Immigrants of Distinction Awards Gala 2011 Program [PDF]

Immigrants of Distinction Awards Gala 2011 Program MASTERS OF CEREMONY: Nirmala Naidoo, CBC News Anchor and Erin Strate, Anchor, Producer - Shaw TV Calgary

O CANADA Emily Lewis WELCOME Dr. Jim Frideres, Chair of the Board Din Ladak, CEO, Immigrant Services Calgary Ellen Dungen & Nancy Leary, Honorary Co-chairs of IDA 2011 GREETINGS The Honourable Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Alberta Employment and Immigration His Worship Naheed Nenshi, Mayor, City of Calgary AWARD PRESENTATIONS HADASSAH KSIENSKI AWARD YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATIONS ENTERTAINMENT Linshia and Kailie Luan Polanie Polish Song & Dance Association Rajammal Ram of Kala Nilayam School of Dancing Saba Ensemble The Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association Lion Dance Team Dancesport MD RAFFLE DRAW 11

Immigrant Services Calgary A New Beginning – A Better Canada Vision: Immigrants and their families participate fully in an integrated and cohesive Canadian society. Mission: Immigrant Services Calgary is committed to being a comprehensive settlement agency working together with immigrants and their families to make Canada home. Values: We are passionate, collaborative, accountable, and ethical leaders in settlement services. We believe that people come first. We are committed to quality services for a diverse Canadian community.

Board of Directors: Dr. Jim S. Frideres Ms. Alicia Backman-Beharry Dr. Bob Robinson Mr. Hanif Kassam Mr. Raymond C.T. Cheung Ms. Elizabeth Gouthro Mr. Dongseop (Tony) Kim Ms. Josephine S.P. Pon. Dr. Philip Behman Ms. Sunny Clark Mr. Veenu Narula Mr. Yohannes Afework

Chair Vice-Chair Past-Chair Co-Treasurer Co-Treasurer Secretary

Board of Directors and Senior Management Team, Immigrant Services Calgary 2

Welcome elcome to the 2011 Immigrants of Distinction Awards Gala. Thank you for joining us to celebrate the outstanding contributions of immigrants to our great city.

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For fifteen years, the Immigrants of Distinction Awards Gala has recognized the remarkable achievements of newcomers. The Gala is now recognized as one of the most prestigious awards events in Calgary. We gather annually to celebrate the diversity of our communities and the contributions that immigrants make to Canadian society. The professionals, the artists, dedicated volunteers, business people and youth who will be honoured tonight set a standard of excellence for gallant citizenry. They are an inspiration to us all: to their peers, communities and fellow Canadians. The nominees and recipients bring us closer to our agency’s vision, where immigrants and their families participate fully in an integrated and cohesive Canadian society. Immigrant Services Calgary is committed to being a comprehensive settlement agency working together with immigrants and their families to make Canada home. We help to unmask their potential, and the potential of Canada. Last year, Immigrant Services Calgary helped over 20,000 newcomers with their new beginnings. Thank you to all of you and every organization that has joined together with us to unmask the diversity of Canada. We hope to continue with you on this journey over the coming years.

Din Ladak Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Jim Frideres Chair of the Board

Josephine Pon IDA Chair

Immigrants of Distinction Awards Steering Committee: Event Coordinator: Isabelle Martin Enayat Aminzadah Janis Clarke Josephine Pon Sophie Durzi Simran Grewal Din Ladak Homan Chan Roberto Artiga Katie Clancy Vivian Chan Adriana Briceno Natalia Vizdoaga Mylan Nguyen Grisel Flores Krystyna Biel 33

A Message from our Honorary Co-Chairs elcoming newcomers is one of Canada’s strengths – it is a point of pride and one of the defining characteristics of our nation. It is not enough to simply open our doors, we also need to help them succeed. Fostering diversity and creating an inclusive work environment for everyone is very important at TD. In fact, we made it a strategic business priority to ensure it is a part of everything we do and will not be set aside in tough times.

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We applaud the work that Immigrant Services Calgary does to integrate newcomers into our community and are thrilled to help present the Immigrants of Distinction Awards. By sharing their stories, the nominees for the Immigrants of Distinction Awards are helping unmask diversity and the challenges that newcomers to our city encounter. Each nominee has overcome barriers, achieved great things and stands as an example to others of what can be accomplished through determination, perseverance and hard work. Congratulations to each of the nominees on their accomplishments so far. We wish them every success in the future! Nancy Leary

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Ellen Dungen

Thank you to our Hosts and Entertainers Nirmala Naidoo, CBC News Anchor Nirmala Naidoo has almost two decades of experience as a journalist, 15 of those in Calgary. She has worked in Canada and abroad covering a variety of stories including the Gulf War, British Elections and IRA bombings. In 2001 she was honoured with a cover story in Time magazine and in Avenue, Calgary’s popular style magazine in December 2009. As well, she has received numerous awards including two from the RTNDA as anchor for Best Newscast, two IRIS awards for Best Reporting and Best Documentary, and a CANPRO award for best series. Nirmala holds Degrees in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Alberta as well as a Graduate Honours Journalism Degree from Carleton University. She works closely with several community organizations and charities, but those causes nearest to her heart are those that help minorities – women, new immigrants, the physically and economically challenged saying, “I think everyone should give the gift of their time to non-profit causes; but I feel strongly that people with a public profile, have a duty to help. What's the point of having a profile, if you don't use it for a good cause?" Nirmala has twice been voted one of Calgary Magazine's Top 40 under 40, and was featured on the cover of one of those issues. Nirmala is married and has two children. Erin Strate, Anchor, Producer - Shaw TV Calgary / Channel 10 Erin has been part of the Shaw TV family for 4 years. Born in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, she grew up in a small rural community with countless hours spent in hockey rinks and on ball diamonds with her older brother and parents. Erin moved to Calgary to pursue a career in broadcasting through the MRU Broadcasting program. From athletes, to musicians to politicians, Erin has been able to interview some fascinating people. Erin is perfectly suited for a career where she gets to meet new people everyday and help them share their stories with the rest of Calgary. Along with her husband, Erin enjoys taking in Calgary’s vibrant Arts and Entertainment scene, and is always up for hitting the links at some of Calgary’s great golf courses "Polanie" Polish Song & Dance Association was founded in Calgary in 1977 by Krystyna Cichowicz (Siostra Alojza). For over thirty years, the aim of the group is to present the richness of Polish folklore. “Polanie” has presented its style of dance and musical theatre to audiences in Canada, the United States, and Poland. At home, in Calgary, the group has been present at all multicultural events, such as Canada Day, Heritage Day, the Winter Festival Gala, Lilac Festival, Spruce Meadows Christmas Market, as well as the world renowned Festival of Nations at Spruce Meadows. Linshia Luan As a Canadian born Chinese girl, Linshia fell in love with Chinese music, specifically the Chinese bamboo flute, at the age of five. She has mastered many special skills that only a handful of professional players can play, and has been a local favorite, performing in various national and international events such as the Chinese New Year Reception of the Counsel General of the People’s Republic of China. Partnered with her sister, Kailie Luan, Linshia competed in the 2010 Canadian Youth Arts Festival and The Six International Chinese Youth Festival in Hong Kong, returning home with the honor of Gold. Linshia has also founded her own music ensemble, titled the Forest Melody, and has performed at many social functions such as the Chinatown 100 Celebration Street Festival and The Year of Tiger Zoo Celebration. 55

