Caribbean Carnival “E.P.I.C.” Event for Members

“Carnival is always a great time to celebrate the Caribbean culture, music and heritage, and to do so with a little bit of style and grace as well,” says Jonathan Tel, a nurse practitioner, who has attended the spectacular annual event as a spectator with his parents, both from the Caribbean, since he was a child.

“But it also provides a voice and presence for nurses, health-care professionals and ONA. To get to do that amongst the Caribbean community was something that I just couldn’t pass up when I saw the email from ONA about it.” 

Words of positivity

Tel was one of 40 randomly selected ONA members who were invited to participate in the Grand Parade, considered to be the heart of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, along with Board members and staff. These members were given vibrant costumes to wear, so important to the event, which are a reflection of the rich heritage of the Caribbean and have deep cultural significance. 

“The whole world has changed since COVID when we were called ‘health-care heroes,’ and it seems that some media outlets are now giving nurses a bad rap,” notes Tel, who was attending his second Carnival as part of the ONA contingent. “So, it was very important for us to go around to people and say, ‘hey, how are you?’ “Many had no idea what ONA was when they saw the fans and flags we were carrying, so we had various conversations with various people, both spectators and those playing mas.

“When they realized we were nurses and health-care professionals, they had so many words of amazement and positivity for us. They shared their own stories of when they were in the emergency department or being admitted to hospital or whatever else it was. They had so many thank yous for what we do. It was just very nice to have that presence and get that positive feedback.”

Heart of event

This year, ONA joined E.P.I.C. Carnival, a dynamic and passionate medium-sized mas band, in the Grand Parade on August 2, considered the heart of the event, as part of the Legacy section. Under their theme of “Culture: Our Stories and Celebrations,” E.P.I.C. aimed to honour ancestors, celebrate traditions and ignite excitement for future generations through stunning art, lively music and powerful dance. 

While this is ONA’s third year participating in the Grand Parade, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, once called Caribana, has been around for almost 50 years. In fact, the Caribbean tradition of parading through the streets is linked to the celebration of freedom and emancipation from slavery, and is celebrated in Toronto on what has been recognized by the Canadian government as Emancipation Day weekend.

“The streets come alive with the pulsating beats of music, the dazzling display of costumes, and the sheer joy of celebrating Caribbean culture, heritage and the emancipation of enslaved people in Canada,” says Kieran Maxwell, ONA Senior Manager, Member Education/Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression, who also attended the event. “Recognizing our past provides an opportunity to examine what freedom and liberation mean today.” 

Melting pot

Tel couldn’t agree more, noting the presence of ONA and our members at Carnival is significant.

“Nursing is a melting pot of so many cultural diversities, and having ONA there shows we represent these different cultures and ethnicities. To have a presence in one of the largest Carnivals in North America on an annual basis and to put our name and what we do out there, showing that nurses and health-care professionals also like to have fun besides saving lives and doing what we do, is so important.”