ABOUT US
INDIA‐CANADA ASSOCIATION OF KINGSTON
The India‐Canada Association of Kingston (ICA) is a non‐profit and non‐political community organization that has formally existed in the Kingston area since 1979. In the 1970s, Kingston‐area residents with origins in the Indian subcontinent started coming together in social and cultural events, leading to the formation of ICA in 1979. These people, who can be considered the ‘founding fathers’ of ICA Kingston, laid the basic foundation for the Association as it exists today, instilling in it a sense of purpose and pride that has been a benchmark for future Executive Committees of the Association.
ICA Kingston is administered by a body of officials elected annually (the Executive Committee) within the guidelines established by the ICA Constitution (revised February 2005). Membership in the Association is not restricted to persons of Indian or Indo‐Canadian origin ‐ All those who share an interest in supporting the goals of the ICA are welcome! Presently, over 160 families/individuals located primarily within the Kingston area are on ICA’s mailing list. ICA Kingston takes a lead role in planning and staging various cultural and social events of importance to its membership. Extensive participation by members and other volunteers in support of the Executive Committee has been a hallmark of functions organized by the Association. The ICA takes great pride in using these events, which are open to all, as a means of making a unique contribution to the quality of life in the Greater Kingston Area as a whole. The ICA also takes responsibility, on behalf of its membership, for providing whatever assistance it can to the Kingston community and beyond, in mes of need. In 2004‐2005 this included donations to the Canadian Red Cross in response to the Southeast Asia Tsunami and Southeast Asia Earthquake, and in 2010 for the earthquakes in Hai and Chile. Starting from 2008 November ICA has also started its volunteering program for Martha’s Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, CIBC Run for the Cure and this year we are adding to that by joining the United Way Day of Caring.
Mission Statement “To contribute significantly to the preservation, awareness and promotion of Indo‐Canadian cultural heritage in the Greater Kingston Area and to be an active participant in affairs of interest to the Association and its membership”.
The India‐Canada Association of Kingston (ICA) is a non‐profit and non‐political community organization that has formally existed in the Kingston area since 1979. In the 1970s, Kingston‐area residents with origins in the Indian subcontinent started coming together in social and cultural events, leading to the formation of ICA in 1979. These people, who can be considered the ‘founding fathers’ of ICA Kingston, laid the basic foundation for the Association as it exists today, instilling in it a sense of purpose and pride that has been a benchmark for future Executive Committees of the Association.
ICA Kingston is administered by a body of officials elected annually (the Executive Committee) within the guidelines established by the ICA Constitution (revised February 2005). Membership in the Association is not restricted to persons of Indian or Indo‐Canadian origin ‐ All those who share an interest in supporting the goals of the ICA are welcome! Presently, over 160 families/individuals located primarily within the Kingston area are on ICA’s mailing list. ICA Kingston takes a lead role in planning and staging various cultural and social events of importance to its membership. Extensive participation by members and other volunteers in support of the Executive Committee has been a hallmark of functions organized by the Association. The ICA takes great pride in using these events, which are open to all, as a means of making a unique contribution to the quality of life in the Greater Kingston Area as a whole. The ICA also takes responsibility, on behalf of its membership, for providing whatever assistance it can to the Kingston community and beyond, in mes of need. In 2004‐2005 this included donations to the Canadian Red Cross in response to the Southeast Asia Tsunami and Southeast Asia Earthquake, and in 2010 for the earthquakes in Hai and Chile. Starting from 2008 November ICA has also started its volunteering program for Martha’s Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, CIBC Run for the Cure and this year we are adding to that by joining the United Way Day of Caring.
Mission Statement “To contribute significantly to the preservation, awareness and promotion of Indo‐Canadian cultural heritage in the Greater Kingston Area and to be an active participant in affairs of interest to the Association and its membership”.
About Our Logo Our logo contains features which represent India, Canada and Kingston. There are two motifs of Kingston, the famous and distinctive “Clock Tower” above City Hall and a limestone wall, befitting Kingston’s “Limestone City” nickname. To represent India and Canada, we have the Chakra and Maple Leaf. The Maple Leaf, of course, needs no introduction as a symbol of Canada. It is doubtful that there is a single, more readily identifiable motif of Canada and all it stands for, than that of the famous red Maple Leaf in the centre of the Canadian flag. Similarly, the Chakra is found at the centre of the Indian flag. The circular shape of the chakra is based on the ‘wheel of law’, a Buddhist symbol dang back to the 200th century BC. The 24 spokes of the chakra represent life in movement and death in stagnation. The Indian flag is a tricolor of saffron, white and green, and all three colors have a special meaning. The saffron color represents courage and sacrifice, the green signifies faith and fertility, and the white stands for purity and truth.