Youth Receive Mathieu Da Costa Awards

OTTAWA, February 19, 1999 -- Nine students from across Canada today received awards for their artwork and composition celebrating the contributions of people from diverse cultures to Canada's development. The awards were presented by the Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), and Jan Eastman, President of the Canadian Teacher's Federation.

The Awards Program was created to mark Black History Month, and this year 665 students took part. Winners came from four provinces: Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The program was named in honour of Mathieu Da Costa, the first recorded Black person in Canada who served as an interpreter between the early 17th century French explorers and the Mi'kmaq people.

In presenting the awards, Dr. Fry reminded the students that Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world. "Mathieu Da Costa may have been the first Black person in Canada," she explained, "but he was not the last. Any Canadian history that leaves out the contributions of Canadians of African heritage gives a false picture of who we are. At different times in our history, people of many cultural backgrounds have come to Canada and it is their contributions that have helped us develop a country that is the envy of the world. We have a lot to celebrate today."

"I am pleased that the Mathieu Da Costa Awards Program, now in its third year, continues to grow in strength, drawing greater interest from students and teachers across Canada," said Jan Eastman, President of the Canadian Teachers' Federation. "The quality of the student work, both essays and artwork, is of such high calibre that several Honourable Mentions' were noted. The 1998-99 Awards also represent a good balance of ethnocultural and provincial winners."

" The Canadian Teachers' Federation places great importance on the need to celebrate Canada's diversity and honour the contribution of all people, both for children in our schools and society at large," added Ms. Eastman.

The winners were: from Quebec, Jennie Dorsant, 18, (Laval) and Odols Azondékon, 16, (Aylmer); from Ontario, Samuel Carter- Shamai, 11, (Toronto), Lucius Deschausay, 18, (Scarborough) and Christina Young, 16, (Orleans); from Saskatchewan, Raelyne Linton, 17, (Parry) and Mala Rambaran, 12, (Regina); from British Columbia, Jennifer Liggett, 15, (Victoria) and Kylene Cachelin, 11, (Kamloops).

Biographical information on the winners may be obtained by calling (819) 997-3011.

Information:

Artur Wilczynski
Executive Assistant
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997- 9900

BACKGROUNDER

Mathieu Da Costa Awards Program

On February 13, 1996, Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Hedy Fry announced the establishment of the Mathieu Da Costa Awards Program in recognition of the Parliament of Canada's designation of February as Black History Month. In December 1995, a motion introduced in the House of Commons by Member of Parliament Jean Augustine (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) officially designating February as Black History Month received all party support.

The award program is being administered in partnership with the Canadian Teachers' Federation and commemorates the legacy of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator, an interpreter between the early French explorers and the Mi'kmaq people, and the first recorded Black person in Canada. The life of Mathieu Da Costa underscores the diverse beginnings of Canadian society and, in particular, the contributions of Black people to the process of nation building.

Students in 15,000 elementary and secondary schools across the country are eligible to submit essays, poems or art work that provide insight into and an appreciation of the contributions of Canadians of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds to the building of Canada and the promotion of intercultural understanding.

Now in its third year, the Program received 665 submissions from students across Canada.

[ Media Room ]

Date created: 1999-02-19

Important Notices






Youth Receive Mathieu Da Costa Awards OTTAWA, February 19, 1999 -- Nine students from across Canada today received awards for their artwork and composition celebrating the contributions of people from diverse cultures to Canada's development. The awards were presented by the Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), and Jan Eastman, President of the Canadian Teacher's Federation. The Awards Program was created to mark Black History Month, and this year 665 students took part. Winners came from four provinces: Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The program was named in honour of Mathieu Da Costa, the first recorded Black person in Canada who served as an interpreter between the early 17th century French explorers and the Mi'kmaq people. In presenting the awards, Dr. Fry reminded the students that Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world. "Mathieu Da Costa may have been the first Black person in Canada," she explained, "but he was not the last. Any Canadian history that leaves out the contributions of Canadians of African heritage gives a false picture of who we are. At different times in our history, people of many cultural backgrounds have come to Canada and it is their contributions that have helped us develop a country that is the envy of the world. We have a lot to celebrate today." "I am pleased that the Mathieu Da Costa Awards Program, now in its third year, continues to grow in strength, drawing greater interest from students and teachers across Canada," said Jan Eastman, President of the Canadian Teachers' Federation. "The quality of the student work, both essays and artwork, is of such high calibre that several Honourable Mentions' were noted. The 1998-99 Awards also represent a good balance of ethnocultural and provincial winners." " The Canadian Teachers' Federation places great importance on the need to celebrate Canada's diversity and honour the contribution of all people, both for children in our schools and society at large," added Ms. Eastman. The winners were: from Quebec, Jennie Dorsant, 18, (Laval) and Odols Azondékon, 16, (Aylmer); from Ontario, Samuel Carter- Shamai, 11, (Toronto), Lucius Deschausay, 18, (Scarborough) and Christina Young, 16, (Orleans); from Saskatchewan, Raelyne Linton, 17, (Parry) and Mala Rambaran, 12, (Regina); from British Columbia, Jennifer Liggett, 15, (Victoria) and Kylene Cachelin, 11, (Kamloops). Biographical information on the winners may be obtained by calling (819) 997-3011. Information: Artur Wilczynski Executive Assistant Office of the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) (819) 997- 9900 BACKGROUNDER Mathieu Da Costa Awards Program On February 13, 1996, Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Hedy Fry announced the establishment of the Mathieu Da Costa Awards Program in recognition of the Parliament of Canada's designation of February as Black History Month. In December 1995, a motion introduced in the House of Commons by Member of Parliament Jean Augustine (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) officially designating February as Black History Month received all party support. The award program is being administered in partnership with the Canadian Teachers' Federation and commemorates the legacy of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator, an interpreter between the early French explorers and the Mi'kmaq people, and the first recorded Black person in Canada. The life of Mathieu Da Costa underscores the diverse beginnings of Canadian society and, in particular, the contributions of Black people to the process of nation building. Students in 15,000 elementary and secondary schools across the country are eligible to submit essays, poems or art work that provide insight into and an appreciation of the contributions of Canadians of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds to the building of Canada and the promotion of intercultural understanding. Now in its third year, the Program received 665 submissions from students across Canada. [ Media Room ]

Date created: 1999-02-19			Important Notices