Immigrants of Distinction Award Recipients

2011 Immigrants of Distinction Award Recipients

 

Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award Recipient

2011 Recipient - Tina Merali

Tina Merali is an extraordinary teacher who was born in Lebanon. Following her father’s death when Tina was two years old she was sent to a boarding school which allowed her mother to work and provide for the family. In 1980 due to the civil war and other factors, at age 15 years Tina was sent on her own to Canada. Eventually she enrolled at Henry Wise Wood High School to continue her interrupted education.

Tina has taught both Spanish and English as a Second Language. Currently she is the Coordinator of the Wellness Centre at Forest Lawn High School working with community agencies to support the diverse needs of students. Through her work, Tina demonstrates her belief in the ultimate freedom of individuals to make decisions that determine their life and lifestyle. This is evidenced in Forest Lawn student Anastasia Kochie’s heartfelt endorsement of Tina for the 2011 Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award.

“I’m a ‘girl’ but born in the wrong gender, I knew when I was seven years old. I was scared of dressing up as a girl. I feared what people were going to do to me in public. I’m so happy seeing Mrs. Merali because she always makes me feel safe and comfortable in school.

“I have lots of friends who went to her asking for help. In 2009 I experienced a problem with my family and I had to move out. I didn’t know where to live I was only 16 at the time and Mrs.Merali helped me to find a place to live as well as encouraged me to come to school every day.

“Mrs. Merali is not a teacher to me, she is an awesome sweet mom and I would love to meet you and tell you all how awesome she is always helping people and work hard to make Forest Lawn High School a better place for everyone to study.”

Tina and her husband Taj Merali are the proud parents of their three children. Tareq and Laila currently attend the University of Calgary and Qassim is enrolled in grade eight.

 

Arts and Culture

2011 Recipient - Ms. Shenaaz Nanji

Shenaaz Nanji is proud of her heritage. She was born on the island of Mombasa on the East African coast and grew up amid a fusion of cultures: Bantu-Swahili, colonial British and East Indian. She has lived in three countries on two continents, and her career has been equally varied with employment in fields as diverse as teaching, systems analysis, and business administration. Yet she returns to her roots on the African coast as both catalyst and inspiration for her successful career as a children’s author and literacy advocate.

A long-time resident of Calgary, Shenaaz is an internationally published children’s author, whose works include the critically acclaimed “Child of Dandelions.” She is also a well-known and tireless advocate for children’s literacy, espousing a firm belief that “words have the power to change lives, especially young lives.”

With that strong mission statement, Shenaaz achieved a postgraduate degree in Fine Arts in Writing at Vermont College while being a mother of two. Her stories are a reflection of her experiences raising a family in Calgary in the 1980s. She began to write stories that reflect that you can be cool even if you are different.

Shenaaz has seven published works and a list of awards that include being a finalist for the Governor General’s award for Children’s Literature in 2008 by Canada Council and Notable Book for a Global Society by International Reading Association in 2009. She also makes time for school presentations at Literacy Festivals in Alberta and has been active in local initiatives such as the “It’s a Crime not to Read” program with the Calgary Police and Public Library.

She has sat on juries for The Writers Union, Canada Council of Arts, and Writers Guild of Alberta. She teaches Creative Writing for adults through Chinook Learning Services. Shenaaz aspires to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults by writing one story at a time. She writes: “The way I see it, we are all made up of stories…when these stories are written and shared they allow a larger group to belong, to understand who we are, where we have come from. Our stories will last longer than we will. In the end, they will be all that will be left.”

 

Business

2011 Recipient - Ms. Fatima Dhanani

Fatima Dhanani’s success story as an immigrant businesswoman is as eloquent as is her personal narrative. Today, the Tanzanian native runs a multi-million dollar real estate business in Calgary and leads a land development, construction and property management team that develops and maintains commercial properties and residential sub divisions. But once upon a time she was a 16 year old Dar es Salaam school girl who had lost her father and had to forgo post secondary education to help her mother support the family. Four years later, she met and married Haider Dhanani. In 1972, the Dhananis moved to Canada with their 2 year old daughter, Saifa, initially living in Vancouver before settling in Calgary in 1976, where their son, Aleem, was born.

In 1990, Haider Dhanani founded and operated Bri-Mor Property Management Ltd., to manage commercial and residential properties while Fatima worked as a Secretary, and also pursued her interests in acting, cookery, floral decor and hair styling. In 1990, tragedy befell the family when Haider at the age of 51 passed away. From being a Secretary, Fatima chose the bold step of accepting the responsibility to take over the company. With no related experience, she handled the challenging transition with such grace and inspiration that her place as a role model to both women and immigrants is much more significant than this brief can accommodate.

