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8 DurhamCitizen.ca June 21, 2021

As Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in

the U.S., Canada is set to commemorate its

first countrywide Emancipation Day, Aug. 1

When John Baker died in Cornwall, L i n c o l n ’ s E m a n c i p a t i o n that impacts your employment and
Ont., the last living vestiges of Proclamation in 1862. your employability. That impacts
slavery in Canada died with him. “Acknowledging Emancipation your housing, that impacts your
Baker, widely considered to be the Day essentially means that Canada health. It’s like a house of cards.
last person of African descent born is finally acknowledging that “Slavery was abolished, but anti-
into slavery in Canada, was born a slavery was a part of our history,” Black racism wasn’t.”
slave in Quebec in the 1780s, was says Bernard. “That’s not been the In 2018, when Bernard first began a
freed along with his mother in way Canadian history tells the push for an Emancipation Day, it
1804, fought in the War of 1812 and history of African presence in wasn’t considered a high priority in
the Napoleonic Wars — for the Canada.” the Senate. Her bid stalled out
British army — and died at home, Usually, she says, history texts when the 2019 election was called.
among his family in Cornwall in his focus on the Underground But the baton was picked up post-
90s. Railroad, the network of routes and election by Richmond Hill MP
That was in 1871. But his death safe houses used to smuggle slaves Majid Jowhari, and in March of this
didn’t mean the legacies of this from the U.S. to freedom in year the House of Commons
country’s 200-year history of Canada. They tend to gloss over unanimously adopted Bill M-36,
slavery died with him. In fact, 150 Canada’s history of importing, m a k i n g A u g . 1 o ffi c i a l l y
years after the country’s last owning and buying enslaved Emancipation Day across Canada. legislation — Juneteenth and Canadians continue to face.”
surviving enslaved man died, anti- people. To a large extent, both Canada’s Emancipation Day — says Bernard, Bernard will be celebrating her
Black racism in Canada is alive, “The narrative that’s been taught in and the U.S.’s long overdue pieces are symptoms of that desire. birthday this year on the same day
well and systemic, says Canadian this country is one that we’ve been of legislation were driven home by But the changes still have to go that Canada commemorates its
Sen. Wanda Thomas Bernard. better than our neighbours to the the same event, says Bernard: the deeper than merely setting aside first national Emancipation Day.
And that’s why it’s so important south; that slavery didn’t exist here; murder last year of a Black man by a one day a year to pause for She says she hopes that day will
that this federal government in that this was the land of freedom white Minneapolis police officer in reflection, says historian and encourage those with power and
March acknowledged an official and opportunity that the poor broad daylight with cameras educator Natasha Henry. influence to start thinking about
Emancipation Day, she says. African Americans were able to watching. Henry literally wrote the book on how they can use that power and
Though it’s already observed in escape to,” says Bernard. George Floyd’s death at the hands Emancipation Day. It’s called influence to create more equity for
some places in the country — “And yes, that’s part of the history. of Derek Chauvin not only “Emancipation Day: Celebrating B l a c k p e o p l e a n d o t h e r
O n t a r i o, Nova S co t i a a n d B u t a c k n o w l e d g i n g a n d triggered protests all over the Freedom in Canada,” published in marginalized groups.
Vancouver, for example — this recognizing Emancipation Day world, but also provoked a global 2010. She says the establishment of But she also believes those kinds of
Aug. 1 will mark the first time the means that we’re acknowledging self-reckoning on racism. an Emancipation Day is merely the changes come down to individual
country as a whole commemorates and recognizing the reality that “That newsfeed played over and spring from which more change Canadians, too.
the day in 1834 when slavery was African people were enslaved in over and over again,” she says. “And must flow. “I want people to be thinking about
officially abolished across the Canada.” I think that the world woke up. “We want it to be utilized, not just what they can do,” she says.
British Empire. The British Empire’s abolition of Woke up to the reality of racism, as a performative thing, not just, “Because it’s not just about looking
It comes at a time when, south of slavery didn’t mean the beginning woke up to the reality of racism as a ‘Hello, today’s Emancipation Day.’ to government to make these big
the border — in the midst of racial of equity. What it did was open the form of violence, woke up to the But (used) in understanding this changes. Yes, those are important.
reckoning of their own — the U.S. doors for nefarious, systemic reality of racism and state history and understanding the And we’ll keep pushing for those.
on Thursday passed legislation to discrimination, says Bernard. And violence.” realities of enslavement here in “But I want I want ordinary
declare Juneteenth a national that’s the battle that Black people It’s a time, on both sides of the Canada,” she says. Canadians to be thinking, “What
holiday. That recognizes June 19, in Canada face today. border and across the world, she “I see it as being part of this can I do? What’s my role? What are
the day in 1865 when slaves were “Systemic racism impacted believes, when people have been ongoing advocacy, this push for the things that I can do?’ And I
freed in Texas, the last holdout for education, which then impacts looking for ways to make more continued improved citizenship, t h i n k i t s t a r t s w i t h s o m e
slavery, almost three years and everything else,” says Bernard. “If meaningful structural and quality of life, and improvement of conversations. With some difficult
most of a Civil War after Abraham you don’t have access to education, systemic changes. Both pieces of the disparate outcomes, that Black conversations.”

