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Authority record
Corporate body · 1968-1996

The Black United Front arose out of a meeting held on 30 November 1968 in Halifax to discuss the creation of an organization to act as an advocate and resource agency for the black community in Nova Scotia. An interim committee was established to secure funding. On 15 August 1969 the federal government announced its financial support, leading to the creation of the Black United Front (BUF). It was incorporated under the Societies' Act on 13 January 1970. The new organization was to be governed by a Provincial Council composed of elected representatives from each black community and an appointed Executive Director with support staff. Among the objectives of the new organization were: obtaining economic and political power for Blacks, promoting black history and culture, assisting in the development of a positive black self-image, developing leadership and community organization skills and providing resources through which the black community could access self-help programmes. Throughout its twenty-seven year history BUF accessed or created numerous government and private programmes in order to benefit the black community. It assisted clients in finding employment through such federal programmes as LIP, SEED, LEAP, Outreach, OYC, Community Student Service Program, and CEIC funding. It also provided legal assistance, publicized human rights concerns of individuals and communities, and offered mediation services and race relations counselling to schools, employers, and government departments. Since most of the black communities in the province were underdeveloped and without services, BUF's community and outreach workers assisted in securing adequate water supplies, solved many housing problems and land clarification issues, and provided social services assistance to clients requiring affordable housing and health resources. The isolation of these communities was also reduced through a communications network consisting of provincial council meetings, meetings with community workers, and circulation of BUF newspapers, newsletters and circulars. BUF was one of the first advocates for a Black Cultural Centre (established in 1983) through its promotion of black culture and history via cable television programmes, black cultural expos, black history month and similar methods. It also conducted several demographic profiles of black communities to obtain little-known statistics on black populations. In late 1983 a funding crisis occurred when the provincial government withdrew its financial support due to what it considered to be funding irregularities. On 10 October 1984 funding was restored after an acceptable interim organization was created to restructure the organization. The reconstituted organization continued to promote earlier BUF objectives and also paid greater attention to education and literacy, affirmative action, and provision of legal services. By early 1996, however, a negative media profile plus continuous under-funding and a lack of accountability and government commitment led to the disbandment of the organization.

AR-005 · Corporate body · 1982-

The Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) of Mount Saint Vincent University supports the advancement of teaching and learning in face-to-face and online contexts. They provide academic support through faculty teaching, development and training, collaborating with academic departments on the planning, development and delivery of online courses, programs and resources that are accessible to students. TLC also supports student learning with online tools like Moodle, Blackboard Collaborate, Office365, etc. The centre’s mandate is two-fold: instructional design and instructional (professional) development.

The unit began in 1982 as a pioneer of distance education in the region. That year, it first began offering televised courses. This program was known as DUET (Distance University Education via Television). In the 1990s, web-based courses were introduced. They have also had an important role in collaboration on international education partnerships such as with the University of St. Martin and Bermuda College. Non-credit lifelong learning and professional development opportunities have also been under this unit’s mandate.

Corporate body · 1951-

Founded in 1951 and incorporated in 1970, the Nova Scotia Society of Occupational Therapists functions as the provincial affiliate of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. Its mandate is to promote professional standards and to facilitate communication among accredited occupational therapists by providing services, products, events and networking opportunities. The society is also responsible for representing the interests of the profession to provincial government and other decision-making bodies.

Corporate body · 1922-1974

The Nova Scotia Society of Artists, founded 14 February 1922, was originally recognized as a branch of the Nova Scotia Museum of Fine Arts. Incorporated in 1938 with a membership of professional and amateur artists, the mission of the society was to increase public awareness and encourage development of the fine arts in the province. Its activities included organizing exhibits of original art works created in Nova Scotia, including annual exhibitions, first held in 1923, sponsoring study groups and lectures for its members and the public, and awarding the Nova Scotia Artist diploma. The society ceased operations from 1969 to 1971 and re-united to organize its Golden Jubilee Exhibition in 1972. The society disbanded in 1974.

Corporate body · 1877-

The Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was incorporated in Halifax in 1877 by provincial statute, to enforce any legislation for the protection and care of animals. From 1880 to 1920, the society was also responsible for dealing with cruelty to children under 16 years of age. In 1909, its name changed to the Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty. The Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) serves as the parent organization for the local branches of SPCA throughout the province, and is affiliated with the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.