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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 23, 1997 MINUTES A meeting of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity was held in the Pickering Civic Complex on Tuesday, September 23, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. Present: Roland Rutland, (Co-Chair) Jane Kiyonaga, Durham Separate School Board Dr. Phebe-Jane Poole, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Fred Gibson, Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association Roger Beckett, Community Appointee Victoria George, Pickering High School Ian Weber, Community Appointee Norm Powers, Durham Board of Education Jacqui Steer, Durham Board of Education Abou Nabe, Community Appointee Donna Bovolaneas, Community Appointee Stephen Reynolds, Town of Pickering Margaret Donaldson, Recording Secretary Regrets: Councillor Dave Ryan(Co-Chair) Mobeen Khaja, Community Appointee Ted Dionne, Durham Regional Police Service 1. WELCOME Ms. Bovolaneas welcomed Committee Members in attendance and advised that she had been asked to Chair the meeting in the absence of the Co-chair Councillor Ryan forwarded his regrets due to a special meeting being held in the Council Chambers. Mr. Reynolds advised that various members had sent their regrets. Mr. Powers introduced Ms. Jacqui Steer, Vice Principal of William Dunbar Public School. 2. APPROVE MINUTES OF LAST MEETING -MAY 7, 1997 Deferred to October 1997 meeting. 2 3. OTHER BUSINESS Heritage Week 1998 Mr. Reynolds advised that Heritage Week is normally held the 3rd week in February. At the February 1997 event concern was expressed concerning not enough community/cultural groups. Multicultural Council of Oshawa Durham (MCOD) Showcase "Windows to the World" is being held on Saturday, October 18, 1997 in celebration of United Nations Day. The groups participating at this event are the same groups that participate in the February event. Committee members questioned the need to operate the same event in October and February. Suggested linking with existing activities taking place in February - Black History Month. Mr. Gibson advised that the P.C.C.C.A. already participate in another event in February. Ms. Bovolaneas summarized Committee's discussion - does not support duplicating the Heritage Day Festival in February 1998. Committee Members were requested to identify what programs/activities the Committee could tie into that is existing for February 1998 (part of Black History Month). Showcase Mr. Reynolds advised that MCOD will be hosting a Showcase to celebrate United Nations Day on Saturday, October 18, 1997 at the Pickering Town Centre. He asked if the Committee would like to participate in this event and share a table with the Town of Ajax. After various discussions the Committee decided that they would like to participate. However, there is not sufficient time to approach as a joint venture with Ajax in 1997. A joint venture could be looked at for 1998. Mr. Rutland asked if the Pickering Race Relations & Equity Committee had received a letter to be a co-sponsor of this event. Mr. Reynolds advised that we had not. The Town was working with Mr. Khaja and Mr. Dionne to assist with the event. The following is a list of times and names of committee members who are willing to operate the table. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Ian Weber and Fred Gibson 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Donna Bovolaneas 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Jacqui Steer Afternoon Abou Nabe 3 Ms. Kiyonaga asked if the Murals could now be moved to other locations. Mr. Reynolds advised the Committee Members that the Murals would be available to move to other locations after October 18, 1997 and that arrangements could be made to have the Murals delivered and picked up after a one month period. Members of the Committee who are interested in having them displayed will advise at the October meeting of dates they would like to have the Murals for. Waterfront 2001 Task Force Mr. Reynolds stated that Councillor Ryan had asked him to advise Committee Members that the 2001 Task Force are looking at the future of the waterfront and have invited all organizations to send in written information on facilities, programs and activities for the waterfront that would benefit their organization. Note: Comments have been forwarded to the Task Force. Invitation to Stakeholder's Forum on Immigration & Refugee Issues Ms. Bovolaneas advised that this event was for a panel to discuss improving immigration and it would be a series of seminars to assist Metro Toronto on developing a plan to assist them. She did not think this would be relevant to our Committee at this time but maybe we could listen and bring away our findings for the future. Mr. Nabe advised that he would be in attendance for both days. Mr. Rutland addressed he would be attending Tuesday. 4. 1998 RACE RELATIONS FORUM The following were comments from Committee Members with respect to information forwarded to them on the Theme: Mr. Gibson stated that he liked the 2nd suggestion - "Through Our Eyes II" - next steps (put out challenges to multicultural groups from area schools to develop concrete action plans for dealing with issues raised at Through Our Eyes I). Mr. Rutland stated that the Durham Board of Education were hosting their Star Camp in October, suggested the students and committee work together in developing a dialogue for the Forum. 