Anyone who questioned whether immigrants and newcomers are welcomed in southeast Saskatchewan needed only to attend the Collage Cultural Festival in Estevan in mid May.

Thousands of people turned out. Those in attendance tasted international cuisine. Some adults sampled a few international beers and other alcoholic beverages. And there was entertainment. Lots of entertainment. From singers to dancers to puppeteers to a fashion show, entertainment was a big part of the weekend.

People from different countries had booths at Collage, where they served food, and provided information on their homeland, their traditions, their languages and the people who live in those countries.

And if long-time residents hadn't had the chance to welcome a newcomer to the community, they had plenty of opportunities to do so at the Collage. People from the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa were at the Collage.

Estevan has become a very different community in the last three years. Not just because of a new arena that's under construction, the new businesses in the northeast corner, the new homes that are under construction and the impact of fluctuating oil prices. Estevan is changing because people from around the world have come to Estevan.

And it's a change for the better. In the last three-and-a-half years, people from countries such as Germany, South Korea, Jamaica, Pakistan, the Philippines and the Ukraine have boosted Estevan's population, filled job vacancies, and brought their wonderful cultures to the community.

They bring a strong work ethic. In some cases, they have brought skills to different trades for oilfield businesses. In other cases, they have brought a smiling face, and endless enthusiasm, to the hospitality sector. In most cases, they are thrilled to live in Canada, and in Estevan.

They know that simply by living in Canada, they have hit the jackpot.

The immigrant influx has made organizations such as the Southeast Community Settlement Community possible. English as a Second Language courses have been taught in Estevan for three years.

When Saskatchewan's economic boom started, and the population started to rise, it was thanks largely to one group: people moving back to Saskatchewan from Alberta. But immigrants are now the biggest reason for Saskatchewan’s growing population.

Saskatchewan residents haven't always had the greatest reputation for accepting people of different cultures. Those who live outside of the province often portray Saskatchewan people as backwater rednecks intolerant of other races and nationalities.

There are a few of those people still in the province, but they are, thankfully, a dwindling minority, with a diminishing voice.

The Collage Cultural Festival proved just how many people are excited by the changing demographics of this region. And it showed newcomers the hospitality of the people in southeast Saskatchewan.