Africville dispute may be settled

Posted on 22. Feb, 2010 by Shera Crossan in Events, Politics, Race, Real History

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Settled in earnest after the War of 1812, it all began with a promise to Black Loyalists of free land and equal rights. Migrating from slavery and the war in the United States, these promises would be the beginning of many promises never kept. The community of Africville was never officially established, but the first land transaction documented on paper was dated 1848. The community had a population of approximately 400 residents. Many thought it was named Africville because the people who located there were African, yet this was not the case. These people had no emotional connection to Africa, or considered it their home. One elderly women, a resident of Africville, was quoted saying, “it wasn’t Africville out there. None of the people came from Africa…it was part of Richmond (Northern Halifax), just the part where the colour folks lived.”[1]

Africville began as a small and poor, but self-sufficient rural community of about 50 people in the 19th century. However an influx of population and the imposition of industries and facilities starting in World War I led the community to evolve to a more crowded and neglected urban neighbourhood whose population peaked at 400 at the time of expulsion. During the 1940s and 1950s in different parts of Canada the Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments were working together to take communities labelled slums and relocate the people to better housing. Their intent was to use the land for business and industry.More
During the 20th century and for generations preceding, Africville was populated entirely by black families from various origins, including refugees/former slaves from south of the Mason-Dixon Line, smuggled north on the underground railroad. Despite their poverty and lack of political leverage, the residents of the tiny community had a strong sense of social unity and activism.

CALGARY (CBC) – The City of Halifax and the federal government may soon settle a decades-old dispute with the former residents of Africville. Africville was a black community at the northern tip of the Halifax peninsula which was ordered destroyed in the 1960s. Hundreds of families were evicted and relocated.

The area, now Seaview Park, is a national historic site, but former residents and their descendants have been demanding compensation and redevelopment.

“The offer that’s come forward from HRM [Halifax Regional Municipality] is more than what the society put on the table,” said Irvine Carvery, president of the Africville Genealogy Society.
“It’ll mean that the people of Africville, future generations, and Nova Scotians, Canadians, everyone will be able to go to the actual site of our community to learn about our rich history and culture and traditions on a site right in Africville. It will mean a living legacy for future generations.”

Carvery declined to divulge details about the deal, accepted by the society Saturday during a closed meeting at a Halifax library. But a report Sunday in the Halifax Chronicle Herald says it includes a $3-million payout and about one hectare of municipal land.

Halifax municipal council, which has dealt with the matter behind closed doors, is scheduled to vote on the package in an open session Tuesday.

The federal government will support the tentative deal, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay. He announced $250,000 to support the creation of an Africville Heritage Trust during a news conference Sunday in Halifax.
“The government of Canada is committed to investing in projects like this that protect and promote diversity in Nova Scotia,” said MacKay. “The trust will enhance the community’s ability to properly commemorate the spirit of Africville and celebrate its history.”
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