Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.

2025 Theme for Black History Month 

The 2025 theme for Black History Month is: “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” This theme acknowledges the diversity of Black Canadians, the importance of Black leadership and the legacy being built for future generations. Black communities are diverse at many levels. Those with a long history in this country have established a legacy for the newer communities. The theme underscores that Black Canadians have a rightful place in the nation's narrative, with over 400 years of historical presence on these Indigenous lands, deserving acknowledgment and celebration.

Black History in Canada

Black Canadians and their communities have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator and interpreter whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s.

The role of Black people and their communities in Canada has largely been ignored as a key part of Canada’s history. There is little mention that some of the Loyalists who came here after the American Revolution and settled in the Maritimes were people of African descent, nor the fact that many soldiers of African descent made many sacrifices in wartime as far back as the War of 1812.

Few people in Canada are aware of the fact that African people were once enslaved in the territory that is now known as Canada, or of how those who fought enslavement helped to lay the foundation of Canada’s diverse and inclusive society.

Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and the many other important contributions that Black Canadians and their communities have made to this country's history and continued growth.

Black History Month in Edmonton Catholic Schools

Edmonton Catholic Schools consultants are sharing many opportunities and rich resources with our staff so that they can learn and explore more about Black History in Canada and around the world. 

Our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism team produced a series of videos featuring students and staff reflecting on what Black History Month means to them.

Highlights of #BHM2024 Student Activities

At  Louis St. Laurent Catholic Junior/Senior High School, Mr. Ford is taking over the airwaves with a new morning announcement routine. Each day, he features a song by a Black artist and a quick history lesson. It started with Edgedege by Pammy Udubonch. 

Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJQg5LeI8Vs 

Mr. Ford shared that this track "is born from the soul of the Igbo culture of Nigeria and offers a profound look into the cultural legacy of the Igbo people, originating from the southeastern region of Nigeria."

He added, “it is more than a melody; it encapsulates the essence of Igbo traditions, often heard during significant life events. During Black History Month, let it serve as a tribute to the Igbo peoples’ strength, unity, and cultural richness.”

Austin O’Brien Catholic High School’s Black Students’ Association organized a cook-in to celebrate Black history and culture. Nearly 100 students enjoyed a feast prepared by their peers at AOB, including puff-puff, pilau, jollof rice, jerk chicken, and plantain. But it wasn’t just about the food. The event was served alongside a specially curated playlist and meaningful conversations on the significance of celebrating African and Caribbean cultures. And it doesn’t stop here! AOB’s BSA has a lineup of events planned for the rest of the school year, well after #BHM2024 comes to an end. #ECSD #ECSDfaithinspires #ECSD135 #BlackHistoryMonth

Students at Sister Annata Brockman Catholic Elementary/Junior High School are blending education and action in a project aimed at elevating and promoting Black-owned businesses in Edmonton. First, they are learning about the challenges Black business owners face, ranging from access to capital to systemic biases. Then, the students are tasked with creating an advertisement for a local Black-owned business to increase visibility and support. It’s just one of the #BHM2024 projects underway at the school.

Nearly 100 students participated in the inaugural ECSD Black Student Association Conference. The event was held at Archbishop MacDonald Catholic High School and was a chance for students to learn, network, and build community. It featured:

• Keynote address by EDIAR Consultant Sarah Adomako-Ansah 
• Multiple student performances, including dances and a spoken word poem 
• Student-led breakout sessions focused on topics like dance, hair, and cuisine 

Organizers are hoping to make this an annual event!