Canadian government announces funding for African Canadian History project

 

Steven Guilbeault, Dr. Afua Cooper and Andy Fillmore

HALIFAX — Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, along with Andy  Fillmore, Member of Parliament  for Halifax, last week announced funding of $1,031,565, for Dalhousie University’s African Canadian History Education project.

Led by award-winning historian and Dalhousie University Professor, Dr. Afua Cooper, as principal investigator, this new project, called A Black People’s History of Canada, will support leading Black history scholars and organizations, to create engaging, new, classroom-ready learning materials and digital media about the history of Black Canadians.

Andy Fillmore

“Our government is proud to support the development of learning materials, activities and networks that will give all Canadians the opportunity to enhance their understanding of Black Canadian history,” said Guilbeault.

“This project will also showcase passionate historians, award-winning writers, speakers and artists, which will shed some light on the incredible contributions of Black Canadians thorough our history,” he added.

“For too long the history of Black Canadians has not received the attention or care

Dr. Afua Cooper

that it deserves in our education system and this is rooted in systemic racism that continues to hold back our communities of colour. The funding we’re announcing today  [April 8] is going to help ensure that the rich history of Black Canadians is taught, celebrated and informs the next generation of leaders in social justice.” said Fillmore.

Dr. Cooper noted that ” for too long, Black people’s history in Canada has languished in spite of the 400-year presence of Blacks in this country. Our project, which is for three years, will fill the lamentable gap in African Canadian history education.

“Researching, writing, conceptualizing, and teaching Black history in a

Steven Guilbeault

comprehensive manner will produce a seismic shift in African Canadian knowledge mobilization.,” she said.