It’s a bittersweet time of year for Beatrice Wilkins, vice-president of the Africville Genealogy Society. While she’s excited to see the Africville community come together to celebrate its 43rd reunion, as someone who used to live there, it’s a reminder of the history. “It makes me feel good, and also sad that there’s no reminiscence of a house or anything on the property,” she says. “We were a vibrant community who would occupy the lands for more than 150 years. We were self-sustaining. we did okay until the city decided they wanted to land.” At that time in the 1960’s, Halifax called it an “urban renewal.” It forced thousands of people out of their homes and stripped the community of a place they loved. “We helped each other,” Wilkins says. “You never locked the door in Africville. You could knock on anybody’s door if you had a problem, if you were hungry and wanted a snack. They’re always here to help you, and that’s what we miss. “That’s what we lost, that community connection and never knowing what happened to our people, especially our seniors.” It’s the kind of history that’s remembered and honoured every year during the last week of July. Generations of Africville descendants camp out on the site and enjoy each other’s company. “You get to see people that you may not have seen for the whole year. You get to see family members that you don’t get to see often. There’s so much love in the air,” says Randon Wright, president of the Africville Genealogy Society. “We have a lot of activities, a lot of great giveaways. We have musical performances, we have DJs, so we have a lot of stuff that should really get them hyped and want to come out.” Saturday’s events at Africville will begin at 10 a.m. The reunion will conclude on Sunday with a church service. “It’s a good feeling to know that the legacy that we’ve started will continue on,” says Wilkins. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
