SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Black History Month

Honourable senators, as colleagues have noted, this year marks 30 years since Black History Month received national recognition in Canada. However, in Nova Scotia, it has been observed since 1988, and nearly 60% of African Nova Scotians can trace their roots in our province back three generations or more. That is to say: Black history in Canada is not recent history; it is foundational.

As we come to the close of Black History Month, I want to highlight some special moments from this month. The Halifax Black Film Festival celebrated its tenth anniversary this year, sharing powerful stories of who we are and creating visions about whom we can become.

I have learned about the work of Black filmmakers who challenged narratives of shame surrounding our heritage and turned them into pride in exactly who we are, right down to the texture of our hair.

I also spoke to high school students from Island View High School, including many African-Nova Scotian youth. Their questions about democracy were thoughtful and bold, and each of them showed leadership potential.

Our responsibility is to make sure they understand our institutions and have opportunities to become involved.

Today, in our gallery, we are honoured to welcome the president-elect of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Boluwaji Ogunyemi. Raised in Newfoundland and Labrador, he graduated high school in a class of nearly 600 students as the only Black student.

Dr. Ogunyemi went on to become the first Black student from the province to train and study at Memorial University’s faculty of medicine. And now, in its 158-year history, he is the first — and the youngest — Black president of the Canadian Medical Association.

Colleagues, it is an honour to be the first. But being the first often carries an invisible weight — the weight of representation, expectation and knowing that your success will open or close doors for others.

As Black History Month comes to a close, I hope we can commit throughout the year to learning, listening and building a country where being the first is no longer remarkable because opportunity is no longer rare.

May those who are the first be leaders for future generations so that the next generation can reach excellence, not despite barriers, but without them.

Thank you, meegwetch, wela’lioq.