Diversity Award 2026 Champions
Congratulations to …
Edmonton – Ida Lucila, Edmonton’s 10th Historian Laureate, has championed Filipino heritage, cultural diversity, and community inclusion through the Philippine Arts Council. Please join me in celebrating Ida Lucila and the Philippine Arts Council, recipients of the Organizational Diversity Award!
Red Deer – Maureen Juma is an award-winning children’s author and community advocate from Red Deer who champions literacy, diversity, and cultural awareness through storytelling. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating Maureen Juma!
Edmonton- Yash P. Sharma is a respected media publisher and community leader from Beaumont, with over 45 years of experience. As founder of Asian Tribune and former host of Harmony TV, he has championed multicultural voices and community connections. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating Yash P. Sharma!
Edmonton- Yan Xie is an award-winning journalist and founder of Chinese Multicultural Herald, championing diversity, cultural understanding, and community connections through media. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating Yan Xie!
Edmonton- David Chen is a successful Edmonton entrepreneur and former president of the Fukinese Association of Alberta, dedicated to strengthening businesses and multicultural communities. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating David Chen!
Edmonton- Michael William Morin Wolfe Dumont is a passionate Edmonton community leader and founder of Sparking Minds and Changing Lives Resource Centre. Through sports, music, and community initiatives, he brings people together and champions inclusion and diversity. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating Michael William Morin Wolfe Dumont!
Fort McMurray- Zaid Sulaiman is an award-winning community leader and founder of the Pakistan Canada Association of Fort McMurray. Through cultural initiatives and volunteerism, he has championed diversity, unity, and community inclusion. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating Zaid Sulaiman!
Still in Fort McMurray- For over 40 years, the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo has championed diversity, supported newcomers, and fostered a strong sense of belonging through cultural programs and community partnerships. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo!
Calgary- For over 50 years, Calgary Opera has enriched Alberta’s arts community through world-class performances, cultural collaborations, and inclusive arts education. Their commitment to diversity and accessibility continues to bring communities together through music and storytelling. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating Calgary Opera!
Brooks- Global Village Centre connects newcomers with communities across Brooks and southeastern Alberta through education, cultural support, and community engagement. Their work champions diversity, inclusion, and a stronger sense of belonging. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating Global Village Centre.
What is Alberta?
Alberta is Yash, of Indian descent, who founded a newspaper in Edmonton to share information with his community and the wider Albertan community to benefit from the power of information.
Alberta is Zaid, who created the Pakistani association in Fort McMurray to bring communities together and connect with other Albertans, learn from each other and grow.
Alberta is Global Village Centre in Brooks, founded by newcomers for newcomers to give newcomers the much needed support in their settlement to be useful and successful in Alberta.
Alberta is Calgary Opera, giving minority singers a platform to showcase their craft and become celebrities in Alberta and beyond.
Alberta is Ida, sharing the beautiful Filipino art and culture, that has evolved into her becoming Edmonton’s official ambassador on historical matters, promoting public awareness and preserving local history.
Alberta is Michael, who supports, attends, and shares cultural events in Edmonton and across Alberta beyond his indigenous heritage events.
Yes, 40% of new small businesses in urban Alberta are immigrant-led, that’s not a feel-good stat.
That’s GDP.
That’s jobs.
That’s growth.
That’s taxes that fund our healthcare, roads, and schools.
That’s Alberta!
That’s what Diversity Awards represents.
Diversity Awards is tomorrow, October 16, 5-8 PM, at ArtSphere in Edmonton.
FREE Entry!
Join the celebration…
Check the agenda above
Meet your nominees
Friends of Diversity
Julie Carter, Fort McMurray
With two decades of experience as a professional in both the public and private sectors, Julie has a demonstrated track record across many facets of business, including project management, stakeholder engagement, human resources management, organizational performance improvement, and strategic planning. With strong written and oral communication skills, a demonstrated ability to multitask, and an aptitude for attention to detail, Julie is a strong project manager and mature leader in the face of complexity. She is experienced in the environmental services industry, non-profit organizations, and government, and skilled in public speaking, leadership, and event planning.
Collaboration is one of her core values. Julie is passionate about working with people and eager to see others succeed. She has a strong desire to encourage and support others to develop their potential, and to assist them in identifying passions and opportunities to discover and experience true joy. She enjoys connecting and creating linkages between individuals and ideas, and she facilitates connections between people and the tools they need to get the job done. Throughout her career, Julie has been fortunate to work with mentors who have instilled in her a desire to continually learn and improve, not only herself, but the organizations she works for as well.
Ida Lucila, Edmonton
Ida Lucila and the Philippine Arts Council (PAC) exemplify the core values of the Organizational Diversity Award through their transformative role in elevating marginalized cultural narratives, bridging diverse communities, and expanding Edmonton’s inclusive heritage.They lead a wide range of cultural preservation initiatives, artistic development programs, and community celebrations in Edmonton.
