Ways to Spend Emancipation Day
We would like to celebrate this first Emancipation Day by lifting up and celebrating a small sample of the impactful Black Atlantic organizations / history / change makers and events that we are privileged to know about.
Halifax Events
As this year marks the inaugural Emancipation Day in Halifax, the municipality will be joining others across our region to observe this special and important day. Some events scheduled for the week include:
- Official Proclamation by the Mayor on behalf of regional council | Tuesday, July 27
- Emancipation and Liberation: Where Do We Go From Here? Featuring Dr. Afua Cooper | Wednesday, July 28, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Raising of the Pan-African Flag at Grand Parade | Friday, July 30 at 10 a.m.
- An evening variety show to celebrate Emancipation Day hosted by GameChangers902 in partnership with Civic Events and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion/ANSAIO | Sunday, August 1, 6-9 p.m. at Grand Parade.
Fredericton: Emancipation Celebration
https://allevents.in/fredericton/emancipation-celebration/200021304048546
Starting at Fredericton’s City Hall at 12pm there will be speeches followed by a March beginning at 12:50 to the Legislature where we will have a free BBQ, a Photobooth, and Live Music for everyone!
We encourage you to bring your friends, family and enjoy this day of celebration in the community:
City Hall: 12:00 – 12:50 March: 12:50 – 1:15 Legislature: 1:15 – 3:00
A collection of Black-led organizations are coming together in Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick, to bring together Black communities from all across the province.
Emancipation Day (Virtual) Fun Run/Walk
https://raceroster.com/events/2021/48936/emancipation-day-fun-runwalk
Mekisha Johnson, one of the co-founders of BLM – In this Together, created this event to honour Emancipation Day. You can participate from anywhere, but there are routes defined within African Nova Scotian communities you can choose to follow.
Tomlinson Lake Hike to Freedom (NB)
https://www.nbblackhistorysociety.org/post/tomlinson-lake-hike-to-freedom
The Tomlinson Lake Hike to Freedom represents a little known part of New Brunswick history. In the mid-1800’s people trying to escape slavery used the Underground Railroad to head north to Canada. Canada abolished slavery in 1834, thirty years prior to the US, so Canada was seen as a safe place. The Tomlinson Lake Hike to Freedom Trail is one of the terminuses of the Underground Railroad. There are several detailed interpretive signs along the trails telling about the history.
Visit the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre (NS)
Check the hours before you go, but August is a great time to learn more about the Black Loyalists who came to live in Nova Scotia for the promises of freedom and land as reward for their loyalty to the crown. No spoilers, but promises were not fulfilled as stated.
Visit the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia
The genesis of the Black Cultural Centre lay in a proposal put forward in 1972 by Reverend Dr. William Pearly Oliver for the creation of a Cultural Educational Centre to meet the needs and aspirations of the Black Communities of Nova Scotia. Established in 1983, to Protect, Preserve and Promote the history and culture of African Nova Scotians. The Centre is a museum and cultural gathering place, where the rich history of Canada’s oldest and long standing Black communities can be discovered and explored.
NS Public Libraries Reading List
https://novascotia.overdrive.com/collection/1227575
Binge-watch Diggstown
Wikipedia says: Diggstown is a Canadian legal drama television series created by Floyd Kane, a writer and lawyer who grew up in East Preston. The first Canadian drama series to feature a Black Canadian woman as its lead character, the series stars Vinessa Antoine as Marcie Diggs, a lawyer who leaves her high-powered corporate job to work for a legal aid clinic in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, after her aunt commits suicide. It is shot in Halifax.
Maple Leaf icon by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
Man – Photo by PNW Production from Pexels
Photo by Monstera from Pexels
Find an entirely, completely, not even close to comprehensive list of Black Atlantic Canadian organizations and individuals worth knowing about here:
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