Tsehay Tuji - Black History Month Awardee

Tsehay Tuji, photos above, has quite a story.

Last night she was recognized for her contributions with an award from the Black History Month Committee.

Five and a half years ago, Tsehay, a business-woman in Ethiopia, was running for election to her country's parliament.

Half way through the election, the governing party realized Tsehay was going to win the election. She was popular. They did not like it and they started an intimidation campaign. Tsehay feared for her life and the lives of her children. She came to Canada.

Here in Winnipeg, Tsehay has three businesses. One of these, the E and E food mart, opened a few weeks ago. It is at 408 Notre Dame. It specializes in ethnic food and spices from Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Asia. Tsehay and her family have done well since they came here as refugees, and last night they received an award in recognition of these efforts.

Sadly, the situation in Ethiopia has not improved since Tsehay left. At this time, all the political opposition leaders in Ethiopia are in jail. It is a sad commentary on the state of affairs in Ethiopia. We can only hope things will get better.