Halifax council to include African Nova Scotia affirmation in meetings for February

Halifax City Hall is pictured. (Source: Callum Smith/CTV News Atlantic)

Halifax council will include African Nova Scotia affirmations during the regular and committee meetings this February.

Coun. Janet Steele brought forward the motion to include the affirmation next month at council’s regular meeting on Tuesday.

She also requested a staff report looking for an amendment to “include an affirmation of the contributions of African Nova Scotians to Mi’kma’ki” for all council and committee meetings.

Council unanimously voted in favour of the motion.

“An African Nova Scotian affirmation represents just one way of recognizing the resistance, resilience, creativity and spirituality and hope that has shaped our families and communities,” Steele said. “This is just a starting point. When we do these affirmations, we need to do them seriously and with intent.

Steele’s written motion noted the affirmation is not meant to replace any other acknowledgements, including those for the Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous people.

February is African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia.

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