African Heritage Month 2025: Celebrating our community with events, resources and more

Saint Mary’s celebrates African Heritage Month, honouring the achievements and contributions of Black and African Nova Scotian members of our community. The theme for 2025 is “Legacy in Action: Celebrating Black Brilliance.” During February, the Pan-African flag will be raised in front of the McNally building. The red, black and green flag was created in 1920 to represent the people of the African Diaspora.

Did you know? Nova Scotia has 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 200 years. Learn more from the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.

You’re invited to join us this February for events hosted by faculty, students and departments, including an inaugural opening ceremony with special guest speakers on January 31. Learn about African Nova Scotian experiences with the Loyalist Connections Creative Society, support Black-owned businesses at the SMU Huskies vendor market, and meet new friends at fun events hosted by the African Student Society. Read more about events and campus resources below.

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African Heritage Month Opening Ceremony

Friday, January 31, 2025
3-5 p.m.
Loyola Conference Hall (LA 290)

This event is Saint Mary's University's first African Heritage Month Opening Ceremony! The event will celebrate and honour the rich contributions and the living legacies of Black Nova Scotians, honouring the impact and perseverance of the long-standing community and the African culture. It is an opportunity to reflect, learn and look back to move forward.

Highlights of the event will include African Drumming, Spoken Words and Remarks from Colin Campbell, Director, Government and Community Relations, African Nova Scotian Affairs and David Woods, founder/organizer of the Inaugural African Heritage Month Celebrations in Nova Scotia (1984-1991).

RSVP here

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SMU Huskies Black Heritage Night

Saturday, February 1, 2025

The SMU Huskies are celebrating African Heritage Month at the Homburg Centre with special performances before and during Saturday’s games! A vendor market featuring Black Nova Scotian-owned businesses will be held in the concourse of the Homburg Centre in partnership with the Black Business Initiative.

Women’s Volleyball vs. UNB at 1 p.m. 

Basketball doubleheader: SMU vs. CBU
Women's basketball: tip-off at 6 p.m
Men's basketball: tip-off at 8 p.m.

Half-time performances with the African Dance Society

Women's hockey vs. DAL
Puck-drop 7 p.m.

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Tribe Scholars: Scholarship Recipient Announcement

Tuesday, February 4, 2025
5-7:30 p.m.
Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, Inspiration Studio (SH212)

Join Tribe and Saint Mary's University for an exciting event where we will reveal this year's recipients for our Undergraduate Tribe Network Award and our Tribe Network Graduate Scholarship and Internship. Get ready to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our talented scholars. Don't miss out on this special occasion to honour their achievements and meet the next generation of professionals.

Register here

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Black Entrepreneurship Showcase

Thursday, February 6, 2025
11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Loyola Colonnade

Meet organizations that support Black students in entrepreneurship. Speak with representatives from Black Girls Gather, Tribe Network, and Business is Jammin’ to learn how they can help support you in your entrepreneurial goals!

Writing Ourselves: Voice & Power with El Jones

Thursday, February 6, 2025
4-5 p.m.
Loyola Academic LA177

Join former Halifax Poet Laureate El Jones and The Counselling Centre for a writing workshop. El will discuss finding our voice, writing for justice, and self-empowerment during African Heritage Month. You do not have to be an experienced writer to attend; all are welcome!

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A live podcast recording: Exploring the Impacts of Defining Blackness 

Tuesday, February 11, 2025
5-6:30 p.m.
The Podcast Studio
Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre (Sobey Hub 210)

What does defining a group do? Does it exclude individuals from the conversation? Can a definition include everyone? Or does it ask us collectively what a definition does to make us move forward?

Hosted by the Loyalist Connections Creative Society, this podcast recording will explore Blackness as more than racial identity, but a lens into culture, politics and the lived experiences of African and Black people shaped by systemic racism and cultural inheritance. Together, we’ll examine how local and global African influences intersect with identity, power and belonging in a world shaped by enduring inequities.

Register here to reserve your spot and submit your questions in advance. The podcast recording will take place in the Podcast Studio (Sobey Hub 210) from 5–6 p.m. with an audience Q&A to follow in the adjacent room SH 211. The event aims to foster interactive discussions with the audience and with the broader community once the podcast is available online. Food and refreshments to be provided.

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Residence Life events

Movie Night: Summer of Soul

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
7-9 p.m.
LA 175

Join us for an extraordinary celebration of Black music and culture with "Summer of Soul," a groundbreaking documentary that resurrects the forgotten 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Directed by Questlove, this Oscar-winning film captures electrifying performances by legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Sly and the Family Stone. Experience a powerful testament to Black joy, resilience, and musical brilliance during a pivotal moment in cultural history. This screening promises to inspire, educate, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Black people through the transformative power of music.

African Heritage Trivia Night

Tuesday, February 25, 2025
7-9 p.m.
SH 324

Join us for an exciting African Heritage Month Trivia Night! Test your knowledge of African history, culture, and contributions while enjoying a fun-filled evening with friends and community members. The event features engaging questions, lively discussions, and the chance to win fantastic prizes. The first-place winner will take home $100 in flex dollars! Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the rich heritage of Africa. Bring your team spirit and get ready for a night of friendly competition and cultural appreciation!

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Saint Mary’s African Student Society events

Soccer match: SMU vs. DAL

Friday, February 21, 2025
1-2:00 p.m.
BMO Soccer Centre

Join the Saint Mary’s African Student Society (SMASS) for a soccer match vs Dalhousie on February 21 at the BMO Soccer Centre on Thomas Raddall Drive.

Contact safricanstudentsociety@gmail.com for more information.

Black Owned Vendors Market

Thursday, February 27, 2025
12-4 p.m.
Loyola 290

Contact @smu.bss on Instagram for more information

Aunties & Uncles Game Night

Wednesday, February 26, 2025
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sobey Hub 324
$10 entry free

Get together with friends for a fun night of games, food and prizes! Dress up in your favourite auntie or uncle attire.

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Third Annual Dynamic Rural Business Event

Thursday, February 27, 2025
6-8 p.m.
Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre Conference Room, 5907 Gorsebrook Ave

Black Business Initiative (BBI) and the Sobey School of Business: Dynamic Rural Businesses Series
Join us for an engaging evening celebrating Black rural businesses! This in-person event will feature a panel discussion, networking opportunities, and a vendor showcase, all designed to support and uplift Black entrepreneurs.

