Nova Scotia Black artist, historian hopes Secret Codes quilt exhibit inspires younger generations

An artist and Black historian says he hopes an exhibit of African Nova Scotian quilts inspires a new generation to take up “a dying craft in the Black community.”

David Woods is the curator of the exhibit titled The Secret Codes, which is currently on display at the Dalhousie Art Gallery in Halifax. The exhibit features works from over two dozen predominately African Nova Scotian painters and quilters.

While the exhibit runs until Aug. 6, the gallery will host other events for Emancipation Day on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. Those events will include a curator’s talk, a guided tour with Heather Cromwell of the Vale Quilters Association whose work is featured in the exhibit, and a “family quilts gathering” where people are invited to bring in their quilts to share stories about them.

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Women with a Vision: North Preston mother continues annual celebration in honour of late daughter [VIDEOS]

Vivian Cain’s daughter, Latoya, died in 2020, but it’s her daughter’s memory that keeps Cain motivated to continue planning and organizing the annual North Preston Day Celebration. The event took place last Saturday, the 16th year for the celebration.

“It was so hard when she passed,” Cain said in an interview. “It’s still hard.”

“I worked hard because I didn’t want to think about her, and I just kept busy, busy, busy. That kept my mind so that I wouldn’t have to, you know, be crying and… It helped me.”

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Kerian Burnett

Healthcare for all: Kerian Burnett’s story [July 16, 1pm – Antigonish, 283 Main St.]

Kerian Burnett is a mother of six and grandmother of two. Last year, she left her home in Jamaica to come work on a strawberry farm in Nova Scotia. While working here, she received the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis. While migrant workers like Kerian support Nova Scotian farms and our economy, they are unfairly excluded from provincial healthcare coverage (MSI). Without access to MSI, Kerian is now expected to pay for expensive healthcare costs out-of-pocket

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Dr. Lynn Jones with Truro Mayor Bill Mills

Truro council honours Dr. Lynn Jones for appointment to Order of Canada [VIDEO]

During a ceremony at Truro town council, Dr. Lynn Jones, who was recently appointed to the Order of Canada, said there are still issues to challenge and fight for in the community and province. Jones was honoured by the town of Truro during a council meeting Monday. She was one of 60 appointees to the Order of Canada in June.

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Celebrating 50 years of East Coast Hip Hop [Aug 5, 1PM, Hfx.]

Join us on August 5th at 1 pm to celebrate Nova Scotia’s Hip Hop history with a tribute show with performers paying homage to & recognizing the work of; MC J & COOL G, SHY LUV, GHETTOCHILD, HELLAFACTZ & UNIACKE POSSE. 

We will also be recognizing a few community artists that have impacted Hip Hop culture as a whole in the region and beyond. You don’t want to miss this once in a lifetime event!

Tickets will be on sale UNTIL August 3rd.
NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR.
Tickets includes admission, a drink & appetizers!!!

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Desmond Inquiry Final Report Delayed Again [AUDIO]

“The Nova Scotia government has dismissed the judge presiding over an inquiry that has spent much of the past five years investigated why Afghanistan war veteran Lionel Desmond killed three family members and himself in 2017.

Brad Johns, Nova Scotia’s attorney general, confirmed Tuesday he has asked the chief judge of the provincial court to assign a new judge to finish the work started by provincial court Judge Warren Zimmer, saying the province has waited long enough for Zimmer’s final report.” – City News

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Stats Canada data show income, housing disparities between Black, white Nova Scotians [INFOGRAPHICS]

Statistics Canada data compiled in a presentation by an organization led by African Nova Scotians show socioeconomic disparities between Black people and other visible minorities compared to white people in Halifax, and across Nova Scotia and Canada.

The African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity Plan (REPP) has been sharing the data with Black Nova Scotians through a series of presentations at community meetings.

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