Celebrating Achievements

African Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of African Nova Scotians in the province. It's a time to look back and look forward.

The office of African Nova Scotian Affairs celebrated one year of operations in its Halifax office and with a satellite office in Cape Breton opening this spring, African Heritage month is a perfect time for the office to celebrate its achievements.

"One of our goals is to be a partner in developing innovative solutions that lead to self reliance and sustainable development for African Nova Scotians and their communities," said Barry Barnet, Minister of the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs. "And in just a year, we've been able to assist more than 50 community groups or organizations in this regard; that's quite an accomplishment."

The office assisted in the formation of the African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes; is helping the Africville Genealogy Society in its goal to establish a church and interpretive centre on the former site of the African Nova Scotian community, now Seaview Park; helped the Black Loyalist Heritage Society's recovery efforts after a fire destroyed their office and files and continues support; assisted the Black Cultural Centre with a business plan for sustainability; continues work with the Black Employment Partnership Committee and the U.N.I.A. Hall (United Negro Improvement Association) in Cape Breton, assisted in establishing the Greenville Community Hall in Yarmouth, organized and hosted roundtables with key community groups and invited members of various government departments and agencies to create dialogue around future partnerships.

There are seven staff members at the Halifax office and they sit on 12 government interdepartmental groups. They have partnered with the Department of Education's African Canadian Services Division with the Imhotep's Legacy program (math and science program for African Nova Scotian learners), Transition Year Program at the Nova Scotia Community college, and Positive Parenting workshops in the regions. The office has representation on the Department of Economic Development's Community Development Advisory Group and the Public Service Commission's Diversity Round Table in an attempt to create greater access to employment within government for African Nova Scotians.

The province's heritage strategy required voices from all Nova Scotians and the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs partnered with the Voluntary Planning Board on its heritage strategy by conducting focus groups in African Nova Scotian communities.

"One exciting program we're about to launch is our primary reference groups. These groups will strengthen the knowledge and skills of staff and give the community another avenue for input," said Mr. Barnet. "The first two in development are around youth and another on community development".

The office has produced an information booklet, poster and brochure and produces a quarterly newsletter to keep community informed about its activities. The Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs website and toll-free number are also ways in which the community can connect with the office.

See the accountability report on the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs website at www.gov.ns.ca/ansa . Click the link on the home page.