09/18/2026
How do class and gender shape who gets to participate publicly, whose labour is recognized, and whose stories become part of the historical or political record?
This week’s lecture will take the audience from past to present—beginning with a talk by researcher and musician Jasmine McMorran, whose work explores working-class women playing fiddle and composing music in pre-WWII Nova Scotia. Next, we’ll hear from Lisa LaChance, MLA for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island, who will share their experiences with social activism, including advocating for the rights of children, youth, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
As history-keepers at a museum, we know that our stories are not static. We hope this series offers vignettes of Nova Scotia’s past and present that can spark connections and provide a variety of perspectives. In this case, it serves to reframe Nova Scotia’s journey through a less patriarchal lens!
Text from images:
CONCRETE THOUGHTS: SOCIALISM & SOCIAL ACTIVISM IN THE VALLEY, FROM PAST TO PRESENT
SATURDAY, SEPT 19, 1-3PM (about 1hr lecture/presentation, followed by discussion)
JASMINE MCMORRAN & LISA LACHANCE
Jasmine McMorran holds a Bachelor of Music (piano performance) from the University of Lethbridge and a Masters of Arts (Ethnomusicology; the study of music in a sociocultural context). She is an accompanist for community choirs, and an active and dynamic pianist, fiddle player, researcher, and educator. Her research has explored working class women playing fiddle and composing music pre WW II in Nova Scotia
Lisa Lachance is the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island. Lisa was first elected in 2021 and reelected in 2024, and is believed to be the first genderqueer MLA elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Having founded consulting firm Wisdom2Action and led its transition from government-supported network to independent social enterprise, Lisa has a long-standing track record as a prolific community engager. They started their career in the public sector, advocating for the rights of children and youth at an international level. L
