Black History Month
Black History Month at Heritage Park is a time to reflect, learn, and celebrate the stories, contributions, and legacies of Black communities who helped shape the Prairies and Canada. Through events, storytelling, and community collaboration, Heritage Park is committed to honouring Black history.
What Black History Month Means at Heritage Park
Heritage Park is committed to sharing history in all its richness and complexity. Black History Month provides an opportunity to spotlight the stories of Black pioneers, leaders, and communities whose contributions have long been part of Prairie history, yet have too often gone untold.
Throughout the month, Heritage Park invites guests to learn more about the lives, legacies, and everyday experiences of Black individuals who helped shape Alberta and Western Canada. These stories challenge long-standing narratives and deepen our understanding of the region’s past by recognizing the diversity, resilience, and leadership that have always existed here.
While Black History Month is recognized each February, this work extends far beyond a single month. Through research, interpretation, exhibits, and collaboration with community partners, Heritage Park continues to amplify Black voices and ensure that Black history is shared in meaningful, accurate, and respectful ways for future generations.
Black History Month Events
Film Screening & Panel Discussion at Heritage Park
Join us at Heritage Park for an evening of film, conversation and celebration as we honour Black excellence in the arts.
Black History Month is an annual observance that recognizes the rich cultural heritage, significant contributions and enduring resilience of Black communities. Guided by this year’s theme, African Americans and Labor, these events explore the creative, cultural and community-building work of Black artists and storytellers through film and dialogue.
Heritage Park is proud to present a special screening followed by a panel discussion featuring voices who will share insight, reflection and perspectives on the film’s themes and the broader impact of Black storytelling.
We invite you to join us for this meaningful opportunity to watch, learn and engage in conversation that reflects Heritage Park’s commitment to sharing history in all its richness and complexity.
A Black Heritage Film Showcase – February 15
Join us this Black History Month for a special day of film screenings that celebrate Black brilliance across generations. This showcase features powerful films by Black filmmakers that explore real stories of resilience, culture, family, and vision. From short documentaries to full-length features each film offers a unique lens on Black life—past, present, and future.
Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or on your own, this is an opportunity to experience dynamic storytelling and connect with the richness of Black heritage in Canada and beyond.
Culturally Speaking: Honouring Black Brilliance – February 19
Join us this Black History Month for a moving evening of film screenings that celebrate Black brilliance across generations. The evening will share powerful films by Black filmmakers that explore real stories of resilience, culture, family, and vision. Each film offers a unique lens on Black life—past, present, and future.
Followed by a panel discussion with Brian Lanier speaking of the Lanier Family’s legacy, director Cheryl Foggo on the importance of building community in Black story-telling, and dynamic young filmmakers Kamika Guerra-Walker and Nenritji Suwa on their inspiration and journey for their films. The discussion will be moderated by the Black Heritage Committee’s Lana Bentley.
Year-Round Commitment | Beyond Black History Month
While Black History Month provides a focused time for reflection and learning, Heritage Park’s commitment to inclusive storytelling continues throughout the year. Honouring Black history is not limited to a single moment on the calendar but is an ongoing responsibility rooted in research, collaboration, and community relationships.
Through events, programming, and partnerships, Heritage Park works to ensure that Black histories are woven into the broader story of the Prairies. This includes recognizing the contributions of Black pioneers, families, and leaders whose lives are connected to the Park’s buildings, landscapes, and collections.
By continuing this work year-round, Heritage Park aims to create a more complete and representative understanding of history that supports learning, dialogue, and connection for generations to come.