NOVA SCOTIA: PAST AND PRESENT

African Nova Scotians have lived in this region for over 400 years, long before most white settlers, and 150 years before Canada’s founding.  Though many African Nova Scotians came to the province to flee enslavement elsewhere, Nova Scotia was also an area with active enslavement, which many Canadians still do not know or acknowledge.

Here in Nova Scotia, slavery occurred primarily with the influx of Black Loyalists who arrived in the province. Instead of receiving the land and provisions promised to them for their loyalty during the American Revolution, Black Loyalists who arrived in Canada faced discrimination. They received much lower wages than white people, endured harsh climates in remote areas, and suffered unfair treatment and few job prospects. In 1784, White settlers destroyed Black Loyalists' homes due to competition for jobs, despite Black people being paid much less. Many Black Loyalists, including children, were forced into indentured servitude and treated almost as poorly as enslaved people. The reality of being kidnapped and sold back into slavery haunted many, as this was still ‘legal’. Black Loyalists bravely petitioned the British government for the land they were promised, with Thomas Peters representing their case in London with the help of abolitionist Granville Sharp. Peters was told Black Loyalists would be given free land if they settled in Sierra Leone. In 1792, 1196 Black Loyalists left for Sierra Leone, seeking better opportunities – many died en route. It was not until 1833 that slavery was abolished in the British Empire.  

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Until 1961, African Nova Scotians comprised over half of all Black people living in Canada. Nova Scotians of African heritage continue to experience deep systemic oppression and injustices, and both overt racism and micro-aggressions. The Jim Crow era of segregation deeply impacted Black people in Canada, with many discriminatory practices, laws, and attitudes prevalent throughout history. We live in a time and place where racism is so prevalent that Nova Scotia needs an Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy. Though this is needed, and we applaud the brave Members of the Legislative Assembly for standing up for what is right, it says a lot about how far society still must go to achieve a harmonious and safe society for all. If not even the highest elected officials are safe from racist remarks in their place of work, nobody is safe, and more work is needed.