Kailie Luan Kailie Luan, also a Canadian born Chinese, has developed a great passion for music starting at the age of seven. Her greatest musical talent and accomplishments lie in the traditional Chinese Long Zither, a popular instrument during China’s Dynasty era. Along with her sister Linshia Luan, she has been invited to perform at many social events nationally and internationally, recently winning the honor of Gold in the 2010 Canadian Youth Arts Festival, as well as the Sixth International Chinese Youth Festival in Hong Kong. Kailie is also one of the founders of the Forest Melody, and performed for many social functions such as the Chinatown 100 Celebration Street Festival and the Chinese New Year Gala at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre. Rajammal Ram of Kala Nilayam School of Dancing, Edmonton is proud to present the dance "Kannamoochy Yeneda " performed by an enthusiastic and dedicated young mothers group named "Taal" under the Kala Nilayam School of dancing. The Kala Nilayam School of dancing has been performing Bharatnatyam, the oldest of all and the most popular of dance styles, and other folk dances of India, in Canada for over 30 yrs under the able hands of its founder, artistic director and teacher Rajammal Ram. She and her students have performed for various ethnic and cultural events, such as Canada day, Family day, Heritage day, India day, Chinese New Year celebrations, and for the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton. Performers: Deepti Sami, Aaja Kongot, Mduni Sellathamby, Rashmi Sinha, Smitha Kunnel and Binu Joseph. Saba Ensemble, dedicated to Persian Classical Music, was formed in 2008. In the last 3 years Saba has been presented in countless international cultural centres. Instruments are all Persian handmade including Santour (Hammered Dulcimer), Tar, Violin, Oud (Persian Lute) and hand drums. The Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association Lion Dance Team, also known as the Elderly Lion dance Troop, is the first Canadian lion dance group formed by seniors, and the third senior lion dance group in the world. The Elderly lion dance troop is coached by Grandmaster Bob Kho Zhong-Shi, who is well known in the world for his knowledge in martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine. The group has performed lion dances in multi-cultural events, senior centres and schools in Calgary. It has also hosted lion dance day camps for the youth. These activities give a chance to the youth to learn traditional Chinese ethics and morals from the seniors. The events fulfill the wish of the group because it allows them to contribute to their society even after their retirement while at the same time improving their health and fitness. Dancesport MD is pleased to present Calgary's best kept secret..ballroom dancing! Tonight, you will see both the Alberta closed latin champions, Mathew Michalksi (age 18) and Stephanie Jurkova (age 16) as well the Alberta Standard Ballroom champions Stephan Badea (age 16) and Madelina Varlam (age 15).The children of immigrant parents, both couples strive to be professional dancers and so far have proven to be Canada's stars. For more information on youth dancesport in Calgary please visit www.dancesportmd.ca 6

Greetings from the Honourable Thomas A. Lukaszuk Minister of Employment and Immigration

s Minister of Employment and Immigration, I am pleased to welcome you to the 15th Annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards Gala.

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Congratulations to Immigrant Services Calgary for hosting this event to recognize those newcomers who have achieved success in our province! And success does not just happen or come easily. It takes a lot of hard work, determination and perseverance to come to a new country, learn new customs and possibly another language. Canada’s greatness can be partly attributed to the fact that Canadians embrace the rich cultural mosaic of our citizenry. We welcome the immigrants of Calgary and other parts of the province who have chosen Canada and Alberta to be their new home. Thank you for inviting me to share tonight with you - and have a great evening!

Thomas A. Lukaszuk Minister of Employment and Immigration MLA, Edmonton – Castle Downs

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Mosaic Family Resource Centre

Whether the challenge is education, emotional and physical well being, maintaining good nutrition, communicating effectively with family members, or finding fun and safe recreational activities in Calgary; the Mosaic Family Resource Centre acts as a network of tools, resources and opportunities for families new to Canada. In 2009-2010, we served over 2,500 individuals including children, youth, parents, and grandparents from 98 diverse cultural backgrounds. “In our Mosaic, we can openly discuss everything, our traumas and stress about war, disintegration of our country, our financial problems. That has helped us to relax and feel better.” -Mosaic Family Resource Centre beneficiary Innovative and dynamic programs that are inclusive of all family members are at the heart of our holistic service approach. These programs include: • Healthy Start Calgary: A pre and post natal program for pregnant women and new mothers with infants up to twelve months. • Mosaic Parents and Tots Program: Songs, games, rhymes and activities for families with children age twelve months to thirty-six months. • Mosaic Pre-School Program: A licensed program for children age 3-5 years that provides play-based learning activities for children, parent groups for parenting support, volunteer opportunities for parents and fun for everyone. • Mosaic Multicultural Family Literacy Program: A community-based program for the whole family to gain literacy skills, learn about Canada, and get to know the neighbourhood school. • Parent-Child Enrichment Program: A program to support families who require extra support in providing in the area of parenting and providing age appropriate activities for their children age three to six years of age. • The Child Health Initiative Project: A new project that will address overweight and obesity in childhood in the areas of nutrition and physical activity for families with children age three years to twelve years. 10

• The Mosaic After School Program: A community-based after school program that promotes cultural sharing, leadership, homework help and skill building for elementary school age children age six years to twelve years. • Youth Inclusive Neighbourhoods Program: A prevention and early intervention program for high-risk youth age thirteen to sixteen years. • Multicultural In-Home Support Program: By referral from Calgary and Area Child and Family Services, immigrant and refugee families receive support from a qualified In-Home Support Worker to address issues identified by a case worker. • Multicultural Men’s Program: Provides an opportunity for immigrant and refugee men to meet and work together in a group setting. The program assists men with success in their lives in Canada, in the areas of communication, conflict resolution and employability. “Coming to the drop-in program makes me feel really good because I get to meet lots of new moms who are in the same situation as me with no friends or family in Canada” -Healthy Start Calgary Program Participant

Proceeds from the Immigrants of Distinction Awards support child and youth programs at the Mosaic Family Resource Centre.

