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By Liam Verster
Black History Month

Virtual events planned for Black History Month in Grande Prairie

Feb 14, 2021 | 5:00 AM

The Grande Prairie Intercultural Association has partnered with the Grande Prairie Public Library to hold virtual events that create an opportunity for learning and discussions to mark Black History Month.

The GPIA and GPPL have secured the rights to show the 1991 documentary Sisters in the Struggle, which tackles the issues black women face in Canadian politics in regards to both racism and sexism.

Maureen Edomwonyi, the Coordinator and the Secretary for GPIA, says the film will be screened virtually on February 20th. The viewing will be followed by an open discussion with local film-maker Mariah Braun, and local entrepreneur and City Council candidate Ejibola Adetokunbo-Taiwo.

Edomwonyi says it was important to have these two women involved in the conversation.

“Mariah is a talented film -maker that is passionate about under-represented voices, and Ejibola is passionate about female empowerment,” says Edomwonyi. “She can speak to the themes of race, gender and political activism.”

The film will be shown at 2 p.m. on Saturday the 20th, with the discussion beginning at 3 o’clock.

Then Saturday the 27th, there will be a virtual panel speaking a wide range of speakers.

Braun will also be part of the panel, along with Paul Rovin, the Director of Canada in Progress; Cecilia Ntombizodwa Mzcondiwa, who was born and raised in Zimbabwe where she earned a law degree, she then moved to Canada and obtained her Canadian law degree equivalency.

Someh Neingor and Jada Lea, founders of the Queendom Movement: Woman Rising in the Financial Markets /Coming back to the Power of Femininity will also be on the panel, as will Solomon Okhifoh, a local project leader and motivational speaker.

That event will begin with an elder blessing, and then the speakers will make their presentation, all of which will focus on the theme of Black History Month, ‘The Future Is Now.’

“The goal, the reason why we’re working on those is to create an opportunity for people to learn, and to inspire regular conversation for the progression of ending racism in this Country both as individuals and as a community.”

This event, which goes at 2 p.m. on Saturday the 27th, will also be open to the public and offer question and answer periods, which will give the public a chance to engage with the speakers and create a dialogue.

Registration is required in order to attend these events. Those interested can register to attend the virtual events through the GPPL’s website.

These events are also running in conjunction with the GPIA and GPPL’s social media campaign to celebrate black culture and history as part of Black History Month.

READ MORE: Intercultural Association, public library work together on Black History Month campaign

by Liam Verster