Diversity

Updated: July 17, 2020

Keller Williams is proud to boast a wonderfully diverse family of agents and staff. We know that diversity is something to be celebrated. Racism or any other form of discrimination and bullying will not be accepted within our brokerage family. We recognize that diversity is a strength and to truly take advantage of such a strength we need to stop, listen, and learn from each other. By doing so we can all become better people and Realtors.

We are asking members of the KWIR family to share a little bit about their cultural background, and histories that have shaped who we have each become. Click here for guidance on how particpate and/or contribute a video. They will be shared weekly and cataloged as a resource below for any agent to revisit if they have a client of similar background to service or refer.

In the future, we will be holding an annual social event (May 21st) where we can share traditional food and dress, as we get to know each other better.

Here are the videos we have so far. Thank you to those who have made a contribution. Click here for guidance on how particpate and/or contribute a video.

Brazilian submitted by Roseli Quarti

Here is the link to brigadeiro
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24052/brigadeiro/

Khmer (Cambodian) submitted by Andrew Ouellette whose wife is Khmer:

• The Khmer (Khmer pronunciation: [kʰmaːe]) people are a Southeast Asian ethnic group native to Cambodia, accounting for over 97% of the country’s 15.9 million people.
• History: If one wanted to learn about Cambodia’s history and the struggles they endured I would recommend the movie ‘The Killing Fields’.
• Prevailing religion: Buddhism they are famous for their temples including the Angkor Wat.
• Language: Khmer
  • 2 ways to say hello formal -‘joohm-reap soo-a’ (with your hands together in front of you) and informal ‘soo-a sdei’
  • Say thanks by putting your hands together and saying ‘Orkun’ with a slight bow.
  • Women older than you are referred to as ‘Ming’ (aunt) and men ‘Boo’ (uncle).
• Traditions: We had a traditional Khmer wedding that was a real highlight of our nuptials. Khmer weddings are typically 5 days long but we did ours over 2 days with 5 costume changes and ceremonies including a walk through the neighborhood with food and music; the negotiations of the dowry; the guests getting us ready by cutting out hair and spritzing us with perfume; red strings tied to our wrists by each guest representing their blessing; me holding a knife/sword and vowing to protect, and of course the feast. 
• Food: My mother in laws famous spring roll recipe.  The best Khmer food can be found at the temple after attending a ceremony. I am not really familiar with any purely Cambodian restaurants in Ottawa as I believe they are typically marketed primarily as Thai restaurants.