This page was prepared, updated, and featured throughout the month of February. It will now most likely stay relatively dormant until next year.
Black History matters year-round. Below are tons of interesting and important learning resources to explore.
February marks Black History Month, a time designated to recognize and honour the accomplishments and contributions of members of the Black community in our society.
Throughout the month of February, we are featuring a number of resources with the purpose of acknowledging, celebrating, and providing new knowledge.
Yet again last month, we were reminded of the impact that anti-Black racism and injustice has in our society, not only in the United States, but here in Canada, and more specifically within our individual communities. The ongoing deaths resulting from police actions have brought to the forefront the reality that systemic racism continues to exist and the profound and tragic impact it has on the lives and communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.
The Western Québec School Board is committed to inclusion, justice, and equity. We understand and acknowledge that there is work to be done within our learning community, as it is fundamentally important to stand together to battle all forms of racism and discrimination. We recognize the experiences of our communities and are committed to listening, responding and supporting our students, families and communities.
Our expectation is that every member of the Western Québec community confronts racism, oppression, injustice, and hate, in a collective effort to not only respect and protect the rights of all our citizens, but also to educate the students moving through our system. To do this we will continue to engage our community partners in providing us with guidance and direction; to provide staff with cultural competence and cultural security training and structure opportunities for voice.
It is only through this collective effort and education that we will move toward a society where no one is subjected to systemic racism and discrimination.
Learning Resources
Black History in Canada Education Guide | The Canadian Encyclopedia
This Education Guide explores seminal events and personalities in Black Canadian history through engaging discussion and interactive activities. Structured around themes of journey, slavery, human rights, passage to Canada and contemporary culture, this Guide asks students to examine issues of identity, equality, community, and nation-building in both a historical and contemporary context.
Black History in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia
Black history refers to the stories, experiences, and accomplishments of people of African origin. Black history did not begin in recent times in Canada, but in ancient times in Africa. People connected by their common African history and ancestry have created Black history here. The African-Canadian population is made up of individuals from a range of places across the globe including the United States, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Canada.
- Continue reading
- Test your knowledge of Black History in Canada: Easy – Medium – Hard
Being Black in Canada | CBC News
Being Black in Canada offers a window into the struggles while celebrating the culture and achievements of the Black communities. With its focus on the diverse stories and experiences of Black Canadians, and a breadth of content in many formats, it will help expand everyone’s knowledge and understanding of the Black communities and with it build the pride and appreciation they so richly deserve.
Black Communities in Canada: A Rich History | NFB
The National Film Board has selected a group of films that portray the multi-layered lives of Canada’s diverse Black communities. The incredible stories of strength, courage and perseverance in the face of adversity that these films present are not often found in mainstream history books.
28 Moments of Black Canadian History | Unilearnal
When it comes to Black Canadian History, what do you know?
Perhaps you only recently heard of Viola Desmond, the incredible Black woman who refused to move from the whites-only section in a theatre in Nova Scotia – but might this be the extent of your knowledge?
- Lincoln Alexander
- Jean Augustine
- Fred Christie
- Carrie Best
- ‘Deemed Unsustainable’ Immigration Policy
- Black Loyalists
- Black Beauty Culture
- Willy O’Ree
- Oscar Peterson
- Afro-Canadian Church Music of the 19th Century
- Maestro Fresh Wes & Rap in Canada
- Harry Winston Jerome
- Mifflin Wistar Gibbs
- Anderson Abbott
- The Underground Railroad and Oakville
- Jamaican Maroons
The story of Africville | Canadian Museum of Human Rights
Because of racism, Black settlers were pushed to the margins of society and forced to live on the most inhospitable land. Despite this, they persevered, developing strong, vibrant communities. Africville was one such place.
Instead of providing proper municipal services to the community, the City of Halifax decided to relocate the residents of Africville. The City said it wanted to build industry and infrastructure in the area. But it also used the language of human rights, claiming that relocation would improve the standard of living for residents. Before this decision was made, there was no meaningful consultation with residents of Africville to gather their views.
Black History Matters | African Nova Scotian Affairs
Nova Scotia has over 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. African Heritage Month provides us with another opportunity to celebrate our culture, legacy, achievements, and contributions of people of African Descent – past and present.
