Official Launch of the Project "Showcasing the History of Francophone Black Communities in Alberta"
A Retrospective of the Evening of September 20, 2024, at Campus Saint-Jean

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This memorable evening brought together dignitaries, community leaders, and members of Edmonton's Francophone community, marking a significant milestone for the history of Francophone Black communities in Alberta. The evening began with a land acknowledgment of the University of Alberta territories, followed by a welcome address from Campus Saint-Jean’s Dean, Professor Jason Carey, who emphasized the importance of this project in strengthening the cultural diversity of the province.

We wish to express our immense gratitude to everyone who supported this initiative. In particular, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, for his unwavering support, and to our Mayor of Edmonton for his dedication to our community. Our provincial MLAs and municipal officials also deserve our deep appreciation for their continued support.

A special thanks goes to the Société historique francophone de l’Alberta (SFHA), whose exceptional commitment made this project a reality, and to Campus Saint-Jean for its expertise and logistical support. We are deeply grateful to Sathya Rao, Ph.D., for his pivotal role in accessing academic resources and his tireless efforts related to this project.

Your support has been vital in promoting and preserving the history of Francophone Black communities in Alberta. Thank you all!  

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We also want to extend our profound gratitude to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, for his invaluable support of our project. His commitment to celebrating cultural diversity across our country is a source of inspiration and motivation. Thank you so much for your steadfast encouragement.  

 

Mireille Isidore 
Executive Director, KAYANOU