ABCs of Canadian Black History offers students and educators a look into an oft-time ignored chunk of the past
Contact Staff
According to Linton Garner, for too long Canada has been without the proper educational tool to allow for the proper teaching of Black history in this country.
“I myself had to wait until I was an adult to learn about my history, with this kit my sons will not have to wait that long.”
Garner was referring to the ABC’s (sic) of Canadian Black History Kit: A Journey of Discovery into Canadian History, and educational tool that can be used from elementary school to university to enlighten students and educators on an aspect of Canadian life not curricula across the nation.
The kit includes documentations that trace the history of Blacks in Canada from the coming of Europeans to confederation to today.
And it provides comprehensive profiles of about 26 Canadians whose contributions and achievements that have impacted significantly on the history of this country, and it also shines a spotlight on landmark events in Black history over the past 400 years.
The package comes with a teacher’s guide, crossword puzzles, a poster, match-up exercises, collectable cards and a word search puzzle all of which, according to Garner comprise a “ready-to-use quick reference took will make cross curricular learning fun.”
The Kit is the work of Dr. Dorothy Williams who has distinguished herself as an historian, author, educator and community worker.
As author of two defining books on the Black experience in Quebec, Blacks in Montreal: 1628-1986 and The Road To Now: a History of Blacks in Montreal and with wide-ranging experience in community work, Dr. Williams, brought a wealth of knowledge to the project.
She also holds a Master’s degree in History and a PhD in Library Studies (African Canadian Bibliography and Archives). She was ably assisted by Garner, a life-long community worker and educator with extensive experience in inter-cultural relations and governance.
Garner told those gathered for the launch of the kit at Coach House, of McGill University, that the project has garnered widespread support from several reputable partners in education arena including, McGill University, Canadian Education Association, LEARN Quebec and the Quebec Association of Home and School Association.
Representatives of all the partner groups were on hand to express their support in making sure the kit takes its place alongside other learning tools at institutions across the country.
Info.: www.blacbiblio.com
