OTTAWA, November 9, 2007 - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), today announced the launch of the 2008 Mathieu Da Costa Challenge. Through visual arts and creative writing, this competition encourages young people to discover how diversity has shaped Canada's history and the importance of pluralism to Canadian identity.
"In discovering the stories and characters of our past, we develop greater respect for one another and increase our understanding of Canadian society," said Secretary of State Kenney. "By participating in the Mathieu Da Costa Challenge, young people have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Canada's rich cultural history."
Permanent residents and Canadians aged 9 to 18 have until February 22, 2008, to submit their original artwork or piece of writing to the contest. Nine winners, each accompanied by a parent or guardian, will receive a three-day trip to Québec City, where they will take part in an awards ceremony hosted by the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) in April 2008. The year 2008 will mark the 400th anniversary of Québec City, a celebration that has Canada-wide significance.
As a navigator and interpreter of African descent, Da Costa is believed to have travelled extensively throughout the Atlantic world in the late 1500s and early 1600s. He was sought after by French and Dutch traders to help in their interactions with Aboriginal people. He acted as the interpreter between the French explorers and the Mi'kmaq people. Among other languages, Da Costa likely spoke Dutch and Portuguese.
The Mathieu Da Costa Challenge is one of the activities promoted by our government as part of Black History Month in February.
The Department of Canadian Heritage wishes to thank this year's partners: the Canadian Library Association, Historica, Hilton Québec, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, Bibliothèques publiques du Québec, and Parks Canada.
To learn more about the Mathieu Da Costa Challenge, please visit our website at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/mathieudacosta
Information :
Alykhan Velshi
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP
Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity)
819 934-1122
