August 1st is officially designated as Emancipation Day in Canada. Emancipation Day is the day the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 became law across the British Empire, including Canada. It is recognized as the day that the practice of slavery officially ended for millions of African people and their descendants in Canada.
We encourage our members and all Nova Scotians to use Emancipation Day as an opportunity to learn more about the history of African Nova Scotian people and communities, and to continue to address and put an end to anti-Black racism.
This day will allow us to reflect and acknowledge our shared history of the enslavement of people of African descent in Canada. Most importantly the inaugural Emancipation Day will provide us with an opportunity to maintain ongoing meaningful conversations around race relations and inclusive society.
We encourage you to recognize Emancipation Day and to continue your learning this day and on an ongoing basis by reviewing the following resources:
- Understanding Anti-Black Racism and How to Be an Ally
(Video/Panel Discussion – Government of Canada, Patricia Harewood) - Nova Scotia Street Check Report
- CBC – 8 Documentaries That Explore Race, Racism and Policing in North America
(Government of Canada) - Supporting Each Other in Anti-Racism Work
(Webinar – CBA-NS) - How to be an Ally
(PowerPoint –The Hon. Judge Aleta C. Cromwell, 2020) - RDS vs. A Story of Race and Justice
(Video – Canadian Race Relations Foundation) - Anti-Racism Bookshelf: Tools for Entering a Difficult Conversation
(Resources – Niki Bains, BA (Hons), JD and Sylvie Vigneux, BA, MA, JD) - In Their Shoes: Stories of systemic racism from the legal profession
(Article in CBA National Magazine – 2020) - Working Together for Change: Strategies to Address Issues of Systemic Racism in the Legal Professions
(Law Society of Ontario Report) - The Marshall Inquiry: Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall, Jr., Prosecution
- The Society’s Equity Lens Toolkit
- Nova Scotia Provincial Library – Reading List for Emancipation Day 2021
Valuable related organizations:
- Canadian Association of Black Lawyers – Nova Scotia Chapter
- African Nova Scotian Affairs
- Black Loyalist Heritage Centre
- Africville Museum
- Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
- Game Changers 902
(Mission is to centralize African Nova Scotian experience, culture and history.) - Government of Nova Scotia – Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives
- Government of Nova Scotia – African Nova Scotian Justice Institute Launched
The Society’s Acknowledgement of Systemic Discrimination & Review