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African Nova Scotian connections

Dal staff, community members and children pose with the African Nova Scotian flag on campus.

A distinct people

African Nova Scotians/Indigenous Blacks are a distinct people who descend from free and enslaved Black Planters, Black Loyalists, Black Refugees, Maroons, and other Black people who inhabited the original 52 land-based Black communities in that part of Mi'kma'ki known as Nova Scotia. Today, there are approximately 20,000 African Nova Scotians living in the province and many more living across Canada.Ìý

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"±«Óãtv recognizes African Nova Scotians as a distinct people and acknowledges how they have shaped this province and University over centuriesâ€

University Proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, 2018

African Nova Scotian Strategy

Through the implementation of our African Nova Scotian Strategy, ±«Óãtv commits to creating safe, culturally-specific academic, research, social, intellectual, and physical spaces to nourish and facilitate meaningful and safe integration both on our campuses and in our engagements with the broader African Nova Scotian community.Ìý

Explore the African Nova Scotian Strategy

African Nova Scotian Acknowledgement

We recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies, and contributions have enriched that part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years.

Learn more about the African Nova Scotian Acknowledgement

African Nova Scotian Advisory Council

The advisory council is composed of dedicated community leaders, many of whom are also ±«Óãtv students, staff, alumni and faculty members.

Learn more about the African Nova Scotian Advisory Council

Director of African Nova Scotian Community Engagement

The director takes an institutional leadership role in working to implement the African Nova Scotian Strategy recommendations on campus while actively supporting the access and success of prospective and current African Nova Scotian members of the ±«Óãtv community.Ìý

Jalana Lewis, BA, JD (She/Her)Ìý
Director, African Nova Scotian Community Engagement
jalana.lewis@dal.caÌý
(902) 499-4413​

Headshot of Jalana Lewis

Upcoming and current events

November 2024

Strategy update and quilt unveiling

On November 22nd, members of Dal's African Nova Scotian Strategy Advisory Council updated on past, present and future strategy initiatives, as well as unveiled Anja Clyke's quilt, which will be permanently displayed in the Law Faculty.

Image of the strategy update graphic