Under the visionary leadership of Ida Lucila—a former principal dancer with Ballet Philippines, arts administrator, and Edmonton’s 10th Historian Laureate—the Philippine Arts Council has established a vibrant platform for immigrant and visible minority artists. Rather than operating in isolation, PAC actively integrates Filipino heritage into Canada’s broader multicultural canvas. By organizing city-wide initiatives such as the Philippine Arts Festival, living heritage exhibitions like The Filipino in Me, and collaborative dance projects, PAC creates structured spaces where diverse artistic disciplines and cultural expressions intersect.
PAC’s dedication to diversity extends beyond artistic showcase into systemic cultural preservation and community building. Through groundbreaking initiatives such as:
* Echoes of Identity: Tracking Filipino Cultural Landscapes in Edmonton: A digital cultural mapping initiative that documents physical spaces, landmarks, community hubs, and oral histories of the Filipino diaspora across Edmonton, embedding its cultural presence into the civic consciousness.
* Paglalayag: The Philippines to Canada Journey: A documentary film and research archive that preserves the lived experiences, immigration stories, and community contributions of Filipinos across Alberta, ensuring newcomer experiences are recognized as essential threads of Canadian history.
* Woven Histories: An intercultural initiative pairing Filipino-Albertan, Indigenous, and ethnocultural artists across visual arts, literature, and film to explore shared themes of land, memory, and heritage.
* Living Heritage Exhibits: Art and heritage curation—such as The Filipino in Me and Contemplating the Tapestry of Filipino-Canadian Connections—that bring visual artists, historical artifacts, and community narratives together.
* Philippine Dance Lab: Intensive workshop series focusing on Philippine traditional and modern dance techniques, blending classical principles with cultural choreography.
* The Learning Table: Interactive roundtables and masterclasses connecting emerging local performers with established creatives and visiting artists.
* Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Lucila and PAC consistently build partnerships across diverse arts groups—including guest instruction with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers and multi-ethnic community advocacy—fostering mutual understanding across cultural boundaries.
Through sustainable leadership, grassroots empowerment, and continuous cross-community collaboration, Ida Lucila and the Philippine Arts Council embody the commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural enrichment that the Organizational Diversity Award seeks to honour.
Kateao Nehua-Jackson, Edmonton
Kateao Nehua-Jackson is a visionary leader, cultural force, and compassionate advocate whose life’s work reflects the true essence of diversity, dignity, and human connection. With over three decades of experience across fashion, leadership, and community service, she has dedicated her life to creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered.
A former Miss Universe New Zealand and Miss Aotearoa, Kateao has carried her platform with purpose, using it not for recognition, but as a foundation for lifelong service. She is a founding member of the Indigenous Empowerment Fashion Collective (IEFC), the founder of Edmonton Indigenous Fashion Week, and serves as President and Fashion Director for Heart of the City. Through her leadership, she has transformed fashion into a platform for cultural expression, inclusion, and opportunity. Her work has reached national and international stages, including Toronto Kids Fashion Week, SWAIA Native Fashion Week, New York Kids Runway, Western Canada Fashion Week, and Edmonton PrideFest, where she has uplifted Indigenous voices and championed authentic representation.
Beyond the stage and industry, Kateao’s impact is deeply rooted in community. She has worked tirelessly to support houseless individuals across Edmonton, offering not only resources and pathways to housing, but compassion, trust, and dignity. Through her direct efforts, she has supported and uplifted hundreds of individuals, changing lives through quiet acts of service that often go unseen but are profoundly felt. Her work reflects a deep belief that every person deserves care, respect, and the opportunity to rebuild.
Grounded in her Māori language, culture, and traditions, Kateao carries her identity with strength while honouring the Indigenous lands she now calls home. As a mother to Māori, Cree, and Mohawk children, she embodies the bridging of cultures, instilling values of respect, identity, and unity in both her family and her community.
Kateao leads with grace, resilience, and unwavering purpose. She moves seamlessly between global stages and grassroots spaces, demonstrating that true leadership is measured not by visibility, but by impact. Her ability to uplift others, build community, and create lasting change speaks to a lifetime of dedication.
Kateao Nehua-Jackson is a true Friend of Diversity. Her legacy is one of service, her impact is immeasurable, and her work continues to inspire stronger, more inclusive communities for generations to come.
Maureen Juma, Red Deer
Maureen is an award-winning children’s book author, entrepreneur, and community advocate based in Red Deer, Alberta. Through her culturally enriching books, including Adventures of Mama Gardening in the City and Adventures of Mama Christmas in Kenya, and coming soon: cooking with Friends. She promotes literacy, diversity, and cultural awareness among young readers and families.
