YORKTON - Darlene Stakiw with the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS), appeared before the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday to help raise Awareness for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
March 21 is designated by the United Nations (UN) as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
“It’s a day observed all around the world to focus attention on the problems of racism and the need to promote racial harmony. The UN made this designation in 1966 to mark a tragic event that took place in 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa when 69 people lost their lives and 180 others were injured when the police fired on a crowd of peaceful demonstrators who were challenging laws that restricted black South Africans’ movements under apartheid,” detailed a report circulated to council by Stakiw.
Canada was one of the first countries to support the UN initiative and launched its first annual campaign against racial discrimination in 1989.
In Saskatchewan, this remains the day when we join with nations around the world to promote a society, which is free from all forms of racism, said Stakiw.
The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS) has been raising awareness of the benefits of cultural diversity and the dangers of racism since November 22, 1975.
There are three events this month which Stakiw encouraged people to attend, and to bring along a friend.
* On Tuesday, March 21, there is a Film Screening, part of the Open Cinema hosted by Yorkton Film Festival (YFF), at the Yorkton Public Library, at 7:00 p.m. In celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, ‘The Pass System’ will be shown, with a discussion afterwards. Admission is free.
* On March 22 at 6:30 p.m., Author Michelle Good, will be at the Painted Hand Casino, Event Centre. Michelle’s book ‘Five Little Indians’ was the 2023 Selection for One Book, One Province. Yorkton Public Library has a ‘Five Little Indian’ Book-Club-In-a-Bag so if you haven’t read this year’s provincial selection, you still have a chance. This event is also free of charge.
* On March 28th, at 7:30 p.m., Yorkton Arts Council is presenting ‘Motus O – Prisoner of Tehran’ at the Anne Portnuff Theatre. This unique dance performance is based on the book of the same name, written by Iranian born writer/speaker Marina Nemat. “The Prisoner of Tehran” was a contender for Canada Reads 2012 and tells the story of the author’s peaceful childhood that was shattered when the Iranian Revolution of 1979 ushered in a new era of Islamic rule. It is an astonishing account of one woman’s remarkable courage in the face of terror and her quest for freedom. Yorkton Public Library has also created a Book-Club-In-a-Bag for ‘Prisoner of Tehran’.
