‘Hear, share and learn about our past’
Cumberland Co. celebrates the importance of African history
The African Nova Scotian contribution to Cumberland County was recently celebrated during a ceremony and poster unveiling recognizing African Heritage Month.
The recognition took place at the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association’s office in downtown Amherst.
This year’s theme, Seas of Struggle – African Peoples from Shore to Shore, recognizes the resiliency, strength and determination and impact of people of African descent from the shores of Africa to the shores of Nova Scotia with the Atlantic Ocean being the lasting connection.
The theme highlights the role the sea has played in the long-standing history of people of African descent in the development of Canada and Nova Scotia. This year’s theme aligns with the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024.
Amherst Mayor David Kogon said it’s important to recognize the achievements of the African Nova Scotia community, which is why the town has participated in African (Black) Heritage Month for many years.
“Amherst town council strongly feels it is important to recognize the many contributions African Nova Scotians have made to our town and province,” Kogon, who also read a proclamation declaring February as African (Black) Heritage Month in Amherst, said.
Kogon said the theme goes a long way toward explaining how African Nova Scotians arrived on this side of the Atlantic against their will and their struggle dating back more than 400 years.
“Their struggles were real then and they’re real today,” Kogon said. “African Heritage Month allows us to hear, share and learn about our past from the African Nova Scotian perspective.”
The mayor said society must learn from its past so there is justice, inclusiveness and equity for all.
While much has been accomplished, Murray Scott, mayor of the Municipality of Cumberland, said there is more to do.
“African Nova Scotians have had a tremendous impact on our communities over the years, but there is one thing we should never lose sight of: there is lots more to do,” Scott said during the ceremony that was attended by municipal officials from Cumberland County and Amherst and supporters of the work being done by CANSA.
Scott read a proclamation declaring February to be African Heritage Month within the Municipality of Cumberland and presented a certificate to former CANSA executive director Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu for her years of service to the organization and people of Cumberland County.
Scott and District 2 Coun. Rod Gilroy also joined CANSA’s executive director Bernice Vance to raise a flag at the municipality’s Upper
“The theme is as powerful as the people of African ancestry who are global architects and designers of civilization, advancement and change.”
Crystal States Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs
Nappan Service Centre signifying African Heritage Month. The flag will fly through February.
Crystal States from the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs said this year’s theme speaks volumes.
“The theme is as powerful as the people of African ancestry who are global architects and designers of civilization, advancement and change,” States said.
States and Sumbu also unveiled a poster depicting this year’s theme.
By celebrating and recognizing African Heritage Month we can continue meaningful conversations and actions to combat antiBlack racism, balance out inequities and thrive toward just futures,” Sumbu said. “We all must share our stories, listen to others and learn to increase awareness and build understanding to develop new skills to address real community and workplace issues involving racial dynamics.”
The beginning of African Heritage Month can be traced back to 1926 when Harvard-educated Black historian Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week to recognize the achievements made by African Americans.
Woodson purposefully chose February because of the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln who were both key figures in the emancipation of enslaved Blacks.
Black History Month was first celebrated in Canada in 1950.