Featured Panelists:

• Chef Pamela Leonforde – Owner, Café Caye Mangé

• Angela Cromwell – Founder, Ansena Wigs & Extensions

• Dr. A.K. Kirumira – Founder, Bioteen40

Register by February 25

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Reading materials and resources in the Patrick Power Library

A portion of the books and items featured in the Patrick Power Library African Heritage Month collection

Throughout February, the Patrick Power Library will display a collection of library resources for African Heritage Month on the ground floor. Book recommendations will also be shared online on our social channels (@smuhfxlibrary). All books can be borrowed with your SMU ID card. Browse the full African Heritage Month collection online.

This Master’s theses round-up from the University Archives’ Institutional Repository highlights the work of Saint Mary’s graduate students whose research explores themes related to Black and African heritage, history, identity and social justice.

Saint Mary’s University, in cooperation with Dr. Lynn Jones (C.M.), African Nova Scotian leader and activist, proudly houses The Lynn Jones African Canadian & Diaspora Heritage Collection in the University Archives. The Collection documents the lives of Lynn, her family, and over 50 years of African, African Diasporic and African Nova Scotian heritage and history.  Key parts of the collection include materials on:

• civil rights and social justice struggles in Halifax, Canada and beyond

• Lynn’s career as an athlete, politician, union activist, and work as an election observer for the 1994 South African Presidential election of Nelson Mandela

• the activism of Lynn’s brother, Burnley “Rocky” Jones and many others

• thousands of news clippings, programs, reports and other material documenting Black life (e.g. the histories of local Black communities and institutions, an obituary collection, news coverage of local and international racial segregation and apartheid, clippings on famous athletes and environmental racism).

Researchers, community members, educators and students, community organizers, and others are all welcome to visit the collection. It can be viewed in person at the Saint Mary's University Archives. Parts of the collection, including samples of archival material from Lynn's personal collection and a small example of the newspaper clipping collection, have been digitized and are available on the library's digital repository. A more detailed finding aid and collection inventory are also available. 

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African Descended/Black Student online hub

Find SMU resources on our online hub for Black and African Nova Scotian students. Find out how to connect with the Black Student Advisor, learn about awards and bursaries, see news and more!

Visit smu.ca/blackstudent to be connected

Related stories and resources:

• African Descended/Black Student Support

• Announcing Ebun Oladele, Interim Black Student Advisor

• Local African Heritage Month events

• Breaking records: Omena Babalola MBA'92 sprints towards success

• Justine Colley-Leger: Inspiring young women with her legacy 

• Rheannon Richards of Dartmouth receives 2024 Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award

SMU community “superpowers” helpful in hard times

Paul Hollingsworth BA’94 with Saint Mary’s University Dean of Arts Mary Ingraham

For students who are grieving the loss of a parent or a sibling, getting back into your studies is a challenging time. It’s a struggle that Paul Hollingsworth BA’94 remembers well from his time as a student at Saint Mary’s University.

Now one of Atlantic Canada’s most accomplished journalists, Hollingsworth shared his insights with current students as a guest speaker for the recent 2024 Dean’s List celebration held by the Faculty of Arts. Speaking from the heart, the CTV broadcaster recalled that things were going really well for him in the fall of 1991: he had just declared his English major and he was maintaining a B+ average, balancing his schoolwork with a daily fitness regime and a part-time job at a downtown pub.  

“Things were productive,” he told the crowd of students gathered in Loyola Conference Hall. “Then, on December 13, my older brother Bryce, who was three years older than me, took his own life. He was tall, handsome and athletic, and he should’ve had a full stretch of life ahead of him. Yet he was gone in an instant.”

Paul addresses a group of students at the Faculty of Arts Dean’s List event

The holidays were a devastating time for Hollingsworth and his family. By the time he returned to classes in January, he had lost 20 pounds after several weeks of not eating or sleeping properly. Friends invited him to parties, hockey games and basketball matches, hoping that keeping busy would help.

“People were shocked at my appearance, but I soldiered on. They didn’t know what to say. We didn’t talk about mental health back then like we do now,” he said.

Supportive SMU community

Hollingsworth credits his community of kind professors, mentors and friends for helping him through such a dark time. A key turning point came thanks to Dr. Roger Macdonald, a faculty member who, at the time, was teaching Shakespeare. He asked Hollingsworth to stay after class one day in late January.  

“When everyone had left, he closed the classroom door, pulled up a desk and sat next to me. He said, ‘How are you doing?’ It was the first time anyone had asked that. And I started to cry. In fact, I cried more than I had ever cried during that entire experience. I cried so much I couldn’t talk; I couldn’t communicate. I literally melted in the moment.”

Hollingsworth hadn’t done very well on an assignment handed back that day, but Macdonald reassured him, urging the heartbroken student to keep coming to class and to keep working hard on his studies. “He said his office door was always open and I could come by and talk anytime … I took him up on that offer, and I would go see him at his office and we would talk mostly about baseball. Roger Macdonald made a difference in my life.”

Other professors also had a supportive impact: Dr. Michael Larsen, Georges “Burpee” Hallett and Janet Baker, to name a few. “These professors saved me. They saw something in me, and they used their superpowers to lift me up. Their only motivation was kindness.”

Hollingsworth Family Award

Hollingsworth now frequently lends his time and talents to events that support mental health initiatives. He has also helped to develop a lasting legacy at Saint Mary’s in the form of a scholarship on behalf of his family. Launched in 2023, the Hollingsworth Family Award was created for first-year full-time students—particularly those in financial need— to help them cope with the loss of a family member and connect them to a community of support at Saint Mary’s.

The award “means the world to me,” said Hollingsworth, adding that even great students can encounter great struggles during their university years.

Hollingsworth’s career has included a number of roles in news media, including as an international sports reporter

He began his journalism career shortly after graduating and now serves as CTV’s national news reporter based in Halifax. Over the years, he has held many roles within CTV, from sports reporting and producing to anchoring the CTV Atlantic weekend news desk. Career highlights include reporting from the World Series, Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, Stanley Cup Playoffs and many other international sporting events.

Hollingsworth has also written and co-written at least four books about sports trivia and NHL stars Brad Richards, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. In his spare time, he co-hosts The Scramble, a popular sports podcast with SMU Hall of Famer Chris Flynn BA’97.    

As a proud alumnus, Hollingsworth remains actively involved on campus, attending sports games and other events – he’s also a “SMU Dad” now, with a son in the Bachelor of Commerce program.   

