What’s New

“A stranger is not a stranger, but someone whose story you have not heard before.”

- Radiyah Chowdry, Student Speaker at the 2011 Awards Gala

2011 Awards Gala

More than 700 guests enjoyed the 64th annual Awards Gala on November 3rd at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. We are proud to honour the extraordinary vision of our honourees for the difference they have made in the lives of others. Our celebration honoured Donald Carr, O.Ont., Q.C. & Judy Feld Carr, CM and Don & Debbie Morrison with the Human Relations Awards. Deloitte was recognized with our Partners in Diversity Award, with Yezdi Pavri, Vice Chair, accepting the award on their behalf. The Life of Distinction Award was presented to Deepa Mehta, international filmmaker and producer.

For CBC Live coverage, see www.cbc.ca/live/deepa-mehta-honoured-at-the-64th-annual-canadian-centre-for-diversity-awards.html

Guests also enjoyed wonderful perfomances by an Indian dance group, Sanskriti Arts. We congratulate all our Honourees and thank those who celebrated with us including attendees, sponsors, ticket purchasers and donors. For event details, click here .

Stories of Difference – Leading Change 

Storytelling has the power to build bridges of understanding between people. Stories have the power to inspire a shared vision, ignite imagination and stir the soul.  Those two ideas were the starting point for the Peer Leaders Forum held in Winnipeg and Toronto during November. Close to 200 high school students and 30 teachers had the opportunity to think about their own stories and explore creative ways of sharing their stories of difference with a broader audience.

Poignant blessings offered by elders reminded participants of the importance of storytelling in Aboriginal traditions and set the stage for a panel of young artists to share their stories through film, music, spoken word poetry, theatre and painting.  Our moderators – CBC Radio One host Marcy Markusa in Winnipeg, and CBC News Network anchor and reporter Reshmi Nair in Toronto – modeled the way by stepping out of their usual role as interviewers to tell some of their own stories. Inspired by what they heard, participants explored questions about identity, diversity and the power of storytelling as a tool for positive social change in dialogue circles facilitated by Canadian Centre for Diversity volunteer facilitators. Hands-on workshops led by the artists helped students and teachers to jumpstart individual and collaborative storytelling projects to be developed after the Forum.

At the end of both programs, amidst expressions of inspiration and appreciation, the seeds of exciting projects had been sown. Through our web-based community portal, we will continue to educate, guide and mentor young leaders as they tell their stories of difference, and lead change in their schools.

Winnipeg Teachers Promote Inclusive Classrooms

More than eighty teachers and administrative staff from Winsdor Park Collegiate and St. James Collegiate explored a unique way to promote diversity education within their existing curriculum. Bafa’ Bafa’ is a game that simulates two cultures coming together in a social setting without understanding the social norms of the other culture. Through this interactive learning program and an intense debriefing exercise, participants are able to explore and understand the formation of stereotypes and begin to deconstruct stigma based on first-hand experience.

“I think this was a useful exercise for us to be given a little taste of what it must be like to emmigrate to another country. I felt shy and unsure when I  was the one from our group to go hang out with the other group. Also, I had NO IDEA what was going on the entire time I was over there – all I could do was  smile and nod.”

- Teacher, Windsor Park Collegiate, Winnipeg

Peer Leader Outings promote Respect for Faith Differences

The Peer Leader Outings program is important learning for everyone. This past school year, over 5500 students from high schools in Ontario, the Maritimes and Central Canada had the opportunity to learn about each other’s faith-based backgrounds, traditions and values, and about the different identities that make up their communities.

Because of your generous gifts, hundreds of Peer Leader Outings took place across the country last school year, visiting over 140 places of worship including  Native Cultural Centres, synagogues, mosques, Buddhist and Hindu Temples, to name a few.

Student Voices:

“The experience has taught me to take chances and be a little more outgoing in getting to know others that are different than me.”

- Peer Leader Outing  Participant, Winnipeg

“I really appreciated the opportunity to meet Muslim people for the first time. I appreciated how open and generous they were. My only knowledge of Islam and  Muslims before today was in the media where I saw mostly negative things.”

- Peer Leader Outing Participant, Halifax

“I find that learning about the different religions in Canada also helps me have a better understanding of diversity. Treating one another equally and with  respect is important and should be something that is done every day.”

- Peer Leader Outing Participant, Toronto

During a Peer Leader Outing, staff facilitate interactive workshops before and after the outing. This encourages students to explore and practice the skills necessary to engage in diversity-themed dialogue and to speak out against discrimination in the future.

During this academic year, we expect to educate 6,600 students by delivering Peer Leader Outings in Halifax, Toronto and Winnipeg.

Peer Leader Outings include Black Culture

In Nova Scotia, black culture and heritage is protected, preserved and promoted through the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.

The Centre’s curator Dr. Henry Bishop recently partnered with the Canadian Centre for Diversity to develop educational opportunities for youth to learn about  African Canadian history and identity. So far, student groups from 3 schools have participated in Peer Leader Outings to the centre to learn about the value of  cultural identity, diversity and inclusion.

I was surprised to see some African Nova Scotian students who aren’t usually confident in class get up in front of the whole group at the Black Cultural  Centre.” 

- Teacher, Saint Agnes Junior High School

Time to Give

Thank you for considering us in your giving. Every dollar you give can impact social change and create a more respectful and inclusive Canada. This is Canada at its best.

Please remember that donations to the Canadian Centre for Diversity can be directed through your United Way pledge form.

To make a donation, please click on the “Donate” button at the top of this email or contact Paula Golding at 416.597.9693 x23 or pgolding@centrefordiversity.ca

Thank you for your support to