Unama’ki – Cape Breton, NS – The Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP), administered by the Cape Breton Partnership, was thrilled to launch and present the first Welcoming Spirit Awards at the annual CBLIP Partner Update Event: New Beginnings – Shared Futures on Friday, November 8, 2024 at the Sarah Denny Cultural Centre in Eskasoni.

This is the inaugural year for the Welcoming Spirit Awards, a new recognition focused on honouring individuals and organizations across Unama’ki – Cape Breton who have made a significant contribution in fostering welcoming and inclusive communities for newcomers to Canada.

“This year’s recipients of the Welcoming Spirit Awards have shown, time and time again, their unwavering commitment to helping newcomers to Canada feel at home in Unama’ki – Cape Breton,” said Kailea Pedley, CBLIP Program Manager. “We are celebrating their dedication, thoughtfulness, and passion for hospitality. We all have a part to play in making our communities more inclusive and welcoming, and these recipients truly uphold these values every day.”

The recipients of the 2024 Welcoming Spirit Awards are:

• Award for an Individual: Rickey Lanting, YREACH
• Award for an Organization: L’Arche Cape Breton

“I am so honoured to be recognized and receive one of the first Welcoming Spirit Awards,” said Rickey Lanting of YREACH. “Working in immigration can be very challenging, but this recognition pushes me to work even harder and be an inspiration to newcomers. I made it here, and others can too, especially with the help of a supportive inclusive community and access to resources.”

Planning has already begun for the 2025 Welcoming Spirit Awards, and those born outside of Canada and now call Unama’ki – Cape Breton home are invited to consider nominating an individual or organization who help newcomers feel welcome for a Welcoming Spirit Award in Summer 2025 when nominations open.

To learn more about the Welcoming Spirit Awards, please visit: https://capebretonpartnership.com/welcoming-spirit-awards/.

-30-

Media Contact:
Jeremy Martell, Director of Communications
Cape Breton Partnership
902-562-0122
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com

About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live, work, and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

About the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership:
Administered by the Cape Breton Partnership, the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP) is a collaborative initiative designed to foster welcoming communities that support the full participation of newcomers in the social, economic, political and cultural life of Cape Breton-Unama’ki. For more information, visit www.capebretonpartnership.com/CBLIP.