Sharing culture and traditions at "Mini Mosaic"

SaskEnergy employees came together at our head office in Regina to celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions represented within our company at “Mini Mosaic” on May 21.

Hosted by SaskEnergy’s Joint Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the annual event is an opportunity for employees to create booths sharing information about their unique cultures, through food, music, art and fashion.

"Mini Mosaic is a cornerstone event at SaskEnergy that celebrates the rich diversity within our organization, fostering a sense of unity and belonging among employees. This event emphasizes our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace, where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives,” says Jill Schmeltzer – Director, System Control and Joint Diversity and Inclusion Committee member.

Employees took a quick spin around the world over lunch, learning about the sights, tastes and traditions of the 16 cultures and countries represented at the event.

Human Resources team member Shahla Bayramova hosted a booth representing Azerbaijan — a small country between Asia and Europe — for the second year in a row.

“My country is not widely known, and our community here is quite small, which makes it all the more meaningful for me to have opportunities like Mini Mosaic to share it with others,” says Shahla. “I’m very grateful that SaskEnergy and the Joint Diversity and Inclusion Committee host events like this!”

As a baker, Shahla enjoyed getting to share traditional desserts — like her baklava, which was a big hit! — alongside national items and accessories. This year, she added a traditional herbal tea service to her booth.

“In my culture, tea ceremonies hold deep significance — we always welcome guests into our homes with a warm cup of tea and homemade sweets. It’s a gesture of hospitality and connection that I’m proud to share,” Shahla explains.

This year was employee Areeg Ahmed’s first time participating in Mini Mosaic. The Engineer-in-Training has been at SaskEnergy for less than a year and was excited to help host a booth showcasing the culture of Pakistan.

“My culture, faith and roots are a big part of who I am, so getting to share that with others feels really meaningful. I’ve always loved when people get to experience something new, and this was a great chance to connect and learn from each other,” says Areeg.

The Pakistan display included a mix of traditional foods and cultural items, hosts wore traditional clothing to highlight the beauty and variety of Pakistani fashion, and labels were created for all the items to share historical background and information.

“Events like Mini Mosaic create space for people to share parts of their identity that don’t always come up in day-to-day work. They help us learn from each other and see the richness in our differences. It’s a great reminder of how diverse and vibrant our community is, and it brings people together in a positive way,” Areeg adds. “I’m really glad I got involved, and I’d definitely do it again!”