Anti-Black Racism Resources for Educators, Parents and Students
“We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.” Pope Francis (June 3, 2020)
The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board recognizes that all are created in the image and likeness of God. As such, we are committed to equity which requires building a culture of encounter and belonging so that all can see the image and likeness of God in the diverse identities at PVNC.
The impacts of anti-Black racism cut across economic, social, political and educational domains and overshadow the hard work and positive contributions of Black communities to Canadian society. We hope the resources below will be helpful in informing classroom, family, and community conversations about anti-black racism:
- Ontario’s Anti-Black Racism Strategy and Annual Progress Report
- Professional Advisory on Anti-Black Racism (Ontario College of Teachers)
- Parents for Diversity
- Parents of Black Children
- CARFLEO Anti-Racism Resources
- USCCB Pastoral Letter “Open Wide Our Hearts”
- Teaching for Change
- Beginning Courageous Conversations about Race
- Learning for Justice
- Facing History and Ourselves (Canada) Anti-Racism Resources
- Safe Schools Anti-Racism Tool Kits and Activities
- Annotated Bibliography for learning about Race and Racism (OECTA)
- Black Youth Helpline
- Community Race-Relations Committee of Peterborough
- Recommended Book-list – Equity and Anti-Racism
Resources for Learning about Black History:
Solidarity is an important principle of Catholic Social Teaching. In his 2020 encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls Catholics to a solidarity which reaches beyond “sporadic acts of generosity” to focus on seeing others as brothers and sisters and “combatting the structural causes of [injustice]”.
Learning about Black History is an important way of expressing solidarity by recognizing the contributions of Black Canadians. During Black History Month in February and throughout the school year educators, students and parents are invited to explore the following resources to deepen understanding of the contributions of Black Canadians both past and present:
School Resources:
- 23 Historical Black Canadians : Short stories about 23 black Canadians who made major contributions to Canada’s culture and legacy (Grades 4+)
- Stories of Black Excellence – Noteworthy Black Canadians : Biographies and videos of notable Black individuals who have helped shape Canadian heritage and identity (Grades 4+)
- Black History in Canada Education Guide and Quiz : Seminal events and personalities in Black Canadian history explored through engaging discussion and interactive activities (Grades 6+)
- Ontario Black History Society : The Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is a registered Canadian charity, dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of Black History and heritage. (Grades 6+)
- Slavery to Freedom – Ontario Heritage Trust : A resource to promote Ontario’s Black heritage sites and groups, and to provide online information and resources, with a central focus on the province’s rich Black history. (Grades 6+)
- Quotes and Prayers related to Black History (Resources for a variety of ages and grades)
- Canadian Encyclopedia Collection : Articles, galleries and heritage minutes showcasing important moments in Black Canadian History (Resources for a variety of ages and grades)
- Black Catholic Saints and Holy People : A variety of links making connections between faith and Black History. (Resources for a variety of ages and grades)
- Periodic Table of Black Canadian History : A visual representation for schools and classrooms (created by Parents for Diversity) which highlights Black Canadians who have contributed in a number of areas of Canadian culture.
Additional Resources:
- See Us Learn Us: Teaching about the Black Canadian Experience Webinar Series (PVNC staff can contact the consultant for Faith and Equity at 705-748-4861 ext.1275 for a Coupon Code)
- OnCore is a video streaming service available for all employees and students.
- To access, go to the PVNCCDSB homepage, hover on the ‘student’ tab and select On-Core. Use CPass Username/ password
- To find new videos in ON-Core for Black History Month, use the Curriculum Search: Subject: Special Awareness Dates; Course/Section: Black History Month; sort by “Newest”. You can further filter the results by Audience Level (left of Indigenous Content only).
Potential Speakers: