Ottawa, ON – February 28, 2025 – The Omanye Royal Kingdom, in collaboration with the University of Ottawa’s African, Caribbean, and Black Employees Group, co-hosted a powerful and transformative dialogue on Reconciliation and Healing on February 28, 2025. The event brought together members of the university community, distinguished guests, and community leaders for an enriching discussion featuring Her Royal Majesty, Queen Vickylextar, as the keynote speaker, and Professor Pascasie Minani from Ottawa and York University, as the guest speaker.

The dialogue, held at the University of Ottawa, underscored the Omanye Royal Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to fostering unity, understanding, and healing, bridging gaps between communities, and serving humanity through its core pillars of reconciliation, leadership development, and education. The event provided a crucial platform to explore the multifaceted nature of reconciliation, address historical injustices, and promote a path towards collective progress.

Lady Lisa-Gabrielle Cleophat, Outreach Coordinator of Omanye Royal Kingdom and Coordinator at the Professional Development Institute of the University of Ottawa, alongside the African, Caribbean, and Black Employees Group, played a pivotal role in organizing and hosting this significant event. The opening remarks emphasized the importance of acknowledging past wrongs, fostering understanding, and working towards healing and mutual respect.

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Vickylextar, delivered a powerful keynote address, emphasizing that “reconciliation is not an end to itself; reconciliation is a journey. It’s a process that begins again with self.” Her Majesty’s address highlighted the importance of acknowledging history, correcting misinformation, and fostering unity. She stated, “Our shared history is one of extraordinary resilience across continents and centuries. Our ancestors braved unthinkable challenges and carried forward a torch of hope. Their hope has been passed down from generation to generation, illuminating our journey.”

HRM Queen Vickylextar called for a move beyond anger and victimhood, urging attendees to instead focus on education, self-improvement, and contributing to a better future. She stressed the importance of taking ownership of one’s narrative and working collaboratively to create meaningful change.

The event also featured a rich and insightful panel discussion with Professor Pascasie Minani, a professor from Ottawa and York University, and an author with expertise in colonization, social reports of racism, diversity in representation, and the development of social, economic, and social policies. Professor Minani shared her research on women in pre-colonial Africa, inter-ethnic relations, and the importance of addressing systemic inequalities.

The dialogue fostered a deeper understanding of the complexities of reconciliation and healing, emphasizing the need for self-awareness, education, and collective action. Professor Minani highlighted the importance of equity measures in addressing injustice and shared her personal experiences and insights on navigating issues of race and discrimination within academic institutions.

The Omanye Royal Kingdom delegation, lead by HRM Queen Vickylextar, actively engaged with attendees, answering questions, sharing perspectives, and fostering connections. HRM Queen Vickylextar expressed her desire to follow up with various individuals and groups to further the discussions and explore concrete actions to advance the cause of reconciliation and healing.

This collaborative event underscored the power of dialogue in fostering understanding, promoting healing, and building a more just and equitable society. The Omanye Royal Kingdom, in partnership with the University of Ottawa, is committed to continuing these crucial conversations and working towards a future where reconciliation is a lived reality.

“It was an honour to engage in such valuable discussions with a like-minded academic such as Professor Minani,” stated HRM Queen Vickylextar. “The connections made and the perspectives shared at this event have the potential to change lives and inspire action.”

About the Omanye Royal Kingdom:

The Omanye Royal Kingdom is dedicated to creating a world where every individual is empowered to thrive and achieve their fullest potential. Guided by its core values, the Kingdom advances initiatives focused on education, healthcare, leadership development, and reconciliation, striving to uplift individuals and foster thriving communities worldwide. For media inquiries, please contact publications@omanye.org.