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Youth Scholarships Youth Scholarships are awarded to immigrant youth between the ages of 14 and 25 who have made an outstanding contribution or significant achievement in one or more of the following area: Arts & Culture, Sports, Community and Volunteer Activities and/or Academics. Patti Wang Youth Scholarship Recipient atti Wang immigrated to Canada with her parents at the age of four. Her parents often hosted international students from China, which helped Patti, growing up alongside her new “brothers and sisters,” to identify with her Chinese heritage. Tragedy struck the Wangs when Patti was ten, when two of her extended family members died in a motor-vehicle accident. Her determination to help her family throughout the mourning process motivated her to choose a career in medicine. However, despite an ability to flourish in the Chinese community, Patti’s English needed developing, a barrier that she would soon overcome.

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At 14, Patti began volunteering as a translator and tutor for the Calgary Chinese Community Service Association, attending various conferences and meetings on health concerns in the Chinese community. Her interest in medical development and fund-raising led to other volunteer activities, including serving as co-chair of Event Operations for the Canadian Cancer Society, in which Patti has been directly credited with helping to exceed 2010 fund-raising goals. She also serves as the Care Centre ambassador to Canadian Blood Services and currently volunteers for Youth Central. Enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Western Canada High School, Patti participated in the annual APEGGA Science Olympics, where she earned consecutive medals, including first place in 2010. Patti’s selflessness and dedication to her Chinese heritage are evident in her leadership of the Calgary Chinatown Youth Mural Project. The project’s aim is to show how changes in Chinese culture have affected youth and to communicate the importance of revitalizing our Chinatown for Calgary’s youth. Enthusiastic and selfless, Patti is a born leader whose light will continue to shine brightly on our community.

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Youth Scholarships Sergiu Lucut Youth Scholarship Recipient ard-working, enthusiastic, inspirational, motivated, inquisitive, committed, resilient: these are just a few of the words Sergiu Lucut’s peers use to describe him. Immigrating to Canada from Romania in 2008 was a challenging and life-changing experience for Sergiu. His father had fled to Canada following the 1989 Romanian revolution, leaving him and his mother behind to witness the racism and violence that had developed in their home town of Satu Mare, near the borders of Hungary and Ukraine.

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Since his arrival, volunteering has been Sergiu's way of giving back to the community that has given him and his family a new chance at happiness. His involvement in a wide variety of volunteer, academic and athletic endeavours is a testament to his thirst for knowledge and drive to improve himself and positively influence others around him. At Crescent Heights High School, Sergiu is an active member of the Youth Volunteer Corps; he has also opened an after-hours cultural diversity club in hopes of eradicating racism within his community. During his short time in Canada he has excelled academically, ranking third at the Alberta High School Mathematics Competition, and achieving two gold medals, a silver, and a bronze at the APEGGA Science Olympics. Sergiu has achieved honour role status in literature, communications and photography. His accomplishments include awards in track and field, chess, and table tennis. Sergiu declares, “Giving back to the community is now my way of saying thank you.”

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Youth Scholarships Koray Demirbag Youth Scholarship Recipient oray Demirbag personifies bravery, perseverance and humanity. As a young boy in Turkey, Koray experienced anxiety about what the future would look like. His father encouraged him to seek a new life in Canada where he could express his beliefs and opinions in an open environment. At 16, after arriving in Canada by himself as a refugee, Koray could finally realize his potential in a safe and nurturing environment.

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Faced with obvious financial, language and cultural obstacles, he was offered an opportunity to participate in the YMCA Achievement Program (YMAP). For the next two years, Koray learned English, improved his employment skills, and focused on leadership and community projects. A volunteer position with Kids Help Phone helped Koray discover his passion for directly impacting youth in a positive way. He was also selected as a volunteer mentor for the Western Canada Youth Leadership Conference at Camp Chief Hector YMCA. At this venue, Koray was directly able to influence young immigrants who had suffered under similar circumstances. Following a string of community activities, he achieved a YMAP coordinator position. In the spring of 2010, Koray was chosen as one of five youth delegates for the 17th World Council of YMCAs in Hong Kong, focusing on the idea of “Striving for Global Citizenship.” Currently enrolled at University and earning his Bachelor’s degree in the Faculty of Management, Koray continues to defy expectations, relentlessly pursuing issues affecting global inequalities and injustices.

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Youth Scholarships Naanak Sodhi Youth Scholarship Recipient rriving in Canada from India at the age of eight, Naanak Sodhi vividly recalls the world of abundance that greeted him. His teachers recognized his innate intelligence and creativity and encouraged him to enroll in the Gifted and Talented education program and, in high school, the Advanced Placement program.

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Despite Naanak’s eagerness to accelerate his learning and academic pursuits, his family was suddenly disbanded due to a close relative's illness. This event shook the foundation Naanak had worked deeply to establish. He was torn between using his time to study or attend to the complexities and frailties of family life at home and abroad. In Grade 11 Naanak leapt forward, ensuring his own personal success by joining a number of school activities including music, film, and leadership training, even campaigning for and winning the position of School Council president in the twelfth grade. Naanak was also selected as one of five students to represent the Calgary Board of Education at the Alberta Premier’s Economic Council meeting. His volunteer efforts include membership in his high school’s Knights of Darfur Foundation and single-handedly saving the school’s Advanced Placement program from lack of participation by actively recruiting qualified students. His fund-raising efforts have helped raise more than $25,000 for causes such as the Terry Fox Foundation. Naanak’s tireless fund-raising efforts and volunteer activities are coupled with his passion for the arts, which include the production of a full-length film that was recognized at various international film festivals featuring youth. Naanak's ability to communicate exceptionally well through the spoken and written word, as well as through music and film, is outstanding and serves as a positive example of the power and influence of our youth.

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Youth Scholarships Meng Zhao Youth Scholarship Recipient

eng immigrated to Canada with her family when she was six years old. Although learning a new language was initially an obstacle, this proud Canadian embraced her new culture by excelling at both English and French. Enrolled in Grade 12 studies at Western Canada High School in the International Baccalaureate Program, Meng already boasts an impressive résumé of art, academics and community service.

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Her intrinsic leadership skills and fearlessness have catapulted her to success in the Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta as VP of finance of a company of 18 student entrepreneurs as well as the president of a company of 14 student entrepreneurs, writing business plans, overseeing operations and writing shareholder reports. For the past four years, Meng has also played a pivotal role on the Mayor's Youth Council, helping to bring youth issues to the attention of City Council. She also actively serves on the Youth Volunteer Corps steering committee and her high school’s yearbook committee. Meng excels in math and participates in mathematics summer programs and competitions. Her status as an active “methlete”has brought her numerous awards, including a gold medal at the 2010 Fermat contest. Meng enjoys singing, figure drawing, photography and piano, and has recently completed her Grade nine practical certificate with the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is a proven leader in her community who hopes to help others discover their own potential.

