African Heritage Month: Celebrating, Learning, and Reflecting
Source: https://ansa.novascotia.ca/african-heritage-month. Click above to visit the African Nova Scotian Affairs’ African Heritage Month page and download the poster.
February 1st marks African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia. African Nova Scotians are a distinct people with collective rights tied to over 52 land-based communities in the part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia, whose contributions have been intricately woven into the cultural, economic, educational, and artistic landscape of this province for over 400 years. This years’ theme is “Legacy in Action: Celebrating Black Brilliance” - Order this years’ edition of the African Heritage Month poster here.
In honoring the tremendous legacy, both past and present, of African Nova Scotians and Black people, below are a few examples of how Nourish Nova Scotia’s staff is engaging in celebration, learning and reflection.
What we’re listening to:
Disrupting for African Nova Scotian Food Sovereignty
Wendie Wilson is a mother, educator, artist, writer, community advocate and a member of the African Nova Scotian and Black Food Sovereignty working group for the Halifax region’s JustFood Action Plan, alongside registered dietitian Nickaya Parris. In this episode, Wendie and Nickaya provide a window into the transformative work happening to advance community-rooted food sovereignty action in Nova Scotia. Listen to this episode to learn about the food sovereignty movement and why it matters for public health.
Listen to the episode here: https://nccdh.ca/learn/podcast/disrupting-for-african-nova-scotian-food-sovereignty
Aquakultre
“Aquakultre is the artistic voice of Lance Sampson — an uncommonly versatile singer, rapper, composer and storyteller from Halifax, NS. Since winning the 2018 CBC Searchlight competition, Aquakultre has released two Polaris-nominated albums and a multitude of genre-diverse, multi-media collaborations, establishing him as a significant musical and cultural presence. The live show is a warm-hearted party where all are welcomed by Aquakultre’s big voice and bigger stage presence. Through all his works, via poetic lyrics and straight-up jams, Aquakultre is on a mission to share his love for his unique and beautiful corner of the culture.”
Listen to his music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/38Lr1bGvJiIU0UKntaJJus?si=_UOYHhfZS9K8GyywzzUdjQ
What we’re watching:
Resilience, Respectability, Restriction, and Black Joy: Exploring Themes from It’s Always Been Ours with Jessica Wilson, MS, RD and Ifasina Clear, CLC
In this webinar, Vincci Tsui, Jessica Wilson, and Ifasina Clear chat about their experiences around body liberation and Jessica Wilson’s new book, It's Always Been Ours:
“It's Always Been Ours is a tour-de-force and a revelation that addresses not only where we are, but how we got here—and offers a reclamation for all Black women, centering Black women in their own healing and prioritizing them in the movement for body liberation. [...] Building on the work of Isabel Wilkerson (Caste), Sabrina Strings (Fearing the Black Body) and Tressie McMillan Cottom (Thick), It's Always Been Ours critiques societal narratives about bodies with wit and levity and shows that there is no Right Way to have a body.”
Watch the webinar here: https://weightinclusive.ca/project/its-always-been-ours/
What we’re cooking: Fish Cakes
A tasty Maritime staple for centuries, fishcakes hold a special place at the African Nova Scotian table. Made with fresh, salted, or even canned fish, there are variations in every region of the province. This recipe comes from a collaboration with Wendie Wilson, an African Nova Scotian cook, writer, artist and educator who teaches and celebrates the African Nova Scotian repertoire of culinary traditions. Wendie suggests serving these fishcakes with green tomato chow, baked beans and cornbread.
Find the recipe here: https://www.nourishns.ca/all-recipes/fish-cakes-with-baked-beans
More about Wendie from National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health podcast:
Wendie L. Wilson is a mother, educator, artist, writer, and cultural advocate. Born and raised in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Wendie is a descendant of African Nova Scotians who have history in the province for 400+ years. Currently Wendie is an Executive Staff Officer BIPOC Engagement and Advocacy with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, part-time instructor in the BEd program at Mount Saint Vincent University and a co-founder of the African Nova Scotian Freedom School. She has a passion for food culture and food sovereignty and enjoys her work with Food Secure Canada, Halifax’s African Nova Scotian and Black Food Sovereignty Working Group, the PanCanadian Black Food Sovereignty Network, the Indigenous and Black Food Sovereignty Advisory Circle, and the Coalition for Healthy School Food NS.
Organizations we’re learning from:
Published: Feb 13, 2025