HALTON HILLS — February signifies Black History Month and the town is looking to do its part in displaying the culture.
The events that will be held around town will be organized by not only the town government, but several other Black culture-based organizations that also reside within Halton.
Pearl Schachter, a cultural program producer for Halton Hills, said they plan to display Black culture in several different ways.
“Town programs offered for Black History Month are presented by Cultural Services and the Halton Hills Public Library, and as a result, focus on sharing the experiences and history of Black Canadians through the arts,” Schachter said.
“This year, programming includes creative writing and literature, music, and visual art,” she said.
Events being held will range from families able to partake in a story walk at the public library and read the “Stone thrower,” by Jael Richardson, to making rhythms on the Djembe drums with Luckystickz.
As of now, the population for Halton Hills is currently sitting at about 500,000 people, with the top three visible minorities being South Asian, Black, and Filipino hovering around 2.2 per cent or lower. Despite those numbers, Schachter said 92 per cent of people felt as if they were included in Black History month events from a survey conducted by Culture Days.
The Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, a cultural organization, is another collective that’s doing their part to bring Black culture to the masses, not only in February, but also providing outreach to schools in the region with programs based on the history of African heritage and culture.
In a 2020 media release from the organization, Anita Anand, MP for Oakville, announced federal funding for the organization.
“This funding seeks to recognize the contributions of Black Canadians in our society. The more we learn about each other, the stronger our community becomes,” she said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to celebrating the importance of Black culture and history in our Halton community.”
Schachter said the main message that’s trying to be sent is that the Town of Halton Hills is dedicated to ensuring a healthy community and continuing to hold cultured events that stretch past just February.
“Black History Month is an opportunity to partner with community groups, such as the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton and the Halton Black History Awareness Society, to offer free experiential and educational programs and encourage residents to celebrate the legacy of Black Canadians,” she said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said how important it is to uphold Black culture in a statement made at the beginning of the month.
“Black history is Canadian history. Canadians of African ancestry have been an integral part of the fabric of this land for centuries,” Trudeau said.
“While Black History Month is a time for learning and celebration, we cannot forget that people of African descent created Black History Month in opposition to anti-Black racism, hate, and discrimination. Racism, hate, and discrimination continue to be a reality for many Canadians,” he said.