Beyond writing, Maureen actively partners with local schools, bookstores, churches, and community organizations to host book readings, signings, and family-centered events that encourage connection and learning. Her commitment to uplifting families, supporting local initiatives, and creating inclusive spaces for storytelling has made a meaningful and lasting impact within her community.
Yash P. Sharma, Beaumont
Yash P. Sharma is a media publisher, communications professional, and community leader with more than 45 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development. Based in Beaumont, Alberta, he has built strong relationships with government officials, business leaders, and community organizations, helping connect diverse audiences through print and television.
As founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of Asian Tribune, established in 2010, Yash leads a multilingual and multicultural newspaper serving Edmonton, Beaumont, and Calgary. His work earned recognition from the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation as an “Innovator of Edmonton” through its success story project.
From 2013 to 2022, Yash produced and hosted Harmony TV Show on Asian Television Network, reaching approximately 800,000 viewers across Canada. Through interviews with provincial ministers, business leaders, and community figures, he brought important information and diverse perspectives to multicultural audiences.
Before entering media, Yash held senior sales and account management roles with GE Infrastructure and Nalco in Canada and India. His career included significant sales growth, team leadership, and two consecutive “Top Gun” sales recognition awards at GE.
A past President of the Press Council of Edmonton and President of the Hindu Society of Beaumont, Yash is currently working toward establishing a Cultural and Spiritual Centre in Beaumont.
He holds honours bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemistry, a postgraduate diploma in Marketing Management, and certification in Professional Selling from Achieve Global, USA.
Yan Xie
Yan Xie is the founder and president of Chinese Multicultural Herald (CMH News), Western Canada’s only Chinese-English bilingual magazine. Through her work in multicultural media, community building and Canada–China exchange, she connects government, media and community resources and helps foster understanding and collaboration among people from diverse backgrounds.
Yan serves as president of the Tianjin Association of Western Canada, vice president of the Canadian Association of Chinese Reporters, and vice president of the Canadian Multicultural Media Confederation. She also serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. Her honours include the 2024 Alberta Newcomer Award – Female Influence Award, presented by the Government of Alberta; The Senator Victor Oh Legacy Award; the Media Advancement Award and Outstanding Journalist Award from the Canadian Multicultural Media Confederation; and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. The English-language documentary The Road to the Election, which she led the production of, received the World Film Festival Special Contribution Award. The film also won Best Short Film at the 2nd International Chinese Original IP Film Festival.
Sidney Nehua-Jackson, Edmonton
Sidney Nehua-Jackson is an emerging leader, global youth advocate, and dedicated community supporter whose work is helping shape a more inclusive and representative future for diverse communities both locally and internationally. Through her commitment to service, cultural advocacy, and behind-the-scenes leadership, she continues to make a meaningful impact across multiple spaces.
As a passionate advocate for people of colour, Sidney actively volunteers her time supporting communities of all backgrounds within Edmonton. Her work is rooted in connection and accessibility, ensuring that individuals from all walks of life feel welcomed, supported, and represented. She brings a strong sense of purpose to everything she does, consistently showing up for her community in ways that are both impactful and deeply intentional.
Sidney also brings valuable experience within the fashion and events industry, where she has contributed to high-level productions in key leadership roles. She has worked as a backstage manager for major events such as Edmonton Indigenous Fashion Week and has served as a model coach for Toronto Kids Fashion Week. Her ability to organize, guide, and support talent behind the scenes reflects both her professionalism and her dedication to creating inclusive, empowering environments. Her work has also extended into the global fashion space, including being featured in Vogue, further amplifying diverse representation.
On a global level, Sidney serves as the Global New Zealand Youth Representative, where she advocates for Polynesian and Māori communities while advancing Indigenous youth voices internationally. In this role, she contributes to important conversations around identity, representation, and cultural empowerment, ensuring that youth perspectives are not only included but valued.
Sidney’s impact is also evident in her role as Talent Manager for the inaugural Miss Queen Alberta. Through her leadership and coordination, she played a key role in organizing and supporting over 125 community appearances, helping to extend outreach to more than 10,000 individuals across the province. Her ability to manage, plan, and execute at this level demonstrates a strong commitment to community engagement and uplifting diverse voices.
What sets Sidney apart is her willingness to serve wherever she is needed, whether on the frontlines of community work, behind the scenes of major events, or on global platforms advocating for change. She represents a new generation of leaders who understand the importance of both visibility and action.
Sidney Nehua-Jackson continues to lead with purpose, dedication, and a clear vision for inclusive communities. Her contributions make her a deserving recipient of recognition as a Friend of Diversity.
David Chen, Edmonton
David Chen, moved to Edmonton from China 30 years ago, created and owned few businesses and the most successful business is hospitality industry in Edmonton. He also was president of Fukinese Association Alberta, contributing to build strong multicultural communities.
