February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month in Canada and a time for us to celebrate the lived experiences and vast contributions of Black Canadians to our shared history and society in every domain.
Black people have been part of Canada’s recorded history since the beginning. One of the earliest and most mysterious Black figures in Canadian history is Mathieu DaCosta, interpreter. Historians generally consider him to be the first Black person to have visited Canada, likely in the company of explorer Samuel de Champlain, who is generally credited as the founder of New France (Québec), in the early 1600s.
DaCosta’s story is largely unknown, but he is believed to have been a navigator and an interpreter for Portuguese, French, English and Dutch explorers and traders. It is unclear how he also came to be an interpreter for Indigenous peoples, but there is evidence that he did this as well. These skills would have made him a formidable and valued member of de Champlain’s party.
Despite the gaps in DaCosta’s recorded history, there are Canadian heritage sites which commemorate his presence. The Port-Royal National Historic Site in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia celebrates his role as an interpreter between Indigenous peoples and French explorers, and the Mathieu DaCosta African Heritage Trail in Nova Scotia bears not only his name but a plaque to honour his memory.
In 2017, Canada Post issued a Mathieu DaCosta stamp to mark Black History Month and to commemorate this elusive and mysterious figure.
The role of Black Canadians and their communities has largely been ignored as a key part of our national history and education. This February, and throughout the year, take the time to learn about Black Canadians, both historic and modern, who have shaped Canada’s growth and contributed to its history.
The JLP is proud to play a part in nurturing and promoting workplaces that are inclusive, diverse and free of harassment and discrimination. You can find details of our in-person workshops and virtual discussions on our website.