Dominican diaspora in Canada celebrates 163rd Restoration anniversary

The Dominican diaspora in Canada commemorated the 163rd anniversary of the Dominican Restoration with a large gathering in Toronto. Organized by the Institute of Dominicans and Dominican Women Abroad (INDEX) in Canada, under the direction of Yngrid Beard Mejía, the event brought together hundreds of residents to celebrate national identity and sovereignty.

The celebration coincided with a baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees. The event honored the historical significance of the Grito de Capotillo, which began on August 16, 1863, marking the start of the war to recover Dominican sovereignty from Spanish annexation.

Attendees included diplomats, business leaders, and community members. The Dominican consular corps in Toronto, led by Consul Lucilo A. Santos and Raiza Rodríguez Sánchez, was also represented. The gathering served to strengthen ties between the Dominican Republic and its community living abroad, while also recognizing individuals for their community contributions, such as Luis “Cambumbo” Feliz for his work on the Santo Domingo Park project in Caledonia.