Many Black males had been rejected from enlisting throughout the First World Conflict due to their pores and skin color, so Canada allowed them to type the No. 2 Building Battalion in 1916. Almost half of the battalion’s 600 members got here from Nova Scotia.
The announcement of the intent to apologize in a “significant and respectful method” occurred at a digital occasion on Sunday afternoon in collaboration with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia in Cherry Brook, N.S..
“Our nation continues to be battling the insidious results of racism,” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan mentioned in his digital tackle. “Greater than 100 years later, we will fight it by recognizing the failures of our previous and dealing to right them.”
WATCH | Daughter of battalion member hopes Ottawa commits to creating actual change:
The federal authorities says it is planning an apology to the No. 2 Building Battalion, an all-Black battalion that served within the First World Conflict. A girl whose father served within the battalion says whereas the announcement is emotional, she hopes the federal government commits to creating actual change. 9:24
Sajjan took time in his tackle to acknowledge the late Capt. George Borden, who spent years selling the historical past of Black Canadians within the navy. Borden died final 12 months.
“His management in Nova Scotia’s Black group was inspiring. We keep in mind and honour his contributions to our nation, and we are going to uphold his legacy and guarantee these tales are advised and heard,” Sajjan mentioned.
Douglas Ruck, co-chair of the Black Battalion Historic Marker Society, was one of many audio system on the occasion.
“I am very happy to be right here however it’s unhappy due to those that couldn’t be right here. Household members of the battalion, my father [former senator Calvin Ruck], Capt. George [Borden], they’re now not with us,” Ruck mentioned.
“They need to be sitting in these seats, they need to be on-line listening to this, they need to be a part of it. And due to that, we should take this, we should take the delight in it, and we should proceed with this message.”
Ruck’s father is credited with bringing the battalion’s story to prominence when after writing The Black Battalion 1916-1920: Canada’s Finest Saved Navy Secret concerning the members’ struggles.
“Sadly, that title nonetheless applies in some ways right this moment…. If it hadn’t been for that guide my father wrote again in 1987, I say to you now, with delight, they might have been forgotten,” Ruck mentioned.
Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin, who spoke just about on the occasion, known as the information of the apology “lengthy overdue.”
The occasion was closed to the general public on account of gathering limits. Descendants of the individuals who served within the No. 2 Building Battalion, in addition to members of the Black Battalion Historic Maker Society and the Black Cultural Society, had been invited to attend.
For extra tales concerning the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success tales throughout the Black group — take a look at Being Black in Canada, a CBC undertaking Black Canadians might be pleased with. You may learn extra tales right here.