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Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award The Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award was created to honour the outstanding contributions of Hadassah Ksienski, Immigrant Services Calgary’s CEO from 1993-2008. Hadassah played a pivotal role in shaping the agency as well as the immigrant sector over the course of 15 years. Her leadership gave new immigrants to Calgary a sense of community and connection, which will extend well into the future. Tina Merali Hadassah Ksienski Award Finalist ina Merali is an extraordinary teacher who was born in Lebanon. Following her father’s death when Tina was two years old she was sent to a boarding school which allowed her mother to work and provide for the family. In 1980 due to the civil war and other factors, at age 15 years Tina was sent on her own to Canada. Eventually she enrolled at Henry Wise Wood High School to continue her interrupted education.

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Tina has taught both Spanish and English as a Second Language. Currently she is the Coordinator of the Wellness Centre at Forest Lawn High School working with community agencies to support the diverse needs of students. Through her work, Tina demonstrates her belief in the ultimate freedom of individuals to make decisions that determine their life and lifestyle. This is evidenced in Forest Lawn student Anastasia Kochie’s heartfelt endorsement of Tina for the 2011 Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award. “I’m a ‘girl’ but born in the wrong gender, I knew when I was seven years old. I was scared of dressing up as a girl. I feared what people were going to do to me in public. I’m so happy seeing Mrs. Merali because she always makes me feel safe and comfortable in school. “I have lots of friends who went to her asking for help. In 2009 I experienced a problem with my family and I had to move out. I didn’t know where to live I was only 16 at the time and Mrs. Merali helped me to find a place to live as well as encouraged me to come to school every day. “Mrs. Merali is not a teacher to me, she is an awesome sweet mom and I would love to meet you and tell you all how awesome she is always helping people and work hard to make Forest Lawn High School a better place for everyone to study.” Tina and her husband Taj Merali are the proud parents of their three children. Tareq and Laila currently attend the University of Calgary and Qassim is enrolled in grade eight. 17

Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award Jason Luan Hadassah Ksienski Award Finalist ason Luan was born in China and graduated in 1983 from China’s Taiyuan University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Science. He moved to Canada in 1988 where he studied for a Master of Social Work at the University of Calgary, receiving his degree in 1991.

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Since Mr. Luan came to Canada, he has been involved with multiculturalism, diversity and community development, making use of his twenty four years of experience in professional social work and community volunteerism. He has worked and served in many different organizations, in such roles as President of the Chinese Professional and Entrepreneurs’ Association of Calgary (20022002); Director and Vice-President of the Dalhousie Community Association (1998-2002); and Park Director of the Sien Lok Society (2003-2005). He has also co-chaired the Immigrant Sector Council of Calgary (2006-2009). Mr. Luan has been working with the City of Calgary as a Social Planner since 1997, focusing on the Immigrants and Cultural Diversity portfolio which provides support, program funding and organizational development to non-profit organizations. One example of Jason’s commitment is the launch of the Immigrant Sector Compensation Review Project, an initiative designed to understand and resolve the wage inequities between the Immigrant Serving Sector and other not for profit organizations in Calgary. This problem significantly impacted the sector’s capacity to retain and attract qualified staff and negatively affected the quality of services. Another example was Jason’s contribution to the success of the Chinatown Centenary Celebration in promoting cultural diversity and social inclusion in Calgary. As the Community Lead, he facilitated collaboration among 115 participating community organizations and coordinated the year-long celebrations, involving over 100,000 Calgarians in one or more of the 60 celebration events. As a result, the Chinatown Centenary Celebration was named one of “the top ten news stories in 2010” in the Calgary Herald. Jason is married to Fengying and they have two daughters: Kailie and Linshia. They are very talented teenagers in traditional Chinese music, playing Longzither and Chinese Flute. They have performed at different events which made them worthy recipients of the gold medal in the Sixth International Chinese Youth Arts Festival in Hong Kong in 2010. 18

Arts and Culture The Arts & Culture Award is presented to an immigrant who merits recognition in an artistic endeavor, within the visual or performing arts fields. Shenaaz G. Nanji Arts and Culture Finalist henaaz Nanji is proud of her heritage. She was born on the island of Mombasa on the East African coast and grew up amid a fusion of cultures: Bantu-Swahili, colonial British and East Indian. She has lived in three countries on two continents, and her career has been equally varied with employment in fields as diverse as teaching, systems analysis, and business administration. Yet she returns to her roots on the African coast as both catalyst and inspiration for her successful career as a children’s author and literacy advocate.

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A long-time resident of Calgary, Shenaaz is an internationally published children’s author, whose works include the critically acclaimed “Child of Dandelions.” She is also a well-known and tireless advocate for children’s literacy, espousing a firm belief that “words have the power to change lives, especially young lives.” With that strong mission statement, Shenaaz achieved a postgraduate degree in Fine Arts in Writing at Vermont College while being a mother of two. Her stories are a reflection of her experiences raising a family in Calgary in the 1980s. She began to write stories that reflect that you can be cool even if you are different. Shenaaz has seven published works and a list of awards that include being a finalist for the Governor General’s award for Children’s Literature in 2008 by Canada Council and Notable Book for a Global Society by International Reading Association in 2009. She also makes time for school presentations at Literacy Festivals in Alberta and has been active in local initiatives such as the “It’s a Crime not to Read” program with the Calgary Police and Public Library. She has sat on juries for The Writers Union, Canada Council of Arts, and Writers Guild of Alberta. She teaches Creative Writing for adults through Chinook Learning Services. Shenaaz aspires to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults by writing one story at a time. She writes: “The way I see it, we are all made up of stories…when these stories are written and shared they allow a larger group to belong, to understand who we are, where we have come from. Our stories will last longer than we will. In the end, they will be all that will be left.” 19

Arts and Culture Michelle Todd Arts and Culture Finalist nternationally acclaimed soprano, recording artist and actress Michelle Todd is a nominee for the IDA Arts and Culture award.

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Born and raised in England, Ms Todd immigrated to Canada in 1988 after a successful career on the London stage and BBC radio, a career since continued from her home in Canmore, Alberta. From sold-out performances with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra to European destinations such as Denmark and Italy, Ms Todd continues to captivate audiences with her extraordinary vocal abilities. Her wide repertoire, from Mozart to Andrew Lloyd Webber, and vocal artistry have delighted people all over the world and resulted in many awards, from the Arts Council of Great Britain to the Alberta Scholarship for Music Theatre. An enthusiastic supporter of the Canadian arts community, Ms Todd regularly lends her talents to the Calgary Hospice and, recently, the “Song for Haiti” initiative which raised more than $34,000 to help the Haitian recovery effort. She is also a board member of the Canadian Voice Care Foundation, a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating the community-at-large about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of voice disorders. She also serves as the current Vice-President of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (Calgary), where she serves to inspire and mentor another generation of artists. Family and friends tell Ms Todd that, as she shares her birthday with Canada on July 1, she was definitely “born to be Canadian”.

