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Here's an important announcement from CVIMS:

Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
Receives Provincial Award!

Double Winners at CVIMS!

Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
is the recipient of the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of B.C.’s (AMSSA) Riasat Ali Khan Diversity Award 2009.

Terre Flower,
Diversity Program Manager at Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society, wins AMSSA’s
Staff Service Recognition Award 2009.

award winners
Dr. Richard Zurbrigg, Hilde Schlosar, Terre Flower

Mason Loh, President of AMSSA says “Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society has always been a leader in providing innovative programs to promote multiculturalism…”   Ms. Flower’s dedication to multicultural awareness and human rights has resulted in several innovative programs, some of which now operate nationally.  This recognition of their accomplishments and dedication is well deserved.”

The Riasat Ali Khan Diversity Award was established by AMSSA, soon after Khan’s death in 2003, to honour his many years of dedicated service to multiculturalism, anti-racism and inclusion in British Columbia.  AMSSA Member Agencies are invited to nominate deserving organizations for the annual reward. 

The awards were presented at AMSSA’s AGM, Friday September 25, 2009 in Vancouver, BC.

AMSSA is an affiliation of more than 80 multicultural agencies providing immigrant settlement and multicultural services in communities throughout British Columbia. AMSSA champions the promotion of multiculturalism, multicultural health, anti-racism and human rights.
The Riasat Ali Khan Diversity Award 2009

Hilde award
Hilde Schlosar

Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society has been recommended by the RAK/SRA Award Selection Committee for the Riasat Ali Khan Award for their full time Diversity Program.  For the past 10 years this program has had continuous engagement in projects and programs that promote inclusion for all people within Central Island communities. Most projects are in partnership with local aboriginal communities. 

They were specifically nominated this year for the following projects:
  • Challenging Racism Through Early Interventions, which provided Aboriginal and minority children in elementary school with tools and strategies to cope with effects of racism and discrimination on their lives; and to create allies among their non-racialized cohorts in challenging racism and discrimination. It developed a curriculum which is now a model for educators including teachers and child and youth workers.
  • Securing the Next Generation: a curriculum “Our Schools, Our Communities: Taking a Stand for Inclusion”, which is a multi-media curriculum designed to support Aboriginal, other racialized and White high school students in their development of a positive racial and cultural identity.

Other examples of the work of the Diversity Program include:

  • The Diversity Partnership – A Community In Action
  • Healthfest A Multicultural Health Fair (2009 & 2010)
  • Community Dialogue on Diversity (fall 2009)
  • Diversity Workplace Training for Employers
  • The Safe Harbour Program: locations in Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Parksville
  • “Speak Out on Racism and a Drum in for Equality” marking March 21st International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
  • 1st Annual Diversity Champion Awards
  • Critical Incident Response Model stage 3 - Partners for a Safe, Secure and Healthy Community: Our Community Taking Action Against Racism and Hate.
  • Our Community’s Story: Celebrating Nanaimo’s Chinese Settlers
The Service Recognition Staff Award 2009

Terre Award
Nick Noorani, Terre Flower

Terre Flower has been working for Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society for ten years. 

Under Terre’s leadership, the CVIMS Diversity Program has grown from a program focused on cross cultural sharing and understanding to a program focused on concrete action on anti-racism, inclusion and diversity initiatives for the benefit of the entire community.

Terre has collaborated with a wide range of community partners who have become dedicated to the creation of an inclusive community.

In 2000, Terre brought together community service providers and members of the Nanaimo community to form the Action for Diversity Team.  Their mandate was: We come together to build and strengthen a diverse and inclusive community by sharing resources, support and opportunities for growth and education; We join with others to speak out against racism, ableism, heterosexism, sexism, classism and other forms of oppression and discrimination.

In 2003 Terre lead the Action for Diversity Team in creating a practical mechanism to fulfill their mandate in developing and piloting the Safe Harbour Program.  This program works with storefront businesses to train staff, who then sign a commitment to provide fair and equitable treatment to all, as well as a place of safety in the event of harassment or hate activities.

In 2005 the Safe Harbour Program received an award from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. In 2006 the Safe Harbour Program was offered to AMSSA, in hopes that it would spread across the province.

Terre’s other initiatives such as the Taking a Stand for Inclusion High School Curriculum which is now endorsed by the BCTF Social Justice program demonstrate her commitment to the values she models and lives day in and day out.

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