Celebrating an Evening of Applause

Those who are making a difference in their communities is what the evening of applause is all about.

This year’s event is tonight at Ecole Secondaire Algonquin.

The highlight of the evening will be the induction of retired OPP Officer George Couchie to the Nipissing District Human Rights Hall of Fame.

He devoted much of his career to educating people about first nations issues and says it’s so important for officers to know the issues before they go into communities where there are issues like high suicide rates and the importance of culture.

Couchie has also created a program called Walking the Path in which he teaches first nations children even in retirement about self esteem.

He says the program has been translated into french.  He says the program also teaches students about culture and the impact of residential schools.

Also tonight 24 students who make a difference and the winners of the anti racism poster contest will be honoured.

The Evening of Applause is held to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.