Skip to Main Content

Online Collections and Book Displays

A banner that says African Heritage Month.

African Heritage Month

Since 1988, Nova Scotia recognizes February as African Heritage Month. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the culture, achievements, and many contributions that the province’s African Nova Scotian communities have made.

In the past, the contributions of African Canadians have been acknowledged informally. Nova Scotia has been a leader in officially promoting and recognizing African Canadian heritage.

Some efforts include:

  • 1985 – The official opening night of Black History Month at the Halifax North Branch Library
  • 1987 – First meeting of the Black History Month Association
  • 1988 – First Black History Month in Nova Scotia
  • 1996 – Black History Month renamed to African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia

Some of these actions have influenced Canada to act on a national level:

  • 1995 – The House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month following a motion introduced by the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.
  • 2008 – The Senate officially declared February as Black History Month. Nova Scotia Senator Donald Oliver, Q.C., was the first Black Canadian appointed to the Senate.  His motion was the final parliamentary procedure needed for Canada’s permanent recognition of Black History Month.

Resources

Feature: Lynn Jones African Canadian & Diaspora Collection

Saint Mary’s University, in cooperation with Dr. Lynn Jones (C.M.), African Nova Scotian leader and activist, now proudly houses The Lynn Jones African Canadian & Diaspora Heritage Collection in the University Archives. The Collection documents the lives of Lynn, her family, and over 50 years of African, African Diasporic and African Nova Scotian heritage and history.