Canada's first Black woman member of Parliament shared her experiences, advice with Western students
In 1995, Jean Augustine received unanimous support in declaring February as Black History Month in Canada
Students at Western University had a unique opportunity to learn from Canada's first Black woman member of Parliament on Wednesday.
In the 1993 federal election, Jean Augustine became the first Black Canadian woman to be elected to Parliament. In 2002, she became the first Black Canadian woman appointed to the federal cabinet where she served as minister of state for multiculturalism and the status of women under Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and Paul Martin.
"If we are to build a kind of society that's fair and just and equitable and inclusive, I must know your story, just as you must know my story," Augustine said during a fireside chat at the university Wednesday.
It was during her time in office that she stepped forward with legislation to recognize February as Black History Month in Canada. In 1995, a unanimous vote of 305-0 solidified the month of observation for Canada.
"The discussions that we're having now about diversity and inclusion — those were not conversations that were taking place at the time," Augustine said. "When I stood up, I stood up in an environment that was not conducive to conversations around the black people or around social justice issues."
The unanimous vote in support of her motion was a major breakthrough, she said.
With Black History Month now entrenched as a tradition in Canada, Augustine says it serves as an essential opportunity to share stories and experiences from those of African descent.
"By hearing the stories, one becomes empathetic, one becomes connected, and one would think about what can be done to make things better for others," she said.
Don't sweat the battles
Jessica Ouko came to Wednesday's chat with the hope that listening to Augustine would give her reassurance in dealing with the struggles ahead of her as she starts her career. She is a recent graduate who works at the Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion at Western.
"I'm at a stage in my life where I did feel as though if something is said or done, I'd have to handle it," said Ouko. "I did appreciate her saying it's important for you to choose your battles for yourself."
Ouko told CBC News another takeaway that will impact her work is the knowledge to make sure Black students have access to all the different resources that they may need to help better themselves.
Alicia McIntyre is an undergraduate coordinator at Western who wanted to learn more about Augustine's experiences and how she overcame racism, aggression, and sexism.
McIntyre asked Augustine how she overcame her immigration to Canada in the 1960s, before the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was introduced.
"She talked a lot about not fighting individual battles but wanting to win the war and focusing on the big things, so I'm really going to take that to heart," she said.
McIntyre also said Augustine's focus on finding support from your community was inspiring.
More recently, Western University has made great strides in its support for racialized students, said both McIntyre and Ouko.
Ouko says she hopes the good work continues making a safe space for all students.
For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.
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