The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan is governed
by an elected board of directors.
These volunteers serve as
cultural ambassadors in all areas of the province. The wisdom of the directors complements
the dedication of the staff to achieve and advance interculturalism
and demonstrate the provincial motto: From Many Peoples Strength. The directors
were elected in June, 2008 at the MCoS Annual General
Meeting to serve a two year term.
MCoS Board of Directors:
Front Row: Left to Right are members of the
executive: Dr. Jay Kalra, past president, Dr. Julio
Torres-Recinos, vice president, Darlene Stakiw, president, Chris Lygouriatis,
treasurer, Eileen Ganczar, Secretary. In the back row
Left to Right are the directors: Tony Sparvier, Anika Henderson, Owen Walker and Mary Tkach
Vagnes. Missing: Joyce Vandall, director.
Biographies:
President
Darlene Stakiw
A former project coordinator
with the
Her post secondary education
is in the areas of biology, education, sociology and educational psychology.
She served on the
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan Board of Directors as Secretary 2004-2006
and Treasurer 2006-2008
She is a former SaskCulture director and a current director of SaskTourism.
Vice President:
Dr. Julio Torres-Recinos
Julio served on the Board of
Directors for the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan from 2004-2008.
He is an associate Professor
of Spanish at the
He is a former Treasurer and
Secretary for the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association and was a director for four years.
Treasurer:
Chris Lygouriatis
Chris is a results oriented business owner with
extensive management experience in a highly dynamic business environment.
His primary areas of
expertise include; Human Resources Management, development, recruitment,
performance management, coaching, loss prevention, relationship management,
operational efficiency and cost control
He is owner-operator of
Melrose Place North Family Restaurant
He served the Regina
Multicultural Council Board of Directors, St. Pauls
Greek Orthodox Church Board of Director
He was Hellenic Pavilion
Mosaic Manager 2004-2006
His community involvement
includes Relay for Life Cancer Society, Regina Rescue Mission,
Secretary:
Eileen Ganczar
(Nominated by the Weyburn & District
Multicultural Council)
Eileen is self employed by Ganczar Holding Council
She is an active member of
the Weyburn & District Multicultural Council
She helps with Folkarama, Social Events,
Past President:
Dr. Jay Kalra
Jay is a Professor of
Pathology,
He served as president of
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan from 2004-2008 and Vice President of MCoS from 2002-2004
He is Past President Folkfest Saskatoon and a former director of the
Saskatchewan Intercultural Association
He served on the SaskCulture Multicultural Initiative Fund Committee and the
SaskCulture Multicultural Community of Interest
Committee
Directors:
Mary Tkach
Vangsnes
Mary works for Social
Services (Community Living Division)
She is President of the
Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC)
She serves as
representative of the Moose Jaw Scandinavian Club to the Moose Jaw
Multicultural Council and MOTIF
She is a volunteer in various committees and sub committees in MJMC and
MOTIF
She is MJMC representative to SOHL
She is also representative to City Council, Tourism,
She is Member CUPE 600-3, Labour Council,
Canada Day Secretary, Volunteer at
Tony Sparvier
Tony is a member of the Cowessess First Nation
His educational background is in Sociology – he earned a Masters of
Education in 1974 from
His career experience includes many highlights. He was the first Treaty
Indian to work for the Department of Culture & Youth as Regional
Coordinator, Quill Plains Region, Humboldt
He also worked for Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College, Saskatoon, as
Cultural Recreation Consultant and he worked for the Saskatchewan Indian
Community College, Saskatoon (now Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology),
Principal
He was also a Program Director for the 4 Directions
Stabilization-Assessment Center,
Tony is a member of the Yorkton Multicultural
Council and Yorkton Arts Council
He partnered with Yorkton Multicultural Council
in developing Cross-Cultural Teepee Camp program for Grade 8 students from
Owen Walker
Owen is a past Member of Regina Maple Leaf Lions Club
He is host of weekly radio show on Regina Community Radio 91.3FM CJTR
(Caribbean Vibes)
He volunteers on Access Communications – TV Cameraman.
He works at IPSCO – Inc. (Steel worker).
He is a Past MCoS Board Member.
Joyce Vandall
Joyce is a Summer English as a Second Language
teacher at the Language Institute at the
She has mentored countless young ESL teachers and has assisted the
Ministry of Education by providing ESL workshops in small
She served as President, Vice President and Director for the
Saskatchewan Council for Educators of Non-English Speakers (SCENES)
She served as
She was responsible for organizing national TESL conference in
She served for many years on the Regina Public Library Board, one of
them as chairperson.
She was honored with a recognition award for outstanding community
service to refugees and immigrants by the Regina Open Door Society.
SCENES presented her with an award for outstanding volunteer service in
the field of ESL.
Received the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal for her
contribution to ESL in this province.
The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan honored her with an award for
her continued commitment to multiculturalism.
Anika Henderson
Anika is Immigration Settlement & Integration Services
Coordinator for the south west.
She previously worked as
case Manager, Refugee Minor Program, Department of Human Services -
She was a human Rights
Intern,
She also worked as a
Research / Teaching Assistant –
Anika is a member of the following groups and committees:
Southwest Immigration Committee; Labor Attraction & Retention Committee;
Southwest Multicultural Association; Swift Current International Women’s Group.