The Municipality of Cumberland is celebrating the contribution of African Nova Scotians to the community.
Mayor Murray Scott joined with representatives of the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, to launch African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia with a flag-raising and proclamation signing at the Upper Nappan Service Centre.
“On behalf of the municipality I’m proud to be able to sign this proclamation and raise the flag in recognition of February as African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia and within the Municipality of Cumberland,” Mayor Scott said. “It’s so important to recognize the contributions of those of African descent in our municipality, our province and country. It’s important we celebrate the successes the African community has had through the years and to work together to ensure we continue to move forward together.”
The mayor said it’s important to work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of African Nova Scotians are heard, their rights respected and their contributions celebrated not just during this month, but every day of the year.
Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Murray Scott is joined by Dawn Ferris and Colleen Dowe from the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association is holding the African Nova Scotian flag during a ceremony at the Upper Nappan Service Centre on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Darrell Cole – Municipality of Cumberland photo
African Heritage Month includes both commemoration of the past struggles and tragedies that have faced the African Nova Scotian community and celebration of African Nova Scotians’ unique and enduring contributions to the province to this day.
It’s a reminder of the remarkable journey of the province’s 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities and the various journeys of people of African descent who now call Nova Scotia home –journeys defined by resilience, wisdom and hope.
The first African Nova Scotians arrived in what is Cumberland County today nearly 300 years ago with the influx of approximately 1,750 people of African descent. They resided in the Fort Lawrence area and were recorded as enslaved persons involved in building of Beaubassin.
Another group of persons of African descent arrived in 1758 with New England planters, both as enslaved persons and freemen.
In 1783, a listing compiled in New York (from the Book of Negroes) included the British ships that landed at Fort Cumberland, Parrsboro and other Cumberland County forts. Many of these people would remain in the area.
The largest Black population in the county was in Amherst followed by Springhill, Parrsboro, Oxford, Tidnish and Joggins with some of the earliest surnames in 1827 including Boles/Bowles, Cook, Dixon, Gay, Halfkenny, Howe, Jones, Martin, Milligan, Newton and Rogers.
Tammy Gero, representing CANSA-Nova Scotia Works, said it’s important to recognize that African Nova Scotians are a people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia for more than 400 years.
“African Heritage Month is the time that we recognize the history of those who were involuntary enslaved and brought to this county, along with celebrating the culture of people of African descent,” Gero said. “This year’s theme is focused on our smiles, our joys, and our resilience throughout history.
Colleen Dowe (left) and Dawn Ferris look on as Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Murray Scott signs a proclamation declaring February as African Heritage Month in the municipality. Darrell Cole – Municipality of Cumberland photo
“The Sankofa bird a symbol very important to African culture. The statement ‘learning from the past to build the future’ has not only been proven right through history but has also been a key factor in creating success within our communities of African descent.”
