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As part of the Province's activities for Multiculturalism Week, the Provincial Nesika Awards are being presented to an organization, an individual and a business that contribute to enhancing respect and embracing British Columbia's diverse cultures.
First launched in February 2008, the Provincial Nesika Awards are organized and sponsored by the Government of B.C. and the Multicultural Advisory Council and seek to recognize the people, organizations and businesses whose exceptional work helps to bring our diverse cultures together.
This year's recipients include:
Organization - The Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC, Safe Harbour: Respect for All Program, encourages businesses and organizations to create safe places for those experiencing discrimination, and to embrace diversity in the workplace. Photo (flickr.com) .
Individual - Farid Rohani, a successful entrepreneur and champion of multiculturalism and social causes, also heads the Laurier Institution to advance and disseminate knowledge about the economic and social implications of Canadian diversity. Photo (flickr.com) .
Business - The Afro News - TAN, a newspaper that covers the African communities of B.C., Canada and worldwide, aims to provide unbiased pertinent information, often showcasing events, issues and cultures not always carried or visible in the mainstream media. Photo (flickr.com) .
Winners in each of the three categories receive $5,000 to acknowledge and support their achievements, to be donated to an organizational program of their choice that further promotes cultural diversity and inclusion.
Quick Facts:
- Nesika (pronounced Ne-SAY-ka) is Chinook for "we, us, our." It comes from a trade language used by many different Aboriginal linguistic groups along the west coast of North America.
- Since 1990, B.C.'s Multicultural Advisory Council has promoted cross-cultural understanding and respect throughout the province and sponsors the Provincial Nesika Awards.
- The award winners are selected by an independent jury.
- Almost 30 per cent of British Columbians emigrated from another country in their lifetimes.
- One-quarter of the people in B.C. are self-identified visible minorities, and five per cent identify as Aboriginal.
- The most ethnically diverse province in Canada, B.C. welcomes nearly 40,000 new immigrants every year.
Learn More:
- EmbraceBC, the Province's multiculturalism site: www.embracebc.ca/embracebc/index.page
- Information and services for new British Columbians: www.welcomebc.ca/wbc/index.page
- B.C.'s Multicultural Advisory Council: www.embracebc.ca/embracebc/multiculturalism/multicultural_advisory_council/index.page
- To view BC People: Portraits of Diversity on BC, visit: http://www.bcpeople.ca.
Contact:
Brian Bonney
Communications Director, Multiculturalism
Government Communications and Public Engagement
604 775-1153
604 306-4735 (cell)
Brian.Bonney@gov.bc.ca
