Living in Harmony
In 1966, the United Nations declared March 21st as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This date was chosen in commemoration of the Sharpeville Massacre (March 21, 1960) where police officers opened fire on a crowd of Black people. The crowd had assembled in Sharpeville, a Black township in South Africa, in order to partake in a peaceful demonstration against Apartheid "pass laws".
Since 1990, Saskatoon City Council has proclaimed March Race Relations Month. The Living in Harmony Recognition Awards are presented annually on March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Living in Harmony Recognition Awards
2023 nominations now closed
The nomination deadline for the 2023 Living in Harmony Awards was March 3, 2023. Thank you for all your nominations. The award recipients will be named on March 21, 2023. The names will be posted to this page and to saskatoon.ca/news-releases.
The Living in Harmony Awards are part of the City’s commitment to foster an inclusive community where ethnocultural diversity is welcomed and valued, and where everyone can live with dignity and pursue their full potential, without facing racism or discrimination.
The Living in Harmony Awards recognize outstanding achievements by individuals, organizations, and schools contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination. The winners are selected by the City's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Ways to be a bridge ...
Speak up
Be inclusive
Educate yourself & others
Nomination Process
Individuals, organizations, and students/classrooms/schools can be nominated. Submissions in all expressive forms (photo, art, written, video, etc.) are welcome. We are accepting nominations until March 3, 2023. Nomination form here.
2022 Awards Announcement
In order to keep everyone safe, an awards video was created in lieu of an in-person awards presentation. The video names the 2022 award winners and includes remarks from Mayor Charlie Clark and Chair of the City's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Namarta Kochar.
PSA (Mar. 21, 2022) - City announces 2022 Living in Harmony award recipients
Watch the 2022 Living In Harmony Awards! These awards recognize outstanding achievements in contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination in our community.
Past Winners
2022 Living in Harmony Award Winners
Best Elementary Submission: Geordie Laliberte, Travis Bird and Brooklyn Dreger from the Grade 7/8 class at Pleasant Hill School
Best Video Submission: The Young Indigenous Women's Utopia Girls Group, St. Marguerite School
Outstanding Classroom Participation: Christine Loewen from the Grade 7/8 class at Greystone School
Best Overall Poster: Steven Qui of Greystone School
Community Impact Award: Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation Inc. (TAYFFI) and Helen Smith-McIntyre
2021 Living in Harmony Award Winners
Best Overall Poster Winner: Newcomer Youth Engagement Program
Best Video Submission: St. Frances Nēhiyaw (Cree) Bilingual School, EcoJustice Class
Best Elementary Group Submission: Greystone Heights School, Grade 8 Class
Best Elementary Individual Submission: Vanna Marquilencia of École River Heights School
Community Recognition Award Winner: Nutana Collegiate
Community Recognition Honourable Mention: Saskatoon Insight Meditation Community
2020 Living in Harmony Award Winners
Best Elementary Submission: École St. Matthew School, Grades 4-6
Best High School Submission: St. Frances Nēhiyaw Bilingual School, Grade 9 Class
Best Video Submission: Grade 4-6 students, Ernest Lindner School
Overall Poster Winner: Ariha Imtiaz, Gr. 8, Ernest Lindner School
Community Recognition Award: Dr. Sheelah McLean
2019 Living in Harmony Award Winners
- Dora Li, Holy Cross High School
- Mel Sysing's Grade 6 class, St. Mark School
- Reshai Aisaican, Mount Royal Collegiate
- Sabbar Jahan, St. Mark School
- Nada Abdelrahman, St. Mark School
- Angela Kargbo, St. Mark School