Daniel Brown-Myrie, Edmonton
My name is Danielle. I am a promoter and event planner in Edmonton. I dederve this award because I support everybody at their events. I am a business woman that comes and celebrates others achievements.
Michael William Morin Wolfe Dumont
Zaid Sulaiman, Fort McMurray
After migrating from Karachi, Pakistan, to Fort McMurray in 2007, Zaid envisioned creating a welcoming community where Pakistani families could come together, celebrate their cultural heritage, support one another, and actively participate in the multicultural fabric of Canadian society. What began with small family gatherings and community celebrations gradually developed into a much larger vision of community service and engagement.
In 2009, Zaid founded the Pakistan Canada Association (PCA) of Fort McMurray, serving as its Founder and President. Under his leadership, PCA has grown into an active cultural organization.
Zaid’s community involvement extends well beyond the Pakistani-Canadian community. He has consistently encouraged collaboration with other cultural communities and actively participated in initiatives designed to strengthen Fort McMurray as a welcoming and inclusive community. His leadership has inspired volunteers, families, and especially youth to become involved in community welfare programs, fundraising initiatives, cultural activities, and volunteer opportunities. His leadership approach centers on bringing people together, building a spirit of teamwork, and creating meaningful opportunities for community members to make a positive difference.
Over the years, Zaid Sulaiman has established himself as a respected role model in Fort McMurray.
His journey reflects a simple but powerful belief: that a stronger community is built when people come together, serve one another, celebrate diversity, and give back to the place they call home.
Friends of Diversity Organization
The Nepalese Community Society of Calgary (NCSC)
The Nepalese Community Society of Calgary (NCSC) is a standout candidate for the Friend of Diversity award, not merely because it hosts a large festival, but because it has systematically built a replicable model for how a cultural organization can act as a bridge rather than a silo. While the preservation of heritage is vital, NCSC has gone further by operationalizing “intercultural learning” as a core strategic pillar, transforming Calgary into a laboratory for multicultural dialogue.
The annual Nepali Mela and multicultural showcasing event is the most visible manifestation of this work. Attracting over 15,000 visitors annually from across Alberta, including Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Red Deer, the event has become a provincial touchstone for diversity. However, the true “diversity friend” work happens in the months leading up to the event. By hosting community forums, roundtables, and interactive sessions, and by offering intercultural tours with various ethnocultural groups, NCSC ensures that the event is not just a performance but a co-created event. This pre-event process of aligning “different wavelengths” demonstrates an advanced understanding that multiculturalism requires active maintenance, not passive celebration.
Furthermore, NCSC’s programming explicitly targets intergenerational and intercultural learning through activities that extend beyond entertainment. By organizing multiculturalism quizzes, arts and crafts, and stage performances prior to the main event, they create safe, educational spaces where newcomers, youth, and long-standing Calgarians can learn about each other with each other.
This approach is backed by institutional validation. NCSC has been trusted by the Government of Canada, Province of Alberta, and the City of Calgary to administer the Fostering Anti-Racism and Multiculturalism (FARM) Grant consecutively from 2023 through Canadian Heritage, Ethnocultural Grant, and the city’s Arts and Culture Microgrant. This institutional investment confirms that the organization is not just hosting a party, but delivering measurable outcomes in anti-racism and social cohesion.
Finally, their strategy proves that diversity efforts are sustainable. The 2022 strategic plan identified “social inclusion,” “capacity building,” “service diversification”, and “fostering multiculturalism” as key pillars, supporting nearly 3,000 service users annually. By moving from “need assessment” to “transformational change,” NCSC proves that an ethnic society can be a leader in the broader Canadian multicultural landscape. For turning a single community’s celebration into a province-wide, multi-sector movement for inclusion, the NCSC is deeply deserving of this award.
Truth with Action, Treaty 6 Territory, Alberta, Canada
Truth with Action is a youth-led platform and growing movement dedicated to advancing Truth and Reconciliation through meaningful, everyday practice. Founded on the belief that awareness alone is not enough, the organization focuses on transforming education into action by providing accessible ways for individuals and communities to engage with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in their daily lives.
Rooted in inclusivity and collaboration, Truth with Action creates spaces where people from all backgrounds can come together to learn, reflect, and actively participate in reconciliation. The organization works to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non Indigenous communities by encouraging open dialogue, cultural understanding, and shared responsibility.
Through community engagement, workshops, social media advocacy, and public initiatives, Truth with Action has reached thousands of individuals, equipping them with the tools and confidence to take part in meaningful change. Its approach makes complex conversations approachable, ensuring that people feel welcomed rather than overwhelmed when engaging in reconciliation.
Expanding beyond Canada, Truth with Action has taken its movement to the global stage, engaging with leaders in Europe to share its mission and educate international audiences on the importance of Truth and Reconciliation. Through this work, the organization highlights that reconciliation is not only a national responsibility, but a global one, encouraging allyship that goes beyond words and into action within communities worldwide.
