February is recognized internationally as African Heritage Month – a time to celebrate and share the culture, history and achievements of people of African descent from all over the world. The African Heritage Month 2022 theme, Through Our Eyes: The Voices of African Nova Scotians, recognizes the legacies of people of African descent through first voice, lived realities and experiences. The theme is also reflected in the United Nations’ declaration of the International Decade of People of African Descent from 2015 to 2024, which embraces the themes of recognition, justice and development.
Throughout the school year, and especially in February, teachers incorporate a variety of educational lessons in their classroom instruction that focus on the history, culture and achievements of people of African descent. African Heritage Month provides another opportunity for all of us to join in the celebration and promotion of the culture, legacy, achievements, and contributions of people of African descent in Nova Scotia – past and present.
The SRCE has designated the week of February 7 to 11, 2022, as Black Lives Matter Week in schools. During this week, teachers will incorporate the Re-Imagine African Heritage Month resources in a variety of thought-provoking educational lessons in their classroom instruction to support student learning as they listen to one another’s perspectives, interpretation and views of the world; learn about our shared history; share and celebrate cultures; and discuss ways to act to make our communities a better place for all. These learning opportunities will highlight the connection of our past to today and how this information shapes and enhances our understanding. This is also the perfect time for each of us to reflect on our shared history and understanding of the contributions and traditions of people of African descent.
These initiatives also align well with the SRCE System Improvement Plan goal to foster student well-being through the creation of safe, positive, inclusive and culturally responsive learning and work environments.
The Strait Regional Centre for Education encourages students, families, staff and community members to share in the celebration of African Heritage Month 2022.
There are valuable educational resources about African History at our disposal. The on-line resources listed below that will provide information and insight into the contributions of people of African heritage in Nova Scotia, Canada and the world.
African Canadian Services Branch
African Nova Scotian Affairs
Afrikan Canadian Heritage and Friendship Centre
Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia
Black History in Canada (Library and Archives Canada)
Black History in Canada - Kayak
Black Loyalists: Our History, Our People
Canadian Black History for Kids - For Librarian Technicians
Canadian Heritage: Black History Organizations and Educational Resources
Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute
Department of Canadian Heritage - Government of Canada
Historica Canada
Inspirational Black Canadians - ELLE Magazine
Looking Back, Moving Forward: Documenting the Heritage of African Nova Scotians (Nova Scotia Archives)
Museum of Industry - “Remembering Black Loyalists, Black Communities" Program
Nova Scotia Archives Heritage Exhibit
Noteworthy Historical Figures - Government of Canada
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Quotes
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - The King Center
Rights Revolution in Canada (Canadian Encyclopedia)
Slavery and its Gradual Abolition in Upper Canada
Speak It! From the Heart of Black Nova Scotia
The Canadian Encyclopedia – Viola Desmond
[NOTE: The above links are provided for information purposes only. The Strait Regional Centre for Education is not responsible for the information contained in these resource links.]
