Senator’s visit highlights wing’s Black History Month
Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard made a personal choice as 2024 began to find joy every day, even in difficult circumstances. As February, and Black History Month, approached, her efforts proved prescient.
“The Nova Scotia theme is ‘Our Smiles, Our Joy, Our Resilience’ – I was on point. The national theme is ‘Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build’” – that’s about doing well, in everything you do,” Thomas Bernard said February 20, speaking to members of the 14 Wing Greenwood Defence Team.
“There was a time we didn’t celebrate Black history – we didn’t even know we had a history! I shouldn’t be the first in anything. My ancestors have been here in Nova Scotia since the 1700s. While it shows the opportunities that have been missed, both are also about the opportunities we have to make things better for the next generation.”
14 Wing’s Defence Visible Minorities Advisory Group invited Thomas Bernard to speak during its Black History Month campaign, which included the February 1 raising of the Pan African flag at the wing’s main gate and a February 23 Halifax visit to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 display, “Shaping a Community: Black Refugees in Nova Scotia,” and lunch at Mary’s African Cuisine.
“I am filled with gratitude for the privilege that is mine to be here with you today, to have been invited,” Thomas Bernard said.
She guided her presentation along Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, referencing Nova Scotian and Canadian examples of Black individuals and groups who have and continue to represent the strengths of a community. These included the Association of Black Social Workers, which Thomas Bernard helped found in 1979 and continues to make significant contributions.
“I think about critical hope. One hundred ninety years post-emancipation, post-‘free,’ what does this mean? For me, it’s not just hoping things are going to be different, but putting action behind them. What’s leading to injustice? What could one imagine a world without injustice could look like?
“If I was asked what one wish I could have for the world, it would be world peace. So much trauma, injustice, hurt…. Critical hope – I try and bring that into the space where I am and try and make that happen.”
She often found herself – or positioned herself – into those spaces all her life. Thomas Bernard was the first African Nova Scotian to hold a tenure track position at Dalhousie University and to be promoted to full professor, a past chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the first African Nova Scotian woman to serve in the Senate Chamber, and has been named to both the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada.
Thomas Bernard said she expects 14 Wing members “know something” about Nguzo Saba principles, “in some way part of everything you do.
“Your work matters. As allies and partners, I’d encourage you to reflect on your work and your activism, and think about the critical hope that guides your action. Think about recognition, justice and development, and use those three pillars as a blueprint to make a change.”
Major Terry Anouan thanked Thomas Bernard for making herself available to wing members.
“We appreciate the principles of Kwanzaa,” he said. “They look a lot like what we hear in the military in our training and day in, day out; and describe how we are connected and ‘operating as one,’” the wing’s motto.
Nguzo Saba: the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard used the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa as a framework for her February 20 presentation at 14 Wing Greenwood.
“These come from an effort in the 1970s to engage Black youth and communities with their heritage, their community and excellence,” Thomas Bernard said. “Many people now use these as a foundation to cope with life, challenges and to plan for the future. I see these as principles for survival – through everyday life, to help me find peace and joy, and to help me lead the change I want to see. Even when it’s difficult.”
Umoja – create unity in family, community, nation and race
Kujichagulia – a call to create and define yourself; self-determination
Ujima – a promise to collectively problem-solve
Ujamaa – cooperative economics
Nia – the true purpose we all must find
Kuumba – creativity: bring it, love it, think about how it shapes the future and our legacy
Imani – faith
“These principles to me are like the backbone of daily life. Which of these speak to you? Could you imagine yourself using any of these in your life? Your work? Your activism?”
