Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.
About Black History Month
During Black History Month, people in Canada celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada a culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous country.
The theme for Black History Month 2025 is “Black resistance”. We can understand this theme to mean celebrating the ways in which Black people have resisted oppression, discrimination, and prejudice over history. https://www.twinkl.ca/event/black-history-month-canada-2025
Black history in Canada
Black Canadians and their communities have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator, and interpreter, whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s.
The role of Black people and their communities in Canada has largely been ignored as a key part of Canada’s history. There is little mention that some of the Loyalists who came here after the American Revolution and settled in the Maritimes were people of African descent, nor the fact that many soldiers of African descent made many sacrifices in wartime as far back as the War of 1812. African people were once enslaved in the territory that is now known as Canada, fought enslavement and helped to lay the foundation of Canada’s diverse and inclusive society.
Throughout her expansive career as an educator, politician and social advocate, the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine has been a staunch advocate for girls and women. In 1993, Dr. Augustine made history as the first Black-Canadian woman to be elected to parliament. https://www.jeanaugustinecentre.ca/
In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html
