Saskatchewan Multicultural Week

PRESS RELEASE
MCoS Multicultural Week and Honours Awards Ceremony
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY, HONOUR DIVERSITY, ACT FOR EQUITY
Saskatchewan Multicultural Week – November 18-26, 2023

REGINA, SK, NOVEMBER 18, 2023 - The Government of Saskatchewan, Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS), and many municipalities celebrate Saskatchewan Multicultural Week from November 18-26 as an opportunity to recognize our diversity, the benefits of multiculturalism, and demonstrate the five streams of multicultural work that are at the basis of our ongoing efforts at creating communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging and is able to fully contribute. This year’s theme - “Celebrate Community, Honour Diversity, Act for Equity” encourages us to share and celebrate stories of community, diversity and equity that enrich Saskatchewan communities.

The Saskatchewan Multiculturalism Act, recognizes the rights of every community to retain its identity, language and traditional arts and sciences for the mutual benefit of all citizens. MCoS further promotes the need to address racism and injustice, and to celebrate our diversity as collective strength in building welcoming and inclusive communities.

MCoS Executive Director, Rhonda Rosenberg notes that “Saskatchewan Multicultural Week is helping people see the benefits of cultural diversity and the dangers of racism. We want to think about what relationships might look like to ensure we’re creating a sense of belonging and value for everyone around us,” she says. “Everyone deserves to live in dignity and to be treated with respect. We’re always enriched by diversity in our communities, our businesses and organizations, and through our stories, values, beliefs and traditions, and how we express them. It's important we examine how we can remove barriers for participation and to make sure that everyone’s contributions are really valued. With the theme Celebrate Community, Honour Diversity, Act for Equity, we encourage everyone’s individual and community involvement throughout the week, and all year long.”

Saskatchewan Multicultural Week will open with His Honour the Honourable Russ Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan joining MCoS to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to multiculturalism in Saskatchewan on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Wanuskewin in Saskatoon. His Honour the Honourable Russ Mirasty, MLA for Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood Lisa Lambert, Treaty Commissioner Mary Musqua-Culbertson, SGEU’s SFL Vice-President Sheena Yew, MCoS President Cosanna Preston-Idedia, and MCoS board and recognition committee member Harmonie King, will speak and present awards.

Award Nominees:

1) The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, and Dairy Queen (DQ) will present the Saskatchewan Multicultural Leadership Award to an adult who has made significant contributions to the multicultural community. The 2023 award nominees are:

• Giri Sankar (Regina)
• Darlene Stakiw (Yorkton)
• Joem Weinkauf (Lloydminster)

2) The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan and SGEU will present the Multicultural Youth Leadership Award to an individual (29 years of age and under) who has made promising contributions to the multicultural community. The 2023 award nominees are:

• Eunice Essah (Saskatoon)
• Ziyang Li (Regina)
• Laeticia Mwayuma Ilunga (Prince Albert)
• Birpartap Singh (Regina)

3) The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner partnered to present a new award to an individual as well as an organization recipient. The Leading Together Award recognizes work with long-term impact towards reconciliation. The 2023 award recipients are:

• Angus Lee Desjarlais and Maureen Lea Keewatin Desjarlais (Kawacatoose First Nation),
• Treaty Land Sharing Network (Mossbank, Treaty 4 Territory)

MCoS President, Cosanna Preston-Idedia adds, “The theme for this year’s Multicultural Week is Celebrate Community, Honour Diversity, Act For Equity invites the people of Saskatchewan to celebrate examples of community, diversity and equity found throughout various communities and cultures here in Saskatchewan. We are all looking forward to celebrating this throughout this year’s Multicultural Week and with our award nominees at MCoS’ Multicultural Honours celebration. We are especially excited to partner with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner to launch the Leading Together Awards effective actions that address colonial harms.”

On November 22, MCoS officials have been invited to the Legislature for Minister Ross to introduce Multicultural Week in Saskatchewan.
“Celebrating multiculturalism helps brings us closer together and creates a more inclusive society,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. “Today, Saskatchewan’s population is at an all-time high and more diverse than ever as people from around the world continue to move here to live, work and raise a family. This year’s theme, Celebrate Community, Honour Diversity, Act for Equity, inspires us to continue working together in embracing our multicultural future.”

For more information on Saskatchewan Multicultural Week activities visit: https://mcos.ca/events/sask-multicultural-week/skstrong/ Facebook (@MulticulturalCouncilofSK), Instagram (mcos_1975) and Twitter (@MC_o_S).
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Media Contact
Ali Thompson
Communications and Marketing Manager
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-535-1115
Email: communications@mcos.ca
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About the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS)

The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan is a charitable, non-profit organization committed to promoting, fostering, improving and developing multiculturalism in the cultural, economic, social and political life of Saskatchewan while working to achieve equality of all residents. We support member organizations in a variety of ways, including workshops, investments in their activities that implement our mission, aims and objectives, networking and information, and being the lead voice on multiculturalism in the province. We also support anti-racism and multicultural education activities in schools.

For more information, please visit mcos.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.