February is Black History Month—a time where we celebrate Black Canadians' many contributions to Canada's history and culture.
Manitoba hosts many Black cultures. In fact, the fastest growing Black population in Canada is on the Canadian Prairies, where it has quadrupled in the last 20 years.
Here is a list of in-person and digital resources to mark Black History Month 2023 in Manitoba.
In-Person Events
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Black History Manitoba's First Friday event is hosted at the Manitoba Museum. No tickets are required to access the Museum Galleries, Planetarium and Science Gallery. | Feb. 3 from 4 to 9 p.m.
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The University of Winnipeg's Student Association, in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Students Manitoba, is hosting a celebration of Black history and culture. Check out the BIPOC Student Lounge in the Bulman Student Centre. | Friday, Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m.
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Black History Manitoba is hosting a free movie night at Vincent Massey Collegiate, at 975 Dowker Ave.. The film, Black Ice, will start at 7 p.m. Email diversifyvmc@gmail.com for more details. | Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.
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The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is hosting a craft market featuring Black artisans and entrepreneurs. Meet local makers at this free market, held over two days. | Feb. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Black History Month is partnering with the Jamaican Association of Manitoba to host a lunch. Meals are $15 and must be ordered in advance. Call Mavis McLaren at 204-257-9665 to order. | Feb. 12 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
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Join the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and Immigration Partnership Winnipeg for a screening of Black Ice, a film about the history of anti-Black racism in Canadian hockey. After the film, a panel of experts will discuss how to confront anti-Black racism in hockey. Free tickets can be reserved online, for the event at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. | Feb. 16 at 12 noon
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Black resistance is the subject of an upcoming youth debate hosted by the Afro Caribbean Association of Manitoba and Black History Manitoba. The event will be held at 259 Watt St. and includes a free lunch. | Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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The Jamaican Association of Manitoba is hosting a history lesson in their hall at 1098 Winnipeg Ave. The event is free to attend and includes lunch. For more information, call Mavis McLaren at 204-257-9665. | Feb. 20 at 10:30 a.m.
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The Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program and the University of Manitoba Black Alliance is hosting a panel discussion on how anti-Black racism creates barriers to mental health care. The event at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has free tickets available online. | Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.
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Chamber Orchestra Musaic is honouring composers of African descent with an upcoming concert, Shall We Gather, at Bethel Mennonite Church. The program includes works from composers from Ghana, the United States, Cuba, Jamaica and the United Kingdom. Tickets range from $15 to $30 and can be purchased at the door or by emailing chamorchwb@gmail.com. | Feb. 26 at 3 p.m.
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Black History Manitoba is wrapping up the month's events with a banquet and closing ceremony. The Winnipeg Art Gallery—at 300 Memorial Blvd.— will host the event. Tickets range in cost from $20 to $50. | Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
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NEW DATE: Black History Manitoba is presenting a gospel concert for Black History Month, the Heart, Spirit and Soul Concert. New Beginnings Church at 1073 St. Mary's Rd. will host the event. | March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Events
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Black History Manitoba is hosting a trivia challenge about Black athletes. This virtual event includes prizes and giveaways. Email bhmwinnipeg@gmail.com for more information. | Feb. 4 from 7 to 8 p.m.
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Black History Manitoba is hosting virtual field trips to showcase Black history in Canada. These live, interactive field trips to the Manitoba Museum are aimed at school groups, homeschoolers and families. The virtual tour will focus on Black communities in Canada, with an emphasis on stories from Manitoba. Registration is free.| Feb. 8 from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. and Feb. 22 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m..
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The University of Manitoba Black Alliance is hosting a panel discussion on the Scarborough Charter. Speakers will include Dr. Barrington Walker, Dr. Wisdom Tetty, Dr. Michael Benarroch, Naomi Andrew, Orinthia Babb and Valerie Williams, with moderation by Dr. Warren Clarke. The event is free and will be hosted on Zoom. Registration is open now. | Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.
Local Resources
The University of Winnipeg Students' Association (UWSA) has added more local and national resources to their growing Black History Month list, with categories ranging from restaurants to community organizations.
To Watch
On CBC Gem
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SHERMAN'S SHOWCASE SEASON 2 | Feb. 1
This ground-breaking wickedly funny mockumentary series, Sherman's Showcase travels through time via music and clips drawn from the forty-year library of a legendary (fictional) music & variety show.
On CBC Docs
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DEAR JACKIE | Documentary | Feb. 5
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THE NATURE OF THINGS: SECRET AGENTS OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD | Feb. 3
Secret Agents of the Underground Railroad is a revealing, scientific exploration of how a Niagara Falls hotel, The Cataract House, became the focal point for a 19th century North American Black Resistance movement. Using strategic scientifically focused investigations, we follow host Anthony Morgan and a team of archaeologists from the University of Buffalo on an emotional journey as they recover parts of the hotel's foundation. The archaeological dig unearths stories about how the hotel's head waiter, John Morrison, and his seemingly innocuous wait staff covertly orchestrated Freedom Seekers' escapes to freedom. Watch on Friday, February 3 at 9 pm (9:30 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem.
To Listen
CBC Music
The Block is music of Black origin spanning a fluid mosaic of styles. The Block is about culture and community. Repping the elements of hip hop from its roots to its far reaching influence. Listen weekdays from 7 to 9 p.m..
Frequencies is a weekly one-hour show hosted by Errol Nazareth. Audiences will be tuning in to music from around the world and here in Canada with stories that revolve around the experiences of Canadians of colour and immigrants who are maintaining and adapting their culture. In other words, finding their new frequencies. Listen Tuesdays 6 to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 4 to 5 p.m..
Follow host Odario Williams as he fills your nights with music. Each weeknight Afterdark's musical journey leads off with popular contemporary hits. As the night unfolds you'll discover new sounds ranging from art-pop to avant-garde. Listen weekdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
CBC's Black On The Prairies Playlist
Experience the Prairies through music created by the top Black artists hailing from Wild Rose Country, The Land of the Living Skies and Friendly Manitoba. Hear Ruth B, Super Duty Tough Work, Nuela Charles, JayWood and more on the Black On The Prairies Playlist.
CBC Podcasts
The Africas vs. America is a seven-part podcast series about the bombing of a Black family in Philadelphia in 1985. The attack killed 11 people, including five children, and the ensuing fire set an entire neighbourhood to ruins. The targets that day? A family known collectively as MOVE, who found themselves ensnared in a city — and nation's — domestic war on Black Liberation. Host Matthew Amha investigates the events that culminated in the MOVE bombing, and the long afterlife of a forgotten American tragedy. Through intimate conversations, The Africas VS. America offers an unseen look into the MOVE's origins and dynamics while looking ahead to the group's uncertain future.