Black History Month is a time to honour and amplify the voices of Black Canadians, while celebrating their achievements and lasting contributions to our country.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 For more than four centuries, Black communities have helped shape Canada\u2019s identity beginning with Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator and interpreter whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s.<\/p>\n
Yet, much of this history has long been overlooked.<\/p>\n
\u2139\ufe0f Few Canadians are taught that:
\n\u2022 some of the Loyalists who settled in the Maritimes after the American Revolution were people of African descent
\n\u2022 Black soldiers made significant sacrifices as early as the War of 1812
\n\u2022 people of African descent were once enslaved in what is now Canada
\n\u2022 those who resisted enslavement helped lay the foundations of today\u2019s diverse and inclusive society<\/p>\n
\u2728 Black History Month is an opportunity to learn these Canadian stories and to recognize the many ways Black Canadians and their communities continue to strengthen our culture, compassion, and prosperity.<\/p>\n
\u2714\ufe0f A brief history of recognition in Canada
\n\u2022 1978 \u2013 The Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is founded
\n\u2022 1979 \u2013 Toronto issues Canada\u2019s first proclamation of Black History Month
\n\u2022 1988 \u2013 Nova Scotia observes its first Black History Month (renamed African Heritage Month in 1996)
\n\u2022 1995 \u2013 February is officially recognized as Black History Month in Canada after a motion introduced by Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament
\n\u2022 2008 \u2013 The Senate unanimously adopts a motion recognizing Black Canadians\u2019 contributions, introduced by Senator Donald Oliver<\/p>\n
Black History Month reminds us that Black history is not a separate story it is an essential part of the Canadian story.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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