In recognition of February’s Black History Month, schools in the Halton District School Board have planned events and initiatives to celebrate and honour the contributions of black Canadians, past and present.
“Black History Month is more than the reflective stories of the Black Diaspora from the past,” said Yaw Obeng, Superintendent of Education with the Halton District School Board. “We recognize the month as an opportunity to initiate aspects of Canadian history throughout the entire year that includes the contributions of people of African descent. Our goal should be that, someday, we have Canadian history presented in an inclusive manner in which there is no need for a special month.”
Some of the things schools are doing include:
- Tiger Jeet Singh Public School (650 Yates Drive, Milton): On Wednesday, February 5, the school is hosting a guest speaker to talk about African culture from Passages Canada, a storytelling initiative of Historica Canada, in which volunteers share their personal accounts of cultural identity and heritage.
- King's Road Public School (660 Greenwood Drive, Burlington): On Tuesday, February 11, the school is hosting a special Canadian history presentation from the performance group, I Am Compelled, that uses media and theatre to bring Canadian history to life
- James W. Hill Public School (2860 Kingsway Drive, Oakville): On Wednesday, February 19, Drums et al will provide two performances for students that celebrate African culture.
- Milton District High School: On Wednesday, February 19, a tribute to the late Nelson Mandela will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Presented, with the cooperation of the Milton District High School, the school’s parent council, the Mandela Legacy Committee and television personality Indira Naidoo-Harris, the night will include music, videos and personal recollections featuring several special guests.
- Craig Kielburger Secondary School (1151 Ferguson Drive, Milton): On Friday, February 21, the school will hold an assembly in which students will perform drums, music and reading steeped in African history, culminating with an African dance troop performance.
- Montclair Public School (1285 Montclair Drive, Oakville): Students have been learning about black history month in multicultural club and have chosen important figures to research to be included in a black history display in front of the school office.
In collaboration with the Halton Catholic District School Board, the award winning-documentary, On Prom Night in Mississippi, will be shown on Thursday, February 12 at Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School (5150 Upper Middle Road in Burlington) starting at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Film director Paul Saltzman will be on hand for a discussion afterward. (The film is recommended for Grades 7-12 students).
Other events include an African drumming circle, to be held at the Milton Public Library, on Saturday February 15, starting at 3 p.m. Trinidad-born drummer~Muhtadi and Toronto writer/poet Greg~Frankson will be performing.
Every year, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of black Canadians, past and present. Canadians take this time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation it is today. During Black History Month Canadians can gain insight into the experiences of black Canadians and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history.