What distinguishes Truth with Action is its commitment to collective impact. It does not simply raise awareness, it mobilizes individuals, organizations, and communities to take responsibility and implement change in their own environments. By promoting practical and achievable steps, it fosters lasting shifts in mindset, behaviour, and relationships.
Truth with Action continues to uplift Indigenous voices, support youth leadership, and create opportunities for collaboration across sectors. It is guided by the belief that reconciliation is a shared journey, one that must be lived, practiced, and sustained together.
By turning intention into action at both a local and global level, Truth with Action represents the true spirit of diversity, making it highly deserving of recognition as a Friend of Diversity.
City of Brooks
Brooks, proudly known as the City of 100 Hellos, is a vibrant community shaped by one of Alberta’s most diverse populations. With residents representing cultures from around the world, the City has embraced the responsibility of creating a place where all people feel seen, valued, and at home. Over the past several years—and especially this past year—the City of Brooks has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through meaningful action, strategic policy, and genuine community partnership.
To ensure equitable and barrier free access to municipal services, the City implemented translation devices in key service buildings. This initiative has transformed how residents interact with the City, enabling clearer communication for speakers of dozens of languages and improving service delivery for thousands of Newcomers. This is one of Brooks’ most tangible demonstrations of removing systemic barriers and providing inclusive access to essential supports.
Brooks strengthened its internal culture by adopting a Municipal Employee Anti Racism Policy, setting a firm expectation of cultural respect, accountability, and equitable treatment from all City representatives. This policy, supported by training and education, reinforces an organizational commitment to creating a safe, welcoming environment for residents and employees alike.
To ensure community voices guide City decisions, Brooks established the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Committee, a cross sector group representing diverse cultural backgrounds, agencies, and lived experiences. Both the Inclusion Coordinator and a designated City official hold seats on the committee to ensure open communication with City leadership. This direct link allows the committee to advise Council on policy, programming, and community needs, ensuring that inclusion remains central in municipal decision making.
The City’s full time Inclusion Coordinator plays a crucial role in advancing this work. Their responsibilities include delivering public education on cultural awareness, anti racism, and newcomer experiences; coordinating multicultural programming; supporting local agencies that serve minority communities; hosting intercultural dialogues; building partnerships with schools and non-profits; and leading initiatives that challenge stereotypes and foster understanding. They also organize and support major community events that celebrate cultural diversity and bring residents together.
Brooks’ signature events, such as Taste of Nations, showcase traditional foods, dance, art, and clothing from around the world, welcoming thousands of attendees each year. The City also ensures that major celebrations—including Canada Day—reflect the multicultural fabric of Brooks through inclusive programming, performances, and culturally diverse vendors.
Beyond municipal programming, Brooks is deeply committed to supporting ethnic and diverse businesses. The City recognizes that culturally rich businesses not only strengthen the local economy but also provide residents with a “taste of home,” offering access to familiar ingredients, products, and traditions. Through promotion, partnerships, and ongoing support, the City helps ensure these businesses thrive and are celebrated as essential parts of the community.
The City of Brooks demonstrates, in every initiative, what it means to be a true Friend of Diversity. By centering lived experience, breaking down barriers, fostering belonging, and celebrating cultural identity, Brooks is building a community where diversity is not only welcomed but embraced—and where every resident feels they belong.
The Peace and Friendship Awards, Individual
Hinauri Nehua-Jackson, Edmonton
Hinauri Nehua-Jackson is a dynamic Indigenous youth leader, global advocate, and the inaugural Miss Queen Alberta 2025 whose work exemplifies the true spirit of diversity, inclusion, and community empowerment. As the first Person of Colour to hold the provincial title, she used her historic platform to break barriers while creating meaningful change across communities.
As the founder of Truth with Action and the Global Indigenous Dialogue, Hinauri has transformed advocacy into tangible, everyday impact. Her work focuses on advancing Truth and Reconciliation in ways that are accessible and actionable for all, encouraging individuals, organizations, and communities to move beyond awareness and into meaningful, lasting change. Through public speaking, workshops, and international collaboration, she actively builds bridges between Indigenous and non Indigenous communities, fostering understanding rooted in respect and shared growth.
During her reign as the inaugural Miss Queen Alberta 2025, Hinauri demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment to service and community engagement. She attended over 125 events and directly reached more than 10,000 people, using every opportunity to uplift voices, support diverse initiatives, and bring communities together. Her presence at events was not symbolic, it was intentional, hands on, and grounded in genuine care for the people she served.
What sets Hinauri apart is her ability to connect across cultures and experiences. With lived experience as both Indigenous and from an immigrant background, she brings a unique and powerful perspective that resonates with a wide range of communities. She is deeply committed to ensuring that diversity efforts are inclusive of all identities, creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered.
