Black History Month 2008
By
Véronick Talbot, contributor, hired in the various student projects of Tolerance.ca
The Black History Month Round Table, organizers of the 2008 edition of Black History Month, have announced this year’s theme : “Celebrating our Presence and Recognizing our Contributions, 1608 -2008, In Honour Of Mathieu Da Costa”
The Black History Month 2008 edition underlines the contributions and presence of Blacks in Quebec during the establishment of the first French colony in the Americas.
When Samuel de Champlain, the founder of New France, arrived on the banks of the St. Lawrence, he was accompanied by a free black man, Mathieu Da Costa.
Mathieu Da Costa was Samuel De Champlain’s translator. He spoke several languages, including that of the Micmac. It was Mathieu Da Costa who provided the communication link between the Micmac natives and Samuel de Champlain, during the latter’s voyage on this continent in 1606.
In the coming weeks, starting February 1 to March 1 2008, numerous activities will be held in Montreal, Quebec City, Rimouski, Sherbrooke and many other cities across Quebec.
* Image : http://www.blackstudies.ca/gallery/dacosta.htm
MATHEW DA COSTA ( ? - 1607) came to Nova Scotia in the summer of 1606 as a member of the Poutrincourt-Champlain Expedition. From their settlement at Port Royal Champlain made explorations into what is now known as Quebec. Da Costa's great linguistic skills made him of invaluable importance to this expedition. He spoke several languages including French and Micmac and acted as an interpreter for Champlain. Da Costa was a well educated man and a charter member of Canada's oldest club "The Order of Good Cheer."
The painting featured here is the work of Montreal artist Richard Horne.