Milestone for Black History Month
First event celebration in Nunavut attracts close to 100 people
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 3, 2014
IQALUIT
Iqaluit's first ever Black History Month celebration was a bigger hit than anticipated, according to its main organizers.
The event, held at Iqaluit's Francophone Centre Feb. 16, attracted roughly 100 people.
Thola Rusike, part of the organizing committee, said they were expecting about 50 people to show up.
"People responded very well. It was a fantastic turnout," she said.
"It was fascinating. Everyone who came to the event learned something. There was dancing, food, story telling and trivia. We're already planning for next year's event."
Rusike, originally from Zimbabwe, came to Iqaluit two years ago after spending 14 years in Montreal.
She's part of a growing black community in Iqaluit, which now numbers close to 100.
The idea for the evemt came up last year, when her and a few friends noticed there were no celebrations for Black History Month, which is always celebrated in February.
"The first year we got here we expected something to happen during the month of February," Rusike said.
"We were used to celebrating Black History Month in Montreal. When we noticed nothing was organized, we thought. 'Why don't we put something together next year.'"
The committee began planning for the event last month, getting sponsorships from various businesses around Iqaluit and making sure to get the word out.
The afternoon event featured storytelling by Stephanie Bernard, a Jamaican-born Iqaluit resident, who read a collection of folk tales that originated from Ghana.
Bernard said a lot of Ghanaian slaves made their way to Jamaica and that's how their stories were brought over.
"I read a collection of Anansi stories, which talk about how a man became a storyteller," she said.
"I also read a poem in a Jamaican dialect and was quite surprised when I heard that a few people understood every word I said! It was really nice to see people try new things and new foods. I've never seen the centre that full before."
Organizers also paid tribute to the late Nelson Mandela, read a speech about United States President Barack Obama and shared information on the African diaspora worldwide.
Iqaluit Mayor John Graham, who couldn't attend the event, sent a congratulatory speech which was read aloud.
Attendees also had the opportunity to sample Jamaican patties and a South African dish called fufu.
Bernard said the event was such a huge hit that organizers are already thinking about next year.
"We just have to find a bigger facility," she said.
