Black History Month

February is an exciting month in 2023! Not only is February Psychology Month, but it is also Black History Month here in Canada.

Throughout February we are celebrating the incredible accomplishments and contributions of Black Canadians, and the diversity, complexity, and beauty that they bring to our nation. During this month and every month we remember and appreciate the undying perseverance of Black Canadians and their communities.

We tend not to pay enough attention or respect to the importance of Black Canadians in our history. After the American revolution, many people of African descent came to Eastern Canada to settle in the Maritimes. Another fact that is too often overlooked, is that there have been so many black soldiers who made sacrifices for our nation as far back as the War of 1812.

The celebration of Black History Month focuses on the efforts to bring awareness to the accomplishments made by Black Canadians that have opened doors for all people of diversity, and has allowed us all to come together as a unified collective in bettering our country.

One of many of these amazing achievements by Senator Donald Oliver was the introduction to the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians, when he was appointed to the Senate in 2008, also initiating the celebration of Black History Month in February. From this accomplishment stemmed the opening of multiple doors to the black community and the helping of our nation to be more accepting and inclusive to people from all ethnicities.