Communities planning 'powerful celebrations' to mark Emancipation Day
Black and Indigenous peoples were once enslaved in the British Empire, including Canada, and not free until the Slavery Abolition Act nearly 200 years ago.
This past March, the House of Commons designated Aug. 1 as a day to reflect, educate and engage in the fight against anti-Black racism.
Many community groups in the Maritimes are marking Emancipation Day this weekend.
The Pan-African flag was raised at CFB Halifax Friday morning as the Stadacona band performed an original piece composed by band member Petty Officer Second Class Nevawn Patrick.
His compassion in honour of the black men who gave their lives in service to Canada as members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion.
"You know, it's amazing that the base has acknowledged Emancipation Day to begin with, I think this is the only base in the country that is participating in this event," he says. "It feels absolutely phenomenal that my music has been chosen."
The executive director of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia says Emancipation Day is a time to educate.
"The question always is, is there or was there slavery in Canada? And the answer to that is 'yes,'" explains Executive Director Russell Grosse. "Was it in Halifax, Nova Scotia? Yes. There was slavery and so it wasn't an American thing, it wasn't something that just happened south of the border. It's something that happened here in our backyard. But today we can look back at it, and we can learn from it."
Educators in Yarmouth have organized an event for Sunday.
They say it will be a powerful celebration – the first of its kind in the town.
"By doing this, we're acting on our own power and privilege to bring the community together, to open up that conversation that otherwise may not happen on our relationship between communities and specifically in support of the Black communities in our local area," explains event co-organizer Joe Bishara.
Meanwhile, Grosse asks everyone to reflect on the greater understanding on Emancipation Day this weekend.
"Awareness of the past hurt that's happened and through that struggle, through those chains of oppression, some successful communities were developed," Grosse explains. "Contributions have been made to Canada's greater society."
A powerful message of adversity and triumph that will be celebrated on Aug. 1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.