Courtney Pyrke
Librarian, PhD Student, and Activist-Academic in Saint John, NB
Courtney Pyrke (they/them) is nonbinary, transgender, white settler who lives in Menahkwesk/Saint John on the unceded and unconquered territory of Wəlastəkokewiyik, Mi’kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati. These territories are a place of relational responsibility governed by the Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1725-1779. It is also where nearly 1200 people of African descent (enslaved and free) and 3500 Black Loyalists migrated to in 1784.
They are an Interdisciplinary Studies PhD student at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and an Atlantic Regional Advocate at the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS).
Courtney is studying health and state violence/abolition. They have a B.A. in Information & Communication Studies from UNB and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Western University. They are a professional librarian who has worked in academic, public, and special libraries.
Outside of Courtney’s academic interests, they have a passion for abolition work. In their role as a regional advocate for the CAEFS, they advocate for the needs of people who are incarcerated and criminalized in Atlantic Canada’s only federal prison designated for women. They are particularly passionate about advocating for trans, non-binary, two spirit, and other gender diverse people.