Events

On this page, you will find upcoming and past Commision and community events. We encourage all Nova Scotians to participate and celebrate our diverse communities. If you have an event we should include here please contact us.

Upcoming Events

Human Rights and the Unhoused

 December 09, 2024

Past Events

December 5th, 2024 - December 5th, 2024 - Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs and the Pursuit of Greater Inclusion

When: Thursday, December 5
Time: 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.
A recording of this session is posted below.

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission’s existence is a testament to the persistent efforts of African Nova Scotians. Despite facing racial injustices, African Nova Scotians have tirelessly advocated for policies and legislation to safeguard their community’s human rights, laying the groundwork for the Commission. This endeavor is part of the enduring history and resilience of African Nova Scotians, many of whom can trace their roots back over 400 years.
 

Despite unfulfilled promises and a discriminatory environment, African Nova Scotians and communities of African descent have made substantial contributions to all aspects of life in Nova Scotia. The Commission acknowledges their trauma, resilience, and significant contributions to the province and country.

Join Augy Jones, Executive Director of the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs (ANSA) to learn about the work of this office and the enduring history of advocacy for inclusion and recognition of the rights of African Nova Scotians.

Recording

 

December 5th, 2024 - December 5th, 2024 - Gender-based Analysis Plus and Human Rights

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024
|Time: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
A recording of this session is posted below.

Gender-Based Analysis (GBA) Plus is a way of thinking and acting that helps us understand how policies, programs and services impact women, girls and gender diverse people. Representatives from the NS Status of Women Office will present highlights of GBA Plus and why GBA Plus matters to our human rights.

Presenters

  • Josie McKinney
  • Shiva Nourpanah
  • Lesley Poirier Mclernon

Recording

December 4th, 2024 - December 4th, 2024 - An Update from Nova Scotia's Office of Equity and Anti-Racism

Date: Wednesday, December 4,2024
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
A recording of this session is available below.

The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism (OEA) was established in 2021 and has been working to ensure that human rights are protected and respected in Nova Scotia since it was created.

The work of OEA includes the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act that was drafted with an All Party Committee based on community engagement and passed in April of 2022. It was the first of its kind in Canada to address both racism and inequity and it was a catalyst for an all of government effort to address hate, inequity and racism in Nova Scotia. Progress has been made since the passing of the Act which is detailed in OEA’s Annual Report to the Legislature each year.

The Act has several requirements including the creation of an Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy that was published in July 2023. The Strategy has several requirements including the creation of the Equity Impact Assessment (EIA) tool and the creation of a Public Engagement Guidebook. Both of these tools are helping policy makers to have the needs of underrepresented and underserved communities at the forefront of their work. The Strategy also requires OEA to create the province’s first 2SLGBTQIA+ Action Plan based on community engagement.

Join representatives from the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism December 4 from 11:00 - 12:00 on Zoom to learn abour this work and more.

Recording

December 4th, 2024 - December 4th, 2024 - Honouring Our Treaty Relationships

Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lindsay Room, Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax, and via Zoom (Registration required for online participants)


Elder Joe Michael is a Keptin in the Mi’kmaq Grand Council;  Acadia's Elder in Residence and honorary Humanities Doctorate recipient;  and a contributor to Treaty Education Nova Scotia. In April 2024, he was the first Mi’kmaq to be Knighten by the St. George Society in Halifax, an e800-year old tradition.

A highly regarded inspirational and spiritual leader, Elder Joe promotes a balance between contemporary and traditional knowledge, teachings, and practices to organizations and individuals. Most notably, Elder Joe was the first Mi’kmaq member of the RCMP and he combined this knowledge with contemporary policing practices to increase cross-cultural awareness and develop the RCMP’s Aboriginal Community Policing model that remains part of the force’s cadet training program in Regina. Before retiring as Detachment Commander, he became the force’s Pipe Carrier responsible for performing sacred rituals and ceremonies and helping all races better understand Aboriginal culture.

Please join us Wednesday, December 4 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in-person in the Lindsay Room at the Halifax Central Library for this session with Elder Joe who will fill the space with stories that will help you understand who the Mi’kmaq are, historically and today, and how we can walk the road to reconciliation.