The Honourable R. Roy McMurtry, Elder Wanda Big Canoe and
York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe among the
honourees for the
CIECYR inaugural Bi-annual Diversity, Equity &
Inclusivity Awards
For Immediate Release
March 11, 2015
Toronto, ON – The Community Inclusivity
Equity Council of York Region (CIECYR) today announced the recipients
of the inaugural Bi-Annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Awards.
The awards will be handed out on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at Sheraton Parkway
Toronto North Hotel, in Richmond Hill, during the fundraising gala, with
proceeds benefiting the building of a school library and supporting the
educational needs of the children and youth of the Chippewas of Georgina
Island.
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Awards for Service
(& Innovation) were developed to recognize and highlight the work of
individuals as well as not-for-profit and corporate entities within York Region
and across the province.
“The recipients chosen for the inaugural awards are
trailblazers in matters of diversity, equity and inclusion in the context of
organizational change, community engagement and /or social transformation,”
said Michael Bowe, Co-Chair Manager, York Region Children’s Aid Society &
Founder of CIECYR.
The 2015 award recipients are as follows:
Luminary Award – The Honourable R. Roy McMurtry, OC,
O.Ont., QC LSM
Mr. Roy McMurtry’s lifelong advocacy for social justice and
his career in law and politics have changed Ontario and Canada for the better.
As Attorney-General and then Solicitor-General, he was largely responsible for
family reform in Ontario. He took the first steps to make Ontario’s legal
system bilingual in 1978 and started the process of translating Ontario’s
statutes into French. He was a major advocate for human rights and improved
race relations. In November 1981, McMurtry played a major role in brokering the
deal that achieved patriation of the Canadian Constitution and the creation of
the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In 1996, as Chief Justice of Ontario and
Court of Appeal for Ontario, a provision of the Charter was amended to
guarantee equality under the law which requires the Province of Ontario to
issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. He became Canada’s high
commissioner to the United Kingdom in 1985 where he chaired the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Committee (on South Africa). This played a role in ending
apartheid in South Africa and freeing the late Nelson Mandela from prison. His
early career involved public service work, involving Big Brothers,
rehabilitation projects for former penitentiary inmates, senior citizens’
housing and multicultural. In the 1970s, McMurtry teamed up with the late
Canadian jazz artist to lure executives to lunch to try and convince them to
feature more black people in their advertising.
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award – awarded to Elder Wanda
Big Canoe’s Legacy
The award will be accepted by Elder Wanda Big Canoe, Chief,
Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.
Elder Wanda Big Canoe has been involved in helping young
native youth further their education. In the U.S. she developed an American
Indian Scholarship Fund Association, and, back in Canada she successfully
landed several special scholarships.
She helped street youth learn a skill through a jewelry
project and supported education for aboriginal young people at all levels. She
is a graduate from the University of California, and as a member of the
California Indian Education Association, she was assigned to the steering
committee for the formation of an American Indian Studies and Cultural Centre
at UCLA.
Corporate Organization in York Region – Magna
International
The award will be accept by Donald J. Walker, CEO
Magna International developed the Supplier Diversity program
that is intended to encourage the use of companies who are recognized by the
United States and Canada, as being part of a visible minority. Each year, Magna
supports a wide range of charitable and social causes in the communities where
its employees live and work. In 2008, it began Neighbourhood Network, a
community initiative whose goal is to support the neighbourhoods in York
Region, by linking volunteers and community resources to its partnered
charities and agencies.
Person in York Region – Chief Eric Jolliffe, York
Regional Police
Chief Jolliffe was born and raised in York Region. He began
his career in the police force in 1979 in Edmonton. In 1981 he returned to York
Region and over the past 36 years, he has played a variety of roles. In 2010,
he was appointed Chief of Police.
Under Chief Jolliffe, the York Regional Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion Bureau has undergone major expansion and now consists of 12
members. The Bureau’s mandate is focused on extensive community engagement,
relationship building, and community partnership opportunities for learning and
understanding of all ethno-cultural, religious, marginalized, and vulnerable
communities towards the building and maintenance of a safe, welcoming and
inclusive community.
