Trailblazer Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard inspires students to create change
It was a special day for students in Barrie as Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard of Nova Scotia spoke about the importance of Black history and the contributions of Black people in Canada and around the world.
Senator Bernard, a trailblazer and advocate for social change, spent the day at Bear Creek Secondary School, speaking with parents about generational barriers and inspiring Grade 10 students.
As the first Black Canadian to be a full-time professor at Dalhousie University, Senator Bernard has paved the way for future generations.
The Bear Creek Black Excellence Club is just one example of the positive changes occurring across the region. The club was created to celebrate Black excellence.
"We've never done anything like this before, so I feel like it's really good so that people can learn more about Black lives even if they've never actually gotten the chance to," said student and Bear Creek Black Club Excellence vice-president Jessica Avonyo.
Naesiah Shannon, the club's president, noted that the demographic is changing, with more people of different nations and ethnic backgrounds.
"So they've learned and changed and adapted to new perspectives," Shannon said.
Senator Bernard's message to those in attendance at the Barrie school Tuesday was clear: even small actions can have huge impacts.
"Everybody is critical, including young people," Senator Bernard said. "One of the things I was really trying to get across today to the young people was that you have a voice, you have a place in this work, you can bring about change," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.