4 Mr. Powers advised that Gary Ranalli will be at the Star Camp and he was not sure what issues were being presented at the camp. He identified his feelings on the 1997 Forum were that it was a"Celebration". Ms. Bovolaneas advised that the 3 themes in 1997 (theme 1 - "We Celebrate Diversity", theme 2 - "Members of the Human Race", theme 3 - "Between Two Worlds") were created by the students and the speakers worked with these themes. Ms. Steer thought that the Forum was supposed to be a celebration, the Star Camp idea is good but advised that these students were Grades 7, 8 & 9 who were being assisted in leadership development and bringing this back into school. Ms. Kiyonaga felt that this idea was long term and liked the idea of still having the Civic Connection. Last year's Forum was very successful and a lot of work. Students were older and did not require as much supervision. More leadership coordination would be required if elementary students are participating. Mr. Weber stated that he had talked to the artists who painted the Mural and he was very impressed with their comments and they knew what was required. He felt that they could assist with the elementary students. Ms. George thought that Grades 7 & 8 will not look at the ideas in the same way as secondary students. Maybe they could offer assistance and make the younger students see in a different fashion with regards to problems and solutions. Travel for these students could be a problem to get to their location. Mr. Powers agreed with Ms. George on her points. Ms. Bovolaneas stated that this first of the Forum was great. The committee had a vision to let the community know that we were here, and we always said eventually we would hand this forum over to the Youth. Mr. Powers identified that we want youth participation but we do not want to turn everything over to the youth. Ms. Rutland summarized the Committee's discussions: Theme - "Through Our Eyes II" Co-ordinate with both Boards of Education Last year was successful lets build on it 5 • Committee planning took a lot of time, suggest we establish a sub-committee. Mr. Rutland stated that he would like to see the schools taking over the Forum. The Committee does have other Race Relations issues to be considered. Ms. Steer stated that she would like to see it continue with adult and youth assistance and participation. Mr. Weber stated that we should contact young people who are not in school by involving sports organizations. Mr. Powers stated that turning this event over to schools is not what we should be doing. He is reluctant to suggest this to his staff He says the Community and Town have a major role in this event to keep it community driven. Ms. Bovolaneas stated that it was unfair to suggest the schools take over the event. The Committee needs to be responsible for the event and has a major role in its co-ordination. Ms. Bovolaneas stated that the committee was spinning their wheels on this event and she is concerned. We want to involve the schools but require to give them more timeline. Mr. Power stated that if a sub-committee is established then he would delegate someone who is connected to the students to attend these meetings. He already sent out an e-mail with regards to this event to get everyone thinking about it. MOTION: Moved by: Mr. F. Gibson Seconded by: Ms. D. Bovolaneas That the Race Relations & Equity Committee establish a sub-committee to work on the 1998 Forum"Through Our Eyes II". Carried The following Committee Members offered to work on the sub-committee: Donna Bovolaneas Roland Rutland Victoria George Ian Weber Stephen Reynolds advised he would have a Department representative work on the sub-committee. 6 Ms. Bovolaneas asked the committee in what direction should the sub- committee head with respect to Keynote Speakers. The consensus was that we target Sports and Arts and Entertainment. 5. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF AJAX-PICKERING - "The Critical Path" -Defining a Race Relations Strategy for the Durham Region Mr. Rutland advised that copies of a draft on the "The Critical Path" had been distributed with the agenda. He advised that this was forwarded for info sharing as the Social Development Council requires support for this project they need agencies and organizations to commit to this project. Various questions arose from the committee with regards to what direction is this going in. Mr. Nabe asked what is the objective. It must be clearly defined and identify what is the issue. This needs to be brought to the committee and the Committee can identify it's role as a partner. After further discussion it was stated that more information will be made available at the next Race Relations & Equity meeting with regards to this item. 6. COMMUNITY APPOINTMENTS Stephen Reynolds advised that letters would be sent out to Committee Community At-Large representatives from the Town Clerk asking if they are interested in continuing on the Committee. These letters will be sent out mid October. 7. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, October 22nd - 7:00 p.m. UPCOMING MEETINGS Tuesday,November 18th - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 14th - Christmas Lunch- Mandarin Restaurant