Refugee talk at college canceled

After the main speaker had a change in schedule, Flathead Valley Community College’s international student club, Global Friends, has canceled today’s roundtable discussion on the global refugee crisis.

Manita Coggins, a humanitarian aid worker and retired nurse, was booked to lead the discussion based on her experience providing aid relief to refugees around the world.

Gerda Reeb, the FVCC international student services director, said she believed Coggins booked an unexpected flight overseas. She said whether the event would be rescheduled depended on Coggins’ future plans.

Reeb said the topic came out of club discussions as international students discussed the stories they heard from home. She said the event was intended to give a perspective on the crisis from a woman who has witnessed it — not make a statement about state or national refugee policy.

On May 5, Global Friends will screen “The Great Transmission,” a 2015 documentary about the efforts of a Tibetan refugee lama to preserve sacred Buddhist texts.

Barry Schieber, the film’s producer, will provide introductory comments and facilitate audience discussion after the viewing. Free and open to the public, the event will begin at 6 p.m. in Room 139 of the Arts and Technology Building on campus.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.