A Conversation On Legacy: Irvine Carvery’s Insightful Dialogue On Black Canadian History
Earlier this month, the William Doo Auditorium at the University of Toronto came alive with an inspiring and intimate event, “Conversation with a 10th Generation Black Canadian.” The featured guest, Irvine Carvery, a 10th-generation African Nova Scotian and community leader, explored themes of history, resilience, and legacy within the Black Canadian experience. The event was moderated by Femi Lawson, whose thoughtful and engaging questions set the tone for an enlightening dialogue.
The conversation delved deep into Nova Scotia's pivotal role in Canadian history, particularly its connection to the Atlantic slave trade. Irvine began by reflecting on Halifax's prominence as a financial hub in the early days of Canada's development.
“Nova Scotia was rich because of the merchant trade,” Irvine stated, recounting how Halifax emerged as a key seaport that connected trade networks between Bermuda, Jamaica, the United States, and beyond. He detailed how early Canadian banks, such as Scotiabank and TD Bank, were established in Halifax due to the wealth generated through this trade.
Irvine also highlighted the troubling economic legacies of slavery. “Insurance companies made a fortune off the slave trade,” he explained, referencing how institutions like Lloyds of London profited from insuring slave ships. He passionately argued for the importance of reparations, citing historical examples from Haiti to British colonies. “The French and Commonwealth countries broke Haiti’s economy by forcing it to pay reparations for its freedom. That’s why we must address these injustices even today.”
The discussion broadened to include the arrival and experiences of Black communities in Nova Scotia. Irvine recounted how “the governor’s council that ruled Nova Scotia included slave traders,” shaping laws that discriminated against both enslaved and free Black people. He also shared stories of resilience, such as the Maroons’ journey from Jamaica to Halifax, where they helped build Citadel Hill but were subjected to exploitation by colonial leaders.
When discussing Africville, Irvine’s reflections were particularly poignant. He described the systemic neglect and eventual destruction of this vibrant Black community. “The people of Africville owned their land and paid taxes like every other citizen, yet they were denied essential services like water, sewer, and fire protection,” he noted. He also highlighted the community's strength, recalling how Africville residents petitioned for improvements but were met with consistent rejection.
In 1982, the Africville Genealogy Society was established to reconnect the community of Africville. In recent years, new generations of Africville families have continued this tradition by gathering annually on the shores of Bedford Basin. Irvine explained, "We come together for our reunion to strengthen family ties, share our traditions, and preserve our heritage. It’s so incredibly important. And you know what connects us to our traditions? It’s the land. The land is the key because it holds history—it goes back to the footprints of those who walked it before us. Their presence is always there."
Irvine expressed hope for reclaiming the land. "That’s why today, we’ve taken an important step by reclaiming some land to rebuild the church, which now serves as a museum. But our next big challenge is to regain all of our land—to take it all back."
The event concluded with a Q&A session, during which audience members engaged directly with Irvine. One attendee described the conversation as “a reminder of the strength in understanding where we come from and how that shapes our future.”
By the end of the event, the atmosphere was electric with gratitude and inspiration. The dialogue between Irvine Carvery and Femi Lawson served as both an educational journey through history and a call to action for equity and recognition.
This event, organized in collaboration with community partners such as the Nia Centre for the Arts and Street Voices, reinforced the importance of storytelling in creating awareness and connection across diverse communities.
