OMNI Television delivers exclusive Canadian coverage of the Canadian Ethnic Media Association 35th Annual Awards celebrating excellence in Canadian multicultural journalism. The two-hour broadcast airs in Ontario on Sunday, June 30 on OMNI.1, 6 p.m. ET on OMNI.2, 9 p.m. MT on OMNI Alberta, and 9 p.m. PT on OMNI BC. The CEMA Awards were taped during the June 21 evening gala ceremony at the Velma Rogers Graham Theatre in Toronto.
Hosted by OMNI Television personality Lucy Zilio and CityNews senior reporter Francis D’Souza, the ceremony bestows one recipient with the prestigious Sierhey Khmara Ziniak Award, presented annually to an outstanding individual who has become a voice for Canadian multiculturalism. This year’s winner is Anthony P. Viner, for his commitment and dedication to diversity and its affirmative expression through media.
2013 CEMA Award Winners
Television
Jie Yang, reporter, OMNI Television, for an engaging feature looking at Lu Li’s experience as a Chinese-Canadian soldier in Afghanistan.
Documentary
Karl Nerenberg, producer, Nerenberg-Plaine Media, for “Never Come Back”, a documentary exploring the persecution of the Roma people in Eastern Europe and their struggles to be accepted as refugees in Canada.
Radio
Myka Burke, journalist, CHIN Radio, Ottawa, for the radio feature “Three German-Canadian Poets”, a look at multiculturalism in Canada through the perspective of literature.
Camila Reimers, journalist, CHIN Radio, Ottawa, for the engaging Spanish language children’s radio program, “La Onda Infantile” which employs humour, music, and stories to explore Latin American cultures.
Print
Alexandra Skultety, journalist, Diversity Reporter, for the feature article, “Getting to Know Grandma”, which explores the significance of relationships and memories.
Innovation
Mike Metatawabin, President, Wawatay Native Communications Society, for recognizing innovation through a partnership designed to create increased awareness about the Aboriginal perspective in Canada through the advancement of Aboriginal sourced stories.
Rachel Pulfer, communications manager & international program coordinator, Journalists for Human Rights, for recognizing innovation through a partnership designed to create increased awareness about the Aboriginal perspective in Canada through the advancement of Aboriginal sourced stories.