REGINA —Two Saskatchewan citizens and two organizations that exemplify multiculturalism in the province have been honoured for their impacts on communities.
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan’s Multicultural Honours Awards were held in Regina at Government House Nov. 16.
During the ceremony, Mohammad Akib Hossain was recognized with the Multicultural Youth Leadership Award for his work with the Bangladeshi community and anti-racism research as a student at the University of Regina.
Carol LaFayette-Boyd received the Saskatchewan Multicultural Leadership Award for her work with the Saskatchewan African-Canadian Heritage Museum among other endeavours.
The Leading Together Awards were presented to OneHoop for economic reconciliation and Burnt Thicket Theatre for the “We Treaty People” productions.
“As we celebrate 50 years of the original Saskatchewan Multiculturalism Act, the first provincial act of its kind, we see the results in the vibrancy of communities today. We all benefit from the wealth of outstanding individuals, organizations, and businesses who continually support multiculturalism throughout the province,” said Rhonda Rosenberg, the MCoS executive director.
“They represent the best of the best in Saskatchewan, by continually stepping up for equity, by supporting ethnocultural communities to make Saskatchewan home, by building relationships, by making our communities value all our contributions, or by making sure our history is accurate, recognized and honoured,” she added.
This year, the annual honours event also allowed Saskatchewan to come together to celebrate the start of Saskatchewan Multicultural Week. Running from Nov. 16 – 24, the annual week-long event recognizes the diversity of Saskatchewan’s communities, celebrates the benefits of multiculturalism and promotes inclusive communities where everyone can feel a sense of belonging.
This year’s theme — Celebrate Community, Honour Diversity, Act for Equity — encourages everyone to celebrate those stories of community that enrich Saskatchewan communities.
Both Saskatchewan Multicultural Week and MCoS’ Honours Awards are possible due to the support of the Government of Saskatchewan, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, and Sask Lotteries support of MCoS in partnership with SaskCulture.
