THE FIRST PUBLIC HEROES AWARD CEREMONY OF REGINA INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE INSTITUTE (IDI) IDI REGINA HAS ORGANIZED THE FIRST PUBLIC HEROES AWARD CEREMONY WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF GOVERNMENT OF SASKATCHEWAN MINISTERS, THE MAYOR OF REGINA, AND GENERAL DIRECTORS OF REGINA POLICE DEPARTMENT, REGINA PARAMEDIC SERVICE AND REGINA FIRE DEPARTMENT.
As a foundation that was founded in several cities across Canada, IDI organizes various programs to build dialogue bridges between different cultures, languages, ethnicity, and color. The Public Heroes Award Ceremony is one of these programs that aims to honor successful public servants from regional authorities those who work to facilitate people`s daily life. Despite IDI Regina`s first time organizing this event, the chief of Regina Police Department, the chief of Regina Fire Department, the chief of Paramedic Service and all assistant chiefs attended the ceremony.
Saskatchewan House of Speaker Honorable Dan D`autremont, Saskatchewan minister of culture Mr Mark Docherty, Director of Witness Department in Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice Mr Rod McKendrick, MLA and Saskatchewan opposition party deputy leader Mr Trent Wotherspoon and City of Regina Mayor Mr Michael Fougere were also ready at the Award Ceremony. Academicians from University of Regina, Regina community leaders and, Regina Turkish Community members have taken their place at the beginning of the night. Mr Creeson Agecoutay from CTV Regina who is also a Canadian First Nation has accepted to be MC of the first IDI Regina Public Heroes Award Ceremony.
At the beginning of the program, Mr Agecoutay has invited all guests to stand up and attend the national anthem of Canada. The director of IDi Regina has made a welcome speech on behalf of the foundation. An introductory video about IDI foundation and its activities has shown to the guests, and MC has called to the stage some guests in order of Speaker of the House, Minister of culture, Opposition Party Deputy Leader, and Mayor of City of Regina to share their remarks about IDI Regina foundation. They all have strongly mentioned that IDI Regina contributes to build universal peace, tolerance, unity, and cultural harmony in the Canadian Societies. Director of Witness Department in Minister of Justice has been invited to make keynote speech of the Award ceremony. Then MC Mr Agecoutay has shared his memory about Noah`s Pudding (one of IDI Regina activities) while he was in the university before announcing the dinner time.
After the dinner, MC invited the Chief of Regina Police Department Mr Troy Hagen to make a short speech about his institution and introduce Cst Brandi Arnold who has presented a high success in her department and who deserved the Public Heroes Award this night. Cst Arnold has received her platelet from Honorable Speaker of House Dan D`autremont. The chief of Regina Paramedic Service Mr Ken Luciak has invited to the stage to make his speech about his department. After he has made a short introduction about what they were doing in Regina, he has announced Mrs Kate Geisinger who has been working Emergency Medical Service for 33 years, and has been a role model to other staff with her hard work, successes, and works she has done voluntarily. The Award was given by Saskatchewan Minister of Culture Mr Mark Docherty.
At last, MC invited the Chief of Regina Fire Department Mr Ernie Polsom to make his speech about his institution. Mr Polsom has mentioned the responsibilities they have towards the public, and what they are doing as fire fighters. He has pointed out the difficulties they face during an emergency situation. He also said that it was very hard to choose a public hero inside the department, so the department was selected as a whole for the Public Heroes Award. The deputy chief of Fire Department Mr Layne Jackson has invited to the stage to get the platelet, however Mr Jackson called his team to receive the Award all together from the City of Regina Mayor Mr Michael Fougere. The first IDI Regina Public Heroes Award Ceremony finished with thanks and good wishes to IDI Regina directors and volunteers. Guests have taken lots of pictures with the Award recipients and each other.
