African Heritage Month Celebrations Begin
The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia in Cherry Brook, Halifax Regional Municipality, shares the history and culture of African Nova Scotians (Communications Nova Scotia / File)
Nova Scotia recognizes February as African Heritage Month each year to celebrate the dynamic culture and rich heritage of the province’s African Nova Scotian communities.
The official proclamation for the month was held at Province House today, January 23, with Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc and African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Twila Grosse.
“Over the coming month, the Province will recognize leaders and moments in history that have defined the culture and heritage of African Nova Scotian communities,” said Lt.-Gov. LeBlanc. “We celebrate their indomitable spirits and strength, while recognizing that resilience thrives where there is accountability.”
African Heritage Month includes both commemoration of the past struggles and tragedies that have faced the African Nova Scotian community and celebration of African Nova Scotians’ unique and enduring contributions to the province to this day.
“As we celebrate African Heritage Month, we are reminded of the remarkable journey of our 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities and the various journeys of people of African descent who now call Nova Scotia home – these journeys are defined by resilience, wisdom and hope,” said Twila Grosse, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. “We continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of African Nova Scotians are heard, their rights respected and their contributions celebrated not just during this month, but every day of the year.”
Events and celebrations will be held throughout the province. Nova Scotians are encouraged to learn more about the month and the events by visiting https://ansa.novascotia.ca/african-heritage-month
The provincial launch is available to watch at: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanNSAffairs and https://www.youtube.com/nsgov
Quotes:
“As we recognize the 40th anniversary of the celebration of African Heritage Month here in Nova Scotia, the theme selected for this year – Our Smiles, Our Joy, Our Resilience as African Nova Scotians – is embodied in the joy and pride that is felt when we share our history and culture – a culture that highlights the resilience of the Black Nova Scotian community that has survived and thrived over 400 years here in Nova Scotia.”
— Crystal D. Mulder, co-Chair, Black History Month Association
Quick Facts:
- the first Black History Month in Nova Scotia was observed in 1988 and renamed African Heritage Month in 1996
- the African Heritage Month Information Network is a partnership with several African Nova Scotian organizations
- there are 52 historical African Nova Scotian communities
- 2.4 per cent of Nova Scotians identify as African Nova Scotian
- 71.8 per cent of African Nova Scotians have roots in the province going back three generations or more
Additional Resources:
African Nova Scotian Affairs:
- website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/african-nova-scotian-affairs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanNSAffairs
- X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/OfficeofANSA
Count Us In: Nova Scotia’s Action Plan in Response to the International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015-2024: https://ansa.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/dpad-action-plan.pdf
International Decade for People of African Descent: https://www.un.org/en/observances/decade-people-african-descent