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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 10, 2001— a�r��c�3%� -��� Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity January 10, 2001 Meeting Minutes Present: Councillor Dave Ryan Phil Matsushita, Pine Ridge Secondary School Luiga Ayotte, Durham District School Board Jane Kiyonaga, Durham Catholic District School Board Mobeen Khaja, Muslim Education Cultural Assoc. Rep Ikram Makki, Muslim Youth and Community Centre of Pickering/Durham (MYCC) Monika Jensen, Community Appointee Margaret Eskins, Community Appointee Matthew Carmichael, Community Appointee Manraj Pannu, Dunbarton High School Student Rep Rumnik Pannu, Dunbarton High School Student Rep Emily Nakada, St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Rep Marisa Carpino, City of Pickering Valerie Jones, City of Pickering Debbie Kearns, City of Pickering Regrets: Lewis Williams, Durham District School Board Sandy Russill, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Year 2001 Committee Projects / Events Heritage Week • February 23 -24, 2001 at the Pickering Town Centre. • Kisho Umar has offered to coordinate a cultural fashion show for this event. • consensus was received from the Committee members to proceed with this event. • last years events took place from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday evening and 10:00 a.m. until approximately 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. - -2 -- • Phil suggested consideration be given to holding either 20 minute events on a continuous basis on Saturday or two sections of events, one from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the second from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. • Marisa requested that school liaisons prepare and submit a list of suggested participants and provide her with this list by January 19th. • Rumnik was requested to attempt to have her dance group perform again this year but, as she stated, most are in university and it may be difficult for them to participate. She would contact them and advise the Committee. • Jane advised that Robert Cutting of the Durham Catholic District School Board has offered to set up a booth at this event for their Spirit Program. • Lewis Williams from the Durham Board of Education is also willing to participate again this year. • Marisa advised that Pickering Town Centre are very supportive of this event, but are requesting that all booths be taken down by 3:00 p.m. on the Saturday afternoon due to another event taking place that evening. • Ikram emphasized the need to promote the event. Marisa advised that brochures are prepared for distribution and information concerning the event is placed on the Community Page, LED and Web. Flyers are also distributed to Pickering schools. Councillor Ryan further advised that Pickering Town Centre also promotes this event. Rumnik stated that she will also advise the SSARC Group at their meeting of January 16th • A small working group consisting of Phil Matsushita, Matthew Carmichael and Valerie Jones and Marisa Carpino will meet to discuss these events. • Marisa requested that she be advised by January 19th of any suggested groups to participate in this event. Letters will be mailed the following week to these groups /organizations. The sub - committee will meet by the end of January to schedule performance times. March 21 st — Outreach Event Canadian Half -Pints • Jane provided a brief description of the Canadian Half -Pints "Don't Tease Program ". The presentation includes discussion and a basketball game. • Jane has been in touch with the Principal of St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. who has offered their gymnasium for the event during school hours. • Luiga advised that issues such as transportation of students from other Pickering schools would need to be addressed. Jane suggested that possibly Pickering transit could be approached concerning their assistance. • Jane also stated that the intermediate student population would be targeted to attend this event as they would be good ambassadors to take the message back go their school. - -3 -- Through Other Eames • Monika provided an outline of this outreach event ➢ 2 hour program held in schools ➢ students selected are weighted down, given a cane, given glasses which create tunnel vision, their hands are taped to simulate arthritis, etc. ➢ this equipment remains on the students for 45 minutes proceeded by a discussion to talk about experience. ➢ up to 25 students can participate and then share their experience with their classmates. She stated her willingness to carry out this workshop free of charge. Monika further explained that Bay store employees participated in this event in their store to experience what customers deal with. Due to this exercise The Bay made changes in their stores — lighted strips on the escalators, chairs in the change rooms, etc. A letter must be sent to the coordinator of this program requesting Monika to do this workshop. The Committee gave consensus to both events, Canadian Half -Pints "Don't Tease Program" and-"Through Other Eyes" and Councillor Ryan suggested working towards March 21St as the date. 3. Harmony Movement Award Councillor Ryan advised that a presentation will be made at the January 15th Council Meeting at 7:30 p.m., by Roland Rutland, to the Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, of the Harmony Movement Award. He encouraged all members to attend this presentation. 4. Mandate A copy of The Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity Mandate was distributed to all Committee members who were asked to review and bring any suggested changes to the next meeting. 5. Next Meeting February 14th, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Committee Room. 6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.