These are some of the intrepid pioneers who made Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island their home beginning in 1858. Images courtesy of City of Victoria Archives, Royal BC Museum and Archives, and Salt Spring Island Archives

This blog post was written by Fran Morrison – Board Secretary, BC Black History Awareness Society.

Our Story Begins in 1858. 164 years ago, a group of about 800 Black settlers, invited by the governor of the British colony, journeyed to British Columbia. The BC Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS) has created an online exhibit to share their stories and describe the influence that they and their families had on the province’s historical development and diversity. The exhibit, which officially opened in December 2020, is hosted by Digital Museums Canada.

British Columbia’s Black Pioneers is a collection of short stories about women, men, families, and partnerships that show the intricacies of the events, experiences, and circumstances of everyday life of the Black pioneers, such as winning prizes at the earliest Saanich Fair in 1875, organizing by women in Victoria to raise money to support Black troops in the American Civil War, and confronting discrimination while still achieving many “firsts” in business, politics, and education

The story and history of these Black settlers is an important part of understanding Canada’s multicultural society. Canadians are generally taught that Black people came to Canada to seek relief from the oppression of slavery or, more recently, from repressive socio-economic conditions in their home countries. These stories help round out the picture of Canada by showing how this group of free men and women contributed to the richness of the new, emerging society in the west and were an integral part of its early formation. Knowing the full history of the roles Black people played in the development of Canada results in a better understanding of the advantages of multiculturalism today.  As schools are increasingly relying on digital mediums to enhance their curriculum, connecting Black youth to stories of inspiring past achievements results in far-reaching positive outcomes. The Government of Canada recognizes the utility of making these stories available and lists this exhibit as an educational resource on their information page about Canadian Black History Organization

SAVE THE DATE:  

Wednesday  February 16th, 2022 @ 6:30

pm.  (the 3rd Wednesday of every month , except July,

August and December)

Register ahead of time and attend your union, Local 1936, for

the Monthly Membership Meeting. 

Make sure you register ahead of time so your name can be

added to the draw for prizes. 

We hope you all we be able to make it.

Please post on the union bulletin boards at your worksite and

let others know.

See below for the Zoom link and agenda

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:25 PM

Today, Bell will donate more towards mental health initiatives in Canada by contributing 5¢ for every applicable text, call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, social media video view and use of our Facebook frame or Snapchat lens. Keep listening, keep talking and keep being there for ourselves and each other.

Calls

For every call made by Bell wireless and home phone customers*, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives.

*By a Bell, Bell MTS or Bell Aliant mobile or home phone customer. Regular service charges apply.

Text messages

For every text message sent by a Bell wireless customer, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.*

*This event excludes iMessages. Regular charges apply.

Facebook

Each time you use the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or watch our official video, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

Instagram

Each time you watch our official video on Instagram, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

LinkedIn

Each time you watch our official video on LinkedIn, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

Pinterest

Each time you watch our official video on Pinterest, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

Snapchat

Each time you use the Bell Let’s Talk Snapchat lens or watch our official video, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

TikTok

Each time you upload a video using #BellLetsTalk or watch our official video, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

Twitter

Each time you tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk or watch our official video, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

YouTube

*IMPORTANT UPDATE* Disaster Relief Fund Deadline | Jan 31

In late Fall 2021, CUPE BC created a Disaster Relief Fund to support CUPE members impacted by mass flooding and mudslides around the province.  At this time, CUPE BC invites Locals and District Councils to submit the attached application form to CUPE BC (accounting@cupe.bc.ca) by January 31 on behalf of any CUPE members experiencing continued hardship due to the aforementioned events, as any funds remaining after the January 31 deadline will be donated to a charity selected by the CUPE BC Executive Board.

Access BC | Free Prescription Contraception Campaign | Feb 2022

Access BC is calling for allies to ramp up their push for free prescription contraception in the province, in advance of February 1, 2022. This will be the launch of the final phase of their letter-writing campaign, to bring as much pressure as possible on the government, close to the release of the budget, to fulfil their promise to implement this policy at some point during their term. Click here to support.

 Anti-Racism Data Collection Survey and Town Hall Sessions | Jan 2022

Locals are encouraged to inform racialized workers in their membership about the Anti-Racism Data Collection Survey running until January 31, 2022, from the Ministry of Multiculturalism and CUPE BC’s Racialized Workers Committee as part of the Anti-Racism Data Legislation Engagement Initiative. In conjunction, the final town hall sessions are happening today via Zoom to strategize further around the initiative, and BIPOC members, workers and their families are encouraged to join via links below:

January 21, 2022:  12:00-2:00pm (Pacific)
January 21, 2022: 6:00-8:00pm (Pacific)

SAVE THE DATE | CoDev International Solidary Meeting | Feb 26

On Saturday, February 26, CoDev will host an exciting and unique event, where participants can meet with Education, Public Administration, and Healthcare workers from Cuba as they discuss the power of International Solidarity. Stand by for updates.  

 Addressing Anti-Black Racism in the Workplace | CCDI Webinar | Feb 3

CCDI sits down with thought leaders to discuss what organizations can do continue the hard work of dismantling anti-Black racism and continue to build concrete ways to sustain these efforts. The webinar qualifies for continued professional development credit.

Date: February 3, 2022.      Time: 1:00-2:00pm (Eastern).     Fee: $39.          Host: Anne-Marie Pham

More information: Contact ccip.certification@ccdi.ca

To all of our Union Members (remember to register early so your name can go into draw)

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 19, 2022 06:30 PM Vancouver

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcu-hqTMoE9HLKLRhjLiq7kihQpj1xhsH

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting

CUPE Local 1936 would like to send Season Greetings to all of the members in Community Social Services of the Lower Mainland. 
We wish you a holiday filled with fun and laughter or a time to relax and rejuvenate.
Although the pandemic is still a main focus of the year we reflect on the  courage and resiliencee in dealing with the challenges of staying safe and healthy in your workplace.
We belief that Community Social Services Workers are amazing advocates for their clients and work diligently to ensure that they are serviced with care and compassion.
As Table Officer we want to express our gratitude for the work that you provide, the coming together at meetings to make our union stronger and working  together for the well being and safety of all the members. 
We are proud to represent our members, and  wish you all a festive and healthy holiday season and a happy New Year!  

Sheryl Burns, Lee Ann Lalli, Bernice Way

The BCFED needs your help. We are looking for donations to make this year’s Christmas dinner a success:

• unwrapped toys & teenager gifts
• non-perishable foods
• gift cards & passes

The 2021 Labour Christmas Dinner is being adapted in response to the pandemic and capacity constraints. Food hampers and toys will be offered, but there will not be any catered food, nor a clothing drive and the event will take place in Vancouver only.

Volunteers are need in Vancouver at the Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph Street on:

• December 20 – unloading trucks with food and toys @ 9:00 am
• December 21 – filling hampers, setting up the hall @ 9:00 am
• December 22 – filling hampers, sorting toys @ 9:00 am
• December 23 – volunteer at the Vancouver location starting at 3:00 pm

Please send your name and contact information to labourxmasdinner@hotmail.ca advising if you are available to volunteer on the above days in Vancouver. The BCFED vaccination policy applies for all volunteers. You must show BC vaccine passport & ID at start of shift. Mask wearing is required throughout and social distancing maintained wherever possible.  Hand disinfectant will be provided.