Deans Message for LFS Community Connects: February 2021
I hope the year has started well for you! I’m optimistic we’ll see a turning point later in 2021 and that gives me renewed energy as we slowly begin to plan for life post-COVID-19.
This month the university is celebrating Black History Month. This is a time to put focused effort on recognizing and celebrating the achievements of our black students, faculty and staff. It’s also a time to reflect on ways to support the Black community. UBC is hosting several events that aim to turn reflection into deeper understanding and positive action.
I invite you to visit the UBC events page to find out more. On March 12, everyone is welcome to our virtual UBC Connects event titled Beyond the Police state: a conversation with Desmond Cole and Robyn Maynard. Also, on Feb. 25, UBC’s School of Journalism, Writing, and Media hosts an online workshop with Journalist-in-Residence, Eternity Martis. Eternity is an award-winning, Toronto-based reporter and her workshop titled Reporting on Black Communities 101 will help people tell stories about Black communities fairly, respectfully and with accountability.
LFS is also celebrating Black History Month by featuring interviews with some of our outstanding Black student scholars and alumni. I am happy to share these inspirational stories with you – visit our page at https://www.landfood.ubc.ca/black-history-month/.
At the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, we are embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into our new strategic plan. We have hired Dana-Lyn Mackenzie as Senior Manager EDI and Indigeneity, in a shared position with UBC Faculty of Applied Science. A member of the Hwlitsum First Nation, based in Canoe Pass, B.C., she will develop, implement and complete projects on EDI and Indigenous engagement across LFS in tandem with our EDI Working Group. Dana-Lyn has most recently worked as an associate for Acumen Law in Vancouver. She brings a wealth of knowledge in higher education having worked at Dalhousie University and UBC’s Allard School of Law previously, and she was recognized with a 2016 UBC President’s Staff Award on Advancing Diversity and Inclusion. We are very excited to welcome Dana-Lyn to our community!
Cheers,
Rickey Yada
Professor and Dean