One woman’s resistance, the Viola Desmond story | Canadian Museum of Human Rights
Unaware that a theatre was segregated, the Black Nova Scotian chose a main‐floor seat. When she refused to move to the balcony, where Black patrons were expected to sit, she was arrested and dragged out of the theatre. For many people, the story would have ended there…
Focus on Black Filmmakers | NFB
Celebrate Black Canadian cinema with the NFB. Explore our free collection of titles from Black filmmakers across Canada, showcasing an extensive selection of stories told from Black perspectives.
The image above is from Tales of Sand and Snow, in which an African filmmaker from the Gourmantche tribe of Burkina Faso rediscovers the spiritual values of his own people when visiting the Atikamekw of Northern Quebec.
Leading Black Voices | CBC Ottawa
Last February, CBC Ottawa launched Leading Black Voices, a digital conversation series highlighting and celebrating the everyday thought leaders who are at the forefront of discussions impacting their community, leading initiatives to move the dial from a grassroots level, to broad sweeping change within the Black community in the areas of Health and Wellness, STEM, Urban Planning, and inspiring Immigrant journeys.
Visit this page all month long, as we touch on an important theme each week inspiring us to reflect on the ways in which we can collectively celebrate Black History Month everyday.
Cross Training the Minds of our Students – The Importance of Representation in our Schools and on the Fields | Carlos Brown
Carlos Brown, the former head coach of Symmes Jr & D’Arcy McGee High Schools, talks about how to recognize and overcome racism, using his life experiences in sports and the school system as a model.
Let’s do our part one kind act at a time | Sheridon Baptiste
In his talk titled “Let’s do our part one kind act at a time”, three-time bobsleigh olympian Sheridon Baptiste shares what racism has looked like and continues to look like for him, as a highly successful Black man.
Baptiste attended Queen’s University in the late 80s, is a member of the Track & Field Hall of Fame, was a member of Canada’s national track team for many years, and is now the Healthy-Living Coordinator at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre here in Ottawa.
Black History Month | Canada.ca
Among other features, it includes a series of short videos about Black History in Canada. From the Canadian Government.
Canadian Black History Resources | Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers
Browse the collection of learning resources our teachers’ union, QPAT-APEQ has put together.
Series of webinars for Black History Month | MacEwen University:
- ‘…Still Not Considered…’ by Deborah Dobbins – This covers the historical and present-day challenges of living in Alberta as an African American Albertan descendant
- The Many Faces of Me by Cathryn Heslep – The story of a Canadian black woman working in higher education
- Countering Anti-Black Racism – Student Forum
Meet the man who created Black History Month | CTV News
Carter G. Woodson, considered a pioneer in the study of African-American history, is given much of the credit for Black History Month. Curious as to why?
Human Dignity, a lesson plan | Speak Truth to Power Canada
The overall goal of Speak Truth to Power Canada is to raise student awareness that advances in human rights come through the actions of individuals.
Through this lesson, students will be knowledgeable of the role played by Black people in Canada’s history to present day, understand that racism of any kind has no place in today’s society, and realize that human dignity is affected by other forms of discrimination based on culture, religion and socioeconomic factors.
British Columbia’s Black Pioneers | Digital Museums Canada
Their story is unlike any other story in Canada. As the Fraser Gold Rush was heightening, the British desperately needed settlers and they needed them quickly, settlers who could help to cement Victoria, the capital of the Colony of Vancouver Island, as a British administrative, business and mining hub, thwarting any attempts by the Americans to assert territorial authority.
Learn & Participate: Decade for People of African Descent | United Nations
The UN recognizes that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected. Its theme for the International Decade is “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development.”
The untold story of ‘Auntie’ Annie Saunders in southern Alberta | Global News
The story of “Auntie” Annie Saunders is one of true grit and independence in the history of southern Alberta.
Sleeping Car Porters in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia
The vast majority of sleeping car porters were Black men and the position was one of only a few job opportunities available to Black men in Canada. While the position carried respect and prestige for Black men in their communities, the work demanded long hours for little pay.
Contribute
You can send your suggestions of BHM resources to fraymond@wqsb.qc.ca.
Black Icons
Learn more about each of these Black personalities, and the difference that they made, by following the links under their polaroids.
