Ethnic Diversity & Culture

Chinese New Year and Cambodian New Year Celebrations 2011

CBA celebrated the Chinese New Year on February 3, 2011. The event, included traditional food, customs and a Chinese Lion Dance. Over 70 Khmer attended, enjoying traditional foods and dance.

CBA collaborated with the National Park Service, Light of Cambodian Children, Casey Family Services, Lowell Alliance, Lowell Community Health Center and the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA)  to hold a community wide Cambodian New Year at the Senior Center on Saturday, April 23, 2011. More than 160 members of the Cambodian Community along with senior citizens attended the event, which included cultural activities, a blessing from the Buddhist monk, singing and dancing.

Second Annual National Park Tour  August 2011

CBA partnered with CMAAalong with David Blackburn, Chief of Cultural Resources and Programs for the Park, to plan a boat tour for our Khmer members on August 26, 2011. This tour was a continuation of the pilot we did last year with the Khmer Connection group to teach them about the Lowell National Park and the immigrant experience that brought many people to Lowell during the heyday of the Mills.   For the tour In 2010, the group learned about  the concept of a national park, something that is not found in Cambodia.  After getting an overview of the  Park, members watched the Story of Lowell.  The group then took the trolley over to the Boott Mill where the toured both the Weaving Room exhibit and the Mill Girls Exhibit at the Mogan Cultural Center.   Many in group loved the weaving room because they had used hand looms at home in Cambodia and were familiar with the concept.  The group returned to the Visitors Center by way of the Trolley, enjoying the ride and mini tour of Lowell provided by the Park Rangers.  Translation was provided by Park Ranger Duey Kol and CBA staff Rasy An.  CBA will be working over the winter to create a program for both our Cambodian and Latino member to learn about the Park. The story of the Park emphasizes the immigrants who worked in the Mills.  One of our goals is to educate our immigrant members that their immigrant story is similar to many of the immigrants who have come before them; that the hardships they face were faced by other groups who have since become successful members of the community.  Additionally, many of our members are unfamiliar with the National Park and CBA hopes that by bringing members on the tour they will view the Park as a resource and bring their families on the tour as well.  The National Park Tour initiative is one  part of our mission to encourage member civic engagement in their community.