Having A Sense of Home No Matter Where You Are

In the hearts of Regina, a group of volunteers called “Afro Tribes” is trying to create a sense of home for black people with the aim of keeping their culture alive.

Amarachi and Victor Ejike created Afro Tribes, a non-profit organization to infuse vibrant traditions of African traditions into the multicultural community.

“When I visited Regina in 2015, I noticed that the cultural events or activities that brought people of African diaspora living in Regina were mostly Canadian or U.S events,” said Victor Ejike.

“So, I thought of creative activities for people like me who have left Africa to live in Regina to ensure our culture doesn’t die…that is when my wife and I started Afro Tribes in 2021.”

The funds at these events made are then used in promoting the next projects. The organization focuses on promoting cultural continuity, youth empowerment, women’s empowerment social justice and social health.

Afro Tribes stands out for cultural celebration and community building, since their inception, they have created different initiatives. One of them is Love Jazz, which is a love celebration during Black History Month annually held during valentines.

The other initiative is the Afro kids Summer Camp to promote cultural continuity and cultural exchange among kids.

“This is an avenue for heritage teachings because when you leave your home country, there is a tendency to forget our culture,” said Ejike.

“One of the memorable experiences was when CBC visited our summer camp and they asked a kid what they had learned and the kid said ‘Ubuntu’, which means we are all interconnected, and it affects our community…that was so heartwarming for me.”

In addition to the community, Afro Tribes also organizes outdoor events that happens in the summer as an avenue for cultural expression and community engagement through music, food, arts and crafts.

Afro Tribes events have attracted hundreds of attendees, not only from the Nigerian community but from communities like Kenya,  Ghana, South Africa and even Saskatchewan residents.

Attendees of Afro Tribes events describe the event as enriching resident Joshua Olufemi says “Attending Love Jazz 2025 was an amazing experience! I Performed alongside my friends and watching the crowd vibe to every song we played made the night memorable,” said Olufemi.

Ejike recalled Last years event and the heartwarming message he got from then-Mayor Sandra Masters

“When she was to give a closing remark she said ‘You know what? I am going to speak from my heart, I don’t need this paper. I prepared this speech, but I’ve had so much that I want to talk from my heart…You are what Regina has been missing all these years’ So, those are the moments I would cherish forever,” said Ejike.

These events have provided platforms for cultural expression and unity, reflecting on these experiences, Victor Ejike envisions a future where Afro Tribe becomes a national program “I want it to be acknowledged globally, and to build a museum of African arts and culture in Regina, Saskatchewan,” said Ejike.

Through its diverse activities and commitment to community building, Afro Tribes continues to make a significant impact in Regina.

“And down the road, it won’t feel like I am missing home because home is with me in Regina, Saskatchewan,” said Ejike.