“People ask me what I learned while attending Saint Mary’s,” he said. “Obviously, I received a first-class education. I learned about language, literature and the arts, developing a capacity for independent thought. But more important than all those things, I learned what it felt like to be part of something. The people at this university cared for me. And I love them back for it. I became part of a community, the Saint Mary’s community. I owe everything to this university and the great people who taught me and supported me along the way. Not to mention the friendships made for life.”

Related reading:

• The Hollingsworth Family Award

• From grief to gratitude: The Hollingsworth Family Award (Maroon + White article)

• The Counselling Centre at SMU

• Bell Let’s Talk mental health resources

Access Ability: inclusive growth for individuals and employers

Opportunities for individuals who self-identify as living with a disability and inclusive businesses

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre's innovative Access Ability program, funded by Service Canada, empowers people who self-identify as living with a disability. This program provides two distinct paths depending on the individual’s need:

• Access Ability Employment: helps participants find and secure fulfilling employment opportunities supported by a wage subsidy program.

• Access Ability Entrepreneurship: supports those pursuing their own business ventures.

Both streams emphasize skill development and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. The Access Ability Employment stream empowers participants through two key initiatives:

• Entrepreneurial Mindset Certificate (EMC) Program: Participants attend eight paid workshops led by industry experts. Topics include Creative Thinking and Problem Solving, Intrapreneurship: Unleashing Your Inner Entrepreneur and Navigating the Hidden Job Market. Participants learn valuable skills, earn up to $600, and receive learning and job-hunting support.

• Wage Subsidy Program: This program helps individuals who self-identify as living with a disability find and keep supportive employment. This program does so by providing small and medium businesses in Atlantic Canada with the support of a wage subsidy (up to $6,300 at $9 per hour). The goal of the program is to help participants get the skills and training necessary to stay on with their employer after the subsidy is completed.

This year, a remarkable 92 participants learned transformative skills for success in job hunting and had on-the-job experience through Entrepreneurial Mindset Certificate (EMC) training. In addition, 29 new employees joined wage-subsidized positions through funding that provided over $100,000 in wage subsidy support.

Just Cycle, one of the employers who joined the Wage Subsidy Program, reflects on the experience:

“Working with the Access Ability program has been very beneficial for our company. Not only did the program allow us to grow our team, but it also helped us improve employee engagement and productivity. The collaboration has been seamless; the team is responsive and genuinely invested in our success. We appreciate the tailored approach that addresses our unique challenges. Overall, we are thrilled with the outcomes and look forward to continuing our journey together. Thank you!”

Join the next cohort of the Entrepreneurial Mindset Certificate (EMC) Program and Wage Subsidy Program. The next cohort of the EMC Program runs from February 10 to March 7, 2025. Sign up now to join this winter.

We are seeking employers to join the Wage Subsidy Program in 2025! Submit your interest form now to secure your spot.

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Access Ability Entrepreneurship

The Access Ability Entrepreneurship stream provides two different streams:

• Business Incubator: Offers participants a full-time paid wage along with guidance, training, resources and mentorship, all delivered virtually, allowing aspiring entrepreneurs from across the province to participate regardless of location.

• Speaker Series: This series features 18 training sessions and group meetings with experienced speakers from the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It provides invaluable knowledge for personal and business development, while participants earn up to $900 for attending all sessions.

This year’s cohort of the Access Ability Entrepreneurship program provided over $80,000 in wages along with business development and disability-related support for nine program participants.

Kevin MacKinnon, a small business owner in Port Hawkesbury and participant in the Business Incubator program, said, “I really enjoy the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Incubator Program through SMU. There is so much to learn and they do a great job of breaking it down so it's easier to understand. This program has helped me a lot, and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to build their business.”

This winter, the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Speaker Series runs from January 7 to March 8, 2025. There are only ten spots remaining. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or seeking to expand your entrepreneurial knowledge, this program will allow you to learn directly from experienced speakers from the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Apply now for the 2025 cohort and secure your spot for the Speaker Series this winter!

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Questions?

Employment Stream: Contact AccessAbility@smu.ca

Entrepreneurship Stream: Contact aae@smu.ca

Accessibility Week: Allies for Access at Saint Mary’s University

Accessibility Week: Allies for Access. Monday, December 2-Thursday, December 5, 2024.

Please join the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC) as we celebrate Accessibility Week at Saint Mary's from December 2-5 to help celebrate the United Nations’ International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3. 

Accessibility information:
The Fred Smithers Centre strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please email fredsmithers.centre@smu.ca for accessibility requests and specific accommodations.

To learn more about accessibility at Saint Mary’s, visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.

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Event highlights

Fred Smithers Centre Pop-Ups

Monday, December 2, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | The Exchange
Join the Fred Smithers Team for treats to kick off the week!

Wednesday, December 4, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Loyola Colonnade
Visit the Fred Smithers Team in the Loyola Colonnade for treats and resource sharing!

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The Studio Presents: Accessible Word Documents & PowerPoints

Monday, December 2, 1-3 p.m. | AT 217

The Studio for Teaching and Learning provides an opportunity to learn how to create more accessible Word and PowerPoint documents. During the workshop participants will have an opportunity to work on their own document(s) and ask questions.   

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Student Employment Initiative Study Session

Tuesday, December 3 & December 10, 12-2 p.m. | 5th Floor Student Centre

Join us December 3rd and 10th from 12-2 p.m. on the 5th floor of the Student Centre. Meet other SEI students and the SEI staff, work in a calm environment and enjoy some free snacks! You do not need to be enrolled in SEI to attend.

Please feel free to email sei@smu.ca if there is anything we can do to make this study session comfortable for you.
We hope to see you there!

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Accessibility Photo Scavenger Hunt

Tuesday, December 3 & Wednesday, December 4 | Virtual

Join us on December 3 & 4, 2024 for a fun, photo-fueled adventure around campus. Navigate the built environment of Saint Mary’s University and photograph as many of the following as possible:

• Accessible building entrances

• Accessible parking spots

• Unoccupied accessible washrooms

• Signs with braille or raised lettering

• Tactile indicators (like paving/floor markings)

• Visual fire alarms

• Accessible ramps “Curb cuts” (dropped curbs)

• Chair lifts or elevators

• Grab rails

• Seating near areas with line-ups

Once you’ve got your photos, email them to smuaccessibility@smu.ca by noon on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Bonus: Submit photos of 5+ items for a chance to win a prize!

Note: Your photos may also be featured in future SMU accessibility projects. Happy hunting, and good luck!

