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

March 25th, 2023 - March 25th, 2023 - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Annually on March 25th, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade challenges us to remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system and raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.

For more than 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.  The transatlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration in history, and undeniably one of the most inhumane.

Behind the facts and figures are millions of human stories. The stories of those who were ripped from their homelands and families. The stories of those who fought against their oppressors. The stories of those who triumphed against all odds to win their freedom. Those stories continue today as people across the globe keep struggling together against the transatlantic slave trade’s most enduring legacy – racism.

When Canadians talk about slavery, we often point with pride to the role our country played in the mid‐1800s as a haven for Americans escaping captivity via the Underground Railroad. This, however, is only half the story. Like the United States, this land has its own history of slavery – and it is a history we should never forget.

Resources

March 21st, 2023 - March 21st, 2023 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes that the injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination take place every day. Observed annually on March 21, it commemorates the day police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

In Canada, this date is an opportunity to reflect on the fact that while progress has been made, Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities and religious minorities in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination every day. It is also a day to re-commit our efforts to combat all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism and hate to ensure a world where everyone is respected, safe, and has equitable access to contribute meaningfully to all aspects of society.

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March 20th, 2023 - March 20th, 2023 - Panel Discussion: When Communities Unite, They Will Tie Up Racism

In commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, this panel discussion borrows from the African proverb, when spider webs unite, they will tie up a lion. This theme speaks to the power of community mobilization in creating change, bringing about societal transformation, and fostering dignity for all.

The discussion will create a space to learn about some of the works of racialized communities who are actively fighting racism across our province. Panelists will underscore the efforts of community groups and individuals fighting racism on the frontline, while using their platforms to advocate for those unable to fight back by providing support and resources to fight racial injustices and creating spaces for meaningful actions to foster better race relations across our communities.

The event is a collaboration of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Halifax Regional Municipality and Halifax Public Library.

March 11th, 2023 - March 11th, 2023 - Sharing Our Stories from Shore to Shore

In honour of this year’s African Heritage Month theme, Seas of Struggle: African Peoples from Shore to Shore, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is pleased to host an intimate discussion focussed on connections between Nova Scotia and the African continent and how these connections show up in the identities of African Nova Scotians.

During our complex history, the Atlantic Ocean has connected us to each other, our ancestors and the land. Through reflection, discovery, and acknowledgement we hope to create an opportunity for people of African ancestry to engage in discussion around heritage, history, shared values and encourage unity across the African diaspora.

This virtual event will be co-hosted by the Commission’s African Nova Scotian Liaison and Education Officer and a representative from the Sierra Leone Association of Nova Scotia, and feature two prominent speakers of African descent. One living in Sierra Leone, the other in Nova Scotia.

Charlie Haffner is the chair of the Sierra Leone Monuments and Relics Commission and Director of the Freetong Players, an internationally known theatre troupe.

Wayn Hamilton is the co-founder of Connecting to Africa, and former Executive Director at the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs.

Topics discussed will include the history of the arrival of Black Loyalists, our cultural connection to the water and its role in these stories, Thomas Peters, Bunce Island, Krio folklore, and the importance of fostering strong connections across the sea.

Join us online for this exciting event Saturday, March 11th via Zoom from 2:00 – 4:00 AST.