By MOSAIC Seniors Club Team, with contributions from participants and staff.
On October 1, National Seniors Day, MOSAIC Seniors Club brought together 420 seniors, community members, and partners at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre for our annual Multicultural Seniors Day Celebration. This year’s theme, “From What Is to What If: Celebrating Wisdom, Imagination, and Purpose,” set the stage for a day filled with joy, cultural pride, and deep connection.
The day opened with Indigenous leader Racelle Kooy, who led a call-and-response drumming song, teaching us that the drum is “the heartbeat of Mother Earth.” From this powerful welcome, the atmosphere was charged with energy and belonging.
The celebration was entirely senior-led and highly participatory. Performances by Chinese, Filipino, Iranian, Japanese, Afghan, and Taiwanese seniors filled the stage with dance, song, and cultural storytelling, alongside the MOSAIC Multicultural Seniors’ Choir. Seniors proudly wore traditional clothing, sang folk songs, and inspired the audience to join in. At the heart of the event, participants co-created a 50-foot mural of puzzle pieces inscribed with dreams, wishes, and wisdom—an expression of imagination and unity.
The celebration also honoured five SAGE (Seniors Aging with Grace and Excellence) Award recipients for their contributions as volunteers, community leaders, and role models. Awards were presented by Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and five members of City Council, with strong support also expressed by provincial and federal representatives.
Voices of Our Seniors
The impact of the day was felt most clearly through the voices of seniors:
- “Seeing Afghan and Iranian women perform on stage was deeply moving. The Taiwanese folk songs were so heartfelt they drew people to dance together, and the Japanese drumming filled the hall with energy. Every culture shone.”
- “The joy of this event is that stage and audience become one. Even our 86-year-old Tai Chi member joined in and said he can’t wait for next year.”
- “This was my first time not as a reporter, but as a senior myself. The theme—‘From What Is to What If’—gave me courage to face aging with imagination and purpose. Seniors were not just audience members, but leaders, performers, and storytellers. Their voices filled the hall, their traditions lit the stage. This celebration proves that aging can be joyful, active, and full of possibility.” ~Liang Deng
- “We were honoured to attend and felt deeply inspired. The Indigenous drumming warmly welcomed seniors, while the cultural performances reflected MOSAIC’s contribution to Canadian multiculturalism. Tai Chi, Qigong, belly dance, musical theatre, and hands-on crafts engaged everyone. It was unforgettable. Thank you MOSAIC Seniors Club, thank you TD Ready Commitment.”
- “From beginning to end the hall was filled with laughter and joy. Old friends happily reunited, and everywhere people took photos to capture memories. What a joyful day!”
- “This was my third year attending, and each year it grows more vibrant and full of dignity. The dedication of Andrea, Daisy, the MOSAIC team, and volunteers is what makes this celebration so meaningful.”
Among those who joined was one of our oldest participants—a 97-year-old senior who attended with her family. “We brought our 97-year-old mother to the celebration and spent a wonderful and joyful day together,” her son shared. “We enjoyed the performances, crafts, and the warm greetings from government representatives. My mother said she was very happy to be there and sincerely thanked everyone.”
Voices of Our Partners
The impact extended to community partners and exhibitors, who shared resources and connected with seniors.
Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society reflected, “We had a great time connecting with so many seniors, fellow exhibitors, and the amazing team at MOSAIC. We loved the movement session and look forward to practicing our breathing and motions to stay healthy to 90 plus! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our housing opportunities. We look forward to the continued collaboration.”
A Celebration of Belonging
The event reflected the spirit of inclusion and connection. Exhibitor booths provided information on housing, health, and wellness. Seniors enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and interactive activities, with volunteers ensuring a welcoming and seamless experience.
As one participant said: “This was more than an event—it was a community. We felt stronger, more connected, and more hopeful for the years ahead.”
With Gratitude to TD Bank Group
This celebration would not have been possible without the generous support from TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment. Your sponsorship enabled 420 seniors from diverse cultural backgrounds to come together, share their gifts, and experience dignity, belonging, and joy. Seniors told us they left feeling recognized, valued, and connected — and that is the heart of why we celebrate.
Thank you, TD, for your support in celebrating the wisdom, imagination, and purpose of our seniors, and for your commitment to creating spaces where seniors are uplifted and communities are more inclusive.
