Monday 19 January 2026
Ottawa Mayor Proclaims January 19 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day
By Ijeoma Ukazu
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe on January 19, 2026, officially declared the day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the City of Ottawa. The declaration was made during the annual DreamKEEPERS Awards Ceremony, an event that has celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for over twenty years. The proclamation was presented by the mayor alongside Bishop John Bruno and Sister Bruno on behalf of the Ottawa Church of God, with members of the community in attendance.
The yearly DreamKEEPERS celebration has become a major gathering for the African, Caribbean and Black community in Ottawa and supporters across the city who come together to honour the principles of justice, equality, and nonviolent social change championed by Dr. King. The 2026 observance was hosted by the Church of God, continuing a tradition that has kept Dr. King’s vision alive in the nation’s capital for more than two decades.
In the official proclamation, Mayor Sutcliffe recognized the enduring impact of Dr. King and the role of the local community in sustaining his legacy. The proclamation stated: “Whereas Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. committed his life to promoting justice and equality and to ending the injustice of racism through nonviolent social change, and whereas the City of Ottawa strives to be an open and welcoming community, embracing and respecting all cultures, races and religions, and takes pride in celebrating multiculturalism, and whereas the African Canadian community of Ottawa, proud of its culture and contribution to the nation’s capital, reveres and respects the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr Day. And whereas DreamKEEPERS has led the annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr Day in Ottawa for more than 20 years, with the 2026 observance being hosted here by the Church of God. Therefore I, Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, do hereby proclaim January 19, 2026, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Ottawa.”
Addressing the audience, Mayor Sutcliffe said it was an honour to join the community once again in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Ottawa. He thanked the DreamKEEPERS team for organizing the event and acknowledged the speakers, Bishop John Bruno, associate pastors, and members of the congregation for holding the memory and legacy of Dr. King. He also recognized city councillors in attendance, including Theresa Kavanaugh and Rawlson King, praising King’s leadership in the area of equity and anti-racism in the community.
The mayor expressed gratitude for the work being done to put Dr. King’s teachings into practice within the church and throughout Ottawa. He shared a personal reflection from a visit to San Diego before the pandemic, where he walked along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade with his family. Along the pathway, Dr. King’s quotes are etched in stone, and one in particular stood out to him: “The ultimate measure of a man, as a person, is not where he or she stands in moments of comfort or convenience, but where he or she stands in a time of challenge and controversy.”
Mayor Sutcliffe said he often reflects on those words and what they mean for the community today. He encouraged those present to choose respect and kindness, even in difficult moments, and to see the humanity in others regardless of their struggles. He urged the community to lift one another up and show care in ways that reflect Dr. King’s example.
Keynote remarks were delivered by Jean-Marie Guerrier of Black History Ottawa. Guerrier has helped develop initiatives that bring history and culture to life, including the Black History Ottawa Street Bus Tour, which shares untold stories with residents and visitors. In his reflection on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Guerrier emphasized the importance of listening to the heartbeat of the nation and understanding the role of purpose in community service.
One of the major highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of the DreamKEEPERS Awards. The Youth-in-Service Award was presented to Venassa Baptiste by Elder June Girvan, President of Black History Ottawa. Baptiste was honoured for her dedication to community service, particularly her work in expanding educational access and fostering cultural pride in Ottawa. She serves as Vice President of Finance at Carleton University.
The Chris Harris Citation for Outstanding Leadership was awarded to Eldon Holder Sr., who was recognized for his exceptional leadership in social justice and minority rights.
The Hon. Jean Augustine Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Nafissa Ismail, a professor at the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa. Ismail is a nationally recognized leader in mental health and is deeply committed to advancing women’s health research. Her work explores why women are twice as likely as men to experience depression and examines the effects of birth control pills on brain structure and function, particularly during adolescence, when vulnerability to stress and risk of depression can increase.
The Michelle Obama Beloved Community Builder Award went to Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism. Her career has focused on fostering international peace, inclusion, and understanding, with more than 20 years of experience in conflict resolution. She has supported mediation efforts in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Sudan, helping to build bridges where divisions once existed.
