OneWorld Multicultural Festival returns for 12th year

By Times Chronicle Staff

The annual celebration of culture, connection and remembrance returns later this month in Penticton as the OneWorld Multicultural Festival runs for its 12th year. 

The festival is a vibrant celebration of the diverse cultures that make up the South Okanagan community and will feature:

• Cultural Performances – Dance, music, and storytelling from around the world;
• Global Cuisine – A variety of multicultural foods to enjoy;
• Children’s Activities – Family-friendly fun for all ages;
• Artisan Market – Unique crafts and gifts from international artisans;
• Cultural Exhibits – Displays of artifacts and information to explore and learn.

Organized by the South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services (SOICS) the event is free and open to all and takes place on Saturday, February 22, at the Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s festival is dedicated to the memory of Grace Greyeyes, a beloved Penticton Indian Band Elder whose “compassion, advocacy, and leadership profoundly impacted Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike,” the SOICS said. Known as “Grandma Grace” to many, she was a cornerstone of cultural understanding and unity in the South Okanagan.

“Grace Greyeyes was instrumental in fostering relationships, building bridges across cultures, and creating meaningful connections. She brought her warmth, wisdom, and presence to countless events, including the OneWorld Multicultural Festival, which she always opened with a prayer and welcome.”

Her commitment to connecting people extended far beyond public events as she made an impact everywhere she went, using her voice and energy to bring people together, the SOICS said.

Grace’s legacy is rooted in more than just her public contributions, the organization says, highlighting that as a survivor of residential schools, she transformed her personal pain into a lifelong mission of healing and advocacy. 

“She was a passionate champion for cultural preservation and unity, inspiring everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Grace’s impact continues to resonate through her family, her community, and the countless lives she touched. This year’s OneWorld Festival is dedicated to her.”

A special tribute to Grace Greyeyes was developed through a collaboration between the SOIC and her daughter, Lainie Greyeyes, to respectfully pay tribute to her memory. 

“My mom, Grandma Grace, was dedicated to her people and all people. As we continue to do this good work without her, her legacy has always been: ‘You’re never alone. Your ancestors walk with you, and I love you, and I acknowledge you, and I cherish you. So never think you’re alone and unloved.’

“She put that into everything that she did – the work with SOICS, the work with school districts, the work with the college, the work with the city. That was my mom’s legacy,” Lainie Greyeys said.



“For many years, I didn’t know what my mom was doing every time she’d say, ‘I’m going to OneWorld, I’m going to OneWorld.’ And when she explained it to me and when I went, it all made sense. My mom was inclusive to all peoples of all colors, and she’d always talk about the medicine wheel and how our ways represent everybody.

Lainie said her mother was very happy when this festival was created to celebrate  all cultures that have come to Canada, saying she supported immigration and  other cultures coming and wanting to learn more. 

Grace also made sure that everyone who came to this country was welcomed, and that they knew whose territory they were on and why it was respected.

“Grandma Grace Greyeyes has been, and continues to be, a personal inspiration to me, leaving an incredible legacy for our community,” said Cherry Fernandez, Executive Director of SOICS. 

“As a teacher and community builder, she fostered connections and brought people together. She challenged people to learn about and value all people. 

“By recognizing her in this way, we hope to uphold these values and reflect this in our ongoing our work in building more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable communities.”

Attendees at the event are invited to pause, reflect, and celebrate Grace’s contributions while reigniting their appreciation for the diverse cultures and stories that make the South Okanagan unique.

Unique products, services, and initiatives that will be on hand include: Chinese Crafts, Persian Crafts & Handmade Goods, Indian Trendz by Silvia, Honduras Crochet & Crafts, Pinateria Manitas Creativas (El Salvador), Kaur Designzz Indian Jewelries, Bangladesh (Info), Theytus Books, LUSO Canadian Multicultural Society, Okanagan Irish Society and Penticton Scottish Society.

South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services (SOICS) is a non-profit organization and registered charity dedicated to creating welcoming, inclusive, and equitable communities. 

SOICS’ multilingual and culturally diverse team offers a wide range of free services to newcomers, including language classes, childminding, skills development workshops, mentorship, and settlement support.

With the help of local partners – including educational institutions, businesses, and community organizations – SOICS empowers newcomers to integrate socially and economically into the South Okanagan-Similkameen region while enhancing the community’s capacity for inclusion.

For more information visit the South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services (SOICS) website, call 250-492-6299 or email  [email protected].