Lieutenant Governor to Honour Three Young Ontarians for Promoting Racial Harmony

QUEEN’S PARK, March 21 – Three Ontario youths, this year’s recipients of the Lincoln M. Alexander Award for Leadership in Eliminating Racial Discrimination, will be honoured on Wednesday, March 21, at Queen’s Park at 2:00 p.m.

March 21 is the annual United Nations proclaimed International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Saeed Selvam of Toronto, Sasha Sky of Thunder Bay, and Sheryl Walker of Toronto will receive the 2006 Lincoln M. Alexander Award for promoting racial harmony and diversity. Mr. Selvam and Ms. Sky will receive the award for exemplary service in a school environment while Ms. Walker will be recognized for her role as a community activist. The Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Mr. Khalil Ramal, Parliamentary Assistant, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, will present the awards at the ceremony at Queen’s Park.

“Throughout his life, Lincoln Alexander has made major contributions in promoting and encouraging racial harmony,” said Mr. Bartleman. “This year’s recipients are following in his footsteps as exemplary advocates for a new generation.”

“These young adults deserve the awards that they will be receiving,” said Alexander. “They are leaders and excellent role models for people of all ages because of their accomplishments in promoting racial harmony.”

Seventeen-year old Saeed Selvam is a senior at Oakwood Collegiate Institute in Toronto and has been involved in consultations with representatives from all levels of government, the justice system and the police. He is Director of Youth-Police Relations for the Toronto Youth Cabinet, Facilitator of Project PEACE (Public Education and Crime Eradication), and Youth Representative for the “Stop the Violence Foundation” of the Toronto Argonauts. He speaks in schools, at major political events and at conferences on preventing youth violence and opportunities for youth empowerment.

Sasha Sky, age 18, at the University of Guelph, has assisted in developing guidelines to aid teachers in integrating aboriginal students into local schools. Last year, she delivered a presentation at the Northern Ontario Educational Leadership Conference about the invisibility of aboriginal students in school systems. She is the current president of the Regional Multicultural Youth Council, and chaired a group that coordinated a Peace March and Violence Prevention Youth Rally. This event highlighted youth concerns over street gangs, bullying, and youth violence that distracts children from learning and threatens their safety.

Sheryl Walker, age 18, is a young woman who has made many contributions to the Regent Park community in which she lives. Working as a member of the Dixon Hall’s Young Women’s Program, she has been an outstanding role model, mentor and facilitator of anti-racism workshops. She also developed a diversity workshop for the Harmony Movement that explored the issues of racial profiling and harassment. She is involved with programming on verbal bullying, which was presented on behalf of the Toronto District School Board to grade six girls across the city.

“The achievements of these young people embody the government’s commitment to deliver real, positive change,” remarked Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle. “Their work to prevent and eliminate racism states loudly and clearly that individuals can make a difference in Ontario and the world.”

Created in 1993 to honour former Lieutenant Governor Alexander’s commitment to youth and promoting racial harmony, these annual awards are presented to three Ontarians between the ages of 16 and 25 who have provided outstanding leadership in improving racial understanding. Each of the recipients receives an award of $5,000 and a framed scroll.

An independent committee of community leaders selects the recipients.

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Program Description
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This award was established in 1993 to commemorate the term of the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander as Ontario’s 24th Lieutenant Governor. The award recognizes young people who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in eliminating racial discrimination. There are three awards presented each year; two to students and one to a youth in the community. Each recipient receives an award of $5,000 and a scroll signed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Premier.

Eligibility Criteria
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Nominees for the student award must be senior secondary students planning to enter a post-secondary institution on a full-time basis. Nominations are made by the school. Nominees for the community award must be between the ages of 16 and 25 and be nominated by a community organization. In both cases, nominees must have demonstrated leadership in making a significant and sustained contribution towards eliminating prejudice and discrimination.

Selection Process
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In 2006, 40 nominations were received. The nominations were reviewed and recipients were selected by an independent Selection Committee made up of five members of the community. The members of the Selection Committee are appointed by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister of Education.

Ceremony
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The ceremony is held in the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite. The awards are presented by the Lieutenant Governor and Lincoln M. Alexander.

Disponible en français
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For further information: Rick Byun, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-3460; Michel Payen-Dumont, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7010; Nanda Casucci-Byrne, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, (416) 325-7780