In addition to her advocacy, Hinauri is dedicated to mentoring the next generation. She works closely with Indigenous youth and youth of colour, helping them build confidence, embrace their identity, and step into leadership through fashion, storytelling, and self expression.
Her contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the Alberta Diversity and Inclusion Award. However, her greatest impact lies in the communities she uplifts and the connections she fosters.
Hinauri Nehua-Jackson is not only an advocate for diversity, she is an active force in building it every day. Her leadership is rooted in authenticity, her work is driven by purpose, and her impact continues to inspire lasting change. She is truly deserving of recognition as a Friend of Diversity.
Organizational Diversity
Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo
For more than 40 years, the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo (MCA), has given people from around the world more than just a place they can live, but a place where they can belong and thrive.
Through newcomer support with their Welcome Centre, language services, cultural events such as their Multicultural EXPO, volunteer opportunities, and community partnerships, the MCA breaks down barriers and creates meaningful connections between people and cultures.
Their impact is measured not only by the success of their programs and services, but in their ability to assist newcomers and their families in finding their confidence, community and connections in the Wood Buffalo region. The MCA recognizes that diversity is not something simply to celebrate, but rather that it is something to embrace, nurture and live every day.
By building bridges, creating opportunities, and ensuring every person feels welcome, valued, and heard, the MCA helps to strengthen the entire Wood Buffalo community. Its enduring legacy is a community where differences bring us closer together and where everyone can say with confidence that they belong in our community.
Calgary Opera
Calgary Opera has been a leader in the arts community for more than five decades. Founded in 1972, Calgary Opera is known nationally and internationally for its commitment to the development of Canadian talent and to production of operas at the highest artistic standard.
Calgary Opera is one of Canada’s most innovative and ambitious professional opera companies.
It is the largest opera company in the Prairies and takes pride in being a pillar of the arts community in Southern Alberta.
Opera is the most collaborative artform. It is a hearts-and-minds experience that integrates story, song, dance, music, architecture, and fashion, and it is a model for a more connected, civil society. Calgary Opera is a community-builder, bringing audiences, artists, and artisans together to explore both the perspectives we share and the elements of our lives that make us unique.
Calgary Opera typically produces three main stage productions at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (2300 seated venue capacity) and a family opera performance at the Mamdani Opera Centre (170 seated venue capacity). In addition to compelling main stage season performances, the organization provides meaningful community engagement and impactful educational
programming. It offers numerous education events and programs that enrich the lives of thousands of children, youth, and adults in Alberta each year by inviting them to learn, create, and grow through opera and the arts.
The organization has offered an annual tour of an opera for young audiences through its School & Community Tour program since 2007 and offered the in-school music program Let’s Create an Opera since 1998. Since 2006, the organization has provided young artists in-depth training and performance experience to advance their skills to new heights through its McPhee Artist
Development Program. To date, 116 young artists have received training through this program.
The organization offers a diversity of other events and activities in Southern Alberta which serve the needs of its community, including free discovery sessions and performances with partner organizations throughout the city of Calgary and surrounding area.
Diversity in Action
As of 2025, Calgary’s population is estimated at 1,687,900, with a relatively young population (median age 38 years old), reflecting a strong linguistic diversity, with 30.1% of residents identifying as part of the global majority. Calgary Opera is committed to meaningfully telling musical stories that resonate with local audiences, ensuring that audiences see themselves
represented through our work. We strive to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility on stage, behind the scenes, and among our audiences, including in the following ways:
* Hiring artists, staff, and creative team members, including McPhees and choristers.
Whether on stage or behind the scenes, the individuals we engage reflect the diversity of Calgary’s communities. One such example is our Let’s Create an Opera program, where 61% of artists engaged as part of the creative and performing teams identify as BIPOC and/or 2SLGBTQI+.
* Reconcili-Action through Let’s Create an Opera: For three consecutive years, Calgary Opera has integrated Indigenous languages and stories into our artist residency program as part of our commitment on principles to Reconciliation in action. In the first year, Elder Saa’kokoto gifted the story of Piita the Eagle to Sundance School, resulting Calgary Opera’s first original children’s opera featuring English, French, and Blackfoot.
In the second year, students and artists created an original opera incorporating the story of a Blackfoot village intertwined with the founding of Percy Pegler School in Okotoks.
