Saint Mary’s University Researchers Take Part in CBC Earth Day Special

On Earth Day, Saint Mary’s University researcher Dr. Danika van Proosdij and honours student Makadunyiswe Ngulube took part in a special event hosted by CBC. They discussed climate change and, more specifically, the multi-million-dollar salt marsh restoration research project underway in the Chignecto area.

The project, Making Room for Wetlands: Implementation of Managed Realignment for Salt Marsh Restoration and Climate Change Adaptation in Nova Scotia, seeks to restore over 75 hectares of tidal wetland (i.e., salt marsh) habitat through the realignment and decommissioning of dyke infrastructure at multiple sites in the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia.

This project includes a well-established partnership between Saint Mary’s University and CB Wetlands & Environmental Specialists (CBWES) Inc. using innovative and proven techniques with a comprehensive monitoring program.

Click here to read more on Saint Mary’s participation in CBC’s special Earth Day coverage. Or listen to the researchers on CBC’s Information Morning here (~32 minutes into the segment).

Additional reading

• Government of Canada partners with Saint Mary’s to create new coastal habitat and combat climate change

• National recognition for Saint Mary’s geographer

• SMU faculty participate as scientific experts at G7 Oceans Inspiration Expo

Saint Mary's Hosts: Black Business Initiatives - 25 Years & Beyond

A screen capture from the event.

On April 20, the Sobey School of Business Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network launched a conversation series with the Nova Scotia-based Black Business Initiative (BBI), the longest serving Black business development initiative in Canada.

The first conversation, called Black Business Initiatives: 25 Years & Beyond, featured BBI CEO Dr. Rustum Southwell, Cynthia Dorrington, President of Vale & Associates Human Resource Management and Consulting Inc. and Dr. Harvi Millar, Professor of Operations Management at the Sobey School of Business.

The panellists spoke to Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Sobey School, about the history of Black-owned businesses in Nova Scotia and the work that remains to be done to remove barriers to success, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his remarks, Dr. Southwell noted that Black-owned businesses have contributed over a billion dollars to the Nova Scotia economy in the 25 years since BBI was founded. Innovations by Black entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia include the world-class medical company BioMedica Diagnostics of Windsor (founded by Abdullah Kirumira) and SureShot Solutions of Lower Sackville, which provides highly specialized equipment for many of the world’s most successful coffee chains (founded by CEO Michael Duck).

Despite a long history of business success and over 200 years of African Nova Scotians in the province, Ms. Dorrington noted that due to systemic barriers, it can be difficult for Black entrepreneurs and small business owners to access necessary financing, coaching, advisory services and many of the other keys to business success. As a result, these businesses are often prevented from achieving their full potential. “To grow beyond a certain level, you must work on your business, not just in your business,” she said.

Black entrepreneurs are also often shut out of certain sectors, like aerospace and information technology, due to systemic barriers. Dorrington said we need to “think big… and provide mentorship and coaching to help business owners see the next big opportunities.”       

Dr. Harvi Millar presented recent research into how Black-owned businesses have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that surveyed businesses are facing challenges including cash flow, reductions in operating capacity, declining customer bases and temporary or permanent business closures.

The research shows that in addition to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Black business owners face barriers including racial bias, lack of scale, insufficient access to wealth and collateral, lack of peer-to-peer support networks and limited market access.

Dorrington noted that these barriers are often built into unfair and outdated systems that we must now work to redesign. “These systems didn't have all voices at the table when they were designed,” she said. “This is the time. If you're going to address it, you have to look at the system and really assess what is working and what is not. We must take the initiative and get rid of what isn't working.”

Dr. Southwell noted that “no Black person – no matter how wealthy or successful in business – hasn’t felt marginalized at some point in their life.”

To lift up Black businesses, Dorrington said we must acknowledge systemic racism as a first step. “We must come together to navigate. Until you face those barriers you don't see them. People who have navigated them in the past, we can put our heads together but speak with one voice.”

The next conversation, to be scheduled shortly, will explore Barriers to Doing Business for Black Entrepreneurs: Access to Capital Market. Visit the Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network to learn more.

