J’Nikira Dinqinesh-Every Child is Sacred

J’Nikira Dinqinesh-Every Child is Sacred Community-Building Award

JD-ECIS Awards Winners

These JD-ECIS recognition awards are made annually in appreciation of persons whose human rights legacy work is making a measurable contribution to Ottawa, for children to experience Ottawa as a human rights community. JDEC-ECIS- recognitions are presented in the name of the late Madeline Tufts, Principal, Henry Munro School Carleton Board of Education

2026 Winners

Mante Molepo

A governance advisor, lawyer, and change management professional, Mante has over 15 years of experience working with organizations to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Mante’s father, the late Dr. Matshela Molepo, was very active in the anti-apartheid movement. Both her parents sacrificed much to ensure the safety of their children and to fight for democracy in South Africa. Mante was raised to stand up for justice and embrace values, like compassion, community and equity, to build a better world. Mante draws inspiration from her parents’ legacy and the leadership they modeled. When she became a mother, her children also experienced various forms of anti-Black racism in school. In 2016, she co-founded Parents for Diversity (P4D), an Ottawa-based not-for-profit organization of parents, caregivers, and allies committed to every child’s right to an education free from discrimination.

More info on Mante Molepo: https://mantemolepo.com/

More info on P4D: https://parentsfordiversity.com

Dr. Louise Logue

Birth Mother and Foster Mother, Louise has researched, developed and implemented early identification and early intervention strategies for police services and educators. Many of these are on an international scale, resulting in lower victimization rates and increased quality of life. She has developed many community-based programs, including Project Early Intervention, which helps young people who are at risk of being recruited by street gangs.

More info on Ms. Logue’s work https://carleton.ca/senate/honorary-degree-guidelines-and-nominations/christina-louise-logue/

Ray and Dora Sunstrum

In 2004, Ray Sunstrum and his daughter, Janik Sunstrum, won a Quebec Court of Appeal ruling to proceed with a racial discrimination case against a Gatineau, Quebec secondary school. Janik was targeted for objecting to a racial slur in a textbook, leading to a legal battle against the school’s refusal to remove the material. The incident sparked a public debate about anti-Black racism in the Quebec education system. Ray wrote a book about the family’s journey entitled “The Poetry of Truth” (May 9, 2016)

2025 Winners

Lionel Ifill

Presented with gratitude to honour and celebrate his Legacy Service to the most vulnerable of our sacred generations through his volunteer work with various organizations including the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund, the Barbados Ottawa Association, Impact Heritage and the Open Door.

Orson Bourne

Presented with gratitude to honour and celebrate his Legacy Service to the most vulnerable of our sacred generations through his volunteer work as a tutor with organizations such as the Barbados Ottawa Association and the Friends of Harambee Carrie Best Library, and as a youth sports coach and a resource for parents navigating the school system.