Our History

People of African descent have been an integral part of Nova Scotia’s story for over four centuries. Making this province their home, they helped shape its culture, economy, and identity. Nova Scotia is recognized as the birthplace of Black culture and heritage in Canada and is home to the country’s largest historic African-descended population.

These early settlers and their descendants form today’s African Nova Scotian community, rooted in 52 historic communities across the province. Among them are well-known places such as Shelburne, Africville, East Preston, Lucasville, Cherry Brook, Halifax, Sydney, Springhill, North Preston, and Beechville—each with its own rich history and enduring legacy.

Timeline

Important dates in the establishment of Black communities in the Maritimes:

» 1782-85

About 3,500 Black Loyalists fled to what is now Nova Scotia and New Brunswick at the close of the American Revolution. They had fought for Britain in return for freedom. Once in the Maritimes, they were cheated of land, forced to work on public projects such as roads and buildings and denied equal status.

» 1792

Exodus to Africa: 1,190 men, women and children left Halifax on 15 ships for the long voyage to Sierra Leone. Sixty-five died en route.

» 1796

Nearly 600 Trelawney Maroons exiled from Jamaica arrived in the Maritimes. They faced miserable conditions and opted for Sierra Leone. They left Halifax in 1800.

» 1813-15

Roughly 2,000 U.S. Blacks, refugees from the War of 1812, settled in the Maritimes.

» 1833

Slavery officially abolished in the British Empire.

» 1920s

Hundreds of Caribbean immigrants, called the “later arrivals,” flocked to Cape Breton to work in coal mines and the steel factory.