Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia

(Delayed posting. Visited during summer 2024)

Just like the history of the Mi'Kmaq and Acadians were not taught in New Brunswick classrooms when I was growing up, neither was the presence in history of non-white peoples taught in school. I have learned more on my own but I wanted to know more about it from a perspective of the Maritimes. That is why I visited the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.

Built in 1983, this centre presents the history of Black culture in Nova Scotia through its museum, guided tours, workshops, library, concerts, and plays. It also does outreach by participating in cultural event. It is unfortunate that it took this long for a centre like this to be built. People and the history of those people must be learned and recognized, not ignored like it was for those responsible for my education growing up.

There were waves of migration to Nova Scotia and, as I have learned here, exoduses because of prejudice and racism.

Even with this pressure there were those who stayed and formed communities. The map below was created from the 1871 census of communities that contained those who were black.

There has been black people visiting the Maritimes since the 1500's, starting with sailors on ships exploring the region. The first known resident is Jean Roy in the late 1600's. Many were also slaves, in particular Fortress Louisburg and some in Annapolis Royal. There is much more to be seen, and learned, at this centre.

British Colonists, in New England, who emigrated here also brought black slaves. Those who say there was never slavery in Canada have made a wrongful assumption. 

Truth is better than the alternative because then we can fix the problem. Not knowing, or ignoring, history is the problem. As Canadians and Maritimers we should know the truth. I very much appreciated the knowledge I gained from visiting this facility.