To members of the CNC community:
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. That brutal act unleashed a wave of protest against systemic racism and violence in the United States and around the world. Support for the Black Lives Matter movement has since expanded globally.
We have watched as peaceful protests continue. Public awareness of systemic racism, violence and discrimination is extremely high. These recent events have caused many of us to look at our role in condemning and stopping systemic racism against Black people, Indigenous people and anyone else experiencing intolerance in our country.
I recognize that as a white man I am writing this message from a place of privilege. I have thought a great deal about my responsibilities in making change, how I can engage members of the CNC community, and how we as individuals and collectively can do more to create an environment that fosters change. I am dismayed for those who have suffered and continue to suffer because of systemic racism.
It is important to consider the needs of students and the challenges they face with systemic racism. Indigenous students represent approximately 20 per cent of those who study at CNC. The CNC region is on the ancestral lands of 22 First Nations and also serves Métis peoples, all of whom struggle to have their voices heard and their rights acknowledged. We only have to look as far as The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and resulting Calls to Action to find the truth about racism in our country and what we can all do to help dismantle systemic racism.
Over the past few years, CNC has become even more diverse as we welcome international students to our campuses. CNC and the communities we serve are enriched by people from around the globe. We welcome people of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities.
Diversity and inclusion are core values of CNC. We stand against racism and prejudice in all its forms. Above all, I want to reaffirm our commitment that CNC will be a safe, welcoming and inclusive place to learn and work. I am also committed to continuing dialogue to make change, and engaging in the difficult conversations required from this process.
As a start, CNC is proud to stand with the #DifferentTogether pledge from the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. I hope you will join with me in sharing this pledge to build diversity and inclusiveness as fundamental values in our community and province.
Sincerely,
Dennis Johnson
President and CEO