YOUTH ACTIVIST JESSICA YEE TO RECEIVE 2010 HARMONY AWARD

TORONTO, Oct. 28 /CNW/ - Harmony Movement announced today that the 2010 Harmony Award will be presented to Toronto youth activist Jessica Yee at an awards banquet on November 2 at Arcadian Court, Toronto.

Ms. Yee founded the Native Youth Sexual Health Network, based in Toronto and on the Oneida reservation in Wisconsin, at the age of 20.  She has become an internationally respected youth leader who organizes forums on indigenous youth and writes, edits and produces books, videos and theatre about youth sexuality, reproductive justice, and activism 

"Jessica Yee is a strong believer in the power of the youth voice and in breaking down barriers of discrimination and fighting for social justice," the organization's chair Lois Tori said.  "Her advocacy and activism for a more inclusive and equitable Canada epitomizes Harmony Movement's ideal of a youth leader for social change."

A prolific writer and speaker, Ms. Yee is the author of Sex Ed and Youth: Colonization, Sexuality and Communities of Colour, as well as the forthcoming book to be published by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Deconstructing the Academic Industrial Complex of Feminism.  She will be featured in the new National Film Board documentary Feminism Now.

The Harmony Award recognizes those who made significant contributions to the promotion of harmony and equity, and who have worked tirelessly to enrich the diversity in Canada.  Past recipients include Josh Thome and Sol Guy, Roméo Dallaire, Michele Landsberg and Stephen Lewis, Temple Har Zion and the Islamic Ja'affari Centre, June Callwood, and Roberta Jamieson.

At the awards banquet, Harmony Movement will also present the Harmony Educator Award to Mr. Javier Davila of Parkdale Collegiate, Toronto; Harmony Leadership in Education Award to Ms. Vicki Bismilla at Centennial College; and ten June Callwood Harmony Scholarships to just-graduated high-school students from British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia.

Harmony Movement www.harmony.ca was founded in 1994 to promote the value of diversity.  Today it stands as a unique organization that engages people from a wide range of backgrounds to champion a multicultural and pluralistic Canadian identity.

"Sadly, the 'us vs. them' attitude that existed at that time is still pervasive today," said co-founder Dr. Joseph Wong.  "We must all take an active role in promoting diversity as an integral part of who we are as Canadians."

"Over the past five years, Harmony Movement has conducted hundreds of youth diversity leadership programs for schools and communities in the GTA and southern Ontario," notes executive director Cheuk Kwan.  "We have really established our name as the 'go-to' organization for this kind of work."

For further information:

Mr. Cheuk Kwan, 416 804 1527 or [email protected]