DT BEN
Who We Are
The Defence Team Black Employees Network (DTBEN) is a grassroots network focused on serving the well-being of the Black civilian and military members within the Defence Team. Our efforts are in large part dedicated to providing peer support by bringing Black employees and members together to share their experiences, explore, discuss and create meaningful actions to support the dismantling of persistent anti-Black racism in the Defence Team, and to build a vibrant community of Black DT members, and amplify Black employment equity.
DTBEN is here to provide a safe space for all Black Defence employees to connect, to discuss barriers, and challenges they face in the workplace and to support one another most importantly. We provide tools, guidance and a venue to help bridge those gaps through lunch and learns by bringing in experts to help alleviate the areas of concern.
DTBEN is a peer-to-peer support network providing resources for the Black Defence Team members who experience individual and systemic racism in the workplace.
While respecting the perspectives and needs of other marginalized groups and segments, DTBEN is in itself a diverse and representative network fully committed to work with Senior Leaders, Functional Authorities and all Defence Advisory Groups (DAGs) to contributing to mitigating within the DND and CAF, systemic racism and discrimination, including anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism, gender bias, prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirited people and others (LGBTQ2+), and white supremacy.
⭐Context
- Discrimination and systemic barriers exist within the Defence Team that prevent the full participation of Black team members. These barriers limit career advancement, undermine mental health and well-being, while also creating unsafe workspaces for Black employees and CAF members.
- The experiences of Anti-Black Racism, as well as its impacts are varied with Black women, Black LGBTQ2+ persons and those with disabilities face further marginalization due to gender discrimination intersecting with racial discrimination.
- The United Nations Special Working Group to Canada acknowledged that within the visible minority category, Black people have the lowest levels of employment, the least opportunity for promotion, experience the most discrimination and harassment by race and have the highest rates of mental health issues; hence the recognition that people of African descent are to be categorized as a distinct group rather than be aggregated with other visible minorities/racialized groups.
- As the largest employer of Black employees in the federal public service, the Defence Team’s middle and senior leadership tables lack sufficient representation of Black executives.
- DTBEN is distinct from the Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group and is specifically focused on the needs of Black employees and is accountable to the collective interests of Black Defence Team members.
Our Mission
Stronger Together 💪🏿
The goal of the DTBEN is to provide support to and solidarity with Black Defence Team members. It is DTBEN’s aspiration to positively contribute, where we can, to higher strategic goals. For instance, the Privy Council Office, outlines in the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion, clear direction for the federal public service, to commit to personally learning about racism, reconciliation, accessibility, equity and inclusion and fostering a safe, positive environment where these conversations are encouraged throughout our workplaces. DND provided an update to the continuous progress made in support of the Clerk’s Call to Action in Summer 2021. Moreover, the Prime Minister also announced in 2019, that Canada would recognize the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent (2014-2025) and committed to addressing systematic anti-Black racism in Canada. That said, DTBEN’s highest strategic priority is the wellbeing and prosperity of Black peoples within the DT who continue to encounter anti-black racism and who continue to navigate white supremacy.
DTBEN advocates for the dismantling of anti-Black Racism, both in internal policies and programs that directly affect Black Defence Team members and their families/dependents and in public policy and program delivery, military training and planning and in operations that keep Canada Safe, Secure, Engaged.
⭐Our Guiding Principles
- As a collective network, guided by Black knowledge and practices, we will not replicate power dynamics that are rooted in oppressive structures
- We hold safe and brave spaces for each other taking care of our collective mental health and well-being.
- We are intentional and actions-oriented.
- We support and promote Black-owned businesses and experts including as it relates to anti-racism practices, military doctrine/history, academic research, etc.
- We stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and with other People of Colour to dismantle all forms of systemic racism in the workplace.
- We will document our work and tell our collective stories using our words and centering our collective and diverse Black perspectives in the narratives.
Meet Our Co-Chairs
⭐Our Allies
We are thankful to our allies for supporting our efforts and standing with us as we continue to speak up against discrimination and carrying out our mission.
What We Provide
☑️Mentorship
☑️Career support and advice
☑️Assistance accessing and using rescources when mistreatment occurs
☑️Formal recognition of Black excellence
☑️A sense of community among Black Defence Team members
☑️Feedback on departmental initiatives that support the betterment of Black Defence Team members within National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.
📋Additional Resources
Forward Direction Call to Action
What DTBEN is NOT
❌A Defence Advisory Group (DAG)
❌Conflict Solutions and Services (CSS)
❌Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC)
❌Chain of Command (COC)
❌Mental Health Experts
Be Seen Campaign
Intl Decade for People of African Descent
The International Decade aims to celebrate the important contributions of people of African descent worldwide, advance social justice and inclusion policies, eradicate racism and intolerance, promote human rights, and assist in creating better, more prosperous communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals spearheaded by the United Nations.
DTBEN is proud to celebrate our DM as a Deputy Minister Ally for the UN Decade for People of African Descent (UNDPAD) within the federal public service.
“As leaders, we have an obligation to create a healthy, respectful, inclusive, productive workplace. We have to create a tone that sets an environment where people can talk about the workplace that they want” Matthews, 2020.
Upcoming Events
📅18 July 2023 - DTBEN 3rd Birthday Dinner (NCR)
📅20 July 2023 - Lunch and Learn (Virtual Event)
A session informing the Network of the National CoChairs trip to The United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. Joined by special guest Bernadeth Betchi.
Past Events
Black History Month 2022
In-Person Networking Event (NCR) - February 2023
Becoming a Member
Membership is open to all Defence Team members (military and civilian, as well as NPF) who racially identify as Black or of Black heritage and are committed to dismantling anti-Black racism.
DTBEN members are committed to improving the experience of Black people who are impacted by the effects of individual and systemic racism. The DTBEN is a national network based currently in the NCR. That said Black DT members from all corners of Canada are encouraged to join. DTBEN is also part of the Interdepartmental Black Employees Network which connects BENs from across government.
DTBEN recognizes that in their day jobs, many of members may directly and indirectly work on files/initiatives that have an impact on the lived experiences of Black Defence Team Members (e.g., staffing, informal conflict resolution, career coaching, anti-racism, etc.). DTBEN will provide a sounding board and support system for these members as needed. DTBEN will not place additional tasks on the formal/day-to-day workload of its members however, DTBEN will strive to find ways to support/enhance how our members can deliver on their day-to-day jobs while also supporting the broader goal of ensuring our Black community is equipped to navigate systemic, anti-Black racism.
Contact Us
📧Interested in becoming a member? Questions? Would you like more information? Send us an e-mail.
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