Not-for-Profit Organization in Ontario – Canadian Roots
Exchange
The award will be accepted by Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux,
Nexen Chair in Indigenous Leadership, Canada Roots Exchange
The Canadian Roots Exchange is a group of indigenous and
non-indigenous youth who believe that in order to bridge the gap between
Canada’s people, we need to become educated and aware of the teachings,
triumphs and daily realities of our indigenous communities. Together they
gather, travel and bring together youth in cities, towns, and traditional
territories across Canada in an effort to break down stereotypes, open a
dialogue, and build honest relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous
people living on this land.
Not-for-Profit Organization in York Region – York Region
District School Board (YRDSB)
The award will be accepted by the Mr. J. Philip Parappally,
Director of Education.
The YRDSB implemented Inclusive School and Community
Services that support schools in developing learning and school environment
that is respectful, supportive and welcoming to all. This includes building and
maintaining strong partnerships with parents, community, community
organizations and social service agencies to ensure the
Board is able to meet the diverse needs of its school
communities. It provides support for: newcomer students and families,
implementation of Ministry and Board inclusive education policy and procedure,
and student, parent and community engagement.
Nominations for The Bi-annual Diversity, Equity &
Inclusivity Awards are open to all residents of York Region and all nominations
are reviewed by a jury made up of CIECYR members. Nominees are judged on
- Embracing diversity and creating a welcoming environment for diverse groups in their organizations, businesses and schools, regardless of identity.
- Attracting and maintaining a diverse workforce reflecting the community
- Outreach to diverse communities regardless of identities. This level of outreach involves communicating different norms, values and languages, and reflecting diversity of the community through printed materials and other forms of community engagement.
Individual nominated for awards in the two categories are
judged on working to build an inclusive society and promoting
diversity/inclusion in their community in successful and/or unique/innovative
ways.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the gala evening
includes dinner, live entertainment and presentations by: Reverend Mpho Tutu,
Executive Director of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation; a video
address by Rev. Tutu’s father, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, winner of the
Nobel Peace Prize, former Chair of South African’s Truth & Reconciliation
Commission; a keynote from Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First
Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, and from The Honourable
Justice Murray Sinclair, appointed Chair of the Truth & Reconciliation
Commission of Canada.
Honourary Co-Chairs of the gala are The Honourable Bob Rae
(21st Premier of Ontario) and The Honourable James Bartleman
(former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario). Patrons of the gala are The Honourable
Dr. Alvin Curling CD, O.Ont., Co-Chair, Premier’s Task Force on the Review of
the Roots of Youth Violence, Government of Ontario and Trevor Wilson, Author
& Global Human Equity Strategies.
Tickets for
the gala are $250 per person. To purchase tickets to the Benefit Gala visit www.ciecyr.ca . To
purchase a gala table call (416) 846-8949 or send an email to ciecyr15@gmail.com;
For more information on The CIECYR and all events, log on to www.ciecyr.ca. The event’s
Print Media Sponsor is: Metroland Media.
The
Community Inclusivity Equity Council of York Region (CIECYR) was formed in
April 2010, originally as the Community Inclusivity Reference Group (CIRG).
CIECYR is a human service community engagement council that explores, supports
and enhances organizational practices of diversity, equity and inclusion.
CIECYR is invested in forging new paths to promising practices. The Council is
populated by grassroots and mainstream organizations that provide human
services to individuals, families and communities of varying and diverse
identities across York Region.
Members of the CIECYR include: Blue Door Shelters, York
Region Children’s Aid Society, Kinark Child and Family Services, York Region
District School Board, Social Services Network, Sandgate – Women’s Shelter of
York Region Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of York, Catholic Community Services
of York Region (CCSYR), The Regional Municipality of York, York Catholic
District School Board, Blue Hills Child and Family Centre, The York Centre for
Children, Youth & Families, and York Regional Police.