A short while after the death of her husband, all but one building she managed were sold, according to her daughter, Saifa Koonar. She adds that, her mother had only one of two choices: closure or rebuilding. “She opted to carry on the business and start from scratch…owning a family business w as a dream”.

Since then, the business expanded, more apartments and buildings were acquired, and her vision of adding land development and construction to her portfolio became a reality. This strong business platform now continues to grow, driven by Fatima’s entrepreneurial spirit and determination.

In addition to being a proven role model to others, high end custom home builder Crystal Creek Homes describes Fatima as ranking on top of the list of Developers who possess the qualities of competence, integrity, and vision.

Other members in the industry also share a similar regard for Fatima, among them being the Bank of Montreal who has said, “…she is one of the top names in our market when it comes to her reputation, hard work, performance, track record and strength of character…”.

Ms. Dhanani finds personal fulfillment in serving others. She has hosted a family of 6 orphans from Afghanistan and continues to support underprivileged students. She has also dedicated her time to serve on many boards such as the Wild Rose Foundation, Immigration and Advisory Committee and those in the Ismaili Community.

 

Community Service

2011 Recipient - Dr. Brijendra K. Sood

Dr. Brijendra Sood is an 83 years old medical doctor who plays golf and performs magic shows at community events. He is a semi-retired physician, held in high regard across the country. His son plays the Muslim Archie Bunker in the CBC series Little Mosque on the Prairie. Dr. Sood is a shining star in the mosaic of Canada.

He was born in India but grew up in Kenya, and his was amongst the first Indian families to emigrate from East Africa to Canada in 1964, settling respectively in Manitoba, Banff and, finally, Calgary in 1967. The patriarch of Stoney First Nations Chief Walking Buffalo admitted Dr. Sood into the North American tribe as a blood brother. His status was elevated by the honourary title of Chief Rainbow in 1967.

In Alberta he is fondly remembered as the first “Flying Doctor” before air ambulance services started in the province, flying missions to the Arctic to treat injured and sick technicians in the early stages of oil drilling in the mid 1970s. For most of his medical career, Dr. Sood has been volunteering with St. John’s Ambulance Brigade. His efforts have been recognized across the country and in 2003 he was admitted to the prestigious Order of Canada for his meritorious service to the community and the medical profession. In 2005, in celebration of Alberta Centennial, he was named as one of “100 Doctors of the Century” by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.

Dr. Sood is also a gift to the East Indian community in Calgary.When his family settled here, there were very few East Indians in Calgary. However, after the arrival of East African Indians to Canada as refugees from Uganda, Dr. Sood helped found the India Canada Society. To date the society represents 40,000 East Indians in Calgary. It has also led to the establishment of a Hindu temple in the city which caters to the spiritual needs of 15,000 people.

Because of his experience and willingness to share it, Dr. Sood has featured on television and Health Fairs giving talks on health issues relevant to East Indian communities. He has also promoted multiculturalism in the country with his advice to East Indians to identify themselves first as Canadians, and then share their culture and good values with the mainstream community. Dr. Sood is married to Narindar and they have three children.

Distinguished Professional

2011 Recipient - Dr. Chirag Shah

Patients around the world have benefited from the help of one of Ophthalmology's brightest stars. Calgarians are particularly fortunate to have this eye-care prodigy serving our local community.

Dr. Chirag Shah immigrated to Canada from India in 2005, bringing with him a lengthy and impressive résumé and a desire to advance both knowledge and techniques within the field of Ophthalmology. As a medical student in India, he scored the highest marks in public health among 350 students and was ranked first in his Ophthalmology residency. Dr. Shah has a passion for helping the underprivileged and has committed many long hours to volunteering at health and eye camps in India. In the time spent delivering care to needy families, he performed hundreds of cataract surgeries and continues to contribute his time to various non-profit organizations, including the Blind People’s Association based in his home town.

After moving to Calgary, Dr. Shah joined the Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgery fellowship, mastering his techniques under the supervision of Dr. Howard Gimbel, world-renowned ophthalmologist and pioneer in out-patient cataract and refractive eye surgery. Dr. Shah also participated in an additional Medical Retina fellowship at the University of Toronto before returning to Calgary to earn a fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Having received numerous awards, honours and appointments for his work and an array of additional credits for medical journal reviews and volunteerism, Dr. Shah now shares his expertise with others, and has spoken at more than twenty five professional medical engagements.