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Business The Business Award is presented to an immigrant who has achieved success in the creation or operation of a business in Calgary or surrounding areas. Fatima Dhanani Business Award Finalist atima Dhanani’s success story as an immigrant businessF woman is as eloquent as is her personal narrative. Today, the Tanzanian native runs a multi-million dollar real estate business in Calgary and leads a land development, construction and property management team that develops and maintains commercial properties and residential sub divisions. But once upon a time she was a 16 year old Dar es Salaam school girl who had lost her father and had to forgo post secondary education to help her mother support the family. Four years later, she met and married Haider Dhanani. In 1972, the Dhananis moved to Canada with their 2 year old daughter, Saifa, initially living in Vancouver before settling in Calgary in 1976, where their son, Aleem, was born. In 1990, Haider Dhanani founded and operated Bri-Mor Property Management Ltd., to manage commercial and residential properties while Fatima worked as a Secretary, and also pursued her interests in acting, cookery, floral decor and hair styling. In 1990, tragedy befell the family when Haider at the age of 51 passed away. From being a Secretary, Fatima chose the bold step of accepting the responsibility to take over the company. With no related experience, she handled the challenging transition with such grace and inspiration that her place as a role model to both women and immigrants is much more significant than this brief can accommodate. A short while after the death of her husband, all but one building she managed were sold, according to her daughter, Saifa Koonar. She adds that, her mother had only one of two choices: closure or rebuilding. “She opted to carry on the business and start from scratch…owning a family business w as a dream”. Since then, the business expanded, more apartments and buildings were acquired, and her vision of adding land development and construction to her portfolio became a reality. This strong business platform now continues to grow, driven by Fatima’s entrepreneurial spirit and determination. In addition to being a proven role model to others, high end custom home builder Crystal Creek Homes describes Fatima as ranking on top of the list of Developers who possess the qualities of competence, integrity, and vision. Other members in the industry also share a similar regard for Fatima, among them being the Bank of Montreal who has said, “…she is one of the top names in our market when it comes to her reputation, hard work, performance, track record and strength of character…”. Ms. Dhanani finds personal fulfillment in serving others. She has hosted a family of 6 orphans from Afghanistan and continues to support underprivileged students. She has also dedicated her time to serve on many boards such as the Wild Rose Foundation, Immigration and Advisory Committee and those in the Ismaili Community. 21

Community Service The Community Service Award is presented to an immigrant who has provided valuable service to the city of Calgary and the immigrant communities, either as a volunteer or as a professional. Dr. Brijendra K. Sood Community Service Award Finalist r. Brijendra Sood is an 83 years old medical doctor who plays golf and performs magic shows at community events. He is a semi-retired physician, held in high regard across the country. His son plays the Muslim Archie Bunker in the CBC series Little Mosque on the Prairie. Dr. Sood is a shining star in the mosaic of Canada.

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He was born in India but grew up in Kenya, and his was amongst the first Indian families to emigrate from East Africa to Canada in 1964, settling respectively in Manitoba, Banff and, finally, Calgary in 1967. The patriarch of Stoney First Nations Chief Walking Buffalo admitted Dr. Sood into the North American tribe as a blood brother. His status was elevated by the honourary title of Chief Rainbow in 1967. In Alberta he is fondly remembered as the first “Flying Doctor” before air ambulance services started in the province, flying missions to the Arctic to treat injured and sick technicians in the early stages of oil drilling in the mid 1970s. For most of his medical career, Dr. Sood has been volunteering with St. John’s Ambulance Brigade. His efforts have been recognized across the country and in 2003 he was admitted to the prestigious Order of Canada for his meritorious service to the community and the medical profession. In 2005, in celebration of Alberta Centennial, he was named as one of “100 Doctors of the Century” by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. Dr. Sood is also a gift to the East Indian community in Calgary. When his family settled here, there were very few East Indians in Calgary. However, after the arrival of East African Indians to Canada as refugees from Uganda, Dr. Sood helped found the India Canada Society. To date the society represents 40,000 East Indians in Calgary. It has also led to the establishment of a Hindu temple in the city which caters to the spiritual needs of 15,000 people. Because of his experience and willingness to share it, Dr. Sood has featured on television and Health Fairs giving talks on health issues relevant to East Indian communities. He has also promoted multiculturalism in the country with his advice to East Indians to identify themselves first as Canadians, and then share their culture and good values with the mainstream community. Dr. Sood is married to Narindar and they have three children. 22

Community Service Dr. Hieu Van Ngo Community Service Award Finalist ieu Van Ngo is grounded in solid life experience, education and professional practice. He spent three years in a refugee camp in Thailand, and has experienced life as a first generation Canadian in Canada. Hieu is known as an advocate for culturally diverse children and youth, and as a community builder.

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As executive director of the Coalition for Equal Access to Education from 2001 to 2009, Hieu worked with a wide range of Calgary community partners to influence policy decisions that promote quality, equitable education services for children of immigrant families. His work has raised awareness about systemic barriers in the Canadian education system that disadvantage ethnocultural learners, and has offered practical solutions to effective multicultural education. Over the years, Hieu has benefited from the continuing mentorship of many community leaders. He, in turn, has supported and mentored young people and members of diverse communities. Hieu has encouraged these emerging leaders to reflect on and debate social and political issues, to immerse themselves in various communities in Calgary, to learn from inspiring role models from diverse backgrounds, and to develop practical skills to build their communities. His mentorship has inspired ethnocultural members to step up as community leaders and to put public good first. Hieu has generously contributed his time and expertise to various organizations in the community, and currently serves as chair of the Ethnocultural Council of Calgary, a board member of the Centre for Newcomers, and as a member of the Arts and Culture Grant Committee of the Calgary Foundation. Hieu is also a past chair of All Nations Theatre, and an ongoing advisor to the Asian Heritage Foundation, the Vietnamese Youth Group and the Calgary Young Offenders Centre. Hieu has received numerous awards for his professional and voluntary contributions, including the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Scholarship, and the Izaak Walton Killam Scholarship Award. Recently, Hieu completed his doctoral studies in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary.

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Community Service Dr. Janette Hurley Community Service Award Finalist r. Janette Hurley was born and raised in Grenada, West Indies. She immigrated to Canada and earned a B.Sc. (Biology, Honours) and her medical degree from Dalhousie University in 1981 and did her residency at the University of Calgary in Internal/Family Medicine. Since then, Janette has been practicing family medicine in Calgary for the past 26 years. She is a graduate of the fellowship program in integral medicine from the University of Arizona (2006).