Vince J. Ciarlo
Ciarlo Communications
510 – 4070 Old Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6S 2R6
Tel: 416-763-3783
Cell: 416-458-5090
Email: vciarlo@ciarlo.ca
*********
For Immediate Release
I am Africa, We are Africa! The Best of Africa celebrated in Toronto
The 5 day multi-cultural festival promises to be its biggest
yet, with entertainment for the whole family, and showcased in two segments; a
3 day film festival, and 3 day music festival, allowing participants to see all
of Africa’s top talents, and emerging artists.
Founder Paris Roger said “I started this festival after
spending 3 years living and working in the film industry in West Africa where I
also met my fiancé. When I came back to Canada with her we realized there was
no festival celebrating the best of African film, music, and fashion all at
once. We wanted to share the works of talented filmmakers, musicians, and
fashion designers, and the spirit of the people”.
The films will be screened at Royal Cinema, 608 College Street, in Toronto and features a
combination of World, Canadian and Toronto premieres exclusive to the TAFMF.
The music festival will be held at the Toronto Plaza Hotel’s
outdoor grounds at 1677 Wilson Ave August 29 to 31, from 10 am to 7pm. Talent
from the Canadian African community, and international acts never seen before
in Canada will highlight the emerging sounds of the continent. The music
festival will also host concerts on the Main Stage on Friday and Saturday at
9pm, with this year’s headliners Congolese superstar Mohombi, and Ugandan star JB.
The African Ball, a black tie Gala celebrating significant
achievers within the Pan African community as well as those who have contributed
to its advancement. This dinner and awards event will be held on September 24
at the Fairmont Royal York. Guests can look forward to 5 star cuisine
prepared by a renowned celebrity chef, live entertainment, fashion show &
special surprises.
Daily all access passes will be available, and provide access during the day to
all events, including; concerts, fashion shows, and film screenings.
Tickets prices are $15 adult, $12 Student/Seniors and $5 for
children 12 and under. Tickets for the film festival are available online at
Ticketgateway.com or http://torontoafricanfilmmusicfest.com/tickets.html
The film schedule will be available online at http://torontoafricanfilmmusicfest.com/film.html.
For general information about the festival please visit http://torontoafricanfilmmusicfest.com/index.html
OPENING NIGHT FILM
WORLD PREMIER
Invasion 1897
Director : Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen
Nigeria – 2014 – Drama – 90 min
The 1897
invasion of Benin marked the climax in the inordinate expoitation of African
and black peoples by the West. This sinister quest bagan with salvery and later
devolved to the famed scramble for African where the entire continent was
divided among European world powers then.
CLOSING NIGHT FILM
CANADIAN PREMIER
NI SISI (It’s Us)
Director: Nick Reding
Kenya - 2013 -
Fiction - 92 min
Ni Sisi portrays a typical Kenyan community: a harmonious
muddle of tribes, intermarriages, and extended families. Friends who have lived
and worked together all their lives, who place no stock in which tribe their
neighbour comes from.
Then one day rumours begin to spread and suddenly mistrust
takes hold. People are identified as belonging to a different tribe rather than
by their identity as a person. With mistrust comes a sense of threat, with
threat fear escalates- it’s a ripple effect, and old friends now turn on each
other.
In a matter of days, the bonds and alliances – the
foundation of the community – are severed just as it did in reality in 2008.
They find themselves plunging into chaos, and it seems unstoppable and brutal.
Or is it possible that by learning from the mistakes of the
past our once peaceful community can be given another chance?
Other films screening at the Toronto African Film &
Music Festival include:
CANADIAN PREMIER
MAJA
Director: Usman A. Adeyemi
The story is about a women who gets married to 2 different
men from 2 different tribes and religion and loses both. She has 2 sons, one
from each marriage, but one son from the north is rich and powerful because
when his father died, his wealth was left all to his son. Meanwhile, her son
from the south came to visit her in the north and ends up stealing his
brother’s wealth and leaves to the big city to live life big with money.
Meanwhile, the older rich brother follows his younger
brother into the city to get his money back, and becomes entangled into a war
with his brother. Intrigue, suspence, drama and glamour, all rolled up in this
movie.
