During the month of February, the 嫩芽视频 (HCDSB) is proud to honour and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, both past and present, as we pay tribute to the diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures and histories of Black individuals and communities.聽聽
Read the Letter from Director Klein ~ Beyond Black History Month
Background
Black Canadians have played an important role in shaping our nation鈥檚 heritage and identity; however Black History has not always been celebrated or adequately acknowledged.
- In December 1995, the House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion to officially recognize February as Black History Month in Canada. The motion was moved by the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.
- In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first black man appointed to the Senate, introduced a . The motion carried unanimously.
Black Excellence Beyond February
While the month of February offers an opportunity for intentional focus on the histories and robust contributions of Black Canadians, we know that our commitment to centering Black identity, Black joy, and Black excellence must extend beyond February. We also know that denouncing and dismantling anti-Black racism in our classrooms and across our community is our moral and legal obligation, and essential to ensuring our schools and workplaces are free of discrimination and harassment.
At HCDSB, we are committed to Human Rights and Equity and we undertake this commitment in a variety of ways, including shared leadership, professional learning, inclusive curriculum/assessment practices, and responding to discrimination and harassment. Through our Human Rights and Equity office, we have implemented procedure VI:102, Responding to Hate or Biased Motivated Incidents that specifically outlines a consistent and transparent process that is in place to report, respond, document, remedy and prevent hate or bias motivated incidents impacting HCDSB students. This protocol is available on every HCDSB school website.
While we have made some progress, our work is not done. We must be proactive and accountable to Black students, families and staff as we continue to denounce racism and centre Black joy and excellence to create safe, welcoming and inclusive schools.
Below you will find a variety of initiatives, events, and resources available to schools across the system. HCDSB鈥檚 Beyond Black History Month Committee will continue to work on providing resources for staff and students throughout the school year.
Black History Month Resources
The Learning Resource Centre at HCDSB offers a variety of educational material, including eBooks, videos, articles, websites, as well as a Black History Month topic guide. Visit the online for details!
There is also a Human Rights and Equity D2L Course available to all HCDSB Staff for resources to support the professional development of equity and inclusive education, as well as a calendar of events, activities and resources for celebrating Black History Month at HCDSB.
The month has been divided into weekly themes:
- Heroes in History
- The Complexity and Beauty of Black Identity
- Black Culture and Influence
- Centering Black Joy and Excellence
- Black Solidarity: from allyship to co-conspirator
Upcoming Events
Throughout the month of February, a number of virtual and in-person events, as well as learning opportunities are planned in Halton and in our schools in partnership with HCDSB and various community partners. These events and initiatives will continue to take place throughout the school year. Additionally, there are several individual school initiatives planned by Student Equity Groups and Black Student Unions/Associations.
Special thanks to our community partners , , and the for their support of these school and system-wide events.
Workshops
| Workshops: | |
| Shadows of Racism: Beyond Barriers Workshops (Alpha Education) | Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School |
| Anti-Racism workshops series, art classes and project work in partnership with Alpha Education | St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School |
| Inspiration Republic: Virtual and In-Person Presentations: Me, You, Us This powerful virtual presentation takes a look at Historical African Canadian figures who have made substantial contributions in the Black community and Canadian Culture. Germaine and Joel engage students through the use of media (Virtual field trips), real life stories, and fun interactive moments, inspiring them to see the history of Canada beyond the colour barrier. This presentation helps make the connection for students of all ages and from all backgrounds, that Black History is Canadian history鈥heir history鈥 history to be celebrated by YOU, ME, US. Inspiration Republic: Virtual and In-Person Presentations: People You May Know “People You May Know鈥� is an anti-Black racism presentation that promotes inclusion, racial equality, and allyship. This powerful virtual presentation highlights the origins of African Canadians and helps bring attention to the different ways in which anti-Black racism still exists in Canada today, by sharing stories from present-day African Canadians. | Grades 4-8 and K-3, 30+ Elementary Schools |
| Harmony Movement: In-Person Presentations: Colourism and Allyship and Solidarity | Intermediate and Secondary, 6 Schools |
| African Caribbean Council of Halton: In-Person Presentations: Power of Our Names and Talking Drum | Holy Cross Elementary, St. Vincent / St. Clare Elementary |
| The Get Real Movement Inc.: In-Person Presentation: Anti-Racism | St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Secondary School Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School |
| Drum et. al: Black Canadian Hero Presentation | St. Michael Elementary |
| Author Visits: | |
| Nadia L Hohn Ekiuwa Aire | St. John Paul II Elementary St. Michael Elementary St. Patrick Elementary |
| Conferences: | |
| UofT鈥檚 Annual Black History Month Luncheon, February 24th 2023 | Available to all HCDSB Intermediate and Secondary Students |
| Spoken Word Artists: In-Person Presentations on Black Identity, Joy, and Excellence | |
| Nadine Williams Through the power of storytelling, poetry and music, this Black History Month I will be sharing with students some of the experiences of Black Canadians. Reflecting and honouring our History and Identity, while celebrating Black Joy and Excellence in a Canadian context. | Holy Cross Elementary St. Michael Elementary |
| Dwayne Morgan Award winning Spoken Word artist, Dwayne Morgan will be visiting to explore how history is made by regular people and the impact that our choices have on our lives and our ability to bring about change. | Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School Assumption Catholic Secondary School St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School |
| Matthew 鈥淭estament鈥� Jones and People Everywhere Actually Coexisting Equally Join Matthew 鈥楾estament鈥� Jones co-founder of PEACE, People Everywhere Actually Coexisting Equally as he explores the theme for 2023 of 鈥楩AITH the power of belief鈥� Testament will highlight many great Canadian Black and African leaders and how they used their power for change. We will explore the power of voice, positivity, unity & the importance of community building. This insightful and high energy presentation will entertain, educate and challenge all participants to become 鈥榓 piece of PEACE鈥�. | Lumen Christi Elementary St. Scholastica Elementary St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School |
| Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton Initiatives: | |
| Equitable Panel Discussion (virtual) for HCDSB Staff and Parents | Date & Time: Wednesday, Feb 8, 2023 @ 12:00 pm (Lunch & Learn) Register in advance, . |
| Screening of Dr. Jean Augustine鈥檚 documentary, Steadfast at Film.Ca Cinema in Oakville, February 21 and 22 | Available to all HCDSB Intermediate and Secondary Students |
