The history of African-Canadians is vast, and there is so much information to unpack. We must seek to expand our minds and learn continuously. These are practical steps that we can all take to commemorate African-Canadian Heritage Month, celebrated during February.

Feb. 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month. Schools will host special programs, workplaces may invite guest speakers and you may find more content on your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds discussing Black history.

For more than 10 years the Dufferin-Peel Catholic school board has hosted its “Black Futures” symposium during Black History Month in February. The goal though is to go beyond just one month in the calendar.

At this pivotal moment in the conversation around anti-Black racism in North America and beyond, Jean Augustine is reminded of the Sankofa — a bird associated with a west African proverb used to express the importance of reaching back for knowledge gained from the past.

To mark The Register’s 125th year, we are re-publishing some interesting stories from our archive. As we celebrate Black History Month, here’s an article from March 20, 1965, reporting on a march in Ottawa that drew thousands in support of the civil rights movement in the United States. The event was held shortly after the historic Selma to Montgomery march in Alabama on March 7 that resulted in state troopers attacking demonstrators on what became known as “Bloody Sunday.”

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From slavery to sainthood, the story of St. Josephine Bakhita is one of resilience and faith.

“Better late than never” offers consolation for those who are patient, and a poor excuse for those who are delinquent. When it comes to apologies, however, “the sooner the better” is much preferred.

TORONTO - Everton Lewis is trying to raise awareness that black history is as much a part of Canada’s past as the stories of European explorers like Samuel Champlain.

A journalist once yelled at me for being black and not knowing the name “Jim Crow.” At the time I was a young university student in Toronto. I did know about American history and the deep-seeded racial segregation in the United States. And yes, I should have known that the laws that supported this anti-black culture were referred to as “Jim Crow,” but I should have known this as a North American resident and not only because of my skin colour.

TORONTO - A new partnership between the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board will open doors to enhanced knowledge for more than 12,000 students.

TORONTO - Black History Month this year is an opportunity for Catholic parishes and schools in Canada to discover Our Lady of Kibeho's message of prayer, conversion and reconciliation, said Jesuit Father William Mbugua at a Black History Month Mass at downtown Toronto's Our Lady of Lourdes parish Feb. 5.

"We have something good to share," said Mbugua. "We are not just victims of our history. We have to ask, what is it that God has given us, even in the midst of suffering?"

In 1981 Our Lady of Kibeho began to appear to high school girls in Rwanda. In his homily, Mbugua urged about 300 gathered for the Sunday evening Mass to share the story of the Vatican-endorsed apparitions in rural Rwanda 30 years ago.