The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is proud to announce that its Montreal representative, Aleksandra Nasteska, a sustainability advocate, has won the 2013 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award – a people’s choice award that celebrates the untold stories of outstanding immigrants. Nasteska is the first-ever Macedonian to receive this prestigious award. Click here to see the announcement.
“It is a great honor and privilege to become one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants. I am surprised and excited to share the news with my family and friends. Winning alongside extraordinary people who have greatly contributed to Canada, such as Nobel Prize nominee, professor and author of the book I Shall Not Hate Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, NBA basketball star Steve Nash, and Justice Michael Tulloch among others, is an incredible feeling of accomplishment,” said Nasteska.
“I hope that this win contributes to the visibility of the Macedonian people in Canada and demonstrates our ability and commitment to further build Canada into a country that celebrates and honours diversity.”
Nasteska, who was one of 600 nominated and one of the 75 finalists, received the Award on Thursday night at a ceremony in Toronto hosted by Nil Köksal, renowned television journalist and host of CBC News Toronto. UMD Canada representatives, as well as Canadian-Macedonian media, were present for the ceremony.
In addition to Nasteska, hotelier and humanitarian Steve Gupta, York University president Mamdouh Shoukri and Dr. Indira Samaresekera, the president and vice-chancellor of University of Alberta are among this year’s winners. The awards recognize remarkable and inspirational achievements by immigrants from across Canada.