**** HRM Media Release
Municipality observes Emancipation Day
The Halifax Regional Municipality is encouraging residents to observe Emancipation Day on Tuesday, August 1.
In 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1 as Emancipation Day, in recognition of the history and impacts of slavery in Canada. Emancipation Day provides residents an opportunity to maintain ongoing meaningful dialogue around race relations and an inclusive society, and to celebrate the diverse heritage, culture and contributions of people of African descent across the region.
The municipality invites residents to attend the following events to recognize Emancipation Day:
- Flag raising of the Pan-African Flag in Grand Parade (1770 Barrington Street) on Tuesday, August 1, at 9 a.m. This event will also include a municipal proclamation reading from Mayor Savage. The flag raising will be livestreamed on YouTube.
- Emancipation Day celebration at Grand Parade on Tuesday, August 1, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The theme is based on the Adinkra symbol known as “Adinkrahene,” encouraging residents to lead, inspire and build. Special guests and performances will include:
o words by Senator Wanda Bernard, Mayor Mike Savage, Councillor Lindell Smith, as well as Tracey Jones Grant, Managing Director, Office of Diversity & Inclusion/ANSAIO
o spoken words from the municipality’s Youth Poet Laureates, Damini Awoyiga and Asiah Sparks
o interactive drumming and dancing with Wontanara Drum & Dance
o entertainment by Asia and Nu Gruv, Rhythms of Africa, Jupiter Reign and sounds from Evolution HD
The municipality is committed to addressing anti-Black racism. To support these efforts, Regional Council endorsed the framework for developing a municipal Anti-Black Racism Strategy and Action Plan. Staff are currently drafting the Anti-Black Racism (ABR) Strategy and Action Plan and expect to present to Regional Council during the fall of 2023.
For more information, and for resources to learn more about the experiences of African Nova Scotians, visit: halifax.ca/emancipationday
