Africville reunion celebrates 30 years

HALIFAX – Tyson Cassidy doesn’t want to forget Africville, the place his mom and dad used to call home.

Cassidy drove out from Toronto in a camper, with friends in tow, to attend the 30th anniversary of the Africville reunion.

“It’s important,” he said. “It’s a reunion. Never forget Africville.”

Organizers started the Africville reunion in 1983 because they thought former residents of the should get together on a regular basis.

Now that concept has bloomed into a nine day celebration that 3,000 people are expected to attend.

“It’s great to see people come together and just spend time together as family units and remember their history,” said Maria Travaglini. Travaglini is a friend of Cassidy who does not have direct ties herself to Africville. She is attending this year’s celebration after participating in the events for the first time last year.

Almost three dozen people are camping at Seaview Park as part of the festivities. Activities will include a social on Wednesday night, a gala dinner and dance on Friday night, kids’ events on Saturday and a special church service on Sunday.

The destruction of Africville homes and its church back in the 1960s is considered a dark chapter in Halifax’s history.

“The history of Africville isn’t a very pleasant history,” said Irvine Carvery, president of the Africville Genealogy Society.

“Africville, during its whole history of being in this place, was a marginalized community, a community neglected by the city of Halifax. Even after 30 years of gathering in this place, there’s still hurt.”

But Carvery says the past should not be forgotten, rather it should be shared.

“We’ve opened another door of opportunity for the people of Halifax, people of Nova Scotia and Canada to share in that very rich history and culture that’s experienced here in Africville,” he said.

He is especially passionate about it since he says there are now more descendants of Africville residents than there are former residents.

“It’s important for them to be here because this is actual history here. They can meet their family members. They can sit around and talk about life in Africville,” Carvery said.

It’s something Anaya Brown, 13, seems to understand. Her father used to live in Africville and she attends the celebrations every year.

“I think they’re just trying to let us know they’re here, we’re here. Just to let us know where we’re from,” she said.

The city formally apologized to the Africville community in 2010. A settlement was reached that included 2.5 acres of land to rebuild the church and $3 million towards construction costs.

Plans for an interpretive centre are currently underway. Carvery says the space would allow the community to gather for special events such as weddings. The facility is expected to cost $7 million and Carvery hopes the cost will be split between the federal, provincial and municipal governments . No construction date has been set for the interpretive centre.

The Africville reunion runs until next Tuesday.