SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Black History Month
February 8, 2021
Honourable senators, Nova Scotia rapper Classified captures the mood of the nation in his lyrics:
I’ve been waiting for some good news
For the clouds to part and the light to shine through
I wanna wake up to a better tomorrow . . .
It’s about time for some good news
February is Black History Month in Canada and African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia. Today, I would like to share some good news about African Nova Scotians.
Sierra Sparks, originally of Cherry Brook, is the ninety-second Dalhousie University Rhodes Scholar. She’ll be Oxford-bound to study pre-biomedical engineering.
Halifax actor Eli Goree has been earning rave reviews for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in the film One Night in Miami.
Dr. Charmaine Nelson, Canada’s only Black art history professor, will use her new position as a Canada Research Chair to develop the Institute for the Study of Canadian Slavery at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
Shawna Paris-Hoyte was named to the Order of Nova Scotia. This worthy lawyer, social worker, educator and advocate facilitated the first Black inmate forum and founded the National Institute for Forensic Social Work.
The Gloria Fisher Business Person of the Year Award was given to Samantha Dixon Slawter. A business and community leader, Samantha is dedicated to educating Nova Scotians about the cultural significance of Black hair and beauty.
Sylvia Parris-Drummond, CEO of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute, which is dedicated to Afrocentric learning and research, won the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award in the Social Change category.
Tara Reddick, nationally acclaimed Antigonish playwright, actor and mother of four, received the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership, Racial Justice Leadership Grant at St. Francis Xavier University, for her “Speak, Change & Uplift” podcast series on experiences of Black motherhood and activism.
Celebrated spoken-word poet Andre Fenton released his second novel Annaka.
Kelsey Jones, director of Dalhousie law school’s Indigenous Blacks and Mi’kmaq Initiative, recently accepted the Canadian Bar Association – Nova Scotia Branch’s Excellence in Equity and Diversity Award on behalf of the institute.
Halifax city councillor Lindell Smith has been appointed as the new chair of the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners.
Finally, Reverend Dr. Rhonda Britton became the first woman of colour to be the president of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada.
With over 50 historic African-Nova Scotian communities dating back over 400 years, there are many people we could be celebrating. Colleagues, please join me in congratulating these African-Nova Scotian leaders mentioned today for being that light that shines through. Yes, indeed, you are the good news.
Honourable senators, I rise today to highlight Black History Month and the role that Black Canadians have had in agriculture.
Every February, Canadians are invited 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.
Agriculture, as one of Canada’s oldest industries, has a history as vast and diverse as our country. In fact, agriculture existed on these lands long before Confederation. Indigenous peoples across the continent farmed the land for centuries before the first Europeans arrived. Later, French Acadians found the Maritimes particularly suitable for marshland farming and dairy production.
Unfortunately, few studies have examined and analyzed the historical role of Black Canadians in agriculture. Black farmers have a long history in Canada going as far back as Guysborough, Nova Scotia in the late 1700s; Buxton, Queen’s Bush and Dresden, Ontario in the mid-to-late 1800s; and Amber Valley, among other smaller communities in Alberta in the early 1900s.
Despite the many hardships they faced, including racism, a lack of access to modern farm equipment and the harsh Canadian winters just to name a few, these small settlements of Black farmers became successful and independent communities. However, important stories of Black people in agriculture have been neglected by mainstream accounts of Canadian history. This gap in history speaks to how Black farmers, among other racial minorities, have been positioned within the narrative of Canadian agriculture.
As a senator from rural Ontario with deep roots in the agricultural industry, I think it is high time that we re-examine the historical narratives of our nation, especially as it relates to land use and ensure that the stories from all walks of life are celebrated in a country as diverse as Canada.
I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the recent announcements by the Beef Farmers of Ontario and the Grain Farmers of Ontario. Last month, both organizations issued strategic statements committing their organizations to a new culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. As noted by the Grain Farmers of Ontario statement:
Diverse life experiences, backgrounds and ideas at the table make organizations stronger, and finding ways to make the inclusion of everyone systemic will benefit every organization regardless of industry.
We all have a role to play when it comes to inclusion and working to end discrimination within the industry.
I could not agree more. Colleagues, I hope you will join me, not just this February but all year round, in making sure that the stories of all Canadians, regardless of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, are honoured, shared and remembered for years to come.
Thank you, meegwetch.
