2009 British Columbia Nesika Awards
The provincial Nesika Awards honour and celebrate British Columbia's cultural diversity and indigenous communities. They recognize the people, organizations and communities whose exceptional work is helping to bring our diverse cultures together.
Nesika (Ne-SAY-ka) is Chinook jargon for “we, us, our.” It comes from a trade language used by many different Aboriginal linguistic groups along the west coast of North America. Chinook jargon was used extensively in British Columbia during the 19th and early 20th centuries to help Aboriginal people communicate, first among themselves and then with European newcomers.
The award recipients were selected by an independent panel of judges that included B.C. Lee, former MAC member Debra Hoggan and current members B.C. Senator Yonah Martin, Michelle Rakotonaivo, Andrée St. Martin and Jan Walls. The council advises Mr. Wally Oppal as Minister responsible for Multiculturalism
Senator Martin was honoured to be selected as one of the judges of the awards.