February is Black history Month
MONTRÉAL - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), announced $77,000 in funding for the Roundtable on Black History Month, which will enable the organization to carry out a wide range of activities highlighting contributions of Black communities to the development of Quebec and Canadian society.
"Black History Month is an excellent opportunity for Canadians to learn about the contributions of Black communities to Canadian society and about the vital role they played throughout our history," said Secretary of State Kenney. "I am proud that our Government supports projects like those put forth by the Roundtable on Black History Month."
The Roundtable on Black History Month brings together 80 organizations from Quebec's Black communities, whose mandate is to coordinate activities that mark Black History Month. Under the theme Nourrir nos racines pour un avenir meilleur (Nurturing our roots for a brighter future), the 2007 edition will emphasize the participation of Black youth in our society. While the majority of activities will take place in Montréal, others will be held in Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Rimouski, and Chicoutimi.
Canada's New Government will provide this assistance through the Multiculturalism Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The Program promotes full and equitable participation in Canadian society by people of all origins, as well as interaction between individuals and communities of different origins. It also encourages public institutions to be respectful and inclusive of Canada's multicultural character.
* Image : http://www.blackstudies.ca/gallery/angeliq.htm
MARIE-JOSEPH ANGÉLIQUE, the slave of a wealthy Montreal merchant, de Francheville, carried out one of the most dramatic acts of resistance on April 11, 1734. After learning she was going to be sold, Marie-Joseph set fire to her owner's house in order to cover her escape. The fire engulfed and destroyed 46 buildings including the Hôtel Dieu of Montreal. In June of 1734 she was captured, tortured, paraded through the streets, then hanged and her body burned.