CANADIAN PREMIER
Afrique Cannes
Director: Dave Calhoun and Don Boyd
Burkina Faso – Documentary - 90 min.
'AfriqueCannes' is a portrait of both a place and a festival
– the place is Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso in west Africa, and the
festival is FESPACO, the celebration of African cinema that comes to this
extraordinary, little-explored city every two years. Directors Don Boyd and
Jonathan Bloom and producer Dave Calhoun travelled to FESPACO in February 2011
to discover whether the event still lived up to its longheld reputation as the
chief meeting place of African cinema and to hear from those who know best
about the state of the continent's cinema: filmmakers themselves.
They spoke to Nigeria's Newton Aduaka, Cameroon's
Jean-Pierre Bekolo, Mali's Souleymane Cissé, Chad's Mahamat Saleh Haroun,
Burkina Faso's Gaston Kabore and others to discover what cinema means to them,
now and in the past, and what hopes they have for cinema in their countries and
across their continent. What the filmmakers found were passionate, honest
voices – often frustrated by inactivity or corruption or lack of money but
equally hopeful that cinema still offers a unique way of empowering audiences,
of reflecting their lives and even of effecting change.
The film captures the rhythms and rituals of an
extraordinary event – an event built on the hope that cinema in Africa can and
should realise its wildest dreams.
CANADIAN PREMIER
Jungle of Heirs
Director: Agbor Ebai
Cameroon – Feature - 120min
The great king of the Bayang kingdom is accused of being an
illegitimate son of his land and he decided to step down from the throne. His
second wife has been the master planner of the whole drama alongside is his
doctor and lawyer who were his most trusted workers. Who will save the king?
CANADIAN PREMIER
Aya of Yop City
Director: Clément Oubrerie and Marguerite Abouet
France –
Animation – 85min
The adventures of Aya, her friends and family in colorful
1970s Africa. A vibrant, joyful and beautiful film with a groovy soundtrack.
My name is Aya, I’m 19. I love my neighborhood! Here, in Yop
City, Abidjan, everyone knows each other. It is always lively, with our open
markets, colorful fabrics, funky cafés and of course, music everywhere.
My mom, Fanta, is the neighborhood’s most trusted healer. As
for my old man, he’s a sales rep for Solibra Brewery, but if you ask me, he
drinks a little too much of that “strong man’s beer”!
My two best friends are Adjoua and Bintou. Those two like to hang out and spend
their evenings in the "maquis", dancing, drinking and flirting with
boys. Their ambition, deh*, is basically a C-series career plan: Combs, Clothes
and Chasing Men! Me? I want to be a doctor someday.
Big trouble comes to town when Adjoua realizes she’s pregnant. Not to mention when Moussa, the spoiled rotten Sissoko boy finds out he’s going to be a dad! How can he tell his old man, one of the richest and most feared men in the whole country?
Big trouble comes to town when Adjoua realizes she’s pregnant. Not to mention when Moussa, the spoiled rotten Sissoko boy finds out he’s going to be a dad! How can he tell his old man, one of the richest and most feared men in the whole country?
CANADIAN PREMIER
Bino and Fino
Director: Ibrahim Waziri
Nigeria – shorts – Animation
Elmina
Director Emmanuel Apea Jr.
Ghana – Feature – 90min
Elmina brings together two worlds that don't often
intersect - the Western art world and the African popular cinema industry - in
a unique hybrid that turns conventional notions of globalisation on their head.
The film depicts the journey of a small-town Ghanaian farmer fighting
government and corporate corruption to protect his land and family from a
Chinese oil company against all odds. It's an intriguing melodrama full of
witchcraft, murder and sex which chronicles a man's struggle against the system
The Legend of the
Sky Kingdom
Director: Roger Hawkins
Zimbabwe – Live
Animation – 70 min
Africa’s
first animated feature film, The Legend of the Sky Kingdom, follows three
children making a daring escape from the underground city in which they are
slaves to go in search of the fabled Sky Kingdom. An epic journey follows their
escape, fraught with dangers at every turn as the Evil Emperor will stop at
nothing to get them back.
