Black History Month 2012
The Workers of Colour recognize Black History
Month as a month for all Canadians to acknowledge the past and
present contributions of African Canadians and their vast
contributions to the social economic, political and cultural
life of Canada.
Why is there a Black History Month?
Although African-Canadians have been present in
Canada since the early 1600’s, their contributions and histories
have often been omitted from the official record. For example,
there is little general awareness that:
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there have been many wartime sacrifices made by Black
soldiers extending as far back as the War of 1812
Even more than correcting official accounts of
Canadian history, Black History Month serves as a reminder that
African-Canadians have also been at the forefront of the
struggle for human rights, social justice and equality in
Canada.
What is the History of Black History Month?
Black History Month began in the United States
as “Negro History Week” in February 1926 through the work of
African-American scholar, Dr. Carter Woodson, who proposed the
week as an observance in honor of the accomplishments of Black
Americans. In the 1960’s, the United States began to formally
celebrate black history month. Through community events and
activities, organizers sought to present a more balanced and
accurate picture of black History.
In 1979, Toronto became the first Municipality
within Canada to proclaim Black Month through the efforts of
many organizations and individuals such as the Ontario Black
History Society. In 1995, the House of Commons officially
recognized Black History Month following a motion introduced by
the first Black Canadian woman elected to parliament—the
Honorable Jean
Augustine. In February 2008, Senator David
Oliver, the first black man appointed to the Senate, introduced
a motion to have the senate officially recognize February as
Black History Month. The motion received unanimous approval.
About the Black History Month Legacy Poster
Series
The Legacy posters are based on painted collages
created by Black-Canadian artist Robert Small. The series,
beginning in 1998, commemorates Black History Month and profiles
Black Canadians and their social, political and cultural
achievements and contributions to Canada. For 2012, the Legacy
poster profiles the achievements Black Canadian educators and
academics.
The 2012 Legacy Black History Profiles :
“Dedication to Tomorrow”
Dr. Henry Bishop
Born in Weymouth Falls, Digby Co. Nova Scotia,
Dr. Henry Bishop is currently the Chief Curator & Artistic
Coordinator of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia. Dr.
Bishop is active in developing unique educational programs for
schools and social agencies. In 1985 Dr. Bishop co-curated the
nationally traveled exhibition "Africville, a Spirit That Lives
On" and he has co-published two children's books. He is an
artist ,avid reader, historian, and a cultural musician
specializing in African Drumming.
Dr. Agnes Calliste
A former associate Professor in the department
of sociology and anthropology at St. Francis Xavier University,
Dr. Agnes Calliste is a nationally and internationally
celebrated academic. Her scholarship has focused on the complex
interrelation of work, race, ethnicity and gender in Canada. Her
groundbreaking research with African-Canadian railway porters
and Caribbean-Canadian nurses has explored previously unexamined
dimensions of our social history. Dr. Calliste has also studied
the institutionalized oppression of such communities, but also
their organized resistance.
Dr. George Dei
A current Professor in the Department of
Sociology and Equity Studies in Education at the University of
Toronto. Between 2002-2007, Dr. Dei was Chair of the Department
of Sociology and Equity Studies. He also served as the first
Director of the Centre for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies (CIARS)
at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
(OISE)/University of Toronto (1996-2000), and is a Research
Associate at the Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on
Immigration & Settlement (since 1998). IN 2007, Dei was
enstolled as a traditional Chief in Ghana has inherited the
royal ancestral stool from his late uncle, Nana Omono Anane
Asamoah, the Odikro of Asokorekuma, and Adwumakwaahene of Asokore in
the New Juaben Traditional Area of Ghana. Dr. George Dei's stool
name is Nana Sefa Atweneboah I.
Itah Sadu
An internationally known story-teller, cultural
animator, author, and keynote speaker. She is one of Canada’s
best-known story-tellers, who captures the imagination of
children and adults. She has performed across Canada, Africa,
Europe, the U.S. and the Caribbean. She has also led various
initiatives to name spaces (i.e. collections and benches) in
honor of African-Canadians in the City of Toronto. Itah is the
author of many best-selling children’s books and has received
several awards for her work. She co-owns the successful Canadian
bookstore, A Different Booklist, located in Downtown Toronto.
BaKari E. Linsday
A dancer, choreographer, researcher, singer,
musician, and costume designer/maker. He studied at the Alvin
Ailey American Dance Theater, The School of Toronto Dance
Theatre on scholarship and with various teachers from the
Caribbean and the African Continent, and holds a Masters Degree
in Dance Ethnology, and Bachelors of Education degree from York
University. Lindsay is the Co-founder of COBA (Collective Of
Black Artists) and an educator with the Toronto District School
Board.
2011 International Year for People of African Descent
In recognition of Black History Month, the Workers of Colour
call attention to the United Nations proclamation for 2011 the International
Year for People of African Descent.
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