A Black People's History of Canada Presents:
Past/Future: African Canadian History, Arts and Culture in STEM Education
Conference Patron: Honourable Michaëlle Jean
You are invited to a symposium of action and possibilities that will take place at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada from 26 to 28 July 2022. This is the inaugural conference of A Black People’s History of Canada Project.

You are invited to: Past/Future: African Canadian History, Arts and Culture in STEM Education, a conference of action and possibilities that will take place at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada from 26 to 28 July 2022. It explores Black Canadian history, and further investigates how it can be integrated into STEM education. Teachers, academics, students, and cultural workers will offer panels, workshops, and cultural presentations. This is the inaugural conference of A Black People’s History of Canada Project.
1345 Norma Eddy Ln, Halifax, NS B3J 1B6
The Evening of the 26th is a social reception with hors d'oeuvres and beverages (non-alcoholic) that will begin at 6:00 pm (AST).
6136 University Ave, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
The 27th is a full day from 8:30 am-4:30 pm (AST), which includes breakfast, lunch and 2 nutrition breaks for the day.
6135 University Ave Halifax NS B3H 4R2
The 28th is also a full day from 8:30 am-4:00 pm (AST), which includes breakfast, lunch and 2 nutrition breaks for the day and, from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm (AST) we will have the IMHOTEP STEM History Essay Contest for students, then dinner and entertainment 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm (AST).
Get your ticket(s) online!
We have arranged special accommodation rate offerings from the following hotels. Book as soon as possible as there are limited rooms available.
Detailed Conference Program
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
6:00 PM- 9:30 PMEvening Reception
Evening opening reception in Dalhousie’s IDEA building library. Social and networking gathering; appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks will be served.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
8:30 AM to 9:30 AMWelcome
Welcome from Dr. Afua Cooper, Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, Honorary Patron of the conference, and senior Dalhousie officials including President Deep Saini, and Provost Frank Harvey.9:30 AM to 9:45 AMIntroduction
Introduction to A Black People’s History of Canada, by Dr. Afua Cooper.9:45 AM to 10:15 AMMorning Break
10:15 AM – 11:45 AMSession 1
Canada and Slavery.
Moderator – Isaac Saney
Afua Cooper, Natasha Henry, Catherine Couttreau-Robins11:45 AM – 12:45 PMLunch
At this lunch session, Marcia Ostashewski from Centre for Sound Communities, CBU, gives a hands-on presentation dealing the topic of decolonizing community music by focusing on the music technology of West Africa.12:45 PM – 2:15 PMSession 2
Canada and the Black Atlantic World.
Moderator – Claudine Bonner
Amani Whitfield, Adrienne Shadd, Christine Wood2:15 PM – 2:45 PMAfternoon Break
12:45 PM – 2:15 PMSession 3
Historians of the Future.
Moderator – Dana Campbell
Evan Jennex, Bashir Mohammed, Robyn Brown
Thursday, July 28, 2022
8:30 AM to 9:00 AMWelcome
Welcome from Dr. Afua Cooper9:00 AM – 10:30 AMSession 1
Teaching African Canadian History, Arts & Culture in STEM.
Moderator – Natasha Henry
Eddia Solas, Graham Nickerson, Aaron Wright10:30 AM – 11:00 AMMorning Break
11:00 AM – 12:30 PMSession 2
Teaching in STEM in the Maritimes.
Moderator – Eddia Solas
Karen Hudson, Eartha Monard, Marcia Ostashewski12:30 PM – 1:30 PMLunch
Dolana Mogadime, on the importance of oral histories, human rights and intersectionality: Black women in STEM1:30 PM – 3:00 PMSession 3
Teaching in STEM across Canada.
Nikitha Fester, Christian Mbanza, Jennifer Adams3:00 PM – 3:30 PMAfternoon Break
3:30 PM – 5:00 PMSession 4
Using social media in Teaching STEM.
Wade Pfaff5:00 PM – 6:00 PMEvening Session
Open to the Public
Imhotep’s Legacy Academy - Black History in STEM Essay Competition
Moderator – Pemberton Cyrus
Tobias Karakach, Chigozie L. Okolie, Adango Miadonye6:00 PM – 8:30 PMDinner & Entertainment
Entertainment is TBD.

Black history is not just for black people. Black history is Canadian history.
The Honourable Jean Augustine, P.C., C.M., O.Ont, C.B.E.