His remarkable career is made possible by his determination, care and genuine concern for his community. He credits his parents and three sisters for instilling a passion for excellence in everything he aspires to. Described by his peers as kind-hearted, of distinguished character and compassionate spirit, he has an outstanding bedside manner, devoting himself to the best possible care given to each patient.

 

Organizational Diversity

2011 Recipient - OMNI Television (Alberta)

OMNI Television is a free over-the-air, multilingual and multicultural television system with a 30- year history in Canada. OMNI Alberta is a relative newcomer, having just celebrated its second anniversary in September, 2010. It broadcasts programs in more than 20 languages each week, with a special focus on community-based programs.

Since 2008, OMNI Alberta has experienced rapid growth: more than 95 per cent of its full-time staff are immigrants. It embraces cultural diversity and continually demonstrates this innovative spirit in its hiring practices. Employees born outside Canada are not required to take equivalency tests to prove their skills; prospective hires may simply utilize their skills in their native language. In welcoming employees “as they are,” OMNI Alberta creates an environment where employees enjoy their work and feel comfortable in their contributions, learning cultures and languages from each other.

Not limited to internal diversity and in the spirit of community engagement, OMNI Alberta has initiated the selection and hiring of newcomers as community correspondents. Individuals are selected from their cultural and community groups to provide a real “pulse” of their communities. To date, this has included correspondents from the local Italian, Greek, Ukrainian, Polish, South Asian and Japanese communities.

OMNI also offers numerous mentorship programs to immigrants wishing to pursue careers in journalism or broadcasting but who are unable to meet the financial or language commitments. Employing direct work experience as a learning tool, OMNI nurtures those immigrants who show promise and take pride in helping others.

Contributing to the communities it serves, OMNI has partnered with numerous organizations, foundations and associations that assist new immigrants in the transition to their new Canadian home. In Calgary, OMNI has provided sponsorships and promotional support to more than 100 multicultural events and festivals since its inception over two years ago. In 2010, OMNI television and its viewers raised more than $247,000 for Pakistan flood relief nationwide.

As an embodiment of cultural diversity and inclusiveness, OMNI has changed the media landscape of Alberta and provided immigrants with an important channel for work opportunities, community connections and cultural understanding.

Youth Scholarships

Koray Demirbag

Koray Demirbag personifies bravery, perseverance and humanity. As a young boy in Turkey, Koray experienced anxiety about what the future would look like. His father encouraged him to seek a new life in Canada where he could express his beliefs and opinions in an open environment. At 16, after arriving in Canada by himself as a refugee, Koray could finally realize his potential in a safe and nurturing environment.

 Faced with obvious financial, language and cultural obstacles, he was offered an opportunity to participate in the YMCA Achievement Program (YMAP). For the next two years, Koray learned English, improved his employment skills, and focused on leadership and community projects. A volunteer position with Kids Help Phone helped Koray discover his passion for directly impacting youth in a positive way. He was also selected as a volunteer mentor for the Western Canada Youth Leadership Conference at Camp Chief Hector YMCA. At this venue, Koray was directly able to influence young immigrants who had suffered under similar circumstances. Following a string of community activities, he achieved a YMAP coordinator position.

In the spring of 2010, Koray was chosen as one of five youth delegates for the 17th World Council of YMCAs in Hong Kong, focusing on the idea of “Striving for Global Citizenship.” Currently enrolled at University and earning his Bachelor’s degree in the Faculty of Management, Koray continues to defy expectations, relentlessly pursuing issues affecting global inequalities and injustices.

Meng Zhao

Meng immigrated to Canada with her family when she was six years old. Although learning a new language was initially an obstacle, this proud Canadian embraced her new culture by excelling at both English and French. Enrolled in Grade 12 studies at Western Canada High School in the International Baccalaureate Program, Meng already boasts an impressive résumé of art, academics and community service.

Her intrinsic leadership skills and fearlessness have catapulted her to success in the Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta as VP of finance of a company of 18 student entrepreneurs as well as the president of a company of 14 student entrepreneurs, writing business plans, overseeing operations and writing shareholder reports. For the past four years, Meng has also played a pivotal role on the Mayor's Youth Council, helping to bring youth issues to the attention of City Council. She also actively serves on the Youth Volunteer Corps steering committee and her high school’s yearbook committee. Meng excels in math and participates in mathematics summer programs and competitions. Her status as an active “mathlete” has brought her numerous awards, including a gold medal at the 2010 Fermat contest.

