February is Black History Month!
Celebrating Black Authors ~ check out the list of authors whose books we have here in the Library @ Rez, including Young Adult authors, authors writing adult fiction, and other writers – including poets, playrights, memoirists, and more! There’s a whole display set up in the library…come check it out!
Check out some of these online resources that shed light on and celebrate
the history and achievements of Black Canadians and Americans.
Government of Canada’s Black History Month resource page ~ biographies of influential Black Canadians, historical information, and more
Historica Canada’s Heritage Minute: Black History Month playlist ~ A collection of short videos, highlighting key moments and individuals related to Black History month.
The Black Canadian Experience in Ontario, 1834-1914 ~ from Archives Ontario and the Ontario Black History Society
Hymn to Freedom Project: Black History resources ~ information on some of the people, places and events related to Black History in Canada; a community project coordinated by Lauris DaCosta in partnership with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre
Being Black in Canada ~ a video from the CBC
Black Lives Matter, Canadian Chapter ~ the Canadian chapter of #BlackLivesMatter, an international organization and movement fighting police and State violence and anti-Black racism. The site is “a platform upon which Black communities across Canada can actively dismantle all forms of anti-Black racism, liberate Blackness, support Black healing, affirm Black existence, and create freedom to love and self-determine.”
Canadian Encyclopedia’s Black History in Canada ~ timelines, profiles, biographies, videos and more! Government of Canada’s Noteworthy Figures page~ biographies of some notable Black people in Canada who have helped shape Canadian heritage and identity, and who have made and continue to make enormous contributions to the wellbeing, and prosperity of our country. Black Like Me, past, present and future: Behind the Stratford Festival Curtain ~ A panel of Black artists and artisans from the Stratford Festival met online to discuss how the last few weeks (June 2020) have affected them, the experience of living in conservative and 95%-white Perth County and the complexities and challenges they have faced while working at the Festival.
Black history in Canada: a live, interactive roundtable ~ How much do we know about black history in Canada? Who were the key figures? What do we lose when we don’t include black stories in our history? This 50-minute video from the CBC delves into these questions and more.
The story of slavery in Canadian history ~ from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Buxton National Historic Site & Museum ~ Founded on the original site of the Elgin Settlement that served as a terminus on the Underground Railroad for Blacks fleeing oppression, Buxton National Historic Site & Museum’s main purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret historical artifacts related to the Elgin Settlement. Click on History > Virtual Exhibitions.
National Museum of African American History & Culture ~ the Smithsonian museum in Washington DC; fascinating collection of objects and stories – try “Explore” in the menu
In Motion: the African-American migration experience ~ describes the migrations of black people from around the world to the United States
Voices from the Days of Slavery – Former Slaves Tell Their Stories ~ audio clips of interviews of former slaves
Black History Month ~ from the Academy of American Poets
Academy of Achievement ~ biographies of people who have shaped our world
For even more ideas, check out the WCDSB Virtual Learning Commons Black Heritage Guide
