Aadukalam 2013 in Swiss was Cancelled

September 8, 2013

The Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance regrets to inform that the Aadukalam 2013 Global Tamil Dance Competition was stopped due to unforeseen circumstances.

Aadukalam was a competition created to unite youth across the globe and provide them with a platform to showcase Tamil identity through dance. For centuries, dance has been the medium used to tell stories and remember the history. Aadukalam served as a global stage to unite our diaspora youth and for our stories to be told.

This year’s theme for Aadukalam was Tamil Language. As part of the dance criteria, youth were also to include elements depicting the freedom struggle in Tamileelam. The youth participants spent countless hours and resources putting together dance routines that exhibited their Tamil identity, pride and language in an attractive way.

Thivakar Arunthavarajah, a participant from Canada, expressed how Aadukalam served to unite Tamils, “When you look at last year’s dance pieces, you see strong unification of Tamil youth, parents, families in one gathering, all supporting Tamileelam. It’s great to watch how we unite.”

“CTYA is not happy with the decision that Aadukalam was stopped this year,” commented Jenit Jeyakanthan, President of CTYA. “Many youth were eager to show their identity and pride through this competition, but they were denied an opportunity to do so. We as an organization will take strong measures to ensure such incidents do not happen again.”

“We would like to thank the participants from Team Canada for all their perseverance, dedication and hard work. We would also like to thank TYO-Swiss for their continued hospitality in accommodating the participants that arrived in Swiss,” Jeyakanthan further expressed.

Callout for Board of Directors: Term 2013 – 2014

Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA ) is seeking dynamic individuals who are responsible, enthusiastic and creative to join our Board of Directors. We are seeking for candidates that can utilize their experience, skills, and passion to empower youth to provide new innovative ideas and enhance the delivery of our services.

CTYA will be holding elections for Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting in October, 2013.

The following positions are available for nomination:

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS ARE ON September 30, 2013.

Executive Committee:

President – 1 position

Vice President Finance – 1 position

Vice President External – 1 position

Vice President Communications – 1 position

Vice President Membership – 1 position

General Council:

Arts and Culture Council – 3 positions

Athletics Council – 3 positions

Education and Career Development Council – 3 positions

Human Rights Advocacy Council – 3 positions
Tamil Nation Development Council – 3 positions

General Council Values:

http://www.ctya.org/english/councils.html

Responsibilities:

• Regularly attends monthly board meetings and committee related meetings.

• Makes serious commitment to participate actively in developing the council and engaging membership.

• Volunteers to accept assignments and completes them thoroughly and on time.

• Stays informed about committee matters, prepare themselves well for meetings, and reviews and comments on minutes and reports.

• Gets to know other committee members and builds a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.

• Actively participates in the committee’s annual evaluation and planning efforts

Qualifications

• Must be an individual member of CTYA

• In depth understanding of CTYA’s mission and accomplishments

• Able to plan, manage and execute CTYA’s mission and vision in collaboration with

board members, general members and the community

• A strong dedication to empower youth

• Strong leadership and communication skills

• Ability to commit a minimum 3-5 hours per week

• Team building skills and previous experience in a group atmosphere is an asset

Nominees for all Board of Director positions must be nominated by another Individual Member of CTYA. If you are interested please contact us for nomination forms immediately. All completed nominations must be submitted through e-mail by Monday, September 30, 2013.

Email: elections@ctya.org

Phone: 647 787 2892

Team Up for Sick Kids

Written By: Athletics Council of Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance

It’s that time of year again!

We’re back and we need your support in making our 2nd Annual Team Up For Sick Kids charity event more successful than the last.

Team Up for Sick Kids is an initiative in which members of the community get together to raise funds that will go towards Cancer research at Sick Kids Childrens’ Hospital. As one of the largest visible minority populations in the GTA, we strongly believe that it is of great importance to give back to the society that we are part of and a great way to do that is to give to SickKids Children’s Hospital Foundation.

This year, the Athletic Council of Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance will be supporting Team Up For Sick Kids charity event. The Athletics Council of strives to provide avenues for youth to build their leadership skills through athletics. By upholding strong beliefs in using sports as an avenue to encourage young athletes and bring the community together, this charity event is sure to be an event that you do not want to miss out on. Through the unity of our community, not only will we be able to raise funds for Cancer research, but we will also be able to create awareness about the disease and its effects so that more individuals become informed. This charity event will be a great opportunity for the youth in our community to come together to showcase their athletic talents while also supporting a great cause.