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Breakfast Club

Tuesday, December 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility,

Join us at the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility on the third floor of the Student Centre for a hot breakfast to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

This event is hosted by the Community Food Room in partnership with The Fred Smithers Centre!

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Allies for Access: Introducing the New Accommodations Policy at SMU (Faculty)

Tuesday, January 14, 1-2 p.m. | Virtual (RESCHEDULED)

Faculty are invited to join the Fred Smithers Team for a discussion about the new Senate-approved Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Policy!

Click here to register for Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

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The Studio Presents: Accessible PDFs

Wednesday, December 4, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | AT 217

Join the Studio for Teaching and Learning to explore creating more accessible PDFs using various software. Learn how PDFs are processed for various neuro-diverse experiences, explore accessibility check tools and get templates to build off accessible-ready documents. This hands-on workshop will allow participants to develop or work on their own documents, get help and ask questions.   

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Therapy Dog Drop-In

Wednesday, December 4, 2-4 p.m. | Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility

Get ready for a paw-sitively amazing event! Join Meri, the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog for a barking good time. Meri will be here to show us the importance of self-care and emotional support during a stressful time. Don’t miss out on this furry-tale event!

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Opening Up: Disclosing & Building Allyship with Friends

Thursday, December 5, 4-5 p.m. | Loyola 188

Join Peer Coach Hailey for Pizza and a discussion about how to create a supportive friend group!

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

November 25-December 10, 2024

Saint Mary’s University is committed to fostering and advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility on our campus. Commemorative days serve as anchors, prompting us to contemplate our collective past, celebrate our accomplishments, and work towards a better future for all. The theme of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is Come Together, Act Now; we invite you to join us in remembrance, unity and action on campus.

Purple Ribbon Campaign: Wear a purple ribbon throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to help create awareness and show your support for ending gender-based violence.

White Ribbon Campaign: Men and boys wear white ribbons throughout the 16 Days of Activism to speak out against gender-based violence, showing their commitment to ending violence against women and girls, promoting gender equity, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.

Please join us on November 25 to place a purple and/or white ribbon on the Saint Mary’s Remembrance Tree after the Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative Speakers Series.

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Events

The Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative Speakers Series

Monday, November 25

3:30-5 p.m. | Loyola 188

Highlighting community organizations that are working to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. All are invited to meet SMU Graduate student and Manager of Humane Canada’s ACT (Awareness, Collaboration, Tools) Project, Sue O’Neill, to learn about strategies for supporting survivors of gender-based violence with animals in accessing support services, safety planning and help-seeking.

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Service Expo

Tuesday, November 26

12-2:30 p.m. | Patrick Power Library Community Space

Meet representatives from the Saint Mary’s Sexual Violence Support Centre as well as other community supports in place to support gender-based violence prevention and response. Information and resources for on and off-campus support will be available.

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Survivor Art Workshop (students only)

Wednesday, November 27

5:30-7:30 p.m. | Loyola 181

Students who have experienced sexual and gender-based harm are invited to come share space with each other in a casual environment and participate in a gently guided art affirmation practice. 

Refreshments will be shared and supportive resources and more information about SMU Campus supports will be available.

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National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women

December 6

10:30 | CLARI Room (Atrium 340)

Join us to commemorate the lives of the 14 women who were murdered at Polytechnique Montreal on December 6, 1989, and others who have experienced gender-based violence, highlighting the increased prevalence of violence and discrimination faced by Indigenous People, 2SLGBTQI+ and gender diverse people, individuals living with disabilities and other marginalized groups. 

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Human Rights Day

December 10 is a time to universally acknowledge, defend, and enjoy Human Rights and assume communal and individual responsibility for protecting, reducing inequalities and advancing these rights for ALL individuals.

2024 Theme: Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.

What will YOU do to improve the current state of human rights globally while safeguarding the common future of Human Rights for all?

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Personal Care Drive

November 25 – December 10

Please help women and children impacted by gender-based violence by donating personal care products such as deodorant, toothpaste/brushes, soap/facial wash, hair products, period products, manicure kits, journals and small children’s toys such as puzzles or books. Donations will go to a local women’s shelter, the Saint Mary’s Women’s Centre and the Sexual Violence Support Centre to support individuals who have experienced gender-based harm.

Drop off donations to any of the Purple Donation Boxes in the following locations:

• Human Resources, McNally South Rm 111                                  

• Sexual Violence Support Centre                                                      

• SMUSA Information Desk                                                                   

• Library                                                                                                     

• SAAS Reception (3rd Floor Student Centre)                                   

• Science Building – Dean’s Office (S221)                                        

• Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

• Homburg Centre

• Women’s Centre

• Loyola Residence Desk

• Student Welcome Centre

• Sobey School – Dean’s Office

• Arts – Dean’s Office

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Learn more

• Saint Mary’s Sexual Violence Support Centre

• Immigrants & Refugees: GBV In Focus, updates from the GBV-MIG Canada Research Program - Read the latest newsletter

  https://www.smu.ca/gendernet/newsletters.html 

• Saint Mary's Sexual Violence Advisor receives national award

• International Women's Day at Saint Mary’s (2024)

• 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence 2024 (Government of Canada)

SMUSA Wellness Week: November 24-29

Join SMUSA and departments across Saint Mary’s for Fall Wellness Week from November 24-29, 2024. This week-long event series hosts activities geared towards mental health and well-being. Events include therapy dogs, paint night, pop-up health clinics, music, exercise sessions, massages, food and so much more. We welcome students, faculty and staff to attend as many events as they like! 

Accessibility Information
We aim to make our events inclusive for everyone. Contact SMUSA if you have any questions or concerns.

Prizes!
Wellness Week is packed with fun and engaging events this semester.  Attend as many as you can (or at least one!) for a chance to win a $100 gift card, plus other prizes. How to enter?

1. Check out the Fall 2024 Wellness Week schedule below

2. Make sure to sign in at every event you attend via a signup sheet or QR code

3. Two ways to win:
   - The students with the highest attendance will win a prize.
   - Students who attended at least one event will be entered into a raffle to win a prize (every event you attend counts as an additional raffle ticket).

Results will be shared by December 6!

