This blog posts offers a listing of relevant resources for those looking to celebrate Black History month, acknowledge the contributions people of African descent have made, and deepen their learning about Anti-Black racism. It was co-authored by Rochelle Ignacio and Angelina Pelletier.
This resource was updated in February 2025.
This blog post contains content related to Anti-Black racism.
For emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports visit the Government of Canada’s Mental health support page (EN FR).
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We acknowledge those who came here as settlers – as migrants either in this generation or in generations past – and those who came here involuntarily, particularly those brought to these lands as a result of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery. We pay tribute to those ancestors of African origin and descent.
“I’m grounded in joy; I’m not grounded in trauma anymore.” - Tarana Burke
We initially intended to center this blog post on Black joy, celebration and healing. Since writing that version, the world has learned about the tragic murder of Tyre Nichols. We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge that Tyre’s life was ripped away from the world too soon because of a culture and system of policing that trains members to devalue Black lives, and that is in desperate need of structural reform. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Nichols family, friends, community, and specifically the Black community. Over the weekend we saw a post from Viola Davis that read ‘Black men deserve to grow old.’ Violence against Black people continues to persist in the US, in Canada and around the world. We urge you to consider how you are upholding your commitment against anti-Black racism.
We urge you to work toward re-imagined policing and more strategies that address the root causes of poverty, violence, and disconnection. As you continue exploring our blog post, please consider which Black organizations and community leaders you will continue to support and amplify. There are many resources that will support your anti-racist journey.
February marks Black History Month, a tribute to Black individuals and communities who have made significant contributions in the fields of science, politics, law, sports, the arts, entertainment, and many other fields.
While Black History Month is synonymous with prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, there are countless Black Canadians who've made a profound impact in history. Here in Canada, we celebrate people like:
Desmond Cole. Journalist, activist, author, and broadcaster
Lawrence Hill. Author.
Esi Edugyan. Novelist.
John Ware. Cowboy.
Annamie Paul. Canadian activist, lawyer, and former leader of the Green Party.
Cecil Foster. Novelist.
Mary Burlie. Social Worker.
Viola Desmond. Canadian civil and women's rights activist and businesswoman.
Anne Greenup, Community organizer
Oscar Peterson, Jazz musician
Black History Month is time to reflect on the past, celebrate accomplishments, and build a legacy of BLACK JOY, BLACK EXCELLENCE AND BLACK LIBERATION for the future.
We encourage the Tamarack learner community to find opportunities to learn about Canada’s Black history, prominent figures within the Black community, and the diversity that exists within the Black community. It’s important to acknowledge Canada’s history of Anti-Black racism, but beyond the pain it’s important to celebrate and help shift positive narratives. Remember to show your solidarity and be actively anti-racist by supporting Black-owned organizations, businesses and creatives in February and beyond. Black History Month may be limited to the month of February, but the Black experience is forever.
Creating spaces to centre the voices and lived experiences is another way to practice being anti-racist. The following videos are part of an educational series created by UNILEARNAL, an Ottawa-based, Black-led media organization whose vision is to become a global leader in education, shining a light on the stories and experiences of the least represented and engaging in meaningful conversations using storytelling.
The Tamarack team has compiled several resources to help you further your own understanding of the contributions of people of African descent living in Canada and understand the history of anti-Black racism.
Beyond allyship we all need to stand in solidarity with the Black community in their efforts to dismantle systems of oppression which continue to exclude individuals from participating fully and authentically in their communities. Your anti-racist journey starts with learning about the histories, understanding modern-day injustices and dismantling white supremacy.
Challenging ‘Racist’ British Columbia: 150 Years and Counting (University of Victoria and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives)
University of Calgary’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force (Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary)
Anti-black racism resource list (University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus)
Dismantling Anti-black Racism Strategy (York Region District School Board)
Canada’s Black population: Education, Labour and Resilience (Statistics Canada)
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Being Black in School: Peel students open up about the racism they face in the classroom (CBC)
Government du Canada: Février est le Mois de l'histoire des Noirs FR
Government of Canada: February is Black History Month EN
Organismes et ressources éducatives liées à l’histoire des Noirs FR
Black history organizations and educational resources EN
Dorothy William’s ABC’s of Canadian Black History Kit EN
ABC de l’histoire des Noirs du Canada FR
The Black Tech Agenda Powered by Color of Change: Tech Policy + Racial Justice
City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black-Racism
Province of Manitoba Report: Black History and Anti-Racism in Canada
Winnipeg Public Library Black History Information Guide
Africa Centre’s The State of Black Entrepreneurs in Alberta
Radically Healing Black Lives: A Love Note to Justice YouthREX - Research Summary
Foundation for Black Communities Unfunded: Black Communities Overlooked by Canadian Philanthropy
Statistics Canada - Black History Month... by the Numbers
*Please contact Rochelle Ignacio to have your event featured in future Black History Month publications*
Vancouver
Edmonton
University of Alberta Black Students Association Cultural Resilience in Black Arts
Calgary Black Chamber annual Black History Month Dinner
Calgary
Regina
African Canadian / Black History Month Launch by Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum
Virtual
University of Manitoba Black Alliance’s Keynote Speaker: Dr. Barrington Walker
Chatham-Kent
Hamilton
Hamilton Public Library Black History Month Events
Waterloo
Black History Month Launch (hosted by the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region)
Montreal
Mois de l’histoire des noirs (available in FR and EN)
McGill’s Black History Month; poster artwork at right courtesy of Montréal-born mixed-media artist and community organizer Taïna Mueth.
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
New Brunswick
Check out the Tomlinson Lake Hike to Freedom
Yellowknife
Empreintes de résistance: Filiations et récits de femmes autochtones, noires et racisées – Alexandra Pierre
16 temps noirs pour apprendre à dire Kuei – Philippe Néméh-Nombré
Les racistes n’ont jamais vu la mer – Yara Ghadban & Rodney St-Éloi
NoirEs sous surveillance: Esclavage, répression et violence d’état au Canada
Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present – Robyn Maynard
La Pendaison d’Angélique: L’histoire de l’esclavage au Canada et de l’incendie de Montréal
The Hanging of Angelique: The Untold Story of Canadian Slavery and the Burning of Old Montréal – Afua Cooper
Les Noirs à Montréal 1628-1986 / Blacks in Montréal 1628-1986 – Dorothy Williams
Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe (1958)
Gutter Child – Jael Richardson
Butter Honey Pig Bread – francesca ekwuyasi
The Night Piece – André Alexis
Willie: The Game Changing Story of the NHL’s first Black Player – Willie O’Ree
Saga Boy – Antonio Michael Downing
CBC showcases Black voices, stories and experiences in honour of Black History Month
National Film Board Black Communities in Canada: A Rich History
Equity & Results - Antiracist Results-Based Accountability Workshop for Leaders
University of Toronto - Dismantling Anti-Black Racism in Post-Secondary Environments
Learn about the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Civil Rights Movement and history of Black people in Canada
Learn about the unique history, contributions, languages, cultural practices, diversity of foods and spiritual beliefs of Black people in your communities
Learn and listen to who is working to build a thriving, economically prosperous Black community