1st edition - EZ Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter

December, 2020 Nova Scotia Health Eastern Zone Diversity & Inclusion “EQUITY IN ACTION” NEWSLETTER Welcome to our very first edition of “Equity in Action” – a newsletter dedicated to providing information and updates to Nova Scotia Health staff, physicians, student learners and volunteers about what’s happening with our Eastern Zone Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Our role is to provide leadership, coordination, and integration of the Provincial Diversity and Inclusion Framework. The steering committee members are champions for diversity, inclusion, health equity, cultural competence, and cultural safety within the Eastern Zone. A Message from our Chairperson I have been working as a Nutritionist with Public Health for over 20 years, 18 of those years have been here in the Eastern Zone. During my career, I have become very familiar of the health inequities that exist among different population groups around issues of food security and how closely this issue can be tied to issues like poverty, mental health and one’s race or ethnic background. Issues of equity and inclusion have always been a strong interest for me, beginning early in my career, first working in North Bay and then while working in Toronto as a young professional. In those years, I had many opportunities to work with many diverse populations and grew to understand the connection between positive health outcomes and a person’s race, socio-economic status, gender and access to service. My work in Eastern Zone has also highlighted these inequities when working with the Black Nova Scotia community and local First Nation Communities. When I was approached in May 2019 and asked to take on the role of Co-Chair for the Eastern Zone Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee, I was both humbled and excited to have been provided an opportunity to become involved in advancing this important work by providing leadership and coordination of the NSHA & IWK Provincial Diversity and Inclusion Framework within the Eastern Zone. Each zone has a Committee and as Chair, I also attend the Provincial Committee. In the Eastern Zone, we have a great group of committed colleagues all committed to this work and we are pleased to introduce them to you in our newly created newsletter. This inaugural issue is a little longer as it is the first and we wanted to take some time to provide you with some background. Over the coming months, we will continue to send regular updates to you to keep you up-to-date on our work. Karen MacKinnon, Chair Eastern Zone Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee

Page 2 Equity in Action Newsletter Volume 1 Meet the Team! Aron Ashton, BAHK, B.Sc., RN Manager, Eastern Zone Public Engagement Team Supporting Community Health Boards Northside General Hospital My favourite holiday tradition is listening to Christmas music and cooking! Debbie Glabay Chaplain/Administrative Assistant Spiritual Care Department, Cape Breton Regional Hospital My favourite part of the holidays is making a gingerbread house with my grandchildren. The older ones are at an age where they ask “when is it going to be gingerbread day?” Danielle Murphy Administrative Assistant Antigonish Health & Wellness Centre My favourite part of the holidays is watching Christmas movies with my family with only the Christmas lights on. Celeste Gotell, MEd Health Promotion Specialist, Mental Health and Addictions, Antigonish Health & Wellness Centre My favourite part of the holidays is getting together with family and friends, enjoying their company and sharing some of our favorite dishes from my Acadian roots, like meat pie and Christmas Braid. Soroush Moghaddam, B.Sc., M.A. Volunteer Resources Consultant, Antigonish Health & Wellness Centre I do not have any specific tradition that I hold as my favourite. I appreciate all of the traditions that come with this joyous season, such as overeating, over-decorating, oversleeping and all the rest! Lisa McNeil-Campbell, CVA Palliative Care Volunteer Lead/Volunteer Resources Consultant My favourite part of the holidays is normally spending time with my family, making crafts to give as gifts and holiday baking.

Equity in Action Newsletter Volume 1 Page 3 Karen MacKinnon Public Health Nutritionist, Port Hawkesbury Public Health Office I recovered from a life threatening illness more than 10 years ago so I approach every holiday with awe and wonder. I appreciate the simple pleasures in life like time with family and friends and creating special memories. Lynette Sawchuk, RN-BC, BScN, MHS, CHE Program Manager, Palliative Care, Eastern Zone, Cape Breton My favourite holiday tradition is having Christmas morning brunch with my family Dana Tracey Nurse Manager, Strait Richmond Hospital My favourite holiday tradition is decorating the Christmas tree with the kids, while listening to Christmas music and baking cookies. Christine Villneff Health Equity Consultant, Public Health, Antigonish Health & Wellness Centre My favourite part of the holidays is spending time making memories with my two little boys. Verna MacDonald, B.Sc. Nsg., MPA, Co-Active Coach Talent & Organizational Development Consultant, Antigonish Health & Wellness Centre My favourite holiday tradition is decorating our family Christmas Tree with the creative ornaments made by the kids when they were in elementary school. As we hang each ornament, we enjoy reminiscing about Christmases past and marvel at the creative Christmas baubles made by our son and daughter on our family tree. And at this time, we celebrate our many Family blessings. Melanie Newell Health Services Manager, Primary Health Care, Public Health Services, Inverness, Richmond & Victoria County My favourite holiday tradition is cutting down a tree. Krista Smith Integrated Health (EZ) Director, Critical Care, Respiratory, Heart Health and Medicine (CBH)

