EMCY AWARD WINNER
Humanitarian: Saskatchewan Intercultural Association
Presenter: Dr. Roberta McKay: Sponsor: Dr. Roberta McKay
Since it’s inception in 1964, the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association has demonstrated leadership in supporting diversity in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. This began with the promotion of multi-cultural activities which supported the establishment of a network of multi-lingual schools. In it’s pursuit of supporting a multi-cultural community the SIA was a founder of Saskatoon’s annual Folk Fest. This event has grown over the years and has allowed performers from diverse communities to present their artistic efforts. From it’s roots as a multicultural organization, the SIA expanded it’s vision to include the promotion of equity and antiracist advocacy. Over the years this has included advocating the establishment of a Race Relations Committee by the City of Saskatoon and an early supporter of employment equity – encouraging the establishment of programs by employers designed to challenge the barriers to the employment of racialized Canadians. A significant program that SIA delivers is the MY WAY project which is an 8 month employment program designed for immigrant and refugee women between the ages of 17 to 30 who live in Saskatoon. This unique program empowers women with knowledge and assists them in finding meaningful first-time employment. This project is also aimed at enhancing the participants’ essential skills as identified by the Government of Canada, and introducing them to employment related life skills such as resume writing and interview skills.
EMCY AWARD WINNER
Sports: Rick Engel, Regina
Presented by the Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff Sponsor: Saskenergy
Rick Engel has taught English in China for two years, and has since been traveling to south east Asia for 20 years – which is where he first came into contact with Sepak Takraw (Kick Volleyball). He developed and piloted a hands-on Asian Cultural Presentations Program and then founded a
Saskatchewan provincial cultural association “Asian Sport, Education & Culture (ASEC) International”, whose mandate has been to “Build Bridges of Understanding Between Cultures” through four main programs, including Sepak Takraw, School Asia Presentations & Exchange, Asian Materials/Resources Development and Asian Language & Arts. To date Rick has been
involved in conducting diversity and Sepak Takraw Clinics to over 35,000 students across the country. Rick also helped establish, and is President of the Sepak Takraw Association of Canada, which is the organizing and governing body of this new sport in Canada. His efforts have seen the sport grow from nothing to now coming into more than 1000 schools across Canada, with an estimated 100,000 students having now participated in playing the game at various levels, including at provincial and national championship tournaments. Rick has also been a player/coach of Canada’s national team, leading them to 8 world championship events and 3 culture/training camps in Laos, Thailand and Malaysia since 1999. Recent local initiatives have also seen Rick helping young newly settled “Karen” refugees get involved in Sepak Takraw, with tremendously positive personal, social and education benefits for these youth. He is also an internationally certified Coach and Referee. He has authored 3 Sepak Takraw books and produced 5 videos for the sport. Rick is considered one of the key pioneers in the promotion and development of Sepak Takraw world-wide. Amazingly, much of what Rick has accomplished for diversity and the sport of Sepak Takraw has always been and continues to be on a volunteer basis.
EMCY AWARD WINNER
University: University of Regina
Dr. George Maslany receives the EMCY Presented by Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff, Sponsor: Sasktel
The University of Regina is a modern, comprehensive University with a growing national reputation for excellence in teaching and research. As an institution that prepares its students to excel in the global community, the University of Regina also cultivates diversity through a number of initiatives and programs. Maintaining a representative workforce is a priority in the hiring practices with emphasis in the employment equity program and diversity program. The University
recognizes that there is a need to identify discrimination that exists, take steps to eliminate it and crate an equitable and fair employment system for all employees by celebrating peoples’ differences and viewing these differences as valuable and beneficial. From an academic perspective, the University of Regina has 101 international agreements in 24 countries for faculty and student exchange, research and collaborative programs. Their researchers are involved in joint research projects around the world. The University participates in various development projects such as the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) project in South America and a project through the Faculty of Education in Malawi. There are visiting
scholars at the University every year from a variety of countries, particularly from China. International experiences are promoted for the students and every year many students participate in study tours to various countries. The English as a Second Language Program which provides English language training to individuals from many countries is well known. Among its many accomplishments, the University of Regina has also established the Aboriginal Student Centre.
