February is Black History Month

In Canada, this year’s theme is The Future is Now. The Government of Canada’s website has lots of information including short biographies and videos about the many noteworthy Black figures in Canadian history,

This month there are also lots of other interesting and inspiring articles to read, watch and discuss with your learner as part of your session. Here are just a few.

For events in Montreal to celebrate Black history this month, check out the Mois l’Histoire des Noirs (MHN) website. MHN has lots to offer.

If you are looking for a webinar on financial literacy, the Jamaican Association of Montreal is holding one on February 21st. You can also go directly to the eventbrite posting to register.

You can find out about the many Black History Month calendar laureates that MHN has selected this year. The West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA) chairperson, Kemba Mitchell is one of those selected. Find out more about her and the great work that this organization does in the West Island on the WIBCA website.

For Hockey lovers, go to the Color of Hockey blog which will introduce you to the many children, youth, men and women of colour who play this game.

You can read about NHL’s first Black hockey player and recent addition to the Hockey Hall of Fame, on his own website – Willie O’Ree’s website. If you get a chance, watch Willie, the 2019 documentary movie. He is an inspiring person who just keeps giving.

For history buffs, when the lockdown is over, think of joining Rito Joseph on a Black History Tour of Montreal. In the meantime, read more about his tour and Montreal in this CBC article about the walking tour of Black history in Montreal.

You can also learn about famous Black Canadians in history at this interactive CBC site.

For all those puzzlers out there, the LU blog wouldn’t be complete without a WordSearch.

Here’s a Wordsearch celebrating some of these famous Black Canadians.

For more about Black Lives Matter and being Black in Canada, watch the this thought provoking News Special from CBC.

Each day, CBC are spotlighting members of the black community. The series is intended to provide a “window into the struggles while celebrating the culture and achievements of the Black communities”. The Being Black in Canada series on CBC this month has lots of inspiring stories to choose from