FROM OUR Vice PRESIDENT
cinzia zotta Wendland
JAN 9, 2023
Born and raised in Squamish, BC to Italian Immigrants from Trentino Alto Adige, Italian was the first language spoken and learned in the home. Our family were long standing members and active participants in the Garibaldi Italian Club in Squamish as well as the Trentino Club in Vancouver. In fact, our Squamish back yard was often used for Club picnics, BBQ’s and festas!
With all my relatives residing in Italy, I spent a lot of summer breaks visiting and embracing the traditions of my parents’ hometown of Cinte and Castello Tesino. Just before covid hit, I was fortunate enough to introduce my family to my relatives in Italy. They were so touched by the love, kindness, and generosity of the Tesino communities and are anxious to return. These visits reinforced to me the importance of passing along my Italian ‘gift’ to my children and reminded us all to ..prendila con calma…mangia…as we are on “Italian Time!”
Being immersed in my Italian heritage also provided me with various privileges. In Grade 6 I was granted permission to attend elementary school for two months in Cinte Tesino, and it was there, through the encouragement and support of the community, that I was able to learn how to read and write Italian. I will never forget this invaluable experience! My fluency in Italian and being a member of the Trentino Club, allowed me also the opportunity to be chosen to attend two Youth excursions and Leadership Conferences in the Trentino Region of Italy. Being surrounded by engaged youth all over the world, encouraged me to want to do more when I returned home to BC. It was due to these experiences that I became a member of NAYTO, North American Young Trentini Organization, and was elected to represent youth as a member of COMITES Vancouver. My fluency in Italian also provided me the privilege and honor to be an ambassador of Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. Not only was I working at Canada House and organizing events for our Athletes, but because of my passion and fluency of the Italian language, I had the pleasure of handling Italian Media on the part of Canada House. This experience, and the lasting friendships made from months of living there, will always remain close to my heart.
As a member and VP of KCIC, I see exciting times ahead of us. l wish to help preserve the Italian culture and traditions of our Club while encouraging it to flourish in the community. As a mother of three young girls, I wish to inspire, encourage, and develop our youth. I want them to understand and feel proud of my heritage. To not only embrace our rich culture, but to absorb and learn from the knowledge of our long-standing members while learning to be leaders in our community. I look forward in helping to create experiences and lasting memories to our Members and Community which will be cherished and hopefully carried on from generation to generation.
Cinzia Zotta Wendland, KCIC Vice President
Born and raised in Squamish, BC to Italian Immigrants from Trentino Alto Adige, Italian was the first language spoken and learned in the home. Our family were long standing members and active participants in the Garibaldi Italian Club in Squamish as well as the Trentino Club in Vancouver. In fact, our Squamish back yard was often used for Club picnics, BBQ’s and festas!
With all my relatives residing in Italy, I spent a lot of summer breaks visiting and embracing the traditions of my parents’ hometown of Cinte and Castello Tesino. Just before covid hit, I was fortunate enough to introduce my family to my relatives in Italy. They were so touched by the love, kindness, and generosity of the Tesino communities and are anxious to return. These visits reinforced to me the importance of passing along my Italian ‘gift’ to my children and reminded us all to ..prendila con calma…mangia…as we are on “Italian Time!”
Being immersed in my Italian heritage also provided me with various privileges. In Grade 6 I was granted permission to attend elementary school for two months in Cinte Tesino, and it was there, through the encouragement and support of the community, that I was able to learn how to read and write Italian. I will never forget this invaluable experience! My fluency in Italian and being a member of the Trentino Club, allowed me also the opportunity to be chosen to attend two Youth excursions and Leadership Conferences in the Trentino Region of Italy. Being surrounded by engaged youth all over the world, encouraged me to want to do more when I returned home to BC. It was due to these experiences that I became a member of NAYTO, North American Young Trentini Organization, and was elected to represent youth as a member of COMITES Vancouver. My fluency in Italian also provided me the privilege and honor to be an ambassador of Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. Not only was I working at Canada House and organizing events for our Athletes, but because of my passion and fluency of the Italian language, I had the pleasure of handling Italian Media on the part of Canada House. This experience, and the lasting friendships made from months of living there, will always remain close to my heart.
As a member and VP of KCIC, I see exciting times ahead of us. l wish to help preserve the Italian culture and traditions of our Club while encouraging it to flourish in the community. As a mother of three young girls, I wish to inspire, encourage, and develop our youth. I want them to understand and feel proud of my heritage. To not only embrace our rich culture, but to absorb and learn from the knowledge of our long-standing members while learning to be leaders in our community. I look forward in helping to create experiences and lasting memories to our Members and Community which will be cherished and hopefully carried on from generation to generation.
Cinzia Zotta Wendland, KCIC Vice President
