EDI Scholars-in-Residence Event — “Tea and Learn: Meaningful Reconciliation” with Dana-Lyn Mackenzie
February is Black History Month
Each February, Black History Month is celebrated in Canada to honor the contributions of Black people and their communities from who fought for civil rights and social justice in the past to today’s changemakers and emerging leaders. While labeled Black History Month, it is equally important that we recognize the continuous contributions of Black communities as well as future possibilities.
To celebrate this tradition, this year’s theme is “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations – From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” While this year claims to be the 30th anniversary of Black History Month, the tradition goes even further back as the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) petitioned to have February proclaimed as Black History Month in the late 70’s. The first Black History Month recognized by all of Canada, however, did not occur until 1996, thus marking the “official” beginning of this celebration across Canada.
The History of Black Communities in Canada
Not many are aware of the history and role of Black people and their communities within Canada. You can learn more about significant events in Black history in Canada here.
To learn more about the notable figures who have shaped Canada as we now know it, you can read the biographies of a few individuals here. Some notable, historical Black Canadians include: Viola Desmond, a businesswoman from Halifax who practiced civil disobedience and is the first Black person and Canadian woman to appear on a Canadian banknote; Willie O’Ree, a hockey player from New Brunswick and the first black player in the National Hockey League; Lincoln Alexander, the first Black member of Parliament in the House of Commons.
Community Resources
The British Columbia Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS) is a historical society that aims to bring understanding and awareness to the historical significance of Black Canadians. They aim to advance education through the research, documentation, and dissemination of the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians presently and throughout history. They also offer education and assistance for Black people in British Columbia who face social and economic barriers. Through their online Learning Centre, you can articles, reports, and videos pertaining to Black communities in British Columbia over time. The BCBHAS will be hosting a number of events throughout February:
- Saturday, Feb 7th from 1-4pm: History and Heritage Day at the Royal BC Museum (FREE)
- Saturday, Feb 14th from 2-4pm: BCBHAS Appreciation Tea, a Tribute to our Elders and Mentors at the Baumann Centre
- Sunday, Feb 15th from 2-4pm: Ebony Roots: Celebrate Music and Words at the KWENCH Work and Culture Club
- Sunday, Feb 22nd from 2-3pm: Ross Bay Cemetery Tour, a guided tour of Black pioneers/descendants graves
- Friday, Feb 27th from 7-9pm: Keynote Speaker Junie Desil at the Baumann Centre
UBC Events & Resources
On Thursday, February 5th from 7-8:30pm, the Museum of Anthropology will be hosting Black Futures, Ananse Tales: Diasporic Storytelling in Motion. This event will be a night of immersive storytelling by the Akofena Afro-Theatre Society using theatre, music, dance, and oral narrative to explore stories.
UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science will be hosting the Black Excellence in STEM Speaker Series throughout February to celebrate the contributions of Black leaders in STEM. This series has four hybrid sessions located within the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Building on UBC campus. Click the link to find out more about each session:
- Tuesday, Feb 3rd from 5:30-7pm: How to Build Cool Things, Break the Rules, and Stay Audacious with Coralie Tcheune
- Tuesday, Feb 10th from 5:30-7pm: Swimming to UBC Like a Fish with Dr. Rashid Sumaila
- Monday, Feb 23rd from 5:30-7pm: How Learning Works: Living Sober in a Time of Excess with Dr. Kemi Ola
- Thursday, Feb 26th from 5:30-7pm: Microbiome of ‘Success’: Cultivating Resilience from Roots to Ecosystems with Dr. Zelalem Taye
Throughout February, the Ladner Clock Tower and University Commons will be lit up in red, yellow, and green lights to represent Pan-Africanism and raise awareness of Black History Month in a public space.
UBC Library Materials:
To read more from Black Canadian authors about the way Black communities have shaped this country, check out these books available through the UBC Library.
