2013 Harmony Award honours the Nishiyuu Walkers

TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - The 2013 Harmony Award will be presented to the Nishiyuu Walkers, six youth from a small Cree community on the shores of the Hudson Bay.

In the middle of the winter of 2013, the Nishiyuu Walkers embarked on a ten-week 1,600-km trek from northern Quebec to Ottawa to demonstrate that youth have a voice in demanding respect for Treaty rights, and for the care and protection of their lands for future generations.

Inspired by then 17-year-old David Kawapit of the Whapmagoostui First Nation, and led by community uncle, the late Issac Kawapit, better known as "The White Wizard", the walkers drew in more than 270 allies along the way - including an 11-year old - many of whom marched with them to Parliament Hill on March 25, 2013.

"The Walkers are honoured to receive such a prestigious award," says Chief Stanley George. "David and other young people like him are driving the Idle No More movement and are creating the conditions for genuine change and progress. Their names are forever etched into the history of this country."

The annual Harmony Award recognizes contributions of Canadians who are active in promoting diversity, inclusion and social change. Past award recipients include Herb Carnegie, Roberta Jamieson, June Callwood, Stephen Lewis and Michele Landsberg, and Roméo Dallaire.

The presentation ceremony will take place at the Taste for Change: Harmony Awards 2013 gala on November 21, 2013 at the Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East, Toronto. For more information see http://www.harmony.ca/events/

The event will also recognize outstanding achievements in diversity and social justice by presenting the June Callwood Harmony Scholarships, Harmony School of the Year, as well as Harmony Educator and the Harmony Leadership in Education awards.

"We want to recognize and celebrate students, educators and activists who have made a positive social impact on their local and national community," says Executive Director Cheuk Kwan. "The gala gives us an opportunity to provide a platform for meaningful exchanges amongst those who are committed to creating inclusion in our society."

Harmony Movement www.harmony.ca is the leading provider of equity and inclusive education in Ontario. It was founded in 1994 to address issues of racial discrimination and prejudice in Canadian society and to promote awareness and challenge all forms of discrimination.

Each year, Harmony Movement works with over 6,000 youth and educators in more than 35 Ontario school boards to promote and enhance the importance of equitable and inclusive practices for all.

SOURCE: Harmony Movement

Press passes available upon request. Contact: Cheuk Kwan 416-804-1527 [email protected]