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Sunday, November 24

RWT Book Club

Presented by the Res Wellness Team

Noon | Meet in front of the Patrick Power Library and walk to the Halifax Central Library

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Monday, November 25

Gender Affirming Care Information Session

Presented by the Pride Society, Student Health Clinic, RainBEAU Committee, SMUSA Health Plan Office and the North End Pharmacy

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | 5th Floor Common Space, Student Centre

Matinee Movie Monday

Presented by SMUSA

2-4 p.m. | The Gorsebrook Lounge

Eastern College Massages

Presented by SMUSA

1-5 p.m. | Library Classroom | Li 135

Spin Class

Presented by SMUfit

5:15 p.m. | Homburg Centre, Studio C

Writing for Mental Health: Exploring Well-being Through Poetry & Journaling

Presented by the 2SLGBTQIA+ Wellness Ambassador with The Counselling Centre and faculty members

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Barbershop & Salon Talks

Presented by SMUSA the Interim Black Student Advisor

6-9 p.m. | LA 290

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Tuesday, November 26

Tune-sy Tuesday Mental Health Music Jam

Presented by The Fred Smithers Centre

Noon-1:30 p.m. | 1st Floor Student Centre Lobby (couches in front of the elevator)

SVSC Services Pop-Up

Presented by the Sexual Violence Support Centre

Noon-2 p.m. | Library Community Space

Meet Meri the Therapy Dog

Presented by The Fred Smithers Centre

Noon-2 p.m. | SC 309, 3rd Floor of Student Centre, Fred Smithers Centre

Learning Skills Workshop: Focus & Concentration

Presented by the Student Success Centre

4-5 p.m. | LA 297

‘Sip & Paint’ hosted by Mauya The Abstract Tribe

Presented by SMUSA

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. | Gorsebrook Lounge | SMUSA

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Wednesday, November 27

YogaLates

Presented by SMUFit

8:30-9:30 a.m. | Homburg Centre, Studio A

Fall Finals Pop-Up with the Peer Success Coaches

Presented by the Student Success Centre

10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Loyola Colonnade | Student Success Centre

Well Wednesday

Presented by The Counselling Centre

11 a.m.-noon | Look for the counselling team around campus

Hygiene Kits Pop-Up

Presented by the SMU Community Food Room

11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Loyola Collonade

STI Screening Clinic

Presented by the Student Health Clinic and the SMUSA Health Plan Office

1-4 p.m. | SC 403, Student Health Clinic

MHA Study Session

Presented by the Health & Wellness Society, Psychology Society and the Counselling Centre

3-4:30 p.m. | Library Classroom, LI 135

Nurture Wellness: Planting for Peace of Mind

Presented by the Gardening Society

4-6 p.m. | MAUD, McNally Main

Kiss of Nature DIY lip balms

Presented by the Res Wellness Team

5-8 p.m. | LA 178

Mocktail Mix Off

Presented by SMU Keep It Social

5:30-7 p.m. | AT 216

Survivor Art Space

Presented by the Sexual Violence Support Centre

5:30-7:30 p.m. | LA 181

Trivia Night (Holiday Movies)

Presented by SMUSA

7-8 p.m. | Gorsebrook Lounge

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Thursday, November 28

Flo Meditation + Wellness

Presented by SMUFit

11 a.m.-noon | SC 5th Floor, Student Lounge

Therapy Dogs

Presented by The Patrick Power Library

Noon-1 p.m. | Library Classroom (Room LI135)

Influenza (Flu) & COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Presented by the Student Health Clinic and SMUSA Health Plan Office

1-4:15 p.m. | SC 403, Student Health Clinic, Student Centre

Make your own stress ball!

Presented by Career & Experiential Learning

1-4 p.m. | 4th Floor Student Centre

Make the Most of Your Food Dollar Workshop

Presented by the Health & Wellness Society and the Nova Scotia Health Authority

1:30-3 p.m. | TBC

Board Game Cafe

Presented by SMUSA

6-9 p.m. | Student Common Space

Gin & Jazz Night

Presented by SMUSA

7 p.m.-1 a.m. | Gorsebrook Lounge

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Friday, November 29

Yoga

Presented by SMUFit

1-1:45 p.m. | Homburg Centre, Studio A

Christmas Movie Marathon

Presented by SAGA and the International Student Success Centre

1-6 p.m. | Burke Theatre B

The Science of Thriving: Cultivating Psychological Well-Being Workshop

Presented by SMUFit

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | The Homburg Centre Classroom (HC211)

Turning the Sexual Health Stigma Inside Out

Presented by the Res Wellness Team and the Res Consent Project

5-8 p.m. | AT 101

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Wellness Resources

For more information about wellness, please visit SMUSA Wellness Resources and SMU Health, Wellness & Supports.

Announcing Ebun Oladele, Interim Black Student Advisor

Ebun Oladele MA’21

Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that Ebun Oladele MA’21 will be stepping into the role of Interim Black Student Advisor in Student Affairs and Services (SAAS).

Ebun has been a valued member of the Saint Mary’s community for the past 3.5 years, serving as Secretary in the Marketing and Economics Departments and, most recently, as the Service Learning Coordinator in Experiential Learning. She holds Master’s degrees from Saint Mary’s University and from the University of Ulster, in Northern Ireland. She also brings an expansive wealth of knowledge and experience that spans Nigeria, Northern Ireland and Canada.

As an employee and former student of Saint Mary’s, Ebun's unique perspectives and experiences make her well-suited for the position. “I can relate to and understand a lot of the experiences some of our Black students are currently facing,” notes Ebun. “And I am equally aware of current processes and resources that are not entirely meeting the needs of our Black students. This role will allow me to advocate for enhanced resources, representation and support for our Black students.”

Ebun is particularly passionate about breaking down the institutional barriers that have historically limited access to opportunities for Black students. With a focus on academic empowerment, she hopes to champion initiatives that augment the educational experiences and outcomes of students, while creating programs that unite the culturally rich and diverse Black student community at Saint Mary’s.

Ebun is also committed to establishing dedicated spaces for Black students, recognizing this as a crucial factor in fostering a sense of belonging and overall success. “I’m passionate about engaging with students and creating spaces where they feel safe and empowered,” says Ebun. “Having access to a space that feels supportive can have a direct impact on students’ academic achievements, personal growth, mental health and emotional well-being. I’m excited to support students, as they explore and navigate resources, helping them create a positive journey here at Saint Mary’s.”

Ebun will officially begin her role as Black Student Advisor on Friday, October 25, 2024, and we are excited to see her bring her experience and dedication to this important role. For more information about Black student supports and resources, visit the Black Student Community Hub.

