Painted Hand Casino Powwow. Photo courtesy paintedhandcasino.ca

The Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton will be the host of an awards night this weekend, honouring those who have helped foster immigration in the community.

The casino is hosting and partnering with the Yorkton Newcomer Welcome Centre to present the second annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards.

According to organizers, the awards aim to recognize individuals and groups in the community who celebrate and promote cultural diversity and assist newcomers to successfully settle into the community.

Edith Montesclaros, with the welcome centre, says they hope the awards will prove immigration is working.

“That is what we are trying to show,” she says. “We are recognizing the integration of newcomers is working through the interaction of newcomers and the community.”

The awards will be handed out in eight different categories, which includes awards for immigrants as well as for those who have went above and beyond to welcome immigrants to the community.

“It is a two-way street to recognize the interactions that take place that allow newcomers to be welcomed to the community,” says Montesclaros.

The Painted Hand Casino will be presenting an arts and culture award.

The event starts at 7:00 pm on Saturday, November 19th.