Every February, we celebrate Black History Month in Halton and across Canada to recognize the many achievements and contributions Black Canadians continue to bring to our communities. Its themed events, festivals, exhibits and more encourage us to acknowledge our history, including the struggles an d challenges, and honour the heritage, traditions and cultures of Black Canadians past and present.
The Federal Government officially recognized (external link) Black History Month in 1995, following a motion introduced by the Honourable Jean Augustine (external link) – the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament. In addition to its celebration of culture, it serves as an important reminder to continue building an inclusive and equitable society that welcomes everyone.
Here are some ways to celebrate Black History Month this year:
Participate in virtual events
- Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton – Black History Month Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday February 2, 2022 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Milton Public Library – Laurier Milton Lecture Series: African Girls and Activism in Ontario High Schools (external link) on Wednesday, February 9 at 7 p.m.
- Milton Public Library – Black History Month Virtual Author Visit: Lawrence Hill (external link) on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
- Toronto Public Library – Virtual Black History Month events (external link) on Monday, February 7, Wednesday, February 16 and Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Learn about local Black History
- Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton – Oakville’s Black History
- Halton Hills Public Library – Online exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of Henry Thomas Sheperd
Educational readings
- The Pervasive Reality of Anti-Black Racism in Canada (external link)
- Halton Hills Public Library – Recommended readings for children, teens and adults (external link)
- Burlington Public Library – Booklist: Black Lives Matter (external link) and Booklist: Black History Month for Children (external link)
Watch relevant videos
- CBC – Black History in Canada: a live, interactive roundtable (video>
- CBC – The Skin We’re In: Pulling back the curtain on racism in Canada (video)
- CBC News – Being Black in Canada (video)
- TED – The breathtaking courage of Harriet Tubman (video)
If you are interested in learning more about local organizations and resources, the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (external link) (CCAH) provides many valuable programs and services to promote diversity, inclusion and cultural development. The CCAH has also preserved historical accounts about Halton’s Black Community, and I encourage you to connect with them to learn more about the history of Black Canadians in Halton.
At Halton Region, we are working collectively with employees at all levels to demonstrate our commitment to challenging and eradicating anti-Black racism and promoting equity. By working towards a more inclusive community for all and acknowledging and celebrating the many contributions of Black Canadians, we can help keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. To learn more about Black History Month in Canada and the transformative work by Black Canadians, visit canada.ca (external link).