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As the current medical director of the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre (DI), the largest homeless shelter in Canada, Dr. Hurley is responsible for developing an integrative medicine program for the underserved. This is a unique societal service model to deliver health care services to the homeless, underserved and marginalized people in Calgary, involving both undergraduate and graduate students from the Faculty of Medicine at U of C. She is also an admirable clinical lecturer in the department of Family Medicine (Faculty of Medicine) and has great joy in teaching undergraduate medical students. Among Dr. Hurley’s most significant accomplishments has been her leadership in the development and supervision of The Student Run Clinic. Beyond Dr. Hurley’s contribution to The Student Run Clinic, the DI and the medical students at U of C, she has influenced members of Calgary’s health delivery and recipient system since the 1980s. She has been involved in Calgary’s Sexual Assault Response Team, Women’s Health Design Committee, Birth Control Association, Maternal Newborn Committee, Diversity Calgary Leadership Council, Advisory Committee of the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women, Eastside Family Centre Volunteer Counsellor, Infant Feeding Action Coalition, and countless other leadership roles throughout her three decades in Calgary as a physician. With almost twenty invited addresses to educational events, multiple publications, awards for teaching excellence, and an award from the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, one can see that Janette’s high-quality work is recognized by members of the health-care community at large. Dr. Hurley is forever humbled by the multicultural diversity of the people whose lives cross her daily path, and her first concern is, and always will be, her patients.

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Distinguished Professional The Distinguished Professional Award is presented to an immigrant who has achieved success in a professional career path. Dr. Chirag Shah Distinguished Professional Finalist atients around the world have benefited from the help of one of Ophthalmology's brightest stars. Calgarians are particularly fortunate to have this eye-care prodigy serving our local community.

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Dr. Chirag Shah immigrated to Canada from India in 2005, bringing with him a lengthy and impressive résumé and a desire to advance both knowledge and techniques within the field of Ophthalmology. As a medical student in India, he scored the highest marks in public health among 350 students and was ranked first in his Ophthalmology residency. Dr. Shah has a passion for helping the underprivileged and has committed many long hours to volunteering at health and eye camps in India. In the time spent delivering care to needy families, he performed hundreds of cataract surgeries and continues to contribute his time to various non-profit organizations, including the Blind People’s Association based in his home town. After moving to Calgary, Dr. Shah joined the Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgery fellowship, mastering his techniques under the supervision of Dr. Howard Gimbel, world-renowned ophthalmologist and pioneer in out-patient cataract and refractive eye surgery. Dr. Shah also participated in an additional Medical Retina fellowship at the University of Toronto before returning to Calgary to earn a fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Having received numerous awards, honours and appointments for his work and an array of additional credits for medical journal reviews and volunteerism, Dr. Shah now shares his expertise with others, and has spoken at more than twenty five professional medical engagements. His remarkable career is made possible by his determination, care and genuine concern for his community. He credits his parents and three sisters for instilling a passion for excellence in everything he aspires to. Described by his peers as kind-hearted, of distinguished character and compassionate spirit, he has an outstanding bedside manner, devoting himself to the best possible care given to each patient. 25

Distinguished Professional Dr. Mathew Zachariah Distinguished Professional Finalist r. Mathew Zachariah was born in India in 1935. He spent part of his childhood in Miri, Borneo where his father was an accountant with an oil company, returning to India with his mother and siblings in the early 1940’s when a Japanese invasion was imminent. After the death of his father in 1946, he was informally adopted by his maternal relatives and raised as their son. In the early 1960s he moved to the U.S. to advance his post-secondary education, and in 1966 accepted the position of assistant professor with the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary. He became an associate professor in 1969 and full professor in 1973.

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Dr. Zachariah holds several degrees, including a BA in economics from University of Madras (1956), B.Ed from University of Delhi (1960), MS in Education, English and Social Sciences from State University of New York (New Paltz, 1962) and a PhD in Social Sciences and Education from University of Colorado (Boulder, 1965). A comparative sociologist of education, he made significant contributions to academic services at University of Calgary as department head and associate dean in the Faculty of Education. He retired from the U of C in 2000 after more than three decades of service and is now an Emeritus Professor of Education. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honours, including a U of C Students’ Union Award for excellence in undergraduate teaching in 1985 and 1999, and a national award from the Canadian Committee of Students in Education for mentoring master and doctoral students. He also received the Alberta Human Rights Award in 1989, as well as the Internationalization Lifetime Achievement Award by the U of C in 2002. In 2004, Dr. Zachariah was named one of 114 leaders in the university community recognized for outstanding achievement. He was the first Canadian to receive the Honourary Fellow designation from the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES). This honour recognizes the contribution Dr. Zachariah has made to the development of comparative and international education throughout his teaching career, as well as the impact he has had on various academic and professional organizations.

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Distinguished Professional Dr. Bejoy Thomas Distinguished Professional Finalist r. Bejoy Thomas was born and raised in Dubai by parents who were both government employees, his father a city administrator and his mother a health worker in a preventative clinic and school health. The instillation of traditional religious values was a strong component of his upbringing. As a result, equality, civic responsibility and hard work fuel his passion and compassion for serving the disadvantaged.

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A Calgary resident since 2005, Dr. Thomas divides his time between clinical research at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and active church life. As part of his giving back to India, he and his wife Suja have established a research competition to facilitate peer-reviewed research among graduate psychology students at the University of Kerala. In Calgary, Dr. Thomas has made an effort to connect his research on ethnicity and health outcomes to the Calgary community through links with the Division of Health and Wellness, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society and the Ethno-Cultural Community of Calgary. He has also vigorously promoted his message through media, scholarly articles, and presentations delivered to local, national and international audiences Dr. Thomas is currently an associate professor in the division of psychosocial oncology of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary. He completed his PhD in the applied sciences (2005), building on his professional background in health and clinical psychology (MA 1998), futures studies (M.Phil 2000), and psychology (BA 1996) from University of Kerala in India. He is also a dedicated scientist and researcher to community oncology with Alberta Health Services – Cancer Care. Dr. Thomas practices patient centered care every day, and he hopes to continue to make a difference in the health of all Canadians.

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Organizational Diversity This award is presented to a business, government or non-profit organization that has made outstanding achievements in implementing diversity initiatives in the workplace or has made significant contributions in serving ethnically diverse client groups. OMNI Television (Alberta) MNI Television is a free over-the-air, multilingual O and multicultural television system with a 30- year history in Canada. OMNI Alberta is a relative newcomer, having just celebrated its second anniversary in September, 2010. It broadcasts programs in more than 20 languages each week, with a special focus on community-based programs. Since 2008, OMNI Alberta has experienced rapid growth: more than 95 per cent of its full-time staff are immigrants. It embraces cultural diversity and continually demonstrates this innovative spirit in its hiring practices. Employees born outside Canada are not required to take equivalency tests to prove their skills; prospective hires may simply utilize their skills in their native language. In welcoming employees “as they are,” OMNI Alberta creates an environment where employees enjoy their work and feel comfortable in their contributions, learning cultures and languages from each other. Not limited to internal diversity and in the spirit of community engagement, OMNI Alberta has initiated the selection and hiring of newcomers as community correspondents. Individuals are selected from their cultural and community groups to provide a real “pulse” of their communities. To date, this has included correspondents from the local Italian, Greek, Ukrainian, Polish, South Asian and Japanese communities. OMNI also offers numerous mentorship programs to immigrants wishing to pursue careers in journalism or broadcasting but who are unable to meet the financial or language commitments. Employing direct work experience as a learning tool, OMNI nurtures those immigrants who show promise and take pride in helping others. Contributing to the communities it serves, OMNI has partnered with numerous organizations, foundations and associations that assist new immigrants in the transition to their new Canadian home. In Calgary, OMNI has provided sponsorships and promotional support to more than 100 multicultural events and festivals since its inception over two years ago. In 2010, OMNI television and its viewers raised more than $247,000 for Pakistan flood relief nationwide. As an embodiment of cultural diversity and inclusiveness, OMNI has changed the media landscape of Alberta and provided immigrants with an important channel for work opportunities, community connections and cultural understanding.

