There will be a colourful artistic display at city hall next week promoting tolerance and understanding among all people.
The exhibit will feature logos created by lakecity students in a contest designed to promote multiculturalism in the region, plus the winning regional logo.
The Williams Lake City Council junior council members Tanner Nickel and Rebekah Corbett were charged with judging the two finalists during an event held at the GROW Centre Wednesday morning.
They chose the logo created by Ayame Sibertson, a Grade 6 student in Prince George. Ayame’s winning logo features two hands, one white, one dark, creating a heart shape around an Earth symbol.
The regional runner-up was the Williams Lake local winning entry by Grade 10 GROW student Mekayla McNeil, originally announced last month.
The logo contest was spearheaded by the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society of Prince George, which has a branch in Williams Lake, and funded by an Embrace B.C. grant through the North East Organization Against Racism and Hate Network.
Logo contests were held in Prince George, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House last fall. There were 15 entries in Prince George, nine entries in Williams Lake and several entries in the 100 Mile House contest.
In Williams Lake the logo contest was sponsored by the local Canadian Mental Health Association’s multiculturalism committee spearheaded by program coordinator Marilyn Livingston, Tom Salley and Margaret Anne Enders.
Notices were sent out to various community groups. Students at GROW participated in an art and multiculturalism workshop at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre where students created their logos for the contest.
The North East Organization Against Racism and Hate Network is comprised of representatives from the IMSS in Prince George, CMHA multiculturalism committee in Williams Lake and the Cariboo Family Enrichment Society in 100 Mile House who share programs, ideas and resources regarding multiculturalism and anti-racism and work towards a regional strategy to promote diversity and inter-racial harmony.
The logo contest was part of the network’s efforts to further cross-cultural understanding in schools and in the three communities.
Ley Fraser, from the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society in Prince George was there for the occasion along with representatives from the Williams Lake contest and Williams Lake.
Fraser said the new logo will be used on posters, letterhead, T-shirts and other promotional materials in the region.
Williams Lake Coun. Surinderpal Rathor was among those giving short speeches during the event. He talked a bit about his own experience with racism, and the recent loss of his daughter. He encouraged the students to work toward their goals because one day they could be leaders in their community. While there are troubles in the world he encouraged the students to love one another, to try to get along, and celebrate and accept diversity.
Williams Lake city representative Ann Burrill introduced the junior council members and talked a bit about the junior council program and city’s commitment to promoting multiculturalism. She says the nine entries from Williams Lake, plus a copy of the winning regional logo will be on display next week at city hall.