Rina Singha (Arts)
After leaving India, Rina emigrated to Canada from England where she studied at the London School of Economics. she trained as a classical dancer in the North Indian Kathak style under a great guru, and was surprised to discover that classical dance in Toronto was limited to ballet and modern dance. Creating her own opportunities, Rina introduced audiences to the Kathak form. Rina trained as a teacher and is a recognized dance performer, ethnologist, educator and author. Her community involvement includes immigrant aid, work with deaf children, arts education, and community development in a variety of multicultural initiatives. Rina’s work was featured in "Can Racial Attitudes be Changed?" -- a Human Rights Commission film production. She volunteered with the Community Folk Art Council and WOMAD and participated on the education committee of the National Ballet of Canada. Rina also helped set up a project in cultural specific dance with the Ontario Arts Council.

Joyce Nsubuga (Community Service)
Following the ruthless murder of her husband, Joyce fled to Canada from Uganda in 1984 as a government-sponsored refugee. She began to create a new life for her family in a country without familiar traditions and community support. She completed a Masters Degree in Community Health at the University of Toronto, since her medical degree was not recognized in Canada. She now works for the Ministry of Health as a consultant for the Environmental and Toxicology Unit. Joyce and her family initiated and facilitated the development of a community liaison agency called the Canada Sub-Sahara Africa Liaising Association. She also assisted in the development of the Uganda Martyrs Church in Toronto, which provides support for people who have lost family members and are isolated. As a health care professional and volunteer, she is involved in supporting the HIV/AIDS community. She also writes and lectures about refugee issues. Currently, Joyce is assisting young single mothers in Uganda create microenterprises to raise funds for further education. She is also compiling information on Canadian post-secondary distance education opportunities for use by immigrant women.

Jorge Garcia-Orgales (Education)
Following an unjust prison term, Jorge came to Canada from Argentina as a refugee in the early 1980s. His law degree was not recognized in Canada and, with a limited understanding of English, he was forced to start over. Jorge learned English through his work and community involvement, and soon became actively involved in program development and training for union members, the unemployed and immigrant workers. His training experience encompassed language training, life skills support and new workplace technology awareness. His clients include the Communications, Energy and Paper Workers; Metro Labour Education; the Canadian Auto Workers Union; and the Doris Marshall Institute for Education and Action. In 1990 Jorge started a successful computer and telecommunications business called Rank and File. As a strong community supporter and labour activist, Jorge is an inspiration to others. He has volunteered with the Canadian Hispanic Congress, the Centre for Spanish Speaking People, the Mayfair Festival, and the Canadian Cancer Society. Jorge has given hope to many immigrants and refugees by encouraging them to strive for positive changes within their environment.

Attena Filate (Entrepreneurship)
Attena arrived in Canada from Ethiopia in 1974. After working in Toronto as a bartender for seven years, he decided to start his own business. A natural entrepreneur, Attena opened the first traditional Ethiopian restaurant in Toronto called The Queen of Sheba. As a successful business leader, Attena has made numerous donations to the Ethiopian community and has been a pioneer of its establishment in Toronto. His contributions include support for community centres, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Ethno Star soccer team, and ADMAS - Toronto’s Ethiopian radio station. Attena’s lifelong commitment to supporting other immigrants and refugees lead him to train and assist staff to open their own restaurants. He actively encourages competition in the restaurant market to create a greater awareness and market of Ethiopian cuisine. Attena now also owns a successful travel agency, Queen of Sheba Travel. Between his two businesses, he employs 18 people.

Ezrom Mokgakala (Leadership)
Held in jail in South Africa for 180 days without trial, Ezrom was brutally interrogated, tortured and imprisoned for three years for being a member of an "unlawful" organization. In 1983, Ezrom fled from South Africa. Upon arrival in Canada, as a refugee, he began working as a community worked in the Jane/Finch corridor of Toronto. Ezrom began to take a leadership role in advocating policies and programs to assist newcomers in Toronto. He is co-chair of the Toronto Refugee Affairs Council; a Director of the Refugee Rights Festival; an editor of Refugee Voices; and a member of the Coalition for a Just Refugee and Immigration Policy; The Black Secretariat; Parkdale Community Health Centre; and the Council of African Organizations in Ontario. Currently, Ezrom is program worker at CultureLink providing critical support to newcomers in Toronto

Dusanka Filipovic (Science & Technology)
Dusanka Filipovic arrived in Canada from Yugoslavia with her husband in 1974 and was the first female professional engineer employed by Linde Division of Union Carbide Canada Inc. Dusanka is the co-inventor of the Blue BottleTM process which recovers, reclaims and recycles halogenated hydrocarbons, such as CFCs, for reuse. In 1991, she received an engineering medal from the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario for the development work conducted in this technology. The same year she started her own business, Halozone Recycling Inc., to commercialize the innovative Blue BottleTM process. Dusanka’s community involvement includes the Canadian Environment Industry Association, the Pollution Control Association, trustee of the America Waterworks Association and a member of the Licensing Executives Society. Her work as a "woman inventor" was featured at the National Museum of Science & Technology in Ottawa. She has presented numerous papers describing her work to environmental, business and engineering groups. Dusanka’s successes encourage immigrants and refugees, proving that newcomers can do well in a Canadian setting. Her company employs new Canadians. Dusanka has two sons and has dedicated herself to creating a better environment for all children.

Ru Lan Wang (SfC Graduate)
Ru Lan emigrated to Canada in 1989 from China. She did not speak English and faced severe culture shock. While learning English through a course at George Brown College in Toronto, Ru Lan was accepted into the Skills for Change On-The-Job Training program. Combining her education at Skills for Change with her past experience as a journalist, Ru Lan applied for a receptionist position at Campus Plus and was hired into a management position within one week of graduation. She is responsible for processing national advertising for 60 campus newspapers across Canada. Ru Lan is very committed to many volunteer and artistic activities in Toronto. Her photos and artwork have been exhibited at the Toronto Annual Art Exhibition and in Gallery 306. She is a member of the Chinese Canadian Photographic Society. She assisted with the production of "Tiananmen Dreams" - a musical about the student movement for democracy in China. Ru Lan also writes articles on multicultural issues for Chinese-language newspapers.

Carlos Peña (Youth)
Peñ a came to Canada with his family in 1991 at age 15. He witnessed many acts of violence in El Salvador including the violent shooting of his father. When he arrived in Canada, he spoke no English and initially experienced discrimination and prejudice. Excelling both academically and personally, Carlos quickly achieved an excellent command of the English language and translated for his family. Carlos is extremely outgoing and committed to bettering his community. He is a leader in many school activities and clubs. He has helped to organize a tri-school program which promotes awareness of and raises funds for developmental projects in El Salvador. He received the Archbishop Romero General Excellence and Proficiency Award, a top school award. He has also received the Governor General’s Award, a provincial medal for academic excellence. Carlos assists other students as a peer tutor and counsellor. He volunteers at Davenport Perth Centre in the seniors’ program and has logged more than 300 hours of service helping seniors achieve greater autonomy and independence.


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