FEBRUARY 3, 2009

ONTARIO SUPPORTS BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITIES

 

 

NEWS

Ontario helped launch Black History Month at the North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre in Amherstburg.

Black History Month, marked each February across North America, is an opportunity to learn about and honour the contributions of African-Canadians to the province’s culture and heritage. The theme of this year’s celebrations is “The Legacy of our Leaders.”

Through the Provincial Heritage Organization Grant Program and the Ontario Arts Council, the province is supporting a range of Black History Month activities during February, including:

• A tour of 20 Ontario public schools by Ballet Creole, a professional dance company and school dedicated to traditional and contemporary Caribbean and African dance forms.
• Kuumba, a festival of music, arts and dance at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre.
• Performances by the internationally acclaimed Nathaniel Dett Chorale of the program “Voices of the Diaspora… Dett to Africa” in Toronto February 25 and 28.

QUOTES

“Southwestern Ontario, and particularly Essex County, has been blessed with a large and vibrant African-Canadian community from the beginning,” said Bruce Crozier, MPP for Essex.

“Our focus is the Underground Railroad, and the accomplishments of people of African origin who helped shape this country,” said North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre administrator Kenn Stanton. “Here, every month is Black History Month.”

“The Ontario government is pleased to support Black History Month activities that do so much to recognize the heritage of African Canadians and enrich our common culture,” said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll. 

QUICK FACTS

• 2009 is the 30th anniversary of official commemorations of Black History Month in the province. It was first marked in Toronto in 1979.

• The North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre includes Canada’s first Black heritage location to be designated a National Historic Site.

 

LEARN MORE

About the Ontario Black History Society.

Plan a visit to the North American Black Historical Museum.

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Contacts:
Sarah Petrevan, Minister’s Office, 416 325-1676
Anna-Maria Mountfort, Communications Branch, 416 314-3497