New Glasgow Junior High School teacher Myla Borden, centre, was joined by members of its traditional African drumming group which performed Monday during the official proclamation of African Heritage Month in the New Glasgow Town Council Chambers.

African Heritage Month was officially proclaimed Monday during signing ceremonies that took place at New Glasgow’s town council chambers.
“African Heritage Month is a time to rediscover the significant contributions African Nova Scotians have made to the province - and the Town of New Glasgow,” said Crystal States, African History Month information network representative. “African Heritage Month is a celebration of heritage, history and culture and a great opportunity to display our rich heritage, culture and beliefs.”
Besides States, those attending the proclamation included African Affairs Minister Percy Paris, Justice Minister Ross Landry, Speaker Charlie Parker as well as Mayor Barrie MacMillan and Pictou County’s other civic leaders.
“The Town of New Glasgow is very pleased and honoured to have the African Nova Scotian Central Region celebration for African Heritage Month in New Glasgow,” MacMillan said.
“The Town of New Glasgow celebrates and values the significance of African heritage to the development, growth and vitality of the town. We are honoured to have this special occasion in our community and to be among Nova Scotia’s designated African Nova Scotian communities. It is the rich cultural diversity of New Glasgow that enables our town to flourish and grow.”
A month-long calendar of events across the province has been placed on the African heritage Month web site.
Besides the proclamation signing, scheduled events in New Glasgow include a heritage concert starting at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at Second United Baptist Church and a quilters’ exhibit from noon to 9 p.m. Feb. 19 to 21 at Highland Square.
This will mark the 26th year Nova Scotians have celebrated African Heritage Month in this province.
Black History Month was founded in 1926 by Harvard educated Black historian, Carter G. Woodson. It started as a week in February “to celebrate the history, contributions and culture of African-Americans.”
Woodson chose the second week in February for the newly formed Negro History Week to coincide with the birth dates of Black activist Frederick Douglas (Feb. 14, 1817) and President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12, 1809).
In the 1970s, several Black organizations and community leaders banded together to promote the concept of Black History Month. In 1976, as part of the American bi-centennial celebration, the week was expanded to a month, becoming National Black History Month.
In Nova Scotia, the celebration of Black History Month was initiated in the early 1980s through the efforts of the Black History Month Association.
It is now in its second decade and is known as African Heritage Month.