Maritime provinces recognize Emancipation Day on Friday

At Province House in N.S., dignitaries raised the African- Pan flag to commemorate Emancipation Day.

Aug. 1 is Emancipation Day, a day to recognize Britain’s abolition of slavery across its empire in 1834.

Nova Scotia designated Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day on April 13, 2021.

In a news release from the province, Nova Scotia says it “acknowledges the history and ongoing impacts of the transatlantic slave trade on people of African descent and African Nova Scotians.”

“Emancipation Day is a time to remember, reflect and recommit,” said Premier Tim Houston. “It reminds us of the resilience of people of African descent and African Nova Scotians and challenges us to strengthen inclusion, justice and equity across our province.”

The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 took effect in 1834 and freed roughly 800,000 enslaved people of African descent throughout British colonies.

A series of events were held to honour Emancipation Day, with this year’s theme being: “Habouring Freedom: Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future.”

A flag raising took place at Province House at 9 a.m. on Friday and a reception on the Halifax waterfront at 11 a.m., which was livestreamed.

Marking the day at the Halifax waterfront was a significant part of Emancipation Day.

“Because when you think of the Halifax waterfront, that was the mode of which many enslaved black people that came to this province, how they arrived. And so we wanted to pay homage and respect to that,” said Russell Grosse, executive director of Black Culture Centre of Nova Scotia.

There were also be community gatherings across the province.

Speakers at the ceremony remembered the range of different emotions Emancipation Day brings up.

“On the Halifax waterfront, the Atlantic once carried enslaved African people to our shores and later carried 1,200 Black Loyalists seeking freedom in Sierra Leone,” Twila Grosse, minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs said. “Those waters held pain and injustice, but also resilience and hope. Emancipation Day reminds us that we must confront racism and continue the work of building a more just future.”

While also remembering the chances their ancestors didn’t have.

“We’ve been here for over 400 years. But still so many of us, myself included, are the first in so many different things,” Canadian Senator Wanda Bernard said during the Emancipation Day ceremony. “The fact that we’re first in anything is a reminder that our ancestors were denied opportunities, that our ancestors weren’t able to have their rightful place in society, although they worked very hard to help build a society.”

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz shared a statement to recognize Emancipation Day saying, “Today is Emancipation Day, a day to recognize the strength, resilience and perseverance of Black communities in P.E.I. and across the country. This day commemorates the abolishment of slavery in Canada on Aug. 1, 1834, and is a day to celebrate the contributions of Black communities in Canada and in our province.”

A celebration is taking place in Charlottetown’s Rochford Square from 5 to 8 p.m.

“The Government of PEI remains committed to its Anti-Racism Action Plan and continues to offer Anti-Racism Grants and Anti-Racism Microgrants to assist with projects that benefit racialized and Indigenous communities,” Lantz statement continues.

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