Recipients of Mathieu Da Costa Challenge Awards Honoured in Canada's National Capital
OTTAWA, February 28, 2002 -- On behalf of Minister of Labour and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Claudette Bradshaw, Marlene Jennings, Member of Parliament (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Lachine, Québec) and the President of the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) Doug Willard, today presented the annual Mathieu Da Costa Challenge Awards to nine Canadian students in a special ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.The Mathieu Da Costa Challenge awards were created in 1996 to mark Black History Month. They are presented in association with the CTF. The program invites students from ages 9 to 18 across the country to submit an essay, a short story, a poem or a piece of artwork celebrating the contributions of Aboriginal peoples, and Canadians of diverse ethno-cultural origins, to Canada's development.
"I am proud of the exceptional work the students have created for the Mathieu Da Costa Challenge. With their work, they have given a better understanding of our history and the people who have helped make Canada a great place to live," said Mrs. Jennings.
Mathieu Da Costa is the first recorded Black person in Canada. Hired as an interpreter at the start of the 17th century for the Champlain expedition to Port Royal, he helped bridge the cultural and linguistic gap between the early French explorers and the Mi'kmaq people.
"The Canadian Teachers' Federation places great importance on the need to honour and celebrate Canada's multicultural diversity," said President Doug Willard. "The Mathieu Da Costa Challenge aims to enrich students' study of Canadian history by inviting them to discover Aboriginal peoples and Canadians from various ethnic and racial backgrounds who have built our country's heritage with their contributions."
Winners of the Sixth Annual Mathieu Da Costa Challenge Awards are:
Best essay in English:
--Erin Braun-Janzen, from Winnipeg, Manitoba (age 9 to 11 category)
--Sarah Vollett, from Vancouver, British Columbia (age 12 to 14 category)
--Heather MacArthur, from Wolfville, Nova Scotia (age 15 to 18 category)
Best essay in French:
--Stéphanie McCuan, from Kanata, Ontario (age 9 to 11 category)
--Alison Taylor, from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (age 12 to 14 category)
--Jordan Pinder, from Miramichi, New Brunswick (age 15 to 18 category)
Best artistic representation:
--Elaine Deng, from Burnaby, British-Columbia (age 9 to 11 category)
--Michael Ratushniak, from Toronto, Ontario (age 12 to 14 category)
--Carolynn Young, from Langley, British Columbia (age 15 to 18 category)
Information:
David Klug
(819) 953-5646
Damian SolomonOffice of Minister Bradshaw
Canadian Teachers' Federation
(613) 232-1505
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