February is African Heritage Month. This year’s African Heritage Month provincial theme, Through Our Eyes: The Voices of African Nova Scotians, recognizes the long-standing history of people of African Descent in the development of Canada. This theme explores and examines the affects of anti-black racism and the voice of African Nova Scotians who blazed the trail for change. The theme also aligns with the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent (DPAD) 2015-2024. The goal of DPAD is to strengthen global cooperation in support of people of African descent, increase awareness and the passage towards presence in all aspects of society. Nova Scotia has over 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 200 years. African Heritage Month provides us with another opportunity to celebrate our culture, legacy, achievements, and contributions of our people – past and present.

Lunar New Year – Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar and solar Chinese calendar, and this year we are entering to the Year of Tiger. Happy New Year everyone!