Black History Month celebrations begin in Manitoba
Black History Month doesn’t start for a few more days, but that hasn’t stopped Black History Manitoba from kicking things off early with a tribute to one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders.
The 42nd annual opening ceremonies for Black History Month celebrations in Manitoba is happening Sunday at the New Anointing Christian Fellowship, 1425 Manitoba Avenue.
Nadia Thompson, chairperson and program director for Black History Manitoba said this year's theme is "Black Resistance: Remember, Recognize and Educate."
"What we do is about remembering our past, recognizing those who have given up their lives … and to educate ourselves as to how our history affects our present and our future," said Thompson.
Thompson said they are thrilled to be back in person after two years of virtual events. "We want to start off the month with a bang," she said. "We've got dignitaries that'll come and say hello and greet everybody, we've got entertainment, we've got some food."
The event will also feature a guest speaker talking about Martin Luther King, Jr. and a tribute to Winnipeg's Pilgrim Baptist Church. "Just to recognize them for all that they've done, and to show them our support as being one of our oldest black churches here," said Thompson.
"They're a very unique and integral part of our history here and we want to celebrate them as well," she added.
Thompson said they are expecting around 200 people at the Sunday event, which kicks off a month of programming throughout February.
The month officially begins Feb. 1 with a special invitation-only breakfast with Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, followed by a First Friday event at the Manitoba Museum on Feb. 3.
"We're basically going to take our outdoor summer event - which is our block party, were going to bring it inside," said Thompson.
She said the free event runs in Alloway Hall at the museum from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday.
"You're going to get some laughs, you're going to get a dance performance, there's vendors that are going to be participating," said Thompson.
Both virtual and in-person events are happening all month long, ending with the first-ever Winnipeg Jets Black History Night on Feb. 28, when the Jets host the Los Angeles Kings.
"Black history is a part of hockey history as well," said Thompson. "They have special guests coming to do presentations and to do the puck drop. And were hoping to have the black national anthem at the game, and some fun games and trivia too."
Thompson said Sunday's celebrations will be tempered by news out of Memphis about another black man killed by police.
But she said they will be talking about it. "We need to have those hard conversations, especially when it comes to justice and policing. It's an ongoing issue that has not improved," said Thompson.
You can find more about Black History Manitoba's schedule of events online.
- With files from CTV's Daniel Halmarson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.