BLM-YYC supports a community memorial and rally to remember the life of Latjor Tuel
On February 19th, 2023 there was a memorial and rally to remember the life of Latjor Tuel. Tuel was shot and murdered by police on February 19th 2022 as he was walking on the 4500 block of 17 Avenue S.E. He was beloved in his community, and his friends, family and community gathered at this location to share stories and memories of Latjor at 11:00am. Following this gathering, there was a peaceful rally/protest at City Hall focussed on police brutality.
“Calgary Herald reports 3 shooting deaths since February 8th 2023 by the Calgary Police (CPS). The family is asking for the community to come together in holding CPS to account for the continuing rise in violence inflicted on communities, not being held accountable to the family, the Black community at large, and the demand for change.” – Adora Nwofor, BLM YYC President.
The Family and friends of Latjor Tuel stood together with support from Lich-Bentiu Community Association in Canada, The Sudanese Nuer Community Association of Alberta, South Sudanese Community Association in Calgary (SSCAC), Calgary African Community Collective (CACC), BLMYYC, BLMCanada, Walls Down Collective and Inclusive Canada.
BLM-Sudbury launched Culture Matrix: Black Arts Festival, bringing in internationally acclaimed talent and more.
On Saturday, August 13th, 2022, Black Lives – Matter Sudbury hosted Culture Matrix: Black Arts Festival in Downtown Sudbury. The all-ages programming was split into three dynamic sections: healing, kinship, and celebration. Community members participated in healing and kinship activities for free. Programming included Northern-Ontario talent followed by acclaimed performers including Haviah Mighty, Naya Ali, and Prince Manny Dingo.
The organization’s board put out a statement which read, in part, “It’s important for us to engage with our communities in many ways. We want to celebrate and thrive together. This event will uplift and center Black, Indigenous, and racialized artists and facilitators, in a way Northern Ontario has never seen before.”
Black Lives Matter – Sudbury (BLMS) is a non-profit organization that is committed to fighting systemic racism in all of its forms, demanding that society and all levels of government address and fix the root causes of racism in all social institutions. In addition to fighting against anti-Blackness, we create spaces to build our community.
The Michaëlle Jean Foundation live streamed the National Black Canadians Summit
In Ottawa during July 2022 The Fondation Michaëlle Jean Foundation offered live streaming of the National Black Canadians Summit (#NBCS2022) through the generous partnership of Enbridge, making the Summit more accessible to more Canadians.
“Enbridge is proud to sponsor the NBCS Summit, which is bringing together Black Canadians from all ages, sectors and walks of life to raise awareness about the actions that can be taken to eliminate racial discrimination,” said Pete Sheffield, Enbridge’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
The live stream was an opportunity for the public to take part in a suite of sessions, to hear the presenters and interact with panelists at the Summit. The three-day stream showcased the opening ceremony, youth-focused workshops, keynote addresses, roundtable discussions and the Halifax Declaration.
Day 2 at the Summit was entitled Blacks in Science and Tech, a much-anticipated panel highlighted the interests and successes of Black professionals and students. Many industry professionals reflected on how to dismantle barriers, through reflections on their lived experience.
Access to the entire live stream summit costs $45 with complementary modules to enhance the online experience. Be a part of the Summit movement – register at: https://www.blackcanadiansummit.ca/.
“The Summit provides a valuable opportunity to share even sensitive issues,” said The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean. “This brave and safe space where Black communities came to share their stories and with a concern for truth is a powerful circle of speech, pride, awareness and mobilization. We have come a long way, but there is still a long way to go.”
With the Halifax Declaration, at the birthplace of Black presence in Canada, all delegates were able to bear witness to the perspectives and expectations of Black communities, challenging the status quo, a legacy of colonial and racist policies which have been harmful to historically excluded and marginalized peoples.
The Summit took place under the auspices the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) – Recognition, Justice and Development proclaimed by the United Nations, Dr Natalia Kanem, the United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Population Fund, The UN delegation attested to the major mobilization in Canada for the eradication of systemic racial discrimination.
The National Black Canadians Summit would not have existed without the support of many partners. The Foundation is deeply grateful to its presenting sponsor, TD Bank Group through its TD Ready Commitment. We also thank our valued partners: Enbridge, Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation, African Nova Scotian Affairs and the province of Nova Scotia, Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Export Development Canada, Majda International, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Sobeys, Dream Legacy Foundation. The Foundation is also thanking its precious allies, the Federation of Black Canadians, the Canadian Race Relations Council, the City of Halifax, Canada Council for the Arts, Definity, Black Business Initiative and the Delmore “Buddy” Day Learning Institute. We would also like to acknowledge the generous personal contributions of Robert and Maria Peck, as well as that of John Beck, our “Youth Champion Delegate”, who is sponsoring the participation of 400 youth at the Summit. The Foundation thanks CBC/Radio-Canada, the national public broadcaster, as the 2022 Summit media partner.
The Michaëlle Jean Foundation was born out of the actions taken to focus specifically on youth-led civic initiatives across Canada by the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean throughout her mandate as the 27th Governor-General of Canada in collaboration with the unwavering commitment of her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, philosopher-filmmaker and writer. The Foundation, created in 2011, is a national charitable organization that uses a unique model of intervention, based on social change, dialogue, innovation, education, creative and social entrepreneurship, to empower young Canadians across the country who are experiencing exclusion.
Black Lives Matter – Canada, Black Inmates and Friends Association, Keep6ix and the Toronto Black Farmers and Growers Collective launch ‘Earthseed,’ a new garden program for formerly incarcerated Black people
Created in collaboration with the Black Inmates and Friends Association, Toronto Black Farmers and Growers Collective, and Keep6ix, Black Lives Matter – Canada has established a re-entry support program at Wildseed Centre for Art and Activism. Launched in March 2022, Earthseed Community Garden Program builds on established programming led by Toronto Black Farmers and Keep6ix. An abolitionist experiment, the program is grounded in commitments to Black food justice, equitable employment, community support, political education, and self-expression through art.
“Through a combination of paid and volunteer opportunities, we are excited to extend our support, creating a space for land-based community engagement alongside formerly incarcerated Black people,” said Jessica Kirk, Black Lives Matter Canada’s Executive Director.
Formerly incarcerated Black people face numerous barriers resulting from racism, stigma, violence, and trauma upon reentry. Through programming and access to trauma-informed support networks, Earthseed is working with formerly incarcerated Black people to build community for those returning from incarceration. Additionally, Earthseed’s harvest will feed its neighbours, offering free access to a community fridge. Creating a space for formerly incarcerated Black people to find support and reconnect is a necessary step towards healing and building networks of collective care.
Jacqueline from Toronto Black Farmers and Growers Collective said, “The earth grows everything we need. Here, it provides empowerment through therapy, healing and nourishment to those tending to it with love and kindness. This supports us giving back to others in a humane, caring and humble way.
Richard Miller from Keep6ix stated that, “Providing support to formerly incarcerated Black people that is based in an ethic of love, mutual aid, and collective care, can help create systems that empower individuals to not only thrive professionally but to also work towards personal healing.”
Black Lives Matter – Canada is a national network that resources and supports grassroots Black liberation efforts from coast to coast to coast.
Related Posts
