RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL | Carmel Kilkenny | Black families, that have lived in Nova Scotia for generations, will finally be getting titles to their land. “Freedom and a Farm” Tony Ince, the Atlantic province’s Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, addressed a press conference this morning with the news that the province had committed $2.7 million (Cdn) over two years, to help residents in five black communities obtain clear legal title to
UN report paints ugly portrait on anti-black racism in Canada
RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL | Terry Haig | A report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday paints a bleak picture of anti-black racism in Canada. Those include apologizing for slavery and to consider making reparations for historical injustices.Prepared by a UN working group that came to Canada last October, the report makes a series of recommendations to Canada’s federal government. (According to the 2006 Census by Statistics Canada, 783,795
Montreal International Black Film Festival set for its 13th edition
RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL | Terry Haig | The 13th edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival opens Wednesday–probably not a minute too soon, given the madness North Americans have been watching over the last year on their television screens’. Most of the 66 films from 25 countries share a common theme: ‘Speak Up’ as organizers put the focus on those those who refuse to be silenced in what they say is
More honours for Canadian who stood against segregation
RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL | Marc Montgomery | Long before America’s Rosa Parks, there was Canada’s Viola Desmond. Many people know of American Rosa Parks and cite her as the first to stand up for the civil rights of blacks in the U.S. But Rosa Parks is the American version of Canada’s Viola Desmond who initiated a civil rights case in Canada years earlier, one that has had lasting repercussions. In 1946 Viola Desmond
The black settlers of Alberta
RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL | Marc Montgomery | It is little known fact even within Canada that there was a small but vibrant group of black settlers in the western prairie province of Alberta. They weren’t really part of the well-known “Underground Railroad” but nonetheless were leaving behind discrimination in the US. Some blacks had arrived in the late 1880’s but settlers really only began to arrive in the still mostly untamed
An historic moment in hockey history; the all-black line
By Marc Montgomery It was an important moment, a breakthrough moment, in hockey history. It was however a fleeting and not well-known moment. Because of its “milestone” nature, it deserves more recognition. In 1970 for the first time in Canadian university hockey, the forward line were all black. Bob Dawson was one of those three players on the St Mary’s University team in Halifax Nova Scotia Bob Dawson is a
Soul on Ice: Black history in the NHL, documentary
By Carmel Kilkenny | ‘Soul on Ice: Past, Present and Future’ is the documentary that was a labour of love for filmmaker Damon Kwame Mason. The 46 year-old, who goes by his middle name, played hockey for two years while growing in Toronto and has a passion for the sport, like a lot of Canadians. But as a young black player, he says he didn’t really understand the game. Mason
Bringing Canadian black history and experience to schoolkids across Canada
By Marc Montgomery | It began several years ago as a non-profit project to provide access to the arts for underprivileged youth, called Overture with the Arts. It was created by Akilah Newton, who later added an important aspect in connection with Black History Month. That was to bring in her very talented twin brother Omari. Omari Newton is an actor with an impressive record of TV and film appearances. He
Black Diamond Ball: a gala celebration of the African-Canadian community
The Black Diamond Ball had its inaugural event last February. This year, the soiree on the last weekend of February, Saturday the 25th, is presented again by TD & ArtXperiential Projects.
Canadian blogger Casey Palmer on black experience stories.
By day, Casey Palmer works in the Ontario Public Service, but by night, he’s become a popular blogger reflecting on a number of issues of daily life.