May 28 – The second full day of USJE’s Equity Conference took place today in Halifax. USJE is a proud component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. Consequently, it was an immense pleasure and privilege to welcome PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa who addressed the delegates.
Sharon was elected in the role just over a year ago and delivered a heartfelt speech on her experience as PSAC’s first racialized female President. She spoke candidly of her lived experience as a racialized female leader who has overcome several barriers and become a powerful and persuasive President of Canada’s largest federal public sector union.
Later that morning. USJE was equally pleased to have Jude Gerrard, a seasoned inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility consultant from Nova Scotia presented to the participants.
Gerrard is a member of the Mi’kmaq first Nation and has had the benefit of working with several federal departments. He spoke candidly about how Truth and Reconciliation must continue to be an urgent priority in Canada given the enormity of the work to help non-Indigenous Canadians understand our collective obligations to pursue reconciliation, and live up to the many different treaties that were signed in good faith by Indigenous Nations. Mr. Gerrard spoke about breaking the habit of “checkboxes” as a way to fulfill the recommendations of the Commission, and pursuing meaningful dialogue and information sharing.
The day closed with a visit to the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia. Established in 1983 by the Black Cultural Society of Nova Scotia led by Rev. Dr. William Pearly Oliver, the Centre has a mandate to protect, preserve and promote a unique history that spans well over 400 years in this province. The Centre is the first and largest museum dedicated to Black History and the African Nova Scotian legacy in Canada. The Centre is a community operated, government funded provincial museum and cultural centre that welcomes patrons of all ages, year-round to discover an important part of Nova Scotia’s and Canada’s diverse history.