Equity in Action Newsletter Volume 1 Page 4 The Five Provincial Framework Pillars 1. Culturally competent person and family-centered care and services 2. Diverse Workforce 3. Engagement and partnership with diverse communities 4. Organizational leadership, decision-making and policy 5. Equity through data collection and research Provincial Highlights 1. The Provincial Diversity and Inclusion committee is chaired by Andrea Johnson, Director of Talent and Organizational Development and Gary O’Toole, Senior Director of Public Health. Chairs of the zone committees and other staff who support the work attend regular monthly meetings. Karen MacKinnon represents the Eastern Zone. 2. Each Zone Committee supported staff to take the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training. Discussions are currently underway of how to support additional staff to participate. Stay tuned for updates. 3. Did you know? An Equity in Employment policy is currently being developed. Staff can look forward to hearing more in the months ahead. Education & Helpful Links Gender Based Analysis Plus Type - Approximately two hours, Free This course is designed as a basic introduction to GBA+. You will learn to define the key concepts of GBA+ and recognize how various identity factors can influence the experience of federal government initiatives. You will learn to identify how GBA+ can enhance the responsiveness, effectiveness and outcomes of federal government initiatives while applying some foundational GBA+ concepts and processes. Online https://cfc-swc.gc.ca/gba-acs/course-cours-en.html Health Care in French at a Glance workshop Provides health care professionals and managers of health care establishments with a greater awareness of the importance of offering health care services in French and provides them with tools to better serve patients in French. Type: 4 Module Total 7 hours Available: In Person and On-line now https://reseausantene.ca/health-care-in-french-at-a-glance Workplace Cultural Training – ISANS Type: In Person and also switched to online – 2 hours - free Available: https://www.isans.ca/event/webinar-benefits-of-a-diverse-workplace-culture/2020-07-02 Decolonization Learning Journey In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the Community Sector Council of NS embarked on an organizational learning journey beginning in the fall of 2018 took on a leadership role to co-create shared learning spaces across the province to create dialogue, education spaces, and meaningful movement toward reconciliation. https://www.csc-ns.ca/decolonization-learning-journey/

Page 5 Equity in Action Newsletter Volume 1 Dates to Remember - December 2020 Date Holiday/Observance Link to Further Information 1 Advent Begins (Christian) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent International Day of Persons with https://idpwd.org/ 3 Disabilities https://cfc-swc.gc.ca/commemoration/vaw-vff/ National Day of Remembrance and remembrance-commemoration-en.html 6 Action on Violence Against Women in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhi_Day Canada https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/default_cdo/jewish/ 8 Bodhi Day (Buddhist) Hanukkah.htm 10 Human Rights Day https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/default_cdo/jewish/ Hanukkah.htm 10 Hanukkah begins (Jewish) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter solstice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Eve 18 Hanukkah ends (Jewish) https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-the-meaning-of- christmas.html 21 Winter Solstice http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/ 24 Christmas Eve (Christian) 25 Christmas Day (Christian) 26 Kwanzaa begins BODHI DAY KWANZAA HANUKKAH The Buddhist holiday Bodhi day celebrates the Kwanzaa is an African American and pan- Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of day that the historic Buddha, Siddartha African holiday which celebrates family, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the Gautauma, achieved enlightenment through community and culture. 160s BC meditation.

Notable Mention A book documenting the journey of the Hadhad family to Nova Scotia was released in October 2020 and is available in all bookstores and online. This book follows the Hadhads, the founders of Peace by Chocolate, on their well-known journey from Syria to Canada, dives deep into their lives before and after their immigration, and highlights the kindness of the people of Antigonish. The Hadhads had a mission and a dream to rebuild their lives in Canada and to tell their story. This book , written by Jon Tattrie, wonderfully gives the readers the opportunity to know the Hadhads and to be inspired by their journey and story. It inspires readers and lifts communities, bringing them together. Thank you for reading! “EQUITY IN ACTION”