The results from the Abbotsford News Diversity Challenge School Essay
Contest are in. After sifting through close to three hundred colouring
contest and hundred essay entries the judges have narrowed it down to
the top three for each category. They are two winners from Mission and
four from Abbotsford. The choices weren’t easy to make; many students
displayed strong efforts, either through their pens or crayons in
showcasing what multicultural means to their heart. The purpose of this
contest was not solely to pick winners, but to tap into our youth and
create a discussion on we can connect our various cultures, here in the
Fraser Valley together. I am proud to say, these students get what
multiculturalism means and live it through their activities. Its always
exciting to phone the parents and hear the joy in the phone notifying
them that their child was selected as a winner. The kids are equally
just as excited to hear the news.
The Cycling4Diversity Foundation team had the opportunity to visit 10
schools in the Abbotsford/Mission area speaking about cultural diversity
and to encourage students to be part of this contest. Many schools had
the entire class participate, which is a wonderful way to celebrate
multiculturalism with your fellow classmates. The future looks bright
and I was personally honoured to be part of it all for the past two
months.
The winners from colouring contest are as follows ages (5-10): Tamanna
Gill (Abbotsford), Hannah Barker (Mission) and Scarlett Verbeek
(Abbotsford). The winners from the essay contest are as follows ages
(11-13): Isabella T (Mission), Aneesha Kaur Sran (Abbotsford) and Oleg
Moskvin (Abbotsford). The question we posed for the 300 word essay
contest was: What does multiculturalism mean to you and your family?
Here is a quick snapshot of what some of these winners had to say.
Isabella T said: “ Multiculturalism means no one culture, race, religion
is any more important or better, than any other culture, race or
religion. We are all created equal. Different, but equal.”
Aneesha Kaur Sran said: “ Multiculturalism means that we are introduced
to new activities and traditions. Multiculturalism is the state of
where someone like me won’t be afraid to accept their own culture
because they are afraid of what others will think or if they will be
accepted. Multiculturalism means that I will be free to be myself and
live my culture in my own cultural identity.”
Oleg Moskvin, who came from Russia seven years ago enjoys his Canadian
multicultural experience with his family, meeting people from all
backgrounds and dining at restaurants from all parts of the globe. He
said: “ Having multiculturalism in Abbotsford is a great opportunity to
explore different kinds of cultures. In Russia, you don’t really see any
other people than Russian or Ukrainian people.”
I would like to thank the judges, who participated in this process and
for their insight: Kris Foulds, Deesh Sekhon, Rick Rake, Carol Hamilton and Harwant Brar. Also, I
would like to acknowledge Abbotsford Coun. Lester Barkman and Norm
MacLeod for joining us at some the schools and being part of the
Cycling4Diversity Foundation family.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Abbotsford News & Cycling4Diversity School Essay Contest
COLUMN: Record number of entries for student essay contest
Diversity by Ken HerarMany celebrations have taken place this past month, celebrating our local cultural landscape. Diwali, which was just celebrated this past week at many locations, homes and throughout the globe, was also recognized in Mission with festivities Oct. 29 at Clarke Theatre, and in Abbotsford at Abbotsford Community Library, last weekend. Speaking with Balbir Gill, he said, “We estimated at least 1,200 people came for the event and it was great to expose the library.”
Diwali has grown locally to become a mainstream community occasion and it’s celebrated in schools, workplaces and residences. I recall when celebrations were held in classrooms, and now thousands of people attend the annual event.
The traditions of Diwali, known as the “festival of lights,” are a tribute to the ancient tale of good triumphing over evil. People light small lamps and display fireworks to celebrate the occasion worldwide.
The province of B.C. recently proclaimed Oct. 11 as “Every Girl Matters Day” to coincide with the United Nations’ “Day of the Girl.” Deesh Sekhon of GirlKIND said, “I personally think that this proclamation sends a strong message throughout B.C. and Canada and even the rest of the world. As a province, who believes in equal rights and opportunities for girls. A province that stands up to injustices that girls face in their own local backyards, as well as our global backyards.”
After visiting eight schools with members from the Cycling4Diversity team and Hawkey from the Abbotsford Heat, the Abbotsford News Diversity Challenge School Essay and Colouring Contest deadline is tomorrow. Entries can be emailed to contests@abbynews.com. Both contests can be picked up at the Abbotsford News and the 300-word essay question is: What does multiculturalism mean to you and your family?
The essay is open to middle school children and the colouring is for elementary school children only.
So far, we have had a record number of entries and judging will take place in the coming weeks. All winners will be notified when results are finalized.
Mission’s Ken Herar writes weekly on diversity issues.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Naranjan Grewall - Making history in the Fraser Valley in the 1950's
By Ken Herar.
It was recently brought to my attention that a provincial political party does not want any more South Asian candidates representing them in the May election.
