Nova Scotia·NewKites were flying, kids were playing and burgers were being flipped at the 42nd Africville Family Reunion on Saturday. For more than 40 years, people have returned for a weekend festival at what is now a National Historic Site, after Africville was torn down by the city of Halifax in the 1960s.’For us, it’s remembering the good times, but also not forgetting the injustice,’ said Shawn MantleyMolly MacNaughton · CBC News · Posted: Jul 26, 2025 5:12 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoFormer residents and descendants of the historic Black community of Africville reunite every year at a weekend festival. (Eric Wiseman/CBC)Kites were flying, kids were playing and burgers were being flipped at the 42nd Africville Family Reunion on Saturday.It was children’s day, and event organizer Shawn Mantley was on barbecue duty.He said it’s important for the community to gather and acknowledge their ancestors and the history of Africville.”For us, it’s remembering the good times, but also not forgetting the injustice,” he said. “It’s celebrating the ancestors and the people that came before us.”Shawn Mantley says it’s a good feeling to be standing where his mom and grandmother grew up. (Molly MacNaughton/CBC)For more than 40 years, people have returned for a weekend festival at what is now a National Historic Site, after Africville was torn down by the city of Halifax in the 1960s.Mantley said some children might not know the story of Africville. But they had the opportunity to learn during a roundtable Friday night where descendants shared memories and talked about the injustices faced.Amira Simms Oliver, left, is shown with her two sisters and her mom. The family attends the reunion every year. (Molly MacNaughton/CBC)Mantley said despite a shooting that left five people injured at least year’s event, the atmosphere this year feels calm, and it’s a good feeling to be here.”For our youth, we want to make sure that the spirit of Africville carries on,” said Mantley.Lawn games were set up on the field Saturday. Underneath a large tent, organizers set up face painting, drawing and a snack table. (Molly MacNaughton/CBC)Amira Simms Oliver, 14, has soaked up the spirit of Africville at every reunion since she was a baby. She said it’s great to be surrounded by family and friends.”Even though the incident last year happened, I’m not going to let that stop me from coming here,” said Simms Oliver.”Even though there’s not as many people as there were like the years before, I’m still going to have a good time.”For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. (CBC)MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORMolly MacNaughton is a news reporter and associate producer. She’s currently taking her Master of Journalism at the University of King’s College. For story ideas contact her at molly.macnaughton@cbc.ca
Spirits high at Africville reunion as attendees celebrate ‘the people that came before us’