Assessing global human progress with a new environmental twist

The International Development Studies program at Saint Mary’s is teaming up with the School of Social Sciences at Mahatma Gandhi University in India to co-host a virtual panel discussion on Monday.

The purpose of the April 19 event is to take a closer look at the 2020 Human Development Report, the 30th anniversary edition of the yearly report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Titled “The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene,” this latest version is quite different from its predecessors, introducing a new environmental lens to the report’s annual Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI typically tracks human progress in countries around the world by measuring such factors as a nation’s health, education and standards of living. For the 2020 report, the HDI also took the countries’ carbon dioxide emissions and material footprints into account. By adjusting the index to reflect planetary pressures, the report paints a sobering picture of humanity’s progress by making the wellbeing of both people and the planet central to the definition of human development.

“It’s a unique opportunity to have an international discussion,” says Dr. Gavin Fridell, SMU’s Canada Research Chair in International Development Studies and one of the panellists. “This report is quite different, and represents a massive turning point, so it’s worthy of us having a more serious discussion about it.” 

Joining him on the panel are Dr. Kate Ervine, also a faculty member in the IDS program at Saint Mary’s; Dr. Joseph Tharamangalam of the Sociology & Anthropology department at Mount St. Vincent University; and Dr. C.T. Aravindakumar, Pro-Vice Chancellor and faculty member in the School of Environmental Science, Mahatma Gandhi University. The panel’s moderator is Dr. Sabu Thomas, Vice Chancellor (President), Mahatma Gandhi University.

“The report is not very optimistic,” Fridell notes, adding the pandemic has also changed thinking around human development, further highlighting economic inequalities and environmental pressures.

“COVID-19 is teaching us a lot of things,” he says. “We have learned that in an emergency, we are capable of slowing down our economic growth … but who pays the price? And the report isn’t saying that we have to end economic growth, but constantly increasing economic growth is not compatible with the climate crisis.”

Each panellist will begin with a brief presentation, then the event will open up to a Q&A discussion. Similar conversations have been taking place around the world since the report’s release in December, but this is the first such public forum in the Maritime provinces. See the UNDP’s December 15 announcement for more details and perspectives about the 2020 report.

“While humanity has achieved incredible things, it is clear that we have taken our planet for granted,” Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy Youth, said in the announcement. “Across the world young people have spoken up, recognizing that these actions put our collective future at risk. As the 2020 Human Development Report makes clear, we need to transform our relationship with the planet — to make energy and material consumption sustainable, and to ensure every young person is educated and empowered to appreciate the wonders that a healthy world can provide.”

Open to the public, the panel discussion begins at 10:30 am on Monday. See the event listing on the SMU Events Calendar for more information and the Zoom links. 

Bridget Brownlow receives Paul Harris Fellow Award

Bridget Brownlow

Saint Mary’s University’s Conflict Resolution Advisor and president of Peaceful Schools International, Bridget Brownlow, has received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Club of Halifax Harbourside.

The award, established in 1957, is given to a community member that has made an outstanding contribution to the community. Brownlow is being recognized for her notable service with Peaceful Schools International, teaching peaceful education to children from over 200 schools around the world.

The Paul Harris Fellow Award has been received by many household names, including: Mother Theresa, polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk, N.S. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang, and former Saint Mary’s President Colin Dodds.

Congratulations Bridget!

Convocation to be Celebrated Virtually in May

Spring Convocation will be virtual for the Class of 2021 and will be live-streamed on the Saint Mary’s University website and Facebook page on Friday, May 28, 2021 in three ceremonies:

• 10 a.m.  Sobey School of Business and Graduate Studies in Business

• 2 p.m.   Faculty of Science and Graduate Studies in Science

• 4 p.m.   Faculty of Arts and Graduate Studies in Arts

All times are listed in Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT).

A virtual convocation in May ensures the university’s continued adherence to public health requirements. While we are disappointed not to be in person and on campus, we know that the livestream of convocation reaches graduates, families and friends both locally and around the world. All members of the Saint Mary’s University community are invited to watch the convocation ceremonies at the times listed above.

