College of Nursing celebrates Black History Month in second-annual event

A time to reflect and be present

College of Nursing dean Dr. Kellie Thiessen said the college honours the legacy of black nurses in Canada and beyond.  

“We create space for that pause to reflect on the past and to be present here today in celebration, and we envision how we will continue to support and advocate for equity and justice in our work and in our learning environments,” Thiessen said.  

Dr. Tina Chen, UM’s vice-provost of equity, noted that the event took place on the same day that UM became the first Western Canadian university to raise the Pan-African flag in honour of Black History Month.

“Symbolic acts like this are reminders that anti-Black racism is deeply rooted in Canadian society, resulting in historical and ongoing marginalization and systemic barriers for Black, African and Caribbean folks,” Chen said. 

Other speakers included: Jacob Ahiaegbe, president of the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba; Dr. Lois Stewart-Archer, clinical nurse specialist with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Manitoba’s honorary consul for Jamaica; UM aluma Ann Nzeruem; Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Uzoma Asagwara; and keynote speaker Ava Onwudegwu, CBNA vice-president and director of academic relations. 

Building a strong foundation

Onwudegwu gave a powerful address about her lived experience and the need for Black nurses to advocate in their profession.  

“I’ve been in rooms with Black nursing leaders who were pioneers in Canada, and I’ve heard the barriers they faced and the tenacity with which they persisted, and I am utterly grateful for them,” she said.

“Our responsibility is to create sustained shifts, to widen doors, to build foundations that outlive us, so that one day others will stand on our shoulders and confidently declare, ‘I belong in spaces of influence.’”