AFRICVILLE // Lessons in Resistance & "Righting Canada's Wrongs"

It's the time of year when we get an extra dose of reminders of all of the horrible atrocities committed openly against Black people here in Canada, and around the world. Reminders of the disrespect, the discrimination...and an annual reminder of how much more work needs to be done to attempt to repair the damages deliberately invoked on peoples of African descent.

It would have been so wonderful to learn these stories in school from a young age, in addition to at-home lessons. To have everyone learn about the collective histories of settlers, and of the Indigenous, as we coloured maps of Canada and memorized capital cities in each province.

Now designated as a National Historic Site, the spirit of the town of Africville holds so much more power and inspiration that geography class could have been enhanced with. Decades ago, had the truth been communicated openly.

James Lorimer & Co. Ltd., Publishing, 2021

In the Righting Canada's Wrongs collection of anti-racism resources for Canadian history and civics curriculum, Africville is just one of many topics explored through illustrations, historical photographs, maps, documents, and artwork. The Africville edition, written by author Gloria Ann Wesley, has an excellent collection of visuals to accompany learnings about the Maroons, the Easter Sunrise Services, the Colored League All Stars hockey team, and the various inhabitants and activities of the all-Black town.

Righting Canada's Wrongs: Africville is a historical reference book, and also a reminder of the various symbols and stories of resistance. 

 Eddie Carvery

It was only the mid-1960s when the mass displacement, environmental racism, and general injustice occurred in this country. The community existed for 120 years, prior to its demolition, and an official apology wasn't offered to the residents and descendants of Africville until 2010. The pivotal Seaview United Baptist Church (bulldozed in the middle of the night in 1967) was recreated, and the replica building now stands as the Africville Museum.

These are the events and lessons that belong in the classroom. As much as it's important to learn about the contaminated water, the desegregation of schools, and the railway construction through the middle of a thriving community...it is more important to learn of the spirit of resilience and resistance that led the Africville community members to fight for their home, defend their land, and band together to preserve their collective history and legacy.

It's particularly important to be reminded of the resilience needed to battle powerful forces like systemic racism and discrimination because it is still an issue. It is still pervasive, from Nova Scotia straight across to British Columbia. The Africville descendants are still fighting. Black Canadians are still recovering from policies and choices made, that were not made with the community's best interests in mind.

Inspiring continuous life to the spirit and emotion of this community, Canadian jazz musician Joe Sealy, created the album "Africville Suite," which won a Juno award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 1997. In 2010, Sealy was invested in The Order of Canada. The compositions are beautiful; here's a sample:

Ongoing works of art celebrating Africville also include a five-part podcast series, Africville Forever, co-hosted by Alfred Burgesson and Edward Carvery III, that was awarded one of the Best Podcasts of 2022 from Amazon Music. Many descendants of Africville are featured on the podcast, sharing their stories and experiences, contributing to the movement towards reclaiming land and raising additional awareness for the fight.

The last remaining home in Africville was destroyed in 1970; there is still work to be done, as community members and descendants still work to improve access to the historic site, created as part of the settlement of compensation. Many also continue to seek individual compensation for their lost homes, land, and impacts of these poor decisions, as highlighted here:

So many of the lessons and blueprints that are needed to continue moving forward have already been outlined, articulated, and shared. In these historical documents, reflections, and communities there is information and wisdom from ancestor and elders, that provide renewed awareness, and opportunities to continue the missions and re-ignite the messages.