As part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual campaign from November 25 to December 10, Be the Peace Institute signed and is encouraging all to sign and disseminate this Federal Petition from the African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent (ANSDPAD) Coalition for a government apology for Canada’s role in the enslavement of African people.
This campaign started in 1991 to call out and speak up on gender-based violence, and to renew our commitment to ending violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. This year the Government of Canada’s theme for the 2022 campaign is ‘’It’s Not Just‘’ to remind Canadians of both the injustice of GBV and that it is not just a private issue, but a systemic cycle that all Canadians have a role in ending by addressing the beliefs and behaviours that perpetuate violence.
As one action toward this end BTPI has signed this petition which also demands that Canada create legislation that legally recognizes Black/African Canadians as a unique group of people with African Nova Scotians recognized as a distinct group of people.
People of African descent have lived in Mi'kmaki /Nova Scotia for over 400 years and there are deep and traumatic connections between GBV and the legacy of enslavement and ongoing systemic racism in this province and worldwide. Canada’s history of enslavement, racial segregation and oppression of African Canadians make African Nova Scotians more vulnerable to sexual /gender-based violence.
While African Nova Scotians have experienced centuries of racism and injustice, there is deep and broad resilience and cultural pride. An apology from the Canadian government would help show that Black Canadian lives matter.
As you consider your 16 days of activism, consider signing and sharing with your networks in order to take a small step toward repairing this long-standing historical harm that continues to have impacts today.