On Feb. 12, Archway Community Services’ Diversity Education program hosted “Many Voices, One City,” to celebrate Black History Month. The event featured dance performances, music, poetry, and also showcased local businesses, such as Africarib, an African and Caribbean import store in downtown Abbotsford.
Five panellists presented during the event, sharing lived experiences, their resilience in coming together and building community in Abbotsford, and their strategies for greater community engagement and connection.
Mirela Gigovic, who works with Archway in the Department of Multiculturalism opened the event with a land acknowledgement and recognized that the same systems which create barriers for Black people, has its roots in the colonial institutions that oppress Indigenous peoples.
“When we talk about Black history without also understanding Indigenous history, we risk starting the story part way through. And this land acknowledgement is meant as a reminder that the past is not abstract. It’s embedded in our land, in our policies, and in our systems that many of us still move through every day.”
Yvan Morando, who works in Archway’s Diversity and Education department and hosts multiple workshops designed for building resilience and empowerment, introduced the theme of the event, which celebrates the contributions that Black folks have made in all of Canada and encompasses all stories of community building and support.
“Tonight, we celebrate the history of the villages that Black people have made in this country. Tonight’s theme is titled ‘Many Voices, One City: Stories of Contribution, and Belonging.’ The theme represents the richness of our city, and the many voices that amplify and lift us all. Contribution is shown in how we support one another and grow to succeed.”
And Muhi Bakini, supervisor of Archway’s Diversity Education Team, moderated the panel and was full of humour and smiles as he opened the floor to the five panellists and presented them with questions around sustainable community building.
Irene Nviiri, a food scientist and entrepreneur, spoke on her incredible journey from Uganda to Abbotsford, about the importance of finding people who may come from a similar place as yours.
“I met some people from Uganda, I tried to build a relationship because I realized we’re in the same boat. When you can identify what is in you and what is in the other person, that is where it starts.”
Kanta Naik, a retired teacher who has spent 17 years helping newcomer families and their children integrate into the Abbotsford community, brought up the need for solidarity in the long term, and the need for consistent support to communities in need.
“Sometimes solidarity is joining a protest about something you believe in or signing a petition or sending a donation. It can be a one time event. But I’m here [in] solidarity for the long term, sustainability and solidarity, and I think it’s quite difficult to see something through long term because lots of changes from other issues pop up for us.”
Melissa Ly has worked with Immigrant Youth Services, Diversity Education, and Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada and continues to be an incredible force in her community. At the event she advocated for those who are treated as ‘others’ by their community, and explained that we need to change and recognize that harmful narrative and adopt a new one of solidarity.
“Solidarity for me is what it is when it’s not there. Have you ever sat in a wheelchair and had people point at you? Have you ever been pushed against the lockers, told that your English sucks, and that you should go back to your country? When we can recognize that narrative inside us, the narrative that all humans matter, no matter their background, then that’s where the actions come from the practice of solidarity.”
Ryan Leonard, the new executive director of Downtown Abbotsford Business Association shared his perspectives on community building and solidarity, urging that we need to build toward something better piece by piece, and relationship by relationship.
Each panellist underscored the importance of community building and relationships, and in the end, the audience came together, clapping and singing along with the following soulful music and uplifting dances. The event truly showcased the power of community when it comes together, and the incredible diversity that Abbotsford has. It was a fantastic way to celebrate Black History Month, and I encourage everyone to visit Africarib and support your local businesses, as well as educate yourself on the history of the Black experience in Abbotsford and the lower mainland.
“As we reflect on Black history today, I hope we can hold that bigger picture in mind, not to feel overwhelmed or guilty, but to better understand. Because understanding where things begin [helps] us have more honest conversations about where we are now and where we might go next.