Swirl in Bamako
Director:
Domminique Philippe
Mali –
Feature – 70min
Makan is in
love with Sira. But his earnings as a woodcarver are hardly enough to support
himself, let alone a wife. When he goes to visit a friend who now runs a
lottery kiosk, his friend persuades him to buy a ticket, which he places in his
jacket pocket and forgets. As luck would have it, Makan’s numbers come up and
he wins the jackpot. Now the only problem is, he has to find his jacket which
he left with a co-workers sister who gave it to someone else, and so on. Thus
starts a wild chase through the streets of Bamako, searching for the jacket and
thus the winning ticket. But so intent is Makan on finding the lottery ticket, that
he neglects Sira, the object of his affection
*********
Toronto, ONTARIO, May 26, 2014 - The Diversity Advancement Network will be hosting the Black Canadian Awards ceremony on June 7th 2014 at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Theater in Toronto. This diversity event, celebrates success stories and achievements of trail-blazers and leaders within our community. Awards will be given to our Role Models and individuals who have excelled in Business, Community, Arts and Entertainment.
The ceremony will crown, through a nomination and voting process, various artists and genres of music such as Best R&B Artist, Best Jazz Artist and Best Actor/Actress, just to mention a few. It will also feature a talent scholarship based competition to crown the Black Canadian Queen for the year 2014. We feel that more can be done to further showcase achievers and talents from our community all over Canada. Knowledge is power, yet there are too many people who have little or no knowledge of the richness and depth of our history, culture and achievements in Canada both past and present. Therefore, we are committed to effect a change in this area through this awards ceremony.
BlackCanadianAwards.com is our online platform with a mandate to showcase success stories and trailblazers on a daily basis in order to inspire and positively advance the Black community in Canada and beyond. Our honoree list is filled with newsworthy achievers like Jean Augustine, Eleanor Collins, Lindsay Blackett, Bishop Audley James, Lilie Johnson, Donovan Bailey and others who are pioneers in their fields. For the first time in history, we are presenting one hundred role models with their full stories and much more. Many dignitaries are expected at this formal red carpet event on June 7th from 5pm. The Award Ceremony will be hosted by one of Montreal most recognized entertainer, Dorothy Rhau and Toronto's accomplished artist, actor and youth educator, Sean Mauricette aka SUBLIMINAL. There will be performances by Shi Wisdom, Ammoye, Farahri, Reema Major, Carlos Morgan, Anslem Douglas, Sharon Musgrave, Londa Larmond, Flo, Esie Mensah and much more. Several guests and recipients will be travelling to attend this prestigious event from all over Canada and from a few countries. A special presentation will be focused on the kidnapped girls #BringBackOurGirls to show support to the families and the international community.
Some of our 2014 Nominees are Toronto Mass Choir, Janet Bailey, Jully Black, Dwight Drummond, Karlene Nation, Fefe Dobson, Andrea Bain, Scott Laurie, Kreesha Turner, JRDN, Glenn Lewis, Reema Major, Lisa Berry, Oluniké Adeliyi, Anthony Bennett, Emmanuel Kabongo, Michie Mee, Maestro, Shad, Kardinal Offishall, Dayo Ade, Clé Bennett, Heather Seaman, Rosie Edeh, Ohenewa Akuffo, Karina LeBlanc, Tammy Sutton-Brown, Patrick Kabongo and Perdita Felicien.
For more inquiries, or to request media passes contact Paul Ade at 416-900-3640. Black Canadian Awards - Initiative of the Diversity Advancement Network. [ www.BlackCanadianAwards.com ]*********
DIASPORA VOICES
NEW DIRECTIONS
Reflecting on the Caribbean in Toronto
April 5, 2014
Sidney Smith Hall,
100 St. George St.
Room SS2098
PROGRAM
9:15 Registration
Light breakfast available until 11:00. Tea, coffee and light
snacks available throughout the day.