EMCY AWARD WINNER
City of the Year: London
Gina Barber, Controller, City of London accepting the Emcy, Presented by Herman slotsve
Sponsor: Saskculture
Diversity is at the forefront of the City of London’s work. This is evident in its inclusion as a strategic priority of London’s City Council (Creative, Diverse and Innovative City). Recognition and appreciation of the diverse nature of their community brings strength to the City of London. They have made a number of outstanding contributions through innovative policies, events, programs, initiatives and community partnerships. A core value of the corporation’s more than 2500 employees is to embrace diversity. Diversity training for staff is a cornerstone of the professional development focus and they have hosted volunteer placements of students with special needs from a local high school. In 2006 the City of London was recognized for instituting international best practice in the area of Facility Accessibility Design Standards.
The City of London played a leadership role in facilitating the development of a community plan entitled Welcoming Cultural Diversity in London. This plan has become the framework for the implementation of many local initiatives. Other notable events hosted by the City of London include the launch of the Mayor’s Task Force to End Woman Abuse and the Celebrating London’s Cultural Diversity Conference (attended by 350 representatives of community, business and service agency organizations). Another highlight is the focus groups the City conducted with members of cultural communities to gather information about barriers to participation in recreation programs.
EMCY AWARD WINNER
Life Time Achievement: Insp. Kai Liu, Ottawa
His Worship Mayor Pat Fiacco presenting
Sponsor: City of Regina
Inspector Kai Liu is a community leader who truly embodies the spirit of diversity. In June 1986, Kai became the first Asian police officer in the City of Ottawa. He recognized and embraced the responsibility placed on him to be a positive role model and champion for the multicultural community. Today he is the highest ranking visible minority officer on the service. As a junior Constable with 4 years experience, he took on the challenge to set up the first Community Policing Centre in Eastern Ontario. This police center located in Ottawa’s Chinatown quickly became the vehicle for building
relationships and trust between our Asian community and the police. Because of Kai’s ability to demonstrate the value of this first community police center, many other police centers were established throughout the city and 18 years later remain a vibrant part of the community.
During Kai Liu’s career, he has supervised the Diversity and Race Relations Unit, Crime Stoppers and Firearms section, High Tech Crime, Domestic Violence Unit, and others. He is a sought after panelist at seminars where valuing diversity is the topic and is also sought after by various multicultural leaders in the community as an advisor who has a unique ability to clearly understand the differences and issues faced within the various communities. Of significance is Kai’s positive proven impact on the social awareness of Violence Against Women. Kai recognized that immigrant women were a key sector in the community who were underreporting domestic violence offences and as a result were underserved by the police. In response he helped introduce a number of innovative policy changes and legislation by working with community advocates and government agencies. He developed and instituted a two-way exchange and cultural awareness program. Under his leadership, the Domestic Violence Unit was nominated for two prestigious international police awards and Kai Liu’s achievements were recognized by the Canadian International Development Agency and the United Nations.
Dr. Menaka Thakkar has been a performing artist, choreographer, teacher, producer and cultural entrepreneur working in Canada for over 37 years. Through her school Nrtyakala, her company The Menaka Thakkar Dance Company, and her affiliation with the arts presenting organization Kalanidhi Fine Arts, she has consistently promoted equity and diversity, contributing to the enrichment of the fabric of our country. Dr. Thakkar’s school and company have earned a national and international reputation for excellence in East Indian Classical Dance and Music. Her students are from communities throughout Canada such as Toronto, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon and St. John’s Newfoundland. Menaka has introduced Canadians to the rich world of Indian music, dance and visual arts through ongoing workshops, discussion and performances. For this work, she was awarded an honorary D. Lit. degree from York University. Over the past three decades, Menaka Thakkar has fostered successful and innovative collaborations with prominent Canadian artists such as Robert Desrosier, Claudia Moore and Danny Grossman. These performances have blended western and Indian practices and techniques to produce new “fusion choreography” that brings together the best of each artistic tradition. One particularly successful collaboration, The Land of Cards, fused five diverse dance cultures. Menaka created this work as a celebration of Canadian diversity, opening herself to the many cultural influences she has encountered in her personal and artistic life in Canada. The work embodied a sense of unity and diversity at the same time, a tribute to Canadian multicultural identity. 
