Oliver honoured

Canada's first black senator was awarded the 2006 Human Rights Awards by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and Partners Against Racism (PAR) on March 21.

Dalhousie graduate Senator Donald Oliver of Halifax was honoured along with Pat Elms Skinner of Antigonish at a celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Senator Oliver was recognized for his tireless work improving the quality of life for visible minorities around the world. A lawyer, former president and chair of the Halifax Children's Aid Society, and founding president and first chair of the Society for the Protection and Preservation of Black Culture in Nova Scotia, Senator Oliver was the province's third black lawyer and the nation's first black member of Senate.

Senator Oliver is a graduate of Dalhousie Law Schooland was a part-time professor at the Law School for 14 years. He was awarded an honorary degree from Dalhousie in 2003.

Each year, as part of its annual March 21 events, Partners Against Racism (PAR) and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission honour Nova Scotians who have helped advance the cause of human rights. PAR is a volunteer organization that represents private and public sector organizations that are committed to racial harmony and awareness of human rights issues.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination commemorates the events of March 21, 1960, when 69 people were killed and more than 180 injured in Sharpeville, South Africa, after police fired upon anti-apartheid demonstrators.

submitted by: Communications Nova Scotia