Historic African Nova Scotian Community Combines Civic Business and Celebration

It is a celebration that honours the past, while helping to conduct the business of the present.

For eight years, the Annapolis municipal council has paid tribute to its region's unique heritage, and to African Heritage Month, by holding its regular February session in the historic Black community of Inglewood, Annapolis Co.

Inglewood is one of the Nova Scotia sites where Black Loyalists settled after siding with the British and fleeing slavery during the American revolution.

"The Municipality of Annapolis County has come up with a distinctive way of joining civic business and a cultural celebration," said Barry Barnet, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, who brought greetings from the province to the meeting today, Feb. 21, in the Inglewood Community Hall. "It is my hope that the Annapolis municipal council will continue to come up with unique ways to engage community members in municipal matters and activities."

Mr. Barnet also encouraged audience members to recognize and celebrate, now and throughout the year, the many achievements and contributions of African Nova Scotians to the province. He said all Nova Scotians can find new and distinctive ways to contribute to their communities civically, culturally or both.

Along with regular civic business, today's meeting agenda also included the singing of the black national anthem and a re-enactment of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.