Appeal for further donations to

provide children with digital devices

staged by the High Commission of additional 100,000 students on children is that they have lost a r e c o g n i s e d t h e p a r t n e r
Jamaica to Canada and the require laptops or tablets to year. Let’s do anything we can to organisations and donors for
Consulate-General of Jamaica at effectively participate in online make this year stronger and help collaborating with the High
Toronto, in partnership with the learning for the academic year them catch up. I am asking you to Commission and Consulate-
Alliance of Jamaican Alumni starting September 2021 or risk donate today, but I also want you to General on this worthwhile
Associations in Canada and Food falling behind academically. reach out to a friend, a family initiative.
For The Poor Canada. I n e m p h a s i z i n g t h e d i r e member, a co-worker and try and He added, “Think of what your
Speaking during the virtual event, circumstances, LaToya Harris, raise enough money for at least one donation means to one child … it
High Commissioner Miller noted Director of Donor and Partnership tablet or even 10. If you need to, talk means they won’t be left behind,
High Commissioner
of Jamaica to Canada, schools have closed and teaching Management at the National to a fundraiser at Food for the Poor and you never know, that one child
Her Excellency Sharon J Miller and learning moved online. This Education Trust in Jamaica, shared Canada and we can help you to might become a world-changer.”
necessary action has seen a that some 122,000 children across become a better fundraiser.” To date, $1,765 of the $25,000 target
significant number of children the island “have not had any Also making an appeal during the has been donated.
OTTAWA – In a further bid to unable to participate in the contact with the [education] launch, Rhona Dunwell, President
support the Government of learning process, but it has also system since March 2020 and a lot of the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Donations can be made at:
Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to provided an opportunity to close of those students are without Associations in Canada, and the https://www.canadahelps.org/en/
provide a device for every child, the the digital divide, thus enabling devices.” Ms. Harris also said that current President of Knox Past pages/a-computer-for-every-
High Commissioner of Jamaica to our youth to secure their future. the Government has met only 17% Students’ Association –Toronto child/.
Canada, Her Excellency Sharon J For students who have been thrust of the target to provide 100,000 C h a p t e r , n o t e d t h e Donations are being facilitated
Miller appealed for donations to i n t o a n o n l i n e l e a r n i n g devices. “unprecedented risk to children’s through Food For The Poor Canada
purchase tablets and laptops for e n v i r o n m e n t , i n t e r n e t During the launch, Samantha education, protection and well- which serves communities in the
needy youth. connectivity is only one hurdle, Mahfood, Executive Director, Food being” and implored members of Caribbean and Latin America.
The appeal was made during a lack of a device is a more pressing For The Poor Canada, encouraged the Jamaican Diaspora and wider
C a n a d i a n l a u n c h o f t h e issue. The Jamaican Government is attendees to become fundraisers community in Canada to donate by Contact
Government of Jamaica initiative – currently providing an estimated for Jamaican children and spread August. information@jhcottawa.ca
‘A Device for Every Child’ on 150,000 devices to ensure no child the word about the three-month The Consul General of Jamaica at & info-jcgtoronto@mfaft.gov.jm
Saturday June 5th. The event was is left behind. However, an campaign. “The long-term effect Toronto, Lincoln Downer,