This year's provincial theme for African Heritage Month is Through Our Eyes: The Voices of African Nova Scotians.
In September of 2021 Council adopted an amended Proceedings of Council By-Law to include provisions for a special meeting of Council and members of the African Nova Scotian Community during the first week of February each year. The purpose of the meeting is to identify the issues that are at hand for members of our African Nova Scotian population and do whatever it is that Council can do to improve these specific items.
The amended by-law reads:
Further to this, each year, at the Committee of the Whole meeting in February near the beginning of African Heritage Month, Council would hold a Special Council Meeting to:
a) Host representatives of our African NS Communities;
b) Proclaim a proclamation recognizing February as African Heritage month in MODG;
c) Have the Warden and a representative of one of our African Nova Scotian communities raise the flag in place of the Municipal Flag for the duration of the month of February;
d) Hold a roundtable between Council and representatives of the African Nova Scotian communities to talk about agenda items compiled by the communities;
e) Hold a small reception with the members in attendance following the round table meeting.
Council encourages all of MODG's residents to research, read and advance your knowledge on the history that has taken place; and encourage everyone, no matter your race, to become involved in discussions on how to better improve the quality of life, experiences and inclusiveness in our area. There are many resources available to learn about the history, starting with the provincial website of the Department of African Nova Scotian Affairs Celebrate African Heritage Month 2022 | African Nova Scotian Affairs.
Please see the attached schedule of many exciting events for our local area for the month of February!
