How Winnipeg marked Canada's first Emancipation Day
August 1 marks the very first Emancipation Day in Canada, a day that recognizes the end of slavery in the British Empire.
On Sunday, key speakers and politicians gathered at the St. Norbert Art Centre to acknowledge emancipation.
Laurelle Harris, a lawyer specializing in anti-racism work, said the emancipation took place on August 1, 1834.
"So 187 years ago is when the emancipation of enslaved persons in Canada took place. Indigenous and Black peoples were both enslaved in Canada," said Harris.
On March 24, 2021, Canadian members of parliament voted unanimously to designate August 1 as Emancipation Day in Canada.
Harris said there's a lack of knowledge in our country about black history, Emancipation Day, and the effects of slavery in Canada.
"Black folks and Indigenous folks disproportionally suffer from unemployment, are disproportionally involved in the criminal justice system, are disproportionally involved in the child welfare system. Those are not consequences that come out of nowhere."
City Councillor Markus Chambers was another speaker at the event.
Not only is Chambers the first black city councillor in Winnipeg in 2018, but he was the first elected black politician in the province.
He said Emancipation Day is an opportunity to learn more about our past and the legacy of Canada.
"It doesn't have to define us. It is something that we do need to acknowledge and accept and move forward. That's the only way true reconciliation can happen."
Former Chief of Brokenhead First Nation, Jim Bear, spoke about the emancipation of Indigenous People in Canada.
He said at one point, there were more Indigenous slaves in Canada than there was black.
"We all know about 1492 and the alleged discovery of North America. Shortly after that, our people start to be shipped overseas," said Bear.
"The truth will hurt a lot of us on both sides, but with the truth comes freedom,"
Harris said we all have a role to play in reconciliation.
"Once we know our history, we can then understand how we are operating, or maybe doing things that are contributing to part of the problem."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
DEVELOPING Trump trial arrives at a pivotal moment: Star witness Michael Cohen is poised to take the stand
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
India's mammoth election is more than halfway done as millions begin voting in fourth round
Millions of Indians across 96 constituencies began casting their ballots on Monday as the country's gigantic, six-week-long election edges past its halfway mark. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term with an eye on winning a supermajority in Parliament.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.