Editor
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Hope this will be the best year of your lives. As we enter the year 2018, I am reminded that we as Canadians have a lot to be thankful for blessings in the year past. Not only is our economy strong and growing, we have been spared the excesses of Donald Trump, and the pressures faced by European governments, ranging from terrorist attacks to waves of illegal migrants streaming to their borders in search of a better life. Not that life is perfect here, but this is as close as you can get to a society that values Equity and Inclusion and Racial Justice, the title of one of our main stories about a forum hosted by the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organisation (OCISO). A unique feature of this community conversation is that it brought together indigenous people and racialised communities to speak about a topic to touches their respective communities in strikingly similar ways. Our Top Story is that of a trio of historic events organised and hosted by Black History Ottawa, showcasing the contributions of African Canadians to Canada’s national sport, ice hockey, under the theme: The Road to Canada 150 and Black Hockey. This iconic event brought together the very best from the city’s Black community to celebrate some of the unsung heroes of competitive hockey. We accompany this with a piece from our regular columnist MacAndrew Clarke who shares his impressions of the events.
The much acclaimed National Black Canadians Summit held in Toronto in December and hosted by the Jean Michael Foundation, holds pride of place, as we feature reflections on this historic event from Tiffany Gooch (Huffington Post) and former Ottawa resident, Stachen Frederick. Speaking of history, Ottawa celebrated another first as Paul Harris was sworn in as the city’s first Black Justice of the Peace. We also report on the Nigerian community’s welcome reception for the newly appointed High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Adeyinka Asekun. Speaking of awards we report on the OC 150 awards from MPP Yasir Naqvi to eight prominent Ottawa community leaders, as part of the Canada 150 celebrations. And what would the festive season be without the delightful Kwanzaa celebration hosted by Ottawa’s leading Black youth organisation, Jaku Konbit. For our Interview we feature award-winning singer Jully Black.
Here is the result of the December poll: Do people of colour have reason to join in celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary?
Yes 100%
No 0%
Thank you to all who took part in the survey.
Do remember to join in the January 2018 poll: Is it OK to discuss politics a the dinner table when you have guests?
All these and more in the January 2018 edition. Enjoy!
Godwin Ifedi
Editor