“I am very proud of the graduates of May 2021,” says Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s. “In announcing a virtual convocation for May, we are also acknowledging the resilience and continued commitment of all our graduates. We know from our earlier experience with virtual convocations that the ceremonies will be warm, vibrant and celebratory. We will do our very best to highlight your significant accomplishments as you complete your academic programs.” 

For more information related to convocation, visit www.smu.ca/graduation

Reflection and Resilience: Community Response to COVID-19

Members of the Saint Mary’s University community reflected on the past year during a webinar held on March 24, 2021. Building Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic was the fourth session of the virtual SMU in Action event series and featured Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Dr. Tony Charles, Crystal Witter BA’21 and Dr. Mohammad Rahaman.

Panellists brought their unique perspective to the challenges, opportunities and resilience in communities during the past year. Dr. Tony Charles, who also holds the position of director of the Community Conservation Network, shared the 2020 Report on Nova Scotian Communities & COVID-19: Challenges & Resilience, a study conducted with the help of Saint Mary’s colleagues and students. The report looks at how communities and individuals responded to the pandemic as a measure of resilience, as well as the social and economic impacts that the pandemic had on communities. While communities reported challenges in employment, tourism and education, they also shared inspiring stories of leadership and community action. “It’s amazing what can be done by individuals and by working together collectively,” says Charles.

Saint Mary’s President Dr. Summerby-Murray found many parallels between the Nova Scotia report and how the Saint Mary’s community responded; praising technicians, faculty, staff and students for adapting quickly to new learning management systems and pedagogical innovation while understanding the challenges faced. Other highlights from the past year included the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre’s swift response to supporting entrepreneurs and businesses in Atlantic Canada, donor support to the COVID-19 Emergency Student Relief Fund and the investment in digital transformation of the teaching and learning environment. He credits the past year as an opportunity to learn innovative approaches to teaching, research and community engagement.

“Challenging, yet transformational”

From the student perspective, recent graduate Crystal Witter shared her experience as an international student leader and entrepreneur who navigated the pandemic and graduated as valedictorian in January 2021. While completing her degree, Crystal had to travel home to Jamaica and was forced to close her business, Ilash Icons HFX, due to COVID-19. She admits her final year was a difficult one both mentally and financially. She discussed the added challenges for international students navigating travel restrictions, quarantine measures, and delayed work permits, but credited the Saint Mary’s community for their willingness to help. Receiving a COVID-19 Student Emergency bursary, along with other scholarships, relieved the financial burden due to loss of income, and having caring professors who provided accommodations allowed her to complete her course load and cross the virtual graduation stage. Crystal has since joined the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre team has a Project Manager for the SMU Community Hackathon, which looks at tech solutions to address human trafficking in Nova Scotia. When reflecting on the past year, she says “I couldn’t be resilient without help of my professors, friends and family. It’s not an individual journey.”

Dr. Mohammad Rahaman, Associate Dean of Strategic Partnership & Community Engagement for the Sobey School of Business, moderated the panel’s Q&A period and shared insight on the Sobey Prosperity Network & Community Revitalization Project. In response to COVID-19’s impact on the business community, the Sobey School gathered a network of faculty, industry experts and alumni to offer webinars, discussions and business coaching. Later this year, the Prosperity Network will release a report to the community outlining the lessons learned to help inform policy makers in Atlantic Canada.

Watch a recording of the session

Saint Mary's University hosts March madness pitch competition

It is pitch season. The Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC) is hosting a new pitch competition styled after the famous NCAA March Madness basketball competition. Sixty-four student entrepreneurs from 25 post-secondary institutions across Canada have been selected to compete head-to-head as they strive to be declared the best in the country.  

“When we began planning for our latest pitch competition, we asked ourselves, how do you engage students in an online world? How do you make things exciting and interesting? This competition is our answer,” says Michael Sanderson, Director, SMUEC. “Students will share their business ideas before panels of expert judges made up of successful entrepreneurs from across the country. The event will have a big match feel, with prizes to match.”

