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

There are no upcoming events scheduled

Past Events

June 24th, 2022 - June 25th, 2022 - Halifax Hockey Summit

Join Portia Clark (CBC Information Morning) in conversation with Anson Carter, Jill Saulnier, Georges Laraque, Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Dre Barone and other hockey personalities as we inspire positive change through difficult conversations.

Speaking openly about racism, discrimination, equity, diversity, and inclusion without fear of saying the wrong thing is difficult for most people.  The Halifax Hockey Summit is designed to encourage safe and brave conversations between and among attendees who want to learn more and do better at creating safe and inclusive spaces.  This Summit is a space where we create positive change through difficult conversations.  Although hockey is the motivation for the Summit, the topics to be discussed are applicable to all sports and will benefit all organizations whether it is sport or otherwise.  We invite you to join in the conversation!

June 21st, 2022 - June 21st, 2022 - National Indigenous Peoples Day

National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the summer solstice, June 21. It’s a special occasion to learn more about the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Learning about Indigenous Peoples, places and experiences is a step forward each Canadian can take on the path to reconciliation.

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.