Past Conference:

 World Trade and Convention Centre

Conference Planner   |  Advisory Cttee.   |  Conference Theme   |  Audience   |  Participants   |  Language | Programme  |  Book   |  Coverage   |  Speakers   |  Funding   |  Registration   |  Accommodations   |  Contact 

Download the Conference Brochure!

We Gratefully acknowledge the support of our sponsors: 

Website of the Lt. Gov. of Nova Scotia

African Nova Scotian Affairs
Office of the Minister
Hon. Barry Barnet

Conference planner:

James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies, Dalhousie University. The James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies is a national senior academic post covering all of Canada based at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in recognition of the unique historical presence of Black people in the area.

Advisory Committee:

Through the lenses of history, law, literature, film, music, Black community organizations, media, sports, Black spirituality, party politics, labour markets, education and lived experience, an exploration through Canadian eyes of how Black people in Canada have identified themselves, and been identified, over a 400 year period. What factors influenced that process?

This conference is timed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded presence of a Black person on Canadian soil in 1605, Mathew Da Costa.

The national conference, over three days, will provide a platform for eminent contributors from across Canada, to share ideas and research both past and present, about what it means to be Black and Canadian. This conference, the first of its kind, will include contributions from scholars, public servants, community representatives, film makers, musicians, artists, politicians, spiritual leaders, youth, and members of the public. The purpose of the conference is to explore the complexity of being identified as Black and Canadian and how this relates to the notion of 'citizenship'.

Intended audience:

For all those interested in furthering their understanding and knowledge about the Black Canadian experience. Contributors are being requested to make their oral and written presentations as accessible as possible. The audience will include scholars, members of the public, community representatives, university, college and high school students, public officials, politicians and the media.

Target Number of Participants:

350 delegates

Language of conference:

Bilingual. French and English. Simultaneous translation service provided.

Publication of a major book linked to the Conference in early 2006:

Invited speakers are being asked as part of their contribution to submit a draft chapter covering the themes in their conference presentation, in advance of the conference. Those chapters will be amended by the authors in the light of the dialogue during the conference, and re-submitted within a month of the conclusion of the conference. The chapters will be edited by the James Robinson Johnston Chair, and the book will be published in the early part of 2006.

Audio visual coverage of the event with a view to subsequent broadcast on television and radio:

As part of the fulfillment of the objectives of the conference to advance understanding of the Black Canadian experience, selected highlights of the event appropriately packaged, will be broadcast to a wider audience. The possibilities of simultaneous broadcast will be explored particularly in relation to high schools and community centres.

Speakers:  |  Speaker's List

Invited speakers will have undertaken major work in their fields and have contributed to advancing knowledge in the field of African Canadian studies and the understanding of the Black Canadian experience. Emerging scholars and young people will also present.

Funding sources:

It is hoped due to the importance of the event coinciding with the 400th anniversary of a Black presence in Canada and the ongoing discussion of the meaning of citizenship in the 21st century, that a significant element of the cost of the conference will be contributed by Government. Other sources will include: registration fees, partner universities and institutes, foundations, Dalhousie University, fund raising activities and private donors.

Registration

To register for the October conference, we recommend that you use our online registration form.  For other registration-related inquiries, please contact the office of the James R. Johnston Chair (see below).

Accommodation

The James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies recommends theDelta Halifax hotel for the accommodation of participants to this conference. 

        Please inform the hotel at the time of booking that you are a conference participant!

Delta Halifax Hotel
     Tel: 902-425-6700
     Fax: 902-425-6214
     Toll-Free: 1-877-814-7706
     Email: hal.reservations@deltahotels.com

Contact

For more information, contact Jacquie St. Aubin, Administrative Secretary, James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies: jacquie.staubin@dal.ca