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

Past Events

March 22nd, 2022 - March 22nd, 2022 - Through Our Eyes: Reimagining Human Rights in the Fight Against Anti-Black Racism

When: Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 6:30-8:30 AT

Where: Paul O'Regan Hall, Halifax Public Library CEetral Branch, 5440 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax

 

This panel discussion will focus on the theme: “Through our Eyes: Reimagining Human Rights in the Fight Against Anti-Black Racism”. The discussion will centre the realities of anti-Black racism around its historical and contemporary impacts on the human rights of African Nova Scotians and persons of African descent in our region. The conversation will come from a place of empowerment by echoing the voices of the community and amplifying its individual and collective efforts in the quest for meaningful solutions.

Co-hosted by Ayo Aladejebi and Tamar Brown, the discussion will be moderated by Rosella Fraser, Facility Manager, North Preston Recreation Centre.

Panellists include:

  • Rev (Dr.) Lennett Anderson, Pastor, EBC The Meeting Place & Lecturer at Acadia Divinity College
  • Carolann Wright, Director, Capacity Building & Strategic Initiatives African Nova Scotians, Halifax Partnership
  • Gyasi Symonds, Human Rights Activist
  • Kymberly Franklin, Senior Solicitor, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission

The event will also be live-streamed on the Halifax Public Library's Youtube and Facebook pages @hfxpublib.

In collaboration with Halifax Public Libraries and HRM African Nova Scotian Affairs Integration Office

March 8th, 2022 - March 8th, 2022 - Human Rights Through Our Eyes: A Converrsation with Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard

Join us Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. AST for a conversation with Senator Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard entitled “Human Rights Through our Eyes” in recognition of the theme of this year’s African Heritage Month and the necessity for us to acknowledge the context in which we consider human rights in this province.

Kymberly Franklin, Senior Legal Counsel for the Commission, will host Senator Thomas Bernard for an intimate discussion centering the voices and lived experiences of Black people in our region regarding efforts to protect and advance human rights. The conversation will explore a collaborative way forward toward the goal of advancing equity and dignity and protecting the human rights of African Nova Scotians and persons of African descent.

This event will be live-streamed via the Commission’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard

Ph.D., C.M., O.N.S.

Senator – Nova Scotia (East Preston)

Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is the first African Nova Scotian woman to be appointed to the Senate of Canada, representing the province of Nova Scotia and her hometown of East Preston. Senator Bernard champions issues impacting African Canadians and people living with disabilities. She is particularly invested in human rights, employment equity, and mental health. Through her involvement in community projects, her social work career, her time with Dalhousie School of Social Work, and now her work in the Senate, Senator Bernard has maintained a deep dedication to social justice and racial justice. Senator Bernard advocates for reparations for the historic and continued anti-Black racism impacting the lives of African Canadians in her work.

January 12th, 2022 - January 12th, 2022 - Human Rights on the Road Virtual Session for African NS Community

Human Rights on the Road is a series of community engagement sessions that will provide an opportunity for Nova Scotians to learn more about the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission – its mandate, and processes. 

These sessions are intended to be a two-way conversation between Commission staff and members of the community.

This series of community presentations will take place on a regular basis as part of the Commission’s proactive public engagement and outreach. Each session will occur either in person or virtually and will create opportunities for targeted engagement as well as general outreach. They will provide an opportunity to bring better understanding and awareness to the work of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

The first series of Human Rights on the Road sessions are planned to meet with members of African Nova Scotian communities, both virtually and in-person.

The virtual session will be held on Wednesday, January 12th in partnership with the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute

October 8th, 2020 - October 8th, 2020 - Human Rights 101 for Prov. Gov. Employees (Halifax)

This day-long workshop provides an opportunity for individuals to explore issues of diversity and discrimination, and to better understand them within the context of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act.

This session is planned to allow for flexibility, small group discussions and interaction among participants and facilitators. Experience, reflection, thinking and doing are part of each workshop as individuals apply their experiences to the day.

Acknowledging diversity in learning styles, the workshop incorporates a variety of activities to ensure inclusive participant engagement.