Africville reunion highlights importance of family in the community

Hundreds of people in Africville this weekend are celebrating the ties that have brought them together for the African Nova Scotian community's five-day reunion.

The event, which includes games, music and camping at the National Historic Site in Halifax, observed its 40th anniversary in 2023. The theme of this year's reunion is family.

Irvine Carvery, who is president of the Africville Genealogy Society, said connection between families was the glue that bonded the community for more than 150 years. 

"As a young fella in Africville, I knew all the families, I knew all the children, I knew all the aunties, the uncles, the grandparents," said Carvery. "As I walk through the encampment here with various people, that's what they're talking about, how nice it is to have family coming together."

Africville residents were displaced and their homes demolished by the City of Halifax in the 1960s. By early 1970, the last resident left the community and approximately 400 people from 80 families had been relocated. 

Vince Williams, whose parents were removed from the community in 1967, helps organize the reunion. 

"The people, the history, the culture, the lineage, the descendants and the broader community that comes together and, you know, supports this community — that's what makes it special every year," Williams said. 

He said the children's events on Saturday encourage the next generation to carry on the reunion. 

"This is the spirit that's going to live on through them … and continue this family reunion well beyond when I'm gone, as well as every other descendant that's in my category in regard to age," he said. 

Bonnie Johnson was young when her family was relocated from Africville. For over a decade, she has returned to help organize the youth events, which include carnival games and a colouring page that provides an opportunity to learn about the history of the community. 

"I don't remember too much of Africville, but I remember the stories of Africville and the togetherness and the love," Johnson said.

"Anybody can come down. It's just not for us. We like to share."