Events celebrating diversity and inclusion take place throughout the year.
August 1 — Emancipation Day
We invite the Mount Allison community to join us on Tuesday, August 1 as we raise the Pan-African flag to commemorate Emancipation Day.
Emancipation Day was instituted by the Government of Canada in 2021 to commemorate the day, 189 years ago, that slavery was abolished across the British Empire. This day offers us a chance to learn about the history of slavery in Canada and acknowledge the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada.
Many people don't know that following the emancipation of enslaved people in 1834, the Slavery Compensation Act was adopted in 1837 and served to compensate enslavers for what was unjustly viewed as their loss, while those who had been enslaved received no compensation. This practise continued until 2015.
The flag raising will take place next to the Owens Art Gallery at 11a.m. on Tuesday, August 1. Please join us to reflect and engage in the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism in recognition of Emancipation Day.
June 21 — National Indigenous Peoples Day
On Wednesday, June 21 at 12 p.m. we invite the Mount Allison community to join us as we raise the Every Child Matters flag to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. This day during National Indigenous History Month is in recognition and celebration of the history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
The flag raising will take place next to the Owens Art Gallery at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21.
Other upcoming events and activities:
- The 25th Anniversary of White Eagle Sundance will be celebrated in Elsipogtog First Nation from Monday, June 26 – Sunday, July 2. For details, contact Patty Musgrave-Quinn at pmusgrave@mta.ca.
- National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Bill Johnstone Memorial Park on June 21. Enjoy Indigenous culture, food and craft vendors, music, and more from 4-7 p.m.
- CCDI Webinars: History of race and racism in Canada and The history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada (Consult with the dept of People and Culture, should you need help with the CCDI webinars).
Black History Month — February
Black History Month is about honouring the enormous contributions that Black people have made, and continue to make, in all sectors of Canadian society. It is about celebrating resilience, innovation, and determination to work towards a more inclusive and equitable country called Canada.
Although Black history in Canada has not always been celebrated or highlighted, the contributions of people of African decent could not be ignored.
- The first Black History Month in Canada was observed in 1988 by Nova Scotia and later named African Heritage Month in 1996.
- In December 1995, following a motion introduced by Dr. Jean Augustine, the House of Commons unanimously recognized February as Black History Month in Canada.
Resources on Black History in Canada
Black History Matters T-shirts
A line of ‘Black History Matters’ t-shirts first designed in 2022 will once again be available for purchase at the University Bookstore, in-store and online. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Kavana Wa Kilele Fund, which will provide support to Black students in perpetuity. This is the first endowed fund at Mount Allison to specifically support Black students.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination — March 21
In 1996, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) in memory of the 69 people who died after police opened fire on a peaceful anti-apartheid demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960.
IDERD is observed annually on March 21 as a way of drawing the world's attention to the ongoing work of eliminating all forms of racism and racial discrimination. IDERD is more than a day. It is a daily commitment to doing our part to end racism.
Mount Allison Anti-Racism Policy
Mount Allison's Anti-Racism Policy covers students, staff, and faculty and lays out a process for responding to complaints and reports of racism on campus.
To make a complaint, to reach out for help, or to seek guidance under the policy, contact the Anti-Racism Education and Response Team (ARERT) at antiracism@mta.ca. The ARERT is comprised of 7 members (4 staff, 2 students, 1 faculty) and is tasked with responding to complaints of racism, and facilitating anti-racism awareness and education on campus.
IDERD and COVID-19
COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous, Asian, and other intersecting communities. The pandemic has also given rise to increased xenophobia, anti-Black, and anti-Asian racism. As a sign of support and solidarity this IDERD, commit to confronting racism by confronting the discrimination being experienced by these communities.
Other ways you can show support and solidarity:
- Educate yourself about systemic racism and racial discrimination
- Reflect on your own biases
- Commit to being an active bystander, willing to speak out against acts of racism and support victims of racial discrimination
- Commit to supporting local organizations involved in confronting racism and inequity in your community
- Commit to sharing your learnings with others
Take action every day
The following resources help provide education around racism, unconscious bias, microaggressions, and more, and suggest ways you can support the ongoing work of eliminating all forms of racism and racial discrimination.
Anti-racism resources
Unconscious bias
Ted Talk: Am I Biased?
Implicit Bias | Concepts Unwrapped
Gender and Leadership Implicit Association Test
Unconscious Bias Training by the Government of Canada
Microaggressions
Microaggressions in the classroom
Indigenous Canadian University Students’ Experiences of Microaggressions
Tool: Recognizing Microaggressions and the Messages They Send (pdf) (Adapted from Sue, Derald Wing, Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation, Wiley & Sons, 2010)
When and How to Respond to Microaggressions (Harvard Business Review, 2020)
Responding Effectively to Microaggressions: A Research-Based Workshop (pdf) Christy M. Byrd, PhD University of California, Santa Cruz
Additional resources
UN "Let's Fight Racism" — real life stories, how to fight racism, educational resources
Stand Up 4 Human Rights (#FightRacism) — information about hate speech, how to take action, more resources
UN International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) — decade-long campaign to recognize, promote, and protect the right to equality and non-discrimination
Fight Against Racism & Discrimination (UNESCO) — Toolkit for Canadian municipalities
Public Health Resources for Anti-Racism Action — (National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health)