Carter, M. (2025). In the light of dawn: The history and legacy of a black Canadian community. University of Regina Press. [Available at UBC Library]
Clarke, G.E. (Ed.). (2017). Locating home: The first African-Canadian novel and verse collections. Tightrope Books. [Available at UBC Library]
Cole, D., & ProQuest (Firm). (2020). The skin we’re in: A year of black resistance and power (1st ed.). Doubleday Canada. [Available at UBC Library]
Reynolds, G. (2016). Viola Desmond’s Canada: A history of blacks and racial segregation in the promised land. Fernwood Publishing. [Available at UBC Library]
Smith Diaz, R. (2025). Searching for Serafim: The life and legacy of Serafim “Joe” Fortes (1st ed.). Arsenal Pulp Press. [Available at UBC Library]
Web Sources Consulted:
Government of Canada. (2026). February is black history month [Campaigns]. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html
Government of Canada. (2021). About Black History Month. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month/about.html
December 18th: International Migrants Day
What is International Migrants Day?
International Migrants Day is a day to recognize the contributions of migrants around the world. It also calls to attention the environment in which migration occurs, such as conflicts and displacement, climate-related disaster, economic pressures, and more that may drive people from their homes in search of safety and opportunity. December 18th was chosen as it was the day that the International Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families was signed. This is a United Nations treaty that governs the protection of migrant workers and their families by aiming to guarantee equal treatment and the same working conditions for migrants as nationals.
Historically, Canada has been viewed as a safe and welcoming place for immigrants. However, changing policies may be increasing barriers and feelings of safety. The stories of migrants are often filled with resilience and perseverance as they may face many challenges in the process of starting a life in a new country. Exploitation of migrant workers is a common issue that this day recognizes, and work can often be precarious, uncertain, or even dangerous.
Migrant workers play an important role in our communities, and it is vital we confront the ongoing mistreatment of these community members. Our economy largely depends on the labor of migrant workers, and their work and humanity is often unrecognized and exploited. International Migrants Day serves to recognize the positive impact migrant populations have on society, from boosting economic growth to filling skill gaps and driving innovation and development, as well as recognizing the challenges they face as often undervalued members of our society.
Resources at UBC:
UBC is ranked as the most international school in North America, with students from 147 different countries. UBC’s International Student Guide can help support students who are newcomers to Canada. International students can also connect with Advisors , Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), to answer questions about permits, working, health care, or transitioning to life in Canada.
Resources in Vancouver:
The Vancouver Public Library is an excellent and free resource for newcomers. Many branches offer ESL Conversation practice to meet new friends and practice English conversation skills with other learners. Drop-In Resume Clinics are also often available for those looking for support and tips on writing a Canadian style resume and Ask a Career Counsellor drop-ins can help with career planning, writing resumes, preparing for job interviews, and more.
VPL also hosts AC Legal Services with free, confidential appointments to help anyone complete legal paperwork. For those who must take the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), there are free workshops to help with the Writing and Speaking portions of the exam.
Check out the VPL Events page to see other events that may support newcomers to BC.
UBC Library Materials:
Allahdua, G., Dunsworth, E., & ProQuest (Firm). (2023). Harvesting freedom: The life of a migrant worker in Canada (1st ed.). Between the Lines. [Available at UBC Library]
Atak, I., Simeon, J. C., Scholars Portal Books: Canadian University Presses 2018, & Canada Commons: Books & Documents. (2018). In Atak I., Simeon J. C.(Eds.), The criminalization of migration: Context and consequences (1st ed.). McGill-Queen’s University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780773555631 [Available at UBC Library]
Molnar, P., & ProQuest (Firm). (2024). The walls have eyes: Surviving migration in the age of artificial intelligence (1st ed.). The New Press. [Available at UBC Library]
Nayeri, D. (2019). The ungrateful refugee: What immigrants never tell you. Catapult. [Available at UBC Library]
Shah, S., & ProQuest (Firm). (2020). The next great migration: The beauty and terror of life on the move (1st ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing USA. [Available at UBC Library]
Web sources consulted:
United Nations. (2024). Celebrating the contributions and opportunities of migration. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/observances/migrants-day
Vancouver Public Library. (2025, June 20). No Place for Refugees: Is Canada Becoming Less Welcoming? Vancouver Public Library. https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6834f38e4f2cd1c0cc874bde
Disability Justice Book Club Discussion Questions: Month 4
Welcome to the Disability Justice Book Club Month 4
Jay Dolmage’s Academic Ableism
Led by Dr. Jennifer Gagnon (and her service dog Ziggy)
Supported by the EDI Scholars-in-Residence Program and the Peña Fund
If this is your first time attending the book club
If you’re joining the Disability Justice Book Club for the first time this month – welcome! We are so excited to have you with us! Please review the Month 1 Discussion Guide which contains important information on the structure of the book club, the two different cohorts: 1) Disabled and Proud and 2) Disability Allies, and ways that we are incorporating Disability Justice into how the book club works. The Month 1 Discussion Guide is available online here.