9:30 Welcoming Remarks by Jacqueline Allain
9:40 Drumming Performance by Alejandro Céspedes
10:00 Race, Gender and Political Consciousness
Chair: Alissa Trotz (Professor of Women and
Gender and Caribbean Studies)
Katrin Kocsis (Caribbean Studies Undergraduate),
“Art and the Caribbean: Exploring Gender and Sexuality through Comparative
Analysis ofBellywoman Bangarang and Before Night Falls”
Chantal McFarlane (Caribbean Studies
Undergraduate), “Marginalization of Afro-Caribbean Bodies and the Fetishization
of Their Culture”
T’kehya Prentice-Cupid (History Undergraduate),
“Blackness and Racial Consciousness in Claude McKay’s A Long Way From
Home”
Kristen Young (History and English
Undergraduate), “‘Collective Bovarism’ in early Pan-Africanism”
11:20 Justice for Caribbean Migrant Workers
Chair: Melanie J. Newton (Professor of
History, Director of Caribbean Studies)
Kevin Edmonds (Political Science PhD Candidate)
“St. Lucian Migrant Workers in the Global Economy”
Benjamin Landsee (History PhD Candidate; New
College Senior Doctoral Fellow), “Haitian Migrant Workers in Early 20th Century
Cuba”
Chris Ramsaroop (Justice for Migrant Workers),
“Caribbean Migrant Farm Workers in Canada”
Comment by Laura Correa-Ochoa
12:35 Lunch catered by Roti Palace
1:30 Beyond the Classroom: Study Abroad Experiences in
Africa and the Caribbean
Chair: Jared Toney (History PhD Candidate)
Caribbean Studies students reflect on the experience of
studying through travel. Presenters: Rachel Woldegiorgis; Mark
Chatarpal; Shaunasea Brown; Melissa Sobers.
3:00 Fair Trade, Sexuality and Caribbean Globalization
Chair: Kevin Coleman (Professor of History)
Jacqueline Allain (History Undergraduate),
“Indigenous-Spanish Sexual Relations in the 16th Century
Caribbean”
Leslie Ann Fullerton (Caribbean Studies
Undergraduate) “Mobilization of Women in Jamaican Dance: Ensuring Financial and
Social Equity in the Dancehall”
Riel Hishon (Economics Undergraduate), “The
Reality of Fair Trade in the Commonwealth Caribbean Banana Industry”
4:15 FILM SCREENING:
Y U R U M E I N (H O M E L A N D)
The Story of the Caribs of St Vincent
YURUMEIN (your-o-main) is an important story of
Carib/Garifuna resistance against slavery and colonization. The film recounts
the painful past of the Caribs on St Vincent while building an intimate
portrait of Garifuna culture-in-transition today. When members of the Diaspora
are first reunited and make a collective pilgrimage to the sacred site of
Balliceaux (where the genocide occurred) the film reveals the beginnings of a
movement among Garifuna people to revitalize traditional language, music,
dance, and ritual. As Garifuna from around the world come together to remember
and celebrate the lives and resilience of their shared ancestors, they also
begin to discover possibility and hope for the future of Garifuna culture and a
greater worldwide community.
5:30 Closing Remarks
Sean Mills (Professor of History)
BOOK DISPLAY
A Different Booklist
746 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON, M5S 2R6
More about this year’s Featured Artists
Alejandro Céspedes studied at the University of
Toronto and Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Havana, Cuba. He performs classical
percussion, body percussion, Latin percussion, West African drumming and steel
drums. Céspedes performed with the National Opera and Ballet Orchestra of Cuba
and the Kingston Symphony. He has performed with Bobby McFerrin, Bernard
Fowler, Jane Bunnett; and the Buena Vista Social Club. He has taught at the
Regent Park School of Music and worked with the Rusticle Gym, a
drama and dance program for emerging artists in Toronto, and also with Carousel
Players as a musician/actor in The Power of Harriet T!
