As February marks Black History Month, an Alberta-based organization’s online storytelling event will focus on the stories of the black experience in Canada.
Story Café’s February instalment, which is organized by Storytelling Alberta, is titled The Black Experience – A Journey of a People. It will take place via livestream through multiple channels on Feb 24.
The event, according to host Maria Crooks, aims to educate participants on the experience and contributions black Canadians have made to the country.
“We have a couple of guest storytellers who will each perform stories around the theme of journeys, and they can be about anything,” she said. “Two of the storytellers will tell personal stories of their experience growing up in Alberta as immigrants.”
The instalment will feature Dr. Bertrand Bickerseth, an educator and poet whose work has appeared in several Canadian literary publications. Also featured will be Chantal Chagnon, a Cree Ojibwe Métis singer, drummer, actor and educator, Norma Lewis, a Calgary-based performing artist for 20 years, and Doreen Vanderstoop, a storyteller, author and musician.
Crooks said understanding and celebrating the black experience is important, particularly considering the current state of race relations in Canada and throughout North America.
“With so much happening in the last year in the U.S. and Canada, it is so important for Canadians as a whole to be aware of the role that people of African descent have played in Canada,” she said. “Whenever we think of black history, we tend to think of the U.S., but we should also be aware that slavery existed in Canada as well.”
According to Crooks, it is paramount to be aware that Canada is a multi-cultural country with a longstanding history regarding people of different ethnicities who call the country home.
“I hope people who tune in are entertained,” she said. “Hopefully it inspires them to want to learn more about their fellow Canadians of African descent. I hope that it provides a sense of togetherness.”
There has been a steep learning curve for Crooks in terms of switching to an online format, but she is happy the medium is there so Storytelling Alberta – a non-profit organization that celebrates and promotes the tradition of oral storytelling – can continue to provide important community events.
“We had a few hiccups with the one we did in November, but we learned a lot as well,” she said. “It’s important to pass on information to others, especially about black history, so people know where we come from and where we are going.”
For people who are interested in viewing The Black Experience – A Journey of a People, it will be broadcast on Storytelling Alberta’s website, Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts. While there is no fee to participate, donations can be made to storytellingalberta.com/donate.
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
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