It’s time for Canada to apologize for slavery, says N.S. senator
In each speech Nova Scotia Sen. Wanda Thomas Bernard makes for Emancipation Day this yr, she’ll ask the identical query: what’s subsequent?
It is a query she’s posing to federal and provincial governments, in addition to particular person Canadians, because the nation marks the day slavery was abolished in the British Empire.
Federal politicians voted unanimously final yr to acknowledge Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day in Canada. It was on that day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act got here into impact, releasing about 800,000 enslaved folks in most British colonies.
However recognizing the day nationally was solely a primary step, Thomas Bernard stated. This yr, she’s renewing requires an apology for the intergenerational harms of slavery and for reparations.
“The apology for the historic hurt is admittedly, actually vital and it additionally would sign to African Canadians a recognition that our presence and our contributions and the harms that we have skilled over time, that there is some possession … there’s some accountability taken for that,” she advised CBC Radio’s Mainstreet this week.
Hearken to Sen. Wanda Thomas Bernard’s full interview:
Mainstreet NS12:05It is time for Canada to apologize for slavery, says N.S. senator
Nova Scotia Sen. Wanda Thomas Bernard spoke with host Jeff Douglas about what must occur now that Emancipation Day is formally acknowledged in Canada.
In July, the federal authorities apologized to the descendants of the No. 2 Development Battalion for the systemic anti-Black racism they confronted throughout the First World Conflict.
Thomas Bernard spoke on the historic occasion in Truro in regards to the historical past of slavery, and the way after it was formally abolished, “anti-Black racism took root” on this nation.
She stated the shortage of an official apology for slavery is among the many Canadian authorities’s “unfinished enterprise.”
“There was very clearly a sign there that extra apologies are due and extra reparations are due, and that is the following step of this journey,” she stated.
6 days of occasions in Guysborough County
Mary Desmond, a municipal councillor in Guysborough County, hopes the second Emancipation Day is an opportunity for Nova Scotians to deepen their understanding of the historical past of slavery, and its lasting legacy.
The municipality is internet hosting six days of occasions this yr, from emancipation-themed bingo to a gospel live performance and a seniors’ tea.
Hearken to Mary Desmond’s full interview:
Mainstreet NS9:37Guysborough County marks Emancipation Day with full week of actions
Municipal councillor Mary Desmond and summer time scholar Madison Jordan clarify what’s in retailer for neighborhood members in Guysborough County as Nova Scotia prepares to mark Emancipation Day on August 1.
Desmond stated she was shocked to be taught that there was a whipping put up within the city, and an public sale block the place enslaved folks had been bought.
“We’re nonetheless studying as a result of our historical past was not taught within the college system, and it is nonetheless not taught. We’re simply getting bits and items,” she stated.
Whereas many Canadians know in regards to the Underground Railroad, fewer have discovered about this nation’s 200-year historical past of enslaving folks of African descent and Indigenous folks.
American scholar Brett Rushforth has written in regards to the enslavement of Indigenous peoples, and stated it was quite common within the colonies that will grow to be Canada.
“While you discuss slavery within the French interval — that’s previous to 1763 — the overwhelming majority of people that had been held in slavery had been Indigenous,” stated Rushforth, who wrote Bonds of Alliance: Indigenous & Atlantic Slaveries in New France.
But, regardless of the brutality they endured, it is clear that enslaved folks resisted and shaped communities, Rushforth stated.
“There is not only a way of victimization, which was very actual, but in addition a way of exceptional inventive resilience, exceptional willingness to search out which means in life,” he stated.
‘A first step’
For Thomas Bernard, Canada’s second official Emancipation Day is a chance to confront this historical past and to decide to doing one thing about it.
“One of many issues that frustrates me rather a lot is the truth that there’s actually little understanding of multigenerational trauma attributable to the violence of racism,” she stated. “Not simply the violence of particular person racism, however the violence of systemic racism.”
She encourages Nova Scotians who usually are not of African descent to go searching their very own lives and ask, “Who’s lacking and what can I do about it?”
“I believe that many individuals noticed the official recognition of Emancipation Day as type of the top objective. I see it as a primary step,” she stated.
Watch Sen. Wanda Thomas Bernard’s remarks for the primary Emancipation Day:
Sen. Wanda Thomas Bernard says it is vital for Canada to rejoice Emancipation Day to confront its historical past and battle in opposition to anti-Black racism and inequalities.
A spokesperson for the Workplace of African Nova Scotian Affairs stated the division is “open to the dialogue” of reparations for slavery.
“Reparations or redress includes an open dialogue with African Nova Scotian communities and all ranges of presidency,” Amelia Jarvis wrote in an e-mail.
On Sunday, a spokesperson for the Workplace of the Minister of Housing and Range and Inclusion issued a press release.
“On August 1, 2021, our authorities formally acknowledged and marked Emancipation Day in Canada. Black historical past is Canadian historical past, and we’ve a accountability to make sure that these truths are saved alive. Recognizing the harmful legacy of slavery additionally means acknowledging that its influence on Black communities didn’t finish on August 1, 1834.
“We acknowledge that whereas slavery was abolished in what’s now Canada practically two centuries in the past, It was not the top of the battle for freedom for Black folks and communities. The legacy of anti-Black hate and racism remains to be prevalent at present.”
The assertion went on to say that the federal government continues to work with Black communities in Canada to “to deal with discrimination, break systemic limitations, and construct a extra equitable society.”
“By way of Canada’s first-ever Anti-Racism Technique, we are going to proceed to deal with financial inclusion, advance justice reforms, and improve grassroots helps, with applications just like the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative and the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund.
“Many strides have been made due to a legacy of advocacy and dedication of Black Canadians, previous and current, and we all know there’s nonetheless a lot work to be achieved. We’ll proceed our efforts within the battle in opposition to anti-Black racism, hate and discrimination in Canada.”
On Monday, the provincial authorities is commemorating Emancipation Day with a ceremony that will likely be stay streamed on the Black Cultural Centre’s YouTube page.
For extra tales in regards to the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success tales throughout the Black neighborhood — take a look at Being Black in Canada, a CBC mission Black Canadians will be pleased with. You may learn extra tales right here.