Student participants will receive the date and time of their pitch session, a pre-existing pitch rubric, and a list of questions that will be randomly posed at presentation time. Participants will have development sessions to prepare them for their month-long battle to victory. After the final events, the student entrepreneur with the best idea or business will win the grand prize.

The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), provided SMUEC with a $132,111 non-repayable contribution to carry out this competition along with other student entrepreneurship and business skills training activities.  

“Students and young entrepreneurs breathe new life into the start-up community,” says Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax. “Our support for projects like this one helps new ideas take shape, builds a diverse economy and sets our business leaders of tomorrow up for success.” PS Fillmore made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.

“Metronome United is honoured to be presenting the March Madness Pitch Competition in partnership with Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre,” says Shannon Susko BComm’89 BSc’92, SMUEC Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and the Founder & CEO of Metronome United. “I love having the opportunity to help young entrepreneurs get focused on their business. I remember being a young entrepreneur in my early 20’s and I want to ensure that no one goes through the struggles I went through growing my companies. This is a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs to take the next step in becoming the leaders of tomorrow. I look forward to seeing all applications come through and work with the winning recipients.”  

The brackets, along with times for the Facebook Live event for each head-to-head battle, will be posted in the competition bracket located on the competition page of the SMUEC website. All times are set at the competition’s outset allowing students who make it through each round to encourage friends, family, and other supporters to log on to view their next pitch. This also allows the pitch competition to become a spectator sport, with anyone from the community can watch any head-to-head matchup.

To participate, or learn more, visit https://smuec.ca/march_madness/.

Saint Mary’s scientists enter into five-year partnership with Atlantic Gold to research remediation of historic gold mine tailings in wetlands

Dr. Linda Campbell and Dr. Emily Chapman in their research lab at Saint Mary’s University.

Saint Mary’s University’s research into environmentally sustainable and cost-effective remediation of historic gold mine sites across Nova Scotia is receiving a boost in the form of a five-year partnership with Atlantic Gold, a wholly owned subsidiary of St Barbara Ltd, based in Australia.

 “St Barbara is a global gold company and is proud to own and operate the Atlantic Gold Operations in Nova Scotia,” says St Barbara Managing Director and CEO, Craig Jetson. “As we operate our business and care for our people, we are guided by our company commitments – including respecting the environment and stronger communities.

“At St Barbara doing the right thing is important to all of us. Saint Mary’s University’s research into environmentally sustainable and cost-effective remediation of historic gold mines across Nova Scotia is aligned with our commitments, including growing sustainably,” says Jetson.  “We believe in learning from the past to secure our future and look forward to seeing this philosophy applied in the important work being done by Saint Mary’s University.”

“This is a significant investment by St Barbara, reflecting the importance we place on finding solutions to actively manage and neutralise the impact of our mining operations, because we care about the environment and the planet,” says Jetson. “We have recently committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and are pleased to see our Atlantic Gold operations leading to deliver on this promise by 2025.We look forward to updates on the important work being done by the Saint Mary’s University team and thank them for their commitment to this project.”

The funding is part of a new five-year partnership between Saint Mary’s University and Atlantic Gold with the first payment of $200,000 being delivered late in 2020.

Tailings runoff in Montague.

There is a long history of gold mining in Nova Scotia, and methods used 100 years ago are now known to be damaging to the environment. The goal of the Saint Mary’s University research team, led by Dr. Linda Campbell, is to use its proven expertise from previous studies of former mine sites to develop a low-cost remediation strategy. This new strategy is designed to support the natural recovery of wetlands and shallow water environments impacted by 100-year-old contaminated tailings.

“I want to thank Atlantic Gold for their strategic partnership and financial investment in advancing world-leading research that benefits both our local and global communities,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “This partnership is an exemplar of innovation with a community-centred approach. It addresses a challenge with an immediate local connection but with far-reaching national and international implications.”

The scope of the damage to the environment from abandoned gold mines is wide, encompassing 300 abandoned mines across the province in both remote areas and backyards. Contamination from the arsenic and mercury used in historic gold mining can adversely affect human health and present severe environmental contamination risks.

