2011 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism Recipient

2011 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism Recipient

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Transcript for “2011 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism Recipient”

Pictures of past award recipients flash on screen.

Announcer: “Every year, the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism is awarded to those who have made exceptional contributions to multiculturalism and integration in Canada.”

A scenic view of Prince George, British Columbia, is shown.

Announcer: “Baljit Sethi, this year’s award recipient, hails from Prince George, a city of over 76,000 people in Northern British Columbia.”

Video shows wide shot of the University of Northern British Columbia sign.

Video changes to close-up of a man, Dr. Ajit Dayanandan, sitting in his office talking about the award recipient.

Dr. Ajit Dayanandan: “She has been an advocate promoting multiculturalism. Not only providing services to immigrants, but also their assimilation and integration with the community at large.”

Video changes to another close-up of a man, Sam Batarseh, sitting in the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.

Sam Batarseh: “One of the things I’ve noticed since I moved to Prince George is it’s such a wonderful, friendly, welcoming city, and I’m sure Baljit Sethi was a main contributor to this, making this happen here in Prince George.”

Video changes to another close-up of a woman, Jennifer Brandle-McCall, sitting in the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.

Jennifer Brandle-McCall: “When she came to Prince George, she came to a small town as a woman and as an immigrant. It’s not an easy thing to do and yet, she embraced those challenges and she focused her energy and her warmth, and she never let anything take her astray. She really focused on the things that needed to be done, and she had recognized that the partnerships that she created with others, such as the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, have led to other bigger, better things when we work together.”

A banner for the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism flashes on the screen.

Video changes to close-up of Baljit Sethi sitting in her office.

Baljit Sethi: “I wanted to be known as a Canadian, not as hyphenated Canadian.”

Various shots of Mrs. Sethi talking to people in the workplace.

Baljit Sethi: “And when I came, I had so many hurdles to overcome, and then I felt that I should help others. So then, after that I couldn’t quit.”

Video shows Mrs. Sethi sitting in her office.

Baljit Sethi: “I felt that first of all, I have to make harmony between Canadians and Indo-Canadians so they can easily understand each other. I have no hesitation talking to anybody and I wanted to share my culture and my ideas and then you will know that we are all the same.”

Video changes to close-up of Mr. Batarseh sitting in the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.

Sam Batarseh: “The most amazing thing about Baljit Sethi is that wherever you go in Prince George, and meet any face in Prince George, just mention the name and they will tell you ‘Yeah, we know Baljit Sethi. We know the smiley face. We know the friendly attitude.’”

Video changes to close-up of Ms. Brandle-McCall sitting in the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.

Jennifer Brandle-McCall: “What others can learn from Baljit’s achievements is that with dedication and generous spirit and a lot of hard work, anything is possible.”

Video shows close-up of Mrs. Sethi sitting in her office.

Baljit Sethi: “I am Canadian, and I am a really proud Canadian.”

The Canada word mark appears.

The video fades to black.