Screening of the Government of Canada's Official Apology
for systemic anti-Black racism during the First World War
to the descendants of Members of No. 2 Construction Battalion, C.E.F.
Bear witness to history
in the spirit of the 8th Unitarian Principle on eliminating racism.
in the spirit of the 8th Unitarian Principle on eliminating racism.
About the BattalionBlack men wanting to serve Canada during the First World War were told it was "a white man's war" and were refused when they tried to enlist. It took years of lobbying by the community and in 1917 a separate, all-Black construction regiment was formed, No. 2 Construction Battalion, which faced blatant discrimination.
About this event
On Saturday, July 9, 2022 Don Heights hosted the Government of Canada's historic ceremony to recognize and apologize for systemic Anti-Black racism endured by members of No. 2 Construction Battalion during the First World War. Streamed in real time from Truro, Nova Scotia the apology event was offered to give No. 2 and its members the historical recognition and highlighting they deserve. Coordinated by Canada's Department of National Defence and the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, there was be a 17-gun salute, a full military parade and pageantry, music, an Official Apology by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of National Defence Anita Ananda, and attendance from the country's highest government offices. Battle honours will be bestowed in perpetuity on No. 2 Construction Battalion.
Coming from all over Canada, the descendants of the men who served in Canada's "Black Battalion", No. 2 Construction Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, were on hand to witness the apology, including Don Heights Unitarian Congregation Music Director and Lay Chaplain Sheila White, whose grandfather, Rev. Capt. Wm. Andrew White, was Chaplain to the segregated unit and the only Black officer among No. 2 Battalion's white officer corps. Sheila delivered greetings onstage as Chair of Communications and Community Engagement for the National Apology Advisory Committee. |
Visit www.no2-cef.ca to learn mowww.no2-cef.care about No. 2 Construction Battalion |