We are better when we work together

Kwey, kwe’, hello Acadia alumni.

The arrival of spring is an opportunity to embrace renewal and new life; it is a time to reset and regain a sense of purpose and stability. At a time when many in our community are concerned as our world continues to rapidly change (and, perhaps, spiral), we should (re)connect with the natural world for guidance and for groundedness.

Little things are consequential, and it’s important to appreciate the intrinsic value of self-care and caring for all those around us. The words ‘family’ and ‘community’ loom large in my mind these days, and I think of how my Acadia experience has defined their meanings. As I shared in the Spring 2024 Bulletin, I wasn’t sure what university I’d attend once upon a time and Acadia wasn’t on my radar initially, but a casual conversation with a valued mentor and teacher, Bill Sturk (’67), offered wisdom and guidance that literally changed my life, providing direction and a chance to experience first-hand the reality of Acadia’s filial ethos.

Family consists of those who support and love you, and those you can confide in and trust. It is foundational, and I recall feeling so welcome upon my arrival in Wolfville. The campus community was rich, vibrant, and engaging, and I felt like I was quickly welcomed to be part of it. I learned ways to use my voice and seek knowledge, and the help I received along the way, particularly from professors Herb Wyile, David Duke, and Anne Quéma, among many others, taught me to trust my instincts, do better, and continuously seek deeper knowledge and understanding. On one of our last days of class, David Duke told us to never take anything at face value, and to always keep digging deeper. Always question what you’ve learned in an effort to become more knowledgeable. I’ve been doing that ever since.

Indeed, knowledge and dialogue are crucial for the moment we are in, and one of the Alumni Association’s priorities includes substantive conversations about equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism (EDI-AR).

Acadia is committed to fostering a culture that is welcoming and reflective of the diverse individuals that comprise the University community, and to fostering cultural safety, anti-oppression, and anti-racism to achieve a culture where diversity is our strength. And we must take action to make meaningful changes so that the world is a good, nourishing, and safe place for everyone.

It’s about creating spaces for people to share their knowledge, both in physical and digital environments, and encouraging kinship with and respect for all members of the Acadia family.

The Alumni Association resolutely endorses these initiatives, having approved funding to reinforce this endorsement, and establishing an EDI-AR Working Group that is committed to continuous learning.

We are also exploring opportunities to enhance the respective portfolios of Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Lerato Chondoma and Executive Advisor, L’nu Affairs and Indigenization, Zabrina Whitman. For instance, we provided funds to support the celebration of African Heritage Month in February to honour and recognize Black brilliance and joy, and funding has also been provided to help celebrate and recognize Indigenous graduates and to assist in creating a welcoming and culturally safe space on campus.

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which recognizes and celebrates the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across Canada. It is an opportunity to learn about, interact with, and experience the brilliance of unique Indigenous cultures. This is an opportunity to find ways to make space and appropriately honour cultural knowledges and perspectives – however, this goes beyond a single calendar day or even a month – this opportunity exists every day. We must (re)learn how to be good relatives to each other.

Dialogue is important. As an Association, we continue to plan education sessions for the board to support personal and board learning related to EDI-AR and understand that the work is never done quickly or easily. This is a commitment to life-long learning and a commitment to taking action to advocate for meaningful change and social equity.

Now more than ever, I am convinced we are better when we work together to ensure safe and inclusive spaces for all people. It’s a responsibility that the Alumni Association Board takes very seriously, and I encourage all members of the Acadia family to do likewise: to always continue learning, and to commit to making a positive, enduring, and equitable impact today and for generations to come.

In Acadia spirit,

Christine Luckasavitch (’11) President, Acadia Alumni Association