Sharing Our Stories from Shore to Shore

Feb 17, 2023

In honour of this year’s African Heritage Month theme, Seas of Struggle: African Peoples from Shore to Shore, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is pleased to host an intimate discussion focussed on connections between Nova Scotia and the African continent and how these connections show up in the identities of African Nova Scotians.

During our complex history, the Atlantic Ocean has connected us to each other, our ancestors and the land. Through reflection, discovery, and acknowledgement we hope to create an opportunity for people of African ancestry to engage in discussion around heritage, history, shared values and encourage unity across the African diaspora.

This virtual event will be co-hosted by the Commission’s African Nova Scotian Liaison and Education Officer and a representative from the Sierra Leone Association of Nova Scotia, and feature two prominent speakers of African descent. One living in Sierra Leone, the other in Nova Scotia.

Charlie Haffner is the chair of the Sierra Leone Monuments and Relics Commission and Director of the Freetong Players, an internationally known theatre troupe.

Wayn Hamilton is the co-founder of Connecting to Africa, and former Executive Director at the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs.

Topics discussed will include the history of the arrival of Black Loyalists, our cultural connection to the water and its role in these stories, Thomas Peters, Bunce Island, Krio folklore, and the importance of fostering strong connections across the sea.

Join us online for this exciting event Saturday, March 11th via Zoom from 2:00 – 4:00 AST.

Register for this event today.