Accessing the Text
For our final month together, we will be reading Jay Dolmage’s Academic Ableism. The book is available open access in text and audio book formats, (free! No Institutional Login required). It can also be accessed through most institutional or public library systems. As always, if you encounter any challenges accessing the text, or require a different format for accessibility, feel free to reach out directly to Allan Cho (allan.cho@ubc.ca) or Jennifer Gagnon (jennifer.gagnon@ubc.ca) for support.
E-book format
- Available Open Access here
Audio format
- Available for free on Audible here
Confidentiality
A core practice of Disability Justice is confidentiality. Accessibility, safety, and inclusion all require that we are mindful to not disclose confidential information about the lived experiences of others. Many disabled folks have heightened concerns about confidentiality because of their experiences with ableism, discrimination, and marginalization. While some of us might feel comfortable sharing our experiences with disability and ableism, no one is required or expected to disclose. Folks may also not be “out” about their relationship to disability in all contexts and places at UBC and beyond. To further support control over disclosure of our identities and experiences with disability, we have created two cohorts for the Disability Justice book club 1) the Disabled and Proud cohort for folks who self-identify as disabled and who are interested in discussing Disability Justice with other self-identified disabled folks, and 2) the Disability Allies cohort for folks who do not presently identify as disabled or who would prefer not to disclose their relationship to disability. We always assume the presence of disability and access needs in all our meeting spaces. To support confidentiality and safety in these spaces, please treat the experiences of individuals as confidential and do not disclose anyone’s lived experiences without their enthusiastic consent. This Book Club is an opportunity to grow our knowledge and understanding of Disability Justice, and potentially “read yourself in” to Disabled community or explore how disability and ableism are already present in your experiences.
Discussion Guide
1. “Academic ableism is a difficult thing to consider. Coming to terms with ableism in higher education means questioning, as well, our own privilege, the very system that rewards professors and administrators and placed us at the top of a set of steep stairs.” p. 39
- How do you experience or see Academic Ableism at UBC or your university? What are some of the ways disabled folks experience academic ableism? What about non-disabled folks?
2. “The steep steps metaphor describes how the university has been constructed as a place for the very able. The steep steps metaphor puts forward the idea that access to the university is a movement upwards—only the truly ‘fit’ survive this climb” p. 44
- Who successfully climbs the steep steps of academic life? Who is deemed the “right amount of disabled” to be “accommodated” in academic spaces, and who is deemed “too disabled” to climb these steep steps? If the pinnacle is the top of the ivory tower – who makes it? Who doesn’t? Who gets trapped somewhere on the steps?
3. In what physical spaces do you see the “architecture of ableism” at the university? Why does the retrofit so rarely work? If retrofits are so problematic, why do you think academic spaces so often rely on retrofits? What’s the alternative?
4. If accommodations perpetuate academic ableism and punish rather than support the very people they are supposed to aid, then can the accommodations system be saved? Who determines what is “reasonable” and how does “reasonableness” vary across rank, role, department, institution? Can disabled folks “win” against the “business needs” of the university?
5. “What if higher education isn’t creating knowledge and ability but instead is systematically disabling? … What if higher education constructs both knowledge and disability? What if these constructions rely on one another?” p. 58
- What do you think of Dolmage’s claim that the knowledge production of the university depends upon the production of disability and disablism? How do we change the way Universities see disability to shift from perceiving disability as a problem to be fixed, to a core difference that better informs and expands the knowledge of the university?
6. Universities and educators often make “hidden assumptions” about who their students are and what those students are capable of doing. What are the hidden assumptions UBC makes about imaginary disabled students? Imaginary disabled faculty?
7. Is Universal Design for Learning (UDL) truly the answer? What are the benefits of UDL? What’s problematic about UDL or how the university is using UDL to “perform accessibility?”
8. As we conclude our book club together, what is something about Disability Justice that you have learned or embraced that you will take with you?
Thank you for participating in the Disability Justice Book Club! Feel free to connect with me (jennifer.gagnon@ubc.ca) or with the Disability Affinity Group (https://disabilityaffinitygroup.ubc.ca), especially about ways to collaborate and continue to grow Disability Justice in our university communities.