Dr. Linda Campbell

“Saint Mary’s University is proud to be a part of the solution when it comes to remediating the damage done by historic gold mining practices across the province,” says Saint Mary’s University Vice-President, Academic and Research, Dr. Malcolm Butler. “Dr. Linda Campbell and her team are employing innovative research to create remediation techniques that minimize the impact on the environment, wildlife and humans. This research has the potential for significant applications in Nova Scotia, the rest of Canada and the world.”

Mining in Nova Scotia began well before most environmental legislation, and untreated tailings were placed in wetlands and shallow-water areas. Over the subsequent decades, abandoned tailings were left in place, with limited natural recovery taking place. Research at Saint Mary’s completed in 2015-2019 shows that sediment samples from legacy gold-mine tailings in N.S. wetlands remain contaminated and are still severely toxic to aquatic invertebrates.

“We are currently wrangling with the consequences of decisions and actions made a long time ago,” says Dr. Linda Campbell. “Our goal is to ensure legacy arsenic and mercury contaminants will not continue to be a problem for Nova Scotians for another hundred years. We are looking forward to working with Atlantic Gold and our other collaborators to undertake the necessary research and development to help restore ecological vitality of impacted wetlands.”

Dr. Campbell is joined by Senior Project Research Manager Dr. Emily Chapman and a team of researchers that will look at new ways to remediate sites using more effective and less invasive techniques than traditional remediation methods. Those traditional methods can be destructive to the areas that need to be protected. A proof-of-concept study of a new method, which will use a thin layer of a reactive material, is promising in its ability to limit risks of legacy gold mine tailings without compromising wetland function. It is this approach that is being investigated by the research team.

Dr. Emily Chapman

“Wetlands are incredibly important ecosystems, and these sites need help to recover. It is about finding the right blend of ingredients that will reduce the mobility and toxicity of contaminants in the sediment, without adding so much material that wetlands are infilled and destroyed,” says Dr. Chapman. “Having worked on the development of innovative approaches for dealing with these risks for several years, I am pleased to see that this issue is getting some recognition.”

Remediation is a very expensive undertaking, with a 2019 estimate of $48 million to clean up the Crown land portion of two Nova Scotia legacy tailing sites. If proven effective, the new method proposed by Dr. Campbell and her team will have an immediate economic benefit as a more cost-effective, non-intrusive ecological and human health option for impacted wetlands across Nova Scotia and similar sites around the world.

Dr. Campbell is a professor in the School of the Environment at Saint Mary’s. In her research, she uses multi-disciplinary approaches to improve our understanding of anthropogenic and natural impacts in the environment, with a focus on aquatic ecosystems.

Atlantic Gold, a wholly owned subsidiary of St Barbara Ltd, operates the Moose River Gold Mine near Middle Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia, and is permitting three more mines along Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. The Company is investing in a research partnership with Saint Mary’s University to explore the remediation of historic gold mine tailings in freshwater ecosystems.

Digital transformation benefits students at Saint Mary’s University

Saint Mary's University, one of Canada's foremost primarily undergraduate universities, is building the learning environment of the future that will give current and future students a world-class engaging and immersive experience. A digital transformation, backed by a series of technology investments, will place Saint Mary's in a leading position for student experience, student choice, and blended learning in Canada and around the world. 

Saint Mary's has partnered with industry-leading experts D2L and Ellucian to innovate and improve the learner experience in an approach that is on the cutting edge for post-secondary institutions. Saint Mary's integrated learning environment will be one of the most sophisticated in Canada. It will bring together all aspects of virtual and in-person learning into a seamless whole, including the management of learning, data records, academic and financial services, credentialing, and learner support. 

“The digital transformation will be a game-changer for our students, removing barriers to higher education related to scheduling, learning style and preferences, finance, accommodation, and location,” says Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "New technology and digital services will mean that Saint Mary’s students will be able to learn and engage fully with their professors, fellow students, and research partners in the classroom, from their home and from anywhere in the world. This investment will open up doors for completion of degrees online for some students. For others, their courses and experiences will be the perfect mix of in-person, virtual and online. Our students have spoken, and building on what we have learned during the pandemic, we know they want these options and this flexibility. This is the future and this strategic partnership puts Saint Mary’s in a leadership position nationally." 

