Past/Future: African Canadian History, Arts and Culture in STEM Education

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.


July 26

Location: The Idea Emera Building, Atrium,
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).

July 27

Location: Student Union Building, 2nd Floor,
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.

July 28

Location: Marion McCain Building, Scotiabank Auditorium,
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).


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We have arranged special accommodation rate offerings from the following hotels. Book as soon as possible as there are limited rooms available.

  • The Westin Nova Scotian: Address: 1181 Hollis St, Halifax, NS B3H 2P6, Phone: (902) 421-1000, Westin NS Reservations
  • Cambridge Suites Hotel Halifax: Address: 1583 Brunswick St, Halifax, NS B3J 3P5, Phone: (902) 420-0555, Cambridge Reservations

Detailed Conference Program

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

  • 6:00 PM- 9:30 PM: Evening 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 AM: Welcome: 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 AM: Introduction: Introduction to A Black People’s History of Canada, by Dr. Afua Cooper.
  • 9:45 AM to 10:15 AM: Morning Break
  • 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Session 1Canada and Slavery. Moderator – Isaac Saney
    Afua Cooper, Natasha Henry, Catherine Couttreau-Robins
  • 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM: Lunch: 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 PM: Session 2: Canada and the Black Atlantic World. Moderator – Claudine Bonner
    Amani Whitfield, Adrienne Shadd, Christine Wood
  • 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM: Afternoon Break
  • 12:45 PM – 2:15 PM: Session 3Historians of the Future. Moderator – Dana Campbell
    Evan Jennex, Bashir Mohammed, Robyn Brown

Thursday, July 28, 2022

  • 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM: Welcome: Welcome from Dr. Afua Cooper
  • 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Session 1: Teaching African Canadian History, Arts & Culture in STEM. Moderator – Natasha Henry
    Eddia Solas, Graham Nickerson, Aaron Wright
  • 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Morning Break
  • 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Session 2: Teaching in STEM in the Maritimes. Moderator – Eddia Solas
    Karen Hudson, Eartha Monard, Marcia Ostashewski
  • 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch: Dolana Mogadime, on the importance of oral histories, human rights and intersectionality: Black women in STEM
  • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Session 3: Teaching in STEM across Canada.
    Nikitha Fester, Christian Mbanza, Jennifer Adams
  • 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Afternoon Break
  • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Session 4: Using social media in Teaching STEM.
    Wade Pfaff
  • 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Evening Session: Open to the Public
    Imhotep’s Legacy Academy – Black History in STEM Essay Competition
    Moderator – Pemberton Cyrus
    Tobias Karakach, Chigozie L. Okolie, Adango Miadonye
  • 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Dinner & Entertainment: Entertainment is TBD.
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