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Black History Month

The University of Ottawa Students’ union upholds Black History Month as a time where students can come together and witness the achievements, accomplishments and tribulations of black artists and entrepreneurs alike. The events inherent to this month are meant to not only recognize but celebrate black culture all while promoting student development and capacity building as a communal whole within this institution.

Black History Month Gala

Date/Time: 18:00, February 25, 2023
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Events

Paint night with prizes of top 3 paintings collab with Food bank and iHouse

Date/Time: 5pm, Wednesday February 15th
Location: Rise UCU 030 and Ihouse 215 or terminus
Service(s): RISE, Food Bank, iHouse

Price of entry is a non-perishable food donation

Workshop : Navigating mental health as a black youth/ young adults

Date & time: 6 pm, February 22nd
Location: TBD
Services: RISE

Paint Night; theme: Self-Compassion as an Act of Resistance

Date & time: Friday, Feb 10th from 7-8pm
Location: TBD
Services: WRC

Mental health wellness workshop with WRC and RISE

Date: February 15th 6pm

Afro connect gala

Date & time: Feb 10th, 6 – 9 pm 
Location: FSS 4007
Services: iHouse

To Celebrate the Black History Month , a Gala will be held with a lot of surprises so don’t miss it out ! 

Don’t forget to claim your free ticket on Eventbrite , the link is on the first comment! 

Awards

These awards recognize the contributions and accomplishments of members of the uOttawa Black community. Winners of the awards will be announced during the Black History Month Gala on February 27 at 6pm EST. Apart from the monetary values, winners will also receive a trophy 

Presented by: University of Ottawa Students’ Union 

Value: One award of $500 

Deadline: February 17 at 11:59pm EST 

Purpose 

The Equity Advocate Award is presented to a uOttawa student or group of uOttawa students who demonstrate(s) an outstanding commitment to advancing UOSU’s Equity Statement through action. The award honours a uOttawa activist or group of uOttawa activists who: 

  • Facilitates, leads, or coordinates equity and diversity activities or causes within or outside of the workplace; 
  • Advocates for fairness, transparency, and accessibility 
  • Promotes any of the following: racial equity, disability justice, women’s rights, Indigenous rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and/or justice for other marginalized and/or historically disadvantaged groups. 

Eligibility: 

  • The individual or group must be student(s) of the University of Ottawa 
  • Individual or group must be part of the Black community 
  • If you wish to nominate a club, this club must be approved by UOSU and the club must provide their club ID 
  • Members of the selection committee cannot nominate themselves or their group. However, if someone else nominate them, they must declare a conflict of interest and not participate in the discussion. 
  • Open to individuals and groups.  
  • Groups can only nominate themselves for a maximum of 2 awards and individuals can nominate themselves for a maximum of 3 awards. 

Presented by: University of Ottawa Students’ Union 

Value: One award of $500 

Deadline: February 17 at 11:59pm EST 

Purpose: 

This award is dedicated to a member who has distinguished themselves through a lifetime of contributions and dedication to the advancement of the union. 

Eligibility: 

  • The individual or group must be student(s) of the University of Ottawa 
  • Individual or group must be part of the Black community 
  • If you wish to nominate a club, this club must be approved by UOSU and the club must provide their club ID 
  • Members of the selection committee cannot nominate themselves or their group. However, if someone else nominate them, they must declare a conflict of interest and not participate in the discussion. 
  • Open to both individuals and groups. 
  • Groups can only nominate themselves for a maximum of 2 awards and individuals can nominate themselves for a maximum of 3 awards. 

Presented by: University of Ottawa Students’ Union 

Value: One award of $500 

Deadline: February 17 at 11:59pm EST 

Purpose: 

The Creative Activism Award is a way of recognizing artists, musicians, poets, writers, designers, dancers, and other creators whose work is connected to human rights, the environment, economic and global justice, and cultural resistance. 

Eligibility: 

  • The individual or group must be student(s) of the University of Ottawa 
  • Individual or group must be part of the Black community 
  • If you wish to nominate a club, this club must be approved by UOSU and the club must provide their club ID 
  • Members of the selection committee cannot nominate themselves or their group. However, if someone else nominate them, they must declare a conflict of interest and not participate in the discussion. 
  • Open to individuals and groups  
  • Groups can only nominate themselves for a maximum of 2 awards and individuals can nominate themselves for a maximum of 3 awards. 

Presented by: Womxn’s Resources Centre 

Value: One award of $500 

Deadline: February 17 at 11:59pm EST 

Purpose:

A Woman of Inspiration is an extraordinary woman who leads by example, lives on purpose and inspires others to be more and do more. They are a modern-day hero, game-changer, and role model who leads by example. With courage, confidence, commitment, and integrity, they inspire others to go further, making a ripple impact across their community as well as the Black community and around the globe. We are moving the needle to recognize the achievements of women making an impact. 

Eligibility: 

  • The individual must be a student of the University of Ottawa 
  • The individual must be part of the Black community and identifies as a womxn. 
  • Members of the selection committee cannot nominate themselves. However, if someone else nominate them, they must declare a conflict of interest and not participate in the discussion. 
  • Open to individuals only.  
  • Individuals can nominate themselves for a maximum of 3 awards. 

Presented by: Pride Centre 

Value: One award of 500$ 

Deadline: February 17 at 11:59pm EST 

Purpose: 

The 2SLGBTQ+ Community Leader Award recognizes the exceptional efforts and activism of a Black uOttawa student who identifies within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Keeping in value with the mission of The Pride Centre, the 2SLGBTQ+ Community Leader has shown commitment in furthering intersectional approaches to gender and sexuality equity, promotes accessible spaces for the Black and 2SLGBTQ+ community and has fostered kinship with their fellow 2SLGBTQ+ siblings. 

Individual members within the community are recognized for the exceptional work they do through our peer-nominated awards. Varying year to year, this award showcases the great work many people do behind the scenes for 2SLGBTQ+ equity. 

Eligibility: 

  • The individual must be a student of the University of Ottawa 
  • The individual must be part of the Black community and 2SLGBTQ+ community. 
  • Members of the selection committee cannot nominate themselves. However, if someone else nominate them, they must declare a conflict of interest and not participate in the discussion. 
  • Open to individuals only 
  • Individuals can nominate themselves for a maximum of 3 awards. 

Presented by: University of Ottawa Students’ Union 

Value: One award of $500 

Deadline: February 17 at 11:59pm EST 

Purpose:

The Francophonie award pays tribute to students whose social, political or cultural contributions have a beneficial effect on the Francophone community and on the Black community in general. 

Eligibility: 

  • The individual must be a student of the University of Ottawa 
  • The individual must be part of the Black Francophone community 
  • Members of the selection committee cannot nominate themselves. However, if someone else nominates them, they must declare a conflict of interest and not participate in the discussion. 
  • Open to individuals only 
  • Individuals can nominate themselves for a maximum of 3 awards. 

Presented by: Bilingualism Centre 

Value: Two awards of $1,000 

Deadline: February 19 at 11:59pm EST 

Eligibility: 

  • The individual must be a student of the University of Ottawa 
  • The individual must be part of the Black Francophone community. 

 

Requirements: 

1-2 page paper about the black francophone student experience on campus. This can be about a single experience or several experiences. The paper should also include recommendations of steps that the bilingualism centre and UOSU should take to make campus a safe(r) space for back students. 

Winners will be the students that provide the most practical (applicability+result) change recommendations to the centre. 

Please send your finished paper to: bilingualism-coord@seuo-uosu.com 

The centre will announce the progress it has made towards adopting these changes during the gala of the following year.