Honours for 15 Kitchener residents
Donna Dubie has a complicated relationship with Canada.
For her, 150 years of Confederation is a cruel history of Indigenous people being driven off their land and onto reserves, being abused in residential schools, and suffering discrimination and poverty to this day.
But Dubie came to Kitchener Public Library with her family Saturday to receive an award in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday that recognizes her work in healing some of those wounds.
Dubie didn’t sing the national anthem with everyone else, but she sang with an Indigenous group as part of the ceremony. She accepted the certificate, pin and coin she was offered by Kitchener Centre MP Raj Saini.
“This is recognition for the (Indigenous) community,” said Dubie, who is Haudenosaunee from Six Nations Turtle Clan. She founded and runs Healing of the Seven Generations, a Kitchener agency that helps residential school survivors and their families.
“We haven’t been recognized” for reconciliation work in the past, she said. “So I’m very honoured.”
Dubie was one of 15 people and five social agencies presented with awards.
Saini told the audience of about 150 people that the values being celebrated are care of the environment, fostering diversity and helping youth.
“And most importantly, we commit ourselves to reconcilia-
tion with our Indigenous brothers and sisters,” he said.
“It’s people like you and the work you do that inspires me every day,” he told the recipients.
Also honoured were:
Asma Al-Wahsh, who founded the Canadian Arab Women’s Association.
David Marskell, chief executive officer of Themuseum in downtown Kitchener, for work engaging youth and creating a vibrant arts culture.
Debora Ritchie, who raises money for local charities and created the Inspiring Women event as well as Random Act of Kindness Day. Diane Bonfonte, who founded Flag Wavers of Waterloo Region and champions Canadian patriotism. Engin and Selda Sezen. Selda leads dialogues of the Muslim Women’s Empowerment Circle and Engin organizes discussions between people of all faiths. Fitzroy Vanderpool, former boxing champion who advocates for underprivileged youth. Gebre Berihun, a founding member of African Canadian Association of
Waterloo Region who continues to advocate for refugees. Haile Kiflai, a champion of human rights who works with refugees, particularly from Eritrea. John Neufeld, executive director of the House of Friendship, which offers shelter, food, addiction treatment and other community resources. Kathryn Bender, who runs an art program that brings together high school students with older adults who have dementia. Laura Hamilton, an anti-poverty activist who helped found the environmental lobby group Divest Waterloo. Sarah Shafiq, who works with the Coalition of Muslim Women to increase awareness of hate crimes and support victims.
Tarique Plummer, who engages and supports youth through sport and other personal growth programs.
Tracey Weiler, director of the Special Sport Association, who advocates for children with disabilities and is a leader for many other community projects and groups.
Groups that were honoured include: Anishnabeg Outreach; the theatre group I Am Rohingya; Mennonite Central Committee; a program of K-W Counselling supporting sexual minorities; and the emergency shelter at the YWCA.