This year, we are collaborating with Eric Harvie School on an original opera that
incorporates six gifted words from Elders and Knowledge Keepers from Treaty 7 Nations. The creative team for this school includes Troy Delaney, a world champion Blackfoot singer and drummer, and Garret C. Smith, Artistic Director of Making Treaty
7.* Community collaborations: Calgary Opera is committed to important community engagement work with local organizations that support the needs and interests of Calgarians. Each project is rooted in active listening, creativity, co-creation, and prolonged engagement that goes far beyond the first point of contact. Recent examples include:
Afro-Caribbean Festival 2026: Featured artists included tenor Yannick Tchouptang (recently arrived from Cameroon), as well as two singers with Caribbean roots: bass-baritone Joshua R. Read and soprano Katie McCullough. In addition to performing selections from the standard operatic repertoire, Joshua also performed “Songs to the Dark Virgin” by Florence Price, an African-American female composer, while Katie performed “María la O” from a Cuban zarzuela of the same title. We look forward to performing at the festival next year!
Omatsuri & Calgary Japanese Community Association: Recent collaborations
with the CJCA have included “Harmony” an evening of music and culinary arts
presented in advance of Madama Butterfly. Calgary Opera also participated int the 2025 Omatsuri Festival, featuring a community chorus that brought together Calgary Opera choristers and community members to perform the Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly, alongside soloists Nicole Leung and Chinese- Canadian tenor Spencer Britten performing operatic arias and duets. This season, we performed the national anthems of Japan and Canada at Omatsuri featuring two Calgary Opera artists and two Japanese community vocalists in a new arrangement of Kimigayo by Stephania Romaniuk. We are also collaborating with the CJCA on a Japanese High Tea event on Oct 4, 2026, pairing three selections of Japanese steeped tea and sweets with live performances from operas including an echo of Madama Butterfly.
Francophone Community: Through partnerships with Alliance Française Calgary
and L’Association Canadienne Française de l’Alberta, a new speaker series is
being launched to demystify opera and feature French-speaking opera artists in a conversational setting. We will also introduce a French-language children’s opera open house, modelled on Serious Family Fun, to engage Francophone children and families through opera. Lastly, we have tailored classroom visits, all-school assemblies, and backstage tours to be available for francophone schools and students to participate through the French language.
Tannenbaum Lighting Festival: In 2025, Calgary Opera performed excerpts from the German-language opera Hansel and Gretel at the Tannenbaum Lighting Festival in cooperation with the Calgary German Children’s Choir. This year, four McPhee artists will perform at the event: two performing as soloists alongside the German Ladies Choir of Calgary and the German Men’s Choir of Calgary, and two presenting an extended scene in German and English from Cinderella with the Calgary German Children’s Choir.
Italian Cultural Centre and Taste of Italy: Since 2024, Calgary Opera has sent
vocalists to perform Italian operatic arias and duets at the Italian cultural festival in Calgary known as Taste of Italy, located in Bridgeland.
Fiesta Filipino: In 2024, Calgary Opera collaborated with emerging Filipino musical theatre artists from the FlipSide Theatre Collective, presenting excerpts from the Tagalog musical HIMALA at this large-scale festival. Building on this partnership, one of the Collective participants auditioned successfully to perform in the Calgary Opera chorus, and the Artistic Director of FlipSide Theatre, Steven Conde, was invited to serve as a Let’s Create an Opera stage director in 2025, and is reprising his role with the project in 2026. Additionally, Calgary Opera sent a vocalist to sing a prayer at the Calgary vigil for the victims of the 2025 Lapu Lapu Festival Tragedy.
Cross-Cultural Song-Sharing Project: Beginning in 2020, Calgary Opera
collaborated with the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association to lead several
transformative community engagement projects. Under the facilitation of teaching artist Stephania Romaniuk, newcomer women taught one another songs from their cultures in the original language, leading to performances online and in person. Four iterations of the program have been completed. And more!
* Diversifying audiences through financially accessible programming: Calgary Opera offers a range of free and low-cost opportunities that reduce barriers to participation and engage new audiences. These include free programs such as Unpacking Opera, Serious Family Fun, and community performances presented in partnership with other organizations, as well as affordable offerings such as Invited Dress Rehearsals for students, teachers, choirs, and lifelong learners, and Backstage Tours.
Calgary Opera believes in building on each of these initiatives in ways that serve our community.
How Well Does Your Organization Reflect Alberta’s Welcoming Spirit?
Celebrate the spirit of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) and honor the welcoming efforts of organizations, individuals, and municipalities at the Diversity Awards 2026.
Nomination are CLOSE for 2026 Award! Last day September 25
Diversity Awards 2025 in Sylvan Lake:
For any inquiries, please contact us at info@diversitymag.ca or Frakline at (780) 709-0965.
Click here for 2025 Diversity Awards Recipients
Click here for 2024 Diversity Awards as well as the Categories.
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Cliquez ici pour les Diversity Awards 2024 ainsi que les catégories.
Click here for Diversity Awards 2024 List of Recipients
Congratulations to Diversity Awards 2024 Recipients….
The Categories/ les Catégories
Organizational Diversity/ Diversité organisationnelle:
An Alberta organization that has made a significant improvement in diversity and inclusion with support documents, references, programs, hiring, policy, or implementation.