Saint Mary’s student recognized for academic achievements & deaf community contributions

Emi Morse, a first-year student, received the Honourable David C. Onley Scholarship Award from Canadian Hearing Services

Emi Morse may only be a few weeks into her academic career at Saint Mary’s, but she’s already making a name for herself. Entering the first year of her undergraduate program, Emi arrived at Saint Mary’s with big ambitions that begin with the Bachelor of Science program, focusing in Psychology, and will conclude with her eventually gaining a Masters in Audiology and becoming a Cochlear Implant Audiologist.

It's a very specific career path that stems from Emi’s own experience as a deaf individual with bilateral cochlear implants. Born without hair cells in her cochlea due to a genetic condition called Pendred Syndrome, Emi experienced total deafness from birth. Hair cells are essential for hearing, as they respond to sound frequencies and send electrical signals through the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. Without these hair cells, Emi was unable to hear naturally. As a toddler, it was challenging for Emi to get a proper diagnosis as doctors chalked her symptoms up to slow development.

With her mom advocating for her, Emi was finally able to get a proper diagnosis and had implants surgically inserted into both cochlea. These implants stimulate the auditory nerve, mimicking cochlear hair cells with electrodes. This allows some auditory receptions to transmit to her brain through her external processor, which captures sound through a microphone and transmits it to the electrodes implanted on the cochlea.

Emi and her family learned American Sign Language (ASL) and Emi was connected with the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Association (APSEA), which provided significant support and guidance during her school years. Through APSEA, Emi was able to learn about assistive technology devices that supported her cochlear implants, was connected with ASL interpreters to help translate verbal class materials and was guided on how to navigate school as a deaf individual.

It was her experience with APSEA that compelled Emi to give back to her community, driving her to become a mentor for families and young children going through similar experiences. "Growing up, I experienced a lot of discrimination from hearing individuals, teachers and medical professionals,” recalls Emi. “I didn’t feel supported the way I needed to be and felt like it was just assumed that I wouldn’t be able to achieve certain ideas of success. I wanted to prove that deaf people can be successful and they deserve recognition and respect.” Emi elaborates that her experience with APSEA motivated her to give back to those in similar situations and to raise awareness about deaf culture and the resilience and tenacity of deaf individuals.

Emi was shocked to learn that her passion for giving back had resulted in her being named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Honourable David C. Onley Scholarship Award from Canadian Hearing Services. “Being a deaf person in a hearing world and being the only deaf person in my small town felt so tough and isolating,” describes Emi. “I had to work harder than everyone else just to get to the same level my peers were at. I’m living in a world that is not accessible, where I was expected not to succeed, but I worked so hard and I am so proud of what I have achieved.” The national scholarship is awarded annually to an individual who demonstrates outstanding academic achievements, resilience and dedication as a leader in accessibility and in the deaf community.

Leaving her small town to move into residence and start her post-secondary education at Saint Mary’s was a world of welcome change for Emi. “It’s been really fun,” signs Emi. “I’ve met so many people here in the dorm and during the Welcome Weeks events like the paint night and BINGO. Everyone is really nice and they’ve been really open to learning how to include me in verbal conversations.”

After facing discrimination throughout her educational journey, Emi was unsure what to expect from a post-secondary institution. “I chose Saint Mary’s because of its appealing support options and interpreting services,” notes Emi. “The Fred Smithers Centre had a lot of great accommodations that I needed, like the Digital Modulation (DM) systems that transmit primary audio directly to my cochlear implants and the GLEAN captioning software to help with notetaking.”

It may only be a few weeks into the Fall Term, but Emi has already settled into the groove at Saint Mary’s. Her excitement builds as she describes how she’ll be learning about the brain, how hearing people perceive the brain, and how things like neurons and receptors are fired. “I love the smaller classroom sizes at SMU,” describes Emi. “The professors have mostly been really nice and accepting of my accommodation requirements, ensuring my interpreters and I have everything needed for class lectures.”

When asked about her advice to future generations of deaf individuals, her ASL interpreters relay her message, while her fiery passion speaks volumes regardless of the language barrier. “Deaf people can do anything,” affirms Emi. “Don’t allow other people to make decisions about you. In those moments when it feels impossible, remember that if you do the work, you can do anything.”

Student Employment Initiative program expands to Canadian domestic students

Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that the Student Employment Initiative Program (SEI) will expand to include Canadian domestic student candidates in consideration for employment opportunities through Saint Mary’s.

The Student Employment Initiative Program is designed to assist students with disabilities in securing employment contracts, gaining volunteer experience, and developing their professional skills and competencies. The Program is a shared initiative between Career and Experiential Learning (CEL) and the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC), which aims to increase equitable access to employment, help bridge gaps in opportunities, and reduce barriers that students with disabilities may experience.

Previously, the Program was restricted to students and recent alumni (up to six months after graduation) who are permanent Nova Scotia residents and are registered through Nova Scotia Student Loans with a declared government-verified disability. However, the newly established CIBC Accessible Student Employment Program has enabled the SEI Program to expand to include Canadian student participants from other provinces and territories within the Program. Canadian students and recent alumni must be active, registered students with the FSC or have their disability documentation verified by the FSC.

In addition to support in securing employment and volunteerism opportunities, the Program provides accommodation assistance to create supportive and equitable work environments. Once enrolled in the Program, students are also provided with professional career guidance, working one-on-one with a CEL Career Coach and Career Counsellor to plan and prepare for career readiness during and after their studies.

Students gain work experience in the field

Opportunities include working on accessibility and inclusion projects

Visit the Student Employment Initiative Program to learn more or register with SEI. For information and resources on experiencing disability at Saint Mary’s, visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.

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For Employers

Offered year-round for part-time or full-time work placements, the Student Employment Initiative Program team collaborates with employers to create job postings that are inclusive and welcoming. Offering employers subsidized employment opportunities when hiring through the Program, registered businesses receive a 50% wage subsidy, while not-for-profit organizations may be eligible for up to a 75% wage subsidy. Funding also supports employers in any additional workplace accommodations required for the student to fulfill the role, such as adaptive technology, furniture, and more.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Program generated an outstanding 75 work terms – the largest in the Program’s history – and invested $3,600 in work term accommodations, assisting in making work environments more accessible for all. The Program nearly matched its record in the 2023-2024 academic year, generating 71 work-term placements.

To learn more or create an SEI-registered career posting, visit the Student Employment Initiative Program. For more information on creating inclusive, accessible work and study environments, read A guide for faculty and staff: five ways to support institutional accessibility or visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.

