The Sioux Falls Human Relations Commission announces that the 2007 Humanitarian Award recipient is Mary Montoya.

Mary Montoya received the award this week at the Sioux Falls Human Relations Commission’s 2007 Humanitarian Award dinner honoring all those nominated for their humanitarian efforts in the area of cultural diversity. Montoya was recognized for her decade of volunteer service to the Native American population at the South Dakota Department of Corrections. In nominating Montoya, Director of Prison Operations, Doug Weber, writes, “her commitment to ensuring the success of the inmates by supporting their Native American heritage and spirituality is unsurpassed and limitless.”

The Sioux Falls Human Relations Commission congratulates Mary Montoya for being the first honoree of the Commission’s Humanitarian Award. The Commission will annually seek nominees for the Humanitarian Award who work tirelessly and believe in equality and the welfare of others, and have contributed to the growth and development of cultural diversity for all citizens in the community.

The Humanitarian Award nomination process is held early summer with the awards presentation and dinner in late fall.