International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Over 12 million Africans were forcibly taken from their homelands and sold into slavery as part of the transatlantic slave trade. Many were captured through violent raids, warfare, and coercion, then marched to coastal forts, where they were imprisoned before being loaded onto slave ships. The journey across the Atlantic, known as the Middle Passage, was marked by horrific and inhumane conditions. People were shackled, crammed into tight spaces with little ventilation and poor sanitation, and subjected to disease, malnutrition, and abuse. Over one million people died during the journey.
Upon arrival, enslaved Africans were sold and forced into lifelong servitude, enduring brutal treatment and denied basic human rights. While slavery was not as widespread in Canada as it was in the United States, Black and Indigenous people were still enslaved until abolition in 1834.
Present Day Impacts
The legacies of slavery persist today, contributing to systemic inequities in education, employment, and child welfare. Black families are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system due to systemic racism rooted in colonialism and slavery. Additionally, families and communities we support may experience intergenerational trauma associated with this legacy of slavery.
This day is an opportunity to reflect and reaffirm our commitment to opposing anti-Black racism. We honour the strength of those who endured slavery and work toward a more just and inclusive society. To learn more, explore resources such as: Black History in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia and engage in discussions on anti-racism within your teams.
