Residents in St. John’s celebrated a big milestone on Monday, assisted by a flag-raising ceremony at city hall, which marked 30 years of Black History Month in Canada.

But one organizer says more needs to be done to recognize the black community’s history in the province. 

“Black history isn’t sidelined. It’s not a footnote,” Raven Anderson said.

Black History Month is celebrated in February. Anderson said Black history in the region can often be forgotten, and that’s why it’s important to highlight the history through education.  

The ceremony also included speeches and a musical performance.

Anderson said giving a space for people in the community to share their own stories and acknowledging the role Black Canadians have in Canadian history and culture is the focus.

“Black creativity in Newfoundland is about making something beautiful in a place that has not always made space for us,” she said.

Oluwatoyin Awosanya, finance coordinator with ARC-NL, has been in Canada for 10 years. However, she said, she did not learn much about her own history while going to school.

She said she has noticed changes in the province over the years. 

“I have been in St. Johns for four years now. I have seen more people, more organizations, more individuals acknowledge the history Black people have had in this province,” Awosanya said.

Rachel Guilbert, a member of ARC-NL, said diversity has increased significantly since her arrival in 2014, as well as the presence of other cultures through food and art. 

She said seeing the Black community and allies come together to celebrate each other’s achievements is inspiring, especially when there is an opportunity to do it in person.

“Raising a flag is a meaningful symbol for the work that we are doing and the future we are working towards,” said Gilbert. 

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