The doctor and the sociologist
Join Dr. Marcia Anderson and Dr. Delia Douglas for a discussion of racism-related issues that impact us all.
The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Red River Métis. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
Racism is a key determinant of health, undermining physical and mental health and wellbeing. Racism in health care breeds distrust, it also results in unequal access and treatment, leading to fatal consequences for Indigenous, Black and racialized minority peoples. If we want equality, we have to address racism, in all its forms. The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences recognizes the pervasive impact of the history of racial discrimination and systemic racism in the present and is committed to addressing the racial inequities that exist within our learning and work environments to close the profound gaps in professional education and health service delivery.
In 2020, the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ Faculty Executive Council approved the Disruption of all forms of racism policy, the first anti-racism policy to be passed by any faculty or post-secondary institution in Canada.
Why an anti-racism policy specifically? Well, if a policy does not take race into account in a meaningful way, then racism can remain “invisible” or can be deemed to be nonexistent and therefore allowed to persist and potentially increase. We must be proactive not reactive.
This policy constitutes a formal recognition of racial harassment, discrimination, vilification, and racism.
It is an affirmation of:
Visit the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences policy page to read the full text.
This is a slide show intended for students, staff, faculty and external parties to provide an introductory understanding of the concepts related to racism and the issues the policy was created to address as well as providing a historical context.
Anti-racism learning module (.pptx)
Note: to open the downloaded file, select "read only". No password is required.
Course syllabi are living documents that communicate the expectations, learning goals, and the path to achieving the stated objectives of the course, or the overall program. In many ways course syllabi represent contracts between learners and the instructors since they represent an agreement regarding shared expectations. This anti-racism and social justice statement for course syllabi in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is part of the implementation plan for the Disruption of All Forms of Racism Policy, is part of our commitment to ensuring that learners, staff, and faculty receive ongoing education in understanding and addressing racism.
We all have a role to play in disrupting and dismantling racism, and this anti-racism statement speaks to the urgency and necessity of working together to create learning environments and enrich programs in which we are all provided opportunities to meaningfully contribute and participate so that we can all flourish and reach our potential.
We ask that the anti-racism and social justice statement be included in course syllabi, curriculum units, or as guides for facilitators, academic one day programs and professional development sessions. Given the range of department/units/programs in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, the accompanying document offers some guidance regarding possible ways to incorporate this statement into the learning environment.
To create a shared understanding, we have posted a selection of terms taken from the Rady Faculty of Health Science's Disruption of all forms of racism policy. This is not an exhaustive list.
To enhance our knowledge and create a shared understanding of our community the following calendar contains cultural, religious, national, and international Days of Significance. This is a living calendar; some dates will change from year to year according to various religious and/or cultural calendars. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
Jump to:
January 1
January 4
January 6
January 7
January 13
January 14
January 15
January 16
January 22
January 24
January 26
January 27
January 29
Black History Month
Fist Full Week in February
February 1
February 15
February 18
February 20
February 21
February 22
February 26
February 25-March 3
February 27
Women’s History Month (United States)
March 1
March 1-19
March 7
March 8
March 8-10
March 14
March 15
March 20
March 20-24
March 21
March 22
March 25
March 31
Sikh Heritage Month
April 2
April 4
April 6
April 5-12
April 6-8
April 7
April 10
April 12
April 14
April 15
April 17
April 21
April 22
April 30
Jump to:
Asian Heritage Month/ Jewish Heritage Month
May 5
May 10
May 17
May 18
May 20
May 21
May 24
May 29
May 28-June 3
National Indigenous History Month/ Filipino Heritage Month/ Pride Month
June 5
June 18
June 19
June 20
June 21
June 23
June 29
Disability Pride Month
July 3
July 10
July 14
July 18
July 19
August 1
August 9
August 13-15
August 19
August 23
Jump to:
September 6
September 10
September 15-17
September 19
September 23
September 25
September 30
Women’s History Month (Canada)/ Islamic History Month
October 4
October 10
October 11
October 17
October 18
October 19
October 20
October 26
October 27
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month
November 1
November 7
November 8
November 11
November 12
November 12-18
November 20
November 24
November 25
November 27
December 1
December 3
December 6
December 7-15
December 8
December 10
December 18
December 21
December 25
December 26
December 26, 2023-January 1, 2024
BRAID Network for Health Education. (n.d.). Days of Indigenous significance. (Internal UM intranet link.)
Deer, K. (2019, November 13). Indigenous people across Canada are rocking their mocs this week. CBC News.
Health Sciences Association. (n.d.). Days of Significance 2023.
PennState. (n.d.). Diversity calendar.
United Nations. List of international days and weeks.
University of Calgary. (n.d.). Religious observance dates.
If you find any errors or wish to provide updates, please email radyantiracism@umanitoba.ca.
Join Dr. Marcia Anderson and Dr. Delia Douglas for a discussion of racism-related issues that impact us all.
Materials to support, educate and inform our community.
Ibrahim A, Kitossa T, Smith, MS, Wright HK (Eds.) 2022. Nuances of Blackness in the Canadian Academy: Teaching, learning, and researching while Black. University of Toronto Press.
Layla F. Saad. (2020). White supremacy and me: Combat racism, change the world, and become a good ancestor. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.
Maynard R, Simpson LB. 2022. Rehearsals for living. Haymarket Books. n/a
Sunera Thobani (Ed.) (2022). Coloniality and racial (in)justice in the University: Counting for nothing? University of Toronto Press. (Recognized by Canadian Association for Educational Foundations at the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities 2023 meetings).
Embracing ‘the beauty of diversity’ on International Women’s Day
‘Breaking the bias’ goes beyond gender: Rady women reflect on International Women’s Day
Race, racism, anti-racism resources
Key considerations: Race, ethnicity and Indigenous identity data collection and use (PDF)
Ongomiizwin leads the implementation of the Rady Faculty’s Reconciliation Action Plan, developed in response to the health-related calls to action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
The action plan addresses themes such as:
The action plan was developed through a collaborative 18-month process involving University of Manitoba faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. An Elders and Knowledge Keepers advisory circle retreat was held at Turtle Lodge.
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is committed to addressing the varied health disparities and inequities that affect Black communities.
In December 2014, the UN General Assembly, passed Resolution 68/237, proclaiming the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024). “The Decade is a unique platform that emphasizes the important contribution made by people of African descent to every society, and promotes concrete measures to stop discrimination and promote their full inclusion.”
In 2016, at the invitation of the Government of Canada, the Working Group of experts on People of African descent visited Canada. Their findings confirmed that across the country people of African descent live in poverty experience poor health and low rates of educational achievement and are over represented in the criminal justice system. These resources are part of the RFHS’s response to the UN Working Group’s Recommendations and the Scarborough Charter to improve Black health through education and research and to address anti-Black racism and the interconnected systems that impact the health and wellbeing of Black communities across Canada.
The pandemics of racism and COVID-19 constitute a meeting-grounds of life and death for Indigenous, Black and racialized people. Racism is a public health crisis - the pandemic is a health crisis - racism is a pandemic.
A message from President Michael Benarroch regarding Scholar Strike Canada
'A teaching moment': Manitoba academics join hundreds in Scholar Strike for Black Lives Canada
Buffalo, NY, shooting reflects worsening racism, even in Canada, Winnipeg organizer says
Expression of solidarity with Muslim community
Joint message on the one-year anniversary of the discovery of the first 215 unmarked graves
The Office of Anti-Racism will be hosting a range of activities over the course of the academic year to enhance our racial literacy.
Some of the topics will include:
Office of Anti-Racism
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
P304 B – 770 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0W3