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
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to remove pro-Palestinian encampment from campus
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.