In the Community

NO MORE STOLEN SISTERS
On May 5, Interim Chief Commissioner Barry Wilcox and Executive Director Norma Gunningham-Kapphahn participated in the No More Stolen Sisters walk in Prince Albert to help raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

THEATRE IN THE PARK
On June 1, members of the Commission attended SUM Theatre’s Theatre in the Park performance of “wâhkôhtowin” at wâhkôhtowin School in Saskatoon. The family friendly show was about the kinship between all things and about how connections between relations have become more important to mend or hold close.

OUR LONDON FAMILY VIGIL
In June, Commissioner Fatima Coovadia spoke at an evening vigil to honour and remember the Muslim Canadian family killed the year before in London, Ont., and to stand together against Islamophobia, racism, and hate.

PRIDE PARADES
To celebrate Pride Month 2022, Commission members attended Pride Parades in both Saskatoon and Regina in June. Hundreds of people were on hand at each location to recognize, value, celebrate and support LGBTQ2S+ people and their families.

WALK AGAINST HATE
On July 19, the Commission joined other members of the community in support of Eastview Walk Against Hate. The annual event was launched in Eastview in 2021 in response to a violent, hate-fueled attack against a local man of Islamic faith.

ROCK YOUR ROOTS
In September, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Commission attended the Rock Your Roots Walk to support and honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities.

HAND WARMERS FOR THE HOMELESS
In early November, Commissioner Jan Gitlin and Kevin Sharfe, Dealer Principal at Sherwood Chevrolet, dropped off 1,500 hand/feet warmers at Prairie Harm Reduction to help keep Saskatoon’s homeless population warm this winter.

QUEEN’S JUBILEE MEDALS
Several members of the Commission Board and staff were awarded Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals. The medals are awarded in recognition of significant contributions to the province. Recipients included: Interim Chief Commissioner Barry Wilcox, Commissioner Fatima Coovadia, Commissioner Heather Kuttai, Commissioner Mike San Miguel, Commissioner Jan Gitlin, Executive Director Norma Gunningham-Kapphahn, Director of Systemic Initiatives Darrel Seib, Systemic Specialist Maria Soonias Ali, and Mediator David Katzman.

U of S FILIPINO STUDENT ASSOCIATION
On November 23, Commissioner Mike San Miguel spoke to the University of Saskatchewan Filipino Students Association during its fundraiser to help people in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Paeng. Commissioner San Miguel spoke about the dangers of racism, noting the May 2020 incident in which a Saskatoon teenager of Asian descent was allegedly subjected to racial slurs and physical violence while riding his bike.

SASKATCHEWAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
On December 3, Commissioner Mike San Miguel was acknowledged at the Saskatchewan International Film Festival (SIFF) Awards at TCU Place in Saskatoon. The theme of this year’s festival – “Bridging People” – speaks to the SIFF’s mission to break down cultural boundaries.

BRIDGE CITY ADVOCACY LAUNCH
In January, the Commission attended the official launch of The People Bridge Advocacy at Station 20 West in Saskatoon. The People Bridge Advocacy is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to reconciliation and providing capacity development to newcomers and ethno-cultural communities. The organization aims to interconnect communities and strives for social and cultural integration, better economic opportunities, civic engagement, and a more equitable and just society.

RACE RELATIONS MONTH
On March 1, the Commission attended the Race Relations Month Opening Ceremony and flag raising at City Hall in Saskatoon.

SPS DIVERSITY BREAKFAST
On March 21, the Commission attended the Saskatoon Police Service Diversity Breakfast. Every year since 2012, the SPS has hosted the annual event in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The focus of the breakfast is to recognize diversity in the community and within the SPS.

LUNAFEST
On March 8, International Women’s Day 2023, Commissioner San Miguel represented the Commission at LUNAFEST, a film festival featuring films by and about women.

OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS ATTENDED BY THE COMMISSION:

Ramadan Iftar Dinner – April 8, 2022
Regina Racism and Discrimination Summit – April 29, 2022
Prince Albert, MMIWG March – May 5, 2022
SEIC Culinary Gala – May 11, 2022
Kulay Saskatoon – May 21, 2022
Change of Command, RCMP HQ, Regina – May 26, 2022
Reconciliation Flag Raising – May 27, 2022
Nagar Kirtan Parade, Saskatoon – May 28, 2022
Filipino Heritage Month Flag Raising Saskatoon – June 11, 2022
Reconciliation Saskatoon, Reimagining Canada Day – June 16, 2022
36th Annual Vegetarian Banquet hosted by the Hindu Association – June 18, 2022
ANCOP Charity Walk – August 27, 2022
Saskatoon AIDS Walk – September 25, 2022
Tapestrama – September 25, 2022
Miyo-Wiciwitowin, Mosaic Stadium, Regina –September 29, 2022
Every Child Matters, Prince Albert – September 30, 2022
U of S, Prince Alberta Campus Community Reception – October 4, 2022
Inclusion Saskatchewan Breakfast – October 6, 2022
Regina Region Local Immigrant Partnership, Anti-Discrimination Response Training – October 24, 2022
Wicihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference – November 28 & 29, 2022
Threads – January 25-26, 2023