Andrea Leland is an independent filmmaker whose
documentary work focuses on Caribbean indigenous culture. She works
collaboratively with community members providing a forum to voice their untold
stories, personal challenges and compelling triumphs. Social, artistic or political
actions are placed within context of their culture, imploring the viewer to
confront old myths and discover a new perspective. Award winning films
include: Voodoo and the Church in Haiti; The Long Road Home( Chiapas) ;
The Garifuna Journey ( Belize) ; Jamesie, King of Scratch ( US Virgin Islands)
; Yurumein: Homeland, ( St. Vincent). View trailers at www.andrealeland.com
The COC would like to thank the following sponsors:
New College at the University of Toronto; The Caribbean
Studies Program;
Alissa Trotz, Professor of Women and Gender Studies and
Caribbean Studies; Latin American Studies; The Department of History
Members of the 2014 Diaspora Voices Conference Organizing
Committee (COC)
Undergraduate Students: Jacqueline Allain, Kristen
Young
Recent Graduate: Laura Correa Ochoa
Faculty Advisor: Melanie J. Newton (Director of
Caribbean Studies)
*********
Wednesday March 19th, 2014
PRESS CONFERENCE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MPP Introduces Bill to Improve Sickle Cell Care in
Ontario
Today, Wednesday, March 19th, 2014, Mike Colle, MPP
Eglinton-Lawrence, will re-introduce a Private Member’s Bill, the Sickle Cell
and Thalassemia Care Ontario Act. If passed, the Act would establish a
provincial body called Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario in order to
promote awareness and advocate for individuals living with these disorders. It
would also proclaim June 19 as Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Awareness Day in
Ontario, which coincides with World Sickle Cell Day, as proclaimed by the
United Nations in 2009.
PRESS CONFERENCE
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
9:00 AM
Queen’s Park Media Studio
Rm 148, Main Legislative Building
Panel will include:
· Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, Founder, Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario
· Helen Ziavras, President, Thalassemia Foundation of Canada
· Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, Founder, Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario
· Helen Ziavras, President, Thalassemia Foundation of Canada
· Dr. Isaac Odame, Hospital for Sick Children
“The Bill is a focal point for telling the story about
sickle cell. And by telling this story we can have more people getting genetic
testing and counseling, more resources and more comprehensive care for both
children and adults”. - Mike Colle, MPP Eglinton-Lawrence
“It is fitting that MPP Colle has chosen to re-introduce the
Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario Act. This Bill would raise the profile
of the disease and advocate for coordinated efforts between governments, policy
makers, healthcare professionals, patients/families and society at large to
reduce the disease burden in Ontario. On behalf of Sickle Cell Awareness Group
of Ontario and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada, I look forward to
a new day as we move toward Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario." - Lanre
Tunji-Ajayi, Founder, Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario
“Sickle Cell disease and Thalassemia are inherited life-long
disorders requiring a coordinated provision of a broad range of services
including early diagnosis, education, genetic counselling, management of acute
crises, prevention of infections and organ damage, hydroxyurea therapy,
chronic blood transfusion, iron-chelation therapy and long-term health
maintenance. A comprehensive and coordinated approach yields better outcomes as
well as being cost-effective.” - Dr. Isaac Odame, Hospital for Sick
Children
For additional information, please contact:
Dustin Cohen, Office of Mike Colle, MPP Eglinton-Lawrence
Tel: 416-212-6326 dcohen@liberal.ola.org
Dustin Cohen, Office of Mike Colle, MPP Eglinton-Lawrence
Tel: 416-212-6326 dcohen@liberal.ola.org
Cell: 647-523-3159
*********
This award is being
sponsored by LAMP Community Health Centre and is supported by Humber College.
It is being created to honour an outstanding Canadian- a woman who has worked
long and hard to make our Canada a true inspiration for the world.You know of her work but let me take a minute to share some of her accomplishments:
From humble
beginnings in the Caribbean nation of Grenada, Jean Augustine made Canadian
political history in 1993 as the first black woman elected to the Canadian
Parliament, becoming the first woman of African heritage to serve in a federal
cabinet. She served as Minister of State
for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women and was a deputy Speaker. She also
played a major role as parliamentary secretary to then Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
She is the former MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore where she served for four terms
before retiring from federal politics. She is also a Black
Heritage Champion and in 1995, introduced a motion, which was passed
unanimously by the House of Commons to recognize February as Black History
month. She is currently the Ontario Fairness Commissioner. Jean’s achievements
and contributions reflect a life of passion and conviction, dedication and
service that serve as an inspiration to us all.