I don’t know how true this is, but it’s nevertheless shocking to say
the least. This brings us to a bigger question here at home: Is it
time the voters of the Fraser Valley considered electing a South Asian
to Victoria or Ottawa?
It would be historical to say the least, and it would bring diverse
voices from various communities that are rapidly growing in the area.
Unfortunately, the Fraser Valley region has always struggled to get
elected ethnic representation to public office.
One example of this would be Abbotsford Coun. Moe Gill, who ran
unsuccessfully for a civic seat for decades, finally getting elected
in the mid 1990s.
Until a city like Abbotsford, one of most diverse communities in
Canada, elects someone from the South Asian community (the largest
visible minority group in the area) to a senior level of government,
the cultural divide will continue to exist in some shape or form.
Holding key leadership positions certainly changes the perception of
how people view certain communities.
It would be historical to see one of the three South Asians vying for
a political seat this year here in the central Fraser Valley actually
capture a nod in the upcoming provincial election. Can Lakhvinder
Jhaj, Sukhi Dhami or Preet Rai accomplish this enormous task?
Anything is possible when it comes to B.C. politics, and I believe
they realize the task before them. In a nutshell, too many South Asian
candidates have ran provincially and federally in the past, but were
never in a position to win in the first place and this must also
change.
I am not suggesting we strictly vote on someone’s ethnicity, but if
there is an opportunity to bring new voices and ethnic backgrounds
into the political spectrum, the entire community benefits.
For this become a reality, there has to be stronger unity within the
South Asian community.
Rai said: “I am excited about my chances in the upcoming elections and
will have to work very hard. I am a true believer in diversity and
want to represent the entire community, and I want to listen to all
the voices in the community.
“If you find me in campaigning on the streets or in the community door
knocking, feel free to speak with me about any concerns”.
The closest the Valley has come to getting a South Asian candidate
elected to Victoria was in 1956 when former Mission mayor Naranjan
Grewall almost defeated former Socred labour minister Lyle Wicks for
the Dewdney seat.
Some even say he won that election and lost it due to vote tampering.
Six years earlier, he was first elected to Mission council, making him
the first visible minority and Indo-Canadian elected to public office
in this country.
He was later nominated as a provincial candidate for the Cooperative
Commonwealth Federation, also making him the first visible minority to
run as a candidate in Canada.
All told, it’s a wonderful part of Canadian history we can all be proud of.
Ken Herar is a columnist and community activist in the cause of cultural diversity.
It was recently brought to my attention that a provincial political party does not want any more South Asian candidates representing them in the May election.
I don’t know how true this is, but it’s nevertheless shocking to say
the least. This brings us to a bigger question here at home: Is it
time the voters of the Fraser Valley considered electing a South Asian
to Victoria or Ottawa?
It would be historical to say the least, and it would bring diverse
voices from various communities that are rapidly growing in the area.
Unfortunately, the Fraser Valley region has always struggled to get
elected ethnic representation to public office.
One example of this would be Abbotsford Coun. Moe Gill, who ran
unsuccessfully for a civic seat for decades, finally getting elected
in the mid 1990s.
Until a city like Abbotsford, one of most diverse communities in
Canada, elects someone from the South Asian community (the largest
visible minority group in the area) to a senior level of government,
the cultural divide will continue to exist in some shape or form.
Holding key leadership positions certainly changes the perception of
how people view certain communities.
It would be historical to see one of the three South Asians vying for
a political seat this year here in the central Fraser Valley actually
capture a nod in the upcoming provincial election. Can Lakhvinder
Jhaj, Sukhi Dhami or Preet Rai accomplish this enormous task?
Anything is possible when it comes to B.C. politics, and I believe
they realize the task before them. In a nutshell, too many South Asian
candidates have ran provincially and federally in the past, but were
never in a position to win in the first place and this must also
change.
I am not suggesting we strictly vote on someone’s ethnicity, but ifthere is an opportunity to bring new voices and ethnic backgrounds
into the political spectrum, the entire community benefits.
For this become a reality, there has to be stronger unity within the
South Asian community.
Rai said: “I am excited about my chances in the upcoming elections and
will have to work very hard. I am a true believer in diversity and
want to represent the entire community, and I want to listen to all
the voices in the community.
“If you find me in campaigning on the streets or in the community door
knocking, feel free to speak with me about any concerns”.
The closest the Valley has come to getting a South Asian candidate
elected to Victoria was in 1956 when former Mission mayor Naranjan
Grewall almost defeated former Socred labour minister Lyle Wicks for
the Dewdney seat.
Some even say he won that election and lost it due to vote tampering.
Six years earlier, he was first elected to Mission council, making him
the first visible minority and Indo-Canadian elected to public office
in this country.
He was later nominated as a provincial candidate for the Cooperative
Commonwealth Federation, also making him the first visible minority to
run as a candidate in Canada.
All told, it’s a wonderful part of Canadian history we can all be proud of.
Ken Herar is a columnist and community activist in the cause of cultural diversity.
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