Campus community fights food insecurity

The shelves are full at the SMU Community Food Room after another successful Annual Food Drive Competition 

Thanks to the generous faculty, staff and alumni who participated in last month’s Food Drive Competition, more than 3,000 pounds of food was donated to the SMU Community Food Room! Hosted annually by the Alumni Office, this year’s food drive results exceeded the 2023 record.

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre team “The IncrEDIBLES” won the 2024 Annual Food Drive Competition in support of the SMU Community Food Room

Congratulations to the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre team “The IncrEDIBLES”, who won the competition by contributing 1,207 lbs of food. As the winning team, they receive a trophy and a pizza party! The Accounting Department team “Rounding Errors” and the University Secretariat team “Get on board for food!” placed second and third.

In total, 11 teams participated and raised a total of 3,054 lbs of food, which was weighed in by student volunteers on July 25. Teams were awarded bonus points for collecting the most requested items by Food Room users, such as cereal, rice, and canned goods.

The Alumni Office would like to thank the faculty, staff, and alumni who made financial contributions during the competition. These contributions allowed the Food Room to purchase much-needed items with some flexibility. Members of the SMU community can donate to the Food Room anytime and receive a tax receipt for their donation.

"I am deeply grateful to every department that participated with such enthusiasm in the Annual Food Drive Competition,” says Yeshani Sugunendran, Community Food Room Coordinator. “The passion and excitement each participant brought to supporting this vital cause was incredibly inspiring. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to SMU Alumni for organizing this event and a special gratitude to the volunteers from the SMU Community Food Room, whose exceptional assistance was pivotal to the food drive's outstanding success. Their dedication to collecting, weighing, and stacking an impressive 3,054 lbs of food, compared to 2,100 lbs last year, was truly remarkable."  

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About the Food Room 

The SMU Community Food Room is the on-campus food bank for the Saint Mary’s University community. The food room saw 3,855 appointments booked between May 2023 and April 2024, an increase from 3,248 in the previous year. Students can book an appointment with the Community Food Room.

New travel bursary supports accessibility and inclusion in academic experiences

July is Disability Pride Month, an opportunity to celebrate the experiences and achievements of the disability community while acknowledging the diverse challenges they may face. The 2024 theme for Disability Pride Month is “We want a life like yours,” which reflects the desire of the disability community to be given equal opportunity to engage in experiences they are often denied.

At Saint Mary’s, we use this month as a chance to further our ongoing commitment to creating equal opportunities for students to further their academic careers. “We aspire to create a learning environment that is fully experienced by all students,” says Becca Chaytor, Acting Manager, Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC). “The Accessibility Travel Bursary helps reduce some barriers in travel-related academia, creating opportunities for students who experience disabilities to engage in hands-on learning they may not otherwise have been able to participate in.”

Launched in 2023, the Accessibility Travel Bursary was initiated by a generous donor to support accessible student travel for academic, co-curricular activities or research purposes.

Masters student Baden Mercer participated in a field course in Rome, Italy with support from the Fred Smithers Centre Accessibility Travel Bursary

Awarded throughout the year, students can receive funding to assist with the costs associated with travelling during their degree program. This can include travel to attend field schools and conferences, participate in study abroad opportunities and more. The financial assistance not only helps to cover travel expenses but also accommodation or assistive supports that may otherwise have been a barrier to travel experiences.

In its inaugural year, twelve bursaries were awarded, allowing students to participate in domestic and international travel relevant to their studies. Master’s student Baden Mercer BA’22 was one such recipient—his study travels led him to a field course in Rome. Currently in his third year as a graduate student in the Master of Theology and Religious Studies program, Baden’s trip focused on sacred spaces in Christian and ancient Roman settings.

“As a student with a disability, the financial assistance for the field course provided me with the support I needed while travelling away from home,” says Baden. “Not only was it an incredible experience, but the exposure to these places and the learning within the field course have greatly contributed to my Master’s thesis work.”

Payton McPhee MSc’24, third-year student in the Master of Science, Applied Psychology (forensic stream) program, was another 2023 bursary recipient. Travelling to Kingston, Ontario, Payton had the opportunity to shadow her former professor, Dr. Simone Cunningham, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, at Millhaven Institution, a federal men’s maximum-security prison.

“As a Master’s student, there is an expectation to seek experiential learning opportunities and attend academic conferences,” acknowledges Payton. She was excited to learn about the Accessibility Travel Bursary as it was the first grant she had come across that provided academic travel-related financial assistance for students with disabilities. “The bursary provided me with an additional avenue of funding that made travel more accessible for me,” she explains.

In reflecting on her experience, Payton acknowledges that she would not have been able to travel to Ontario for the hands-on learning opportunity without the financial support through the bursary. “It provides students with funding to make their goals and aspirations more attainable,” claims Payton. “For many, travelling seems unrealistic and almost impossible, but the financial assistance provided through the bursary makes these experiences more realistic.”

Both Bayden and Payton emphasized the benefits of having the Accessibility Travel Bursary available to FSC-registered students. “Traveling abroad not only helped me to advance my academic studies,” affirms Bayden. “It also gave me a deeper understanding of the world beyond our campus. A true world without limits.”

To learn more about the Accessibility Travel Bursary, visit the Fred Smithers Centre website. If you have questions about the Accessibility Travel Bursary or the Fred Smithers Centre, reach out to fredsmithers.centre@smu.ca.

An exploration of Indigenous history, perspectives and culture through the Saint Mary’s lens

June was National Indigenous History Month (NIHM). At Saint Mary’s, we are committed to a campus and community that acknowledges, respects and values the contributions of Indigenous peoples, both within the Saint Mary’s community and the broader provincial landscape. NIHM reminds us to take time to learn and engage in respectful and productive discussions to explore where we have come from and how we move forward together as Treaty people.  

Outlined by the Government of Canada, each week of NIHM highlighted a different theme related to aspects of Indigenous ways of knowing and being: environment, traditional knowledge and territory; children and youth; languages, cultures and arts; and women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. These themes are an excellent starting point in exploring Indigenous history, perspectives and culture through the Saint Mary’s lens.  

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Week 1: Environment, Traditional knowledge and territory

Many within our SMU community are familiar with the land acknowledgement and our place in Mi’kma’ki. However, it’s important for us to understand its historical context, significance and meaning.  

Mi’kma’ki is made up of seven districts that span all of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, as well as large areas of New Brunswick, the Gaspé Peninsula and Newfoundland. The districts include Epekwitk aq Piktuk, Ktaqmkuk, Unama’kik, Skikewa’kik, Kespukwitk, Siknikt, Kespe’k and Sɨpekne'katik.  