Saint Mary's will use D2L's Brightspace platform and leading-edge technology to create the most interactive course content for learners anywhere in the world, provide individualized learning pathways, give learners personalized feedback, and engage them in their learning through gamification, social tools, and video. 

The university's new integrated learning environment will be hosted in the cloud to provide a seamless service to learners across a lifetime of learning. The transformation will encompass all courses, programs, and certificates, and all 6,500 students will benefit from this $9.3 million investment over five years.  

"This investment will lead to significant improvements in the teaching and learning experience and the general operations and systems of the university that will be felt by everyone," says Saint Mary's University's Vice-President, Finance and Administration, Michelle Benoit. "We are removing duplication and increasing student and faculty access to the services of the university while providing them more tools and pathways to enhance their experience. We are automating processes to provide faster response times for students, freeing up staff time to focus on other service delivery areas. This is a very significant moment for our institution." 

Over the project's term, the university's data management system, Ellucian Banner, will be integrated with the university's online learning platform, Brightspace by D2L. Both Ellucian and D2L are key partners for this digital transformation.  

"We are excited to expand our relationship with Saint Mary's University to further accelerate their digital transformation journey," said Laura Ipsen, President and CEO, Ellucian. "SMU's investment in modern systems in the cloud will enhance operational efficiencies enabling more resources to focus on what's most important -- students. Their unwavering commitment to improving the student experience, paired with their vision to become a truly global institution, sets them apart as an innovative leader in higher education." 

"What Saint Mary's University has done is nothing short of remarkable," said John Baker, President and CEO of D2L. "Creating a truly learner-centered, fully integrated learning environment can only happen when you're absolutely committed to student success. It's a real honour for all of us at D2L to be part of such a progressive, innovative and student-centered success story." 

"This investment is about improving supports for teaching and learning and improving processes and data management to allow students, faculty, and staff to focus more on the primary reason we are all here—the creation and the dissemination of knowledge," says President Summerby-Murray.

Learn about applying to Saint Mary’s.

Learn about employment opportunities at Saint Mary’s.

Hackathon to address human trafficking in Atlantic Canada begins

Saint Mary’s University, in partnership with Volta and supported by the Government of Canada, is hosting the 
SMU Community Hackathon — Addressing Human Trafficking in Atlantic Canada.  

Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are devastating to survivors, families, and Canada’s most vulnerable populations. It is with this understanding that the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC) and partners aim to create awareness about human trafficking while bringing youth together with key stakeholders to explore ways technology can be used to tackle this issue. 

“I was pleased to participate in Saint Mary’s University’s virtual hackathon today,” said The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. “With the help of almost $55,000 in federal funding, the University is building on the important work it is doing to raise awareness on the signs of human trafficking, through technological innovation and collaboration. Through projects like this one, we are working together to build a safer and more resilient Canada, where all people are protected from human trafficking and its harms.”

The funding for the hackathon is made available under the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime.

This two-day virtual event brings together post-secondary students from across Atlantic Canada, as well as service providers, law enforcement and others, to explore innovative ways that technology can be used to raise awareness of human trafficking. In teams, participants will develop innovative solutions in combating human sex trafficking from a preventative perspective. The event will feature speakers, panel sessions, brainstorming workshops and hands-on opportunities for participants to work with peers and mentors in bringing their ideas to life.  

After the hackathon, teams move on to the project’s second phase. Teams will receive weekly mentorship and attend skill development sessions as they develop their ideas over the month before delivering final pitches to an expert panel.

“At Saint Mary’s University, community is at the heart of all that we do,” said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor, Saint Mary’s University. “We are committed to research and innovation that improves the wellbeing of our communities. This hackathon is an example of this work and we are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada as we raise awareness of human trafficking, find ways to combat this crime, and improve the lives of Canadians.”

Additional information:

• Government of Canada announces funding for project to raise awareness of human trafficking

• SMU Community Hackathon: Addressing Human Trafficking in Atlantic Canada  

A Passion for Storytelling

PhD graduate Shelley T. Price has a long-standing relationship with Saint Mary’s University. For the past 28 years, she has been active in the university as a student, instructor, and staff member. A true Santamarian, Price also obtained her Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and her MBA in Human Resources at Saint Mary’s.

“I am a loyal person, and I made Saint Mary’s my home,” explains Price. “I felt like I always had something more to learn, and I am passionate about learning. Somewhere along the way, I saw myself continuing to pursue degrees at Saint Mary’s until I finished a PhD.”

Born in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, and raised in Southwest Nova Scotia (Mi’kma’ki), Price’s inspiration comes from Indigenous peoples’ stories and lived experiences. Her great-grandmother’s work, Woman of Labrador, was a catalyst to explore her peoples’ memories and stories through her PhD in Business Administration.

“I found a world of possibilities in academia that I never knew existed,” says Price. “The multi-paradigmatic approach allowed me to explore my voice and the wisdom of my peoples. I was so grateful to have found a space in business academia, where all of me was welcome: my fears, my anxieties, my hopes, and my dreams toward sustainable, just, and equitable ways of managing and leading organizations.”

Price’s passion for storytelling and her identity as a bi-racial Inuk woman has informed her research. Her dissertation title is Storytelling leadership: Connecting heart, mind, body, and spirit to stories of the old ways and old days of Labrador. The focus is on exploring a plurality of sustainable, just, and equitable practices of being, doing, knowing, and relating in leadership.

“Discrimination, harassment, exploitation, and oppression are still far too common in organizational contexts, and I think it is important to explore trauma-informed and culturally safe and humble approaches to decolonize management and leadership practice and education,” says Price. “I want to continue helping Indigenous peoples through my research. I think it is important to make space in academia for the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples.”

Currently, Price is an Assistant Professor at St. Francis Xavier University in the Department of Management. Over the years, she has worked at Saint Mary’s in various roles, including an instructor in the Management Department, as the Manager of Custodial Administration and Sustainability in Facilities, and in the Continuing Education and Teaching English as a Second Language departments.

“Saint Mary’s was my home. There were far too many wonderful experiences to count, and I am sad to see the adventure come to an end.”

As an advocate of social and environmental justice, Price wishes to extend a call to business leaders to engage in reflecting on how they will respond to #MMIWG2S #IndigenousRights #MeToo #Pride #MentalHealthAwareness #MakeMuskratRight #ClimateAction #BlackLivesMatter.

Saint Mary's University celebrates African Heritage Month

This February, Saint Mary's University is celebrating African Heritage Month. This year's theme is Black History Matters: Listen, Learn, Share and Act, recognizing the important legacy of people of African descent and the long-standing history in the development of Canada.  

"We are proud to be hosting a series of events that our students and community can attend virtually to celebrate African Heritage Month," says Charisma Grace Walker, the African Nova Scotian/Black student & community liaison at Saint Mary's. "I encourage everyone to join us as we discuss the past, present, and future of our communities."  

The university’s live online African Heritage Month launch event takes place on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at 11 a.m. The event will feature greetings and performances from members of the African Nova Scotian and Black community. The university is excited to welcome Candace Thomas BA'86, Deputy Minister, Department of Justice, who will participate and provide the keynote address. The launch event, and several upcoming events celebrating Saint Mary’s African Heritage Month, have been made possible through the generous support of Emera Inc.

A live stream of the launch event can be accessed at smu.ca/blackstudent. This event is open to all, and no sign-up is required. 

"African Heritage Month is an important time for our community to come together and celebrate," says Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “Intercultural learning and the diversity of our institution is one of our greatest strengths. Saint Mary’s is committed to ensuring we are a community focused on the importance of equity, representation, and inclusion.”  

For more information on African Heritage Month events at Saint Mary's, including a keynote address-style event with Dr. Angela Davis and a music-infused poetry session, visit smu.ca/blackstudent/events.