About the Award:
The award will
honor someone with traits that emulate Jean herself: Courage and Spirit to
overcome barriers against all odds, while enriching people.
LAMP will
recognize: A person who lives by the values and principles of social justice,
who champions positive social change in the community, and makes a positive
difference in the lives of others through various acts of kindness and
contributions to the community. They have to live in Etobicoke Lakeshore.
May we count on
your support? Tickets for the event are $100.00 per person payable to LAMP
Community Health Centre.
If you cannot
attend we would welcome a donation.
We do look forward
to seeing you on Saturday 22nd of February 2014 for what promises to be a fun
and exciting evening.
Yours truly,
Russ Ford
Executive Director
LAMP Community
Health Centre
*********
The University of the West Indies Benefit Gala 2014
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Toronto, ON – The University of the West Indies today announced that Tessanne
Chin, NBC’s The Voice’s season five winner, and internationally
acclaimed Jamaican reggae artist Jimmy Cliff are among leaders of
Caribbean and Canadian heritage who will be honoured at the fifth annual
Toronto Benefit Gala, on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto.
The
Patron of the event is The Honourable G. Raymond Chang, OJ, Canadian Jamaican
business leader and philanthropist. For the fifth consecutive year Scotiabank
is again Lead Sponsor. The Host is noted Jamaican broadcaster and media manager
Michael Anthony Cuffe Sr.
Awards
will be presented in three categories and include:
Luminary :
The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P.
Dr. the Honourable Jimmy Cliff, OM
Tessanne Chin
Chancellor’s Award - The Hospital for Sick Children
Vice Chancellor’s Award:
Mr. David Taylor, community leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist
The Right Revered Peter DeCourcy Fenty, Bishop of York Simcoe and the first
Black Bishop in the Anglican Church of Canada, ordained in June 2013
Dr. Anna Jarvis, UWI alumnus, Staff Physician, Paediatric Emergency Medicine
and University of Toronto Professor, Department of Paediatrics
Mr. Roger Mooking, celebrity chef, television host, cookbook author and award
winning recording artist
Ms. Delores Lawrence, founder; President, & CEO of NHI Nursing &
Homemakers Inc., community leader and philanthropist
Under
the theme Light, Learning and Liberty, the UWI Toronto Benefit Gala raises
funds for scholarships for outstanding academic achievers in the Caribbean, who
are in great need of assistance. Since the inaugural gala four years ago, just
under 150 scholarships have been awarded.
The
event includes a robust silent and live auction, conducted by Mr. Gordon
Cressy, head of George Brown Foundation and friend of the Caribbean.
Past
honorees of The University of the West Indies Gala include: retired boxer and
undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay,
The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto faculty member Dr.
Upton Allen, former MPP and retired Scotiabank executive Mary Anne Chambers,
Toronto architect and University of Toronto faculty member Brigitte Shim, award
winning author Malcolm Gladwell, Dr. The Honourable Harry Belafonte; The Right
Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Former Deputy Chief of Toronto police Mr. Keith L.
Forde, Mr. David Rudder; Dr.The Hon. Michael Lee-Chin OJ, Olympian Mr. Donovan
Bailey, leading professor of medicine Dr. Herbert Ho Ping Kong, Ryerson
University and the University Health Network.
For
tickets please order using the online form at www.uwitorontogala.com, or by
calling 416-214-7848 or by emailing toni@uwitorontogala.com.
The
University of the West Indies was established in 1948 as a College of the
University of London. It achieved full university status in 1962. Today it is
the only pan-Caribbean tertiary level institution offering a wide array of
diverse and accredited programmes to 45,000 students throughout the region,
with campuses in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Anguilla, Antigua, The
Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica,
Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, Turks and Caicos.
-30-
For media information:
Ciarlo
Communications
Tel:
416-763-3783
Cell:
416-458-5090
Email: vciarlo@ciarlo.ca
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