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Une organisation albertaine qui a apporté une amélioration significative en matière de diversité et d’inclusion grâce à des documents de soutien, des références, des programmes, des politiques de recrutement ou de mise en œuvre.
Friends of Diversity (an Individual or an Organization)/ Amis de la Diversité (un Individu ou une Organisation):
An Albertan or an organization that has made significant strides in fostering diversity and inclusion in any sector in Alberta.
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Un Albertain ou une organisation qui a réalisé des progrès significatifs dans la promotion de la diversité et de l’inclusion dans n’importe quel secteur en Alberta.
The Peace and Friendship Awards, (Individual or Organization)/ Les Prix de la Paix et de l’Amitié, (Individu ou Organisation):
Canada is a nation that has been built upon the foundation of Peace and Friendship treaties between Indigenous Nations and the Crown of Canada. These living treaties bind our country from sea to sea to sea and have contributed to the very nature of the Canadian identity. The spirit of these treaties is to ensure that Indigenous nations and newcomers endeavour to live peacefully, build and maintain good relations, mutually benefit from the land and her bounty, respect each other, share and learn from each other’s gifts, and to prosper. It¹s all about relationships.
Criteria: This annual award is given by the Indigenous community to a non-Indigenous person and an organization. It recognizes outstanding community work, volunteerism, relationship development, shared programming, and consistent efforts of support to build and maintain good relations with the Indigenous community.
Come Join Us in a Grand Celebration as we Honor Alberta’s Champions of Diversity and Inclusion for Diversity Awards 2024 in April coming up in April. Diversity Awards is dedicated to recognizing and applauding the extraordinary individuals and organizations in Alberta who have made significant contributions towards fostering an inclusive community. Their relentless efforts in promoting diversity, equality, and acceptance have played a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive society. Join us in this momentous occasion to show your support and appreciation for these remarkable champions who are leading the way in making Alberta a vibrant and inclusive place for all.
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Les Prix de la Paix et de l’Amitié, (Individu ou Organisation) : Le Canada est une nation qui a été construite sur la base des traités de Paix et d’Amitié entre les Nations Autochtones et la Couronne du Canada. Ces traités vivants lient notre pays d’un océan à l’autre et ont contribué à la nature même de l’identité canadienne. L’esprit de ces traités est de garantir que les nations autochtones et les nouveaux arrivants s’efforcent de vivre en paix, de construire et de maintenir de bonnes relations, de bénéficier mutuellement de la terre et de ses richesses, de se respecter mutuellement, de partager et d’apprendre des dons de chacun, et de prospérer. Tout cela concerne les relations.
Critères : Ce prix annuel est décerné par la communauté autochtone à une personne non autochtone et à une organisation. Il reconnaît le travail communautaire exceptionnel, le bénévolat, le développement des relations, la programmation partagée et les efforts constants de soutien pour construire et maintenir de bonnes relations avec la communauté autochtone. Venez nous rejoindre dans une grande célébration alors que nous honorons les Champions de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion de l’Alberta pour les Prix de la Diversité 2024 en avril prochain. Les Prix de la Diversité sont dédiés à la reconnaissance et à l’applaudissement des individus et des organisations extraordinaires en Alberta qui ont apporté des contributions significatives à la promotion d’une communauté inclusive. Leurs efforts inlassables pour promouvoir la diversité, l’égalité et l’acceptation ont joué un rôle crucial dans la formation d’une société plus inclusive. Rejoignez-nous lors de cette occasion historique pour témoigner votre soutien et votre appréciation à ces remarquables champions qui montrent la voie pour faire de l’Alberta un endroit dynamique et inclusif pour tous.
Diversity Awards Frequently Asked Questions.
Q: Is there a charge to be nominated?
A. No
Q: Is there a charge to attend the event?
A: Nominees go in for Free and those who are not nominees and want to attend must have a Diversity Magazine membership. Pick up a Diversity Magazine membership here
Q: Is there a special Diversity Awards edition of Diversity Magazine coming out on the day of Diversity Awards 2023, scheduled for Friday April 28, 2023, at Baymont Hotel in Red Deer?
A. Yes
Q: is there a cost to share your submissions or profile or any content in this magazine coming out on the day of the award?
A: No if you’re a Diversity Magazine member.
Yes, there’s a charge if you’re not a Diversity Magazine member. Please check the rates here.
Q: How long is the event, and what is on the agenda?
A: it’s a three-hour long event, one hour of presentation of awards sandwiched between two hours of networking and a panel discussion in the last 30 minutes of the first hour.
Q: How are the panelists selected for the award?
A: panelists are selected from the most inspiring submissions from all the nominees.
Q: Will there be refreshments and at what cost?
A: Yes there will be refreshments and it will be Free!