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Organizational Diversity The Calgary Board of Education he Calgary Board of Education educates more than 100,000 T students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and adult learners through Chinook Learning Services. In addition it provides English language learning programs and support services to more than 24,000 English language learners through inclusive classroom practices and targeted explicit language development. In Nancy Lukey the 2009/2010 academic year nearly 3,000 students were welcomed into CBE classrooms as new immigrants, representing over 120 countries and speaking more than 80 different languages. To support the CBE’s journey toward cultural competence and respond to the growing diversity of the students, their families and communities, the CBE invited all 9,000 of its staff members to participate in a survey to provide internal perspective and insights into the desired state of cultural competency at the CBE and where it should place the highest priority. A Cultural Advisory committee was formed to help inform decisions and policy supporting diversity and cultural competency. The Cultural Advisory Council was built around the principles of accountability, inclusiveness, transparency and responsiveness. Four goals were identified for the work: • To engage and build bridges with members of numerous multicultural committees to provide a forum of two-way communication; • To give counsel and advice to CBE to help shape policy and decision-making that support multiculturalism and diversity; • To move toward the goal of cultural competency; and • To create effective, equitable access to learning and provide a quality education to all students. The CBE has a firm commitment to a successful learning experience for each of its students and continues to action this commitment. Illustrative examples include: • The development of specialized programming to assist children with traumatic histories of war, family disruption and limited opportunity to access schooling. • The development of Standards of Practice for English Language Learners and language proficiency benchmarks. • Establishment of a dedicated team of professionals to identify and develop culturally fair assessment tools learning and teaching strategies and inclusive practices. • The long history of support through the Diversity and Learning Support Advisors working with students, families and staff to build sound relationships as they advocate for culturally sensitive learning opportunities. The Calgary Board of Education has a firm commitment to “each student, every day, no exceptions.” We all have a part to play in this endeavor and by listening and responding to community needs our work together will support the achievement of all students and strengthen our future. 29

Organizational Diversity Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association algary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) is a non-profit organization in service to address the needs and concerns of immigrant and refugee women and their families. Since 1982, CIWA’s mission to deliver professional services that facilitate the integration and full participation of women and their families in the community has evolved into a myriad of unique and diverse programs.

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With programs ranging from language training and employment readiness to women’s health clinics and parenting seminars, CIWA offers a wide array of programs that focus on the areas of common concern among women across all cultures. Free child care is offered to women participating in CIWA’s programs, enabling a segment of clients previously bound by child-care considerations to take part in classes that will assist their integration into Canadian society. Sensitive to the unique cultural and language needs of immigrant and refugee women, CIWA offers first language information and counselling to address important issues such as domestic-conflict resolution, cross-cultural parenting and legal matters. Wisely, CIWA has also broadened its counselling services to address the unique concerns of children and seniors adapting to a new culture, schools and cross-cultural expectations that they are faced with. With outreach services and program availability in more than 80 locations across the city of Calgary, CIWA extends a helping hand to those who are bound by transportation considerations as well. Encompassing the values of Equality, Empathy, Integrity and Inclusiveness, CIWA is an organization well deserving of many accolades.

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Nominees for the 2011 Immigrants of Distinction Awards Ami Veda Armin Rouhi Ban Ihsan Bea Alyssa Dilan Bejoy C. Thomas Betty Wang Calgary Board of Education Calgary Chinese Community Service Association Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) Canada Safeway Limited Canadian Pacific Railway Carlie Yeung Charlotte Allyce McQurae Taylor Chirag Shah Dr. Brijendra K. Sood Dr. Janet Hurley Dr. Mathew Zachariah Fatima Dhanani Gabriel Barneva Hieu Van Ngo Hui (Nancy) Li Jason Luan Juan (Chuanlin) Ma Kedir Ali Abarusan Kelly Shin Khurram Asghar Koray Demirbag Linlei Ye Lok Sze To Louis Liszka

Louise Suhong Shin Lyn Chow Manasvin Goswami Margaret Adu-Nyarko Marian Erb Meng Zhao Mengshu Shen Michelle Todd Mohil Rishi Muhammad Israr-ul-haq Naanak Sodhi Nyawal Bukjok OMNI Television (Alberta) Patti Wang Peter (Jianrui) Liu Rafik Kurji Rushi Nathvani Sergiu Lucut Shenaaz Nanji Sherbanu Massom Shibao Guo Shruthi Rethi Stanley Nguya Maina Susan Huang Tina Merali Ting (Cecilia) Cao Tonny Chao Huang Uilst Bat-Erdene Van Liu Wai Ki (Vicky) Kwan Yang (Norah) Liu Yoki Su Yulia Komina 31

Sponsors Presenting Sponsor TD Bank Group Gold Sponsors Bow Valley College FCSS Silver Sponsors The Calgary Foundation Scotiabank United Way of Calgary and Area Media Sponsors CTV CBC Shaw Calgary Herald Volunteer Support Sponsor Calgary Economic Development Decorations Sponsor DIRTT Environmental Solutions Raffle Sponsor Bow River Dental In-Kind Sponsors Cargill The Westin Rare Method ZFP Photography Friends of IDA Worley Parsons Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation Youth Scholarship Donors Econo Lodge Pierson’s Funeral Services The Print Shoppe Toole Peet & Co Southland Transportation 32

