HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 7, 1998 I
MINUTES
A meeting of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity was held
in the Pickering Civic Complex on Tuesday,April 7, 1998 at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Councillor David Ryan
Mobeen Khaja, Muslim Educational Cultural Association
Jane Kiyonaga,Durham Catholic District School Board
Jacqui Steer, William Dunbar Public School
Fred Gibson, Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association
Alice Carlson, Dunbarton High School
Dr. Phebe-Jane Poole, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Monika Jensen, Community Appointee
Norm Powers, Durham District School Board
Roland Rutland, Ajax/Pickering Social Development Council
Philip Matsushita, Pine Ridge Secondary School
Paul Chiang, Durham Regional Police Service
Jill Foster, Pickering Library Board
Stephen Reynolds, Director of Culture &Recreation
Lynn Winterstein, Department of Culture& Recreation
Margaret Donaldson, Recording Secretary
Regrets: Ian Weber, Community Appointee
Jamie Finan, St. Mary Catholic Secondary School
1. Welcome
Councillor Ryan welcomed all in attendance and introduced Paul Chiang from the
Durham Regional Police Service who will be replacing Mr. T. Dionne.
2. Approve Minutes of Last Meeting
MOTION:
Moved by: Ms. M. Jensen
Seconded by: Councillor Ryan
That the minutes of the April 4, 1998 meeting be accepted with the addition of
Ms. Jamie Finan who will be representing St. Mary Catholic Secondary School.
Carried
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3. "Through Our Eyes" Forum - Comments and Feedback
Councillor Ryan thanked everybody that was involved in the planning and
operation of this very successful event- especially the students.
Mr. Chiang thought the event was excellent and very well organized.
Mr. Gibson stated that he thought that it excelled the 1997 event.
Mr. Khaja advised that the Canadian Human Rights Chief Commissioner wrote a
report to Ottawa about how excellent the event was.
Ms. Kiyonaga thanked the support staff for all their assistance and stated that
Superintendent Jean Paul Pattenau felt the event was very professionally done.
Mr. Matsushita thought the event was excellent and equally represented by
students of both boards.
Mr. Power commented that it was nice to see younger students as part of the
event.
Ms. Steer stated that we still have to work on refining timing of event.
Ms Kiyonaga stated that a tighter reign on role definitions should be made for
next year and designate an individual who will coordinate the two school boards.
Ms. Foster thought the event was fabulous and the kids were so up front and read
their essays and poems in their way and used their words. She agreed that the role
of overseeing does need to be refined and that all the information should be made
available in advance.
Ms. Foster stated that the intent on more involvement from the students of
elementary schools is an excellent idea, but asked if we could consider changing
the date of the event to move the date back a week from March Break. This would
give school staff time to coordinate this event.
Mr. Reynolds commented on the quality event, and agreed that the kids'
participation is a key to the success of the event. He advised that Mr. Renalli
indicated he was willing to work with the Committee (Event Sub-Committee) on
the 1999 event. He added that Ms. Bovolaneas commincated that the publicity
following the event was excellent.
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Councillor Ryan stated that there was a need for a Project Planner for the event
and agreed with the date issue.
Other Committee Members agreed that moving the date would be beneficial.
Ms. Kiyonaga asked if we have to keep similar format each year. She felt we
should be open minded.
Ms. Steer commented that we always focus this event on Youth. The Town of
Ajax Race Relations event did not focus so much on youth.
Mr. Powers suggested that maybe the students who participated could evaluate the
event and also involve them in more planning details.
Ms. Kiyonaga stated if we create something from student input and give it our
students to take back to the community.
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Ms. Foster said that is exactly what the book did and maybe we should build on
this.
Ms. Matsushita said that skits and music are more variety and he feels we should
check with local schools on their strengths.
Councillor Ryan stated that we may have to look at a different venue as this event
is growing.
Pine Ridge Secondary School was suggested as a possible venue. Mr. Powers
stated that by the same token it is not only a school event. He also thought the
poems and essays were well written.
Councillor Ryan said he felt the people who attended came to event as a sense of
duty but stayed for the enjoyment.
Mr. Rutland advised that at a recent event Mr. Bromley Armstrong commented on
the Pickering Race Relations Forum and he read one of the poems from the book
that we produced. Mr. Rutland also suggested that this event was a community
event worked jointly with School Boards and thought if the Committee gave ideas
to teachers they could let their creativity run.
Ms. Kiyonaga asked where the community would see the Town's leadership role
in Race Relations if the event is located at a school. Race Relations is a key issue
through the Separate School Board curriculum.
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Councillor Ryan stated that this was a valid point. Pickering is a leader and
maybe we should be involved in support of a number of activities leading up to
main event night.
Ms. Kiyonaga suggested that we might look at connecting different groups (e.g.
schools and police) to sing together. Councillor Ryan stated that the key is
interacting.
Mr. Rutland thought that we should be involving Service Groups and Businesses.
Ms. Kiyonaga advised that a year ago CIBC did a one month focus on equity.
Kids presented to adults.
Councillor Ryan said at the same time the Committee had to remember who we
are. We are not the event team and we do not want to create community monthly
events.
Ms. Foster stated that as the Committee is an Advisory Committee, perhaps our
role could be more active at existing community events to reach out to the
community and put spotlight on race relations and equity issues.
Mr. Powers felt that we do not spend enough time evaluating our audience to
influence them and carry our message forward.
Councillor Ryan stated that this is a Race Relations and Equity Committee and
possibly we should consider more of the equity issues including people with
disabilities.
Mr. Reynolds stated that a comment made by one of the students was that there
should be more festivals/events that bring all members of the community together.
Mr. Reynolds felt that one reason we had been so successful was because we have
changed to Forum and we are exploring different ways on how we can get the
message out.
Dr. Poole suggested students outreach to the business community at business
lunches and use the diversity booklet to get the word out.
Mr. Rutland stated that to produce this booklet we received a grant. He asked
where we could get more dollars to do more in the community.
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4. New Business
Committee Members discussed the 2 vacancies for student members of the
Committee.
Councillor Ryan asked Committee Members if they had any objection to each
high school being represented for a total of 4 students reps. After various
discussions it was decided that both Boards would obtain representation from
students in Grades 11 or 12.
Ms. Carlson advised that Dunbarton High School was having a Talent/Fashion
Show on May 21st and was looking for a speaker for that day.
Mr. Gibson advised that on May 3rd the PCCCA will be hosting their Annual
Seniors' Tea at the Pickering Recreation Complex at 12:30 p.m. and all
Committee Members were welcome to attend.
Mr. Matsushita advised that Pine Ridge Secondary School was involved in an
event on May 21st, at the Durham District School Board offices (Taunton Road,
Whitby) from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. called "The Best Practices of Racism,"this will be
a forum showcasing student works,the keynote speaker is Bromley Armstrong.
5. Next Meeting
May 5, 1998 - 7:00 p.m.
6. Meeting Adjourned
MOTION:
Moved by: Ms. J. Foster
Seconded by: Mr. F. Gibson
That the meeting be adjourned
Carried