Welcoming Spirit Awards

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.

The recipients of the 2024 Welcoming Spirit Awards are:

L-toR: Ocean Le (Cape Breton Connector Program Coordinator and Co-Chair of the CBLIP Community Belonging Working Group), Tara Paon (CBLIP Program Coordinator), Rickey Lanting (YREACH, Award Recipient), Rosamae Wareham (Nominator), and Trina Hall (YREACH).
L-toR: Ocean Le (Cape Breton Connector Program Coordinator and Co-Chair of the CBLIP Community Belonging Working Group), Kimani Mwangi (Nominator), Jonathan MacEachern and Hyunjoo Kim (L’Arche Cape Breton), and Tara Paon (CBLIP Program Coordinator).

If you were born outside of Canada and now call Unama’ki – Cape Breton home, we invite you to think back to when you first arrived on the Island, whether it was 20 years or 20 days ago. Was there a person or an organization that did something supportive – big or small – that helped you feel a sense of home and belonging here? Nominate them for a Welcoming Spirit Award!

What are the Welcoming Spirit Awards

The Welcoming Spirit Awards are designed to celebrate individuals and organizations in Unama’ki – Cape Breton and their contributions to fostering welcoming and inclusive communities for newcomers.

Award recipients will be chosen based on their genuine respect and openness towards immigrants, intercultural understanding, and hospitality. 

The selection committee’s decision will also take into consideration the nominees’ commitment to welcoming activities. This may include: offering support and guidance to help newcomers navigate cultural differences, actively involving them in community events, and connecting them to local networks and information.

Recipients of the 2024 Welcoming Spirit Awards will be announced at the CBLIP Partner Update event on November 8, 2024  and shared publicly following the event. To nominate an individual or organization, please fill out the form below. You can also submit a nomination by phone, by calling (902) 258-7331.

Nominations will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

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 Unama’ki – Cape Breton.

The Welcoming Spirit Award is a project of the CBLIP Community Belonging Working Group, with support from the Immigrant Advisory Table. 

To learn more, visit capebretonpartnership.com/cblip.