Black History Month in February is an important time to recognize and celebrate the culture, diversity, contributions, achievements and struggles of Black communities. This year’s 2023 theme, “Ours to tell”, represents both an opportunity to engage in open dialogue and a commitment to learning more about the stories Black communities in Canada have to tell about their histories, successes, sacrifices and triumphs.

Every year CUPE honours a Black ancestor, or someone who is making history today. This year CUPE is honouring Dr. Jill Andrew, PhD. Andrew is an Ontario-based Black feminist and co-founder of Body Confidence Canada. An education worker, teacher and author, she currently serves as Canada’s first openly queer and Black member of provincial parliament.

As union members, Black History Month is a time to renew our resolve to take meaningful action in our workplaces and communities to end systemic racism and address inequality. CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy identifies actions to challenge systemic racism in our workplaces, union, and communities. It acknowledges that our union and locals must work towards meaningful and attainable change for Black, Indigenous and racialized members, including those with intersecting identities.

From the disproportionate and intensified inequalities experienced by racialized workers and communities during the ongoing pandemic, to ongoing activism denouncing the crisis of police brutality and over-policing, much more remains to be done in our society to end injustice, to challenge systemic racism, and to build equality.

TAKE ACTION:

• Visit the Canadian Labour Congress website to join Canada’s unions in the call to action: It’s time Canada takes care of Black care workers

CUPE RESOURCES:

• Celebrate and promote Black History in your local. Order free copies of CUPE’s 2023 Black History Month posters and bookmarks honouring Dr. Jill Andrew, PhD.

• The National Rainbow Committee invites Black CUPE members to join them in celebrating Black History 365 days of the year by expressing pride in being Black with CUPE’s “Unapologetically Black” button and sticker.

• Request CUPE Union Education workshops on Challenging Racism, Intro to Human Rights and Anti-Oppression.

• Learn more about CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy

MORE RESOURCES:

• National Film Board series of online and in-person activities for Black History Month 2023

• Explore the National Film Board collection of titles from Black filmmakers across Canada, showcasing an extensive selection of stories told from Black perspectives.

• CBC: Black on the Prairies interactive website explores the past, present and future of Black Prairie.

• CBC: Celebrate Black History Month with CBC Saskatchewan

• The Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Virtual Museum

• Learn more about the Honouring Tree Sculpture in Wascana Park, Regina – a public art and diversity legacy community project installed in 2011 to commemorate the 1910 settlement of people of African ancestry in Regina and Saskatchewan as a whole.

• Government of Canada’s website with links to Black History Month resources

• Black Lives Matter – Canada, the Canadian chapter of #BlackLivesMatter

• Visit the website of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to learn more about Black Canadian history including: the story of Africville, Black sleeping car porters, and slavery in Canadian history.

• Learn more about trade unionist and human rights activist Bromley Lloyd Armstrong

• The Western Development Museum in conjunction with the Melfort & District Museum have launched a virtual exhibit honouring Dr. Shadd and his legacy here in Saskatchewan.

Published by the Division Office /n.m. Cope342