upcoming NFI Events

Between Neighbours: The Okanagan's Italian Community During WWII
Wednesday, June 2 at 7 pm via Zoom

Special Panel Discussion

We' re thrilled to add a special panel conversation to Wednesday evening's presentation about WWII and the internment of Italian Canadians, Trudeau's apology and what this means moving forward. You can register on our website but hurry, available spaces are limited. Our panel includes: 
Adriana A. Davies - Noted Researcher and Author. Adriana Davies' latest book is From Sojourners to Citizens, Alberta’s Italian History
Trina Costantini-Powell - President of National Congress Italian-Canadians, Capital Division. Her grandfather Giuseppe Costantini was interned at Petawawa
Ray Lenzi - Ray's grandfather, Frederico Lenzi, was interned in Kananaskis
Lynne Bowen - Historian and Author of Whoever Gives Us Bread, the Story of Italians in British Columbia 
Moderated by Rosann Nanci - President of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club
A look at what happened to BC and the Okanagan's Italians during WWII. This is the story behind Prime Minister Trudeau's formal apology.

On May 27th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is offering a formal apology to the Italian Canadian Community for the internment of 600 Italians during WWII, many of which had lived in Canada for many years. Learn more about those events, with a particular focus on BC and the Okanagan Valley. This presentation looks at what happens when a war comes between neighbours. We also profile Frederico Lenzi, the only Italian from the Okanagan who was interned.

JUST ADDED: A special panel conversation on the Apology and what happens now. Find out more here.

This is a free event but registration on Eventbrite is required

Cancelled - Will Notify of Rescheduling

Tickets: $40 Plus GST and Ticket Fees
Includes wine tastings and food pairings
Italians and the Okanagan Wine Industry: A Celebration of a Century Long Labour of Love

The intertwined roots of Italian Immigrants and BC’s Wine Industry run deep. Wine has always been an essential part of Italy’s celebration of sensory experiences; a critical ingredient in their culture and tradition. It was only natural that these enterprising immigrants would bring this part of their heritage with them.
This evening is a celebration of the highly successful century-long blend of Italian Heritage and the Okanagan’s wine industry. In three narrative presentations, we’ll explain the significance of wine to Italian culture, recount the remarkable story of the role of Italians in nurturing and growing the industry to its present state and take a sensory tour of Italy with a sommelier led food paired tasting of both regional Italian vintages and local wines that were influenced by Italian tradition.
Bevanda! Mangiare! Celebrare!
More events coming for  September, October and November!