Please join us as we welcome Cindy Blackstock, PhD to deliver the 2021-22 Shaar Shalom Lecture at Dalhousie University.

Dr. Blackstock’s talk is titled: “Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past”. The presentation will discuss engaging people in learning about the diverse history of First Nations to prepare them to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action and create an equitable future for all children.

This event will be presented via live stream on the Dalhousie YouTube channel and also in-person in the McInnes Room (limited seating is available).

The Shaar Shalom Lecture at Dalhousie is a significant annual lecture made possible through the generosity of the Shaar Shalom Synagogue of Halifax. The Shaar Shalom’s unique partnership with Dalhousie seeks to explore the broad themes of tolerance, multiculturalism, diversity, and difference in contemporary society, and demonstrates our shared interest in bringing in-depth discussion of these themes to wider civil society.

Register to Attend

This event is free and open to the public, but guests must RSVP to attend in-person or to participate virtually via live stream.

Please note: We are currently monitoring the COVID situation in Nova Scotia and are taking guidance from the NS Government regarding gathering restrictions. Registration priority will be on a first come, first served basis.

In accordance with NS Public Health policy for events open to the public, proof of vaccination and photo ID must be presented before being admitted into the McInnes Room. Face masks are required inside all campus buildings.

The Dal Student Union Building is accessible with an elevator to the 2nd floor.

About the Speaker

A member of the Gitxsan First Nation, Cindy Blackstock, PhD is honoured to serve as the Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and a professor at McGill University’s School of Social Work. She has over 30 years of experience working in child welfare and Indigenous children’s rights and has published more than 75 articles on topics relating to reconciliation, Indigenous theory, First Nations child welfare and human rights. Cindy was honoured to work with First Nations colleagues on a successful human rights challenge to Canada’s inequitable provision of child and family services and failure to implement Jordan’s Principle. This hard-fought litigation has resulted in hundreds of thousands of services being provided to First Nations children, youth and families.

She recently served on the Pan American Health Commission on Health Equity and Inequity and fundamentally believes that culturally-based equity is fundamental to meaningful reconciliation. Cindy is frequently sighted in the company of the Caring Society’s reconciliation Am-bear-rister, Spirit Bear, engaging children in meaningful actions to implement the TRC Calls to Action.

Registrations are closed

2021-22 Shaar Shalom Lecture: Cindy Blackstock, PhD