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July 20, 2024
National Healing Journey and the Becoming Institute Announce “Reclaiming Our Roots,” Canada’s First Afro-centric Truth and Reconciliation Jubilee
NHJ is Uniting Black and Afro-Descendant Communities Across Canada for a Powerful Communal Healing Process
HALIFAX, NS — July 18, 2024 — The National Healing Journey (NHJ) and the Becoming Institute are thrilled to announce “Reclaiming Our Roots,” the first Afro-centric Truth and Reconciliation Jubilee in Canada. Scheduled from Friday, September 27, 2024, to Sunday, September 29, 2024, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this landmark event will coincide with Canada’s National Truth and Reconciliation Day. The Jubilee aims to celebrate the resilience of Black and Afro-Descendant communities across Canada while undertaking a powerful communal healing process to address and end intergenerational trauma.
“This year’s Jubilee is set to be a landmark event that celebrates resilience and promotes healing within our community,” said Dr. Joan Samuels-Dennis, Chair of the NHJ and Dean at the Becoming Institute. “We are bringing together diverse voices and talents to create an immersive experience that honors our past while building a hopeful future.”
The three-day conference begins on the evening of September 27, 2024 with a captivating play titled “Wake Up,” along with remarks from government officials, historical storytelling, and keynote addresses by respected public figures from the Black community like Rustum Southwell, founder of the Black Business Initiative and Chancellor of Dalhousie University.
A significant highlight of the event will be the “Becoming The Light ” concert, featuring Canadian Academy Award Winner, TIKA, and visionary African-Xaymacan-Tkarontonian playwright-performer, d’bi.young anitafrika.
“On the second night of the conference, we will feature artists and musicians who have dedicated their lives to creating music that illuminates real-world issues,” said Abena
Addo, co-founder of the Black Health Professional Network. “The event will also feature healing circles led by a national team of psychotherapists, advocates, and healers.”
The event is organized by Dr. Joan Samuels-Dennis and Abena Addo, alongside a national team of Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving organizations. Key partners from Halifax include Health Association of African Canadians (HAAC), Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW), Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC), Dalhousie University, and the Black Business Initiative (BBI). Live streaming of the event will be facilitated by a team of filmmakers based in Halifax, NS.
Event Details
Location: Atlantica Hotel Halifax, Nova Scotia NS Dates: Friday, September 27, 2024, to Sunday, September 29, 2024 Tickets: Available at nationalhealingjourney.com . Early bird tickets are on sale until August 31, 2024.
“Reclaiming Our Roots” not only commemorates past injustices but actively seeks to foster healing, empowerment, and community solidarity for a better future,” said Canadian Academy Award Winner, TIKA.
The National Healing Journey invites Afro-descendant individuals and communities to join a global movement of healing and empowerment.
“We encourage the Afro-descendant population to come to Halifax and experience this transformative 3-day healing journey,” said Dr. Joan. “We call on Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving organizations to partner with us, and we invite Black health professionals to join the movement and support the conference, playing a significant role in ending intergenerational trauma in our community.”
Media Contact
Dr. Joan Samuels-Dennis
Chair of the National Healing Journey and Dean at the Becoming Institute
Phone: 236-852-2299
Email: hello@nationalhealingjourney.com