In 2012, Team Up for Sick Kids successfully raised over $2000 in funds for the research of Autism. This would not have been possible without all of the support that we have received. This year, we hope to have more support so that we can raise funds for Sick Kids Children Hospital. Through this charity event, we aim to create a supportive, comfortable, and educational environment for the community to learn about the effects of cancer and to continue our part in trying to raise money while also promoting the significance of athletics.

You don’t want to miss out on this great event. Sign up today and secure your spot, as we’ve already received numerous requests.

General Inquiries and Sponsorship
647-300-3757/ 647-919-5925

Or you may email: teamup4sickkids@gmail.com

SickKids Foundation Inquiries:
Kari.Gulin@sickkidsfoundation.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/464498796958568/

TYO-Canada Presents Kilithattu 2013!

Tamil Youth Organization – Canada proudly presents Kilithattu 2013! Teams from across Canada will be competing against each other in Tamileelam’s national game and for a chance to take home the Tamileelam Heritage Trophy!

Kilithattu, a game that originates from Tamileelam’s agricultural history is the most played games in the country by individuals of all ages. It is a game that gets our parents reminiscing about their childhood, holds great significance. This game requires quick reflexes, strategic thinking, and tremendous team effort. TYO Canada, realizes the importance of nurturing and protecting our Tamil identity and culture by hosting the 3rd annual Kilithattu tournament in the Greater Toronto Area.

Canadian-Tamil youth, some who have never played the game before, have been practicing for weeks leading up to this tournament. So make sure you come out for a fun filled day with friends and family to support your favourite teams!

Register your team today!
kilithattu@canadatyo.org | 647-367-0719

When: Sunday August 25th, 2013 @ 9 AM
Where: Major Ali Abbas Park, 180 Mclevin Avenue, Toronto ON, Canada

Statement by Honourable Jim Karygiannis on Black July

Sunday 21st July 2013.

30th Anniversary of Black July Statement by the Honourable Jim Karygiannis, Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt

It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commemorate with you, the events of ‘Black July 1983’.

Today, we pause to remember this atrocity which was committed thirty years ago against civilians in Sri Lanka . Close to 4,000 people were killed, tens of thousands of homes and commercial organizations were destroyed.

It was due to this that hundreds of thousands of Tamils fled the country in search of a safe haven, many coming to Canada .

On this solemn occasion, we pay tribute to the victims, survivors and their families as we commit to ensure that such unspeakable acts are never repeated.

I believe that it is important for everyone to preserve their culture by passing historical events and traditions to future generations. It is important for us to remember the lessons of history and uphold the values Canadians hold dear – peace, freedom, democracy and respect. In doing so, we will develop a deeper understanding of our duty and responsibility to our fellow man.

It is our solemn responsibility to work together to ensure that not only Sri Lankans but all people in the world, live in peace and harmony in the future.

Since the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka in May, 2009, there has been a marked deterioration in Sri Lanka with respect to human rights and the rule of law. The current situation is most disappointing to those who believed that there was an opportunity to create a viable and strong democratic country with the end of the civil war.

In March, 2013, I joined parliamentarians, academics, lawyers and journalists from around the world in Geneva at the UNHCR, to discuss the past and present situations in Sri Lanka and the way forward for the Tamils of Eelam.

During the panel discussion on genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka over the past thirty years, I said “It takes three parties to create a genocide – the perpetrators, the victims and those who stand by. The international community must stop standing idly by. While the killing has stopped, we must tell the Sri Lankan government to stop the cultural genocide and submit to an international inquiry into the 2009 war.”

I believe that what happened in Sri Lanka was nothing less than Genocide.

The panel on genocide discussed the various forms that, taken together, constitute a genocide – the killing of civilians, the rape of women, the appropriation of property and the destruction of culture and language.

In discussing the way forward to peace in Sri Lanka I told delegates “To tango, it takes two willing participants. Unfortunately, in this case we have two participants who want to dance but can’t agree on the steps.”

I have worked with, and continue to work with, members of the Tamil and Sinhalese Canadian Diasporas in order to find ‘Peace with Justice’ in Sri Lanka .