Nainaar, Marge (1936-)

Marge Nainaar was born in Durban, South Africa on July 27, 1936, and came to Canada with her husband and three preschool children in 1969. Interacting in the cultural diversity of Canada became her career and source of lifelong learning. Nainaar organized a Multicultural Society within the Saskatchewan Penitentiary, and founded an immigrant and refugee settlement agency in Prince Albert. Nainaar served as president of the Canadian Multicultural Federation (CMF), the Saskatchewan Association for Immigrant Serving Agencies (SAISIA), the Western Canada Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (WCAISA), the Saskatchewan Council for Educators of Non-English Speakers (SCENES), the Saskatchewan Association of Multicultural Education (SAME), and the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS). Her experience led to her appointment to the Saskatchewan Multicultural Advisory Committee, the Canadian Multicultural Advisory Committee, and the Minister's Advisory Committee for Multicultural Legislation.

Nainaar served on numerous boards, committees and councils, including the Prince Albert Race Relations and Social Issues Committee, the Prince Albert Council of Women, the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Saskatchewan Penitentiary and Parole Board, the Regional Economic Development Authority, the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada, and the Saskatchewan Council Girl Guides of Canada. She has been recognized through many awards: Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal (2001); National Citizenship Citation Award (2001); Prince Albert Citizen of the Year (2001); Saskatchewan Tourism Volunteer of the Year Award (2001); Canada's 125th Birthday Commemorative Medal; Taylor Award for Outstanding Volunteer Work for the Correctional Services of Canada (2002); Saskatchewan Council for Educators of Non-English Speakers Award of Merit (2002); Queen's Jubilee Award (2002); Citizenship Award - Secretary of State (for promoting Canadian Citizenship throughout Saskatchewan); Canada 125 Provincial Award; Betty Szuchewycz Multicultural Award; Wolf Project Award (for outstanding endeavour in race relations); Cultural Award - Saskatchewan Parks, Recreation and Culture; Valuable Contribution Award - Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce; Service to the Community Award - Prince Albert and District; City of Prince Albert Award of Merit; and YWCA 1994 Woman of Distinction Award.

Harlan Weidenhammer