Memories of Africville
February 25, 2010 9:00 AM
On Wednesday, February 24, the City of Halifax announced a public apology and compensation package for the former residents of Africville.
Memories of Africville stir many emotions in Nova Scotia to this day. The African-Nova Scotian village was forcibly removed in the 1960s by the municipal government in order to make way for the A. Murray MacKay Bridge.
Speaking to reporters on the preceding Sunday, President of the Africville Genealogy Society Irvine Carvery called the settlement a breakthrough in a long process of negotiations.
“It’ll mean that the people of Africville, future generations, and Nova Scotians, Canadians, everyone will be able to go to the actual site of our community to learn about our rich history and culture and traditions on a site right in Africville. It will mean a living legacy for future generations.”
For many Nova Scotians, the memory of Africville stands an example of racism and discrimination in the province.
In the 1962, Halifax city officials were in search of land to develop for a new bridge across the Halifax Harbour.
Noting the potential of Halifax’s northern peninsula - and the underdeveloped condition of the area - officials decided to bulldoze the surrounding houses to make way for construction. Standing in the way was a community known as Africville.
Home to over 70 African-Nova Scotian families, Africville was founded in the 19th century by descendents of American slaves. Many families could trace their roots in the community by 150 years at the time of its demolition.
The village had no running water, sewage system, garbage pickup, street lights, public transportation or paved roads. Instead, the community was the site of an open dump, incinerator, prison, railway tracks and a slaughterhouse. Underemployment and unemployment was also a constant.
Speaking with CBC reporters in 1962, residents blamed discrimination in the City of Halifax for their living conditions and objected to their removal.
“When you’re in this country and you own a piece of property, you’re not a second class citizen. That’s why my people own their land. They worked for it, they toiled for it, they worked to get the little piece of land that they own and try to hang on. When your land is being taken away from you and you ain’t offered nothing, then you become a peasant,” asserts Joseph Skinner in archived CBC footage.
As early as 1945, the Halifax Civic Planning Commission called for the expropriation of the Africville settlement. During the 1950s, the area became considered for industrial planning. On October 25, 1962, City Council adopted recommendations to destroy “the blighted housing and dilapidated structures” to make way for the bridge project. Between 1964 and 1969, residents were forced to vacate their homes. The last remaining resident was Aaron “Pa” Carvery, who left the area on January 2, 1970.
Bull dozers followed behind them in order to tear down the remaining structures and deter squatters. Garbage trucks were utilized to evacuate Africville’s citizens.
Residents who could prove title were promised the full market value of their homes. Only 14 families could demonstrate ownership. The rest were offered $500 as compensation for their relocation costs. The City also offered alternative accommodations in public housing.
Residents were not consulted in this initial planning and compensation phase.
Today, the site of Africville is a national historic site and home to Seaview Park. In 2006, Nova Scotian MLA Percy Paris called for the City of Halifax to issue a formal apology to the citizens of Africville.
Each year, hundreds of former residents and descendents gather in the park to celebrate the Africville Family Reunion.
On Tuesday, February 23, City Council voted on the settlement package in an open session.
With files from: Africville Genealogy Society CBC Archives
