Celebrating Black Culture in Canada
As Black History Month continues, we are taking the opportunity to celebrate the significant contributions of Black Canadians to our country.
The University of Alberta is offering a free online course that informs people about the histories, artists and activists that have upheld Black communities in Canada. The course asks people to consider the ways Canadians view race and reflect on the cultural, intellectual and artistic contributions of Black Canadians. https://youtu.be/-m_kc1zMJB8
Books:
Black History Month - Vancouver Island Regional Library
Music:
The Black Canadian Artists Who Have Shaped the Nation's S...
Podcasts:
Black Tea Podcast: This podcast delves into Black culture, news, and sports in Canada. Black Tea | Podcast on Spotify
Food:
Sharing some local recommendations in Victoria.
If you have other recommendations of restaurants to feature throughout the Island, please list them in the comments section.
| Restaurant Name | Location | Description | Website/URL |
| House of Boateng Café | Langford, BC | A fusion of West African and Caribbean flavors with a modern twist. | houseofboateng.ca |
| Caribbean Village Cafe | Victoria, BC | Cozy eatery serving authentic Caribbean dishes. | Caribbean Village Cafe - Caribbean Food - Victoria, British Columbia |
| Trini To D Bone | Victoria, BC | Specializing in Trini-style rotis and Caribbean comfort food. | Trini To D Bone | Victoria's Best Caribbean Roti! |
Upcoming Events around Vancouver Island
Events – BC Black History Awareness Society
Black History Month at UVic - University of Victoria
Black History Month Celebration – February 15th, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM – CHAFAHS
Black History Month at VIU | Vancouver Island University | Canada
Download a TEAMS Backgrounds to celebrate digitally:
Join Island Health's Indigenous, Black People of Colour (IBPOC) Employee Resource Group
The IBPOC Employee Group is a network of Island Health employees who identify as belonging to racialized communities. The group comes together to connect, share experiences and inform/influence organizational priorities. By coming together, we hope to celebrate diverse perspectives, share resources, foster open and ongoing dialogues and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. Virtual meetings take place every 6 weeks. If you are interested in joining, please email dei@islandhealth.ca and we'll ensure you're invited to the next meeting.
As we celebrate and reflect during Black History month, many feelings may arise regarding both past and current racial experiences. Thus, mental health and wellness supports might be needed during this time as well. Please reach out to certified counsellors through the Employee and Family Assistance Program at 1-844-935-4758. When you call the number, you can specifically request to work with a counsellor who identifies as Black if that is your preference.