Black History Month 2025

Addressing Systemic Inequities to Foster Mental Health and Workplace Inclusion

Dr. Nadia

Dr. Nadia Ferrara is a dedicated public servant and a passionate humanitarian. She is currently the Ombudsperson at Indigenous Services Canada and the Privy Council Office. Prior to this, she was Senior Director at Parks Canada where she established the Values, Ethics, Diversity and Inclusion Directorate. Nadia gained ombuds experience when she was the Executive Director at the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, Department of Justice. Nadia also worked at Women and Gender Equality Canada, and before that, at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada for over a decade, where she worked closely with First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and developed policies and frameworks in collaboration with Indigenous partners. Nadia remains on Faculty at McGill University as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Anthropology where she supervises graduate and undergraduate students in her spare time. Before entering the Government of Canada in 2003, Nadia worked as an art therapist for 16 years, specializing in cross-cultural psychotherapy with Indigenous peoples in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. Her education includes a Master of Arts in Art Therapy, a Master of Science in Transcultural Psychiatry, and a Doctorate in Medical Anthropology. In addition to her publications of several journal articles and chapters in various books across North America and in Europe, Nadia has published books on her work as an art therapist and anthropologist with the Crees of Northern Quebec. One of her books, Reconciling and Rehumanizing Indigenous-Settler Relations, is a reflection on her work as an applied anthropologist and advocate for Indigenous Peoples. Her latest publication is entitled, In Pursuit of Impact: Trauma and Resilience Informed Policy Development, and it illustrates the application of a human-centered approach, as Nadia urges us to reconnect with our humanity. Nadia is also an artist. One of her sculptures, The Friendship Knot, is permanently placed at her former high school in Montréal, where she was born and raised. Nadia has a daughter, Mikayla, and currently resides in Ottawa, Ontario with her life partner, Lorna.

Senator Bernard

The Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard, PhD, C.M., O.N.S. Senator – Nova Scotia (East Preston)

Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is the first African Nova Scotian woman to be appointed to the Senate of Canada, representing the province of Nova Scotia. Senator Bernard is a proud resident of East Preston, where she lives with her husband George, their daughter Candace, son-in-law David and grandsons Damon and Gavin. Senator Bernard champions issues impacting African Canadians and people living with disabilities. She is particularly invested in human rights, employment equity, and mental health. Through her involvement in community projects, her social work career, her time with Dalhousie School of Social Work, and now her work in the Senate, Senator Bernard has maintained a deep dedication to social justice and racial justice. Senator Bernard advocates for reparations for the historical and continued anti-Black racism impacting the lives of African Canadians.

Sammy Onyeama-Asonye

Sammy is of African descent and leads the newly established Centre for Anti-racism and Equity (CARE) at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). As the manager, Sammy leads a team of knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate individuals in delivering DFO and Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) mandate of combatting hate, discrimination, including promoting civility and respect for human differences, at all levels in the department, from coast to coast to coast. Sammy’s passion lies in making authentic connections with other humans, regardless of their respective identities. He also believes in collaborative approaches that are centered on human-to-human connections, anchored on shared values. Sammy holds a social science degree (with focus on Indigenous Studies) from York University and an honours degree in human rights and equity studies, from York University. He holds a Masters degree in Labour Studies from McMaster University and is a Qualified Mediator and a University of California, Berkeley Certified Executive Coach. He is the Chairperson at Somerset West Community Health Care in Ottawa, an organization that supports people and communities to enjoy the best possible health and well-being by providing health and social services. Sammy believes in finding reasons to laugh or smile every day, it is good for the soul.

Dale Allen

Dale brings over two decades of experience working with inspiring and committed leaders who want to prevent toxic conversations, relationships, workplaces, and communities. With a Master’s Degree in Human Kinetics (specialising in Gerontology and Adapted Kinesiology), she is also a certified Executive Coach, Process Facilitator, Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Assessor, Yoga Instructor, and Fitness and Health Coach. As the Co-Founder of ConsciousLead, a Leadership Coaching Firm offering 1:1 coaching, team facilitation, expert talks, and development programs, Dale’s work is rooted in a non-violent approach to leadership and human connection. By blending brain-based coaching, Non-violent Consciousness, and leadership development, Dale creates spaces that dissolve harmful relational dynamics and foster authentic collaboration. Her unique lived and professional experiences span Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean. Grounded in years of research on behavioural patterns within hierarchical systems, including families, workplaces, and communities, Dale curates transformative learning spaces that connect people to their values, goals, and humanity. She helps participants navigate unconscious bias, microaggressions, and complex dynamics in practical, compassionate, and non-blaming ways. With a wealth of wisdom she imparts on matters pertaining to social justice, leading authentically, transforming conflict and culture, and humankind’s basic need for equity, Dale is a trusted voice in fostering meaningful change. While Dale’s conscious coaching programs draw on evidence-based practices and cutting-edge techniques, it’s her insatiable love for people and unwavering commitment to a non-violent approach that make her work so impactful. A partner, mother of two, and occasional dance party enthusiast, Dale brings a depth of wisdom and joy to every interaction, inspiring real transformation in individuals and organisations alike.