HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 3, 2009
Cttq o~ Minutes I Meeting Summary Ailial Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity
i i Thursday, December 3, 2009
PI CKERING 7:00 pm
Main Committee Meeting Room
Attendees: Alma Sandoval, Hispanic Canadian Alliance of Ontario
Tanya Taylor, Pickering Public Library
Sethu Madhaven, Community Appointee
Viji Madhaven, Guest
Valerie Mason, Durham Continuing Education
Chris Gordon, [YOU]nity
Farley Flex, Durham International Festival
Cecil Ramnauth, Devi Mandir
Marisa Carpino, City of Pickering
Absent: Councillor David Pickles, Chair
Kirk Mark, Community Appointee
Steve Holt, Community Appointee
Devinder Panesar, Community Appointee
Raymond Facey, Community Appointee
Margaret Lazarus, Valley Farm Public School
Philip Howard, Durham District School Board
Sylvie Morel-Foster, Durham Catholic District School Board
Item / Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action` Items /Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome
Marisa Carpino welcomed attendees and introductions were
made. Marisa Carpino thanked Devi Mandir President Amar
Binda and Cecil Ramnauth for hosting the committee's
December 2009 meeting. A. Binda provided an overview of
Devi Mandir and their activities.
2. Tour of Devi Mandir
Vishnu conducted a tour of Devi Mandir with those in
attendance.
3. Review & Approval of Agenda & Minutes
M. Carpino reviewed action items of the November 5, 2009
minutes.
Alma recommends the term "Hispanic Heritage Month" for M. Carpino to action
the committee's proclamation in April 2010. It is consistent
with the terminology of other municipalities &or anizations.
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4. Durham International Festival
Farley Flex provided an overview of the Durham International
Festival (DIF).
DIF is not for profit. DI Management is managing the
Festival. Their mandate is to be geographically and ethno-
culturally inclusive. They want to engage all communities in
the Region via ethno cultural groups, BIA's, both School
Boards and municipal representatives. To make the DIF an
impactful tourism event they want to implement four initiatives
1. Snow Angels: want to break the Guinness World
Record in February 2010 by having the most people
make snow angels. Event will be filmed and promoted
through the media and will bring recognition to the
Region.. On line registration will calculate total
participant numbers.
2. May Days: feature a Business focused initiative each
week in May 2010 (sale, craft show etc.)
3. DIF Festival: Festival on July 16-18, 2010 at Lakeview
Park in Oshawa (still to be confirmed with Oshawa).
Location would rotate between municipalities each
year. Event would feature cultural activities (dance,
dress, music, food, story telling etc.) and include
vendors. Daytime activities will include a replica of a
World Cup soccer game (coed under 12 years),
Cricket Match between boys Sri Lanka national team
with Durham Cricket Association. CDCD is partnering
with DI Management to complete grant applications.
4. Durham Region Idol: another level of the competition
in 2010
F. Flex is asking the committee for
1. To have a presence at the event. For example, a
committee representative can introduce performers
and talk about the committee and what they do
2. Provide materials on the committee that can be
provided to participants at the event so they leave with
information
3. Having a committee representative on the DIF
Advisory Board what will start in the new year and
meet monthly, then quarterly in subsequent years.
4. Provide good news stories that can be included on the
DIF website
Marisa advised that his request would be discussed at the
committee's January meeting and she would advise him
accordingly.
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F. Flex indicated that he was going to Pickering Mayor
separately to ask for the City's support and in kind services
that would be split per capita between municipalities
5.. Update
2009 Coffee House: Chris Gordon provided an update on
the Coffee House event scheduled for December 18, 2009 at
the Pickering Public Library auditorium. [YOU]nity has 18
confirmed performers. Different sections of the auditorium
will represent different parts of the world. Funds raised at the
event will go to the charity The Refuge that shelters
homeless youth in Durham.
2010 Heritage Day: Call for participants is still active,
deadline is January 8, 2010. Marisa reminded committee
members to seek participants for the event.
2010 Race Relations Forum: Fairness Commissioner, The
Honourable Jean Augustine has been confirmed as the
Guest Speaker of the 2010 Race Relations Forum
6. .Other
Ashes: Cecil Ramauth advised that Devi Mandir is working
with Mayor Ryan to confirm suitable location. He also
understands that the City of Pickering is getting input from
the community before making a decision on the matter
Meeting Adjourned: 9:00 pm
Copy: City Clerk
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