Here at LCCMedia, we wanted to keep Black excellence going all year, as always. Here is a speech MLA Shepherd gave at the official celebration of Black History Month at the Alberta Legislature.

 

It is truly an honour to be here today, on the traditional territory of Treaty 6, a land of great significance for the Metis people, for the 7th official celebration of Black History Month at the Alberta Legislature.

Our theme this year is supporting Black youth. 

Now, when you read about Black history in Alberta, when we share the stories of what Black Albertans have accomplished, you don’t hear many stories about youth. 

I suppose that’s because we like to talk about great lives – great things accomplished, and when you’re young, your life is just beginning – the foundation is just being laid for you to someday build upon

We like to talk about ends more than beginnings. But great lives start somewhere. 

When John Ware was young, he was a slave. So was Annie “Auntie” Saunders. 

Violet King Henry, the first Black woman in Canada to become a lawyer, and her brother, civil rights activist Ted King, were the children of a sleeping car porter and a seamstress who, in turn, were the children of the first wave of Black settlers from the southern US. 

They came here in pursuit of a dream of a better life, one free from discrimination, one where they could live as fully equal citizens and build a better life and a better future for their children.

And you know, in my time as an MLA, in every meeting and conversation I’ve had with leaders and members of pretty much every African or Caribbean community that calls our province home – that’s been a common theme. 

The need for more support and more opportunities for their youth. They tell me of the challenges their children face and their hopes for them to have a better life and a better future. 

That’s why Black parents work hard to get ahead. 

Why they work multiple jobs.

Why they found community associations & organizations to celebrate, preserve and share their culture and language – their history and heritage. 

Those first communities in Amber Valley, Keystone – that’s why they built churches and schools – to give their children safe communities to grow in, the opportunity to learn. 

That’s why the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters fought for stronger labour protections – so they could provide for their families, and so their children would have better opportunities for good work at a dignified wage.

That’s why Ted King went to court to fight discrimination in hotels and got the laws of Alberta changed – so his children could live free of discrimination. 

That’s why Hattie Melton hired young Black women and men to work in her restaurant, helping them earn the money they needed to afford post-secondary education. 

Because they believed in supporting Black youth. 

And that’s a spirit that’s continued through growing numbers of newcomers from Caribbean countries and the nations of Africa.

Indeed, in the last six years, over 34,000 people moved to Alberta from Africa, making them one of the fastest-growing communities of newcomers. 

And they share the vision of those who came before them – whether over a century ago or in recent years – a better life, a better future for themselves and their children. 

And while Black Albertans do face challenges getting there, I see amazing work being done to overcome that and realize their dreams, forging new paths and building on the foundations laid by those who’ve gone before. 

When I see Black children having the time of their lives at day camps with Ethiocare or KULAN or summer camps like Camp Toosoo…

When I see AfroQuiz still going strong, three decades in, showcasing & celebrating Black youth who’ve dedicated themselves to learning about their culture, history and potential… 

When I hear about Black elementary students going to their principals to ask if their school can celebrate Black History Month… 

When I attended graduation celebrations with the Somali Canadian Cultural Society… 

When in 2018, I saw The ComeUp fill two theatres full of young people celebrating seeing their African culture on screen in Black Panther.

When I saw the Black Teachers Association Alberta bringing hundreds of Black youth from across the province together last year for the first Black Student Association summit in Alberta’s history. And when I see them doing it again this year…. 

When I visited with the many Black francophone students at Ecole de la Decouverte… 

When I saw thousands of Black youth amongst the 15,000 people who came here to this Legislature in 2020 to declare our lives matter 

When I see La Connexional filling venues in our city with young black men and women,

Black performers and so, so much Black joy… 

When I see the Calgary Black Chambers stepping up with mentorship and scholarship programs… 

Or ACCEC’s ANZA program empowering Black youth to turn their ideas into functioning businesses… 

When I meet a new cohort in the Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program at the University of Alberta… 

When I see young artists showcase their work at 5 Artists 1 Love… 

Or youth learning and performing traditional dance with Woezo Africa…

When I see the smiling, vibrant faces of the sons & daughters of my friends… 

It makes me smile. It gives me hope. And it reminds me why all of us do this. 

For them. For the youth. To give them a better future. 

And the government, this Legislature, plays a key part of that.

From the first celebration of Black History Month held here in 2017 to work to include Black history in Alberta in the curriculum, to the Taking Action Against Racism action plan & establishment of the Anti-Racism Advisory Council in 2018… 

…to legislation to address the practice of carding & begin work on fairness in credentialing, accepting the 

recommendations of the Advisory Council and a new anti-racism Action Plan, 

…to my bill proposing a framework to collect race-based data, successive governments and opposition have been working to support Black Albertans and build a better future for Black youth.

For the youth. For our children. To work to build a province where they can succeed and where they can thrive. 

Where they can stand tall in the full richness of who they are, their culture, and their heritage and say, I am Alberta. 

At times, in these halls, we may disagree about how we get there, but I think we all agree – that is the goal. 

It is our responsibility as your elected representatives to work with and support all of you in the community who are doing good work to support and lift up Black youth.

And to ensure we’re investing in a strong foundation for them to build on – access to healthcare, education, trades & 

post-secondary, a strong economy. 

And of course, doing all we can to address and eliminate systemic barriers and discrimination wherever they’re found. 

Because as we stand together to recognize and celebrate Black history, it’s to gather strength to keep building better Black futures. 

That’s work, so many of you are doing today across so many communities… 

…standing on the shoulders of your elders, honouring them and taking their work further…

Standing up and speaking out – pushing for better and putting your shoulder to the wheel to make it happen. 

Thank you for joining us to celebrate today. 

We see you, and we thank you. And I commit to continuing to stand and working with you both to recognize and celebrate our history – what we’ve experienced and where we’ve come from – and to build on it the better future our youth deserve. 

Happy Black History Month.