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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 12, 2000Pickering Race Relations & Equity Committee Meeting MEETING MINUTES A meeting of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity was held in the Pickering Civic Complex, Main Committee Meeting Room on Wednesday, January 12, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councillor Dave Ryan, City of Pickering Stephen Reynolds, City of Pickering Marisa Carpino, City of Pickering Debbie Kearns, City of Pickering Fred Gibson,P.C.C.C.A. Mobeen Khaja, M.C.O.D. Luigia Ayotte, Durham District Separate School Board Jacqui Steer, Bayview Heights Public School Jane Kiyonaga, Durham District Separate School Board Emily Nakada, St. Mary Catholic High School Rep. Monika Jensen, Aviary Group Phil Matsushita, PineRidge Secondary School Aisha Umar, Community Appointee Gary Ranalli, Pine Ridge Secondary School Ujeeta Mistry, PineRidge Secondary School Rep. Manraj Pannu, Dunbarton High School Rumnik Pannu, Dunbarton High School Guests: Peter Rambert, Canadian Human Rights Commission Robert Cutting, Durham Catholic District School Board Regrets: Valerie Jones, City of Pickering Nicole Rioux, Community Appointee Ian Weber, Community Appointee Lewis Williams, Durham District School Board 1) Welcome & Introductions: Steve welcomed all in attendance and introduced Mr. Peter Rambert. 2) United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Event • Mobeen suggested the City send an invitation to Michelle Falardeau Ramsay, Chief Commissioner, Canadian Human Rights Commission (C.H.R.C.) • he also suggested producing small booklets for this event • the C.H.R.C. is providing some funding ($1,500) and perhaps this money could pay for the booklets and refreshments • Mobeen will work with Steve to develop budget for the event • if Ms. Ramsey can't be in attendance then Secretary General will attend • Peter Rambert of the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) was introduced • he expressed his excitement about partnering with the Association of Progressive Muslims of Ontario and the Race Relations and Equity Committee • the CHRC has done work with Ajax & Pickering in the past, (1993 attended function with Social Development Council) - reputation of City of Pickering is well known. 3) Year 2000 Events: Heritage Week: (February 25 to 26, 2000) • Display Showcase at the Pickering Town Centre Friday evening and Saturday • Friday evening — 5 to 8 presentations, each 15 minutes long • Saturday —minimum of 10 presentations -2- Heritage Week — (Cont'd) • Jane agreed to check the availability of a story teller. • events and displays may include: display panels, table displays, small stage for singing and dancing, flags displayed from various countries, story tellers, one hour video on continuous play, games from various cultures — possibly explained by students, fashion show of various cultures, interactive crafts • Fred advised of his group of children ages 5 to 10 years who may be able to assist • Dance Studios, Karate Clubs, Churches, etc. could be invited to participate • Luigia suggested that we recruit businesses to become involved by setting up a booth in the lobby and selling their international goods or by donating their goods to be raffled off to the audience • Aisha offered to coordinate a fashion show made up of youth wearing cloths from various cultures • Steve and Marisa will coordinate community participation • Luigia and Robert will coordinate school participation, Lewis will be contact • once performances have been confirmed, requirements of groups will be advised at next meeting • table displays could include: artifacts, different writings (Arabic, Chinese, etc.) • Rumnik will inquire into possibly attaining the Harmony Display for this event • distribution of Race Relations Policy outlining the Committee and it's work • media to be contacted by the City and possibly by the Pickering Town Centre • an MC was suggested to provide for transition from one group to the next • this event may take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday • stickers, buttons, flags and balloons may be available for distribution • Phil and Jacqui agreed to facilitate event coordination 4) Strategic Planning Gary distributed and briefly discussed the revised summary outlining the five areas of focus, the Mission Statement and Core Objectives. 5) Other Business: a) Ujeeta advised that Pine Ridge Secondary School held a 24 hour famine which raised $260.00 for foster children at the school. b) Rumnik advised that a Culture Show will be taking place at Dunbarton High School on March 2"d. c) Fred advised that the annual Caribbean Dance will take place on February 25tH d) Fred also advised that a young group of children which he is involved with entertained at Ballycliffe Nursing Home on December 13tH e) Marisa distributed correspondence concerning the 12th Annual March 21 Campaign which commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. f) Gary advised that the Opening Ceremonies to celebrate Black History Month will take place on February 9tH g) A full list of Year 2000 meeting dates was distributed. 6) Next Meeting — Tuesday, February 8th, 2000, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Pickering Civic Complex Main Committee Room. This meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.