By Camille Hernández-Ramdwar This year the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (still fondly referred to as Caribana by many) turns 56 years old. It has undeniably been a major cultural institution not only for Toronto, but for the entire country. Within Caribbean communities in Canada, it has been a central fixture for generations. At the same time, […]
By Vibert Cambridge, Professor Emeritus, Ohio University I start by suggesting that Norman Cameron’s 1951 book, A History of the Queen’s College of British Guiana, which aggregated existing knowledge of the then 107-year-old institution, “launched” what we can call Queen’s College Studies. Although a minor stream in contemporary Guyanese historiography, QC is an important institution […]
By Henry Gomez The KAISO 365 Calypso Monarch Competition is the significant calypso event on the Toronto Caribbean Carnival calendar. Traditionally, it takes place eight days after the Junior Carnival Parade. The parade culminates with a Junior Showcase of the Caribbean carnival arts in which children eighteen and younger sing calypso or soca, play the […]
The restoration of a historic cemetery in Alberta has achieved a significant milestone. On July 12, permanent headstones were installed at Bethel Baptist Cemetery near Barrhead, Alta. This cemetery stands as a poignant reminder of the Black pioneer community of Campsie, a group whose legacy endures in the region. Located approximately 120 kilometers northwest of […]
By Neil Armstrong One hundred and ninety years ago, August 1, 1834, African Canadians celebrated the first Emancipation Day after the British Parliament had passed the Act a year earlier to free all the enslaved Africans in the overseas slave colonies. Historian, Natasha Henry-Dixon, in her book, Emancipation Day: Celebrating Freedom in Canada, notes that, […]
By Sukhram Ramkissoon Geraldine (not her real name) sought judicial review of an officer’s decision to refuse her application for permanent residence on Humanitarian and Compassionate (“H and C”) grounds. She is a citizen of Grenada, 61 years old and has been living in in Canada since 1990. Geraldine initially submitted her H and C […]
In a landmark decision, lawmakers in both houses of Trinidad and Tobago have unanimously passed a bill designating the steelpan as the national instrument of the republic, inclusive of sister isle Tobago. This legislative move solidifies the steelpan’s unique status as the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century. Senator Randall Mitchell, Minister of […]
School of Rock, a leader in performance-based music education with a network spanning over 370 schools across 17 countries, is eager to expand its franchise opportunities in Toronto, Ontario. Stacey Ryan, Chief Operating Officer of School of Rock, highlighted Toronto’s vibrant and inclusive music scene, noting the city’s rich multicultural community deeply invested in diverse […]
By Lincoln DePradine Ace Trinidad and Tobago arranger Duvone Stewart selected Mical Teja’s song, “DNA”, and it earned BP Renegades Steel Orchestra a first place tie – with All Stars – at the country’s 2024 panorama competition. Another talented arranger, Rudo Forteau, is optimistic that he could repeat the magical victory embodied in “DNA”, which […]
In the early hours of Friday morning, over 9,000 employees of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) commenced strike action against their employer. The union representing these workers has emphasized that privatization stands as a central grievance driving their decision to strike. Earlier this year, Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a proposal to expand […]
