After many years of lobbying, the Government of Canada recently voted unanimously to declare Emancipation Day on August 1 as a National Day. We celebrated to recognize 187 years since the British Government’s Abolition of Slavery and collaborated with numerous organizations in Halton to provide a variety of educational and cultural programs for you and your family to enjoy. Thank you to his Worship Mayor Rob Burton for providing a proclamation for Emancipation Day on August 1 and for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Appreciation Month for August.
Halton Freedom Celebration Festival We are honoured to have partnered with the Halton Black History Awareness Society. who provided the evening entertainment. Guest presenters included historians, government officials, and community leaders and entertainers, a number of whom are enslaved descendants, orphaned youths, and freedom/equality activists. You may watch the entertainment that was provided for Emancipation Day here.
Virtual Town Hall
In 2020, following the death of George Floyd, the CCAH hosted a Town Hall meeting with politicians and community partners to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and the racial crisis on marginalized and equity-seeking groups. We connected with those participants to reflect on what has been done to bring about positive change to our communities in 2021. Watch the virtual Town Hall broadcast on Cogeco's YourTV Halton.
Black History Month
CCAH partners with community organizations like the Town of Oakville, Sheridan College, and Halton Regional Police Service to deliver a highly engaging kick-off event involving the performing and visual arts, initiating a month of cultural and educational activities in celebration of Black History throughout February. 2021 Souvenir Booklet - click here
Legacy Voices Documentary
What is a legacy? It’s the story of your life, your accomplishments and your failures. It’s your home and your family. It’s what you leave behind to ensure future generations know the importance of what has been accomplished. Five voices describe their extraordinary journey of immigration and settlement in the Halton Region. Often the only Black families in their community, they found strength in overcoming racism and worked for changed. Halton Region has a rich history of Blacks in the community that should not be forgotten. This is the importance of leaving a legacy. The CCAH presents a Falling Motion production featuring Edwin Terry, Pamela Chase, Percival Greenidge, Merle Ling, and Andrew Tyrrell. It is an official selection for four film festivals: Hamilton Film Festival – Canadian Market 2020; Canadian Diversity Film Festival 2020; Quinte Canadian Filmfest 2020; and Film for Peace 2020.
Poster
Trailer
Full Documentary
Roots of Freedom Festival
This fun-filled two day festival focuses on local Black history and heritage within the context of the diaspora and Oakville's role in the transition from slavery to freedom. Through our partnerships with the Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board, the festival also provides facilitated opportunities to integrate Black history into school curricula.
Carousel of Nations Festival
The Carousel of Nations Multicultural Festival is a family event that contributes to the social cohesion of the Halton Region community. Since 1999, the festival remains to be a successful collaboration among the local ethno-cultural groups, professional and amateur multicultural artists, Halton Regional Police Service, local businesses, government and corporate sponsors.
Journey to Africa Art Exhibit
The Association of African Canadian Artists is pleased to establish a collaborative partnership with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton’s innovative program for Black History Celebration. We are proud to expose the public to our collection, of which differences, histories, traditions and struggles, shape the artists’ works. Our artists strive to put into motion a different set of visual criteria. Our previous exhibits have significantly impacted the Canadian Art scene. The greatest benefit of this partnership project is that it will enable the participants to feel empowered, give them the opportunity to strengthen connections and engage with others in their community, and foster a sense of belonging. Using art to engage the public benefits the artists and the community, thus generating pride, citizenship, and civic memory within and beyond. The works of these artists will be on display from September to December 2017 at the QEP Community and Cultural Centre in Oakville.