BRASA NAME PLAYED WITH GUSTO ….

 Portuguese, BRASA can mean flame, hot coal, or “pimentinha”, i.e., a person with a spicy personality. Many of us have heard that Brazilians have a warm and extroverted personality perhaps as a result of our Latin ancestry or because we come from the tropics. Well, I disagree with the latter stereotype due to the fact that Bra­zilians are one of the most “metis” (mestico, “misturado”) national groups in the world and, the tropics do not make us, necessarily, warm or cold, outgoing or shy.

Some might find my initial statement to be controversial, I dare say. Many Brazilians, indeed, look like, sound like, and behave like those stereotypes described above -warm, extroverted, outgo­ing, and spontaneous. Thus, many of us agree with that.

At our association’s first meeting in 2007, we brought some sug­gestions for naming our new organization. The majority voted for BRASA.

To me, the word “BRASA” transports my thoughts and memories back to past snap shots of my life: where I met lots of “warm” people, went to “warm” beaches, sat under shady coconut trees, ate hot, succulent and fragrant feijoada, met chatty countrymen, joined noisy dancers and loud street walkers; arrived in and left airports packed with people of all colors, sizes, shapes, and more! Do these images ring a bell with you? Do they resemble Brazil? Do they reflect a bit of each one of us?

When BRASA –Brazilian Association of Saskatoon- was estab­lished, it seemed very natural to us that the name of our organi­zation fit the Brazilian personality. And it still fits well today. It somehow represents us as people.

My first conversations with Renato and Sueli de Freitas about the need to create an association for Brazilians living in Saskatoon happened 5 years ago, in August of 2007. From that point on, BRASA has been in my mind and soul.

And like BRASA, that is – Hot. Pimenta. Warm. Sheltering . Cozy. Loud. Colourful. Welcoming! We Brazilians, bring to the “True North Strong and Free” land a little of who we are as individuals: warm, cozy, welcoming, hot, chatty, loud, and embracing. I hope that we keep ourselves this way. Stereotypical, yes. I don’t care. It is good to be BRASA!

By: Elizabeth Freire, past co-chair of BRASA from 2007 to 2011, lives in Saskatchewan, Canada, since 1988. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Regina and is the Executive Director of the Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre

Ouviram do Ipiranga as margens plácidas….

(Taken from the Third Edition of “No Boundaries News”)

 

 Brazilians from my generation grew up singing the Brazilian national anthem in elementary school every morning just before classes. I still remember with pride the flag being lifted up, our heads tilted, right hand on our hearts to pledge allegiance.

Since 1985, when my family moved to Canada, there were only a few opportunities when we were exposed to small segments of the Brazilian anthem. These occasions presented themselves during special sports events. At that time Ayrton Senna was in his glory and every time he made it to the podium a piece of Brazil was delivered to us. The anthem always reminded us of who we were and it never failed to make us proud to be born in Brazil.

On September 15, 2012 when Brasinha opened its door and had the first Portuguese language class I was taken aback by what happened in the first 10 minutes in the classroom. The teachers gathered everyone in one classroom, explained to the children what was going to happen, asked them to place their right hands on their heart, and asked for the lights to be turned off. The screen lit up and suddenly that familiar sound and unforgettable beat of the Brazilian National Anthem filled the entire room.

During the first minute, when only the anthem introduction was being played, I glanced at the children and I saw myself in them.

My eyes clouded with tears and by the time the words started rolling the only thing I could do was to mumble them. I tried very hard not to cry but the emotions, memories, and that longing for everything that is Brazilian rushed through my mind.

 Since I moved to Canada, this was the first time I sang the entire national anthem and it felt great. Hope Brasinha can continue to instil in our children the same pride we Brazilian-born citizens have inside each of us.

“Ó Terra adorada, Entre outras mil, És tu, Brasil,

Ó Pátria amada! Dos filhos deste solo es mãe gentil, patria amada Brasil!!!!”

By: Sueli Bizetto de Freitas , PR & Communication Specialist

BRASA IS BORN!

(Taken from the First Edition of “No Boundaries News”)

Initially, the idea to form a Brazilian Association was born out of the dreams of a three Brazilians who were leaving in Saskatoon for a long time.  The longing to have their culture, language, ideas and same interests was long overdue.  Renato de Freitas and his wife Sueli approached Elizabeth Freire with the idea of forming an association. 

After their first meeting at Elizabeth’s house, the word spread through the Brazilian community and the initial idea became a reality at our first Annual Meeting in August 2007.   The enthusiasm at this first meeting was contagious, overwhelming and very genuine.

The Brazilian Association of Saskatoon, Inc (BRASA) was created as a Non Profit Corporation that “Promotes and offers cultural, recreational, linguistic, social and other like activities in Saskatoon and area, based on Brazilian cultural and social practices maintained and cherished by its members”.

Since BRASA’s inception in August 2007 its membership has steadily increased.  With an influx of new Brazilians to Saskatoon in this past year, our membership has increased substantially.   Our Saskatoon community is composed of families that immigrated to Canada in the 70’s, students of all ages, skilled workers and their families.  We also have a great number of second generation Brazilians.

BRASA has a Board of Directors composed of two co-chairs and several table officers.  The Board meets regularly to plan for activities and cultural events.  One of BRASA’s goals is to include its members in all functions and be a Brazilian community outside Brazil.  BRASA is open to suggestions from everyone

By: Sueli Bizetto de Freitas , PR & Communication Specialist

BRASA BY-LAWS

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Brazilian Association of Saskatoon, Inc (BRASA) exists to promote and offer cultural, recreational, linguistic, social and other like activities in Saskatoon and area, based on Brazilian cultural and social practices maintained and cherished by its members

See the completed BRASA By-Laws document  in the  bellow  attachment:

BRASA BY-LAWS