Photo: L-R Capt (N) Kooiman – Addiction-free Living / Social and Organizational Wellness / Family Violence Advisory Committee; Capt (N) Roberge – DAGPWD; Capt (N) Patchell – DVMAG / Active Living; RAdm Robinson; Capt (N) Sproule – DTPAO /Mental and Social Wellness; Capt (N) Stefanson – DWAO; Not shown: Capt (N) Whiteside – DIAG / Healthy Nutrition
The Maritime Forces Pacific Defence Advisory Group
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“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”
– Audre Lorde (Writer)
The Champions
Each DAG has a champion—someone who fights for the cause. In MARPAC, they are selected from the seven Captain (Navy) in the Formation and are appointed by the Rear-Admiral to the DAG that best aligns with their personal interests or passions where possible. For example, since the Base Commander works closely with our local Indigenous communities as part of his daily duties, they always Champion the Defence Indigenous Advisory Group.
The role of the Champions is to support employment equity and diversity programs and initiatives. They must show a commitment to the group’s success, exercise leadership to ensure diversity is an integral part of decision making and planning and seek opportunities to advocate and promote the DAGs they champion.
Another role of the Champions is to give the DAG a voice and an advocate at the highest levels of leadership in the Formation. Today, they do not necessarily belong to the group that they represent, but they can still act as allies and megaphones that allow the messages from the DAG to reach the widest possible audience. That is why the DAG are especially important; by working to break down barriers and foster an inclusive environment, they help ensure that all voices are heard. The Champions are not there to direct the efforts of the DAG to support the Formation, but rather to assist the DAG to support our workforce.
Ultimately, the Champions are ready and eager to foster an equitable and welcoming workforce.
Transgender Day of Remembrance November 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), annually observed on November 20 since 1998 in memorial to Rita Hester, is to remember the lives of transgender people lost in our society and across the world. Victoria Pride Society will be holding a vigil on the morning of the 20th, likely at the provincial legislature.
For the last 25 years, TDOR has brought awareness to the lives tragically altered and lost to transphobic speech, actions, and violence. Around the world, transphobia inspires violence and hateful rhetoric against transgender people, especially Indigenous and Black transgender women. This rhetoric can cause psychological distress, affecting not just transgender lives but also the parents, children, family, friends, and colleagues who see their loved ones suffer from anxiety, fear, and repression.
Every one of us can stand up to fight the stigma faced by the hundreds of thousands of transgender Canadians every day, and the many millions worldwide. You can do this by offering support and safety in the spaces and groups they need, calling out and standing up to non-inclusive behaviour, teaching others that transgender identities are real, valid, and accepted, and encouraging and supporting the creation of policy that sees medical and mental health care is available from childhood to golden years. Our collective actions can make a difference
Indigenous Remembrance Day
Indigenous Veteran’s Day in Canada, observed on Nov. 8, recognizes the crucial role and sacrifices of the over 12,000 Indigenous peoples who served in the Canadian Armed Forces from World War I to the Korean War. Despite their exceptional service and remarkable bravery, Indigenous veterans faced systemic challenges both during and after their military careers.
On the battlefield, Indigenous soldiers often encountered prejudice and were subjected to discriminatory treatment, even as they exhibited extraordinary courage and skill. After returning home from World War I & II, many Indigenous people had hoped their wartime service and sacrifices would increase their rights within Canadian society but Canada did not treat them the same as other veterans after they returned to civilian life. Often, they were denied access to full Veteran benefits, medical care, support services, land grants, pensions and educational opportunities. Additionally, many Indigenous veterans returned to find that their status and rights as Indigenous people had been undermined: many, for instance, lost their Indigenous status under the Indian Act due to their military service, which further alienated them from their communities.
The cultural significance and distinct experience of Indigenous veterans was not reflected in mainstream Remembrance Day commemorations, leading to a sense of exclusion and marginalization. Indigenous Veterans Day was established in 1994 in Manitoba as a response to the underrepresentation and lack of recognition that Indigenous veterans faced within the broader context of Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.
There will be ceremonies held on Nov. 8, at 10:30am at both the Victoria Cenotaph as well as the Comox Cenotaph.
The more you know
An ally is someone who uses their own privilege to address inequalities, support marginalized groups and works to address systemic inequalities. It involves real actions and going beyond empty gestures to create a supportive environment. It also involves being aware of different forms of discrimination and actively working to make things better.
Tackling common issues like performative actions, where support is more about looking good rather than making real impacts or recognizing and understanding that different types of discrimination can overlap one another – such as a gay Indigenous woman facing a unique and intersecting set of challenges compared to a gay white man.
Being a good ally involves listening to and acting on the needs of marginalized colleagues, speaking up against unfair behavior, and creating safe spaces for honest conversations. Effective allyship involves more than just making statements of support; it demands active, consistent behaviors and overcoming fears of discomfort or criticism. By making these practices part of our daily routines, we can work towards a more fair and inclusive society.
How to Join a DAG
All CAF members and DND public service employees, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, orientation, disability, age or background, are welcome to join any DAG. DAGs are looking for people committed to the principles of employment equity, diversity and inclusion.
Word of the month:
in·ter·sec·tion·al·i·ty
in(t)ərˌsekSHəˈnalədē/ noun
The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
CALENDAR:
November 1 – January 31
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Hindu Heritage Month
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November
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Diwali
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01-Nov
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Indigenous Veteran’s Day
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08-Nov
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World/National Child Day
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20-Nov
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Transgender Day of Remembrance
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20-Nov
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16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
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25 Nov – 10 Dec
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities
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03-Dec
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International Day of Remembrance and
Action on Violence Against Women
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06-Dec
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Human Rights Day
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10-Dec
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Hanukkah
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25 Dec – 2 Jan
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Christmas Day
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25-Dec
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Kwanzaa
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26 Dec – Jan 1
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National Ribbon Skirt Day
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04-Jan
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Black Excellence Day
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15-Jan
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World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture
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24-Jan
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day
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27-Jan
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National Day of Remembrance of QC Mosque
Attack and Action Against Islamophobia
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29-Jan
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Lunar New Year (Date Changes Each Year)
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29-Jan
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