.