African Canadian Heritage Month
African Canadian Heritage Month
In the
Toronto Catholic District School Board
PROCLAMATION
Black History Month, which has its genesis in
Canada as a weekly celebration organized by the Canadian Negro Women’s
Association during the 1950’s, evolved as a monthly event in 1979 in the
form of a Proclamation by the City of Toronto. By 1993, the Province of
Ontario recognized the significance of the Month, as did the Federal
Government in 1995, based on the efforts of our former TCDSB Principal
and Member of Parliament, Dr. Jean Augustine, that has been part of our
national consciousness.
Black History month is a
time to honour and celebrate the achievements of people of African
heritage and acknowledge their contributions to the social, political,
economic and cultural life of our communities. It provides an
opportunity to learn about the experiences of African Canadians and the
vital role they played throughout our shared history.
The history of Canadians
of African descent and the struggle against slavery, racism and inequity
have been central to the history of Toronto when, in 1793, Governor John
Graves Simcoe passed the Abolition Act to prohibit the importation of
slaves from the United States of America. With the passing of this law,
Upper Canada became the first colony in the British Empire to move
towards the abolition of slavery and established Toronto’s importance as
a hub in the “underground railroad” as a place of freedom.
In the Toronto Catholic
District School Board, African Canadian Heritage Month reminds us to
continue addressing the causes and effects of racism against people of
African descent and the importance of initiating steps to continue
building and strengthening inclusive communities within our schools and
throughout our country. The TCDSB recognizes that our strengths arise
from a diverse population with a common set of Christian beliefs and
Catholic Gospel values in keeping with our system priorities. The TCDSB
envisions students who are educated to their full potential by
integrating these Christian and Catholic beliefs into the total learning
experience. We envision students who apply these values to life’s
opportunities, challenges and choices and who display self-esteem and
self-respect while demonstrating compassion and caring for others.
Through the commitment of staff, parents, trustees and stakeholders of
the Toronto Catholic District School Board, students are empowered to
take a leadership role aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination
and marginalization.
I, Angela Gauthier,
Acting Director of Education, on behalf of the Toronto Catholic District
School Board, do hereby proclaim February 2011 as “African Canadian
Heritage Month” in the Toronto Catholic District School Board.
proclamation
Events
- Wednesday, February 23
2011 Mass and Cultural Expose in
commemoration of African Canadian Heritage Month -
Details
Notre Dame High School to Celebrate African Canadian
Heritage Month
Notre Dame High School
will honor the legacy of African Canadian's, past and present
through a variety of activities including: offering African/Carribbean
meals; on Friday, February 4 presentation to staff and students
with Corey Atkinson of 'Dimensions of Leadership.' Drama students will
sing a song from Sierra Leone and tell a traditional West-African story.
The school community will experience African traditions through the
AfriCan Theatre Ensemble that will perform “The Engagement” written by a
world-acclaimed Nigerian playwright, Femi Osofisan; on Friday,
February 25, the school will host a dress up day in celebration of
the African heritage. Staff and students will dress in African
dresses/prints. |
