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
BREAKING Bob Cole, veteran CBC broadcaster and former voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada,' dead at 90
Bob Cole, legendary CBC broadcaster and former voice of Hockey Night in Canada, has died. He was 90.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.