Schools, organizations celebrate Black History Month

Schools and organizations alike are celebrating Black History Month in unique ways this February.

Carol LaFayette-Boyd is the executive director of the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum (SACHM). She also has been named the Sask. Sport athlete of the year three times, voted into the Canadian Masters Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

She says it’s important that young people learn about the history of people who have called our province home. She hopes by taking a virtual approach to education this month, more people will be able to be reached.

“People have tuned in from the United States and elsewhere to watch what we have been doing. That wouldn’t have happened if we just went to the MacKenzie Art Gallery and had our usual programming,” LaFayette-Boyd said. “I think from now on we’ll be using social media more to get our message across.

“It’s important people know about the history of people — especially in the prairies — that is not well known.”

Some of the programming that will be available will include a six-part series on Saskatchewan Roughriders players who stayed in the province after their CFL playing careers.

There also will be a theatre production showcasing Viola Desmond, a civil rights activist featured on the $10 bill.

Schools in the province are also finding unique ways to celebrate Black residents not only in the province, but in all of Canada.

Domenic Scuglia, the director of education for the Regina Catholic School Division, said it’s important for schools to continue to become more inclusive for all students and staff.

“Throughout the year, we focus on different marginalized groups to make sure students are aware that other groups are also experiencing racism and discrimination,” Scuglia said.

“It is important for all people to have an understanding of the struggles that Black people, other people of colour and of course our Indigenous people within our province have had in Canada and North America.

“The mosaic of the world is represented in our classrooms. It is so important for everyone to have an understanding of the struggles that others have gone through or are going through.”

Scuglia says books by Black Canadian authors will be a point of discussion for many classrooms this month and schools will be reaching out to different speakers.

There is also a children’s story being written about LaFayette-Boyd, with students being given the opportunity to do the illustrations for the story.

“It’s a children’s book primarily for kids, grades 1 to 3,” Scuglia said. “It’s her story of struggles in the province and her revelation later in life that pushed her as an athlete.”

Scuglia hopes the education regarding Black History Month will help further the discussion of challenges that Canadians of all walks of life and colour go through.

“I believe strongly that our schools are best positioned to change some of the racist attitudes that exist in society, whether it’s around Black people, Indigenous people, Asian people, or any other race,” he said.

“We will continue to make sure that we make this a priority as we engage with our kids.”