The Community Inclusivity Equity Council of York Region

The Community Inclusivity Equity Council of York Region hosted the second Bi-Annual Diversity, Inclusivity, and Equity Symposium, exploring the theme of Truth, Reconciliation and Engagement within the context of the South African experience and the current Truth and Reconciliation process underway in Canada.

Day One of the two-day symposium opened with a traditional aboriginal smudging ceremony; followed with  keynote addresses by Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and Associate Professor, University of Alberta and Lionel Bazil Davis, former political prisoner during Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment, as well as a number of workshops in the morning and afternoon. 

Day Two opening Remarks: The TRCC: The Canadian Experience by Justice Murray Sinclair, who is the Chair of Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada followed by the Keynote Address - TRC: The South African Journey by Rev. Mpho Tutu, Executive Director, Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.

The symposium was attended by human service professionals from all sectors and a spectrum of community members. During workshop sessions, attendees examined the history of the residential school system and the subsequent Truth & Reconciliation process in Canada and in South Africa.

A number of workshops  also explored how grassroots and mainstream organizations engage diverse individuals, families and their communities who have experienced traumatic events, caused by either human or natural factors, whether locally or internationally, i.e. ethnic cleansing wars, tsunamis, chronic poverty, human trafficking, the AIDS epidemic, homophobia, etc..

The Community Inclusivity Equity Council of York Region (CIECYR) also hosted a visit to Georgina Island on Wednesday 29, 2015.

Among those included in this delegation were: Rev. Mpho Tutu and her two daughters, The Honorable Justice Murray Sinclair, The Honorable James Bartleman, The Honorable Dr. Alvin Curling, Mr. Trevor Wilson, Lionel Davis, Wayne Emmerson, the Chairman & CEO of the Regional government; Eric Jolliffe, Chief of Police, York Regional Police; Inspector Ricky Veerappan, York Regional Police; Regional Councillor John Taylor, Margaret Quirk, Mayor, Town of Georgina, and members of CIECYR member organizations.

The guests were greeted by  Chief Donna Big Canoe and Lauri Williamson, Councillor, Chippewas of Georgina Island followed by a traditional feast and Wampum Belt Teachings with Brian Charles. After gifts were exchanged including $10.000 from the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, a short tour to the church and school concluded the visit.

       

Inaugural Bi-annual CIECYR Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Awards and Benefit Gala

On Thursday, April 30, 2015, The CIECYR hosted the Inaugural Bi-Annual DEIAS Awards & Benefit Gala. The Gala Patrons were The Honourable Alvin Curling and Mr. Trevor Wilson, Author & Global Human Equity Strategist. The fundraising gala and awards celebration welcomed many local, provincial and national dignitaries. The evening program was hosted by Carla Robinson, former host and journalist with CBC TV. Gala attendees was joined by special guest Reverend Mpho Tutu, Executive Director of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.The evening also included a video presentation by her father, the esteemed Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and numerous other awards.

All proceeds raised by the Benefit Gala went towards building a school library and supporting the educational needs of the children and youth of the Chippewas of Georgina Island.

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.

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