African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Timeline
United Nations General Assembly declared January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2024 the UN International Decade for People of African Descent
International Decade for People of African Descent begins
United Nations Working Group of Experts visits Canada to talk with African Canadian community and government about issues that affect people of African descent living in Canada
United Nations Working Group meets with the African Nova Scotian Community and Organizations at the Black Cultural Centre
- After this meeting over 30 ANS organizations decided to work collaboratively on issues that affect our community.
- The African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition (DPAD) was created and meets monthly
The African United Baptist Association (AUBA) in conjunction with Dalhousie Legal Aid called for an immediate ban on street checks and were supported by DPAD.
DPAD presents to the Deputy Ministers
United Nations releases: Report of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent on its mission to Canada.
- DPAD calls for Nova Scotia and Canada to recognize the UN Decade and address its recommendations
Creation of the Justice Strategy Working Group (JSWG)
World Café Community Consultations
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that the government of Canada will officially recognize the UN decade. Commits $25 million to capacity building in the African Canadian Community
Nova Scotia officially recognizes the UN Decade and announces work on a provincial action plan
DPAD continues to work on the issue of street checks, begins to develop governance document and receives funding to hire a Program Coordinator, Office assistant and open an office.
DPAD meets with the Liberal Caucus
DPAD supports the Health Association of African Canadians’ (HAAC) work in the creation of a position to support the African Nova Scotian Health Strategy
Creation of the Community Services Working Group (CSWG)
DPAD forms the Health Strategy Working Group (HSWG)
Department of Justice places a moratorium on street checks but the Minister of Justice’s directive still permits illegal street checks to continue.
Wortley Report on Street Checks data is released
- DPAD calls for an immediate ban on all street checks
DPAD asks NSHRC for independent legal review on street checks
DPAD presents to the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner on Human Rights on our work
Nova Scotia’s Action Plan in Response to the International Decade for People of African Descent (Count Us In) is released
Community Café updates
Independent legal review deems street checks illegal
Department of Justice bans streets checks
ANSDPAD is awarded a Nova Scotia Human Rights Award
Part of planning committee for the National Black Canadians Summit. Partnership with the Michaëlle Jean Foundation
DPAD Coalition continues to support community and address on-going issues that affect our communities
- Truro: Watching Deer while Black
- Shelburne: Well and clean drinking water
- Yarmouth: First celebration of African Heritage Month
- Digby: Ujamma Fisheries
- Ongoing issues in policing and justice