The Mi’kmaq are among the original inhabitants of the Atlantic region in Canada and have occupied their traditional territory since time immemorial. Archaeological evidence and oral history indicate a Mi’kmaq presence in this territory for more than 10,000 years, long before English settlers arrived in the mid-1700s. 

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Week 2: Children and Youth

In Indigenous cultures, elders are the ones who hold knowledge, passing down information throughout generations. Nujikina’muet (someone who teaches) often use storytelling to pass down history, life lessons, sharing of experiences and guidance. Teaching is also done through kina’masuti (instruction), which is the method of passing on knowledge through hands-on learning and demonstration.

Lauryn Mason

With more than 6000 students pursuing their education here, Saint Mary’s University is focused on the academic growth, well-being and success of youth. Fostering the kekina’masuti (learning) of Indigenous students, like fourth-year student Lauryn Mason, supports opportunities for personal growth and developmental experiences as well as future readiness.

Lauryn is from Sackville, Nova Scotia; however, her family comes from Odawa M’nis (Manitoulin Island). Working to complete her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry, Lauryn recently defended her honours thesis entitled, An investigation of the applications of localization delocalization matrices on the prediction of reaction characteristics, which now resides in the Patrick Power Library. “Successfully defending my Honours thesis and having it submitted to the library is one of my proudest moments here at SMU,” reflects Lauryn.

While Lauryn prepares to close one chapter of her learning, she is already looking toward the next one as she is in the early stages of exploring the possibility of starting a Masters of Applied Science, where she may focus on working with small molecules here at Saint Mary’s.

In considering the future of Indigenous students at Saint Mary’s, Lauryn notes, “I think that Indigenous people are really strong, and there are more and more opportunities for Indigenous students every year. I think that these two factors combine to make a really bright image of the future for Indigenous scholars and academics.”

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Week 3: Languages, Cultures and Arts

At Saint Mary’s, you will find a number of ways that Indigenous culture is reflected in the institution.

The Patrick Power Library is host to the Mi’kmaq Cultural Materials Display as part of an ongoing collaboration with the Nova Scotia Museum, the Indigenous Student Advising Office and the Indigenous Students’ Society.

Found on the main floor of the Library, the display includes beaver incisors for carving and woodworking, fragments of pottery, an axe head and other artifacts. This collection is accompanied by a selection of books written by indigenous authors, and books about indigenous cultures.

Around campus, you will also find a couple of pewitekemkewey (dream catchers). The main foyer of the O'Donnell Hennessey Student Centre and the Patrick Power Library are the home to these beautiful pieces. These pewitekemkewey were created by former SMU student Isaiah Bernard and his father, Wilbert Marshall, of Potlotek First Nation, in 2020.

Isaiah notes that the dream catcher originates from the Ojibwe nation. The design of the dream catcher mirrors that of the spider’s web, catching our bad dreams while allowing our good dreams to pass through as we sleep.

He shares the story of “a grandmother [who] patiently watched each day as a spider spun his web above her sleeping place until one day her grandson noticed the spider and tried to kill it.

“Don’t hurt him,” she told the boy in a soft tone, surprising him.

“But grandmother, you should not protect this spider.”

When the grandson left, the spider thanked the woman for her protection and offered her a gift. “I will spin you a web that hangs between you and the moon so that when you dream, it will snare the bad thoughts and keep them from you.”

At this, the grandmother smiled and continued to watch the spider spin his web.”

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Week 4: Women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people

In 2023, Student Affairs and Services hosted the inaugural Paint Your Pride event, where the SMU community was invited to draw pride-centric chalk images in the Quad outside of the Student Centre. Among other things, the event gave the community a unique opportunity to explore the breakdown of the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym and explore the associated flags that represent the many different identification components within the queer community.

During the Paint Your Pride 2023 event, Kyle Cook, then interim Indigenous Student Advisor, took the opportunity to sketch the flag as part of the chalk mural.

According to the Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance (W2SA), the ”2S” in the acronym represents “two-spirit”, which is an umbrella term that encompasses Indigenous people “who demonstrate their identity primarily through culture and spirituality. They have emotional and sexual relationships with the same gender.”

The two-spirit flag depicts a rainbow with two feathers coming down from a circle. The feathers represent male and female, while the circle represents unification of masculine and feminine, reflecting dual spirit which transcends traditional gender roles.

As noted by John R. Sylliboy, co-founder of the W2SA, there is a “lack of ancestral knowledge or research about this concept in Mi’kmaq,” and the common Mi’kmaw term turning up in research is used in negative connotation. Instead, in his article Using L’nuwey Worldview to Conceptualize Two-spirit, John borrows from other Indigenous cultures for two-spirit concepts.

In exploring the final week’s theme, we cannot ignore the harsh truths of gender-based violence, hatred and systemic racism and oppression that significantly impact women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Sensitive subject matter notice re: missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. If you need immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649.

In its 2019 report, The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMWG) concluded that “persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA people.”

The National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two Spirit People, also known as Red Dress Day, is commemorated annually on October 4. In 2022, a Red Dress display was installed in the windows of the Patrick Power Library in collaboration with the Indigenous Student Advisor and the Indigenous Students’ Society. The dresses symbolize and honour the women, girls and Two-Spirit people who are missing and murdered.

Red Dress display in the Patrick Power Library

The 2SLGBTQIA+ Sub-Working Group published a MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan which, alongside the history and data, notes the resiliency and resurgence for two-spirit people and reimagining the possibility of a better future.

Since the early 1990s, Indigenous authors, scholars, and educators implemented the term Two-Spirit as a source of resurgence. The report states, “The movement by Two-Spirit People to shift the power of balance back in the hands of Two-Spirit People began by continuously acknowledging their traditional knowledge and cultural teachings as part of the ceremonial circles.”

Much like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the National Action Plan highlights necessary steps in developing a framework towards building change. As Treaty people, we are called to uphold the rights and responsibilities set forth for all of us residing within Mi’kma’ki. By learning the history of the land, people and culture, we can work towards repairing relationships and meaningful reconciliation.

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To learn more about Indigenous community, culture and resources, along with relevant news and upcoming events at Saint Mary’s, visit the Indigenous Community Hub.

Students can connect with the Indigenous Student Advisor, Kylar Johnson, by reaching out to indigenous.advisor@smu.ca.