The organizers of Black in Saskatchewan are providing ways to educate Canadians on the unsettling legacy of Black Canadians on the Prairies.
“It’s a hard thing to celebrate,” said Mwila Munganama, the virtual events coordinator of Black in Sask.
February as declared by the Government of Saskatchewan is African Canadian/Black History Month. Dedicated to honouring and recognizing the legacy of Black Canadians across the nation. Such as the enslavement of African peoples and its colonial economic impact today.
“In recognizing Black history, the majority of people also have to recognize certain parts of their history that they’re not proud of,” said Munganama.
Black in Sask is a group of community-led youth organizers who contribute to the growth of the Black community in Saskatchewan by addressing systemic issues and educating on the Black Prairie experience. For the month of February, they have many community initiatives focused on contributing to and amplifying education on Black experiences.
Christian Mbanza, community outreach director of Black in Sask, said Canada has slid the dark part of its history under the carpet.
“I think that in order for us to truly start to deal with that you have to start to understand the things that have been done and what actually happened for us to get to a place where we are healed today,” said Mbanza.
Part of Black in Sask’s work includes educating on these lost parts of history. As well as sharing the everyday lives of Black people. They utilize digital platforms to connect community members and educate on the Black experience.
“Lived experiences are the best to help people understand what has actually happened,” said Tobi Omoyefa, director of finance at Black in Sask.
Black in Sask wants to demonstrate the ways racism can be present in everyday life. They provide PowerPoints to organizations that teach them the subtle instances or microaggressions.
“These are the things you’ve done in your past that may have been racist and now we’re in the process of giving those apologies and trying to understand people,” said Omoyefa.
Beyond educating through verbal and digital teachings Black in Sask also aims to connect the community and build opportunities for Black life on the Prairies.
“Although yes being able to do presentations for different institutions and organizations is fine a huge part of the educational process is working to make that work more accessible,” said Vibya Natana the chief operating officer of Black in Sask.
Black in Series a collection of videos and video interviews of Black life on the Prairies. The collection highlights different Black people across Saskatchewan who have different expertise in different things.
“The inspiration behind the piece is that Black people are everywhere,” said Munganama.
“The inspiration was to say that if you’re looking for someone like this we have them, we’ve spoken to them, here they are, but to also have other Black people look at them and say I’m able to do this.”
Black in Sask is a community-led organization and wants the community to know that they will show up for them. They are eager about seeing how city officials will implement the changes that they are asking for. The organizers know that policy change does not happen overnight but are hopeful to see the efforts continue.
Moving forward Black in Sask is excited to be partnering with Daughters of Africa, the Ugandan Canadian Association of Saskatchewan to put on workshops catered to young Black women in the community. Black in Sask are also proud supporters of the Afro Mentorship Initiative’s community youth work and kids camp.
Pictured above are Vibya Natana, Mwila Munganama, Christian Mbanza and Tobi Omoyefa of Black in Saskatchewan. Photo courtesy of Sarah Onyango.
