Archived News
African Heritage Month
As part of the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's initiative to learn, appreciate, and reflect on the stories of African heritage that surround us is sharing stories about breaking barriers, challenging injustice, and changing the course of society in fields such as politics, science, arts, and social movements. This week's African heritage story is about Donald H. Oliver CM ONS KC.
Donald H. Oliver CM ONS KC
Born November 16, 1938 Donald Oliver is a Canadian lawyer, developer and politician. Appointed by former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Oliver served in the Senate of Canada from 1990 until 2013. He was the first black male to sit in the Senate and the second black Canadian appointed to the chamber.
A lawyer and real estate developer, Oliver is a member of Nova Scotia's black minority. He is descended in part from African-American slave refugees who were resettled by the British in Canada from the United States after the War of 1812. But his maternal grandfather, William A. White, migrated independently in 1900 from Baltimore, Maryland.
In February 2008, Senator Oliver introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008.
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
The Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s Municipal Office is a Free Battery Drop off Location?
Batteries are Household Hazardous Waste. Safely drop them off for FREE at the Municipal Office, 8296 Hwy 7, Sherbrooke NS.
Visit: https://www.saint-marys.ca/waste-management/187-waste-sorting-guide/file.html for the Municipal Waste Sorting Guide
SAFELY STORE: Batteries to prevent explosions or damage
DO NOT: Dispose of batteries in the garbage or recycling
CHECK: your devices for swollen or damaged batteries (laptops, cellphones, power tools, etc.)
Thank you.
St. Mary's Coyotes - Player of the Game
St. Mary's Coyotes - Player of the Game #16
Congratulations Chase Fraser!
African Heritage Month
As part of the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's initiative to learn, appreciate, and reflect on the stories of African heritage that surround us is sharing stories about breaking barriers, challenging injustice, and changing the course of society in fields such as politics, science, arts, and social movements. This week's African heritage story is about Carter G. Woodson.
Carter G. Woodson
The beginning of African Heritage Month can be traced back to 1926 when Harvard educated historian Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week to recognize the achievements made by African Americans.
Woodson chose February as this was the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, both were key figures in the emancipation of enslaved blacks.
Black History Month was first celebrated in Canada in 1950.The first Black History Month was celebrated in Nova Scotia in 1988. (Nova Scotia changed the name to African Heritage Month in 1994.)