Silent Auction Items 1. Photo Package – Donated by ZFP Photography 2. Family pass for the Banff Gondola – Donated by Brewster Travel Canada 3. Two passes to the “Serenade and Vigil of Angels” on March 24, 2011 – Donated by The Alberta Ballet 4. Gold Tickets to the Production of Aida – Donated by The Calgary Opera 5. Inca Trace Necklace – Donated By Ella Jewellry and Two Williams Sonoma Cookbooks – Donated by Junaid Malik 6. Bed & Breakfast Package – Donated by The Delta Kananaskis 7. HD-PVR – Donated by SHAW TV Calgary 8. Banff/Lake Louise Gift Basket – Donated by Elizabeth Gouthro 9. Gift package – Donated by The Westin, Calgary 10. Multicultural Beverages Basket – Donated by the Settlement And Language Bank Centre Staff 11. Multicultural Gift Basket – Donated by ILVARC Staff 12. Multicultural Gift Basket – Donated by the Mosaic Family Centre Staff 13. Multicultural Sweets Basket – Donated by the Administration Staff 14. Shotgun Ride in the FXX Enzo Ferrari – Donated by ZR Auto 15. Flames Tickets (Flames vs. Oilers)– Donated by Josephine Pon, Scotiabank 16. Glenbow Museum Family Membership – Donated by The Glenbow Museum 17. Glenbow Museum Family Membership – Donated by The Glenbow Museum 18. Painting entitled "Hox" – Donated by Mali Vargas, BFA 19. Painting – Donated by Jadranka Hodanic 20. Behind the Scenes with the Glenbow – Donated by the Glenbow Museum 21. Fresh Floral Arrangements – Donated by TD Bank Group 22. IDA Mask Theme Centerpieces – Donated by the IDA decorations sub committee 23. Motorcycle Gear – Donated by The Old Motorcycle Shop

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Immigrants of Distinction Awards Previous Recipients the Immigrants of Distinction were first awarded in 1997, Immigrant Stheirince Services Calgary is proud to have honoured the following individuals for achievements and contributions to the City of Calgary: Arts & Culture Award 2010 Karin Richter 2009 Lyn Pflueger 2008 Cecilia Gossen 2007 Vahe Tokmajyan 2006 Alexandra Haeseker 2005 Alina Dabrowska 2004 Umran Sumen 2003 Elizabeth Allen 2002 Siegfried Wieser & Mrs. Joan Xauen Wieser 2001 Angelique Gillespie 2000 Neel de Wit-Wibaut 1999 Helen Seka Owen 1998 Antonia C. Wicherts & Mr. David M. Spriggs 1997 Mark Skalinski, PhD Business Award 2010 Bea Twumasi 2009 Raymond T. Chan 2008 Saad Ibrahim 2007 Lina Castle 2006 Nashir Samanani, Elluminate, Inc. 2005 Abed Itani 2004 Wayne Chiu 2003 Gerald Wood 2002 Chan Yang Kim 2001 Mike Ciccaglione 2000 Said Arrata 1999 John Dasilva 1998 Hatim Zaghloul, Ph.D. 1997 Dan Capitanescu Community Service Award 2010 Idrees A. Khan 2009 Cesar P. Cala 2008 Dr. Kabir Jivraj 2007 Dr. John Wu 2006 Tseden Dhogonpa 2005 Dinesh Dattani 2004 Ashid Bahl 2003 Vinay Dey 2002 Ms. Baljinder Mann & Mr. Michael Embaie 2001 Vettivelu Nallainayagam, PhD 2000 Chamnan Chap, PhD 1999 Vilma Dawson 1998 Teresa Woo-Paw 1997 Nirmal Dey 34 34

Distinguished Professional Award 2010 Dr. Wael Badawy 2009 Tadeusz Dabrowski 2008 Dr. Alykhan M. Nanji 2007 Dr. Thaddeus Demong 2006 Margaret Styczynska & Sinisa Sonny Tomic 2005 Daniel Lai, PhD 2004 Hetty Roessingh, PhD 2003 Hans Vogel, PhD & Gamil Tadros,PhD 2002 Wilhelmus (Duffie) VanBalkom, PhD 2001 Taj Jadavji, PhD & Max Coppes, PhD 2000 Elaine Chan 1999 Hans van der Sande, PhD 1998 Henk E.D.J. ter Keurs, PhD 1997 Magdalena Amestica Organizational Diversity Award 2009 Bow Valley College 2008 GlobalFest (Government or Non-Profit Category) 2008 Haworth Ltd. (Business Category) 2007 Calgary Public Library 2006 Boys & Girls Club of Calgary 2005 Calgary Health Region 2004 Village Square Leisure Centre 2003 Calgary Public Library 2002 Calgary Police Service 2001 The Westin Calgary 2000 Cyberwave Technologies Inc. 1999 Shell Canada Limited 1998 Standen’s Limited Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award 2010 Genevieve Balogun 2009 Peter W. Wong Youth Scholarships 2010 Annie Zheng, Shayna Ding, Malithi Fernando, Daria Tilimpea, Jethro Cheung 2009 Fariha Ahmed,Valez Lumi, Ana Angela Lopez Quiroz, Di Mo, Bani Turkmani 2008 Simon Atem, Hin Man (Ivy) Cheung, Zoe Beatrice Cheung, Sana Tariq, Jane Wu 2007 Alice Chen, Nyail Majock, Eva Ouyang, Joseph Lagasca, Carrol Zhou 2006 Alexsander Dshurkov, Elva Fan, Mahesh Hariharan, John Reuben Lagasca, Lina Roa 2005 Karen Hyo Min Kang, Shuyang Li, Hong Lu, Sherry Qin, Xiao Wang 2004 Abednego Deng, Yao Li, Vinh Luu, Salil Pradham, Celine Zeng 2003 Natalia Beloukhina, Olga Konwisorz, Jan Owoc, Crystal Rego, Jeremy Torio 2002 Genesis Juat, Eisha Alemao, David Lee, Steven Cheng, Pascal Yu 2001 Dominika Boczula, Shirley Ngo Suet Ho, Jung-Mee Hwang, Danijel Margetic, Sheila Muy Lee Ung 2000 Susan Doan, Nilou Davoudi, Samir Pradhan, Stephen Kung, Casy Wang 1999 Newman Yu Ting Lin, Aly Kassam-Remtulla, Alisa Palic, Wei-ting Chen, Omar Tahmisicic 335 5

Putting People First Established in 1977 as the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society, Immigrant Services Calgary is one of Alberta’s longest serving and most comprehensive settlement agencies. We are committed to being a comprehensive settlement agency working together with immigrants and their families to make Canada Home. Working in partnership with other service providers, we work towards a vision where Immigrants and their families participate fully in an integrated and cohesive Canadian society. We are passionate, collaborative, accountable, and ethical leaders in settlement services. We believe that people come first. We are committed to quality services for a diverse Canadian community. Caring. Community. Connection. Providing assistance in over 70 languages, Immigrant Services Calgary takes an integrated approach to helping individuals and families settle into life and work in the Calgary community by offering: • Support for newcomers to adjust to life in Canada • Information about community services • Citizenship Classes • Interpretation and Translation Services • Assessment of English and Literacy Skills • Community Based Programs • Referrals • Community Development • Career, Educational and Vocational Planning • Employment Workshops and Information • Canadian School System Preparation Programs • Pre- and Post-Natal Programs • Volunteer Opportunities • First Language Support • Mentorship Opportunities • Parent Support Groups • Child and Youth Programs • Family Literacy Programs • Men’s Program • Seniors’ Program • Public Education 36 36