Dr. Geoffrey Pawson
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Geoffrey Pawson on January 30, 2012. Husband to Barbara for 50 years; Father to Jane (David) Loblaw, Gord (Lori) Pawson, David Pawson, and Kate (Scott) Langen. He was an extremely proud Granddad to Rachel, Sydney and Chloe Langen and Demira and Darian Pawson. Brother to David (Doreen) Pawson and Lloyd (Angie) Pawson; brother-in-law to Roger & Vicki Hardage and Ann & Jim Stevens; and their families. Geoff is the founder of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and former Ehrlo Community Services. He was only 27 years of age when he opened the first group home with 6 youth. The agency has grown to currently serving 250 youth and families across Saskatchewan and Canada. There have been thousands of graduates of the program, many of whom continued to maintain contact. He received many honours throughout his career such as the Order of Canada in 2000, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2001, the Family Service Canada Award in 2003, and an Honourary Doctorate of Law from the University of Regina in 2005. Geoff was an inspirational leader who had a tremendous impact at the local, provincial, national and international level for his unwavering commitment to youth. He had a gifted ability to create change, overcome obstacles, and challenge the status quo. He was a master problem-solver and visionary who was respected by his colleagues, employees, community, friends and family. Although Geoff will be profoundly missed, he has left a remarkable legacy. His mission and vision will live on at Ranch Ehrlo, as he laid a solid foundation to continue to improve upon meeting the needs and filling gaps for the most vulnerable members of our society. He truly left the world a better place. Donations can be made in Geoff's honor to the Dr. Geoffrey Pawson Education Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to enable present and/or former residents of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and other deserving individuals to continue with Post-secondary and apprenticeship training. The focus is to improve the likelihood of long-term and continuous employment in the future of the recipients. A Memorial will be held on Friday February 17, 2012 at 7 pm at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Saskatchewan in the Grand Ballroom. An online book of condolences can be accessed at www.Ehrlo.com, as well as www.Facebook.com/RanchEhrlo. This is a wonderful way for the family to stay connected as they have yet to be able to return from Tucson AZ.
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A New Paradigm for Understanding, Unlearning and Addressing Bias in Society
Attended by Canada’s foremost experts in anti-racism and anti-discrimination, this three-day symposium offers a unique opportunity for key policymakers, community groups, researchers and activists to engage in a lively discussion on issues which are hot and high on the national agenda:
♦ Canada’s Demographic Shift
♦ International Qualifications
♦ Policing and Human Rights
♦ Racial and Social Profiling
♦ Media and Anti-racism
♦ The Color of Poverty
♦ Equity in Education
Symposium speakers include experts and practitioners with rich background and extensive experience in the subject matter, such as Will Kymlicka, Queen’s University; Gaétan Cousineau, Président, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, Québec; Commissioners Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Lorna Williams, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Learning, University of Victoria; Micheline Milot, Directrice, Centre d'études ethniques des universités montréalaises; Madeline Ziniak, Vice President, OMNI; Clinton Timothy Curle, Canadian Museum for Human Rights; Jessica Yee, Executive Director of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network; the Hon. Jean Augustine, Fairness Commissioner, Ontario and others.
Through its Award of Excellence initiative as an integral part of the symposium, CRRF also recognizes public, private or voluntary organizations whose efforts represent excellence and innovation in combating racism. The award recipients will be honoured at the Award Ceremony and are invited to share their best practices and successes with other participants.
By bringing together stakeholders from leading community and human rights organizations, the provincial and federal government, the participants will benefit from a lively and informative forum with the added advantage of networking and cross-regional learning exchange.