Meng enjoys singing, figure drawing, photography and piano, and has recently completed her Grade nine practical certificate with the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is a proven leader in her community who hopes to help others discover their own potential.

 

Naanak Sodhi

Arriving in Canada from India at the age of eight, Naanak Sodhi vividly recalls the world of abundance that greeted him. His teachers recognized his innate intelligence and creativity and encouraged him to enroll in the Gifted and Talented education program and, in high school, the Advanced Placement program.

Despite Naanak’s eagerness to accelerate his learning and academic pursuits, his family was suddenly disbanded due to a close relative's illness. This event shook the foundation Naanak had worked deeply to establish. He was torn between using his time to study or attend to the complexities and frailties of family life at home and abroad. In Grade 11 Naanak leapt forward, ensuring his own personal success by joining a number of school activities including music, film, and leadership training, even campaigning for and winning the position of School Council president in the twelfth grade.

Naanak was also selected as one of five students to represent the Calgary Board of Education at the Alberta Premier’s Economic Council meeting. His volunteer efforts include membership in his high school’s Knights of Darfur Foundation and single-handedly saving the school’s Advanced Placement program from lack of participation by actively recruiting qualified students. His fund-raising efforts have helped raise more than $25,000 for causes such as the Terry Fox Foundation.

Naanak’s tireless fund-raising efforts and volunteer activities are coupled with his passion for the arts, which include the production of a full-length film that was recognized at various international film festivals featuring youth. Naanak's ability to communicate exceptionally well through the spoken and written word, as well as through music and film, is outstanding and serves as a positive example of the power and influence of our youth.

 

Patti Wang

Patti Wang immigrated to Canada with her parents at the age of four. Her parents often hosted international students from China, which helped Patti, growing up alongside her new “brothers and sisters,” to identify with her Chinese heritage. Tragedy struck the Wangs when Patti was ten, when two of her extended family members died in a motor-vehicle accident. Her determination to help her family throughout the mourning process motivated her to choose a career in medicine. However, despite an ability to flourish in the Chinese community, Patti’s English needed developing, a barrier that she would soon overcome.

At 14, Patti began volunteering as a translator and tutor for the Calgary Chinese Community Service Association, attending various conferences and meetings on health concerns in the Chinese community. Her interest in medical development and fund-raising led to other volunteer activities, including serving as co-chair of Event Operations for the Canadian Cancer Society, in which Patti has been directly credited with helping to exceed 2010 fund-raising goals. She also serves as the Care Centre ambassador to Canadian Blood Services and currently volunteers for Youth Central.

Enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Western Canada High School, Patti participated in the annual APEGGA Science Olympics, where she earned consecutive medals, including first place in 2010. Patti’s selflessness and dedication to her Chinese heritage are evident in her leadership of the Calgary Chinatown Youth Mural Project. The project’s aim is to show how changes in Chinese culture have affected youth and to communicate the importance of revitalizing our Chinatown for Calgary’s youth. Enthusiastic and selfless, Patti is a born leader whose light will continue to shine brightly on our community.

 

Sergiu Lucut

Hard-working, enthusiastic, inspirational, motivated, inquisitive, committed, resilient: these are just a few of the words Sergiu Lucut’s peers use to describe him. Immigrating to Canada from Romania in 2008 was a challenging and life-changing experience for Sergiu. His father had fled to Canada following the 1989 Romanian revolution, leaving him and his mother behind to witness the racism and violence that had developed in their home town of Satu Mare, near the borders of Hungary and Ukraine.

Since his arrival, volunteering has been Sergiu's way of giving back to the community that has given him and his family a new chance at happiness. His involvement in a wide variety of volunteer, academic and athletic endeavours is a testament to his thirst for knowledge and drive to improve himself and positively influence others around him.

At Crescent Heights High School, Sergiu is an active member of the Youth Volunteer Corps; he has also opened an after-hours cultural diversity club in hopes of eradicating racism within his community. During his short time in Canada he has excelled academically, ranking third at the Alberta High School Mathematics Competition, and achieving two gold medals, a silver, and a bronze at the APEGGA Science Olympics. Sergiu has achieved honour role status in literature, communications and photography. His accomplishments include awards in track and field, chess, and table tennis. Sergiu declares, “Giving back to the community is now my way of saying thank you.”

 

---

Immigrants of Distinction Awards Previous Recipients

Since the Immigrants of Distinction Awards first began in 1997, Immigrant Services Calgary (then the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society) is proud to have honoured the following individuals for their achievements and contributions to the City of Calgary and its immigrant community.

Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award

2010 Ms. Genevieve Balogun
2009

 

Arts & Culture Award

2010 Ms. Karin Richter
2009 Lyn Pflueger
2008 Cecilia Gossen
2007 Vahe Tokmajyan
2006 Alexandra Haeseker
2005 Alina Dabrowska
2004 Umran Sumen
2003 Elizabeth Allen
2002 Siegfried Wieser & Mrs. Joan Xauen Wieser
2001 Angelique Gillespie
2000 Neel de Wit-Wibaut
1999 Helen Seka Owen
1998 Antonia C. Wicherts & Mr. David M. Spriggs
1997 Mark Skalinski, PhD

Business Award

2010 Ms. Bea Twusmasi
2009 Raymond T. Chan
2008 Saad Ibrahim
2007 Lina Castle
2006 Nashir Samanani, Elluminate, Inc.
2005 Abed Itani
2004 Wayne Chiu
2003 Gerald Wood
2002 Chan Yang Kim
2001 Mike Ciccaglione
2000 Said Arrata
1999 John Dasilva
1998 Hatim Zaghloul, Ph.D.
1997 Dan Capitanescu

Community Service Award

2010 Ms. Idrees A. Khan
2009 Cesar P. Cala
2008 Dr. Kabir Jivraj
2007 Dr. John Wu
2006 Tseden Dhogonpa
2005 Dinesh Dattani
2004 Ashid Bahl
2003 Vinay Dey
2002 Ms. Baljinder Mann &
 Mr. Michael Embaie
2001 Vettivelu Nallainayagam, PhD
2000 Chamnan Chap, PhD
1999 Vilma Dawson
1998 Teresa Woo-Paw
1997 Nirmal Dey (Volunteer Service Award)

Distinguished Professional Award

2010 Dr. Wael Badowy
2009 Dr.Tadeusz Dabrowski
2008 Dr. Alykhan M. Nanji
2007 Dr. Thaddeus Demong
2006 Margaret Styczynska & Sinisa Sonny Tomic
2005 Daniel Lai, PhD
2004 Hetty Roessingh, PhD
2003 Hans Vogel, PhD & Gamil Tadros,PhD
2002 Wilhelmus (Duffie) VanBalkom, PhD
2001 Taj Jadavji, PhD & Max Coppes, PhD
2000 Elaine Chan
1999 Hans van der Sande, PhD
1998 Henk E.D.J. ter Keurs, PhD
1997 Magdalena Amnestica

Organizational Diversity Award

2009 Bow Valley College
2008 GlobalFest (Government or Non-Profit) 
2008 Haworth Ltd. (Business Category)
2007 Calgary Public Library
2006 Boys & Girls Club of Calgary
2005 Calgary Health Region
2004 Village Square Leisure Centre
2003 Calgary Public Library
2002 Calgary Police Service
2001 The Westin Calgary
2000 Cyberwave Technologies Inc.
1999 Shell Canada Limited
1998 Standen’s Limited

Youth Scholarships

2010 Ms. Daria Tilimpea, Mr. Jethro Cheung, Ms. Malithi Fernando, Ms. Mei Mei Zi (Annie Zheng), Ms. Shayna Ding
2009 Ana Angela Lopez Quiroz, Bani Turkmani, Di Mo, Fariha Ahmed, Valez Lumi
2008 Simon Atem, Hin Man (Ivy) Cheung, Zoe Beatrice Cheung, Sana Tariq, Jane Wu
2007 Alice Chen, Nyail Majock, Eva Ouyang, Joseph Lagasca, Carrol Zhou
2006 Alexsander Dshurkov, Elva Fan, Mahesh Hariharan,
 John Reuben Lagasca,  Lina Roa
2005 Karen Hyo Min Kang, Shuyang Li, Hong Lu, Sherry Qin, Xiao Wang
2004 Abednego Deng, Yao Li, Vinh Luu, Salil Pradham, Celine Zeng
2003 Natalia Beloukhina, Olga Konwisorz, Jan Owoc, Crystal  Rego, Jeremy Torio
2002 Genesis Juat, Eisha Alemao, David Lee, Steven Cheng, Pascal Yu
2001 Dominika Boczula, Shirley Ngo Suet Ho, Jung-Mee Hwang, Danijel Margetic, Sheila Muy Lee Ung
2000 Susan Doan, Nilou Davoudi, Samir Pradhan, Stephen  Kung, Casy Wang
1999 Newman Yu Ting Lin, Aly Kassam-Remtulla, Alisa Palic, Wei-ting Chen, Omar Tahmisicic