Black History Month in Atlantic Canada
This week brings us to the end of Black History Month. But it is endlessly important to remember that the time to educate yourself on your history, your neighbours, your community – is always. Especially in this time when so many forces seek to miseducate and divide us, it’s imperative to seek out new stories, varied perspectives, and greater understanding of where we’ve come from.
We have compiled a list of books by some incredible Black Atlantic authors in the hopes that reading them will carry us all forward in our ongoing mission to better educate ourselves and build a future brighter than our past.
Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians
Written by: Lindsay Ruck
Published by: Nimbus Publishing Ltd.
This fascinating, full-colour illustrated book features over 50 amazing Black people from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, sharing their incredible stories and accomplishments, past and present. With dozens of profiles on both historical and contemporary Black people from Atlantic Canada, Lindsay Ruck celebrates the accomplishments of some of our region’s amazing Black heroes.
Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Africville
Written by: Gloria Ann Wesley
Published by: Lorimer
The community of Africville was founded in the late 1800s when African Nova Scotians built homes on the Bedford Basin on the northern edge of Halifax. Africville grew to include a church, a school, and small businesses. At its peak, about 400 people lived there. In the 1960s, in the name of urban renewal, the City of Halifax decided to demolish Africville, relocate its residents and use the land for industrial development. Residents strongly opposed this move, but their homes were bulldozed, and many had to move into public housing projects in other parts of the city. Through historical photographs, documents, and first-person narratives, this book tells the story of Africville. It documents how the city destroyed Africville and much later apologized for it — and how the spirit of the community lives on.
R is for Reparations
Written by: Global Afrikan Congress
Published by: Fernwood Publishing
R is for Reparations invites readers to listen to the voices of young activists as they share their hopes, dreams and opinions about the global demand for redress, compensation and restitution in addressing the tragedy and resulting political, social, and economic damage caused to African People by the Atlantic Slave trade.
The City Speaks in Drums
Written by: Shauntay Grant & Susan Tooke
Published by: Nimbus Publishing Ltd.
The award-winning The City Speaks in Drums follows two boys from North End Halifax as they explore their neighbourhood and the city beyond, finding music everywhere. Shauntay Grant’s playful spoken word-style poem and Susan Tooke’s vivid illustrations create a wildly energetic and appealing journey through the big, bright city.
It’s Our Time
Written by: Wanda Taylor
Published by: Nimbus Publishing Ltd.
With care and precision, award-winning writer Wanda Lauren Taylor delves into the history and development of the Preston area, the organizations and churches that helped bolster the population, and the struggles, successes, and personal stories of several Preston-area residents. Through interviews and archival documents, Taylor shows how a resilient group of marginalized people built a thriving community that generations of African Nova Scotians can be proud of.
A Love Letter to Africville
Written by: Amanda Carvery-Taylor
Published by: Fernwood Publishing
Much has been written about the struggles of the Africville community, who have been hurt, discriminated against and dispossessed for so long — but Africville is so much more than just the pain. This book recasts the historical narrative to help former residents heal by emphasizing the beautiful and positive aspects of Africville. A Love Letter to Africville is a dazzling compilation of personal stories and photos from former residents of Africville.
Live from the Afrikan Resistance!
Written by: El Jones
Published by: Fernwood Publishing
Live from the Afrikan Resistance! is the first collection of spoken word poetry by Halifax’s fifth Poet Laureate, El Jones. These poems speak of community and struggle. They are grounded in the political culture of African Nova Scotia and inherit the styles and substances of hip- hop, dub and calypso’s political commentary. They engage historical themes and figures and analyze contemporary issues — racism, environmental racism, poverty and, violence — as well as confront the realities of life as a Black woman. One of Canada’s most controversial spoken word artists, El Jones writes to educate, to move communities to action and to demonstrate the possibilities of resistance and empowerment.
Pearleen Oliver: Canada’s Black Crusader for Civil Rights
Edited by: Ronald Caplan
Published by: Breton Books
Called “one of the most important civil rights crusaders of her generation,” Pearleen Oliver spoke out in powerful, dignified protest— and she brought about change. She pushed open the doors that blocked Black girls from nurses’ training. She kicked Little Black Sambo out of Nova Scotia’s public schools. She was the spokesperson for Viola Desmond’s appeal and with her in the courtroom. Dr. Oliver was a founder of the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, the Black United Front, and the Black Cultural Centre. An historian with two honorary degrees, she mentored hundreds of young girls and founded the AUBA Women’s Institute.
Burnley “Rocky” Jones: Revolutionary
Written by: Burnley “Rocky” Jones & James W. St. G. Walker
Published by: Fernwood Publishing
Born and raised in Truro, Nova Scotia, Burnley “Rocky” Jones is one of Canada’s most important figures of social justice. Often referred to as Canada’s Stokely Carmichael, Jones was tirelessly dedicated to student movements, peace activism, Black Power, anti-racism, women’s liberation and human rights reform. He was a leader in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, brought the Black Panthers to Canada, taught at Dalhousie and founded his own law firm. This autobiography tells the story of Jones’s inimitable life and his accomplishments.
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Win Your Classroom Wishlist
Stay tuned for our next contest for Atlantic Canadian teachers! In the meantime, build a wishlist of books in the ABC collection that you can shop from any time! We'll let you know when it's time to share on social media with the hashtag #ReadAtlanticABC for a chance to win books from your list (up to $250 value).
