Letter from the Editor May 2026 

Good morning everyone

Welcome to the May 2026 edition of your favourite news magazine. First off, Happy Mother’s Day to all those beautiful women who care for and nurture or children: biological mothers, step-mothers, adoptive mothers, and foster mothers. Our Top Story for this month is the launching by Jaku Konbit of its Black Justice Navigator Program, a much needed program to support members of our community who find themselves in the criminal justice system. Other news of interest is appointment of TIFF President Cameron Bailey to the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council on Canada-US Relations.

We also bring you feature articles dealing with your health: managing morning stiffness, reducing food waste, moving with ease (for seniors).

Our feature writers are not to be left out: environmentalist Dr. Andy Kusi-Appiah leads with: Water, Power, and Survival: What Our Streams Reveal About Justice; while community leader and activist Suzette Small-Weekes weighs in with a special tribute to the upcoming Mother’s Day: Coming Home to Yourself: Rebuilding Self-Trust After Disconnection.

On a sad note, we bring you the obituary of Chief Timothy Oladipo Omotunde, a stalwart and leading member of the Nigerian -Canadian community, whose sudden passing left the community reeling with grief. Our utmost condolences to his family.

Here is the result of the April 2026 poll: Have you had enough of winter? Yes 100% No 0%. Thank you to all who voted. Remember to vote in the may 2026 poll: Do you support Prime Minister Mark Carney’s measures to protect Canadians from US tariffs?

All these and more in the May 2026 edition of Black Ottawa Scene.

Godwin Ifedi, Editor

Black Ottawa Scene

Showcasing and celebrating African Canadians in the national capital region and beyond.

This edition of Black Ottawa Scene is funded in part by a grant from the Ottawa Community Foundation to Black History Ottawa.