A message from Dalhousie University President Deep Saini and Vice-Provost Equity and Inclusion Theresa Rajack-Talley:
To our Dalhousie University community,
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness are part of Dalhousie’s core values. It is within this context that we acknowledge the anger, pain, fear, frustration and anxiety that so many are experiencing in response to the unjust racial tragedies experienced by Black people in North America and beyond. We unequivocally condemn the racist acts that have sparked such broad outrage and social action.
As an institution of higher learning, we cannot remain silent. We have an obligation to provide an education that combats systemic anti-Black racism and all forms of discrimination and intolerance; to engage our students in critical thinking and research on the causes and consequences of racial violence, persistent disparities and social inequalities; to strive for an understanding and appreciation of diversity and inclusivity in our campus culture, climate and curriculum. The recent racist incidents remind us of our own institution’s history reflected in the Lord Dalhousie Report and that complacency and silence perpetuates historical disparities. We must stand united against these wrongs.
To our community of Black faculty, staff, students and families, far and near, please know that we share in your anguish and that you have our sincerest support and commitment against anti-Black racism and violence. Dalhousie remains committed to safeguarding our students and employees against all forms of discrimination.
To our wider Nova Scotia community, we strive to be a university that is not just located in a community but is part of a community. This means sharing in the joys as well as in the sadness and tragedies. We are consistently expanding our efforts in areas of diversity, equity, inclusiveness and community engagement, particularly those of African and Indigenous descent. Our work continues on an African Nova Scotian strategy that engages African Nova Scotians as a distinct people. As part of our academic service to the community we will be hosting a virtual public forum on the current anti-Black violence on Friday, June 5 — full details here.
Please know that, even under these pandemic circumstances, there are services and supports available for our community — listed below. Please reach out if you need support.
To do nothing against social injustice is not an option. We hope that together we can make our community a safer and healthier place to live, work and study without fear of anti-Black racism, being a racialized person, or because of your gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, religion or nationality.
We will continue to add our voices to this important conversation and encourage others in our community to do the same. We will not be silent.
Sincerely,
Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
Theresa Rajack-Talley
Vice-Provost, Equity & Inclusion
Speak Truth to Power: Forum on Anti-Black Violence
Join the Office of Equity & Inclusion, Human Rights & Equity Services, the Dalhousie Black Faculty and Staff Caucus, and the Dalhousie Student Union in this engaging online forum on Anti-Black Racism. This forum aims to hold space, provide avenues of learning and growth, and to urge all of us to take action.
Friday, June 5
6-7:30 p.m.
Zoom link: https://bit.ly/dalforum2020
FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/251562882793403
Services and supports
Student Supports
Students who require immediate support should contact Student Health and Wellness by phone to book an appointment: 902-494-2171 (Halifax); 902-893-6369 (Truro). Additional e-mental health options for students are available, including Good2Talk – free and confidential counselling for post-secondary students (dal.ca/good2talk); Ask a Nurse – confidential answers to your health questions within 72 hrs; and TAO – an online mental health library.
Faculty/staff supports
Faculty and staff resources are available through our Employee Family Assistance Program, which can be accessed at workhealthlife.com or at login.lifeworks.com. Please also visit our remote working site for employees for additional mental health resources.
Human Rights and Equity Services — Where to go for help
Halifax
Truro
Black Student Advising Centre - List of Dal and community resources
Dalhousie Resources
- Black Student Advising Centre
- Dalhousie Black Faculty and Staff Caucus
- Dalhousie Law School Indigenous Black and Mi'kmaq Initiative
- James Robinson Johnston Endowed Chair in Black Canadian Studies
- Imhotep's Legacy Academy (ILA)
- Promoting Leadership In Health For African Nova Scotians (PLANS)
- Transition Year Program
Nova Scotia Resources
- African Canadian Services Division
- African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes (ADAM)
- African Nova Scotian Affairs
- Black Business Initiative (BBI)
- Black Cultural Centre
- Black Educators Association
- Black History Month Association
- Health Association of African Canadians
- Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers