Posted on Friday, February 17th, 2023
For AC Kindness Week, Feb. 13 to Feb. 20, we asked Algonquin College learners how they spread kindness in their community. With an overwhelming number of responses, here are just a few of the things learners are doing to spread kindness.
- Complimenting one another
- Offering help to someone in need
- Setting aside time to catch up with a friend
- Speaking kindly to one another
- Being an active and attentive listener
If you’re interested in getting involved in your AC community and spreading kindness in a long-lasting and meaningful way, consider volunteering through the AC Volunteer Centre. Learn more about the Centre and how to get involved using this link.
What sort of things do you do to spread kindness in your community? Consider how you can spread that kindness all year long.
Happy Kindness Week!
Posted on Tuesday, February 14th, 2023
Hearts are delicate and require TLC. That tender loving care comes in many
forms, including heart health and proper treatment and diagnosis.
If your heart needs some medical TLC, chances are you may meet a Registered Cardiology Technologist (RCT). An RCT is the front-line worker you will encounter regarding the diagnosis and treatment of heart arrhythmias and heart disease.
Read more >
Posted on Monday, February 13th, 2023
In recognition of Black History Month 2023, Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, sat down for a conversation with retired Assistant Curator of Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, Spencer Alexander. The conversation, entitled “Black To The Past,” explored themes related to Black history in education, Black history appreciation, the importance of Black history preservation and dispelled Canada-specific Black history myths and misconceptions.
Alexander is a sixth-generation underground railroad descendant. He has presented to classrooms across North America, teaching children and young adults about Black Canadian history and cultural diversity. He’s spoken twice at the UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and has helped numerous authors and historians conduct research and review genealogy.
Diane McCutcheon, Algonquin College’s Vice President, Human Resources, kicked off the conversation by presenting the audience with a $10 bill, a tender which carries the image of historic civil rights activist and Black businesswomen, Viola Desmond.
“Viola Desmond was a Black woman, a Nova Scotian and a student who continued furthering her education even after she was told that she wasn’t the right colour to learn. Viola Desmond is a historic Canadian figure whose story too few of us here know. Her history isn’t only Black history, it’s part of Canada’s history, it’s your history,” said McCutcheon.
Bramburger then opened the conversation to Alexander, who used his storytelling skills to share historic information about his family’s journey from the United States to Canada and the racism they faced throughout their lives.
Alexander also pointed to the ongoing and systemic challenges in Black history education which tragically results in many Black stories going unheard.
“In the beginning a lot of people didn’t want to talk about (Black history), it wasn’t taught in schools,” he said. “History, in my opinion, has always been written by the oppressor or the victor, it’s not inclusive, so it’s a one-sided history. In order for history to be correct and real it has to be inclusive of all the races that have made this country what it is today.”
Alexander closed the chat by sharing a compelling and hopeful outlook on the advancement of human rights in Canada and beyond.
“I have a dream that one day history will be taught inclusively, that all people can get along,” said Alexander. “See every race, every person, has their own dreams and aspirations, and every family — everyone here has their family history and each one’s family history is of equal importance and equal interest…. The more you get to know and understand people of different cultures, the more accepting you become of them and you’re going to find out that they’re people just like you — everybody bleeds red.”
To watch the full conversation, click here.