The City of Timmins Human Rights Wall of Fame is growing.
Two new people — Richard Bouvier and Anne Vincent — were added to the prestigious group of leaders in the community at an Evening of Applause at O'Gorman High School.
This is the fourth year for the event, which coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
A number of students from the four school boards and post-secondary schools were also recognized with The Students Who Make a Difference award
“We realize that by starting with students who are young, so that they have an understanding that words can hurt, that actions can hurt, that we have to be respectful, that we have to include diversity within our lives,” said Andrew Marks, Northeastern Catholic District School Board community relations officer.
He said narrowing down the nominations this year was “incredibly difficult”.
“I believe this was the most inductee nominations we’ve received,” he said.
Bouvier, who passed away last year, was a volunteer and president at the South Porcupine Food Bank.
Timmins Mayor Steve Black presented the Wall of Fame awards and recited a long list of commitments that Bouvier fulfilled for the food bank — including purchasing supplies, unloading boxes, keeping the place clean, and driving the food bank truck in the Santa Claus parade.
“Richard’s legacy and dedication to this community initiative earned him the love and respect of clients and suppliers alike and he deserves the recognition he never sought. He was happy to help the less fortunate without seeking praise or kudos, this honour will help keep his legacy alive,” said Black.
His daughter Diane Hurtubise and wife Claudia were at the ceremony to accept the honour.
“No words can explain how proud of him we all are. Not only did he dedicate countless hours to the food bank for the past 20 years, but whenever anyone needed help with anything at all, he was there in a heartbeat,” Hurtubise told the audience.
With more than 30 years of experience in human resources, planning and community development, Vincent is the second inductee for 2018.
“She has respected track record for motivating groups to action, building supportive relationships, and sustaining collaboration. She has a broad base of experience working in northern and remote communities with a history of ensuring local involvement in the community development process,” Black said.
He explained that she has completed human rights work through employment and volunteer opportunities.
“Her values and character embody compassion and respect for all human rights that are certain to continue in the future,” he said.
Vincent said she accepted the honour with great humility and gratitude.
She also noted that it is a difficult time for a light to be shone on the community.
“When we have a mirror held up to show us something, we can either deny the mirror is there, we can either look in it and deny what we’re seeing, or we can take a good hard look at what the mirror has shown us and take action and do something different,” she said.
The City of Timmins Human Rights Wall of Fame is located at the Timmins Public Library. It is underneath the stairs in the main foyer.
