African Heritage Month launch ‘ inspirational celebration’
Municipal proclamation event held Feb. 2 at Black Loyalist Heritage Center in Birchtown
The launch of African Heritage Month at the Black Loyalist Heritage Center in Birchtown on Feb. 2 was an ‘inspirational celebration’ that brought together municipal leaders, provincial and federal politicians, top ranking RCMP officers, school children and members of the community at large.
With the names of the Black Loyalist settlers as sentinel throughout the building, the setting couldn’t have been more appropriate.
Spirituals were sung by the Lockeport Elementary School Choir, a skit was performed by Black Loyalist Heritage Society member Louise Delisle, and words were spoken proclaiming and supporting the 2018 African Heritage Month theme to “Educate, Unite, Celebrate Community,” as well as the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024).
South Shore- St. Margaret’s MP Bernadette Jordan called the Black Loyalist Heritage Center “a place of reference and remembrance,” encouraging people to “recognize that our diversity adds to our strength.”
Queens- Shelburne MLA Kim Masland called the Municipal Proclamation Launch for African Heritage Month an “inspirational celebration” that united Shelburne County’s five municipal units, the province, federal representatives and the community. The theme, Educate, Unite, Celebrate Community “instils in us the desire to be members of a society that embraces all people and celebrates diversity,” she said.
Tony Ince, Minister of African Nova Scotia Affairs and the Public Service Commission, was also on hand. “My main message for all of us is to be educated and learn about the contributions African Nova Scotians have made, not only in Nova Scotia, but all of Canada,” said Ince in an interview. “In Nova Scotia we have so many firsts that have gone from here right across the country nationally and internationally that have had an impact on society.”
See AFRICAN HERITAGE, B2 Black Loyalist Heritage Society’s Programming and Outreach Coordinator Vanessa Fells sings Lift Every Voice and Sing, the Black American National Anthem during the Municipal Proclamation Launch for African Heritage Month at the Black Loyalist Heritage Center on Feb. 2. Shelburne County municipal leaders along with South Shore St. Margaret’s MP Bernadette Jordan (right) jointly read the 2018 African Heritage Month proclamation during the Municipal Proclamation Launch for African Heritage Month at the Black Loyalist Heritage Center on Feb. 2. From left: Shelburne Municipal Warden Penny Smith, Barrington Municipal Warden Eddie Nickerson, Town of Shelburne Mayor Karen Mattatall; Lockeport town councillor Kent Balish, and Town of Clark’s Harbour Mayor Leigh Stoddart. Minister of African Nova Scotia Affairs Tony Ince and Shelburne Municipal Warden Penny Smith unveil the poster for African Heritage Month during the Municipal Proclamation Launch for African Heritage Month at the Black Loyalist Heritage Center on Feb. 2. President of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society, Charles (Chuck) Smith, director Barb Falk and 2nd vice-president Dr. Elizabeth Cromwell share a laugh at the Municipal Proclamation Launch celebration for African Heritage Month at the Black Loyalist Heritage Center.