Black History Month 2024

Dear colleagues,

As we enter the month of February, we are presented with a valuable opportunity to reflect on and honour the rich history, culture, and achievements of the Black community. This year marks Canada’s 28^th anniversary of celebrating Black History Month. It is a time for us to come together and celebrate the contributions that Black individuals have made throughout history and continue to make in our diverse and dynamic country and across the world.

This month and every day of the year, Parks Canada is committed to fostering awareness, understanding, and appreciation for the significant impact of Black leaders, innovators, artists, and change-makers. It is an occasion for us to acknowledge the struggles and triumphs that have shaped our collective history and to recognize the ongoing efforts toward equality and justice. We recognize that while we celebrate the strides that have been made, there is still work to be done to ensure true equality and inclusion.

As a top employer, Parks Canada is committed to paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse work environment. The many initiatives led by the Black Employee Network (BEN) during the year represent a significant step towards our shared goal of engaging in meaningful conversations and being drivers of change.  To learn more about or to join the network, please consult the REN-BEN Intranet page or send an email to cden-bec@pc.gc.ca.

Throughout February, a series of events, discussions, and activities to commemorate Black History Month will be organized. We encourage all Parks Canada members to actively participate and engage in these opportunities for learning and commemoration.

Here are some of the activities planned:

1. Black History Month - IBEN event "Guiding our future...exploring our past"

Date : Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Time : 1:00pm – 2:30pm (Eastern Standard Time)

To join the meeting: MsTeams

2. Monthly BEN meeting / Presentation: Parks Canada’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Strategy and Employment Equity Action Plan

Date : Monday, February 19, 2024

Time : 2:00pm – 3:00pm (EST)

To join the meeting: MsTeams

3. Black History Month - Ask Me Anything: Celebrating Black Excellence

Date : Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Time : 1:00pm – 2:30pm (EST)

Link to join:Join the webinar

To learn more: Ask Me Anything: Celebrating Black Excellence - Canada.ca

We encourage everyone to actively participate and share their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives throughout this month. Let's use this time to not only celebrate but also to deepen our understanding and commitment to building an inclusive and equitable organization. To learn more, please visit the Black History Month ParksNet page.

Thank you for your engagement and dedication to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion within Parks Canada.

Ron Hallman
President & CEO

Réa McKay
Vice President of Human Resources & Employee Wellness and
Co-Champion for Black Employees

Michelle Bowden
Director of Conservation Programs within the Protected Areas Establishment and Conservation and
Co-Champion for Black Employees

#StrongerTogether #ParksCanadaProud

Reminder to managers: In keeping with Parks Canada's procedures for communications with employees, managers are responsible for ensuring all team members under their responsibility receive the information intended for them. It is important that you find a means to transmit this message and, if any, the attachment(s) to employees without access to Parks Canada e-mail or the intranet, e.g. by posting it, circulating a paper copy or by any other appropriate means.