Nominations are now open for the fifth annual Provincial Nesika Awards, and British Columbians are encouraged to participate. Five categories are open for nomination - Individual, Business, Organization, Youth and, new this year, Multicultural Excellence in Government.

The new category, recommended by the Multicultural Advisory Council, recognizes the commitment government organizations are making to promote multiculturalism, both internally and externally. B.C. government ministries, Crown corporations and affiliated bodies that submit an annual report on multiculturalism will be eligible for this award. They can nominate any one program, project or initiative within the organization.

The Provincial Nesika Awards started in 2008 to recognize the people, organizations and businesses whose exceptional work helps bring our diverse cultures together. The Province's Multicultural Advisory Council organizes and sponsors the awards to honour and celebrate British Columbia's cultural diversity and Aboriginal heritage.

Nominees and the five award recipients will be recognized at the awards event on March 21, 2014 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Recipients in all categories will receive an award trophy. Recipients in the first four categories will also receive $5,000 to be donated to a non-profit organization of their choice to further support the work of multiculturalism in the province.

All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2014. For more information, eligibility requirements, or to download the Nesika Awards nomination form, visit: www.EmbraceBC.ca or email: MAC@gov.bc.ca

Quotes:

Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism Teresa Wat -

"Cultural diversity is the fabric of our province and is a competitive advantage to creating a strong economy. These awards honour British Columbians and organizations that go the extra mile to embrace multiculturalism and celebrate our differences."

Multicultural Advisory Council Chair Mo Dhaliwal -

"The true purpose of multiculturalism is to create a community where we all grow and prosper together. In 2012, the response to the Provincial Nesika Awards was unprecedented. For 2013, we encourage every British Columbian to participate in these awards as we continue to inspire each other through our work."

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 1988, B.C.'s Multicultural Advisory Council has promoted cross-cultural understanding and respect throughout the province and sponsors the Provincial Nesika Awards.
• The award recipients are selected by an independent jury.
• Under the BC Multiculturalism Act all ministries and Crown corporations are required to submit an annual report on multiculturalism to reflect their commitment to multiculturalism. These are included in the Annual Provincial Report on Multiculturalism.
• Almost 30 per cent of British Columbians have 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:

Embrace BC - Province of B.C. multiculturalism site: www.embracebc.ca

Welcome BC - Information and services for new British Columbians: www.welcomebc.ca

B.C. Multicultural Advisory Council: http://tinyurl.com/n4nvauv

Media Contact:

Kathryn Hardy
Ministry of International Trade - Multiculturalism
250 387-1693