“Our province has been shaped by the contributions of Black Canadians,” says Premier John Horgan and Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, Rachna Singh, in a joint statement.
“We also want to acknowledge the leadership so many Black Canadians and Black community organizations have taken in the past, and continue to take, in advocating for social justice and equity for all – especially through this unprecedented and challenging year.”
A number of virtual events are also taking place in BC this month to highlight the contributions and history of Black pioneers. BC Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS) has partnered with Digital Museums Canada for a virtual museum exhibit. The Ensemble Theatre Company is also presenting Us: A Black Peoples Month Festival curated by Black artists Adrian Neblett and Mariam Barry.
by Staff on February 1st, 2021 at 1:00 PM 1 of 3 2 of 3
B.C. Premier John Horgan and Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, issued the following joint statement today (February 1) for Black History Month: Black History Month is a time to honour, celebrate and reflect on the stories, experiences and accomplishments of Black Canadians here in British Columbia and across the country. Our province has been shaped by the contributions of Black Canadians, such as Leonard Lane, who fought discrimination in workplaces, the education system, and in housing. He was also one of the founders of the B.C. Unity Credit Union, which provided loans to young Black families to help them buy their first homes. Or Barbara Howard, the first Black woman athlete to represent Canada in an international competition and the first person of colour to be hired as a teacher by the Vancouver School Board.
Time for Action to End Anti-Indigenous Racism mycowichanvalleynow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mycowichanvalleynow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
VICTORIA The B.C. government continues to condemn racism directed toward a Vancouver Island First Nation that is grappling with a cluster of COVID-19 cases. B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin issued a joint statement with BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau and parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives Rachna Singh on Monday, urging British Columbians to stand up to racism directed towards Indigenous peoples amid the pandemic. We stand together with Indigenous peoples across the province to denounce and condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist behaviour and discrimination directed at Indigenous peoples, said the trio.
Cowichan Tribes has been hard hit by the virus this month. As of Jan. 11, there were 70 confirmed cases, with six people recovered, a band spokesperson said earlier. The First Nation is no longer releasing the number of cases after its members faced racism from the broader community. Seymour has heard complaints from members who have been turned away by stores or unable get food delivered to the reserve. This has also affected those who appear Indigenous but do not live on the reserve. “I think that’s what started this whole issue that we have been publishing those numbers. And we were the only ones doing it,” he said.